Air India Jets Collide During Delhi Storm — 3 Aircraft Suffer Damage

June 12, 2026 3 min read

Three Air India aircraft sustained damage at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi after a powerful storm triggered a chain of collisions on the tarmac, according to footage circulated widely on Wednesday. The incident raised fresh concerns about airport operations during India's increasingly erratic weather patterns.

What Happened at Delhi Airport

The collision occurred during a sudden dust storm that swept through the Delhi region. Videos from the airport showed at least one Air India aircraft apparently making contact with ground equipment or another plane as winds picked up rapidly. Airport officials confirmed the incident involved three Air India jets, two of which were preparing for departure while one was being towed to its gate. None of the aircraft were carrying passengers at the time of impact.

Storm Conditions in the Capital

The India Meteorological Department had issued a dust storm warning for Delhi and surrounding areas earlier in the day. Wind speeds reached up to 70 kilometres per hour during the peak of the weather system. Such storms have become more frequent in north India during the pre-monsoon season, catching airport operations off guard. The sudden gusts on Wednesday afternoon created hazardous conditions across the tarmac, where aircraft and support vehicles were in motion.

Air India's Response

Air India confirmed that maintenance crews were assessing the damage to the three aircraft. The airline did not immediately disclose the extent of repairs required or whether the aircraft would return to service quickly. An airline spokesperson said safety remained the top priority and that a full investigation was underway. The national carrier has dealt with similar weather-related incidents at regional airports in recent years, but a three-aircraft collision at a major hub like Delhi is unusual.

Impact on Flights

The incident caused temporary disruption to flight schedules at Delhi airport, one of India's busiest aviation hubs handling over 1,000 flights daily. Several departures were delayed as crews cleared the affected aircraft from active taxiways. Passengers on connecting flights reported waiting times of up to two hours. The airport authority worked with airlines to resume normal operations by evening.

Why This Matters for Travellers

Delhi's airport serves as the primary gateway for domestic and international travel across India. Any disruption at the facility ripples across the national aviation network, affecting thousands of passengers who transit through the capital daily. The collision highlights the vulnerability of aircraft on the ground during extreme weather events, a risk that aviation experts say is often underestimated by travellers focused on in-flight safety.

Aviation Safety Questions Raised

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it had taken note of the incident and would review procedures for aircraft positioning during severe weather alerts. Ground operations at major Indian airports typically continue during moderate storms, with decisions left to individual airlines and ground handlers. Aviation safety advocates argue that clearer protocols for halting tarmac operations during high-wind events could prevent similar incidents.

What to Watch Next

Air India is expected to release a detailed statement on the extent of structural damage to the three aircraft. The airline faces potential grounding costs while repairs are completed during a period of high summer demand. Aviation regulators have not announced a formal inquiry, but observers say the incident could prompt a review of ground handling safety standards at Delhi and other major airports across the country.