A Malaysia Airlines flight approaching Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is reported to have been disrupted after a laser beam flashed toward the cockpit, temporarily affecting the pilot’s vision. Sources say the aircraft was about eight nautical miles from the runway when the pilot noticed the light from the Madhyamgram–Barasat side, leading to disorientation and the flight missing its scheduled landing time.
According to multiple reports, the plane circles in the air before making another approach and landing safely later that night, with passengers and crew reported safe. Kolkata airport authorities say they lodge a complaint with police for investigation into the incident. The outlets also note broader concerns about laser use near airports: authorities reiterate that high-intensity laser displays are prohibited and emphasize the need for consistent enforcement.
While the accounts agree on the core sequence—laser flash, momentary visual impairment, circling, and safe landing—reports differ slightly on descriptors such as distance from the runway and the precise nature of the pilot’s disorientation. Overall, the story centers on flight safety risks posed by illegal laser activity near airfields and the steps being taken to identify and address the source.
