Indigo plane causes runway closure at Delhi airport; Flights running an hour late

NEW DELHI: Runway incursion by an IndiGo aircraft led to closure of over an hour impacting flight operations out of Delhi airport.

Delhi airport Runway 28 was non-operational for over an hour from 5.45 to 6.55 after Indigo flight 6E 719 (Delhi-Chennai) during departure did runway incursion. Due to this some flights diverted and departure of approx 25 flights were delayed, sources said.

Sources added that flights out of Delhi airport are still running late by an hour.

"6E 719 pushed back and was given taxi permission through C lane and was supposed to hold at Runway 28 but Captain crossed runway and realize he was standing on W lane ... then Indigo was contaced to arrange push back toe but it took time to arrange and due poor visibility. At that particular time all operation was on hold which caused a heavy congestion. Around 10 aircraft were hold at holding point," sources said.

Confirming the incident, IndiGo said that they have informed the DGCA about it.

"Aircraft finally departed with a delay of around 50 mins. Safety of passengers, crew and aircraft was not compromised at any time. IndiGo has voluntarily informed the DGCA office. The matter is being investigated by IndiGo safety department and the regulator," IndiGo said in a statement.