US plane with marines made to land in Mumbai

Mumbai/New Delhi, Oct 18 (PTI) An American chartered
aircraft with 205 passengers, including US marines on board,
was forced to land at Mumbai airport on Sunday for alleged
violation of the Indian airspace.

The plane was on way from Fujiriah in the UAE to Bangkok,
a Mumbai International Airport Limited spokesperson said.

"A US aircraft with 205 passengers, including its crew
and US troops on board was made to land in Mumbai while
overflying Indian airspace as there was some confusion about
its call sign," he said.

The aircraft landed at Mumbai airport at 0752 hours and
has been parked at a remote bay, he said, adding all
passengers are on board the plane.

Giving details of the incident, IAF spokesperson Wing
Commander T K Singha told PTI in Delhi that the aircraft is a
US military chartered Boeing 767 plane belonging to North
American Airlines.

"It is a transport aircraft, which was going to Utapao in
Bangkok from Fujiriah in UAE. It had civilian clearance from
Directorate General of Civil Aviation to fly over Indian
airspace. However, it was carrying military personnel, for
which the aircraft should have obtained Air Operation Routing
clearance (AOR), needed for a military aircraft," he said.

"Once it entered Indian air space, the IAF ordered the
aircraft through radio communication to land in Mumbai, to
which it complied with. An inquiry is on in the matter."

"We are aware of the situation, and are in touch with
relevant officials to resolve this issue, which is a routine
matter," a US embassy spokesperson said in Delhi. (MORE) PTI
NCB
JVN


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