Bus Erupts in Flames Just Metres From Air India Aircraft at Delhi Airport’s T3

A bus parked near an Air India plane at Delhi Airport's Terminal 3 caught fire today. The vehicle, managed by SATS Airport Services Private Limited, was empty when the incident occurred close to bay 32. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which oversees operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), described it as an isolated event and confirmed no injuries were reported.

"In a stray incident, a bus operated by one of the ground handlers caught fire around noon today. Our expert ARFF team on the ground immediately swung into action and extinguished the fire within a couple of minutes. The bus was stationary and fully vacant at the time off the incident. There were no injuries/casualties. All operations continue to be normal. Safety of our passengers and staff remains paramount to us," it wrote on X.

Investigation Underway

SATS is currently investigating what might have caused the fire, according to sources. The police confirmed that there were no passengers or luggage on board during the incident. They mentioned that only the driver was present in the bus at that time, ensuring no injuries occurred.

Delhi Airport features three terminals and four runways, accommodating over 100 million passengers each year. Terminal 3, inaugurated in 2010, ranks among the world's largest terminals, handling up to 40 million passengers annually. It serves both international and domestic flights with separate tiers for arrivals and departures.

Operational Continuity

The airport's operations remain unaffected by this incident, with safety being a top priority for DIAL. A video captured during the event showed flames engulfing the bus entirely. The airport recently began using its renovated Terminal 2 (T2) last week.

An examination of the bus will be conducted to determine what led to this unexpected fire outbreak. Meanwhile, DIAL assures that passenger and staff safety continues to be their primary concern as they maintain regular airport activities without disruption.