Severe Storm at Delhi Airport Damages Three Air India Aircraft After Ground Equipment Is Blown Across Tarmac
Three Air India aircraft parked at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport sustained minor damage on Sunday evening after powerful winds and heavy rainfall caused ground support equipment to break free and collide with the planes.
The incident unfolded amid sudden and extreme weather conditions that swept across the national capital, creating operational challenges for airport authorities and airline staff.
According to airport officials, the incident occurred at approximately 4.40 pm when strong gusts of wind accompanied by heavy rain lashed the airport premises.
Sources familiar with the matter stated that the sudden change in weather caught ground operations teams off guard, as there had reportedly been no immediate warning from Air Traffic Control (ATC) regarding the severity of the approaching storm.
The affected aircraft were narrow-body Air India planes parked near Terminal 2 of Delhi Airport at the time of the incident.
The aircraft were stationed on the apron and were not carrying passengers when the weather conditions deteriorated rapidly.
Officials said that the force of the wind was so intense that several pieces of ground handling equipment were displaced from their designated locations.
Among the equipment affected was a mobile aircraft step ladder, which was reportedly pushed across the tarmac by the strong gusts before striking parked aircraft.
Other support equipment in the vicinity was also impacted by the turbulent conditions.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the damage caused to the aircraft was limited and largely superficial.
Sources said that two of the three affected aircraft were already technically cleared and physically prepared for scheduled operations, suggesting that the impact did not result in major structural concerns.
Detailed inspections were nevertheless carried out by maintenance teams to ensure the aircraft met all safety requirements before being returned to service.
The weather event was considerably more severe than anticipated.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued forecasts warning of wind speeds reaching around 60 kilometres per hour in parts of Delhi and adjoining regions.
However, actual conditions proved far more intense.
Data recorded at the Palam weather station showed wind speeds surging to approximately 101 kilometres per hour, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the storm.
Videos of the incident that later circulated on social media captured dramatic scenes on the airport apron.
In the footage, a step ladder can be seen racing uncontrollably across the tarmac under the force of the wind, while airport personnel and ground support crews rush towards it in an attempt to prevent further damage and bring the situation under control.
The visuals underscored the challenges faced by airport workers during sudden weather emergencies.
The latest episode has once again drawn attention to the risks posed by severe weather events at major aviation hubs.
Airports across the world maintain strict safety protocols for adverse weather conditions, but sudden and extreme changes in wind intensity can still create hazardous situations, particularly for aircraft and equipment stationed in open areas.
The incident also comes just five months after another significant event involving an Air India aircraft at the same airport.
In that case, one of the airline’s aircraft suffered extensive engine damage after ingesting a cargo container while taxiing towards its parking stand following an unscheduled return to Delhi.
The aircraft involved in that earlier incident was Flight AI 101, which had departed for New York before being forced to turn back shortly after take-off.
The flight’s return was prompted by Iran’s sudden decision to temporarily close its airspace amid escalating geopolitical tensions between Tehran and Washington, disrupting several international flight routes.
Following its safe landing on Runway 28 at Delhi Airport, the Airbus A350 was taxiing towards its designated parking bay when an unexpected accident occurred.
According to findings shared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the aircraft’s second engine ingested a cargo container that had inadvertently fallen onto the taxiway.
The object was sucked into the engine, causing substantial damage and triggering a detailed investigation into ground safety procedures.
While Sunday’s weather-related incident resulted only in minor damage, it serves as another reminder of the importance of robust safety measures, rapid weather-response protocols, and effective coordination between airport authorities, airlines, and ground handling agencies.
Aviation experts note that as extreme weather events become more frequent, airports may need to further strengthen preparedness systems to minimise risks to aircraft, equipment, and personnel operating on the ground.
