Air India and IndiGo Aircraft Near-Miss at Ahmedabad Airport
A narrow escape occurred 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, has sparked fresh concerns regarding ground movement safety protocols at Indian airports.
The Incident: A High-Stakes Near-Miss
The mishap occurred while Air India flight AI 2493, arriving from Mumbai, was taxiing after landing. Due to an inadvertent wrong turn, the aircraft entered the same taxiway occupied by 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 necessitated an immediate halt of both aircraft to prevent a potential collision. While the situation was high-pressure, both airlines confirmed that the aircraft were brought to a stop at a safe distance.
Airline Responses and Operational Impact
Air India officially acknowledged the error, stating that flight AI 2493 "inadvertently took a wrong turn during taxiing." To resolve the congestion on the taxiway, the Air India aircraft had to be towed back to its designated parking bay. The carrier emphasized that there was no compromise to the safety of the passengers or the crew on board.
IndiGo confirmed that the incident caused a brief delay for flight 6E 5160. However, the airline noted that once the Air India plane was cleared from the path, their flight proceeded to take off and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Both airlines have reported the matter to the relevant regulatory authorities for a formal investigation.
Rising Concerns Over Ground Safety Protocols
This incident is not an isolated event in the Indian aviation sector. It follows a similar ground movement mishap in February, where the wingtips of an Air India Airbus A320 and an IndiGo A320 scraped against each other while taxiing at Mumbai airport. That incident required both aircraft to undergo mandatory technical inspections.
Repeated near-misses involving major domestic carriers highlight the growing complexities of ground management at busy Indian airports. As air traffic increases, the industry faces heightened scrutiny regarding pilot communication, taxiway signage clarity, and the efficiency of Air Traffic Control (ATC) in managing ground movements to prevent such tactical errors.
Key Takeaways
- The Incident: An Air India flight (AI 2493) and an IndiGo flight (6E 5160) nearly collided at Ahmedabad airport after the Air India plane took a wrong turn on a shared taxiway.
- Safety Status: No injuries or damage were reported; both Airbus A320 aircraft were halted at a distance of approximately 200 metres, and the Air India plane was subsequently towed.
- Regulatory Action: An investigation has been initiated by the regulatory authorities to determine the cause of the wrong turn and prevent future ground-movement mishaps.