Pilots avert mid-air collision in Dubai airspace

An investigation has been launched after two passenger jets narrowly avoided a mid-air collision just off the Dubai coast, local website Arabian business.com reported on Monday.

The incident, which took place on April 22, involved a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Doha and an Air Arabia service from Sharjah to Istanbul. It was reported immediately to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the report added.
 
The planes' onboard safety equipment alerted both pilots of their close proximity, enabling them to take action and continue their journey safely, the website reported citing the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

“During that flight a situation developed during which the distance between the two aircraft as well as their relative positions and speed had been such that the safety of the aircraft involved may have been compromised,” the report said citing a emailed statement from the GCAA.
 
“Both airline crews responded as required and avoided any mishap and thereafter continued their journey to their intended destinations, uneventful,” it added.

GCAA is expected to release a report on the cause of the incident along with the closest distance between the two planes.
 
Both airlines confirmed the incident took place, but said they could not add further details as an investigation was underway, the website reported.
 
“Our flight crew handled the situation safely and in a professional manner as per standard operating procedures. This has been instantly reported to the regulator and concerned bodies,” the website reported quoting an Air Arabia spokesperson.
 
Flydubai said it takes "such events seriously" but could not comment any further at this stage, the report added.