New Delhi: Three Air India aircraft parked at Terminal 2 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were damaged on Sunday after ground support equipment was blown across the apron during a sudden spell of strong winds and heavy rain, airport authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred amid rapidly changing weather conditions that swept through the national capital, causing disruption across airport operations and damaging multiple aircraft on the ground.
Viral Video Captures Dramatic Incident
A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing ground support equipment moving uncontrollably across the airport apron as strong gusts battered the area.
Airport personnel can be seen running after the equipment in an attempt to stop it before it collided with parked aircraft. Despite their efforts, the equipment struck three Air India narrowbody aircraft stationed at Terminal 2.
Following the incident, all three aircraft were immediately withdrawn from service for inspection and repairs.
Airport Operator Details Incident
According to the airport operator, ground handling equipment belonging to Air India Engineering and IndiGo was displaced due to the sudden and severe weather conditions.
The equipment reportedly broke loose and collided with parked aircraft, causing varying degrees of damage.
The operator also stated that no prior weather warning had been issued by Air Traffic Control (ATC) regarding the abrupt deterioration in weather conditions.
Officials claimed that neither the airport operator nor airlines received advance notice of the strong winds and rain that triggered the incident.
Air India Aircraft Temporarily Grounded
While Air India has not yet released an official statement, airline sources indicated that the impact of the weather-related incident extended beyond Air India, with aircraft operated by other carriers also affected.
Sources familiar with the matter said that two of the three damaged Air India aircraft are expected to return to service after minor repairs and inspections.
The third aircraft, however, reportedly sustained more significant damage and will require additional maintenance before it can resume operations.
DGCA Orders Investigation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to launch a detailed investigation into the incident to determine how the ground equipment became unsecured and whether standard safety protocols were followed.
According to aviation sources, the regulator will examine multiple aspects of the incident, including weather preparedness, equipment securing procedures, operational safety measures, and communication between airport authorities and airlines.
Investigators will also assess whether additional precautions could have prevented the collision during the sudden weather event.
Weather-Related Risks at Airports Under Scrutiny
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges airports face during extreme weather conditions, particularly when high winds pose risks to parked aircraft, ground vehicles, and support equipment.
Aviation experts note that strict procedures are typically in place to secure movable equipment during adverse weather. The DGCA investigation is expected to determine whether existing protocols were adequate and properly implemented at the time of the incident.
No injuries were reported, and airport operations continued despite the damage to the aircraft.
Key Highlights
- Three Air India aircraft were damaged at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 2.
- Ground support equipment was blown into parked aircraft during strong winds and rain.
- Viral footage showed airport staff attempting to stop runaway equipment.
- Two aircraft are expected to return to service soon; one requires extensive repairs.
- Aircraft operated by other airlines were also reportedly affected.
- The DGCA will investigate the incident and determine responsibility.
The findings of the aviation regulator’s probe are expected to shed light on the sequence of events and whether additional safety measures are needed to prevent similar incidents during severe weather conditions.
This version is optimized for search engines with high-value keywords such as Air India aircraft damage, Delhi Airport incident, IGIA Terminal 2, DGCA investigation, strong winds at Delhi Airport, aviation safety, and ground support equipment collision while maintaining a professional news publication style.