News for '-air-india'

Air India passenger finds blade-like object in flight meal, airline apologises

Air India passenger finds blade-like object in flight meal, airline apologises

Rediff.com17 Jun 2024

The airline had initiated a probe after the passenger posted on X that there was a blade-like metal object in the meal.

Indian players don black armbands, pay silent tributes

Indian players don black armbands, pay silent tributes

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Indian players mourn Ahmedabad airplane crash victims before intra-squad match

BSE: Stock Exchange That Refused To Die

BSE: Stock Exchange That Refused To Die

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

The story of the Bombay Stock Exchange and the people who shaped its growth: From wars and bomb blasts to speculators, reformers and wealth creators.

Indian airlines may face Rs 77 cr weekly addtional expenses on airspace curbs

Indian airlines may face Rs 77 cr weekly addtional expenses on airspace curbs

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Indian airlines are likely to face additional weekly expenses of Rs 77 crore for international flights operated from north Indian cities as the airspace curbs result in increased fuel consumption and longer flight duration. An analysis of the number of overseas flights and back-of-the-envelope calculations based on increased flight time as well as approximate expenses by PTI showed that the additional monthly operational costs could be over Rs 306 crore.

Sensex, Nifty tumble 1% on weak global trends

Sensex, Nifty tumble 1% on weak global trends

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

From the Sensex firms, Tata Motors, Titan, Eternal, Power Grid, Tata Steel, Larsen & Toubro, Mahindra & Mahindra and Hindustan Unilever were among the biggest laggards. Bajaj Finserv, Asian Paints and Tech Mahindra were the gainers.

Trump Effect: Tourists Wary About US Travel

Trump Effect: Tourists Wary About US Travel

Rediff.com15 May 2025

Tourists hesitant to visit America due to frequent policy changes there.

Lone survivor attends brother's cremation who perished in AI crash

Lone survivor attends brother's cremation who perished in AI crash

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash, has been discharged from the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital following his recovery, and he later attended the cremation of his deceased brother who was flying with him on the same aircraft, officials said on Wednesday.

When Rupani's lucky number 1206 let him down

When Rupani's lucky number 1206 let him down

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Vijay Rupani was among 242 persons on board a London-bound Air India flight that crashed into a building of a medical college and hostel in the Meghaninagar area moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

Air India banks on artificial intelligence to cut call centre costs

Air India banks on artificial intelligence to cut call centre costs

Rediff.com20 Jun 2024

Air India's use of artificial intelligence (AI) has had a huge impact on the airline major's call centre volumes and the technology integration has reduced costs by 100 times, a senior company executive said on Wednesday. The airline launched its own chatbot AI.g, earlier known as Maharaja, in May 2023. The chatbot has answered approximately two million queries since its launch, handling 93 per cent of customer inquiries without needing to pass them on to call centre agents, said Sathya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Air India.

Captain Shreyas Iyer loses another T20 final!

Captain Shreyas Iyer loses another T20 final!

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals lifted the T20 Mumbai league title, beating Shreyas Iyer-led SoBo Mumbai Falcons by five wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

'How Can You Condemn Dreamliner For One Accident?'

'How Can You Condemn Dreamliner For One Accident?'

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

'Look at the number of flights the aircraft has done. Look at the number of airlines which are using it.'

T20 Mumbai finalists honour plane crash victims

T20 Mumbai finalists honour plane crash victims

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

T20 Mumbai final: Teams observe minute's silence, wear black armbands for Ahmedabad crash victims

Did Air India divert scheduled flight to ferry cricketers, DGCA wants to know

Did Air India divert scheduled flight to ferry cricketers, DGCA wants to know

Rediff.com3 Jul 2024

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sought a report from Air India on reports that an aircraft that was to operate a scheduled flight has been deployed for flying out the Indian cricket team from Barbados, according to officials.

In-flight theft gang busted at Delhi airport; 4 Chinese nationals held

In-flight theft gang busted at Delhi airport; 4 Chinese nationals held

Rediff.com17 May 2025

According to authorities, the group is suspected to be operating together as part of an international in-flight theft racket.

Air India deboards woman after argument with crew

Air India deboards woman after argument with crew

Rediff.com7 Mar 2024

In a statement, an Air India spokesperson said a passenger travelling in business class was off boarded on the advice of the captain following some argument with members of the crew before the scheduled pushback.

Brazil's Embraer in talks with IndiGo, A-I to strengthen foot print in India

Brazil's Embraer in talks with IndiGo, A-I to strengthen foot print in India

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

Embraer sees a lot of opportunities in India in the commercial and business jets as well as military aircraft and eVTOL segments, its CEO Francisco Gomes Neto has said as the Brazilian seeks to strengthen its foot print in the fast growing Indian market. Besides, the company is in talks with IndiGo and Air India to explore the possibility of selling its E-2 aircraft, which can have up to 146 seats.

Air India suspends flights to Israel amid Iran strike

Air India suspends flights to Israel amid Iran strike

Rediff.com14 Apr 2024

With the Middle East tensions flaring up, Air India has temporarily suspended its Tel Aviv flights and airlines have charted alternative flight paths to avoid the Iranian airspace.

Tata Motors expects to achieve 30% EV penetration ahead of target: Chandra

Tata Motors expects to achieve 30% EV penetration ahead of target: Chandra

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Tata Motors is hoping to beat its target year of 2030 and have 30 per cent of its portfolio comprising electric vehicles (EVs), according to Chairman N Chandrasekaran, who was speaking at the company's last annual general meeting (AGM) ahead if its demerger.

Scindia to Rupani: Bigwigs who died in air crashes

Scindia to Rupani: Bigwigs who died in air crashes

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, who died in a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, joined the list of several top Indian politicians and prominent personalities who lost their lives in aviation accidents.

Air India sacks over 180 non-flying staff

Air India sacks over 180 non-flying staff

Rediff.com15 Mar 2024

Air India has laid off more than 180 non-flying staff in recent weeks, sources said while the airline maintained that the affected people were not able to utilise the voluntary retirement schemes and reskilling opportunities. The loss-making Air India was taken over by the Tata Group in January 2022 and since then, efforts are being made to streamline the business model. An Air India spokesperson on Friday said that as part of the fitment process, employees in non-flying functions have been assigned roles based on organisational needs and individual merit.

'No Need To Search For 100 Per Cent Of The Body'

'No Need To Search For 100 Per Cent Of The Body'

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

'If major components of any dead body from which you can retrieve DNA is available, that is enough.'

'Her Mother Is Broken With Grief'

'Her Mother Is Broken With Grief'

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

'We are holding up in this difficult time and hope to bring her home on Thursday morning.'

Air India plane hits luggage tractor at Pune airport

Air India plane hits luggage tractor at Pune airport

Rediff.com17 May 2024

A Delhi-bound Air India flight had to abort its take-off and was later cancelled after it hit a luggage tractor trolley while taxiing for departure at the Pune airport, airline sources said on Friday.

'Pilots Must Have Tried Everything In 50 Seconds'

'Pilots Must Have Tried Everything In 50 Seconds'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

'In 50 seconds, the pilots were fighting drag, trying relight, throttling up and avoiding obstacles.' 'They had neither height nor speed. There was no margin.'

Maharashtra govt becomes new owner of iconic Air India building

Maharashtra govt becomes new owner of iconic Air India building

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

The Maharashtra government has become the owner of iconic Air India building with the Union government approving transfer of the asset on Thursday. The Maharashtra government bought the Air India building at Nariman Point in Mumbai for Rs 1,601 crore. "GoI has approved transfer of Air India building, Mumbai of AI Assets Holding Company Ltd (AIAHL) to Government of Maharashtra (GoM) at consideration of Rs.1601 cr. GoM has agreed to waive dues of Rs. 298.42 cr, which would have been otherwise payable by AIAHL to GoM for this transaction," DIPAM secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said in a post on X.

Air India Express cabin crew call off strike; no sacking of staffers

Air India Express cabin crew call off strike; no sacking of staffers

Rediff.com10 May 2024

Both parties will discuss the issues and there will be a meeting again on May 28, he said.

Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Unveiled

Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Unveiled

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Legendary Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson formally unveiled the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ahead of the opening match of the five-Test series between India and England, in Leeds on Thursday.

Air India's rise could impact 3 Gulf hubs: Saudia

Air India's rise could impact 3 Gulf hubs: Saudia

Rediff.com7 Jun 2024

Air India (AI)'s rise could be at the expense of three "super-connector" hubs - Doha in Qatar, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE - as the Indian passenger would any day prefer direct flights of their national airline that is providing excellent on-time service, Arved von zur Muehlen, chief commercial officer of Saudia Airlines, said on Thursday.

FIH Pro League: Drama as India suffer narrow loss

FIH Pro League: Drama as India suffer narrow loss

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

Goal disallowed, India lose 1-2 to Argentina for fourth straight defeat in Pro League

India-Pak tensions: Govt extends closure of 28 airports till May 15

India-Pak tensions: Govt extends closure of 28 airports till May 15

Rediff.com9 May 2025

A senior government official confirmed that after a meeting with other stakeholders, the decision has been taken and airlines and airport authorities have been informed about it.

IndiGo, Air India plan to buy 170 wide-body planes

IndiGo, Air India plan to buy 170 wide-body planes

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

In little over a year, Air India and IndiGo have announced plans to purchase up to 170 wide-body planes as they bet on ambitious expansion and efforts also continue to make India a global aviation hub. Also, the two carriers' orders usher in European aircraft maker Airbus into the country's wide-body space, which has traditionally been dominated by US major Boeing. If narrow-body aircraft orders of Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air are added to the list, the order book is well over 1,200 planes and that too in less than 14 months or since February 2023.

Air India's San Francisco flight delayed for over 30 hrs, finally departs

Air India's San Francisco flight delayed for over 30 hrs, finally departs

Rediff.com1 Jun 2024

Passengers of a San Francisco-bound Air India flight faced a harrowing time due to an inordinate delay and some of them fainted as the aircraft's air-conditioning system was non-functional.

Air India's international cargo business takes wings, not so for IndiGo

Air India's international cargo business takes wings, not so for IndiGo

Rediff.com13 May 2024

The international cargo operations of two major carriers - IndiGo and Air India Group (Air India and Vistara) - are experiencing opposite trajectories despite both the airlines significantly expanding their international flight offerings over the past year. During the fourth quarter of 2023-24, IndiGo's international non-passenger cargo business declined to 6,848 tonnes. This is an 18.2 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) decrease, according to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Scared tourists flee Kashmir, airlines increase flight services

Scared tourists flee Kashmir, airlines increase flight services

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Thousands of tourists have begun leaving Kashmir after a terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, prompting authorities to arrange for their safe return. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the exodus, while the Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered airlines to ensure there are no fare hikes and to offer extra flights from Srinagar. While many tourists are leaving, some are choosing to stay, citing the presence of security forces and their feeling of safety.

Chopper crashes near Kedarnath, all 7 on board killed; AAIB to probe

Chopper crashes near Kedarnath, all 7 on board killed; AAIB to probe

Rediff.com15 Jun 2025

Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar told PTI that the accident took place above the forests of Gaurikund amid poor visibility due to bad weather.

London's Heathrow airport closure disrupts flight ops

London's Heathrow airport closure disrupts flight ops

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

Following a significant power outage, operations at the London Heathrow (LHR) have been suspended till 2359 hours (local time) on March 21 (05.30 am March 22, IST).

Air India-Vistara merger gets conditional nod from Singapore

Air India-Vistara merger gets conditional nod from Singapore

Rediff.com6 Mar 2024

Singapore's competition regulator CCCS on Tuesday said it has given conditional approval for the proposed merger of Air India and Vistara, more than a year after the announcement of the deal. This was one of the key approvals required for the transaction. The merger of Vistara with Air India under a deal, wherein Singapore Airlines will acquire a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, was announced in November 2022. Vistara is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Group.

DRI arrests senior Air India Express crew member in gold smuggling probe

DRI arrests senior Air India Express crew member in gold smuggling probe

Rediff.com1 Jun 2024

According to a source, Suhail Thanalot, a senior crew member of AIE and a native of Thillenkeri in Kannur district, was apprehended following intelligence and evidence compiled by the DRI regarding his involvement in the gold smuggling incident.

Wheelchair delayed, 82-year-old AI passenger falls; airline reacts

Wheelchair delayed, 82-year-old AI passenger falls; airline reacts

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Air India has denied claims that a wheelchair was not provided to an 82-year-old woman at Delhi airport, leading to her fall. The airline says the passenger was not denied assistance and was given immediate first aid after the incident. The granddaughter of the passenger had alleged that the airline provided poor treatment and that her grandmother was not allocated a wheelchair for almost an hour. Air India, however, stated that a wheelchair could not be provided within 15 minutes due to high demand. The incident occurred on March 4, and the passenger later boarded the flight to Bengaluru.

Chaos at airports as Air India Express cancels 100 flights; 15K flyers hit

Chaos at airports as Air India Express cancels 100 flights; 15K flyers hit

Rediff.com9 May 2024

Discontent has been brewing among a section of the cabin crew at the low-cost carrier for some time now, especially after the start of the process of merger of AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India, with itself.