Three Air India narrowbody aircraft at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport were damaged when ground support equipment, moved by sudden strong winds and rain, collided with them. All three planes were taken out of operation, with two expected to return soon.
After taking over as chief of the air staff, Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Sunday visited the Uttarlai air force station in Barmer, located close to the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer.
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has taken over as the new Chief of Air Staff, succeeding Air Chief Marshal A P Singh. An accomplished fighter pilot with extensive experience, Dixit brings a distinguished career spanning four decades to his new role, having held various command and staff appointments.
India has issued an advisory to its nationals in Saudi Arabia, urging them to abide by local rules and regulations, particularly regarding filming or publishing information about missile and drone interceptions. This comes amidst escalating regional tensions and recent drone and missile attacks. The advisory also includes updates on flight suspensions by Air India and Air India Express to Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah, with some suspensions extending until 2026. Indian missions are providing assistance to affected nationals and liaising with Saudi authorities.
Air India has announced a reduction in international flights and temporary suspension of services on six routes, including Delhi-Chicago, due to airspace restrictions and high jet fuel prices.
An Air India Express flight carrying over 180 passengers from Kannur to Jeddah was forced to return to Kannur airport within two hours of take-off due to an engine fault, specifically a fuel filter issue. All passengers landed safely, and the airline is arranging an alternative aircraft and accommodation.
The Tata Group has begun scouting for a suitable candidate to head Air India, as the tenure of the incumbent, Campbell Wilson, will end next year, sources have said. Meanwhile, the Group is also looking to appoint a new managing director for its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express.
Air India is upgrading its fleet of Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crucial for its long-haul operations, with retrofitting expected to be completed by early 2028. The airline has already received its first retrofitted plane, featuring a three-class configuration.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran addressed Air India employees, acknowledging the airline's challenging phase while reaffirming the Tata Group's commitment to its long-term transformation, focusing on service quality, safety, and operational improvements.
Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express are temporarily reducing their domestic flights due to surging jet fuel prices and lower travel demand. The airlines are cutting flights by 10 to 22 per cent in the coming months.
Two-thirds of India's 160 airports, approximately 120, have very low utilisation rates, with only 40 operating at 70-80 per cent capacity.
Air India has deferred annual salary increments for its staff by at least one quarter and urged a "relentless focus on costs" due to external headwinds like the closure of Pakistan airspace, West Asia conflict, rupee depreciation, and a significant surge in aviation turbine fuel prices, though the airline has assured there will be no layoffs.
The Maharashtra government has formally acquired the iconic Air India building in south Mumbai for Rs 1,601 crore, completing the transfer of agreements from Air India Assets Holding Company to the state Public Works Department.
An Air India flight from Bengaluru carrying 160 passengers made an emergency landing at Delhi airport due to a suspected engine fire, while another Air India aircraft suffered a tail strike in Bengaluru.
Pilots' grouping FIP has suggested that the AAIB should investigate whether a 'pre-lift off electrical disturbance' could have led to the Air India Dreamliner crash in June last year, which resulted in 260 fatalities.
The Defence Ministry invoked national security to deny information regarding the appointment process of the Chief of Air Staff, including names of officers considered and policy guidelines. This denial, upheld by the Central Information Commission, came after multiple defence offices were unable to identify the authority holding such records, highlighting transparency issues.
Tarun Vijay salutes Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh who retires from military service today.
Outgoing Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated that the airline's foundations have been rebuilt over the last four years, but non-delivery of aircraft on schedule has significantly impacted growth and fleet modernisation. He also revealed he has no plans to take up another full-time executive position after stepping down.
Air India is significantly embracing artificial intelligence to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer services, increase revenues, and reduce costs as part of its ambitious transformation plan under the Tata Group.
A year after the tragic Air India flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad claimed 260 lives, grieving families are still waiting for the final probe report, with investigators yet to release conclusive findings on the disaster's cause.
The flydubai near-tragedy showed how the gratuitous conflicts their governments started in West Asia have made the world unsafe for them (and unfortunate co-passengers of other nationalities), points out Kanika Datta.
British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, paid tribute to the victims on the first anniversary of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives, including 52 British nationals. She visited the crash site and attended a prayer meet, where 260 trees were planted and a blood donation camp was organised.
British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, paid tribute to the victims on the first anniversary of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives, including 52 British nationals. She visited the crash site and attended a prayer meet, where 260 trees were planted and a blood donation camp was organised.
New Delhi experienced its worst air quality in 287 days on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 350 and several monitoring stations reporting 'severe' pollution levels. PM2.5 was identified as the dominant pollutant, posing significant health risks. The city has been placed under Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan, with stubble burning and transport emissions being major contributors to the deteriorating air quality.
A year after accidentally filming the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, 18-year-old Aryan Asari, now known as the 'Aeroplane Boy', shares his story of unexpected fame and the lasting fear that prevents him from filming aircraft or flying himself.
Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson has resigned after four years at the helm, prompting the airline to form a committee to find his replacement. Wilson's tenure saw significant changes, including the merger of airlines and fleet expansion, but also faced challenges such as the London-bound flight crash and safety concerns.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to Indian Air Force personnel on Air Force Day, praising their courage and commitment. He highlighted the IAF's ability to use advanced technology, including data and drones, to counter adversaries and ensure national security.
Air India group announces fuel surcharges on domestic and international flights due to rising Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices, following the government's decision to cap domestic ATF price hikes.
The Supreme Court refused urgent listing for a plea alleging a 700 per cent increase in airfares, advising the petitioner "Don't travel by air." The court is already hearing a separate petition seeking regulation of airfares, with the Centre informing it about new aviation rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, expected to be published soon.
An Air India flight bound for Vancouver returned to Delhi after being airborne for seven hours due to an aircraft approval error. The Boeing 777-200 LR was not approved for the route, leading to the flight's return and subsequent rescheduling.
Indian airlines are increasingly focusing on developing in-house maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities to support their rapidly expanding fleets and reduce reliance on overseas facilities. This strategic shift is driven by market growth projections, with India's MRO market expected to triple to USD 9.5 billion by 2035, and recent geopolitical challenges highlighting the need for domestic capacity.
India's anti-terror agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has registered a case to investigate a mid-air attack on Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, inside the cockpit of an Israel-bound flydubai flight, citing an "apparent attempt to hijack or cause it to crash."
First responders and eyewitnesses vividly recall the horrific Ahmedabad Air India crash a year later, describing an inferno exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius that melted boots and aircraft parts, and the heart-wrenching retrieval of a pregnant woman's charred body amidst the chaos.
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh undertook a flying sortie with NCC cadet Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy on October 20 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. This special flight, part of Singh's final sorties before superannuation, aimed to familiarise the cadet with aviation and encourage defence careers, aligning with the 'Viksit Bharat -2047' vision.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced India's ambitious plans to become a global hub for civil aviation manufacturing, aiming to produce made-in-India civilian aircraft within two years. He highlighted the expansion of airport capacity to 800 million by 2029, the construction of 100 new airports and 200 heliports, and the success of the UDAN scheme in boosting regional air connectivity and first-time flyers. The minister also noted the growing ecosystem for aviation component manufacturing and partnerships with international players like Embraer and Adani Group.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has identified flight crew's failure to follow instructions and misinterpretation of communication as probable causes for an Air India Express runway incursion at Goa's Dabolim airport in April, when a Navy fighter jet was taking off. The report also highlights contributory factors and makes several safety recommendations for Air India Express, AAI, and INS HANSA.
The Maharashtra government is nearing the acquisition of the Air India building in south Mumbai after the Finance Department transferred Rs 1,600 crore to the Public Works Department. The agreement with Air India Assets Holding Limited is expected to be signed within two weeks, providing much-needed office space for state government departments.
Keralam Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty unveiled the logo and website for COKPIT 2027, a Global Aviation GCC Leadership Summit scheduled for January 2027 in Kochi. The summit aims to position Kochi as a prime destination for aviation Global Capability Centres, attracting industry leaders and showcasing the city's potential as an aviation hub with strong connectivity and existing infrastructure.
A significant rift has emerged between foreign rifle coach Thomas Farnik and national coach Deepali Deshpande following India's poor performance in air rifle events at the ISSF World Championship in Doha. Farnik reportedly feels sidelined by the domestic coaching staff, leading to friction and a heated exchange where both coaches blamed each other for the team's disappointing results.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after the Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorated to the 'poor' category. Forecasts indicate the AQI will remain poor in the coming days, triggering restrictions like banning coal and firewood in eateries and limiting diesel generator use.
