Delhi Storm Hits Air India Planes: A powerful and unexpected storm at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday evening caused significant damage to three Air India aircraft after ground support equipment was blown across the tarmac by strong winds. The incident has raised concerns about airport safety measures during extreme weather events and sparked questions about the absence of an advance weather warning.
According to airport sources, the incident occurred at Terminal 2 at around 4:40 p.m. when intense winds and rain swept through the airport area. The force of the storm reportedly displaced several pieces of ground handling equipment, including a mobile stairway and maintenance platforms, which then collided with parked Air India aircraft.
HEART STOPPING MOMENT AT DELHI AIRPORT T2.
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) June 8, 2026
FIRST FOOTAGE.
3 Air India aircraft parked at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 2 were damaged after ground equipment broke loose during a sudden storm and slammed into the planes. Sources claim no prior ATC weather warning was issued to airlines… pic.twitter.com/c8Y9pl9RX9
Three Aircraft Damaged During Weather Incident
Officials familiar with the matter said the equipment involved included a step ladder and a trestle platform used for aircraft maintenance and servicing. The strong gusts pushed the equipment from its designated position, causing it to strike three Air India planes parked at the terminal.
Following the collision, all three aircraft were immediately withdrawn from service and sent for detailed inspections. Preliminary assessments indicated varying levels of damage. One aircraft is believed to have suffered more extensive structural impact and may require several days of repair work before it can safely return to operations.
The other two aircraft reportedly sustained less severe damage and are expected to rejoin service after necessary checks and maintenance procedures are completed later this week.
The incident, widely discussed under the keyword Delhi Storm Hits Air India Planes, highlights the challenges airports face when sudden weather conditions create hazards on the ground, even when aircraft are stationary.
No Prior Weather Alert Reportedly Issued
One of the most notable aspects of the incident is that no specific weather warning had reportedly been issued before the storm struck the airport area. Aviation and airport officials have expressed surprise over the sudden onset of the strong winds, which were powerful enough to move heavy ground equipment.
Sources at the airport said that equipment belonging to engineering and maintenance teams operating at the terminal was affected. Although such equipment is typically secured when not in use, the unexpected strength of the winds appears to have overwhelmed existing precautions.
People familiar with airport operations noted that mobile stairways, maintenance platforms, and support structures are generally designed to remain stable under normal conditions. However, extreme weather events can create unusual risks, particularly when wind speeds increase rapidly within a short period.
Investigation and Safety Review Expected
While no injuries have been reported, aviation experts say the incident is likely to prompt a review of ground safety procedures. Airports routinely conduct risk assessments for severe weather, but unexpected storms can expose vulnerabilities in operational planning.
Investigators are expected to examine whether additional securing mechanisms or emergency protocols could help prevent similar incidents in the future. The findings may also contribute to broader discussions about weather preparedness at major airports across India.
The damage to the aircraft could result in repair costs running into millions of rupees, although officials have not yet released an official estimate. Airlines typically carry out detailed engineering inspections before determining the full extent of repairs required.
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Weather Department Forecasts New Western Disturbance
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from June 11. According to the department, maximum temperatures may rise slightly over the next two days before cooling again later in the week.
Meteorologists also expect minimum temperatures to increase marginally through June 10 before gradually declining in the following days. Such weather systems can influence wind patterns and rainfall activity across northern India, sometimes leading to sudden changes in local weather conditions.
Impact on Airport Operations
Although airport operations continued after the incident, the grounding of three aircraft may require schedule adjustments while repairs and inspections are completed. Airlines and airport authorities are expected to monitor weather developments closely in the coming days.
The episode serves as a reminder of how rapidly changing weather conditions can affect aviation infrastructure. As authorities assess the damage and review safety procedures, the incident in Delhi is likely to become a key case study in airport weather preparedness and ground equipment management.