News for 'Civil Aviation'

Nitish distributes new departments, retains civil aviation

Nitish distributes new departments, retains civil aviation

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has allocated portfolios of newly created departments among ministers, keeping Civil Aviation with himself, an official notification said.

Phuket flight incident: Air India pilot tests positive for marijuana

Phuket flight incident: Air India pilot tests positive for marijuana

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

The pilot-in-command of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop last week has tested positive for a psychoactive substance, identified by sources as marijuana, in a confirmatory test. This development comes as Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu met with Air India executives to discuss the serious incident, which left 24 people injured.

Mumbai airport overhaul: T1 partial razing from Jan 15; flight shifts planned

Mumbai airport overhaul: T1 partial razing from Jan 15; flight shifts planned

Rediff.com1 hour ago

Adani Group-operated Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) is set to begin demolishing a section of its nearly 80-year-old Terminal 1 from January 15, 2027, as part of a major redevelopment plan. This initiative involves redistributing air traffic from T1 to Terminal 2 and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, with significant shifts planned for international and domestic flights starting October 1 and October 25, respectively.

Sarla Aviation Secures Design Organisation Approval For Indigenous Electric Air Taxis

Sarla Aviation Secures Design Organisation Approval For Indigenous Electric Air Taxis

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Bengaluru-based electric air taxi startup Sarla Aviation has received Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a crucial step towards commercial production of its indigenous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company also inaugurated its new headquarters and announced partnerships, highlighting India's growing capabilities in advanced aerospace technology.

Airport Authority Gets Waiver Request Amid Adani Airline Buzz

Airport Authority Gets Waiver Request Amid Adani Airline Buzz

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

The Airports Authority of India has received a request for a waiver from contractual restrictions that prevent airport concessionaires and their group entities from holding equity in scheduled airlines, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed in the Rajya Sabha. This comes amid reports of the Adani group's interest in the airline business, despite their denial.

Modi's new target on I-Day: 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis'

Modi's new target on I-Day: 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new target of creating six crore 'Lakhpati Didis' to empower women and transform the rural economy. He highlighted the success of the existing initiative and the growing contribution of women in various sectors, from defence to technology.

Air India Phuket-Delhi Incident Probe Widens

Air India Phuket-Delhi Incident Probe Widens

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

=The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's sudden altitude variation and the actions of the flight crew.

How Embraer's New Jet Certifications Will Reshape Indian Regional Aviation

How Embraer's New Jet Certifications Will Reshape Indian Regional Aviation

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Brazilian aerospace company Embraer has secured type certification from India's aviation regulator, DGCA, for three of its commercial jets (E195-E2, E190, and E195). This approval, alongside an existing certification for its E175 jet, paves the way for Embraer to expand its presence in India's regional aviation market, supported by a strategic MoU with Adani Defence & Aerospace for a Final Assembly Line in Dholera, Gujarat.

Air India flight turbulence: Pilot undergoes dope test again

Air India flight turbulence: Pilot undergoes dope test again

Rediff.com9 Aug 2026

An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden loss of altitude, leading to injuries and prompting a psychoactive substance screening for the pilot-in-command, with confirmatory test results now awaited.

Two Air India Pilots Fail Drug Tests

Two Air India Pilots Fail Drug Tests

Rediff.com6 days ago

The pilots testing positive have been removed from duty, with their samples sent for confirmatory testing.

15 injured as Air India Phuket-Delhi flight hit by turbulence

15 injured as Air India Phuket-Delhi flight hit by turbulence

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe mid-air turbulence, causing the aircraft to lose 300 feet in altitude. The incident resulted in injuries to 15 people, including 11 passengers and 4 cabin crew members, with one crew member sustaining severe injuries. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is investigating the event.

Kurnool's Drone City To Host National Roundtable On August 18

Kurnool's Drone City To Host National Roundtable On August 18

Rediff.com22 Jul 2026

Andhra Pradesh's "Drone City" in Kurnool district will host a national roundtable on drones on August 18, with the Civil Aviation Minister and up to 40 drone companies expected to attend. This initiative aims to boost the drone sector, which is projected to create 40,000 jobs.

Flyers injured in Air India flight turbulence discharged

Flyers injured in Air India flight turbulence discharged

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Air India has confirmed that all 13 passengers injured during severe mid-air turbulence on a Phuket-Delhi flight have been discharged from hospital. However, four crew members involved in the incident continue to receive medical treatment. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the matter.

Air India picks leader who quadrupled Ethiopian Airlines' revenue

Air India picks leader who quadrupled Ethiopian Airlines' revenue

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

Tewolde Gebremariam, a seasoned aviation professional with extensive experience at Ethiopian Airlines, has been named the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India. He is tasked with leading the airline's ambitious five-year transformation plan, Vihaan.AI, aimed at achieving significant growth and profitability, marking him as the second foreign national to helm Air India under Tata Group ownership.

Passenger's pistol 'accidentally' goes off at Varanasi airport; 2 injured

Passenger's pistol 'accidentally' goes off at Varanasi airport; 2 injured

Rediff.com7 days ago

An accidental firing incident occurred at Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport when a passenger's licensed pistol discharged during security screening, injuring a female security personnel and another individual. Both injured parties have been hospitalised, and legal action is being initiated.

AI Phuket-Delhi flight hit by triple hydraulic failure before 300-ft drop

AI Phuket-Delhi flight hit by triple hydraulic failure before 300-ft drop

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

An Air India A320 flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop due to multiple technical glitches, including triple hydraulic failures and autopilot disconnection, injuring 17 people. An investigation by AAIB, with assistance from French agency BEA and Airbus, is underway, while the pilot-in-command is undergoing confirmatory psychoactive substance testing.

Home ministry summons civil aviation officials

Home ministry summons civil aviation officials

Rediff.com12 Nov 2007

In the wake of repeated faults in planes carrying Haj pilgrims from Srinagar, the Union home ministry on Monday summoned civil aviation officials following a strong protest by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Airspace curbs hit Indian aviation, 10,000 flights cancelled since Feb

Airspace curbs hit Indian aviation, 10,000 flights cancelled since Feb

Rediff.com7 Apr 2026

Indian carriers have cancelled over 10,000 flights since the onset of the West Asia conflict, as escalating tensions and airspace restrictions disrupted international operations, a senior government official said.

Boeing finds no fault with Dreamliner fuel switch after Air India report

Boeing finds no fault with Dreamliner fuel switch after Air India report

Rediff.com30 Jul 2026

The government has confirmed that Boeing's detailed examination of the Dreamliner aircraft's fuel control switch locking mechanism found no abnormality, following an Air India pilot's report of a possible issue. This investigation was prompted after an Air India flight from London to Bengaluru in February, and comes amidst an ongoing probe into a fatal Dreamliner crash last year where fuel supply to engines was cut off.

Civil aviation ministry, pilots begin talks

Civil aviation ministry, pilots begin talks

Rediff.com26 Apr 2003

Talks between senior officials of civil aviation ministry and the Indian Pilots Guild began in Mumbai on Saturday shortly after noon to resolve the issue of operating in SARS-affected regions by the unions.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sworn in as Bangladesh President

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sworn in as Bangladesh President

Rediff.com2 days ago

Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been sworn in as Bangladesh's 23rd President, following a contested parliamentary election that saw him defeat Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed. Alamgir, a longtime secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will serve a five-year term.

Domestic Air Passenger Traffic Dips in July; IndiGo and Air India See Market Share Rise

Domestic Air Passenger Traffic Dips in July; IndiGo and Air India See Market Share Rise

Rediff.com3 days ago

Domestic air passenger traffic in India decreased by 4.80 per cent in July 2026 compared to the previous year, reaching 1.20 crore, with major airlines experiencing a drop in load factor, according to DGCA data. Despite the overall dip, IndiGo and Air India Group increased their market share.

Civil aviation industry grows by 400%: Patel

Civil aviation industry grows by 400%: Patel

Rediff.com17 Dec 2010

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Friday said the airline industry in India has grown by 400 per cent in a short span of about six-and-a-half years.

FIP Wants DGCA to Triple Drug Tests For Pilots

FIP Wants DGCA to Triple Drug Tests For Pilots

Rediff.com5 days ago

The Federation of Indian Pilots has requested the DGCA to increase random drug testing for pilots, aiming to enhance aviation safety.

Trainer aircraft crash-lands in UP, second mishap in a week; pilot safe

Trainer aircraft crash-lands in UP, second mishap in a week; pilot safe

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating two separate trainer aircraft incidents in Uttar Pradesh within four days. One involved a Cessna 152 crash-landing in Kasganj with the pilot safe, and the other saw a trainee pilot injured by a propeller at Kanpur airport.

Suresh Prabhu gets charge of civil aviation ministry

Suresh Prabhu gets charge of civil aviation ministry

Rediff.com10 Mar 2018

The decision came a day after the resignation of Telugu Desam Party's Ashok Gajapathi Raju was accepted by President Ram Nath Kovind

Cabinet clears FDI hike in civil aviation

Cabinet clears FDI hike in civil aviation

Rediff.com20 Oct 2004

The Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the proposal to hike foreign direct investment limit in civil aviation sector from 40 to 49 per cent, official sources said.

Passenger Caught With 29 Exotic Animals At Mumbai Airport

Passenger Caught With 29 Exotic Animals At Mumbai Airport

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

Customs officials at Mumbai international airport intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok with 29 exotic wild animals, including a gibbon, melanistic squirrel, ball python, and iguana. A rescue team was called to identify and stabilise the animals, which will be repatriated to their country of origin.

Ajit Singh takes charge of civil aviation ministry

Ajit Singh takes charge of civil aviation ministry

Rediff.com19 Dec 2011

Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh on Monday took charge of the civil aviation ministry, saying it was a 'sensitive' portfolio.

Civil Aviation Ministry opposes hike in service tax

Civil Aviation Ministry opposes hike in service tax

Rediff.com26 Apr 2012

Ahead of the passage of the Finance Bill in Parliament, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh is understood to have shot off a letter to the Finance Ministry protesting the proposal on the grounds that the move would not only hit passengers but spell more trouble for the airlines which were already reeling under severe financial stress.

Ajit Singh sworn in, gets civil aviation ministry

Ajit Singh sworn in, gets civil aviation ministry

Rediff.com18 Dec 2011

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Ajit Singh was sworn in as the 33rd member of the Union Cabinet, and 77th in the Union council of ministers on Sunday morning. Singh is widely expected to be allotted the civil aviation portfolio. This is the fourth time Singh has been inducted into the Union Cabinet.

Jet chairman meets civil aviation secretary

Jet chairman meets civil aviation secretary

Rediff.com8 Sep 2009

Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal on Tuesday met civil aviation secretary Madhavan Nambiar on Tuesday against the backdrop of pilots of the private carrier refusing to report to work to protest against the sacking of two of their senior colleagues.

India's civil aviation recovers in 2009

India's civil aviation recovers in 2009

Rediff.com25 Feb 2010

On the Rs 20,000-crore (Rs 200-billion) modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, the survey said work is in progress, adding that while the Delhi Airport project is likely to be completed by 2010, work at Mumbai airport will be over by 2012.

Ex-minister blames govt for civil aviation mess

Ex-minister blames govt for civil aviation mess

Rediff.com2 May 2011

Shahnawaz Hussain has demanded a comprehensive probe into the happenings in civil aviation sector.

Bill to constitute Civil Aviation Authority gets govt nod

Bill to constitute Civil Aviation Authority gets govt nod

Rediff.com13 Feb 2014

With the ongoing Parliament session -- the last for this Lok Sabha, witnessing continued turmoil, there are indications that the legislation would be tabled in the Rajya Sabha so as to keep it alive for the new House to take it up.

Former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Tewolde Gebremariam is new Air India boss

Former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Tewolde Gebremariam is new Air India boss

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

Air India has announced the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Campbell Wilson. This strategic appointment comes as the airline navigates expansion amidst significant challenges.

AI171 crash: AAIB issues interim statement, probe continues

AI171 crash: AAIB issues interim statement, probe continues

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has issued an interim statement on the probe into the Air India AI171 plane crash that killed 260 people last year, confirming that the investigation is ongoing and the final report will be released after all processes are complete.

Regulator for civil aviation in Jan

Regulator for civil aviation in Jan

Rediff.com10 Dec 2004

The government on Friday announced putting in place a regulator for the civil aviation sector.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Aviation min reveals what went wrong

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Aviation min reveals what went wrong

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Ajit Pawar and four others on board died after the chartered plane crashed.

BNP veteran becomes new Bangladesh Prez in first contest after 35 years

BNP veteran becomes new Bangladesh Prez in first contest after 35 years

Rediff.com3 days ago

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a close ally of former premier Khaleda Zia, has been elected as Bangladesh's new President in the first contested poll for the post in 35 years.