A humid Thursday morning at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport was unfolding like any other, with aircraft lining up for departure and ground staff moving in routine precision. But just as an IndiGo
flight prepared to accelerate down the runway, an unexpected intruder—a monkey—darted across the tarmac, forcing the pilot into a split-second decision that likely averted a serious accident.
The incident occurred around 8.55 am when IndiGo flight 6E-6521, carrying 135 passengers, was preparing to take off for Raipur. According to airport sources, the aircraft had already begun its take-off roll when the pilot spotted the monkey crossing the runway. Reacting swiftly, the pilot applied emergency brakes, bringing the aircraft to a halt before it could gather full speed.
“The pilot’s alertness and adherence to safety protocols ensured that a potentially dangerous situation was handled without any harm,” said an airport official familiar with the development.
Following the sudden halt, the aircraft was immediately moved to the taxiway as a precautionary measure. Standard operating procedures were initiated, including runway inspection and safety clearance by Air Traffic Control (ATC). After thorough checks, the flight was repositioned and eventually took off at 10:05 am—over an hour behind schedule.
Passengers on board described moments of anxiety as the aircraft braked abruptly. “There was a sudden jolt, and for a few seconds, no one understood what had happened. Some passengers panicked, but the crew handled the situation calmly,” said a passenger who did not wish to be named.
Airport sources revealed that the monkey had entered the runway area from the city side and continued to loiter in and around the airstrip for nearly an hour, evading capture. Security personnel, including those in the ‘follow-me’ vehicle, were deployed to chase the animal away. Eventually, the monkey was driven towards the boundary wall near Rahimabad village and out of the operational zone.
Despite multiple confirmations from sources, an official spokesperson of the airport denied any such incident when contacted. “There was no disruption to flight operations due to wildlife intrusion,” the spokesperson said, maintaining that all movements were routine.
However, insiders suggest that wildlife intrusion remains an ongoing challenge at several Indian airports, particularly those located near green zones or semi-urban fringes. “Even with strict perimeter control, occasional breaches by animals like monkeys or dogs cannot be entirely ruled out,” an aviation safety expert explained. “What matters is the response time and adherence to safety protocols, which in this case appears to have been prompt.”
This is not the first time such an incident has raised concerns about runway safety. Two years ago, during an air show on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Unnao, a dog strayed onto the makeshift runway, triggering brief panic before being removed by security personnel. The event, part of an Indian Air Force exercise, resumed after a short interruption.
In another incident in 2025, a Vistara flight from Bengaluru to Goa had to be diverted mid-air after a dog was spotted on the runway at Dabolim Airport. The aircraft, which had departed from Kempegowda International Airport, returned to Bengaluru following instructions from ATC. It later resumed its journey after clearance.
In a post on social media platform X, Vistara had then stated, “Flight UK 881 operating from Bengaluru to Goa was diverted back due to a runway obstruction at Goa airport.” The airline later confirmed that the flight successfully reached its destination after a delay of several hours.
Aviation experts stress that while such incidents are rare, they highlight the importance of constant vigilance. “Runways are high-risk zones where even a small obstruction can lead to catastrophic outcomes. The system is designed to prioritise safety above all else, even if it means delays,” the expert added.
However, back in Lucknow, normalcy returned to the airport soon after the delayed departure.
