The Trump administration has come under criticism after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that 2,000 video gamers have been hired as air traffic controllers under a new federal recruitment initiative aimed at addressing a nationwide staffing shortage.Duffy first introduced the campaign in April, arguing that the Federal Aviation Administration needed to broaden its search for talent beyond traditional career pathways. This week, he said the effort had delivered record results.“In April, we launched a NEW CAMPAIGN to recruit video gamers as air traffic controllers – and supercharged the entire hiring process to get the BEST &amp; BRIGHTEST in faster. The results are HISTORIC.”According to Duffy, the 2,000 hires represent the largest number of controller appointments in a single year, with another 2,000 candidates “in the pipeline.” He shared the update on social media alongside a video featuring newly recruited controllers celebrating their successful interviews and entry into the profession.The FAA has defended the initiative, saying the campaign targets young people with skills that may be well suited to the demands of air traffic control. The agency noted that many current controllers did not follow a conventional college route.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-pilot-fell-asleep-during-phuket-delhi-flight-here-s-what-we-know-1786593726749">Air India pilot who consumed marijuana fell asleep during Phuket-Delhi flight? Here’s what we know</a>“With only about 25 per cent of controllers holding a traditional college degree, this effort is focused on reaching talented young people pursuing alternative career paths, many of whom are active in gaming,” the FAA said.The agency also cited feedback from experienced controllers.“Feedback from controller exit interviews reinforces this, with several controllers pointing to gaming as an influence on their ability to think quickly, stay focused, and manage complexity.”Supporters of the initiative argue that fast decision-making, sustained concentration and spatial awareness are valuable skills for air traffic control. Critics, however, have questioned whether gaming experience should play a role in recruitment for a safety-critical profession.The controversy has added a new dimension to the broader debate over how the United States should modernise recruitment for one of its most demanding public safety jobs.

The Trump administration is facing backlash after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that 2,000 video gamers have been hired as air traffic controllers under a new FAA recruitment drive.

The Trump administration has come under criticism after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that 2,000 video gamers have been hired as air traffic controllers under a new federal recruitment initiative aimed at addressing a nationwide staffing shortage. Duffy first introduced the campaign in April, arguing that the Federal Aviation Administration needed to broaden its search for talent beyond traditional career pathways. This week, he said the effort had delivered record results. “In April, we launched a NEW CAMPAIGN to recruit video gamers as air traffic controllers – and supercharged the entire hiring process to get the BEST & BRIGHTEST in faster. The results are HISTORIC.” According to Duffy, the 2,000 hires represent the largest number of controller appointments in a single year, with another 2,000 candidates “in the pipeline.” He shared the update on social media alongside a video featuring newly recruited controllers celebrating their successful interviews and entry into the profession. The FAA has defended the initiative, saying the campaign targets young people with skills that may be well suited to the demands of air traffic control. The agency noted that many current controllers did not follow a conventional college route. Also read | Air India pilot who consumed marijuana fell asleep during Phuket-Delhi flight? Here’s what we know “With only about 25 per cent of controllers holding a traditional college degree, this effort is focused on reaching talented young people pursuing alternative career paths, many of whom are active in gaming,” the FAA said. The agency also cited feedback from experienced controllers. “Feedback from controller exit interviews reinforces this, with several controllers pointing to gaming as an influence on their ability to think quickly, stay focused, and manage complexity.” Supporters of the initiative argue that fast decision-making, sustained concentration and spatial awareness are valuable skills for air traffic control. Critics, however, have questioned whether gaming experience should play a role in recruitment for a safety-critical profession. The controversy has added a new dimension to the broader debate over how the United States should modernise recruitment for one of its most demanding public safety jobs.

The Trump administration is facing backlash after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that 2,000 video gamers have been hired as air traffic controllers under a new FAA recruitment drive.

Could a video gamer be in charge of your next flight? FAA hires 2,000 players as air traffic controllers

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating an air safety incident involving U.S. President Donald Trump's military helicopter, Marine One, and a commercial passenger jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

According to the FAA's preliminary review, the two aircraft experienced a momentary loss of separation shortly after the passenger plane took off. Officials said both aircraft then continued moving away from each other, and there was no immediate danger.

The White House has maintained that President Trump was never at risk, while aviation authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation is expected to determine whether additional safety measures are needed around one of the nation's busiest and most tightly controlled airspaces.

FAA Investigates Trump’s Marine One After Close Call With Passenger Jet Near Washington

A communication between two pilots over an air traffic control frequency has gone viral on social media for its usual nature when they were heard making animal sounds. What seemed like a harmless joke at first is now being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Reportedly, the exchange happened at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on April 12.In the audio, which is being widely circulated on social media, one of the pilots was heard saying “meow meow”. In response, another pilot barked back like a dog. The two were scolded by someone on the same frequency, who said, “You guys need to be professional pilots”. Another person chided in, “This is why you still fly an RJ,” referring to a regional jet, on which many aviators start their careers.It was not known which flights the pilots were operating on or which airline they worked for.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: The FAA has announced that they will investigate an incident after two pilots were heard meowing and woofing on an emergency aviation frequency. <a href="https://t.co/OkOdptf2lN">pic.twitter.com/OkOdptf2lN</a>&mdash; R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) <a href="https://twitter.com/rawsalerts/status/2044576195153424597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In a statement, the FAA said that it prohibits pilots from engaging in “non-essential conversations” when they are flying below an altitude of 10,000 feet.“Conversations must be related to the safe operation of the aircraft. The FAA investigates all situations where pilots may have violated any regulation,” the agency said in a statement.Dennis Tajer, pilot and spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American Airlines pilots, said that heard pilots meowing on the “guard” frequency before, according to ABC News. This channel is not used by pilots frequently as it is reserved for emergencies.“It’s not entertainment, it’s a serious frequency, and it has a serious purpose,” Tajer said. “Anything that contaminates that with idle humour or any kind of schtick is not received well, and it should stop.”In a message for the meowing pilots, Tajer said, “For the few individuals out there that do it: stop, join us, stay safe, and we’ll keep that frequency sacred and protected.”The FAA said that the viral audio came from a third-party source, but added that the agency will investigate the incident once it has been verified.

A lighthearted exchange between pilots making animal sounds on an air traffic control frequency has gone viral. What seemed like a harmless joke is now under scrutiny, as the Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into a possible violation of communication rules.

A communication between two pilots over an air traffic control frequency has gone viral on social media for its usual nature when they were heard making animal sounds. What seemed like a harmless joke at first is now being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Reportedly, the exchange happened at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on April 12. In the audio, which is being widely circulated on social media, one of the pilots was heard saying “meow meow”. In response, another pilot barked back like a dog. The two were scolded by someone on the same frequency, who said, “You guys need to be professional pilots”. Another person chided in, “This is why you still fly an RJ,” referring to a regional jet, on which many aviators start their careers. It was not known which flights the pilots were operating on or which airline they worked for.

A lighthearted exchange between pilots making animal sounds on an air traffic control frequency has gone viral. What seemed like a harmless joke is now under scrutiny, as the Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into a possible violation of communication rules.

‘Meow, meow’: Pilots’ bizarre ATC exchange goes viral on social media; FAA launches investigation

A ‘Mayday Call’ distress call was issued by Air India's AI 171 flight, minutes before it crashed after taking off from Gujarat's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday (June 12).&nbsp;An Air India plane crashed in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, confirmed the State Police Control Room. A total of 242 passengers, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew were onboard the Ahmedabad-Gatwick Air India flight.&nbsp;Within 5 minutes of takeoff at 1:38 PM the plane crashed and turned into a fireball. “It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC,” said the DGCA in a statement.&nbsp;It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze.&nbsp;Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Police Commissioner regarding the plane crash and has assured all possible assistance.&nbsp;Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has expressed shock over the incident. "Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site,' tweeted Kinjarapu.<h3>What is a Mayday Call?</h3>A Mayday call is an emergency procedure used globally as a distress signal through radio communications; it signals a life-threatening emergency.&nbsp;The term ‘Mayday’ originates from the French phrase “m’aider”, a shortened form of “venez m’aider”, meaning ‘come help me’. It was adopted in the early 20th century as the standard voice distress signal for radio communications, particularly when aviation and maritime travel began relying heavily on radio systems.&nbsp;To avoid miscommunication, the word is always repeated three times: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”. This repetition ensures clarity and prevents it from being mistaken for other phrases in noisy or chaotic situations.<h3>When is a Mayday Call used?</h3>A Mayday call is reserved for life-threatening emergencies. In aviation, these situations can include:Engine failure or fire, loss of cabin pressure, severe medical emergencies, structural failure or control system malfunctions, onboard fires or smoke or imminent crash or forced landing.&nbsp;Pilots are trained to use this term only when absolutely necessary. The seriousness of a Mayday alert triggers a swift and prioritised response from air traffic controllers, nearby aircraft, and emergency services.

Ahmedabad plane crash Pilots Mayday Call was their last transmission

A ‘Mayday Call’ distress call was issued by Air India's AI 171 flight, minutes before it crashed after taking off from Gujarat's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday (June 12). An Air India plane crashed in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, confirmed the State Police Control Room. A total of 242 passengers, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew were onboard the Ahmedabad-Gatwick Air India flight. Within 5 minutes of takeoff at 1:38 PM the plane crashed and turned into a fireball. “It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC,” said the DGCA in a statement. It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Police Commissioner regarding the plane crash and has assured all possible assistance. Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has expressed shock over the incident. "Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site,' tweeted Kinjarapu. What is a Mayday Call? A Mayday call is an emergency procedure used globally as a distress signal through radio communications; it signals a life-threatening emergency. The term ‘Mayday’ originates from the French phrase “m’aider”, a shortened form of “venez m’aider”, meaning ‘come help me’. It was adopted in the early 20th century as the standard voice distress signal for radio communications, particularly when aviation and maritime travel began relying heavily on radio systems. To avoid miscommunication, the word is always repeated three times: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”. This repetition ensures clarity and prevents it from being mistaken for other phrases in noisy or chaotic situations. When is a Mayday Call used? A Mayday call is reserved for life-threatening emergencies. In aviation, these situations can include: Engine failure or fire, loss of cabin pressure, severe medical emergencies, structural failure or control system malfunctions, onboard fires or smoke or imminent crash or forced landing. Pilots are trained to use this term only when absolutely necessary. The seriousness of a Mayday alert triggers a swift and prioritised response from air traffic controllers, nearby aircraft, and emergency services.

The cause of the incident and the extent of damage to the aircraft are yet to be ascertained

Ahmedabad plane crash: Pilots’ 'Mayday Call' was their last transmission

Hundreds of thousands of passengers across the United Kingdom and beyond found themselves in the middle of chaos after the breakdown of the UK's air traffic control system.

NATS, the national air traffic controllers, based in Swanwick in Hampshire,&nbsp;said their system had failed. However, hours laters, the issue was fixed.

Several passengers took to social media to say they were stuck on planes on the tarmac waiting to take off on what is a busy travel day due to Monday's public holiday in parts of Britain.

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Flightradar24 showed hundreds of flights stranded in the UK airspace | Flightradar24

Britain's National Air Traffic Services said it was experiencing "technical issues" and has "applied traffic flow restrictions to maintain safety".

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We are aware of reports that UK airspace is experiencing delays due to technical difficulties in the UK air traffic control system. Below is what we know so far from NATS. 
 
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"Engineers are working to find and fix the fault. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause," it said.

It remains unclear how long it would take to fix.

Journalist Gabby Logan also said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that&nbsp;she was on a plane on a runway at Budapest airport, and had "just been told UK airspace is shut", adding, "We could be here for 12 hours".

Scottish airline Loganair said on X that there remains&nbsp;a network-wide failure of UK air traffic control computer systems.

Later, the issue was fixed although Britain's National Air Traffic Service (NATS) said that the disruption would continue for some time.

"It was fixed earlier on this afternoon. However, it will take some time for flights to return to normal, and we will continue to work with the airlines and the airports to recover the situation," NATS Operations Director Juliet Kennedy said in a video posted on its website.

"Our absolute priority is safety and we will be investigating very thoroughly what happened today," he added.&nbsp;

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Hundreds of thousands of passengers across the United Kingdom and beyond found themselves in the middle of chaos after the breakdown of the UK's air traffic control system.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers across the United Kingdom and beyond found themselves in the middle of chaos after the breakdown of the UK's air traffic control system. NATS, the national air traffic controllers, based in Swanwick in Hampshire, said their system had failed. However, hours laters, the issue was fixed. Several passengers took to social media to say they were stuck on planes on the tarmac waiting to take off on what is a busy travel day due to Monday's public holiday in parts of Britain. Flightradar24 showed hundreds of flights stranded in the UK airspace | Flightradar24 Britain's National Air Traffic Services said it was experiencing "technical issues" and has "applied traffic flow restrictions to maintain safety". We are aware of reports that UK airspace is experiencing delays due to technical difficulties in the UK air traffic control system. Below is what we know so far from NATS. "We are currently experiencing a technical issue and have applied traffic flow restrictions to maintain… pic.twitter.com/IJYAwIhJbL — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) August 28, 2023 × "Engineers are working to find and fix the fault. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause," it said. It remains unclear how long it would take to fix. Journalist Gabby Logan also said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she was on a plane on a runway at Budapest airport, and had "just been told UK airspace is shut", adding, "We could be here for 12 hours". Scottish airline Loganair said on X that there remains a network-wide failure of UK air traffic control computer systems. Later, the issue was fixed although Britain's National Air Traffic Service (NATS) said that the disruption would continue for some time. "It was fixed earlier on this afternoon. However, it will take some time for flights to return to normal, and we will continue to work with the airlines and the airports to recover the situation," NATS Operations Director Juliet Kennedy said in a video posted on its website. "Our absolute priority is safety and we will be investigating very thoroughly what happened today," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK airspace shuts down after breakdown of air traffic control system

In an unfortunate incident, six people died after a small plane&nbsp;crashed in Kananaskis Country, a mountainous region west of Calgary in Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated that the plane, bound for Salmon Arm, British Columbia had left for Springbank Airport near Calgary on Friday night with five passengers and a pilot.&nbsp;

RCMP Staff Sgt. Ryan Singleton informed that Air Traffic Control&nbsp;(ATC) lost contact with the plane around 9:30 pm local time&nbsp;(0330 GMT Saturday). After the plane was reported missing,&nbsp;a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadron based in Winnipeg was pressed into service.&nbsp;

With the help of&nbsp;Alberta Parks Mountain Rescue, the squadron managed to find the crash site and started looking for survivors, However, all six aboard died due to the strong impact of the crash.&nbsp;

"On behalf of the Alberta RCMP, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of those onboard the aircraft,"&nbsp;said Singleton, adding that the identities of victims were not being released at the time.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/colombia-plane-crash-four-children-found-alive-in-amazon-after-40-days-603022">Watch |&nbsp;Colombia plane crash: Four children found alive in Amazon after 40 days</a>

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"Recovering the bodies of the pilot and the passengers was very challenging due to the difficult terrain. However, all six bodies have been successfully recovered," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>Investigation underway</h2>

Mike Koppang, a mountain rescue specialist with Kananaskis Country, who was on the scene along with various other crews, said weather conditions during the time of flight were cloudy, with low-lying clouds reported in the region.&nbsp;

"Unfortunately, it wasn't the outcome we would have liked to see.&nbsp;We're still trying to figure out exactly what we saw for weather last night," said Koppang.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fatal-plane-crash-in-poland-five-killed-after-aircraft-collides-with-hangar-616806">Also read |&nbsp;Plane crash in Poland: Five killed after aircraft collides with hangar</a>

According to a Transportation Safety Board spokesman, the plane was a single-engine Piper PA-32, and the board was investigating the crash.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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In an unfortunate incident, six people died after a small plane crashed in Kananaskis Country, a mountainous region west of Calgary in Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated that the plane, bound for Salmon Arm, British Columbia had left for Springbank Airport near Calgary on Friday night with five passengers and a pilot.

In an unfortunate incident, six people died after a small plane crashed in Kananaskis Country, a mountainous region west of Calgary in Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated that the plane, bound for Salmon Arm, British Columbia had left for Springbank Airport near Calgary on Friday night with five passengers and a pilot. RCMP Staff Sgt. Ryan Singleton informed that Air Traffic Control (ATC) lost contact with the plane around 9:30 pm local time (0330 GMT Saturday). After the plane was reported missing, a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadron based in Winnipeg was pressed into service. With the help of Alberta Parks Mountain Rescue, the squadron managed to find the crash site and started looking for survivors, However, all six aboard died due to the strong impact of the crash. "On behalf of the Alberta RCMP, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of those onboard the aircraft," said Singleton, adding that the identities of victims were not being released at the time. Watch | Colombia plane crash: Four children found alive in Amazon after 40 days × "Recovering the bodies of the pilot and the passengers was very challenging due to the difficult terrain. However, all six bodies have been successfully recovered," he added. Investigation underway Mike Koppang, a mountain rescue specialist with Kananaskis Country, who was on the scene along with various other crews, said weather conditions during the time of flight were cloudy, with low-lying clouds reported in the region. "Unfortunately, it wasn't the outcome we would have liked to see. We're still trying to figure out exactly what we saw for weather last night," said Koppang. Also read | Plane crash in Poland: Five killed after aircraft collides with hangar According to a Transportation Safety Board spokesman, the plane was a single-engine Piper PA-32, and the board was investigating the crash. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Canada: Six dead, including crew, after small plane crashes in Calgary

An Indonesian cargo plane with four people on board lost contact with air traffic control on Wednesday, an official said, the latest incident to hit the country's poor aviation record.

The Twin Otter DHC6-400 set off from the city of Timika on Wednesday at 10:39am&nbsp;and was headed to Ilaga, a mountainous region in the remote eastern province of Papua and was scheduled to arrive 50 minutes after taking off.

"After 2.5 hours, there has been no information from the nearest airport on the plane's whereabouts, we decided to announce the plane has lost contact," local transportation agency head, Yan Purba told Metro TV.

The aircraft was carrying three crew members and one passenger as well as 1.7 tonnes of rice.

Search and rescue have been assembled for the missing plane which was flying in a good weather condition, Purba said.

Indonesia relies heavily on air transport to connect its thousands of islands, but mountainous Papua is a particularly difficult area to reach.

The country has a poor aviation safety record and Papua is a particularly problematic place to fly due to its mountainous terrain and frequent poor weather.

In June, a military helicopter with 12 people on board lost contact just minutes after it took off from a remote Papua district Oksibil, to Sentani, also in Papua.

The remains of the aircraft have not been found to this day.

Earlier in 2016, a cargo plane carrying construction materials crashed in Ilaga, killing all four people on board.

An Indonesian cargo plane with four people on board lost contact with air traffic control on Wednesday, an official said, the latest incident to hit the country's poor aviation record.

An Indonesian cargo plane with four people on board lost contact with air traffic control on Wednesday, an official said, the latest incident to hit the country's poor aviation record. The Twin Otter DHC6-400 set off from the city of Timika on Wednesday at 10:39am and was headed to Ilaga, a mountainous region in the remote eastern province of Papua and was scheduled to arrive 50 minutes after taking off. "After 2.5 hours, there has been no information from the nearest airport on the plane's whereabouts, we decided to announce the plane has lost contact," local transportation agency head, Yan Purba told Metro TV. The aircraft was carrying three crew members and one passenger as well as 1.7 tonnes of rice. Search and rescue have been assembled for the missing plane which was flying in a good weather condition, Purba said. Indonesia relies heavily on air transport to connect its thousands of islands, but mountainous Papua is a particularly difficult area to reach. The country has a poor aviation safety record and Papua is a particularly problematic place to fly due to its mountainous terrain and frequent poor weather. In June, a military helicopter with 12 people on board lost contact just minutes after it took off from a remote Papua district Oksibil, to Sentani, also in Papua. The remains of the aircraft have not been found to this day. Earlier in 2016, a cargo plane carrying construction materials crashed in Ilaga, killing all four people on board.

Cargo plane carrying four missing in eastern Indonesia

Three international flights, carrying hundreds of passengers, had a narrow escape from a mid-air collision in the Delhi flight information region on Sunday after multiple auto-generated warnings by&nbsp;the Air Traffic Control (ATC), according to reports.

The pilots of the three flights will be summoned by the Aircraft Accident Incident Bureau (AAIB), sources in the bureau told news agency ANI.

The three foreign airlines - Dutch carrier KLM, Taiwan's Eva Air, and US-based National Airlines - were flying at almost the same level which is a clear violation of mandatory separation.

The US National Airlines from Afghanistan to Hong Kong was flying at 31,000 feet, the Amsterdam-Bangkok EVA Air plane at 32,000 feet and Vienna-bound Dutch KLM at 33,000 feet.

As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules 2017, the AAIB is empowered to summon the pilots of foreign airlines for investigation.

These rules "extend to the whole of India and apply to, and to the persons on, aircraft registered outside India," the DGCA rules say, adding that the rules also apply to an aircraft operated by a person who is not a citizen of India but has his principal place of business or permanent residence of India.

Sources in AAIB said that the bureau has the power to call pilots of any foreign airlines in serious cases through International Civil Aviation Organisation, an international aviation body.

Three international flights, carrying hundreds of passengers, had a narrow escape from a mid-air collision in the Delhi flight information region on Sunday after multiple auto-generated warnings by the Air Traffic Control (ATC), according to reports.

Three international flights, carrying hundreds of passengers, had a narrow escape from a mid-air collision in the Delhi flight information region on Sunday after multiple auto-generated warnings by the Air Traffic Control (ATC), according to reports. The pilots of the three flights will be summoned by the Aircraft Accident Incident Bureau (AAIB), sources in the bureau told news agency ANI. The three foreign airlines - Dutch carrier KLM, Taiwan's Eva Air, and US-based National Airlines - were flying at almost the same level which is a clear violation of mandatory separation. The US National Airlines from Afghanistan to Hong Kong was flying at 31,000 feet, the Amsterdam-Bangkok EVA Air plane at 32,000 feet and Vienna-bound Dutch KLM at 33,000 feet. As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules 2017, the AAIB is empowered to summon the pilots of foreign airlines for investigation. These rules "extend to the whole of India and apply to, and to the persons on, aircraft registered outside India," the DGCA rules say, adding that the rules also apply to an aircraft operated by a person who is not a citizen of India but has his principal place of business or permanent residence of India. Sources in AAIB said that the bureau has the power to call pilots of any foreign airlines in serious cases through International Civil Aviation Organisation, an international aviation body.

Mid-air collision of 3 international flights averted, AAIB to summon pilots