Delhi: Aviation operations at the national capital’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport faced a major challenge on Sunday evening due to severe weather. A sudden, intense storm and rain caused three parked Air India aircraft to sustain damage after colliding with ground support equipment—specifically a stand—blown by the gusty winds. Fortunately, no major accident occurred, but as a safety precaution, all three aircraft have been grounded and removed from flight operations for the time being.
According to reports, the incident took place around 4:40 PM on Sunday in the parking area near Terminal 2 (T2). Although the Meteorological Department had issued no prior warning of a storm, sudden high-velocity winds caused ground support equipment (such as step ladders and trestles) at the airport to shift uncontrollably. These runaway units collided with three nearby parked Air India narrow-body aircraft. It is reported that one trestle had been securely tethered, yet the wind speed was so high that it still shifted from its position.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken a serious view of the incident. Ordering an investigation, the DGCA clarified that a detailed probe would be conducted; accountability would be fixed for any party found negligent, and violations of safety standards would not be tolerated.
Currently, a team of technical experts is inspecting the site to precisely determine the cause of the incident. Following the mishap, the three damaged aircraft have been taken out of service for inspection and repairs. One aircraft sustained significant damage and may take a few days to repair, while the other two are expected to return to service this week once inspections are complete. This incident has once again raised concerns regarding adverse weather conditions at airports and ‘ground handling’ protocols.
