Major mishap averted at Bengaluru Airport as Tempo Traveller hits parked IndiGo aircraft

A major aviation accident was narrowly avoided at Kempegowda International Airport yesterday when a Tempo Traveller collided with a stationary IndiGo aircraft. The incident occurred at approximately 12:15 pm on April 18 on the airside near parking bay 71 Alpha.

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According to preliminary reports, the Tempo Traveller, typically used to ferry airline crew to and from the terminal and aircraft bays, was unmanned at the time of the incident. Shockingly, the vehicle's driver was asleep inside and reportedly only woke up after the van rammed into the parked IndiGo A320 aircraft.

Airport authorities confirmed that there were no injuries, and the aircraft was not carrying passengers at the time. The underside of the aircraft sustained minor damage, the extent of which is currently being assessed by IndiGo’s engineering team.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full-scale investigation into the matter to determine the cause of the lapse and whether safety protocols were breached. Airport operations were not disrupted, but the incident has raised serious concerns about airside vehicle safety and driver alertness.

This is not the first time such lapses have occurred at Indian airports, and the latest incident underscores the need for stricter monitoring and better fatigue management systems for on-ground personnel. The DGCA is expected to submit its report in the coming days.