New Delhi, June 8: Three Air India aircraft parked at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport suffered damage after strong winds and heavy rain caused ground support equipment to break loose and collide with the planes. The incident occurred near Terminal 2 during a sudden storm that swept across the national capital on Sunday evening.
According to airport authorities, the affected aircraft were narrow-body Air India planes parked at designated bays when powerful gusts of wind displaced ground equipment, including passenger stairs and maintenance structures. The equipment, belonging to Air India Engineering and IndiGo, was blown from its position and struck the parked aircraft.
Airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said all three aircraft were immediately withdrawn from service for detailed inspection and repairs. Preliminary assessments indicate that one aircraft sustained relatively significant damage and may remain grounded for several days, while the other two are expected to return to operations later this week after safety checks are completed.
Videos circulating on social media showed airport ground equipment being pushed across the tarmac by intense winds. In one widely shared clip, a passenger boarding staircase was seen crashing into a parked aircraft as airport personnel rushed to prevent further damage. No passengers were on board the affected aircraft, and no injuries were reported.
The sudden weather change caught airport operators and airlines off guard. Reports indicate that the storm developed rapidly, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to several parts of Delhi. Airport officials stated that no advance warning regarding the abrupt weather deterioration had been received from Air Traffic Control, limiting the time available to secure movable equipment on the ground.
Following the incident, an investigation has been launched to determine whether existing safety procedures for securing ground equipment during adverse weather conditions were adequate. Authorities are expected to review operational protocols and storm preparedness measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Air India has not issued a detailed public statement on the matter. However, aviation officials emphasized that the damaged aircraft will only be returned to service after thorough inspections and certification by maintenance teams. The incident highlights the challenges airports face in managing increasingly unpredictable weather events and ensuring the safety of aircraft on the ground.
