Near Miss at Ahmedabad Airport: Air India and IndiGo Aircraft Face Close Encounter
A high-stakes moment unfolded at Ahmedabad airport on Wednesday evening when an Air India aircraft mistakenly entered the path of an IndiGo flight during taxiing operations. The incident, involving two narrow-body Airbus A320 planes, highlights the critical importance of ground movement precision in India's increasingly crowded airspace.
Close Proximity on the Taxiway
The incident occurred during the evening hours when Air India flight AI 2493, arriving from Mumbai, inadvertently took a wrong turn after landing. This maneuver brought the aircraft onto the same taxiway being used by IndiGo flight 6E 5160, which was taxiing toward the runway for its scheduled departure to Mumbai.
According to industry sources, the two Airbus A320 aircraft came within approximately 200 metres of each other. The proximity triggered an immediate halt to prevent a collision. While the narrow margin caused significant tension on the ground, both pilots and ground control managed to bring the aircraft to a standstill before any impact occurred.
Airline Responses and Operational Impact
Air India officially confirmed the error, stating that the aircraft had "inadvertently taken a wrong turn" during its post-landing taxi. To resolve the bottleneck, the airline had to arrange for the aircraft to be towed back to its designated parking bay. Crucially, Air India emphasized that there was no compromise to the safety of the passengers or the crew on board.
IndiGo also addressed the situation, noting that their Mumbai-bound flight experienced a brief delay due to the obstruction. The airline confirmed that once the Air India aircraft was cleared from the taxiway, flight 6E 5160 proceeded to take off and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
Safety Investigations and Recurring Concerns
The incident has been reported to the relevant regulatory authorities, and a formal investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the navigational error. This investigation will likely focus on whether the error was due to pilot navigation, signage clarity at Ahmedabad airport, or air traffic control communication.
This event is particularly concerning for the aviation industry as it follows a similar ground-level mishap involving the same two carriers. In February, the wingtips of an Air India Airbus A320 and an IndiGo A320 scraped each other while taxiing at Mumbai airport, necessitating technical inspections for both aircraft. As Indian aviation continues to scale rapidly, these recurring ground movement issues underscore the need for enhanced training and robust ground safety protocols.
Key Takeaways
- Incident Details: An Air India flight (AI 2493) and an IndiGo flight (6E 5160) came within 200 metres of each other at Ahmedabad airport due to a wrong turn by the Air India aircraft.
- Operational Resolution: No injuries or damage were reported; the Air India plane was towed back to its bay, and the IndiGo flight resumed its journey after a brief delay.
- Regulatory Action: A formal investigation has been launched by regulatory authorities to address the ground movement error and prevent future occurrences.