According to airport operator Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the incident occurred on Sunday at Terminal 2 when sudden gusty winds accompanied by heavy rainfall caused ground handling equipment stationed near parked aircraft to shift from its position. The equipment subsequently collided with three Air India narrow-body planes.
The affected aircraft were immediately withdrawn from service to facilitate detailed inspections and necessary repairs. DIAL said the equipment involved belonged to Air India Engineering Services and IndiGo’s ground operations.
Airport officials indicated that the weather conditions deteriorated rapidly and unexpectedly. They added that neither the airport operator nor the airlines had received any advance warning regarding the sudden change in weather from Air Traffic Control (ATC).
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The development has prompted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the movement of ground equipment during the weather event and the adequacy of safety protocols in place during such conditions.
Air India did not issue a formal statement on the matter.People familiar with the situation said the impact of the severe weather was not limited to Air India aircraft, with planes operated by other carriers also facing disruptions. However, the extent of damage to those aircraft could not be immediately ascertained.
Sources said all three Air India aircraft remain under technical assessment. Two of the planes are expected to resume operations after completion of inspections and minor rectification work, while the third aircraft may require a longer maintenance period before returning to service.
The incident comes amid heightened focus on operational resilience at airports during periods of extreme weather, particularly during the monsoon season when sudden thunderstorms and strong winds can pose challenges to both flight and ground operations.