LUCKNOW, May 1 -- A potential accident was averted at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport here on Thursday morning when a monkey sprinted across the active runway, forcing a departing passenger jet to execute emergency braking maneuvers just moments before liftoff, said officials.

The incident occurred around 8:55am as Raipur-bound IndiGo flight 6E-6521, carrying 135 passengers, began its takeoff roll. The aircraft had travelled roughly 200 metres down the tarmac when the pilot spotted the simian directly in the aircraft's path. The flight crew immediately applied the emergency brakes, preventing a collision.

ATC in charge AA Ansari acknowledged that the flight delay was caused by the presence of a monkey. He added that issues ...