DGCA probes damage to 3 Air India planes at Delhi airport in storm
Synopsis
Three Air India A320s were struck by runaway ground equipment during a sudden storm at Delhi's Terminal 2 on 7 June — and neither the airport nor the airlines had received any advance weather warning from ATC. With the DGCA now investigating and the IMD flagging more gusty weather ahead, the incident raises pointed questions about ground handling safety protocols during India's volatile pre-monsoon season.
Key Takeaways
DGCA launched a formal investigation on 8 June 2026 into damage to three Air India A320 aircraft at Delhi Airport Terminal 2 .
The incident occurred at approximately 16:30 IST on 7 June 2026 , when strong winds displaced ground equipment that struck two aircraft; a third was hit by foreign object debris.
Displaced equipment belonged to Air India Engineering Services and IndiGo's ground handling operations.
Airport officials say no advance weather warning was issued by Air Traffic Control (ATC) before conditions deteriorated.
Two of the three aircraft are expected to return to service soon; repairs on the third may take longer.
IMD has forecast further thunderstorms and winds up to 60 km/h over Delhi-NCR on 11–12 June 2026 .
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday, 8 June 2026, confirmed it has launched a formal investigation after three Air India A320 aircraft parked at Delhi Airport Terminal 2 were damaged by ground equipment and foreign object debris during a sudden storm on 7 June 2026. All three aircraft have been grounded for detailed inspection and repairs.
What Happened at Terminal 2
According to the DGCA statement, the incident occurred at approximately 16:30 IST on Sunday. Strong winds caused two pieces of ground equipment — positioned at adjacent stands and nearby areas — to shift from their locations and strike two of the aircraft at multiple points. A third aircraft sustained damage to its right-hand sliding window from foreign object debris propelled by the storm.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) confirmed that the displaced equipment belonged to Air India Engineering Services and IndiGo's ground handling operations. Reports also indicate that at least one aircraft from another operator was affected by the severe weather conditions.
No Advance Warning from ATC, Airport Officials Say
Weather conditions deteriorated rapidly and without prior notice, according to airport officials. Neither the airport operator nor the airlines had received any advance warning from Air Traffic Control (ATC) regarding the sudden change in conditions. The storm brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport area, with visuals from the region showing rain sweeping across multiple localities near the airport.
Status of the Affected Aircraft
Following the incident, all three narrow-body aircraft were immediately withdrawn from service. Two of the three affected Air India planes are expected to return to operations in the near term, while repairs on the third aircraft are reportedly more extensive and may take longer to complete.
Weather Outlook and Broader Context
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another spell of very light to light rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching up to 60 km per hour, for 11 and 12 June 2026 over the Delhi-NCR region. This incident highlights the growing operational risk posed by sudden, intense weather events at major Indian airports — particularly during the monsoon transition period when squalls can develop faster than standard warning systems can track.
The DGCA probe is expected to examine ground handling protocols, equipment securing procedures, and the adequacy of weather-alert mechanisms at the airport.
Point of View
Yet the responsibility chain between airport operators, ground handlers, and airlines remains diffuse. That equipment from two different operators — Air India Engineering Services and IndiGo's ground handling arm — was involved suggests this is a systemic gap, not a one-off lapse. With the IMD flagging more gusty weather this week, the DGCA probe needs to move fast enough to matter before the next storm arrives.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Air India aircraft to be damaged at Delhi airport?
Three Air India A320 aircraft were damaged on 7 June 2026 at Delhi Airport Terminal 2 when a sudden storm with strong winds caused ground equipment to shift and strike two of the planes; a third was hit by foreign object debris. The incident occurred at around 16:30 IST.
What is the DGCA investigating?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a probe into the circumstances of the damage, which is expected to cover ground handling protocols, equipment securing procedures, and whether adequate weather-alert mechanisms were in place at the airport.
Were there any passengers or crew injured?
The source material does not report any passenger or crew injuries. All three aircraft were on the ground and parked at the time of the incident.
When will the damaged Air India planes return to service?
Two of the three affected aircraft are expected to return to operations in the near term. Repairs on the third aircraft are reportedly more extensive and may take longer to complete.
Who owned the ground equipment that caused the damage?
According to Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the displaced equipment that struck the aircraft belonged to Air India Engineering Services and IndiGo's ground handling operations.
