DELHI— Three Air India (AI) aircraft sustained damage after ground support equipment was blown into parked airplanes during a sudden storm at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) on Sunday evening, highlighting the risks severe weather can pose to airport ground operations.
The incident occurred at Terminal 2, where strong winds and heavy rain swept across parts of the Indian capital without significant advance warning. Airport sources indicated that the affected aircraft were parked at remote stands when mobile ground equipment was displaced by the weather and struck the stationary jets.
Delhi Airport Incident During Severe Storm
According to airport sources, the weather conditions changed rapidly at around 4:40 p.m., bringing powerful wind gusts and rain to the airport area. The unexpected storm reportedly caused a step ladder and a trestle belonging to separate ground engineering service providers to move from their designated positions.
The displaced equipment subsequently collided with three Air India aircraft parked at Terminal 2.
Following the incident, all three aircraft were declared unavailable for service while inspections and damage assessments were carried out by maintenance teams.
No injuries to passengers, crew members, or airport personnel were reported. The event primarily affected aircraft on the ground and prompted immediate operational reviews to determine the extent of the damage.
Aircraft Damage Assessment and Safety Review
Initial reports suggest that one of the three affected aircraft may remain out of service for several days while repairs are completed. The remaining two aircraft are expected to return to operations later this week after undergoing inspections and maintenance checks.
Industry procedures require airlines to thoroughly examine any aircraft involved in a ground collision before returning them to commercial service. Maintenance engineers are expected to assess structural areas, external panels, and other impacted components to ensure the aircraft meets all safety requirements.
Air India has not publicly commented on the incident. However, aviation sources indicated that repair work and technical evaluations began shortly after the aircraft were removed from active operations.
The incident resulted in temporary disruptions to fleet availability, although no major schedule changes have been announced at the time of writing.
Weather Impact on Aircraft Handling Operations
Reports indicate that no advance air traffic control weather warning was issued regarding the sudden wind conditions that developed over the airport. Sources familiar with the matter stated that the rapid change in weather caught several ground operations teams by surprise.
The event has renewed attention on airport preparedness during fast-developing weather conditions, particularly during periods of seasonal instability. Strong winds can pose a significant hazard to aircraft parked on the apron if ground equipment is not adequately secured.
In addition to the three Air India aircraft, reports suggest that aircraft belonging to other operators may also have been affected by the severe weather conditions experienced at the airport. Authorities and airport stakeholders are expected to review operational procedures and equipment safety measures following the incident.
The damage to three aircraft at one of India’s busiest airports underscores the importance of weather monitoring, timely alerts, and strict ground handling protocols in maintaining safe and efficient airport operations.
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