Air India AI2493 and IndiGo 6E 5160 Flights Come Face-to-Face at Ahmedabad Airport; Here's What Happened
The DGCA is investigating after an Air India plane and an IndiGo aircraft came face-to-face on a taxiway at Ahmedabad airport. The incident happened when the arriving Air India flight inadvertently took a wrong turn onto Taxiway P. Both aircraft stopped immediately at a safe distance, and passenger safety was never compromised.
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has launched an investigation after an Air India plane and an IndiGo aircraft came face-to-face on a taxiway at Ahmedabad airport on Wednesday evening. The incident, which occurred on June 24, was triggered when the arriving Air India flight inadvertently took an incorrect turn while heading to its parking stand. Officials confirmed that both aircraft stopped immediately, maintaining a safe separation distance of roughly 200 meters, and passenger safety was never compromised.
The Navigation Error That Led to Face-Off
The incident involved Air India flight AI2493, an Airbus A320 arriving from Mumbai. After landing safely on Runway 23 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, air traffic control cleared the aircraft to taxi to the international parking bay via Taxiway C and Taxiway G. However, instead of executing the mandated right turn onto Taxiway G, the Air India crew continued straight onto Taxiway P. Upon realising the navigational deviation, the crew brought the aircraft to an immediate halt on Taxiway P. Air India Viral Video: Flight Attendant Slams Passengers for Leaving Trash Inside Cabin.
Direct Encounter on Taxiway P
At nearly the same time, an IndiGo Airbus A320, operating flight 6E 5160 to Mumbai, was already on Taxiway P, taxiing out for departure. Because the Air India aircraft had mistakenly entered the same active taxi route from the opposite direction, the two narrow-body commercial jets ended up directly facing each other on the tarmac. Both flight crews responded appropriately by holding their positions until ground teams could resolve the conflict. Ground personnel subsequently towed the stationary Air India plane back to its designated parking bay to clear the path.
Official Statements from the Airlines
Air India acknowledged the incident in a formal statement, emphasising that their flight "inadvertently took a wrong turn during taxiing" but maintained that there was no operational risk to anyone on board. “We are aware of an incident where our flight AI2493 operating from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on 24 June after landing inadvertently took a wrong turn during taxiing. There was no compromise on the safety of passengers and crew,” the airline stated. Air India Delhi-Amritsar Flight AI479 Briefly Enters Pakistan Airspace; Here's Why.
An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed that flight 6E 5160 experienced a brief delay while taxiing for departure after another aircraft entered its path. The airline noted that both planes stopped at a safe distance and that their flight later took off and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. "In line with established protocols, the relevant authorities were immediately informed. As always, the safety and security of our customers, crew, and aircraft remain our topmost priorities,” the spokesperson added. The DGCA is currently reviewing data logs and crew communications to determine exactly how the taxiway deviation occurred.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 08:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
