Ariana Afghan Airlines Kabul-Delhi Flight Lands on the Wrong Runway at Delhi Airport, Triggering a DGCA Probe and New Concerns Over Future Travel Safety

Published on November 24, 2025

A potentially catastrophic runway incident was narrowly avoided at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, when an Ariana Afghan Airlines jet from Kabul, Afghanistan, landed on the wrong runway while another aircraft was taking off. Confirming the event as amounting to a major collision risk, it prompted an immediate safety investigation, a senior official from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said.

Aircraft A310, operating on flight FG 311 on the Kabul–Delhi route, had been cleared to land on runway 29L. It touched down on the parallel runway 29R, where another flight was already in the departure phase. No damage or injuries were reported in the incident, but the seriousness of the runway deviation has cast a spotlight on navigation reliability, pilot situational awareness and air traffic control vigilance at one of India’s busiest international hubs, which also serves as a key gateway for tourists and transit passengers.

Clearance For 29L But Touchdown On 29R

According to preliminary details shared by the DGCA, air traffic control had issued landing clearance for runway 29L, and the pilot in command PIC of FG 311 acknowledged that clearance. Despite this, the aircraft lined up with and landed on runway 29R.

ATC recordings reportedly confirm that FG 311 was authorised only for runway 29L, and there was no change in runway assignment. The unexplained shift to 29R has become a central question for investigators examining the sequence of events, including cockpit decision-making, ATC monitoring and technical guidance from onboard systems.

Pilot Reports Loss Of Instrument Landing System Guidance

In his report to authorities, the PIC said that the aircraft lost Instrument Landing System ILS guidance at around 4 nautical miles from the runway while established on the approach for 29L. After the loss of ILS, the aircraft reportedly turned right, and the captain proceeded with a visual approach in poor visibility, ultimately landing on 29R.

The ILS is a precision navigation system that provides lateral and vertical guidance to align an aircraft with the runway centreline and glide path, particularly important at night or in foggy or hazy conditions that frequently affect North India. It is a critical element of safe operations at Delhi airport, which handles dense traffic and regular low-visibility procedures during winter.

The pilot claimed that both ILS systems on board malfunctioned after the Final Approach Fix FAF, the point where the final segment of an instrument approach begins. He also stated that the crew were not alerted by Delhi tower to any deviation during the approach. Only after landing did the captain realise the aircraft had touched down on runway 29R, not the assigned 29L.

Runway Deviation Under DGCA Investigation

The crew have attributed the runway deviation to the combination of ILS failure and low-visibility conditions, which limited their ability to maintain the correct approach track. For the DGCA, the investigation now centres on whether the problem lay in the aircraft’s navigation equipment, ground-based ILS infrastructure, human factors in the cockpit, or gaps in ATC intervention while the aircraft drifted towards the parallel runway.

Investigators are expected to review flight data, cockpit voice recordings, radar tracks and ATC communication logs to reconstruct the approach phase second by second. The findings could have direct implications for standard operating procedures, training requirements and technology upgrades at Indian airports.

Impact On Passenger Confidence And Tourism Flows

As a major international gateway, Delhi airport is not just a hub for domestic travel but also a critical entry point for visitors heading to India’s tourism destinations in states such as Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and beyond. Incidents of this nature can temporarily affect passenger confidence, especially among international travellers who rely on the perception of robust aviation safety standards.

However, India’s record of rapidly investigating such events, combined with global safety oversight and airline accountability, typically helps restore confidence. For the wider travel and tourism sector, the key is that lessons from near misses are translated quickly into practical safety improvements, ensuring that future visitors experience a stronger and more resilient aviation system.

Focus On Navigation Reliability And Low-Visibility Operations

The near miss is likely to intensify scrutiny of low-visibility operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Areas that may come under review include:

• Maintenance and testing of ground-based ILS equipment
• Reliability and redundancy of aircraft navigation systems
• Pilot training for parallel runway operations and go-arounds when guidance is lost
• ATC monitoring tools that can flag deviations from the cleared approach path in real time
• Procedures for quickly stopping departures on a parallel runway if an inbound aircraft appears off track

Strengthening these layers of protection is essential not only for aviation safety but also for maintaining Delhi’s role as a trusted hub for both business and leisure travellers.

Future Travel Safety Angle: How This Incident Can Make Flying Safer

While the episode is alarming, it also creates an opportunity to make future air travel safer for passengers using Indian airports. Once the DGCA completes its investigation, the findings can drive tangible upgrades in several areas that directly benefit travellers.

First, the incident may accelerate implementation of advanced ground surveillance systems and runway safety technologies that give controllers clearer, real-time pictures of aircraft positions on approach and departure. Enhanced tools mean faster detection of anomalies, giving ATC more time to intervene before a situation becomes critical.

Second, airlines operating into Delhi and other Indian hubs may review and tighten their crew training, especially for loss-of-ILS scenarios, parallel runway operations and decision-making in low visibility. Improved training and clearer checklists can reduce the chance of a similar deviation in future.

Third, the focus on navigation integrity could lead to more rigorous maintenance and calibration schedules for both aircraft and ground systems. For passengers, this translates into a more reliable safety net every time they land at a busy airport under challenging weather conditions.

Finally, transparent communication from regulators and airports about lessons learned and measures adopted helps reassure tourists and frequent flyers that the aviation system is continuously improving. For a country like India, where aviation is a backbone for tourism growth, business travel and international connectivity, turning a near miss into a catalyst for better safety is crucial for long-term confidence.

Regulator Yet To Determine Technical Cause

For now, the DGCA has not concluded whether the root cause lies with the aircraft’s ILS equipment, the ground-based systems, or a combination of technical and human factors. A detailed probe is underway, and corrective steps are expected once the final report is ready.

Until then, this incident stands as a stark reminder of how quickly a routine approach can turn into a serious safety threat when navigation aids fail in low visibility. For airlines, airports, and regulators across India and the wider region, the real test will be how effectively they convert this warning into stronger safeguards so that future travellers can fly with even greater assurance of safety.