DELHI: A serious incident unfolded at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Thursday afternoon when a taxiing SpiceJet aircraft collided with a stationary Akasa Air plane. The collision, which occurred at approximately 2:15 PM near Terminal 1, involved a SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 arriving from Leh and resulted in substantial damage to both aircraft.

The SpiceJet flight, designated SG-124, was taxiing towards its designated parking bay when its right winglet struck the left horizontal stabilizer of an Akasa Air aircraft preparing for departure to Hyderabad as Flight QP-1406. Fortunately, all passengers and crew on both planes were reported safe, and the situation was handled swiftly. An Akasa Air spokesperson confirmed that passengers had been disembarked and were being rebooked on alternative flights.

Following the incident, both aircraft were grounded for inspection and repairs, raising significant concerns about operational safety at one of India's busiest airports. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into the circumstances leading to the collision. A spokesperson for SpiceJet addressed the matter, underscoring the company's commitment to passenger safety: "On April 16, a SpiceJet B737-700 was involved in a ground occurrence while taxiing at Delhi airport, leading to damage to its right winglet and the left-hand horizontal stabilizer of another aircraft."

The implications of this incident extend beyond immediate safety concerns; it raises new conversations about ground movement protocols at airports, which are critical for maintaining operational efficiency and passenger safety. With air travel on the rise post-pandemic, stringent safety measures and investigations into such occurrences are vital for the aviation community and the passengers relying on it.