Regulations & Safety
Ground Collision at Delhi Airport Involving SpiceJet and Akasa Air Boeing 737s
Two Boeing 737s from SpiceJet and Akasa Air collided on the ground at Delhi Airport on April 16, 2026, with no injuries reported.
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, a ground collision occurred at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) involving two commercial Boeing narrowbody aircraft. According to official statements from the involved airlines and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a taxiing SpiceJet aircraft made contact with a stationary Akasa Air plane at approximately 2:15 PM IST.
We can confirm that no passengers or crew members were injured during the event. Both aircraft sustained visible damage and were immediately removed from service pending thorough technical inspections and a formal regulatory probe.
Incident Details and Aircraft Damage
Sequence of Events
Based on preliminary reports and statements from the DGCA, the incident unfolded in the Terminal 1 apron area. SpiceJet Flight SG-124, operated by a Boeing 737-700 (registration VT-SLB), had recently arrived from Leh and was taxiing toward its assigned parking location, Bay No. 106. Concurrently, Akasa Air Flight QP-1406, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 bound for Hyderabad, had completed its pushback sequence and was holding stationary on the apron.
During the taxi maneuver, the SpiceJet aircraft’s right winglet struck the left horizontal stabilizer of the Akasa Air jet. Akasa Air representatives confirmed the sequence, noting that their aircraft was stationary when the contact occurred.
Immediate Aftermath and Passenger Safety
Following the collision, standard safety protocols were initiated. All passengers and crew on both flights were safely disembarked without reported injuries.
“Preliminary information indicated their aircraft was stationary when another airline’s aircraft made contact with it,” stated Akasa Air, emphasizing that passenger and crew safety remains their highest priority.
Akasa Air’s ground teams subsequently arranged alternative travel accommodations to ensure their passengers could continue their journey to Hyderabad. Both the SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 and the Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 remain grounded at Delhi Airport for comprehensive damage assessment and repairs.
Regulatory Response and Investigations
Personnel Off-Rostered
The DGCA has launched a formal investigation to determine the root cause of the ground collision. The regulatory body is expected to review standard operating procedures, airside safety compliance, and ground movement coordination at IGI Airport.
Pending the outcome of this probe, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA have taken immediate administrative action. The SpiceJet pilots operating Flight SG-124 and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) officer responsible for the apron area have been off-rostered. This standard procedure ensures that the involved personnel are removed from active duty while investigators assess potential human error, spatial judgment, and the accuracy of ATC taxi instructions.
AirPro News analysis
This latest occurrence at Delhi Airport highlights an ongoing challenge regarding ground movement coordination in increasingly congested aviation hubs. We note that this incident follows a pattern of recent ground-related accidents at major Indian airports.
For instance, earlier this month, a catering vehicle collided with a parked IndiGo aircraft at Kolkata airport. Furthermore, on February 3, 2026, an IndiGo aircraft and an Air India plane made wingtip contact at Mumbai airport while both were carrying passengers. These repeated events underscore the critical need for stringent ground safety protocols, enhanced situational awareness, and potentially upgraded technological aids for pilots and ATC personnel navigating crowded apron environments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When and where did the collision occur?
The incident took place on April 16, 2026, at approximately 2:15 PM IST at Terminal 1 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Which aircraft were involved?
A SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 (Flight SG-124) and an Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Flight QP-1406).
Were there any injuries?
No injuries were reported among passengers or crew on either aircraft.
What actions have been taken?
Both aircraft are grounded, the DGCA is investigating, and the involved SpiceJet pilots and ATC officer have been off-rostered pending the probe.