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 inadvertently entered the same taxiway as an IndiGo flight. The incident, involving two narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft, highlights growing concerns regarding ground movement safety protocols at busy Indian aviation hubs.
The Incident: A Near-Miss on the Taxiway
The mishap took place during the evening hours when Air India flight AI 2493, arriving from Mumbai, landed at Ahmedabad airport. While taxiing toward its parking bay, the aircraft took a wrong turn, entering a taxiway that was already occupied by IndiGo flight 6E 5160.
The IndiGo aircraft, which was bound for Mumbai, was in the process of taxiing for take-off when the two planes came within approximately 200 metres of each other. The proximity of the two Airbus A320 jets necessitated an immediate halt to both aircraft to prevent a potential collision.
Airline Responses and Safety Status
Both airlines have issued official statements regarding the event. Air India confirmed that flight AI 2493 "inadvertently took a wrong turn during taxiing" after landing. The carrier emphasized that there was no compromise to the safety of the passengers or the crew on board. Following the incident, the Air India aircraft was towed back to its designated parking bay.
IndiGo confirmed that its flight, 6E 5160, experienced a brief delay during the taxiing process due to the obstruction. The airline noted that both aircraft came to a halt at a safe distance, and after the Air India plane was cleared from the path, the IndiGo flight proceeded to depart and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
Regulatory Investigation and Safety Recurrence
The incident has been reported to the relevant regulatory authorities, and a formal investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the navigational error. This investigation will likely focus on cockpit communication, ground control instructions, and taxiway signage clarity.
This is not an isolated event involving these two major carriers. Aviation professionals will recall a similar ground movement mishap in February, where the wingtips of an Air India Airbus A320 and an IndiGo A320 scraped each other while taxiing at Mumbai airport. That incident required both aircraft to undergo mandatory safety inspections. The recurrence of such near-misses underscores the critical need for enhanced ground movement precision and rigorous adherence to taxiway protocols in India's rapidly expanding aviation sector.
Key Takeaways
- Proximity Alert: 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 at Ahmedabad airport.
- Safety Maintained: No injuries or damage were reported; the Air India plane was towed back to its bay, and the IndiGo flight completed its journey to Mumbai safely.
- Official Probe: Regulatory authorities have been notified, and a formal investigation is underway to prevent future ground movement errors.