India’s civil aviation regulator has opened an investigation after two passenger aircraft briefly touched wingtips at Mumbai’s main airport on Tuesday evening. The incident led to a passenger evacuation and raised fresh safety concerns.
What Happened on the Runway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that an Air India aircraft was waiting to depart when an IndiGo plane moved along a nearby taxiway after landing. During this movement, the right wingtips of both aircraft made contact.
The regulator stated that the incident occurred at around 7:30 pm local time. Airport authorities acted quickly, and no injuries were reported.
Flights and Aircraft Involved
The Air India aircraft was scheduled to fly to Coimbatore in southern India. The IndiGo flight had just arrived from Hyderabad. Both planes involved were Airbus A320 aircraft used on domestic routes.
After the contact, officials grounded both aircraft for technical inspection. Engineers will assess the damage before approving any return to service.
Passenger Safety and Airline Response
Both airlines confirmed that all passengers and crew members remained safe. Air India said its aircraft suffered damage to the wingtip. The airline arranged alternate travel for affected passengers.
IndiGo also confirmed that passengers disembarked safely after the aircraft parked. The airline stated that it has started its own internal inquiry.
Neither the airlines nor the regulator shared the exact number of passengers onboard. However, industry sources say Airbus A320 aircraft in India usually carry between 150 and 186 passengers, along with six to eight crew members.
Increased Focus on Aviation Safety
This incident comes at a time when aviation safety in India faces closer scrutiny. In recent weeks, several technical and ground handling issues have drawn attention.
On Sunday, officials grounded an Air India flight in Bengaluru after a pilot reported a fuel control issue. Later checks found no defect, and the aircraft completed its flight safely.
Earlier in January, the regulator launched another probe after an Air India Airbus A350 engine sucked in a cargo container while taxiing at Delhi airport.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities said they are reviewing each incident separately. They are following standard safety procedures to determine the cause and prevent future risks.
The DGCA continues to monitor airline operations closely as air traffic across India remains high.
