Near Miss at Ahmedabad Airport: Air India and IndiGo Aircraft Clash on Taxiway

A high-stakes near miss occurred 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, triggered immediate safety protocols and investigations by aviation authorities.

The Incident: A Wrong Turn on the Taxiway

The mishap occurred during the evening hours when Air India flight AI 2493, arriving from Mumbai, was taxiing after landing. Due to an inadvertent wrong turn, the aircraft entered the same taxiway being used by IndiGo flight 6E 5160, which was taxiing toward the runway for its departure to Mumbai.

According to reports, the two Airbus A320 jets came within approximately 200 metres of each other. The proximity of the two massive aircraft necessitated an immediate halt to all movement in the area to prevent a collision. While the situation was tense, both airlines confirmed that no physical contact occurred and no passengers or crew members were harmed.

Airline Responses and Operational Impact

Both Air India and IndiGo issued statements confirming the event and outlining the immediate aftermath. Air India admitted that its aircraft had taken the wrong turn and stated that the plane was subsequently towed back to its designated parking bay to clear the taxiway. The airline emphasized that there was no compromise to the safety of those on board.

IndiGo reported that flight 6E 5160 experienced a brief delay during its taxiing phase due to the obstruction. However, the airline confirmed that once the Air India aircraft was cleared, their flight proceeded as planned and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The matter has been formally reported to regulatory authorities, and a full investigation is currently underway to determine the root cause of the navigational error.

A Recurring Pattern in Ground Safety

This incident at Ahmedabad is particularly concerning for aviation safety observers as it follows a similar mishap involving the two carriers earlier this year. In February, a ground movement error at Mumbai airport resulted in the wingtips of an Air India Airbus A320 and an IndiGo A320 scraping against each other during taxiing. That incident required both aircraft to undergo detailed technical inspections.

The recurrence of ground-level incidents involving major Indian carriers raises questions regarding taxiway management, pilot communication, and ground control protocols at busy regional hubs. As investigations unfold, the focus will remain on whether these errors stem from human oversight or systemic lapses in airport ground movement coordination.

Key Takeaways

• The Incident: An Air India flight (AI 2493) inadvertently entered the path of an IndiGo flight (6E 5160) at Ahmedabad airport, with the aircraft coming within 200 metres of each other.
• Safety Status: No injuries were reported, and no physical collision occurred; the Air India aircraft was towed back to its bay after the halt.
• Regulatory Action: An investigation has been initiated by the relevant aviation authorities to examine the cause of the wrong turn.