Delhi Storm Damages Three Air India Aircraft at IGI Airport, DGCA Launches Probe into Ground Safety Measures

New Delhi: A severe dust storm and thunderstorm that swept across the national capital on Sunday led to damage to three Air India aircraft parked at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), triggering an investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The incident occurred amid strong winds, heavy rain and rapidly changing weather conditions that disrupted airport operations and raised concerns about aviation safety during extreme weather events.

According to preliminary information, the aircraft were stationed on the ground when powerful wind gusts reportedly caused ground-support equipment and service units to shift from their designated positions and strike the parked planes. Authorities have clarified that the incident did not involve aircraft colliding with each other during flight operations. Instead, the damage was caused by weather-related movement of equipment on the airport premises, making it a ground-handling and safety concern rather than an in-air aviation accident.

The DGCA has launched a detailed investigation to determine whether all mandatory safety procedures were followed before and during the storm. Officials are expected to examine weather alerts issued ahead of the storm, the positioning of the aircraft, the securing of ground-support equipment and the response of airport authorities and airline personnel. Investigators will also review operational records, weather data and surveillance footage to establish whether the damage could have been prevented through stricter precautionary measures.

No injuries to passengers, crew members or airport staff have been reported. However, the affected aircraft will undergo comprehensive technical inspections to assess the extent of the damage. Early assessments indicate that one aircraft may require extensive repairs and could remain out of service for several days, while the remaining aircraft are expected to return to operations after safety checks and regulatory clearance.

The incident has once again highlighted the challenges airports face during extreme weather conditions. Aviation experts point out that severe storms, high winds and sudden weather changes can pose significant risks to aircraft on the ground if equipment is not adequately secured and emergency weather protocols are not implemented promptly. With climate-related weather events becoming more frequent, regulators and airport operators are under increasing pressure to strengthen preparedness measures and improve operational resilience.

The DGCA's findings will be closely watched by the aviation industry, as the investigation is expected to determine whether existing safety guidelines are sufficient or whether additional measures are required to prevent similar incidents in the future. The outcome could lead to stricter ground-handling regulations and enhanced weather-response procedures at airports across India.