Air India Flight Skids Off Mumbai Runway in Heavy Rain, All

An Air India flight from Kochi to Mumbai skidded off the main runway at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Monday morning as heavy rain lashed the city. All 146 passengers and crew members onboard flight AI-2744 are safe, with everyone safely disembarking after the incident.

What Happened During Landing?

Flight AI-2744, an Airbus A320, touched down at Mumbai airport at around 9:27 am. At the time, the airport was experiencing intense rainfall, which made the runway slippery. Soon after touchdown, the aircraft veered off the main Runway 27, briefly running onto an unpaved area before moving back onto a taxiway and coming to a stop. In the incident, three of the aircraft's tyres burst and the engine suffered some damage, according to initial reports.

Despite the scare, the pilots managed to keep control. The plane was able to taxi to the terminal, where passengers and crew calmly exited the aircraft. No one was injured, and Air India quickly confirmed that all were safe.

Airport and Airline Response

Mumbai airport immediately activated its emergency response teams who managed the situation on the ground. The primary runway, 09/27, where the incident occurred, suffered some minor damage and was closed for checks and repairs. To avoid major disruption, operations were shifted to the airport’s secondary runway 14/32, allowing other flights to continue with only minimal delays.

Air India promptly issued a statement, explaining that the weather was a key factor: “Flight AI2744, operating from Kochi to Mumbai on July 21, 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.”

Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have arrived at the site for investigation. They will carefully examine the aircraft, the runway, and the weather data to determine exactly what happened, and how similar incidents could be prevented in the future.

How Did Bad Weather Play a Role?

Mumbai has been hit by heavy monsoon rains, with the India Meteorological Department warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. On the night before the incident, the city’s eastern and western suburbs received well over 35 mm of rain, and waterlogging was reported in many areas. This made not only road travel but also landings and takeoffs more challenging for flights at one of India’s busiest airports.

Many other airlines also issued travel advisories, alerting passengers of delays or possible disruptions due to the ongoing bad weather.

What the Public and Aviation Experts Are Saying

For passengers and their families, the top concern was clearly safety. Many travelled on social media to thank the Air India crew for keeping everyone safe and calm in a frightening situation. Some, however, raised questions about whether more precautions should be taken during such bouts of heavy rain.

Aviation experts point out that Mumbai’s runways are designed with safety in mind, including the use of grooving and drainage systems to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. But they also acknowledge that during very heavy rainfall, even well-designed systems get tested. Experts recommend real-time weather monitoring and possibly delaying landings in exceptional situations to avoid similar incidents.

Looking Ahead

The DGCA’s investigation will be important for learning what can be improved. For now, Air India has grounded the aircraft for detailed inspection and repairs. Airport authorities are working quickly to fix the runway and return operations to normal.

The good news, and the key takeaway for the public: even in tough weather, airline crew and airport emergency teams are highly trained to handle such situations, and safety remains the top priority at all times.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies