A major tragedy was averted after an Air India flight from Kochi suffered a runway excursion while landing at the Mumbai airport on Monday. The aircraft suffered damage in the incident.
According to an official statement by the airline, the incident happened amid heavy rain in the city and other parts of the state.
Images showed visible damage to the aircraft after it landed at the Mumbai airport.
The aircraft landed at nearly 9.27 am, after which emergency response teams were immediately activated to manage the situation.
Air India said the aircraft was safely taxied to the gate following the incident.
It also said all passengers and crew onboard the flight were disembarked, and the aircraft was grounded for checks.
“Flight AI2744, operating from Kochi to Mumbai on 21 July 2025, experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion after touchdown," an Air India spokesperson said.
“The aircraft taxied safely to the gate, and all passengers and crew members have since disembarked," the spokesperson said.
“The aircraft has been grounded for checks," the airline added.
The number of passengers on the flight at the time of the incident was not immediately known.
Soon after the incident, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) stated that, “An incoming aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai at 09.27 hours on 21 July 2025."
“CSMIA’s emergency response teams were immediately activated to manage the runway excursion. All passengers and crew are safe," it said.
“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 airport statement added.
Earlier today, Air India Express regretted the inconvenience to passengers of a Delhi-bound flight that was cancelled due to a technical snag a day ago and said it prioritises the safety of operations.
The cancellation of the flight on the Ranchi-Delhi route caused a chaotic situation at the airport in Ranchi on Sunday evening, and the passengers were seen arguing with the airline’s staff about rescheduling.
The low-cost carrier said it offered all possible options to passengers, including complimentary rescheduling on preferred dates.
HEAVY RAIN BATTERS MUMBAI
Mumbai witnessed waterlogging in several areas on Mumbai after heavy, overnight rain.
Vehicular movement also slowed down in many parts of the city.
The rain intensity reduced since early morning in the island city, but most parts of the eastern and western suburbs continued to receive heavy downpours.
The Andheri subway (in the western part of Mumbai) was closed to traffic due to water accumulation.
In the 24-hour period ending at 8 am on Monday, the island city recorded an average rainfall of 23.45 mm, the eastern suburbs received 36.42 mm, and the western suburbs got 50.02 mm of rainfall.
For the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a generally cloudy sky with moderate spells of rain in Mumbai and suburbs, with the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds at isolated places.
Source: News18