Air Algerie and Cygnus Air Loss of Separation Incident in Marseille

A loss of separation incident involving an Air Algerie Boeing 737-800 and a Cygnus Air Boeing 757-200 F occurred at Marseille Provence Airport on 11 September 2024.

An Air Algerie aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operating as flight AH1136, was inbound from Ech Cheliff Airport, Algeria. The arriving aircraft had received clearance to land on runway 31R.

Air Algerie AH1136 & Cygnus Air QY1683 Marseille

However, a Cygnus Air Boeing 757-200 F, flight QY1683, preparing to depart was occupying the active runway. The departing DHL aircraft had already been given an ATC clearance to line up on the same runway and hold.

As the Air Algerie aircraft descended on final approach, air traffic control instructed it to go around due to the presence of the DHL aircraft on the runway.

Following its missed approach, the Air Algerie flight successfully completed a second approach and landed safely.

Flight data shows that flight AH1136 executed the go around from a position on short finals, before carrying out a circuit for the second landing attempt.

Cygnus Air flight QY1683 was able to make its departure from Bologna, which was completed without incident.

Aircraft Details

The aircraft conducting the arriving flight AH1136 from Ech Cheliff Airport (CFK) was a Boeing 737-800, registered 7T-VKL. This is an 8.8 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier Air Algerie. It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in December 2015.

The aircraft conducting the departing flight QY1683 to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) was a Boeing 757-200 F, registered EC-NYM. This is 32.8 year old converted freighter belonging to the carrier Cygnus Air, operating a service on behalf of DHL.

The aircraft has been in operational service with the operator since September 2022.

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