A major aviation mishap was averted on Tuesday night at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country, when the wings of Air India and IndiGo aircraft collided on the taxiway during ground movement. Passengers were onboard both aircraft at the time, triggering brief panic, but no injuries were reported as safety protocols were immediately put into place.
The incident occurred around 8 pm when the aircraft were taxiing either prior to take-off or after landing. The collision resulted in damage to the wing tips of both planes. Aviation regulator officials reached the spot soon after and initiated a preliminary inquiry. As a precautionary measure, the affected aircraft were withdrawn from service for detailed technical inspection.
In a statement, Air India said that on February 3, its Mumbai–Coimbatore flight AI2732 was waiting on the taxiway before take-off when it came into contact with another airline’s aircraft. “The wing tips of the two aircraft touched each other, causing damage to our aircraft’s wing tip,” the airline said. The aircraft was subsequently grounded and all passengers were safely deboarded.
The airline added that ground teams were making alternate arrangements to ensure passengers reached their destination at the earliest. The regulator was informed immediately and all mandatory investigation procedures are being followed. Air India expressed regret over the inconvenience caused, reiterating that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority.
IndiGo also confirmed the incident. According to the airline, its Hyderabad–Mumbai flight 6E 791 came into contact with another airline’s aircraft while taxiing after landing. All passengers were safe and were deboarded after the aircraft was parked. A maintenance inspection of the aircraft is currently underway, and the incident has been reported to the concerned authorities in line with standard protocol.
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The incident comes amid heightened sensitivity around aviation safety in the state. Earlier in the day, a helicopter linked to a political event reported a technical snag, while recent weeks have seen renewed scrutiny over runway and taxiway safety across Indian airports. Aviation experts stress that with rising air traffic density, strict adherence to taxiway discipline, effective ground control coordination and visibility norms is crucial.
Industry specialists note that such taxiway incidents are often attributed to human error, restricted visibility, or lapses in coordination with ground control, though the exact cause in this case will only be known after the investigation is completed. Regulators are examining flight data, ground movement logs and crew statements to determine the sequence of events.
Airport sources said that while the incident led to delays for some flights, operations were gradually normalised. Passengers were kept informed and additional assistance counters were activated at the terminal.
Detailed technical inspections of both aircraft are ongoing, and they will be cleared for service only after safety checks are completed. Meanwhile, airlines and airport authorities have appealed to passengers for cooperation and assured that there would be no compromise on safety standards.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
