Air Canada criticises Indian air traffic control after flight diverted
Air Canada has taken aim at Indian air traffic control officials after it claims it was not given alternative options as a runway was closed at Mumbai Airport.
Mumbai bound flight AC046, from Toronto which was carrying 191 passengers, was initially held in a holding pattern by Indian air traffic control but gave no details of alternative airports at which to land, as the jet was quickly running out of fuel.
It eventually landed safely in Hyderabad despite ‘fuel constraints’, Air Canada said.
The runway at Mumbai was closed on September 19 after a SpiceJet aircraft skidded off the tarmac and could not be removed from thick mud for more than a day.
More than 60 planes had to be diverted to other airports.
"On approach, the aircraft was placed in a holding pattern by Indian air traffic authorities due to an unrelated airport ground incident, but the Indian controllers did not provide details to enable the crew to make an assessment on diverting to an alternative airport," Air Canada spokesperson Angela Mah told news outlet PTI.
The Air Canada jet had to get priority landing due to it being low on fuel.
Regulator Transport Canada has taken up the matter with Indian aviation authorities.
"Air Canada followed all correct procedures and it is now a matter for Indian and Canadian aviation authorities," Mah added.
An air traffic control official said Hyderabad was also bursting at the seams due to the sheer number of diverted flights but ATC ‘did everything that was required for a safe landing of the aircraft.’
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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