Close shave: Air India flight overshoots runway at Mumbai; passengers safe

Mumbai: All passengers and crew members are safe after an Air India flight from Kochi veered off the runway while landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Monday morning, airport authorities confirmed.

The incident involved Flight AI 2744, which experienced a runway excursion at 9.27 am. According to a CSMIA spokesperson, emergency response teams were immediately deployed to manage the situation, and all passengers disembarked safely without injuries.

" There are minor damages reported to the airport's primary runway -- 09/27. In order to ensure continuity of operations, the Secondary Runway 14/32 -- has been activated," the spokesperson added. " At CSMIA, safety always remains our highest priority."

Air India also issued a statement confirming the safety of all on board. The airline said the runway excursion occurred due to heavy rainfall during landing. "The aircraft taxied safely to the gate, and all passengers and crew members have since disembarked," it said. The aircraft has been grounded for inspection.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, addressing Parliament on Monday, said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting an "unbiased and transparent" probe into the Air India 171 crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on 12 June. The plane went down minutes after take-off, killing all on board except one passenger.

The minister said the investigation is being carried out with support from the International Civil Aviation Organization and subject experts, and the final report is awaited.