Three Air India aircraft were damaged during a spell of severe weather at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport), prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to initiate an investigation into the incident.
According to information reported by Business Today and India Today, the aircraft sustained damage after ground support equipment was displaced by strong winds and heavy rain at the airport on Sunday. The affected aircraft have since been taken out of service while inspections and repairs are carried out.
The regulator is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine responsibility for the damage caused during the weather event.
The incident occurred at Terminal 2 of Delhi airport during a sudden spell of gusty winds and rainfall.
According to sources cited by India Today, the DGCA will investigate the matter and "fix the responsibility" for the occurrence.
Airport operations on the apron were disrupted when ground support equipment moved from its designated position amid the adverse weather conditions and struck parked aircraft.
A video circulating on social media shows equipment moving across the apron during strong winds while airport personnel appear to be attempting to stop it.
The incident has raised questions about ground handling procedures during rapidly changing weather conditions at one of India's busiest airports.
According to the airport operator, the affected aircraft were Air India narrowbody jets parked at the airport when the incident occurred.
The operator stated that ground support equipment belonging to Air India Engineering and IndiGo shifted from its position during the sudden weather event and collided with the parked aircraft.
The operator further stated that Air Traffic Control (ATC) had not issued any warning regarding a change in weather conditions to either the airport operator or airlines before the incident occurred.
The sequence of events is expected to form a key part of the regulator's investigation.
While three Air India aircraft were impacted, the extent of damage varies across the fleet.
According to an airline source cited by Press Trust of India (PTI), aircraft belonging to other operators were also affected by the adverse weather conditions.
The source said:
• Three Air India aircraft sustained damage
• Two aircraft are expected to return to service shortly
• One aircraft will require a longer repair period before resuming operations
Air India has not publicly disclosed the precise nature of the damage sustained by the aircraft.
The temporary withdrawal of the affected aircraft comes at a time when airlines across India are managing tight fleet availability and operational constraints.
The DGCA inquiry is expected to focus on several aspects of the incident, including weather preparedness, aircraft safety protocols and the securing of ground support equipment during severe weather events.
Areas likely to come under review include:
• Ground handling procedures during adverse weather
• Placement and securing of airport equipment
• Communication between operational stakeholders
• Weather monitoring and alert mechanisms
• Safety measures for parked aircraft
The investigation will seek to establish whether existing procedures were followed and whether additional safeguards may be required to prevent similar incidents in future.
The incident highlights the challenges airports and airlines face when severe weather develops rapidly.
Strong winds pose a particular risk to ground operations, where mobile equipment, servicing vehicles and aircraft handling assets can become hazards if not adequately secured.
Although weather-related disruptions are not uncommon during seasonal storm activity, incidents involving direct damage to parked aircraft remain relatively rare and often attract close regulatory scrutiny.
The findings of the DGCA investigation are expected to provide greater clarity on the sequence of events and determine whether procedural or operational improvements are necessary.
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