Mumbai: Air India Plane Skids Off Runway During Landing; All Passengers Safe

An Air India A320 aircraft, flight AI-2744 from Kochi, encountered a runway excursion at Mumbai airport on Monday. The incident was caused by heavy rain. The plane veered off Runway 27 but managed to taxi to a parking bay after entering an unpaved area. The main runway was closed following the event.

The aircraft veered 16 to 17 metres off the runway near the touchdown zone but returned safely to taxi normally to the parking stand. Sources reported that three tyres burst during this runway excursion. Despite some damage, the aircraft was not disabled and could move to a parking bay.

Safety Measures and Investigations

A team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is currently investigating the incident. An Air India spokesperson stated: "Flight AI-2744, operating from Kochi to Mumbai on 21 July 2025, experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion after touchdown. The aircraft taxied safely to the gate, and all passengers and crew have since disembarked. The aircraft has been grounded for checks. The safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority."

Mumbai airport's emergency response teams were immediately activated following the incident at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). All passengers and crew were reported safe. Minor damages occurred to the primary runway - 09/27 - prompting activation of the secondary runway - 14/32 - for continued operations.

Past Incidents During Monsoon

In September 2023, another incident occurred when a VSR Ventures Learjet 45 arriving from Visakhapatnam veered off the runway amid heavy rain and poor visibility at Mumbai airport. That disabled aircraft took several hours to be removed.

If the Air India aircraft had become stuck in the unpaved ground, it would have kept the main runway closed until its removal. Such incidents are not uncommon during monsoon season at Mumbai airport.

The incident happened at 9:27 am when flight AI-2744 landed from Kochi on Runway 27 but failed to stay on course during deceleration. A Mumbai airport spokesperson confirmed: "There are minor damages reported to the airport's primary runway - 09/27." To maintain operations, they activated the secondary runway - 14/32.

Mumbai airport emphasised that safety is their highest priority: "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 incident. All passengers and crew are safe."