News for '-civil-aviation'

Mexican family killed in Nepal crash had toured India

Mexican family killed in Nepal crash had toured India

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

The five Mexican nationals killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Nepal near Mount Everest on Tuesday visited India before touring the Himalayan nation for sightseeing.

Is Maharashtra A Lost Cause For Modi?

Is Maharashtra A Lost Cause For Modi?

Rediff.com10 Jul 2024

'There are legions of unemployed degree holders across rural and semi-urban belts in Maharashtra. Now, they aren't finding brides.' 'This issue has now snowballed into a social crisis. In 2014 and 2019, they had voted for the BJP.'

AI London-Mumbai flyer held for smoking, misbehaving on board

AI London-Mumbai flyer held for smoking, misbehaving on board

Rediff.com12 Mar 2023

'A passenger on our flight AI130, operating London-Mumbai on March 10, was found smoking in the lavatory. Subsequently he behaved in an unruly and aggressive manner, despite repeated warnings,' Air India said.

Engine MRO in India could have saved Go First, says govt official

Engine MRO in India could have saved Go First, says govt official

Rediff.com22 Nov 2023

The presence of an engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India could have prevented Go First airline from going "belly up", as sending engines abroad for servicing is not an efficient way to operate a carrier, Piyush Srivastava, senior economic advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation, said in a statement on Tuesday. On May 3, Go First suspended its flights and filed for insolvency, squarely blaming engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney (PW) for its cash crunch. The airline claimed that about half of its 54 aircraft were grounded on May 3 due to a delay in the supply of engines by the US-based company. PW has denied the charges.

Biggest challenge for BJP, allies in Maharashtra assembly polls is...

Biggest challenge for BJP, allies in Maharashtra assembly polls is...

Rediff.com9 Jul 2024

'The BJP alliance needs to handle the Maratha quota issue skilfully and address its root cause, which is agrarian distress. Then there is stalled industrialisation. If these issues are addressed, caste fault lines would wither away. But, this is next to impossible in a short span of three-four months.'

Govt takes multiple steps to tackle festival-season rush at major airports

Govt takes multiple steps to tackle festival-season rush at major airports

Rediff.com4 Aug 2023

Deploying additional Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, providing real-time updates through social media, adding more immigration counters and ensuring 100 per cent manning of immigration counters - these are some of the steps that the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is now taking in coordination with other stakeholders to avoid congestion at major airports during the upcoming festival season. During the last year's festival and winter season, major airports in the country suffered from congestion due to lack of sufficient airport infrastructure, inadequate X-ray screening machines, bunching of flights at peak hours, as well as inadequate CISF and immigration personnel, the MoCA stated on Thursday. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, after last year's congestion issue, had asked major airports - including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai - to identify bottlenecks and augment capacity to meet the growing passenger demand.

IAF to monitor Delhi sky for drone threats during G20 summit

IAF to monitor Delhi sky for drone threats during G20 summit

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

Indian Air Force fighter planes will be on standby to keep a close watch on any suspicious activity in the Delhi sky, including UAVs or drones, as the national capital gets ready to host the G20 summit, a senior official from a department engaged in airport operations said.

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)

Domestic air traffic rises 4.8% to 126.48 lakh in Feb

Domestic air traffic rises 4.8% to 126.48 lakh in Feb

Rediff.com15 Mar 2024

Domestic air traffic rose 4.8 per cent on an annual basis to 126.48 lakh in February, while more than 1.55 lakh passengers were affected by flight delays during the same period, according to official data released on Friday. In February, Air India's market share rose to 12.8 per cent from 12.2 per cent while that of IndiGo marginally dipped to 60.1 per cent from 60.2 per cent in January. The domestic air traffic climbed to 126.48 lakh in February compared to 120.69 lakh in the year-ago period, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.

Modi Bluster Missing From Budget

Modi Bluster Missing From Budget

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

With the reality of coalition politics staring the BJP in its face, this was inevitable, points out Ramesh Menon.

Why Are Airport Roofs Collapsing?

Why Are Airport Roofs Collapsing?

Rediff.com1 Jul 2024

Are faulty design, hurried construction and private ownership to be blamed for the incidents of airport roofs crashing?

BJP Manifesto To Feature Bullet Trains

BJP Manifesto To Feature Bullet Trains

Rediff.com26 Mar 2024

A source in the know said realistically two-three of the seven bullet train corridors could be included as a practical election promise.

AI pilot 'welcomes' female friend in cockpit, DGCA orders probe

AI pilot 'welcomes' female friend in cockpit, DGCA orders probe

Rediff.com21 Apr 2023

"The DGCA is conducting an investigation into the matter. The Investigation team will examine the relevant facts," said a senior DGCA official.

Grounded airline Go First's CEO Kaushik Khona resigns

Grounded airline Go First's CEO Kaushik Khona resigns

Rediff.com30 Nov 2023

Grounded Go First's CEO Kaushik Khona has put in his papers, nearly seven months after the no-frills airline filed for insolvency proceedings. In an e mail to the airline's employees on Thursday, Khona said that November 30 is his last day at the company. Khona had returned to Go First in August 2020 as its CEO.

Put aside your arrogance, apologise to people, Tharoor responds to Scindia

Put aside your arrogance, apologise to people, Tharoor responds to Scindia

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said it's a pity that since switching sides, Scindia has adopted the Modi government's "uncaring attitude" to the public.

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.

UDAN airports to get comprehensive anti-terror security cover soon

UDAN airports to get comprehensive anti-terror security cover soon

Rediff.com15 Jan 2023

The proposal is awaiting final policy sanction from the home ministry.

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Rediff.com11 Jun 2024

Signalling both change and continuity, India's new government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term, got into work gear on Tuesday with cabinet ministers and ministers of state filing into their respective offices to assume charge.

Myanmar military plane crashes at Mizoram airport, 8 injured

Myanmar military plane crashes at Mizoram airport, 8 injured

Rediff.com23 Jan 2024

Of the 14 people aboard the plane, including the pilot, eight sustained minor injuries and were treated in a local health centre.

Go First told to submit revival plan in 30 days

Go First told to submit revival plan in 30 days

Rediff.com25 May 2023

Aviation watchdog DGCA has asked crisis-hit Go First to submit a comprehensive plan for the revival of its operations, a source said on Thursday. The budget carrier, which is undergoing a voluntary insolvency resolution process, stopped flying on May 3.

SpiceJet plans to lay off 1,000 people

SpiceJet plans to lay off 1,000 people

Rediff.com12 Feb 2024

Crisis-hit SpiceJet plans to hand out pink slips to at least 1,000 employees in the coming days as the airline works to significantly reduce costs and streamline operations of its depleted aircraft fleet, officials said on Monday. Faced with financial woes, legal battles and other headwinds, the no-frills carrier might ask more staff to leave as there is excess manpower now compared to the number of planes in service. A final decision on the quantum of layoffs is expected this week, one of the officials in the know said.

Cockpit breach: DGCA fines Air India Rs 30L, pilot's licence suspended

Cockpit breach: DGCA fines Air India Rs 30L, pilot's licence suspended

Rediff.com12 May 2023

The pilot of Air India AI-915 Delhi-Dubai flight on February 27 allowed a woman friend to enter the cockpit, according to a complaint filed by a cabin crew member on the same flight.

Dense fog persists over north India, rail traffic hit

Dense fog persists over north India, rail traffic hit

Rediff.com16 Jan 2024

Satellite imagery showed a dense elongated band of fog stretching from Punjab to the northeast.

With oil on the boil, Vistara's loss may not be IndiGo's gain

With oil on the boil, Vistara's loss may not be IndiGo's gain

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

Shares of low-cost airline IndiGo hit record high on the bourses soon after reports of pilot crisis at Vistara emerged. The development also saw airfares surge by around 25 per cent on select routes. Shares of IndiGo hit a lifetime high of ~3,68.5 on April 2, 2024, and has gained 2.4 per cent on the bourses in April.

No plans to enter politics as of now: Jyotiraditya Scindia's son

No plans to enter politics as of now: Jyotiraditya Scindia's son

Rediff.com25 Sep 2023

To a question that his father's supporters hope he will become the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh one day, Scindia said, "It is everyone's right to have expectations. But I would not like to discuss this topic right now. We are only focusing on our work at the moment."

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

The Centre has appointed senior IAS officers Vumlunmang Vualnam and Neeraj Mittal as new secretaries in the ministry of civil aviation and the department of telecommunications respectively in a major secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle, a government order stated.

Maharashtra govt to acquire Air India building for Rs 1601 crore

Maharashtra govt to acquire Air India building for Rs 1601 crore

Rediff.com8 Nov 2023

Maharashtra government on Wednesday decided to acquire the iconic Air India building at Nariman Point in Mumbai for Rs 1,601 crore. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet in Mumbai. The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, also decided to waive off around Rs 250 crore unrealised income and interest on the property, an official said.

2 planes cleared to take-off, land at same time at Delhi airport

2 planes cleared to take-off, land at same time at Delhi airport

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

The DGCA will probe the incident and the air traffic controller concerned has been derostered, one of the officials told PTI.

More than 150 CISF commandos to man Ayodhya airport

More than 150 CISF commandos to man Ayodhya airport

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

The 'Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham' has become the 68th civil airport terminal in the country to come under the umbrella of the specialised aviation security group of the central force.

Displaying washing machine, Cong taunts BJP over clean chit to Praful Patel

Displaying washing machine, Cong taunts BJP over clean chit to Praful Patel

Rediff.com30 Mar 2024

Displaying a washing machine on its press conference dais, the Congress on Saturday taunted the Bharatiya Janata Party over the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filing a closure report in a 2017 corruption case against Nationalist Congress Party leader Praful Patel and said the ruling party's 'fully automatic washing machine' works on the principle -- 'join BJP, case closed'.

Delhi airport to get 1400 more security personnel to ease crowding

Delhi airport to get 1400 more security personnel to ease crowding

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

An additional 1,400 CISF personnel have been sanctioned to secure the expanding terminal areas of the Delhi airport and also to meet the challenge of its growing passenger traffic, officials said on Thursday.

'Family first, nation nothing': Modi's scathing attack on Oppn meet

'Family first, nation nothing': Modi's scathing attack on Oppn meet

Rediff.com18 Jul 2023

"They (opposition parties) are not concerned about the development of the children of the country's poor. Their common minimum programme is to increase corruption for their family. Democracy means 'of the people, by the people, for the people'. But these dynastic parties have the mantra of 'of the family, by the family, for the family'. For them, their family is first, and the nation is nothing," he said.

MP polls: 6 Scindia loyalists who revolted in 2020 lose, 7 win

MP polls: 6 Scindia loyalists who revolted in 2020 lose, 7 win

Rediff.com4 Dec 2023

A revolt by 22 MLAs had led to the collapse of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in March 2020.

AI peeing victim moves SC for SOPs on urination incidents

AI peeing victim moves SC for SOPs on urination incidents

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

The woman said she was constrained to approach the court because Air India and the DGCA failed to treat her with care and responsibility after the incident.

Peeing incident: 6 unions urge DGCA to revoke action against AI pilot

Peeing incident: 6 unions urge DGCA to revoke action against AI pilot

Rediff.com24 Jan 2023

Citing various aspects, the forum has appealed to the DGCA to "withdraw the harsh punishment and suspension of the PIC". it said.

Go First crisis pushes airfares higher, staff face uncertain times

Go First crisis pushes airfares higher, staff face uncertain times

Rediff.com2 Jun 2023

From a surge in airfares to rattled aircraft lessors to thousands of employees staring at uncertainty, it has been a month of continued turbulence since cash-strapped Go First suspended flights from May 3. As the government and other stakeholders hope that Go First restarts operations at the earliest, plans are being worked out for the budget airline's revival. A section of Go First staff are optimistic about restarting of operations, another section are pessimistic about the airline's future course considering what had happened to erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways, according to employees who spoke to PTI.

New airport, revamped railway station: Modi's gifts for Ayodhya ahead of Ram temple event

New airport, revamped railway station: Modi's gifts for Ayodhya ahead of Ram temple event

Rediff.com30 Dec 2023

This visit by the prime minister comes weeks ahead of the 'pran pratishtha' or consecration ceremony of the Ram temple.

Air India set to receive new aircraft every six days in next 18 months: CEO Campbell Wilson

Air India set to receive new aircraft every six days in next 18 months: CEO Campbell Wilson

Rediff.com10 Nov 2023

Air India has ordered 470 aircraft to serve the Indian economy and is set to receive a new aircraft every six days over the next 18 months, CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said on Friday. He was speaking at the 67th Assembly of Presidents of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines here. "We have new aircraft, we are recruiting many, many new crew and staff, improving the training regime and there is more work to do and we are making good progress," he said.

New flights based on flyer-handling capacity at security checks: BCAS

New flights based on flyer-handling capacity at security checks: BCAS

Rediff.com30 May 2023

The addition of new flights at airports will now be based on passenger-handling capacity at security checkpoints, according to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The civil aviation security regulator issued directions in this regard on May 22 in a move to reduce congestion and delays inside airport terminals. Following this, airports will have to check passenger-handling capacity at security checkpoints before allotting slots.

Around 1,000 passenger complaints received against Air India in 3 months

Around 1,000 passenger complaints received against Air India in 3 months

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

Around 1,000 passenger complaints have been received against Air India during the last three months related to various issues, including refund of fares, overbooking of flights, and staff behaviour, Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh said on Monday. The Tata Group on January 27 took control of Air India after winning the bid for the airline on October 8 last year. "Ministry of Civil Aviation has been receiving grievances related to air transport, including Air India, on the various issues such as refund of fares, flight issues, staff behaviour, baggage issues, overbooking of flights, etc," Singh said in his written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.