MUMBAI, June 8, 2026 : Three Air India narrowbody aircraft parked at Terminal 2 of Delhi International Airport sustained damage after ground support equipment was blown from its position during a sudden spell of strong winds and heavy rain, airport authorities said.
According to the airport operator, the incident occurred on Saturday when severe weather conditions struck the national capital, causing ground equipment belonging to Air India Engineering and IndiGo to move unexpectedly and collide with aircraft parked on the apron.
Following the incident, all three affected Air India aircraft were immediately withdrawn from service for inspection and necessary repairs to ensure operational safety.
Airport authorities stated that the sudden weather disturbance caught ground operations off guard, adding that the Air Traffic Control (ATC) had not issued any warning regarding a significant change in weather conditions to either the airport operator or the airlines.
While Air India declined to officially comment on the incident, sources within the airline confirmed that multiple aircraft, including those operated by other carriers, were affected by the adverse weather conditions.
According to airline sources, the damage to two of the three Air India aircraft is relatively minor, and both are expected to return to service shortly after routine repairs and safety checks. The third aircraft, however, reportedly sustained more extensive damage and may require a longer maintenance period before resuming operations.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by airport ground operations during sudden weather events and underscores the importance of robust safety measures to secure equipment and aircraft during adverse conditions.
Authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding the incident and assess operational procedures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
