News for 'Air India International'

Air India contract staff go on strike

Air India contract staff go on strike

Rediff.com1 Jun 2009

There are about 200 security staff who have the responsibility of checking the aircraft, baggages and also keep a vigil on the aircraft and areas surrounding it so that no one make an unauthorised entry. A senior airline's official dealing with the issue, said that their demand of salary hike has been sent to the head office in Mumbai.

Ticketing lapse: Air India suspends 2 officials

Ticketing lapse: Air India suspends 2 officials

Rediff.com14 Jan 2013

The airline initiated an internal probe after Venugopal, who was on board a Delhi-Kochi-Thiruvananthapuram flight on January 4, saw 23 vacant seats inside while a Kerala minister was denied a seat on grounds of 'non-availability'.

'India must hit Pakistan hard where it hurts the most'

'India must hit Pakistan hard where it hurts the most'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

'We need to raise the costs and consequences for Pakistan. It is long overdue. Our initial surgical strike was effective for about six months. Then, the Balakot strike provided a deterrent for perhaps two to three years. But we cannot operate under the assumption that such limited responses will suffice for decades to come.'

A Salute To The Brave Who Gave Us Their All

A Salute To The Brave Who Gave Us Their All

Rediff.com16 May 2025

With respect and gratitude we honour the memory of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Operation Sindoor.

Govt reshuffles bureaucrats, Air India chairman is aviation secretary

Govt reshuffles bureaucrats, Air India chairman is aviation secretary

Rediff.com22 Sep 2021

Air India Chairman Rajiv Bansal has been appointed as the new aviation secretary as part of a major top-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre on Wednesday. K Rajaraman, additional secretary in the department of economic affairs, has been appointed as secretary, department of telecommunications, a personnel ministry order said.

Crew well capable: IAF on 'GPS spoofing' in Myanmar

Crew well capable: IAF on 'GPS spoofing' in Myanmar

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed that its crew are well-equipped to handle potential GPS spoofing incidents, asserting that all relief missions to earthquake-hit Myanmar were successfully completed as planned. The IAF's statement follows reports of GPS signal tampering during relief flights, which raised security concerns. Sources in the military establishment had earlier suggested that IAF transport aircraft carrying relief materials to Myanmar faced "GPS spoofing", prompting the IAF to assure that its crew are capable of handling such situations.

Over 100 flights get bomb threats on Tuesday; AI, IndiGo among worst hit

Over 100 flights get bomb threats on Tuesday; AI, IndiGo among worst hit

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

The Mumbai police have registered a case against an unidentified person after three airlines received bomb threats on their X handle, an official said on Tuesday.

5 ways to make Air India the country's best airline

5 ways to make Air India the country's best airline

Rediff.com12 Jan 2016

Let it gradually pull itself out of international routes and focus on linking remote towns and cities.

Floods cause travel chaos in Dubai; India flights hit

Floods cause travel chaos in Dubai; India flights hit

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

Air India, which operates 72 weekly flights from various cities to Dubai, and IndiGo cancelled their services on Wednesday.

Air-India, Indian merger likely by Feb-end

Air-India, Indian merger likely by Feb-end

Rediff.com30 Jan 2007

The much-awaited merger between Air-India and Indian is expected to be cleared by the Union Cabinet by end of February, with the committee of secretaries submitting its recommendations to the Group of Ministers.

'Inadvertent': Reliance withdraws Op Sindoor trademark application

'Inadvertent': Reliance withdraws Op Sindoor trademark application

Rediff.com8 May 2025

Reliance Industries Ltd has withdrawn its trademark application for the term 'Operation Sindoor' -- the codename for India's military strikes in Pakistan -- stating that it was inadvertently filed by a junior employee without authorisation.

'Op Sindoor is 'not over', Pak must hand over Hafiz, Lakhvi'

'Op Sindoor is 'not over', Pak must hand over Hafiz, Lakhvi'

Rediff.com20 May 2025

'The fight against terrorism will continue. We have set a new normal and the new normal is that we will follow an offensive strategy. Wherever terrorists are, we have to kill those terrorists and we have to destroy their infrastructure. So it is still not over but as we speak the ceasefire is still intact'

17 Air India cabin crew suspended, row over rest period

17 Air India cabin crew suspended, row over rest period

Rediff.com28 May 2015

The orders issued last Friday signed by an assistant general manager of the in-flight services, however, did not assign any reason for the suspension, sources said on Friday.

Govt official, 2-year-old girl among 5 killed in Pak shelling in J-K

Govt official, 2-year-old girl among 5 killed in Pak shelling in J-K

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Raj Kumar Thapa, additional district development commissioner, Rajouri, and his two staff members were seriously injured when an artillery shell hit his official residence in Rajouri town, the officials said.

Does it make sense for anyone to buy Air India?

Does it make sense for anyone to buy Air India?

Rediff.com26 Oct 2017

With a debt of several thousand crore rupees, there's no chance the government can attract any buyer unless it cleans up the balance sheet, says Anjuli Bhargava.

Sick Air India pilots: Govt threatens action

Sick Air India pilots: Govt threatens action

Rediff.com15 May 2012

A medical summary issued by the Civil Aviation ministry said most of the AI pilots, who called in sick, were neither found at home by doctors sent by the airline nor reported to doctors empanelled by the carrier.

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

'I am not an aspiration-oriented politician.' 'This is the time to redefine politics.' 'Politics of power is not real politics.'

Modi 3@1: Challenges, Opportunities Ahead

Modi 3@1: Challenges, Opportunities Ahead

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

There are challenges galore before him, and it is not going to be easy. In the next four years, he has to conjure a system that changes the optics about him and the BJP both nationally and internationally so that he can ride back on his own, claim the top slot, and not have to lean on a coalition, asserts Ramesh Menon as Modi 3.0 completes a year in power.

'China Was Single Most Important External Factor In This Conflict'

'China Was Single Most Important External Factor In This Conflict'

Rediff.com15 May 2025

'Every decision India makes along the LoC, it must also consider implications along the LAC.'

'Operation Sindoor Was A Dream Operation'

'Operation Sindoor Was A Dream Operation'

Rediff.com23 May 2025

'The precision strikes were well planned and excellently executed. The world will be studying this operation.'

Despite ceasefire, live shells still haunt border villagers

Despite ceasefire, live shells still haunt border villagers

Rediff.com18 May 2025

People along the Line of Control and International Border in the Jammu region continue to live under the shadow of death, with unexploded mortar shells fired by Pakistani troops still embedded in farmlands and residential areas even though hostilities have stopped for nearly a week. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: / Rediff.com Despite the May 10 understanding between India and Pakistan, locals describe the border areas as a 'death trap'. Sixty-two-year-old Balvinder Singh, who returned to his home in Pargwal sector on May 14, recounted a narrow escape. "Two shells exploded in our compound, damaging our house. Three more landed on our farmland. We were terrified and told our family to stay away from the fields until the Army could help," Singh told PTI. Army engineers later came to the village and safely defused the unexploded shells, bringing a temporary sense of relief. "Fear is writ large on the faces of people to these death traps in border hamlets", he said. Scenes of destruction are evident rooftops torn apart, broken houses, windows punctured by shrapnel, and carcasses of cattle lying in pools of blood. The acrid smell of gunpowder still lingers in the air. Sardar Gurmeet Singh faced a similar ordeal. His family could not re-enter their home as a live mortar shell had sunk into the compound in a village close to the International Border. "The army's bomb disposal squad removed it after four days, allowing us to finally enter, back home," he said. Indian Army engineers have launched a sweeping clearance operation across border districts, defusing over 80 unexploded shells in the past five days -- including 6 in Pargwal, 19 in Rajouri, 42 in Poonch, and 12 along the IB. "These shells, mostly 120 mm calibre, have a range of 15 to 30 km and pose a serious threat to both civilian and military targets," an Army officer said. "Many of them were fired by Pakistan during recent hostilities." On May 7, the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor, conducting precision strikes on nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. The subsequent retaliation by Pakistan pushed the region to the brink of war. From 7 to 10 of May, 27 civilians were killed and over 70 injured in Pakistani shelling in the Jammu region. Farid Din Gujjar, a resident near the border, expressed fear about returning to his fields. "Several shells created deep craters in our paddy land. We cannot resume work until all unexploded ordnance is cleared. It's a death trap," he said. Army units, in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police, have evacuated high-risk zones and issued stern warnings to residents not to touch any suspicious objects or unexploded shells. In one major operation, 42 live shells were safely destroyed in the Poonch villages of Jhullas, Salotri, Dharati and Salani. "All safety protocols were followed. The shells posed a serious danger to local lives," an Army spokesperson said, calling the effort a 'continued commitment to protect civilians and restore normalcy'. Poonch saw the vast majority of deaths due to shelling. Security officials said that Pakistan used a mix of mortar shells, armed drones, and missiles during the shelling spree, specifically targeting civilian habitations and border towns in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch. As clearance operations continue, the border residents are slowly returning to their homes, but with caution, fear, and lingering uncertainty about shelling that may yet happen in the future.

India, England players arrive in Kolkata for first T20I

India, England players arrive in Kolkata for first T20I

Rediff.com18 Jan 2025

Beginning with the Eden T20I, the two teams will fight it out in a full white ball series, comprising five T20Is and three ODIs, which will serve as a crucial warm-up for the Champions Trophy, slated to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

Can Prashant Kishor Shake Up Bihar Politics?

Can Prashant Kishor Shake Up Bihar Politics?

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

'Prashant Kishor is a businessman before he is a politician, and given that the expected average turnout for JSP candidates is 5,000 to 6,000 votes and since Bihar has a significant number of seats where the margin between the winner and runner-up falls within that range he will capitalise on exactly that to showcase his presence.'

Air India plane, which hit wall, was possibly overloaded: Officials

Air India plane, which hit wall, was possibly overloaded: Officials

Rediff.com13 Oct 2018

The pilots have been "derostered" pending investigation, Air India Express later said in a statement.

Air-India's first flight to China takes off

Air-India's first flight to China takes off

Rediff.com11 Dec 2003

Air-India, India's flagship international carrier, on Thursday launched its first flight to the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai, marking the burgeoning trade and economic exchanges between the two neighbouring countries.

Air India asked to check gold smuggling by its staff

Air India asked to check gold smuggling by its staff

Rediff.com26 Dec 2013

In a letter written by Director General of DRI Najeeb Shah, Air India has been asked to sanitise its staff, especially those involved in ground-handling duties, official sources said.

'Escalation Was Fastest In Indo-Pak History'

'Escalation Was Fastest In Indo-Pak History'

Rediff.com14 May 2025

'Looking at how quickly the hostilities were escalating, the nuclear threshold did not seem that far.'

How Air India plans to cut fuel cost

How Air India plans to cut fuel cost

Rediff.com16 Oct 2013

In a bid to slash costs, Air India has hedged 10,000 barrels of jet fuel for its aircraft this month, four weeks after its Board gave a nod to the move.

Can Pak be trusted with nukes, Rajnath asks the world

Can Pak be trusted with nukes, Rajnath asks the world

Rediff.com15 May 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday questioned the safety of nuclear weapons in the hands of Pakistan, and said they should be taken under monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Pak shelling toll rises to 7 in J-K, more than 25 hurt

Pak shelling toll rises to 7 in J-K, more than 25 hurt

Rediff.com11 May 2025

The casualties were reported hours before India and Pakistan agreed to end hostilities, which soared after the Indian Armed Forces hit terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir earlier this week in response to the Pahalgam attack.

Stranded Air India passengers finally on their way

Stranded Air India passengers finally on their way

Rediff.com23 Dec 2005

"Some didn't make it to important lectures. Others lost precious vacation days. And a few worried they would miss once-in-a-lifetime family events."

'It's Time To Target The Terror Masterminds'

'It's Time To Target The Terror Masterminds'

Rediff.com7 May 2025

'We should not just react when a terror attack happens on our soil.' 'Our approach should be continuous and a launch pad should be destroyed the moment it comes up.'

'Rubio's Call To Munir Was Critical'

'Rubio's Call To Munir Was Critical'

Rediff.com12 May 2025

'Fears in Washington began to intensify when it was realised that subsequent Pakistani and Indian attacks on major military facilities -- which were significant in terms of geographic scope and intensity -- could rapidly take both sides to where neither actually wanted to go.' 'The US objective was to stop the fighting as soon as possible. Everything else was secondary.'

'Terror Hasn't Gone Away, But We Have Raised The Cost And Consequences For Pakistan'

'Terror Hasn't Gone Away, But We Have Raised The Cost And Consequences For Pakistan'

Rediff.com23 May 2025

'War is not an answer. War is not a solution.' 'Deterrence is a solution. We should have the stick with us with which we can beat Pakistan.'

Why it's impossible for Air India to turn around

Why it's impossible for Air India to turn around

Rediff.com31 Jul 2018

Air India pilots and crew often play musical chairs, leading to a substantial revenue loss for the airline in an inefficiently managed set-up

'Stay Strong #Jammu'

'Stay Strong #Jammu'

Rediff.com9 May 2025

Bollywood celebrities have extended support to the nation and offered prayers for the safety and well-being of the people.

Ceasefire: Residents in Punjab asked to resume normal life

Ceasefire: Residents in Punjab asked to resume normal life

Rediff.com11 May 2025

Calm prevailed in Punjab, especially in the border areas of the state, on Sunday morning, following an understanding between India and Pakistan to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea.

Woman passenger alleges Air India made her 'crawl', airline denies allegation

Woman passenger alleges Air India made her 'crawl', airline denies allegation

Rediff.com31 Jan 2016

A differently-abled woman flyer has alleged she had to "crawl" to the passenger coach after deboarding an Air India plane as the carrier failed to arrange a wheel chair for her due to "security" reasons, a charge denied by the airline.

New offer: Air India launches marriage gift vouchers!

New offer: Air India launches marriage gift vouchers!

Rediff.com8 Dec 2011

Air India has come up with a "gift" this marriage session - 'Shagun Vouchers'.

Air India's vegetarian menu will help airline save Rs 20 crore annually

Air India's vegetarian menu will help airline save Rs 20 crore annually

Rediff.com9 Aug 2017

Last year, Air India replaced veg and non-veg sandwiches with veg hot meals on flights