Storm Damages Three Air India A320s at Delhi Airport

This is a developing story. Information may change as official details are released.

This article summarizes reporting by The Times of India by Saurabh Sinha, with additional reporting from The New Indian Express, Jagran, and Rediff.

Three parked Air India Airbus A320 aircraft sustained damage at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) on June 7, 2026, after a sudden severe storm dislodged ground support equipment. The incident temporarily reduces the carrier’s operational narrowbody fleet while safety teams assess the required repairs.

According to reporting by The Times of India, strong winds struck the Terminal 2 parking bays at approximately 4:40 PM local time. The sudden weather event caused unsecured ground equipment, including a step ladder and a trestle, to break from their positions and collide with the empty aircraft. Airport sources confirmed that no injuries occurred during the event.

Extent of damage and operational impact

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airline safety personnel have initiated inspections to determine the full extent of the damage and establish repair timelines. The New Indian Express reported that one of the Airbus A320 aircraft suffered significant impact to its stairwell area and will remain grounded for extensive evaluations.

The remaining two aircraft sustained minor damage. Airport sources indicate these airframes will likely return to service within a few days following mandatory safety checks. The affected aircraft are configured to carry between 156 and 162 passengers.

Weather warnings and conflicting accounts

A central focus of the emerging investigation is the reported absence of advance weather alerts. Unnamed airport sources told The Times of India that Air Traffic Control (ATC) did not issue a warning prior to the storm’s arrival, leaving ground crews with insufficient time to secure equipment.

There are conflicting reports regarding the ownership of the dislodged equipment. While initial reports indicated that equipment belonging to IndiGo Engineering and Air India Engineering was involved, an IndiGo representative stated that their staff successfully intercepted their step ladder before it could strike any aircraft. The DGCA investigation will determine the exact sequence of events.

Recent ground safety occurrences at DEL

This event follows other recent ground safety occurrences at the New Delhi hub. In January 2026, an Air India Airbus A350 ingested an unsecured baggage container while taxiing during dense fog conditions.

On April 16, 2026, a ground collision took place when a taxiing SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 contacted a stationary Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8, resulting in damage to both airframes.

AirPro News analysis

We note that sudden microbursts and severe squalls present a persistent challenge for ramp operations, particularly during the pre-monsoon season in South Asia. The recurring issue of unsecured ground support equipment at major hubs highlights a potential gap in rapid-response protocols for sudden weather shifts. If the DGCA confirms that no ATC weather alert was broadcast, regulators may need to reevaluate how meteorological data is integrated into real-time ramp management to prevent similar equipment dislodgement in the future.

Sources: The Times of India