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 inadvertently entered the path of an IndiGo flight during taxiing. The close encounter between the two narrow-body Airbus A320 jets has raised fresh questions regarding ground movement safety protocols at major Indian aviation hubs.
The Incident: A Wrong Turn on the Taxiway
The incident occurred when Air India flight AI 2493, which had just landed from Mumbai, took an incorrect turn after touchdown. 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 reports, the two Airbus A320 aircraft came within approximately 200 metres of each other before ground controllers intervened. Both aircraft were immediately brought to a halt to prevent any potential collision. While the proximity was significant, both airlines have confirmed that there was no compromise to the safety of the passengers or crew on board.
Airline Responses and Operational Impact
Air India officially acknowledged the error, stating that the aircraft "inadvertently took a wrong turn during taxiing." To clear the taxiway and restore normal operations, the Air India aircraft had to be towed back to its designated parking bay. The airline confirmed that the matter has been reported to regulatory authorities, and a formal investigation has been initiated to determine the root cause of the navigational error.
IndiGo also confirmed the encounter, noting that flight 6E 5160 experienced a brief delay during its taxiing phase. Following the halt, the IndiGo flight was cleared to proceed, eventually landing safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. While the exact passenger count for both flights was not immediately disclosed, no injuries or structural damages were reported.
A Recurring Pattern in Ground Safety
This incident is particularly concerning for aviation analysts as it follows a similar mishap involving the two carriers earlier this year. In February, an Air India Airbus A320 and an IndiGo A320 experienced a wingtip scrape while taxiing at Mumbai airport, which necessitated immediate technical inspections for both aircraft.
The recurrence of ground movement issues involving India's two largest private and public carriers highlights the growing complexity of managing high-frequency air traffic. As Indian airports face increasing pressure from rising passenger volumes, the focus on pilot training, ground control precision, and taxiway signage remains critical to preventing such near-miss scenarios.
Key Takeaways
- Close Proximity: Two Airbus A320 aircraft (Air India AI 2493 and IndiGo 6E 5160) came within 200 metres of each other at Ahmedabad airport due to a wrong turn.
- Operational Resolution: The Air India plane was towed to its parking bay, and the IndiGo flight departed after a brief delay; no injuries were reported.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: An investigation has been launched by authorities following this incident, which follows a previous wingtip collision between the same two airlines in February.