In aviation, we see a high number of close calls — for every disaster, there are a countless number of near misses. We’re also aware of these more than in the past, given the increasing popularity of flight tracking software, plus the public’s interest in aviation incidents.
Along those lines, yesterday two aircraft had a terrifyingly close call in Mexico, as reported by The Aviation Herald, and one certainly wonders what went wrong for this to happen…
In this post:
Aeromexico jet lands as Delta jet attempts to take off
This incident happened early on the morning of Monday, July 21, 2025, at Mexico City International Airport Benito Juarez (MEX), and involves two aircraft:
- A Delta Boeing 737-800 with the registration code N3766, operating flight DL590 to Atlanta (ATL)
- An Aeromexico Connect Embraer E190 with the registration code XA-ALP, operating flight AM1631 from Aguascalientes (AGU)
Air traffic controllers cleared the Aeromexico jet to land on runway 5R, while at the same time, clearing the Delta jet to line up on the runway and hold, and then to commence its takeoff roll. Obviously it’s normal for the same runway to be used for takeoffs and landings, but not at exactly the same time.
Runway 5R is really long — it’s 12,800 feet (3,900 meters), due largely to Mexico City’s high altitude. One important thing to understand is that there’s a displaced threshold on the runway, meaning that planes can only land around 1,700 feet (520 meters) beyond the point where they can take off.
If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, below is a cockpit landing video from the parallel runway (unrelated to the incident), and the area behind the green set of lights would be the displaced runway threshold.
What essentially happened here is that the Aeromexico aircraft overflew the Delta aircraft that was on the runway, and then still landed, even though there was another plane occupying the runway. Fortunately the Boeing aircraft rejected its takeoff at around 60 knots, preventing a catastrophe. The Delta flight ended up returning to the gate, and then departing again around two hours later.
Below you can see just how close the planes were to one another.
How could an incident like this happen?
While we see a lot of close calls, I’d say this is among the worst we’ve seen in quite some time. After all, on a runway, there’s only one direction to go. It’s a bit different than when you have a plane crossing a runway without authorization, or a close call in the air, where it’s still unlikely that the planes would actually collide. On a runway, though, there’s a lot less ability to avoid disaster.
Obviously something like this raises several questions. For one, how could the air traffic controllers clear an aircraft to land and depart from the same runway at the same time? Was it a brain fart? Was there some other miscommunication?
For that matter, did the Aeromexico pilots not see the Delta jet lined up on the runway they were landing on? I suppose the two theories there are that the displaced threshold might complicate that, especially when pilots might be focused on where they plan to land. Furthermore, this runway faces the east, and it was early in the morning, so it’s possible the pilots had the sun in their eyes, limiting visibility.
It’s not yet clear if the Delta pilots stopped their takeoff roll because air traffic controllers told them to, or if it’s because they saw the Aeromexico aircraft right in front of them. Either way, kudos to them for aborting their takeoff, and avoiding disaster.
Bottom line
A Delta Boeing 737 and Aeromexico Embraer E190 had a scary incident at Mexico City Airport, whereby one plane was cleared to land and the other plane was cleared to take off from the same runway at the same time.
This appears to be a major mistake by air traffic control, though one also wonders why the Aeromexico plane landed on the runway when it should’ve seen a Delta plane on the same runway. Thank goodness the Delta pilots aborted their takeoff roll in time.
What do you make of this Mexico City Airport close call?
Looks like Delta pilots are really earning their salaries this week dodging planes!
"Was it a brain fart? Was there some other miscommunication?"
It was human.
"After all, on a runway, there’s only one direction to go."
uhhhh... I do believe there are two directions to go on most runways...
MEX has two parallel runways. I wonder if one of the planes was using the wrong one?
True but based on the prevailing winds, at any given time, usually both takeoffs and landings will be in the same direction.
They are both easier to do flying into a headwind, so the direction is chosen to maximize headwind, and then both takeoffs and landings occur in that direction.
Again immature children commenting. What would this have to do with holding slots? The controller made a really bad error and the pilots of the Air Mexico flight didn't seem to pick up on the error fast enough. I doubt any of them were distracted by conversations about MAGA.
Let’s all try to be a little patient with Julie. She’s clearly battling a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS)—a condition that flares up every time gas prices drop or the border gets less porous. It can’t be easy realizing there’s still 3.5 more years of America winning and not apologizing for existing. We should really be more compassionate to folks like her. Remember, they’re coping with the trauma of fewer illegal crossings, the...
Let’s all try to be a little patient with Julie. She’s clearly battling a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS)—a condition that flares up every time gas prices drop or the border gets less porous. It can’t be easy realizing there’s still 3.5 more years of America winning and not apologizing for existing. We should really be more compassionate to folks like her. Remember, they’re coping with the trauma of fewer illegal crossings, the horror of student loan payments resuming and the existential crisis of having to refer to people by their real pronouns again. The identity politics buffet is closing early, and they’re still at the salad bar. These are the same people who’d gladly align with terrorist and fringe weirdos as long as it standing against conservative values.
@TrumpGambit
And you suffer from TDS-DS, a condition that flares up every time you see TDS.
People should stop caring about trump on both sides he is not the reason for your problems nor is he the reason for your happiness. No politician is ever the source of your success or failure.
Who knows who that Julie is, but Tim Dunn seems to enjoy taking over usernames usually critical of himself and using them as his bots
Lucky can easily tell which Julie is which via the email address used
--Real Julie
My approach to maga, treat it like dog Scheisse on the side walk. Spot it and walk around it.
This is why Mexico is in the right to withhold the MEX slots from US airlines.
As long as the USA continues to withold slots from Mexican aliens, who cares?
Find your own username, loser.
--Real Julie
So many thanks times I’ve wanted to say that to the other John(s)