Delhi-Bound Air India Flight Collides with Tractor at Pune Airport, 200 Passengers Stranded

On Thursday, a Delhi-bound Air India flight collided with a luggage tractor while taxiing at Pune Airport, leaving around 200 passengers stranded. The incident caused significant damage to the aircraft’s wing and a tyre, resulting in a flight cancellation and an ongoing investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The Air India AI-858 flight was preparing for departure from Pune at 4 pm when the mishap occurred. Approximately 180 passengers were onboard at the time of the collision. Despite the impact, all passengers and crew members were reported safe.

Airport officials stated that the collision caused damage to the aircraft’s nose and a tyre near the landing gear. The passengers were promptly deplaned and arrangements were made for their accommodation and onward travel, including full refunds and complimentary rescheduling.

An official statement from Air India confirmed the incident and announced that an inquiry had been initiated. The airline ensured that those with international connections were flown to Delhi by other carriers to minimize disruption to their travel plans.

This incident is the second of its kind within a week. Last Friday, a ladder belonging to IndiGo collided with a chartered aircraft carrying Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma during an election campaign in Pune. Both incidents have prompted discussions about ground safety protocols at Indian airports.

Following the collision, the DGCA has commenced a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident and to prevent future occurrences. Air India has pledged full cooperation with the investigation and emphasized their commitment to passenger safety.

The delay and subsequent cancellation of the flight left many passengers frustrated. However, most expressed relief that the incident did not result in any injuries. Airport authorities worked swiftly to ensure the safety and comfort of the stranded passengers.

Air India’s spokesperson reiterated the airline’s commitment to safety and customer satisfaction. The spokesperson highlighted that all necessary steps were taken to manage the situation effectively and that affected passengers were given the highest priority.

The incident has brought to light the importance of stringent safety measures and the need for continuous monitoring and improvement of ground operations at airports. The aviation industry stakeholders are expected to review and enhance safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to be released by the DGCA. Meanwhile, Air India and Pune Airport authorities remain focused on ensuring the safety and convenience of passengers traveling through their facilities.

#mindvoice #mindvoicenews #currentaffairs #currentnews #latestnews #ipsc #iaspreparation #UPSC #airindia #aviationnews #flightincident #punenews #passengersafety #dgca #airportsafety #traveldisruption #investigation