An IndiGo Airbus A320-232 and a SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 came face to face on a runway of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi, India on June 12, 2018. The incident was the result of SpiceJet pilots’ failure to comply with Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions.

The SpiceJet pilots were asked to hold their position before takeoff, as they were bound to do so after IndiGo VT-IHS’s departure. However, SpiceJet B737 VT-SGH made a runway incursion of about ten meters. Meanwhile, the IndiGo aircraft started its takeoff procedure after being cleared to proceed by ATC. The controllers managed to notice the situation and ordered IndiGo’s pilots to abort takeoff, which they safely did.

IndiGo flight was bound to Mumbai with 178 passengers onboard while SpiceJet was heading to Hyderabad.

IndiGo plane returned to stand for inspection, in compliance with the company policy after aborted takeoff, and eventually left with a delay of an hour and a half. As for SpiceJet’s, it was put on hold before being cleared for takeoff by ATC several minutes later.

SpiceJet pilots were since grounded by their company and the incident was reported by IndiGo to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).