Chennai, June 12 - In a concerning escalation of aviation safety hazards, an Air India Express flight carrying over 170 passengers was struck by a powerful laser beam during its final approach to Chennai International Airport on June 10, 2025, marking the third such incident in the city’s airspace within a month. The flight, IX2660 from Pune, was approximately three nautical miles from touchdown on runway 25 when the crew reported a flashing white laser aimed at the aircraft’s right side at around 1:03 a.m. This critical phase of descent, when pilots rely heavily on visual cues, was disrupted, forcing the aircraft to hover mid-air for approximately ten minutes before landing safely at 1:20 a.m. The laser, believed to have originated from the Guindy area, ceased within seconds, allowing the pilots to stabilize the aircraft and complete the landing without further incident. Authorities at Chennai International Airport promptly notified the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Chennai Airport Police, who have since launched an investigation. CCTV footage from the vicinity is being reviewed to trace the source, and coordination with St Thomas Mount and Guindy police stations is underway, though no formal case has been registered yet.
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This incident follows two similar occurrences involving Emirates flights from Dubai. On May 26, 2025, a Boeing 777-300ER carrying 326 passengers was targeted by a green laser beam while six nautical miles from the airport, near the densely populated St Thomas Mount area. The pilot reported the interference to air traffic control (ATC), and the flight landed safely after the beam abruptly stopped. Just ten days later, on June 5, another Emirates flight, EK542 with 304 passengers, faced a similar disruption when a green laser struck the cockpit, forcing the pilots to abort their initial landing attempt and execute a go-around maneuver. In all cases, the professionalism of the flight crews ensured safe landings, but the recurring nature of these incidents has raised significant concerns among aviation authorities.
Laser beam interference poses a severe threat to flight safety, particularly during critical phases like landing, when even a momentary distraction can lead to catastrophic consequences. High-intensity lasers can cause temporary flash blindness, disorientation, or even retinal damage to pilots, impairing their ability to navigate. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has long emphasized the dangers of such incidents, noting that laser strikes can disrupt clear visibility and create hazardous conditions. Chennai airport has recorded 27 such incidents in 2025 alone, a sharp increase from previous years, despite efforts to curb the issue. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been working with local police and airline operators to enhance surveillance and public awareness. The Greater Chennai Police issued an advisory warning against the use of laser pointers, hot air balloons, and other light-emitting devices near flight paths, citing violations under Section 223(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which prohibits actions endangering aircraft safety.
The persistence of these incidents, despite legal measures and public advisories, underscores the challenges in tracing perpetrators. Laser devices, now widely available for recreational and event purposes, are difficult to regulate, and their sources are often fleeting, disappearing before authorities can act. The AAI is exploring advanced laser detection systems, though high costs remain a barrier. As night flights constitute nearly 40% of Chennai’s air traffic, the recurring threat demands urgent action to protect passengers and crew.
