Incident Overview at Delhi Airport
A ground handling services bus, associated with Air India, caught fire at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi, India, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The incident, which occurred in the afternoon, saw no passengers onboard the vehicle, and authorities confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported. Airport operations continued without disruption following the swift response to the blaze.
Details of the Blaze
The bus, operated by AISATS (Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited), a joint venture between Air India and SATS Group, ignited near bay number 32 in the apron area of Terminal 3. Reports indicate the CNG-powered passenger bus was parked just metres away from a stationary aircraft when the fire broke out around 1:00 PM. The vehicle was on its way to pick up crew members for an Air India flight from Hong Kong to Delhi. Only the driver was present in the bus at the time of the incident, and they managed to escape safely.
Emergency Response and Official Statements
The airport's Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) team responded immediately, extinguishing the fire within a couple of minutes. The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which manages IGI Airport, issued a statement describing it as a 'stray incident' and confirmed that 'Our expert ARFF team on ground immediately swung into action and extinguished the fire within a couple of minutes.' DCP IGI Vichitra Veer also stated that 'The blaze was promptly brought under control by fire officials. No injuries or casualties have been reported.' Fire tenders, local police, and CISF personnel rushed to the scene to contain the situation.
Investigation Underway
While the fire was quickly controlled, the bus sustained damage, with some reports indicating that 'almost 30 percent of the bus was burnt.' The affected area was briefly cordoned off as a precautionary measure. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Initial reports suggest a suspected short-circuit within the bus's electrical system, but officials from Air India and airport fire safety are reviewing ground-vehicle maintenance logs and parking protocols. AISATS has confirmed it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities in the ongoing inquiry.
6 Comments
Habibi
CNG bus on the tarmac is a disaster waiting to happen. Maintenance is clearly failing.
ZmeeLove
The 'stray incident' label might downplay the severity; while the outcome was positive due to swift action, the underlying cause of a bus catching fire on the tarmac is concerning. This incident should prompt a comprehensive safety audit across all ground handling services.
Habibi
Efficient emergency services prevented a major incident. Well done, IGI!
ZmeeLove
While it's a relief no one was injured and the fire was quickly contained, the incident itself raises serious questions about vehicle maintenance. A bus shouldn't just ignite on an airport apron, especially near an aircraft.
Coccinella
We can all be thankful for the quick emergency response and the driver's safety. Nevertheless, the article highlights an urgent need for Air India and AISATS to scrutinize their vehicle fleet's maintenance history and ensure such incidents are truly isolated.
Loubianka
This could have been catastrophic. Air India needs to overhaul its safety checks.