Atlas Air's cargo plane leaves after 36 hr of detention

Mumbai, Aug 1 (UNI) The cargo plane belonging to US-based Atlas Air, which was detained at the Chhatrapati Shivaji international airport here since 0300 hr yesterday, left for its destination at 1530 hr today, after nearly 36 hours.

The cargo plane left for its destination after a thorough check-up and investigation, and clearance given by the concerned officials, airport Director R Treasurywala told UNI.

The Boeing 747-200 was detained yesterday early morning following its illegal entry into Indian air space, after having filed ''dubious'' Air Operations Routine (AOR) of its itinerary.

The plane, which took off from Nairobi and was bound for Hong Kong, was carrying no cargo. The plane's identity code was GTI-8106, but the pilot filed its flight AOR as a US Air Force plane.

Therefore, the IAF South Western Air Command (SWAC) denied it the permission to fly within Indian air space enroute. The IAF personnel have already questioned the four-member crew and would decide about the plane's departure later, he added.

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