Stationary plane of GoAir hit by aerobridge at Chennai

Chennai, July 10

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A stationary Airbus 320 plane of budget carrier GoAir with 168 passengers on board that had just arrived from Mumbai was hit by an aerobridge while being docked at the airport, causing some damage to the aircraft on Friday morning.

Although the side door of the plane was damaged, all passengers and crew on board were unhurt.     

"GoAir flight G8-305 Mumbai-Chennai was hit by the aerobridge this morning at 6.35 am. The aircraft was stationary and waiting for the aerobridge to be connected," GoAir said in a statement.

Aerobridge operator of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is believed have been “too fast” in trying to align the jet bridge with the aircraft, losing control of the bridge, the statement said, calling this incident “unfortunate”.

Aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a probe into the incident and the aircraft has been grounded.

DGCA sources claim the operator was apparently over phone during the docking procedure and lost control of the jet way.

Passengers who were to take the Chennai-Port Blair flight as well as those who were to take subsequent flights have been re-accommodated on other GoAir flights or on other airlines, the airline said.

"The Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) operator was licenced to operate the PBB and the incident is being investigated by DGCA," a statement released by the authority said. — PTI