Emirates and Etihad in air traffic scare over the Indian Ocean

An Emirates plane and an Etihad Airways jet were involved in an air traffic incident over the Indian Ocean on Sunday night.

Onboard warning systems alerted the pilots of each aircraft – which were travelling in opposite directions – to the danger of collision. The systems advised one plane to climb and the other to descend.

Both planes – the two flag carriers of the UAE – continued their journeys without further incident.

The Indian aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has initiated an inquiry, according to media reports.

The Emirates flight EK706 was heading to Dubai from the Seychelles, while Etihad flight EY622 was en route to the Seychelles from Abu Dhabi.

“Emirates can confirm that flight EK706 on March 29 from Seychelles to Dubai was involved in an air traffic control incident in Mumbai airspace,” a spokesperson for Emirates Airline said. “At no point was the aircraft, passengers or crew at risk.

“All Emirates aircraft are equipped with onboard instrumentation so that crew are alerted in a timely manner of all surrounding traffic.

“The crew informed the authorities of the incident and later filed an air safety report, which will be forwarded to Mumbai air traffic control. Safety is of paramount importance to Emirates, and we will be cooperating fully with Mumbai air traffic control in the subsequent investigation.”

An Etihad Airways spokesman said: “Etihad Airways confirms that it is investigating a reported incident involving one of our aircraft which was en route to the Seychelles. Safety is Etihad Airways’ number one priority.”

Due to the closure of Yemeni airspace in the wake of the ongoing civil war in the region, Emirates and Etihad are operating to Seychelles using Mumbai and Muscat airspace.