Sudden storm: 3 Air India aircraft damaged at IGIA by ground equipment

NEW DELHI: The sudden rainstorm that hit IGI Airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) on Sunday evening left three aircraft damaged when they were hit by ground support equipment which moved from their positions in strong winds. Of the three Air India single aisle aircraft, one will now be grounded for a few days for repairs while the other two could start flying this week.

“There was no weather warning given for a storm. At 4,40 pm Sunday there were strong winds. A step ladder, and a trestle each of IndiGo Engineering and Aircraft India Engineering at T2 parking stands moved from their positions and hit the three AI aircraft,” said airport sources.

The three aircraft have been grounded for checks and repairs. “Repairs on one will take long and others may resume flying soon,” said sources. IndiGo sources say the trestle was secured but the winds were strong that it came loose.

While officials across airlines and airport are wondering why there was no weather warning for the storm, there was another issue that had them thinking — the high incidence rate of Air India planes getting affected in affected in such freak incidents. This Jan, a new AI Airbus A350 — the flagship of the airline’s fleet — had ingested an unsecured baggage container at IGIA while taxiing after flying in from New York in dense fog.

Advance weather warning allows stakeholders to secure their ground equipment on tarmac to prevent them from moving around and hitting aircraft.

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