New Delhi, June 9: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation after three Air India aircraft sustained damage while parked at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport during severe weather conditions on Sunday evening.
The incident occurred at Terminal 2 of the airport when strong winds and heavy rainfall swept through the national capital, causing ground handling equipment and debris to strike parked aircraft. Aviation authorities have since grounded all three aircraft for detailed inspection and maintenance, while an inquiry has been initiated to determine the circumstances that led to the damage.
According to the DGCA, the incident took place at around 4.30 pm on June 7 when adverse weather conditions affected airport operations. The affected aircraft were all Airbus A320 narrow-body planes belonging to Air India.
In its preliminary findings, the aviation regulator said two pieces of ground support equipment positioned near adjacent aircraft stands were displaced by strong winds and collided with two separate aircraft. The impact caused visible damage to different sections of the planes.
A third aircraft suffered damage when a foreign object, carried by the strong winds, struck and shattered a right-side sliding cockpit window.
Following the incident, the DGCA directed that all three aircraft be withdrawn from service pending technical evaluation and repair. Officials said the investigation would examine operational procedures, equipment positioning protocols and weather-related preparedness measures.
Airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed that the aircraft were damaged after ground handling equipment shifted from its designated location during the sudden weather event.
According to airport authorities, the displaced equipment belonged to engineering and ground-handling service providers associated with Air India and IndiGo operations.
Officials stated that weather conditions deteriorated rapidly, bringing strong winds and intense rainfall that affected several parts of the airport precinct. They noted that neither airlines nor the airport operator had received advance warning regarding the sudden change in weather conditions.
The incident has renewed attention on the challenges airports face during extreme weather events, particularly during the monsoon season when thunderstorms, squalls and gusty winds can develop rapidly.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that another aircraft operated by a different airline may also have been affected by the severe weather, although details regarding the extent of damage were not immediately available.
Despite the incident, airport operations continued with limited disruption. Aviation officials said initial assessments indicate that two of the damaged Air India aircraft are likely to return to service shortly after inspections and necessary repairs are completed.
However, the third aircraft, which reportedly sustained more significant damage, may require a longer maintenance period before it can resume commercial operations.
The incident comes at a time when airlines and airport operators across India are increasingly dealing with weather-related operational disruptions. Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds frequently affect flight schedules, ground operations and passenger movement during the monsoon months.
Delhi and the wider National Capital Region witnessed a sharp change in weather on Sunday, with heavy rain and gusty winds reported across multiple localities. Visuals from areas surrounding the airport showed intense rainfall and reduced visibility during parts of the day.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast additional spells of light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds in the Delhi region on June 11 and 12. Wind speeds could reach up to 60 kmph during these weather systems, potentially posing further operational challenges.
Aviation experts note that airports maintain strict protocols for securing ground equipment during adverse weather. However, sudden and severe wind conditions can still create hazards, particularly when heavy equipment, mobile staircases, baggage carts and other support vehicles are exposed to unexpected gusts.
The DGCA’s investigation is expected to focus on whether all prescribed safety procedures were followed before the storm and whether additional measures may be required to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For Air India, the priority remains restoring the affected aircraft to service while ensuring that all safety checks are completed. Officials have emphasized that passenger safety was never compromised, as the aircraft were parked and unoccupied at the time of the incident.
The findings of the DGCA probe are expected to provide further clarity on the causes of the damage and may lead to revised operational guidelines for airports and airlines during severe weather events.
