Ahmedabad, India: A potentially serious ground incident was averted at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport after an Air India aircraft inadvertently entered an active taxiway following landing and came face-to-face with an IndiGo aircraft preparing for departure. Swift intervention by Air Traffic Control (ATC) prevented the situation from escalating, with both aircraft stopping safely before any collision occurred.
The incident took place on the evening of June 24 while Air India flight AI2493, operating from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, was taxiing to its assigned parking stand after landing. According to Air India and aviation sources, the aircraft made an unintended turn while taxiing toward its designated bay, entering an active taxiway instead of following its assigned route.
At the same time, IndiGo flight 6E5160, scheduled to operate from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, was taxiing for departure toward the runway. The unexpected movement brought the two Airbus A320-family aircraft onto the same taxiway, leaving them positioned directly opposite each other.
According to officials, Air Traffic Control immediately instructed both flight crews to stop. The aircraft came to a halt with an estimated separation of around 200 metres, ensuring that no contact occurred between them.
Authorities confirmed there were no injuries to passengers or crew and no damage to either aircraft.
Following the incident, the Air India aircraft was assisted back to its designated parking bay with ground support, after which the IndiGo aircraft resumed taxiing and departed safely for Mumbai. The IndiGo flight subsequently landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
In an official statement, Air India acknowledged that flight AI2493 had taken an unintended turn during taxiing after landing at Ahmedabad on June 24.
“We are aware of an incident where our flight AI2493 operating from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, after landing, inadvertently took a wrong turn during taxiing. There was no compromise on the safety of passengers or crew. The aircraft was subsequently moved to the correct parking bay with ground assistance,” the airline said.
Air India added that the matter had been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and an internal investigation had been initiated.
IndiGo confirmed that its flight 6E5160 was taxiing for departure to Mumbai when another aircraft entered its taxi path.
The airline said both aircraft were stopped immediately as a precaution in coordination with ATC. After the situation was resolved, the flight continued its departure and completed the journey safely.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has been informed of the incident and has initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the taxiway deviation.
Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of taxi instructions issued by ATC, cockpit communications, pilot adherence to taxi clearances, airport ground movement procedures and other operational factors that may have contributed to the incident.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the wrong turn, and no findings have been released regarding whether the deviation resulted from pilot error, misunderstanding of taxi instructions, airport signage, or any other contributing factor.
