Overview
- Strong winds and heavy rain on Sunday afternoon pushed unsecured ground support equipment into three parked Air India A320s at Terminal 2, footage circulating online showed.
- All three aircraft were withdrawn from service for detailed inspections and repairs with two expected to return within days and one likely to remain grounded longer because of more substantial damage.
- Delhi airport operator DIAL told reporters that no advance weather warning was issued by Air Traffic Control before the storm and regulators have raised that timing as a key issue for the inquiry.
- Airport sources say the displaced items included a passenger step ladder and trestles linked to Air India Engineering Services and IndiGo ground handling, and investigators will examine securing procedures.
- The incident highlights risks posed by rapid monsoon gusts to apron safety, adds to recent scrutiny of ground operations at IGI and could prompt tighter rules or checks that affect turnaround schedules.