Near Miss at Ahmedabad Airport: Air India and IndiGo Planes Face Close Encounter

A narrow escape occurred at Ahmedabad airport on Wednesday evening when an Air India aircraft took a wrong turn on the taxiway, placing it on a collision course with an IndiGo flight. The incident, involving two narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft, highlights growing concerns regarding ground movement safety in Indian aviation.

The Incident: A Wrong Turn on the Taxiway

The mishap occurred during the evening hours when Air India flight AI 2493, arriving from Mumbai, landed at Ahmedabad airport. While taxiing toward its designated parking bay, the aircraft inadvertently entered the wrong taxiway. This maneuver placed the Air India plane directly in the path of IndiGo flight 6E 5160, which was taxiing toward the runway for a scheduled departure to Mumbai.

According to reports, the two Airbus A320 aircraft came within approximately 200 metres of each other before ground controllers intervened and brought both planes to a complete halt. While the proximity was alarming, both airlines confirmed that there was no physical contact between the aircraft and no compromise to the safety of the passengers or crew on board.

Operational Impact and Airline Responses

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

IndiGo also confirmed the incident, noting that flight 6E 5160 experienced a brief delay during its taxiing phase. The airline reassured travelers that the flight eventually departed as planned and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. While the exact number of passengers on both flights was not immediately disclosed, both carriers emphasized that safety protocols were maintained throughout the situation.

Pattern of Ground Mishaps in Indian Aviation

This incident is not an isolated event in the recent history of India’s two largest carriers. Aviation professionals are pointing toward a recurring pattern of ground movement errors. Only a few months ago, in February, a similar mishap occurred at Mumbai airport where the wingtips of an Air India Airbus A320 and an IndiGo A320 scraped against each other during taxiing. That incident required both aircraft to undergo rigorous technical inspections.

As air traffic density increases at major Indian hubs, these "close calls" underscore the critical need for enhanced pilot training, stricter adherence to taxiway protocols, and potentially more robust ground movement control systems to prevent runway incursions and taxiway conflicts.

Key Takeaways

  • Near Collision: An Air India flight and an IndiGo flight came within 200 metres of each other at Ahmedabad airport due to an incorrect taxiway turn.
  • Safety Maintained: No physical contact occurred, no injuries were reported, and both aircraft were eventually cleared to continue their operations.
  • Regulatory Probe: An investigation has been initiated by the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the navigational error during taxiing.