time for a makeover: All private jets are parked at the Kalina airport. pic/aditya anand

Monday's incident of a corporate jet hitting a stationary aircraft while maneuvering to park is likely to throw up several questions regarding the proximity of private aircraft positioned within the old airport area at Kalina.
Unlike the Mumbai airport, where all aircraft parking bays are demarcated, the old airport area, located next to the Air India hangar does not have them.

"The incident clearly indicates an error in the layout. As this apron is not well maintained, there are no markings to indicate taxi-lanes (paths to be followed by aircraft after landing) and stop positions (parking spot), which ensure that the mandatory safe distance between two aircraft is maintained," said aviation expert Vipul Saxena. 

What happened

In the incident, the aircraft a Gulfstream 5 belonging to Swissport Executive Aviation brushed against and damaged the left wing of the stationary Beachcraft jet, owned by integrated financial services group Religare Enterprises Ltd.

"The incident occurred when the aircraft, which landed on the main runway, was turning into a parking bay," informed a Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) official.

Saxena added, "In the case of the old airport, it is the aircraft operator who parks on this apron at his own risk and responsibility. The MIAL has no role in aircraft traffic management in this part."

He suggested that the charting of a safe taxiing and parking layout at the old airport will ensure that no aircraft will move on its own, but only using towing vehicles, as done at the Mumbai airport.

All private jets are parked at the old airport.