Mexico: A serious runway incursion involving a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 and an Aeroméxico Connect Embraer 190 narrowly avoided disaster at Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport on 21 July prompting investigations by aviation authorities in both Mexico and the United States.
The incident occurred when Delta Air Lines Flight 590, bound for Atlanta with approximately 150 passengers on board, was cleared for takeoff on Runway 5R. As the aircraft accelerated for departure, the flight crew spotted another jet rapidly approaching the same runway.
Aircraft Aeroméxico Connect Flight 1631 from Ciudad Juárez had been simultaneously cleared to land on Runway 5R. The two aircraft came within approximately 60 meters (200 feet) of vertical separation as the Embraer passed over the Delta jet already rolling down the runway at roughly 60 miles per hour.
Delta’s flight crew immediately initiated a rejected takeoff, bringing the aircraft to a full stop on the runway. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, and the Delta aircraft later returned to the gate and departed safely later in the day.
“Delta is cooperating fully with aviation authorities to support the investigation,” a spokesperson for the airline said.
Aeroméxico also confirmed the event, stating that the aircraft landed without incident and that the safety of its passengers was never compromised. The airline emphasized its compliance with international aviation regulations.
Initial assessments indicate that the near-collision was likely the result of an air traffic control error. According to reports, both aircraft were issued clearances that allowed simultaneous use of the same runway, raising concerns about procedural clarity and controller workload at one of the busiest airports in Latin America.
Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) has launched an investigation in coordination with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The incident has renewed scrutiny of the operational challenges at Benito Juárez International Airport, particularly regarding runway usage and traffic separation. The airport operates with intersecting and parallel runways that have previously been the focus of international safety audits.
Aviation safety analysts say the event underscores the critical importance of coordination between pilots and air traffic control. “This was a very close call,” said a former commercial pilot and safety consultant. “The industry has robust safeguards, but human error in high-traffic environments can still lead to dangerous situations.”
Investigators are expected to review tower communication recordings, flight data, and radar logs to determine the exact sequence of events and identify any procedural lapses. No timeline has been provided for the release of preliminary findings, but both airlines remain under close observation by regulators.
This marks the second major safety incident involving conflicting runway operations at a major international airport in recent months.
