Mid-air crash of two IndiGo planes averted

KOLKATA: Two IndiGo planes carrying approximately 300 passengers came within 45 seconds of a mid-air collision in Bangladeshi air space, before an air traffic controller in Kolkata spotted the prospective disaster and instructed one of the pilots to take evasive action. A senior ATC official said, “The Chennai-Guwahati flight was assigned 35,000 feet by the controller in Kolkata while the other (Guwahati-Kolkata) flight was traveling at 36,000 feet. The controller saw the second flight suddenly started a descent. The radar screen analysing speed, distance and coordinates of various aircraft flashed an alarm indicating a conflict. The controller immediately decided to take the matter in his own hands and, with barely 45 seconds left for impact, asked the Guwahati-bound aircraft’s pilot to veer sharply to the left. This averted certain disaster.” The Airports Authority of India has contacted Bangladeshi authorities and expressed concern over the incident.