An investigation has been launched after three Air India aircraft sustained damage at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) when strong winds and heavy rain swept through the capital over the weekend.
The incident occurred at Terminal 2 on Saturday when ground support equipment parked near aircraft was displaced by sudden adverse weather conditions and collided with three Air India narrow-body planes, according to Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL).
Airport authorities said the equipment, belonging to Air India Engineering Services and IndiGo's ground handling operations, shifted from its position due to powerful gusts and struck the parked aircraft.
Aircraft withdrawn from service
Following the incident, all three aircraft were immediately taken out of operation for detailed inspections and repairs.
Sources familiar with the matter said two of the affected aircraft are expected to return to service soon after technical checks are completed, while repairs on the third aircraft may take longer depending on the extent of the damage.
An airline source also indicated that aircraft belonging to other operators may have been affected by the severe weather conditions.
No weather warning issued
DIAL said neither the airport operator nor airlines received any advance warning from Air Traffic Control (ATC) regarding the sudden deterioration in weather.
"The ground equipment moved from its position due to the sudden inclement weather, hitting the aircraft parked at Terminal 2," the airport operator said.
Air India has not officially commented on the incident.
Probe to examine safety protocols
Authorities are now assessing the damage and investigating the circumstances that led to the movement of the ground handling equipment.
The inquiry is expected to focus on whether existing safety measures were adequate to secure equipment during sudden weather events and if additional precautions are required to prevent similar incidents in the future.
More rain forecast for Delhi-NCR
The incident comes amid a spell of unpredictable weather across Delhi-NCR. Several parts of the region witnessed heavy showers and strong winds on Sunday, with visuals showing intense rainfall around the airport area.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 60 kmph on June 11 and 12, raising the possibility of further weather-related disruptions.
