India’s aviation authorities have initiated a comprehensive safety probe following a ground collision incident between two passenger aircraft at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The occurrence took place on Tuesday evening at approximately 19:30 local time (14:00 GMT), marking another significant event in a series of recent aviation safety concerns within the country.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s primary civil aviation regulator, the incident involved an Air India aircraft preparing for departure and an IndiGo plane that had recently landed. The Air India flight, scheduled to travel to Coimbatore in southern India, was positioned on the runway when the IndiGo aircraft, which had just arrived from Hyderabad, made contact with its wingtip during taxiing operations on a parallel route.
Official statements from both airline carriers confirmed that all passengers and crew members emerged from the incident unharmed. Immediate safety protocols were activated following the collision, resulting in the complete evacuation of passengers from both aircraft. The two involved Airbus A320 planes have been temporarily removed from service pending thorough technical inspections and damage assessments.
An Air India representative disclosed that their aircraft sustained measurable damage to the wingtip section, necessitating alternative travel arrangements for affected passengers. IndiGo similarly confirmed the safety of all passengers, noting that all individuals had successfully disembarked following the aircraft’s parking procedures. Both airlines have pledged full cooperation with the ongoing official investigation.
While neither the airlines nor regulatory authorities have publicly disclosed specific passenger numbers, aviation industry sources indicate that Airbus A320 aircraft operating on domestic Indian routes typically accommodate between 150 and 186 passengers, with additional crew members ranging from six to eight personnel.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of intensified scrutiny regarding aviation safety standards in India, following multiple technical and operational challenges in recent months. Just days prior to this event, an Air India flight experienced grounding in Bengaluru due to a reported fuel control switch malfunction, though subsequent investigations found no mechanical defects. In January, another investigation was launched when an Air India Airbus A350 ingested a cargo container while taxiing at Delhi airport.
Aviation authorities emphasize that each incident undergoes individual examination according to established safety protocols, with the DGCA maintaining that all events are being addressed through standardized investigative procedures to ensure continued aviation safety standards across Indian airports.