Delhi Storm: Three Air India narrowbody aircraft were damaged at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Sunday after strong winds and heavy rain caused ground support equipment to break
loose and collide with the parked planes, aiport operator DIAL said.
The incident occurred around 4.40 pm at parking bays near Terminal 2. According to airport officials, sudden inclement weather caused a step ladder and trestles belonging to Air India and IndiGo ground handling and engineering teams to move from their positions and strike the aircraft, news agency PTI reported.
All three affected Air India A320 aircraft were immediately taken out of operation for inspections and repairs. While two of the planes are expected to return to service within days, one aircraft suffered substantial damage and could remain grounded for a longer period.
HEART STOPPING MOMENT AT DELHI AIRPORT T2.
FIRST FOOTAGE.
3 Air India aircraft parked at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 2 were damaged after ground equipment broke loose during a sudden storm and slammed into the planes. Sources claim no prior ATC weather warning was issued to airlines… pic.twitter.com/c8Y9pl9RX9— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) June 8, 2026
DIAL said that no weather warning had been issued by Air Traffic Control before the storm, (to the airport operator or airlines) about any change in weather. Such warnings typically allow airlines and ground handlers to secure equipment on the tarmac before adverse weather strikes.
Airport sources said the powerful winds and rain displaced multiple pieces of ground support equipment, which were heavily damaged in the incident. One source said the stairwell area of an aircraft was significantly impacted, requiring extensive checks and repairs.
An airline source, however, told the news agency that along with three of Air India planes, aircraft of other operators were also impacted due to the hostile weather conditions.
The incident came months after an Air India Airbus A350 was damaged at IGIA after ingesting an unsecured baggage container while taxiing in dense fog.
(With inputs from agencies)
