What Happened When a Bus Operated by Air India’s Ground Handler Caught Fire at Delhi Airport?
Synopsis
On October 28, a bus operated by AI SATS caught fire at Delhi Airport. Thankfully, no passengers were on board, and the airport's fire team quickly extinguished the blaze. This incident raises questions about operational safety amidst recent disruptions faced by Air India.
Key Takeaways
AI SATS bus caught fire at Delhi Airport .
No injuries reported as the bus was vacant.
Airport fire team responded swiftly.
Incident highlights recent operational issues faced by Air India .
Safety of passengers remains a top priority.
New Delhi, Oct 28 (NationPress) A bus managed by AI SATS, a third-party ground-handling service for Air India, ignited near bay number 32 at Delhi Airport's Terminal 3 (T3) on Tuesday morning.
As per various reports, the incident occurred just a few meters away from an aircraft.
Fortunately, there were no passengers aboard the bus during the fire. The blaze was swiftly controlled by the airport's fire team, and no injuries or damage to nearby aircraft were reported.
“In an isolated incident, a bus operated by one of the ground handlers caught fire around noon today. Our expert ARFF team on ground immediately acted and extinguished the fire within minutes,” Delhi Airport stated while addressing a passenger's inquiry on the social media platform X.
“The bus was stationary and completely vacant during the incident. There were no injuries or casualties. All operations continue to be normal. The safety of our passengers and staff remains our utmost priority,” they added.
However, a query directed to AI SATS remained unanswered while this article was being composed.
This incident follows a series of recent operational disruptions experienced by Air India. Earlier this month, a US-bound flight from Mumbai to Newark had to return shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical snag.
On October 22, Air India confirmed that the crew of flight AI191 operating from Mumbai to Newark made a precautionary air-return to Mumbai due to a suspected technical issue.
“The flight landed safely back in Mumbai, and the aircraft is undergoing necessary inspections,” a spokesperson from Air India remarked.
Additionally, a Delhi-bound flight from Milan faced a technical issue, leaving over 250 passengers stranded overseas until the airline organized a relief flight.
Nonetheless, the airline asserted it provided all necessary assistance to affected passengers, including hotel accommodations and meals.
“Full refunds or complimentary rescheduling were also provided as per passenger preference,” the airline stated.
Point of View
I believe this incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety measures in aviation. While the quick response by the airport's fire team prevented any injuries, we must remain vigilant regarding operational integrity in the face of ongoing challenges faced by Air India.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the bus fire at Delhi Airport?
The exact cause of the bus fire has not been disclosed, as the incident is still under investigation.
Were there any injuries reported in the incident?
No injuries or casualties were reported, as the bus was vacant at the time of the fire.
How did the airport respond to the fire?
The airport's fire team quickly extinguished the flames, ensuring no damage to nearby aircraft.
Has Air India faced other operational issues recently?
Yes, Air India has recently experienced several operational disruptions, including flight returns due to technical issues.
