Near Miss at Ahmedabad Airport: Air India and IndiGo Aircraft Incident
A high-stakes moment unfolded at Ahmedabad airport on Wednesday evening when an Air India aircraft took a wrong turn on the taxiway, nearly colliding with an IndiGo flight. The incident involving two narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft has raised fresh questions regarding ground movement safety protocols at Indian airports.
The Incident: A Narrow Escape on the Taxiway
The near-miss occurred during the evening hours when Air India flight AI 2493, arriving from Mumbai, inadvertently entered the wrong taxiway after landing. This maneuver brought the aircraft directly into the path of 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. The proximity of the two planes necessitated an immediate halt to prevent a collision. Both aircraft were brought to a standstill, and the Air India plane was subsequently towed back to its designated parking bay to clear the taxiway.
Airline Responses and Safety Status
Both carriers have officially addressed the situation, emphasizing that passenger safety remained uncompromised. Air India confirmed that its flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad had taken an incorrect turn during taxiing. While the airline acknowledged the error, it stated that no injuries or safety breaches occurred during the encounter.
IndiGo also confirmed the incident, noting that while their flight to Mumbai experienced a brief delay due to the ground obstruction, the aircraft eventually departed and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The airline highlighted that the relevant aviation authorities were notified immediately following the encounter.
Growing Concerns Over Ground Movement Safety
This incident is particularly concerning for the Indian aviation sector as it follows a similar mishap involving the two carriers earlier this year. 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.
The recurrence of ground movement issues between major domestic players suggests a need for heightened vigilance in cockpit communication and airport ground control coordination. Regulatory authorities have been notified, and a formal investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the "wrong turn" and to prevent future occurrences.
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 taxiway error.
- Operational Impact: The incident caused a brief delay for the IndiGo flight, while the Air India aircraft had to be towed back to its parking bay.
- Regulatory Oversight: A formal investigation has been launched by regulatory authorities following the error, marking the second such ground mishap between these two airlines this year.