Near Miss at Ahmedabad Airport: Air India and IndiGo Aircraft Incident

A serious ground safety incident occurred at Ahmedabad airport on Wednesday evening when an Air India aircraft took an incorrect turn during taxiing. This maneuver brought the narrow-body plane into the direct path of an IndiGo flight, sparking immediate concerns regarding airport ground movement protocols.

The Incident: A Close Encounter on the Taxiway

The mishap unfolded during the evening hours involving two narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft. Air India flight AI 2493, which had just landed from Mumbai, inadvertently entered the wrong taxiway while moving toward its parking bay. This error placed the aircraft on the same path as IndiGo flight 6E 5160, which was taxiing toward the runway for its scheduled departure to Mumbai.

According to reports, the two aircraft came within approximately 200 metres of each other before ground controllers intervened and both planes were brought to a halt. While the proximity was alarming, both airlines confirmed that there was no physical collision and no compromise to the safety of the passengers or crew on board.

Operational Response and Airline Statements

Following the near-miss, the Air India aircraft had to be towed back to its designated parking bay to clear the taxiway. Air India issued a formal statement confirming that flight AI 2493 had taken the wrong turn and noted that the matter has been reported to regulatory authorities for a formal investigation.

IndiGo also addressed the incident, noting that flight 6E 5160 experienced a brief delay during its taxiing process due to the obstruction. The airline confirmed that once the Air India aircraft was cleared from the path, their flight departed as planned and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. While the exact number of passengers on both flights has not been officially released, both carriers emphasized that safety protocols were maintained.

Rising Concerns Over Ground Movement Safety

This incident at Ahmedabad is not an isolated event for India’s two largest carriers. It follows a similar mishap in February at Mumbai airport, where the wingtips of an Air India Airbus A320 and an IndiGo A320 scraped each other during taxiing. That incident necessitated technical inspections for both aircraft.

The recurrence of ground movement errors involving these two major players highlights the growing pressure on airport ground control and pilot navigation precision in India’s increasingly crowded airspace. As regulatory bodies initiate investigations into the Ahmedabad incident, the focus will likely remain on whether these errors stem from human factors, cockpit communication, or airport signage clarity.

Key Takeaways

• Near Collision: An Air India A320 and an IndiGo A320 came within 200 metres of each other on a taxiway at Ahmedabad airport due to an incorrect turn.
• No Injuries Reported: Both airlines confirmed that passenger and crew safety was not compromised, and no physical contact occurred between the aircraft.
• Regulatory Probe: An official investigation has been initiated by regulatory authorities to determine the cause of the wrong turn and prevent future ground movement mishaps.