Aeromexico plane nearly collides with Delta flight at Mexico City airport
- An Aeromexico flight nearly collided with a Delta Air Lines plane while both were using the same runway in Mexico City.
- The incident occurred on a busy Monday morning, leading Delta pilots to abort their takeoff at a speed of about 60 mph.
- Both airlines are cooperating in investigating the incident, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety.
In Mexico, a significant aviation incident occurred on Monday morning at Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City. Around 7:30 a.m. local time, Delta Air Lines flight 590 was preparing to take off for Atlanta when pilots noticed an Aeromexico Connect regional jet, flight 1631 coming in for landing, directly ahead on the same runway. The two aircraft were reported to be less than 200 feet apart, prompting Delta's pilots to abort their takeoff at a speed of approximately 60 miles per hour. Subsequently, the aircraft returned to the terminal after stopping short on the runway. The incident has raised serious concerns regarding air traffic control procedures at the airport, especially considering the potential for catastrophic consequences had the planes collided. Preliminary reports suggest that the near miss was due to an error in the air traffic control tower, which did not adequately manage the landing and takeoff instructions for both flights at the same time. This incident is viewed as even more serious than a previous close call involving Volaris flights at the same airport. Both airlines have pledged cooperation with investigations, ensuring priorities lie in passenger safety. Both Delta and Aeromexico have stated their commitment to safety, with Delta reporting the incident to the Mexican aviation authorities, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board in the United States. Although the specific circumstances surrounding the miscommunication remain under investigation, initial analysis suggests a significant issue lies within the air traffic control system. The event is part of a wider discourse on aviation safety in Mexico, especially considering the recent downgrading and restoration of the country’s aviation safety status by the FAA. Filmed footage from FlightRadar24 has given more insight into the situation, showing the Aeromexico aircraft potentially flying too low over the Delta plane during its approach. Post-incident, Delta successfully departed for Atlanta approximately three hours late, landing safely later in the day. Both airlines will be closely monitored as they collaborate with the relevant authorities to investigate the lapse in communication that almost led to a dangerous collision at such a busy international airport.