Mumbai airport operator MIAL has penalized state-owned AIASL after a trolley that broke away during ground handling operations hit and damaged a Gulf Air plane parked at the airport earlier this month.
Adani Group-owned MIAL described this incident as a major incident that caused serious loss to the airport’s reputation $10 lakh fine on AI Airport Services Ltd (AIASL), according to a communication accessed by PTI.
The accident that damaged the Gulf Air plane occurred on April 10 when AIASL personnel were towing loaded containers mounted on carts along the main road near the aircraft stands.
“…During the towing process, one of the rear vehicles separated from the vehicle before it, moved in an uncontrolled manner and collided with a parked Gulf Air aircraft at the airport.
“The collision resulted in damage to the structure of the said aircraft, including damage to the frontal area of the aircraft,” MIAL said in a letter to AIASL on April 15.
With the aircraft sustaining damage, it was declared an aircraft on the ground (AOG). Gulf Air is a Bahrain-based airline.
It was not possible to confirm the details related to the plane.
According to the letter, the incident caused a serious loss to the airport’s reputation.
“In addition to the reputational damage, MIAL also faces loss of revenue and commercial impact arising from the AOG status of Gulf Air’s aircraft. This includes disruption and deferral of aviation and airport revenues directly related to aircraft operations.
“The grounding of the aircraft also resulted in operational inefficiency and limitations on the airport’s infrastructure and capabilities,” Myall said.
While imposing the fine $10 lakh, the airport operator also said that it reserves the right to recover from AIASL such amounts as it may reasonably determine, in due course, for compensation for losses and damages suffered or incurred by it.
There were no comments from Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) and AIASL on the issue.
Mumbai Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country.
