New Delhi: A charter plane with six passengers and two crew members on board was involved in a runway excursion at Mumbai airport on Thursday due to heavy rain and poor visibility.

The incident affected the entire network of Mumbai, India’s busiest single-runway airport, and caused about 40 delays to flights to and from the city.

“The Learjet 45 aircraft registered as VT-DBL, operating the flight from Vizag to Mumbai, was involved in a runway deviation while landing on Runway 27 of Mumbai Airport. There were 06 passengers and 02 crew members on board. Visibility was 700 m in heavy rain. No injuries have been reported so far,” government officials said in a statement.

The Learjet 45XR aircraft was launched on May 7, 2021 by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd. registered with the DGCA. The aircraft was manufactured in 2009.

According to the passenger list, the passengers on board include six Indians: Dhruv Kotak, KK Krishnadas, Aakarsh Shethi, Arul Sal, Kamakshi and a Danish national named Lars Sorensen. The crew members are Captain Sunil and Neil.

Kotak is managing director of Mumbai-based conglomerate JM Baxi Ports & Logistics Ltd. Arul Sal, his executive assistant, was also on board the aircraft. Sal’s cell phone number was switched off and unreachable.

According to government sources, there were no injuries due to the incident by the end of the day.

VSR Ventures is an aviation company known for providing charter aircraft to businessmen. The fleet includes aircraft such as VT-BAS Beechcraft, Super King Air B200, VT-BAF Beechcraft Super King Air B200 and VT-MEG Pilatus PC-12.

The company also offers air rescue services and aircraft leasing and operates from major cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bhopal.

Private jets in India saw a huge surge post the pandemic as people started flying privately to avoid contracting the virus on flights.