Near Miss at Ahmedabad Airport: Air India and IndiGo Planes Face Close Encounter
A high-stakes moment unfolded at Ahmedabad airport on Wednesday evening when an Air India aircraft took an incorrect turn on the taxiway, nearly colliding with an IndiGo flight. The incident, involving two narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft, highlights the critical importance of precision in ground movement operations.
The Near Miss: A Wrong Turn on the Taxiway
The incident occurred on the evening of June 24, involving Air India flight AI 2493, which had just landed from Mumbai. While taxiing toward its designated parking bay, the aircraft inadvertently entered the wrong taxiway. This maneuver placed it directly in the path of IndiGo flight 6E 5160, a Mumbai-bound aircraft that was in the process of taxiing for takeoff.
According to reports, the two Airbus A320 planes came within approximately 200 metres of each other. The proximity of the two aircraft triggered an immediate halt to prevent a collision. While the distance was significant enough to avoid a physical impact, the incident caused a brief delay for the IndiGo flight before it was cleared for departure.
Airline Responses and Safety Protocols
Both airlines acted swiftly to manage the situation and ensure passenger safety. Air India confirmed the error, stating that the aircraft had taken an inadvertent wrong turn. The carrier noted that there was no compromise to the safety of the passengers or the crew. Following the incident, the Air India plane was towed back to its assigned parking bay to clear the taxiway.
IndiGo also provided a statement, confirming that their flight to Mumbai experienced a brief delay during the taxiing process. The airline emphasized that both aircraft came to a halt at a safe distance and that their flight eventually landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Both carriers have reported the matter to the relevant regulatory authorities to facilitate a formal investigation.
A Recurring Pattern of Ground Mishaps
This incident at Ahmedabad is not an isolated case of ground movement errors between India’s two largest carriers. Aviation stakeholders are closely monitoring these developments following a similar mishap in February. During that instance, 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 investigations begin into the Ahmedabad encounter, the industry remains focused on whether these "wrong turns" are the result of human error, cockpit communication lapses, or systemic issues in ground traffic management at busy Indian airports.
Key Takeaways
- Critical Proximity: Two Airbus A320 aircraft (Air India AI 2493 and IndiGo 6E 5160) came within roughly 200 metres of each other due to a wrong turn during taxiing at Ahmedabad airport.
- Operational Impact: While no injuries or structural damage were reported, the incident required the Air India plane to be towed and caused a delay for the IndiGo flight.
- Regulatory Investigation: Both airlines have reported the incident to aviation authorities, and a formal investigation has been initiated to determine the root cause.