Near Miss at Ahmedabad Airport: Air India and IndiGo Aircraft Incident
A high-tension moment unfolded at Ahmedabad airport on Wednesday evening when an Air India aircraft took an incorrect turn, placing it on the same taxiway as an IndiGo flight. The incident, involving two narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft, caused a temporary disruption in ground operations but resulted in no injuries.
The Incident: A Wrong Turn on the Taxiway
The incident occurred during the evening hours when Air India flight AI 2493, which had just landed from Mumbai, inadvertently entered the wrong taxiway. This navigational error 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 jets came within approximately 200 metres of each other before ground controllers and pilots managed to bring both aircraft to a complete halt. While the proximity of the two planes caused immediate concern, both airlines have confirmed that there was no compromise to the safety of the passengers or the crew on board.
Operational Impact and Airline Responses
Following the near-miss, the Air India aircraft was towed back to its designated parking bay to clear the taxiway. IndiGo confirmed that while their flight experienced a brief delay during the taxiing process, the aircraft eventually departed and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
Air India issued an official statement acknowledging the error, stating, "Our flight AI 2493... after landing, inadvertently took a wrong turn during taxiing." The airline further noted that the matter has been formally reported to the relevant regulatory authorities, and a full investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the navigational error.
A Growing Pattern of Ground Mishaps
This incident at Ahmedabad is not an isolated occurrence for India's two largest carriers. It follows a similar ground movement mishap that took place in February at Mumbai airport. During that instance, the wingtips of an Air India Airbus A320 and an IndiGo A320 scraped against each other while taxiing, necessitating thorough technical inspections for both aircraft.
The recurrence of such incidents raises critical questions regarding ground movement protocols, cockpit communication, and air traffic control coordination during the taxiing phase. As aviation traffic in India continues to scale, the industry faces increasing pressure to tighten safety margins during ground operations to prevent such close calls.
Key Takeaways
- The Incident: An Air India flight (AI 2493) mistakenly entered a taxiway occupied by an IndiGo flight (6E 5160) at Ahmedabad airport, with the planes coming within 200 metres of each other.
- Safety Status: No injuries or damage were reported; the Air India plane was towed back to its bay, and the IndiGo flight proceeded to its destination in Mumbai after a brief delay.
- Regulatory Action: Both airlines have reported the incident to aviation authorities, and a formal investigation is currently underway to prevent future occurrences.