Three Air India aircraft were damaged after strong winds blew ground-support equipment into the planes at Indira Gandhi International Airport [1].
The incident highlights the vulnerability of airport ground operations during sudden extreme weather events, potentially impacting flight schedules and aircraft availability.
The damage occurred around 4:40 p.m. [2] on Sunday, June 7, 2026 [3], near the Terminal 2 parking bay. Sudden heavy rain and powerful wind gusts pushed a passenger stepladder and other ground-support equipment into the parked aircraft [1].
Officials said that three aircraft were affected [1]. The impact of the equipment forced the planes out of operation as they awaited technical assessments. Despite the collisions between the equipment and the airframes, no injuries were reported [4].
The airport experienced significant weather-related disruption during the storm. Ground crews were unable to secure the equipment before the winds shifted, leading to the collisions. The affected aircraft remained grounded at the Terminal 2 bay following the incident [1].
Air India has not yet released a statement regarding the specific cost of repairs or the expected timeline for the aircraft to return to service. The event underscores the risks posed by rapid weather changes in Delhi, where monsoon-like storms can create hazardous conditions on the tarmac within minutes [1].
“Three Air India aircraft were damaged after strong winds blew ground-support equipment into the planes.”
This incident demonstrates the operational risks associated with 'sudden-onset' weather events at major aviation hubs. When ground-support equipment becomes airborne or unstable, it transforms from a utility into a hazard, causing immediate fleet attrition that can lead to cascading flight cancellations and delays.
