Airliners belonging to Delta Airlines and Aeromexico narrowly avoid a catastrophic mid-air collision at Mexico City's airport.
In a startling incident at Mexico City's Benito Juárez International Airport, an Aeromexico Connect Embraer E190LR and a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-832 came within just 200 feet of each other on Monday morning.
The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. when the Aeromexico flight was landing on runway 5R, while the Delta flight was preparing for takeoff from the same runway. The close proximity of the two planes has raised concerns about potential errors in air traffic control and communication.
Sources suggest that an error in the air traffic control tower may have led to the near-collision. It is unclear if the air traffic controller instructed Aeromexico Flight 1631 to land on a different runway from Delta Flight 590. The question remains whether the controller intended for the Aeromexico aircraft to land on the left-hand runway instead of the right-hand runway where the Delta jet was positioned.
Mexico City's airport has parallel runways, which could have contributed to the confusion. Aviation experts are considering the possibility of a communication failure as a contributing factor to the incident.
The Delta flight aborted its takeoff, reaching a speed of about 60 mph before stopping. It later returned to the gate and departed for Atlanta around three hours late. Both airlines have stated that they are cooperating with authorities to investigate the incident, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety.
The Mexican Aviation Authority has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident. The incident between Delta Flight 590 and Aeromexico Flight 1631 is still under investigation by the FAA.
This near-miss incident underscores the importance of precise communication and coordination in air traffic control, particularly in environments with multiple runways and simultaneous aircraft movements. It serves as a reminder for the need for continuous improvements in safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
- The international aviation industry has been prompted to reevaluate communication and coordination protocols following the near-collision incident at Mexico City's Benito Juárez International Airport, which involved two major players - Aeromexico and Delta Airlines.
- The financial implications of the incident extend beyond the aviation sector, as concerns about air traffic control errors may impact public confidence in the international entertainment industry, given the reliance on safe transportation for celebrities and productions.
- As regulators investigate the causes of the near-miss, industry experts are offering insight into the potential impact on airline finance, predicting possible delays, increased insurance premiums, and potential penalties due to the potential error in air traffic control.
