Parachutes spark scare at Mumbai airport

Jet Airways pilot informs air traffic control of the parachutes and vacates the runway, aborting the plane's take off

A Jet Airways plane bound for Ahmedabad aborted take off at Mumbai airport on Saturday evening after its pilot spotted five or six parachutes a few hundred feet from the ground, close to the runway.

The incident sparked off a safety and security scare and Mumbai International Airport Limited reported the matter to the airport police station.

The incident took place at around 6 pm. Sources said the Jet Airways pilot informed the air traffic control of the parachutes and vacated the runway, aborting the plane's take off.

A Jet Airways spokesperson said  the airline had no such report of the incident.

According to a MIAL sources, five small parachutes were observed approaching from southwest direction of airport  moving towards north-east along with the wind.

"Since these were crossing the runway intersection, ATC was advised by apron Control to ask pilots on approach and takeoff to exercise caution. During this time, an incoming Jet Airways flight was asked to go around and another Jet Airways flight bound for Ahmedabad was asked to hold position on the runway," a MIAL source said.