AIR Niugini’s new Boeing 757 and a Solomon Airlines aircraft came close to colliding at the Henderson International Airport in Honiara, Solomon Islands, last weekend.
According to reports, the two planes almost collided when the Air Niugini plane was coming down to land and the Solomon Airlines aircraft was about to take off at the same time causing the near collision.
Sources at the scene said it was pure luck that nothing untoward happened as it would have been a tragedy.
Concerns were raised at the air traffic controllers as the lives of people were at stake.
Airport authorities at Henderson International Airport are aware of the incident and Solomon Islands (SI) Civil Aviation director, Bill McGregor, said he was still waiting for reports from Solomon Airlines.
However, according to Air Niugini management, reports from the two pilots taken stated that there was adequate distance between the two aircraft and that clearance was given by the communication tower before either plane landed and took off.
According to the management, the pilot of Boeing 757 said he was in communication with the pilot of the Solomon Airlines and that there appeared to be no danger prior to the planes taking off and landing.