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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.

Potential Ground Collision With IndiGo Aircraft Averted After Air India Taxiway Error

Aviation Today News Desk / June 26, 2026

Ahmedabad, India: A potentially serious ground incident was averted at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport after an Air India […]

Kannur, India: An Air India Express flight bound for Jeddah was forced to return to Kannur International Airport on Tuesday morning after pilots received an engine-related warning approximately two hours after departure, prompting a precautionary turnback and safe landing. According to airport sources, the aircraft departed Kannur at around 7:40 a.m. carrying more than 180 passengers on the scheduled international service to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. While en route, the flight crew observed an engine warning indication in the cockpit and elected to discontinue the journey in line with established safety procedures. The pilots decided to return to Kannur rather than continue the flight, prioritising passenger safety while the nature of the warning was assessed. The aircraft remained airborne for a period after initiating the return and reportedly conducted holding patterns near Kannur to reduce fuel load before landing, a standard operational procedure when an aircraft is above its maximum landing weight. The aircraft landed safely at Kannur International Airport without incident. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members. Airport sources said emergency and safety protocols were kept ready as a precaution during the aircraft's return. Following the landing, technical teams carried out an inspection to determine the source of the cockpit warning. Initial reports described the issue as an engine-related fault after pilots noticed an engine warning light during the flight. However, a subsequent technical examination reportedly identified an irregularity involving the aircraft's fuel filter system. Officials have not indicated any further operational concerns arising from the event. The airline subsequently began making arrangements for affected passengers. According to follow-up reports, Air India Express organised an alternative aircraft to continue the journey to Jeddah. Passengers were also provided assistance, including refreshments and accommodation, while revised travel arrangements were being finalised.

Incidents

Air India Express Flight Bound For Jeddah Returns To Kannur After Mid-Air Engine Warning

Aviation Today News Desk / June 17, 2026

Kannur, India: An Air India Express flight bound for Jeddah was forced to return to Kannur International Airport on Tuesday

Thiruvananthapuram, India: An Air Arabia flight bound for Sharjah was forced to return to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport shortly after departure on Wednesday after a bird strike damaged one of the aircraft's engines, prompting an emergency landing. The flight, Air Arabia G9 449, departed Thiruvananthapuram at 4:49 a.m. with 166 people on board, including passengers and crew members. According to airport authorities, the aircraft encountered multiple bird strikes during its initial climb after takeoff. The impact reportedly affected the engine section of the aircraft, damaging fan blades inside one of the engines. Flight crew received a cockpit warning indicating engine damage shortly after the bird strike occurred. Following the alert, the pilots informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) and requested priority handling to return to the airport. Air traffic controllers subsequently adjusted the movement schedules of other arriving and departing flights and cleared the aircraft for an immediate emergency landing. The aircraft landed safely without further incident. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew. Subsequent inspections determined that the aircraft could not continue its scheduled flight to Sharjah due to the damage sustained during the bird strike. Airport officials declared the aircraft unserviceable pending further technical evaluation and repairs. Passengers were accommodated in hotels while Air Arabia worked on alternative arrangements and recovery plans. Airport authorities said the damaged aircraft would require assessment by a technical team arriving from Sharjah before repair work could begin. The extent of the damage and the expected timeline for returning the aircraft to service have not yet been disclosed. The incident is under review by airport and airline officials. Further details regarding repairs and passenger re-accommodation are expected once the technical inspection is completed.

Incidents

Air Arabia Flight Returns To Trivandrum After Bird Strike Damages Engine During Takeoff

Aviation Today News Desk / June 11, 2026

Thiruvananthapuram, India: An Air Arabia flight bound for Sharjah was forced to return to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport shortly after departure

San Francisco, United States: An Air India co-pilot was denied entry into the United States and deported back to India after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana upon arrival in San Francisco, triggering internal and regulatory investigations. The pilot was travelling from Delhi to San Francisco on Tuesday as a “deadheading” crew member, a standard aviation practice where flight crew travel as passengers to position themselves for operational duty. The co-pilot was scheduled to operate a subsequent return flight from San Francisco to India, reportedly to Kolkata, but was unable to do so following the incident. Upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport, US authorities allegedly discovered marijuana in the pilot’s baggage during routine inspection procedures. Following the discovery, the pilot was deemed “inadmissible” under US laws and was not permitted to enter the country. He was subsequently sent back to India on the next available flight without being allowed to leave the airport premises. Air India confirmed the development in an official statement, saying, “One of our crew members travelling from Delhi to San Francisco on April 14, for positioning to operate a subsequent flight, was found to be inadmissible as per local laws and has been sent back to India.” The airline has since derostered the pilot and initiated an internal investigation into the matter. Reiterating its stance, Air India stated that it maintains zero tolerance for legal violations and will take “appropriate strict disciplinary action” in accordance with company policies. The incident has also been reported to India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is expected to examine the case under existing safety and conduct regulations. While the full extent of regulatory action remains unclear, the case typically invites scrutiny under strict aviation norms governing substance possession and professional conduct.

Incidents

Air India Co-Pilot Deported From US Over Alleged Marijuana Case, Probe Underway

Aviation Today News Desk / April 18, 2026

San Francisco, United States: An Air India co-pilot was denied entry into the United States and deported back to India

India

India Sees 11 Airline Exits Since 2016 Amid Financial Stress, Structural Challenges

Aviation Today News Desk / April 4, 2026

New Delhi, India: At least 11 airlines have exited India’s aviation sector since 2016, the government informed Parliament, focusing on

India

India-EU Aviation Pact Boosts Manufacturing As Airbus-Tata H125 Project Advances

Aviation Today News Desk / March 28, 2026

New Delhi, India: India and the European Union signed a Working Arrangement on Industrial Aviation Production on March 23, 2026,

India

IndiGo Tops India In Pilot Numbers But Has Lowest Pilot-To-Aircraft Ratio At 7.6

Aviation Today News Desk / March 13, 2026

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline IndiGo has the lowest pilot-to-aircraft ratio among domestic carriers, the government informed Parliament, highlighting

Incidents

Passenger Charged For Smoking In Lavatory On Delhi-Goa Akasa Air Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / March 10, 2026

Goa, India: A passenger has been charged after allegedly smoking a beedi (hand-rolled cigarette) inside the lavatory of an Akasa

Baku, Azerbaijan: A scheduled FlyDubai Boeing 737 flight operating from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Kazan, Russia made a forced diversion and emergency landing at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan, early on Tuesday, aviation officials confirmed. The aircraft, operating as FlyDubai Flight FZ973, departed Dubai International Airport late on Monday and was en route to Kazan when the captain reported a technical issue and requested an immediate diversion to Baku at approximately 00:04 local time (midnight). The Boeing 737 touched down safely under normal operating procedures, according to airport press statements. Airport emergency and ground handling services were deployed promptly, and all protocols were carried out in full compliance with international aviation safety standards, the press office said. At this stage, there have been no reports of injuries to passengers or crew. According to flight tracking data, the scheduled arrival time in Kazan was around 01:11 local time, but the flight status is now listed as diverted. FlyDubai has not yet released a detailed statement on the exact nature of the technical fault, and no further information has been published by the airline as of this report. Standard aviation procedure following a diversion for technical reasons is to conduct thorough inspections on the aircraft before it is cleared to continue its journey. Heydar Aliyev International Airport remains fully operational and continues to support international flights, including emergency and diversionary landings, by ensuring readiness of safety and ground services.

Airlines

DGCA Fines IndiGo ₹22.20 Cr Over Disruptions; Pilots’ Body FIP Calls It Meagre Penalty

Aviation Today News Desk / January 20, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has imposed a ₹22.20 crore penalty on

New Delhi, India: Akasa Air has formally joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), marking a significant milestone for the young Indian carrier and strengthening its standing within the global aviation ecosystem. With this development, Akasa Air becomes the fifth Indian airline to be part of IATA, joining Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet. The membership places the airline among more than 360 carriers worldwide that together account for over 80 percent of global air traffic. Akasa Air’s inclusion follows the successful completion of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a globally recognised safety and operational assessment programme that is a mandatory requirement for IATA membership. The audit evaluates an airline’s flight operations, maintenance systems, safety management, security, and organisational processes against international standards. According to IATA’s official member directory, Akasa Air operating under SNV Aviation Private Limited is now listed as an IATA member airline in the Asia-Pacific region. Industry experts view the development as a key step in Akasa Air’s international integration, particularly as the airline expands overseas operations and explores deeper cooperation with global carriers. IATA membership provides access to industry-standard settlement systems, safety data sharing, regulatory coordination platforms, and global best practices. Akasa Air founded in 2020 by Vinay Dube and in substantial backing of the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, the renowned Indian investor widely referred to as the “Big Bull” of the stock market. Akasa Air commenced commercial operations in August 2022 and operates a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline serves a growing domestic network and has gradually expanded international services since 2024. Company leadership has previously outlined long-term ambitions to scale fleet size and rank among the world’s leading airlines over the next decade. For India’s aviation sector, Akasa Air’s entry into IATA reflects the continued expansion and maturation of the country’s airline industry, at a time when passenger demand and global connectivity from India are rising steadily.

Airlines

Akasa Air Joins IATA Within Four Years Of Launch, Becomes India’s Fifth Member Airline

Aviation Today News Desk / January 12, 2026

New Delhi, India: Akasa Air has formally joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), marking a significant milestone for the

India

Potential Ground Collision With IndiGo Aircraft Averted After Air India Taxiway Error

Air India Express Flight Bound For Jeddah Returns To Kannur After Mid-Air Engine Warning

Air Arabia Flight Returns To Trivandrum After Bird Strike Damages Engine During Takeoff

Air India Co-Pilot Deported From US Over Alleged Marijuana Case, Probe Underway

India-EU Aviation Pact Boosts Manufacturing As Airbus-Tata H125 Project Advances

IndiGo Tops India In Pilot Numbers But Has Lowest Pilot-To-Aircraft Ratio At 7.6

Passenger Charged For Smoking In Lavatory On Delhi-Goa Akasa Air Flight

DGCA Fines IndiGo ₹22.20 Cr Over Disruptions; Pilots’ Body FIP Calls It Meagre Penalty

Akasa Air Joins IATA Within Four Years Of Launch, Becomes India’s Fifth Member Airline

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