What caused Air India, IndiGo planes to come face to face at Ahmedabad airport?

ALegal brief taxi strip discombobulation at Ahmedabad aerodrome on wed led to an Air India and an IndiGo aircraft facing each other on the ground. Officials have confirmed that both planes remained at a safe distance and no safety was compromised.Here’s what actually happened, according to India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).ALSO READ | Wrong turn makes Air India, IndiGo planes come face to face at Ahmedabad airport taxiwayThe Air India flight took a wrong turnAn Air India A320 aircraft (VT-TQV), operating flight AI2493 from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, landed safely on Runway 23 in the evening. After landing, it was cleared to move (taxi) towards the international parking bay using a set route - Taxiway C, then Taxiway G.Instead of turning right onto Taxiway G, the aircraft continued straight on Taxiway P, which was not the intended route. Realising, the crew stopped the aircraft immediately on Taxiway P.The IndiGo flight already on the same taxiwayAt almost the same time, an IndiGo A320 aircraft (VT-IST), operating flight 6E 5160 from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, was already taxiing on Taxiway P for departure.Because the Air India aircraft had mistakenly entered the same taxiway, both planes ended up facing each other at a distance on Taxiway P.Both aircraft stopped immediately. The Air India plane was later towed back to the correct parking stand.ALSO READ | Air India flight briefly enters Pak airspace near Amritsar, pilot put off duty pending probeWhat the airlines saidAir India, in a statement, said its flight inadvertently took a wrong turn during taxiing, adding there was no compromise on the safety of passengers and crew. “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 said.An IndiGo spokesperson said, “IndiGo flight 6E 5160, scheduled to operate from Ahmedabad to Mumbai on 24 June 2026, was briefly delayed while taxiing out for departure after an aircraft of another airline inadvertently took an incorrect turn and came in the way of our aircraft. Both aircraft came to a halt at a safe distance from each other.”“The other aircraft was subsequently towed away and our flight departed and landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, 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 DGCA has launched an investigation.