News for 'Civil Aviation'

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Preliminary probe report soon

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Preliminary probe report soon

Rediff.com22 Feb 2026

The preliminary report on the plane crash that killed NCP leader Ajit Pawar is expected to be released by February 28, according to Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol. The incident has sparked speculation and calls for investigation into potential irregularities.

Unexplained Light Aircraft Crash Rocks Beijing's Citic Tower

Unexplained Light Aircraft Crash Rocks Beijing's Citic Tower

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

A light sport aircraft crashed into Beijing's Citic Tower, the city's tallest skyscraper, causing an immediate evacuation and scattering debris. The incident, which occurred in the prominent business district, has raised concerns, with authorities yet to comment and the origin and circumstances of the crash remaining unknown. The aircraft was identified as a Sunward SA60L Aurora, and the crash highlights recent stringent regulations on recreational flying in Beijing's airspace.

Iranian plane set to pick up aid from India hit by US strike

Iranian plane set to pick up aid from India hit by US strike

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

Iranian officials allege a US airstrike on Mashhad airport damaged a Mahan Air plane set to collect vital medical aid from India.

Cabinet nod to Indo-US civil aviation deal

Cabinet nod to Indo-US civil aviation deal

Rediff.com4 May 2006

The deal will let India draw upon the resources of the Federal Aviation Administration to modernise its infrastructure.

RBI to issue Rs 5 coins to commemorate civil aviation

RBI to issue Rs 5 coins to commemorate civil aviation

Rediff.com27 Dec 2011

The coins will be circular in shape and have a diameter of 23 millimetres.

Govt plans to introduce new civil aviation policy by May 15

Govt plans to introduce new civil aviation policy by May 15

Rediff.com9 Apr 2015

Govt to introduce new aviation policy on May 15.

Airbound, Andhra sign MoU to build large-scale drone delivery network

Airbound, Andhra sign MoU to build large-scale drone delivery network

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

The initiative is expected to begin with operations in Guntur, with both parties working towards enabling 10,000 daily drone flights across Andhra Pradesh over the coming year, a scale that could position the state among the largest commercial drone delivery networks globally.

Big relief for flyers, govt says no selection fees on 60% seats

Big relief for flyers, govt says no selection fees on 60% seats

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

Indian airlines are now required to offer 60% of seats for free and ensure families sit together, as the government strengthens passenger rights and addresses concerns about high seat selection fees.

Pilots' body opposes interim AI-171 crash report, seeks judicial probe

Pilots' body opposes interim AI-171 crash report, seeks judicial probe

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Thursday renewed its demand for a judicial probe into the AI-171 crash and urged authorities not to release any interim investigation report, saying it would create further confusion and speculation.

Government Puts Airline Seat Rule on Hold After Industry Pushback

Government Puts Airline Seat Rule on Hold After Industry Pushback

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

The government has suspended its directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60% of seats on flights without additional charges, following industry concerns about the impact on fares and pricing structures.

'India's airline industry on verge of stopping ops'

'India's airline industry on verge of stopping ops'

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have told the government that the country's airline industry is under extreme stress and on the verge of "stopping operations", as they sought revision in ATF pricing and financial support.

Delhi: Fire in civil aviation ministry; records safe

Delhi: Fire in civil aviation ministry; records safe

Rediff.com24 Jul 2012

A fire broke out on Tuesday in the first floor of the Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi, which houses office of the Union civil aviation ministry, but no one was injured and no files or records were damaged.

IndiGo Reports Lowest Pilots-to-Aircraft Ratio in India

IndiGo Reports Lowest Pilots-to-Aircraft Ratio in India

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

IndiGo has the lowest pilots-to-aircraft ratio among domestic airlines in India, according to data presented in Parliament. SpiceJet and Akasa Air have the highest ratios. Air India Express employs the most expat pilots.

India, Mexico ink pacts in civil aviation, energy

India, Mexico ink pacts in civil aviation, energy

Rediff.com18 Apr 2008

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, who was present at the singing ceremony along with visiting Indian President Pratibha Patil, said India was an 'important' partner for his country in the Asia-Pacific region. The first agreement calls for cooperation in air services between the two countries while the second one was related to enhanced ties in the energy sector.

CBI Arrests Delhi Police Inspector, DGCA Official Under Scanner For Rs 3 Crore Bribe

CBI Arrests Delhi Police Inspector, DGCA Official Under Scanner For Rs 3 Crore Bribe

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

The CBI has arrested a Delhi Police Crime Branch Inspector and a middleman for allegedly demanding a Rs 3 crore bribe to influence an investigation into a fake drug manufacturing case. A senior DGCA official is also under scrutiny for their alleged involvement in the bribery scheme.

Govt Cuts Airport Charges By 25%

Govt Cuts Airport Charges By 25%

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the reduction in airport charges is aimed at containing airfare increases and supporting both airlines and passengers.

FDI norms relaxed in civil aviation, other sectors

FDI norms relaxed in civil aviation, other sectors

Rediff.com30 Jan 2008

The government has relaxed FDI norms in industries such as civil aviation, petroleum and natural gas and commodity exchanges.

Did an electrical disturbance trigger Air India Dreamliner crash?

Did an electrical disturbance trigger Air India Dreamliner crash?

Rediff.com5 May 2026

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.

Civil aviation may get Rs 3045 cr in 06-07

Civil aviation may get Rs 3045 cr in 06-07

Rediff.com2 Jan 2006

The civil aviation ministry is likely to get an allocation of Rs 3,046.93 cror

New civil aviation policy likely to ground 5/20 rule

New civil aviation policy likely to ground 5/20 rule

Rediff.com6 Apr 2016

The ministry is considering as many as 15 options to replace the controversial rule.

Government okays Rs 10,000 cr jet fuel fund for airlines

Government okays Rs 10,000 cr jet fuel fund for airlines

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

The support will be provided to oil-marketing companies (OMCs) in the form of interest-free advances through the ministry of petroleum and natural gas. The OMCs, in turn, will use the fund to provide ATF price stabilisation support to Indian carriers operating domestic and international flights.

176 Non-Scheduled Planes Lack Flight Data Recorders: What This Means

176 Non-Scheduled Planes Lack Flight Data Recorders: What This Means

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

The Indian government disclosed that 176 aircraft operated by non-scheduled and general aviation operators lack flight data and cockpit voice recorders, raising safety concerns. The disclosure was made in response to a query in the Rajya Sabha.

Search intensifies for four people missing in Arunachal flash flood

Search intensifies for four people missing in Arunachal flash flood

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Search operations have been intensified for four people, who remain missing following a flash flood in Keyi Panyor district of Arunachal Pradesh, officials said on Friday.

Airlines cancel Gulf flights; DGCA advises avoiding 11 airspaces

Airlines cancel Gulf flights; DGCA advises avoiding 11 airspaces

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Airports across the country have been placed on operational alert to manage potential flight diversions, unscheduled landings and passenger facilitation requirements.

India Urges End To Violence After Kuwait Airport Attack Kills Indian National

India Urges End To Violence After Kuwait Airport Attack Kills Indian National

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

India has condemned an attack on Kuwait International Airport, which resulted in the death of one Indian national and injuries to several others. The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its call for an end to targeting civilian populations and infrastructure, while the Indian mission in Kuwait provides assistance to affected nationals.

'Biggest Meltdown In Indian Aviation History'

'Biggest Meltdown In Indian Aviation History'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

'It has got to be the biggest error in aviation. If it is the biggest error, then all those individuals in positions of power should be removed because they have caused the biggest meltdown in Indian aviation history.'

ICMR gets civil aviation ministry's conditional nod to use drones for vaccine delivery

ICMR gets civil aviation ministry's conditional nod to use drones for vaccine delivery

Rediff.com13 Sep 2021

The ICMR has been permitted to use drones up to a height of 3,000 metre to deliver vaccines, the ministry's statement added.

Why did Kharat's account see transaction spike on Jan 27, 28? Rohit Pawar asks

Why did Kharat's account see transaction spike on Jan 27, 28? Rohit Pawar asks

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has alleged a link between a godman and the fatal plane crash involving his uncle, Ajit Pawar, and has demanded a CID interrogation.

MEA assures help to Indians hit in Kuwait attack

MEA assures help to Indians hit in Kuwait attack

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that an Indian national was killed and 13 others injured in an attack on Kuwait International Airport. The MEA is providing assistance to the victims' families and monitoring the situation amidst escalating US-Iran tensions, also advising Indian nationals against travel to Iran and facilitating evacuations.

PM reviews infra sectors; New civil aviation policy on anvil

PM reviews infra sectors; New civil aviation policy on anvil

Rediff.com5 Nov 2014

Modi directed strict monitoring of projects, based on monthly completion of targets.

All Moscow airports shut amid Ukrainian drone attack

All Moscow airports shut amid Ukrainian drone attack

Rediff.com22 Feb 2026

Moscow's international airports were temporarily closed due to safety concerns after air defense forces intercepted multiple Ukrainian drones.

DGCA Gets New Chief After Turbulent Year

DGCA Gets New Chief After Turbulent Year

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

Events from mid-2025 to early 2026 exposed deeper systemic concerns for India's aviation safety architecture.

Now, no charges for cancelling air ticket before 48 hrs

Now, no charges for cancelling air ticket before 48 hrs

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

The DGCA has revised air ticket refund norms, allowing passengers to cancel or change tickets without additional charges within 48 hours of booking, subject to conditions. The new rules also address name correction fees and medical emergency cancellations.

Kuwait Airport Attack Claims Indian Life, Regional Tensions Escalate

Kuwait Airport Attack Claims Indian Life, Regional Tensions Escalate

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

An Indian national was killed and several others injured in a drone attack on Kuwait International Airport, leading to the suspension of air traffic and significant damage. This incident marks the tenth Indian fatality since hostilities between the US and Iran began in February, with other Indians also affected by regional conflicts in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

No airline, however large...: Govt talks tough amid IndiGo chaos

No airline, however large...: Govt talks tough amid IndiGo chaos

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu addressed the Lok Sabha regarding the recent IndiGo flight disruptions, assuring that the airline will be held accountable and strict action will be taken for non-compliance and passenger hardship.

Akasa Air, SpiceJet planes collide at Delhi airport; DGCA orders probe

Akasa Air, SpiceJet planes collide at Delhi airport; DGCA orders probe

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

An Akasa Air and a SpiceJet plane collided on the taxiway at Delhi airport, resulting in both aircraft being grounded due to damage. The incident occurred at Terminal 1, with investigations underway.

Bombay High Court Quashes Pilot's License Suspension, Cites Natural Justice Violation

Bombay High Court Quashes Pilot's License Suspension, Cites Natural Justice Violation

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

The Bombay High Court has set aside a 2011 Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) order that suspended a 61-year-old pilot's Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). The court ruled the suspension "illegal and unsustainable" because the DGCA failed to provide the pilot with a show-cause notice or a hearing, violating principles of natural justice. The pilot's ATPL has been restored, though the DGCA is permitted to conduct a fresh inquiry following due process.

Pawan Hans helicopter with 7 onboard crashes into Andaman sea

Pawan Hans helicopter with 7 onboard crashes into Andaman sea

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

A Pawan Hans helicopter with seven people on board crashed into the sea near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. All passengers and crew members were rescued and admitted to a hospital. A technical snag is suspected to be the cause of the crash.

Death toll would have been higher if...: Ahmedabad plane crash saviour

Death toll would have been higher if...: Ahmedabad plane crash saviour

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Satinder Singh Sandhu, a supervisor with 108 Emergency Services, recounts the horrific scenes and his biggest regret from the AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives.

Power bank catches fire in IndiGo plane at Chandigarh airport; all evacuated

Power bank catches fire in IndiGo plane at Chandigarh airport; all evacuated

Rediff.com5 May 2026

An IndiGo flight was evacuated at Chandigarh airport after a passenger's power bank caught fire. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, and no major injuries were reported.