Three Air India aircraft parked at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport were damaged after ground support equipment was displaced by strong winds and rain, airport authorities said on Sunday.
The incident occurred on Saturday at Terminal 2, where the aircraft were parked when sudden adverse weather conditions swept through the area. According to the airport operator, all three aircraft were taken out of service following the collision, reported NDTV.
Ground equipment moved during sudden weather change
The airport operator said ground support equipment belonging to Air India Engineering and IndiGo shifted from its position due to the sudden spell of strong wind and rain.
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The equipment subsequently struck the parked aircraft, causing damage that required inspections and repair work before the planes could return to service.
The operator also stated that the Air Traffic Control had issued no warning regarding any change in weather conditions to either the airport operator or airlines before the incident occurred.
Aircraft removed from operations
Following the impact, the three Air India narrowbody aircraft were temporarily withdrawn from operations.
While Air India declined to comment on the development, an airline source said the effects of the severe weather were not limited to Air India aircraft alone, reported NDTV.
According to the source, aircraft belonging to other operators were also affected by the hostile weather conditions at the airport.
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Two aircraft likely to return soon
The airline source indicated that repair work is progressing on the affected aircraft.
Of the three Air India planes involved, two are expected to return to service shortly after necessary checks and repairs are completed. The third aircraft, however, may remain out of operation for a longer period as it requires additional work.
The incident highlights the challenges airports face during sudden weather changes, particularly when aircraft and ground equipment are stationed in open operational areas. Authorities have not reported any injuries in connection with the incident.
Airport officials and airline teams are continuing inspections to assess the full extent of the damage and ensure the affected aircraft meet all safety requirements before resuming operations.
