A dramatic incident unfolded at Goa Airport when Air India pilots mistakenly attempted to take off from the taxiway instead of the runway.

On December 5, 2024, Air India pilots mistakenly attempted to take off from the taxiway at Goa Airport’s new Manohar International Airport (GOX) instead of the runway. The incident occurred on flight AI2592 from Goa to Hyderabad, operated by an Airbus A320neo. The Air Traffic Controller alerted the pilots, who were able to reject the takeoff and return to the terminal safely. No injuries were reported. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident, which it has deemed a serious breach of safety. The airline has canceled the flight and has been ordered to submit a detailed analysis report. The cause of the incident is unclear, but possible factors include confusion with new airport markings, inadequate training, or a new pilot unfamiliar with the airport configuration. The incident is not an isolated one, with similar errors occurring in the past, including a recent incident involving IndiGo Airlines and another involving Southwest Airlines.