Monkey Intrusion Halts Takeoff at Lucknow Airport, Flight Delayed by Over an Hour

Lucknow- A serious safety incident was narrowly avoided at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on Thursday morning after a monkey unexpectedly ran across the runway, forcing a commercial flight to abort its takeoff at the last moment.

According to airport officials, the incident took place around 8:55 am when a Raipur-bound aircraft operated by IndiGo was accelerating for departure. The plane, carrying approximately 135 passengers, had already gained speed and covered a short distance on the runway when the pilot spotted the animal directly ahead. Acting swiftly, the crew applied emergency brakes to prevent a possible collision.

The abrupt halt caused brief anxiety among passengers onboard. However, the situation was quickly brought under control, and the aircraft was safely moved away from the runway to a taxiway while authorities assessed the situation.

Airport ground teams, including those operating the ‘Follow Me’ vehicle, rushed to secure the area and remove the animal. Despite their efforts, the monkey reportedly remained within the operational zone for nearly an hour, dodging attempts to capture it before eventually being driven towards the airport boundary near a nearby village.

Air Traffic Control officials confirmed that the delay in departure was due to the unexpected runway intrusion. They also noted that the issue of animal movement within airport premises will be reviewed in coordination meetings involving local administration and forest department representatives.

After thorough safety inspections and clearance procedures, the flight was finally allowed to depart at 10:05 am, more than an hour behind its original schedule.

The incident has once again highlighted the challenges airports face in preventing wildlife incursions, which can pose significant risks to aviation safety.