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Delhi Airport Bus Fire Near T3: What Happened, Why It Matters, And How Safety Kicked In

A brief burst of flames on the apron at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport caught attention on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Around 1 pm, an Air India bus operated by AI SATS caught fire near Terminal 3, close to bay 32, in the taxiing area. The bus was empty, only the driver was present, and he got out safely. Fire crews, CISF, and airport teams rushed in and put out the fire within minutes. No injuries were reported, no aircraft were damaged, and flights continued as normal. An investigation is underway to find the cause.

Why should you care about a ground incident that ended quickly? Because safety on the ramp is a chain of small, precise actions. Vehicles move close to planes; timing and response matter. In the next sections, you will find a clear timeline, what the alert means, likely causes, how a probe like this works, and a short traveler guide for similar alerts.

Video.

For a basic news brief, see the initial report from Times of India: Air India bus erupts in blaze near aircraft in taxiing area.

Quick timeline of the Air India bus fire at IGI Terminal 3

• Around 1 pm on Tuesday, October 28, a service bus caught fire.
• The location was near bay 32 by Terminal 3, in the taxiing area.
• Only the driver was on the bus, and he exited safely.
• Airport fire service, CISF, and local police arrived within minutes.
• Crews controlled the flames quickly using standard firefighting gear.
• The area was briefly cordoned for checks and cleanup.
• Flight operations continued; passengers moved through T3 as usual.
• This was a ground incident, separate from any airborne events.

Where it happened and who was affected

The fire occurred in the taxiing area, the space where planes move on the ground to and from runways and gates. Think of it like lanes for aircraft, with strict rules and tightly managed traffic. No passengers were on the bus. There were no injuries to passengers or crew on nearby aircraft. The driver got out without harm. Aircraft near the bay were not damaged.

How the airport emergency response worked

Fire tenders rolled in fast. CISF and police secured the zone so responders could work without distraction. Crews used foam and extinguishers suited to vehicle fires. The alert triggered a short cordon for safety. Speed and coordination limited the risk and kept the day moving.

Photo by Wolfgang Vrede

Impact on flights and movement at Terminal 3

Flights kept running. Check-in and boarding stayed on schedule. Ground traffic near the bay slowed for a short time, then cleared once teams finished their work. During any alert like this, it helps to check your airline app for gate updates, even when flights are on time.

What likely caused the bus fire and what investigators will check

Investigators will not guess. They will confirm. Expect a thorough review of the bus systems, fuel lines, electrical wiring, battery health, and recent maintenance logs. The driver’s statement and ground staff notes will be recorded. CCTV footage will be analyzed. Since AI SATS operates the bus, both the operator and the airport authority will be part of the probe.

Ground vehicle fires at airports are rare, but they can occur. Common triggers include electrical faults or overheating. The goal of the probe is simple: find the fault, fix the process, and prevent a repeat.

How ramp buses can catch fire

• Electrical short circuit in wiring or connectors
• Battery failure or thermal stress
• Fuel leak from lines, joints, or the tank
• Worn hoses that crack under heat or pressure
• Overheating brakes after repeated stops
• Poor insulation that lets wires rub and arc

Ramp buses work hard. Heavy stop and go movement and long idle times can stress parts and expose weak spots.

Steps in an airport incident investigation

• Secure the site and make the area safe
• Document damage, take photos, and tag parts for testing
• Pull maintenance records and recent inspection notes
• Run tests on electrical and fuel systems, including battery checks
• Review CCTV and radio logs to map the timeline
• Interview the driver, dispatch, and nearby staff
• Prepare a findings report, list corrective actions, and assign owners
• If needed, regulators review training and inspection gaps

Safety rules for airport ground vehicles

On the ramp, discipline saves lives. Vehicles follow strict checks and standards.

• Daily pre-trip inspections with defect logs
• No smoking near fuel or active maintenance areas
• Park only in marked zones, chock wheels where required
• Keep a serviced fire extinguisher on board
• Train drivers for emergencies, including safe shutdown
• Observe speed limits near stands and bridges
• Use beacon lights, reflectors, and clear markings for visibility

Traveler guide: what to do if you see smoke or hear an alert at IGI

Stay calm and listen. Airport alerts help teams move people away from risk and keep operations steady. You may hear announcements or see staff direct traffic. Follow their lead, even if your flight is on time. Use your airline app for updates, and keep your ID and boarding pass handy.

If you are at the gate, on a shuttle, or on board

• Stay seated unless staff tell you to move
• Follow directions from airline and airport staff
• Do not crowd windows or doors during an active response
• Do not run on the ramp or near equipment
• If told to move, keep your bag with you and walk slowly
• If told to evacuate, leave bags behind and exit as directed
• Do not film in unsafe zones; keep aisles clear for responders

What this incident tells us about airport safety

Fire on the ramp is a test of training. On Tuesday, training showed. The driver got out, responders acted at once, and systems did their job. Flights stayed on time. The probe now takes over, with checklists and evidence to point to a fix.

Airports are built for moments like this. Alarms, radios, cordons, and drills work together to shrink risk. For travelers, the best role is simple: listen, follow instructions, and let the crews do the hard work.

Conclusion

A short, hot minute near bay 32 became a lesson in preparedness. The driver was safe, the flames went out fast, and planes kept moving. Investigators will trace the fault and tighten the process. If you ever see an alert at the airport, pause, look for staff guidance, and trust the routine that protects you. Safe travel starts long before the wheels lift off.