Akasa Air and SpiceJet Aircraft Collide at Delhi Airport; Minor Structural Damage Reported
Akasa and SpiceJet planes collide at Delhi airport incident
A SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 collided with a stationary Akasa Air aircraft while taxiing at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on April 16, 2026, damaging the right winglet of the SpiceJet plane and the left-hand horizontal stabiliser of the Akasa jet. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, but both aircraft have been grounded pending safety inspections by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The incident occurred on Taxiway Z near Runway 29 during routine ground operations at one of India's busiest airports. SpiceJet confirmed the "ground occurrence" in an official statement, noting the B737-700 was taxiing when its wingtip struck the Akasa plane's stabiliser. Akasa Air's flight QP 1406, bound for Hyderabad, returned safely after the contact, with all passengers deplaned and rebooked on alternatives.
SpiceJet immediately grounded its affected aircraft for maintenance checks, while Akasa reported minor structural damage requiring engineering assessment. Visuals showed the SpiceJet winglet partially detached and the Akasa stabiliser visibly bent, though flight safety remained uncompromised. Airport operations continued normally, with no runway closures reported.
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This rare taxiway collision highlights ground handling challenges at Delhi, which manages over 1,400 daily flights. Past incidents include a 2024 Air India-Vistara clash and multiple near-misses amid expansion works. The DGCA has launched a probe into ATC clearances, crew coordination, and wingtip clearance protocols, with preliminary findings expected within 72 hours.
Both airlines prioritised passenger welfare, issuing apologies and vouchers. SpiceJet faces additional scrutiny given recent safety audit findings, while Akasa maintains its clean record.The event underscores infrastructure strain at India's aviation hubs, prompting calls for enhanced marshaller training and automated ground guidance systems. Full repairs could sideline aircraft for days, impacting schedules during peak summer travel.
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