An Emirates Airbus A380, flying from Dubai to Mauritius last Friday, had been cleared to descend to 38,000 feet by Air Traffic Control on its approach to the Indian Ocean island, with an Air Seychelles Airbus A330, Flight #HM54, having taken off from Mauritius travelling in the opposite direction.
However, the crew of the Emirates plane, Flight #EK703, which is configured to carry as many as 615 passengers, incorrectly stated that its altitude was 36,000 feet.
When it was realised that the Emirates plane was higher than previously thought, and with the Air Seychelles A330, which could have been carrying up to 277 passengers, flying towards it, a Traffic Collision Avoidance System alert was initiated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGXrwy1XMQg
A spokesperson for Emirates said, “Emirates has received reports of an event on 14th July 2017 in relation to aircraft separation involving flight EK 703 in Mauritius airspace. The matter has been reported to the respective air transport authorities and Emirates will extend its full cooperation to any investigation. The safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance.”
In its media statement, Air Seychelles praised the action of its pilot to avoid a possible mid-air collision.
“We commend our Captain Roberto Vallicelli and Seychellois First Officer Ronny Morel who were operating the HM054 flight from Mauritius to Seychelles on the evening of Friday 14 July 2017,” a spokesperson for Air Seychelles said.
“Their training standard and operating protocols immediately kicked in which demonstrates the extremely high standards of training which our Air Seychelles pilots attain. We highly commend them for what they have done.”
