Drogo Aerospace's JK 250e fixed-wing VTOL UAV has received type certification from the DGCA on Thursday. This UAV, designed for the Indian armed forces' ISR needs, combines fixed-wing efficiency with VTOL capability and has an endurance of two to three hours. The certification is crucial for indigenous UAV technology development and operator training.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a deputy director of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in connection with an alleged bribery case. The arrest took place in Tamil Nadu, and the CBI plans to seek transit remand to bring the officer to New Delhi for further questioning. An FIR was registered following inputs about the alleged bribe demand.
Aviation regulator DGCA had flagged safety issues concerning Tecnam aircraft over a month before a Tecnam P2006T training aircraft crashed in Kanpur on August 27, killing a trainee pilot and an instructor.
The Federation of Indian Pilots has requested the DGCA to increase random drug testing for pilots, aiming to enhance aviation safety.
Aviation watchdog DGCA has issued a warning letter to IndiGo for lapses in compliance with norms for handling dangerous goods and has asked the airline to review the relevant training programme to include more practical exercises as well as operational scenarios.
An Air India flight from Frankfurt to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur following a false hijack alert, which was later attributed to a technical glitch. The flight, carrying 293 passengers and 13 crew, resumed its journey to Delhi after security checks, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) set to investigate the incident.
Around 40 pilots of SpiceJet's Q400 aircraft fleet refused to fly till the airline cleared their salary dues, a stance that has been supported by pilots' grouping ALPA India, according to sources.
India's domestic air passenger traffic experienced a 6.34 per cent year-on-year decline in August, reaching 121.26 lakh passengers, according to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
An Air India flight from Delhi to Amritsar briefly entered Pakistan airspace during a go-around manoeuvre at Amritsar airport. India's aviation regulator, DGCA, has taken interim action against an air traffic controller and the operating crew for failing to report the incident, which is now under internal investigation by Air India.
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has launched comprehensive conformity assessment and certification services for drone manufacturers, aiming to streamline the type approval process for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in India. This initiative supports the rapidly expanding drone sector by ensuring design, quality, and performance meet evolving safety and airworthiness standards.
Air India has suspended a pilot after he failed a breath analyser test at Zurich airport, prompting the airline to reinforce stringent regulatory compliance and accountability measures following recent safety incidents.
The Chhattisgarh government has blacklisted Oriental Insurance Company Limited (OICL) for three years on Wednesday. This action follows OICL's rejection of an insurance claim for a government helicopter that crashed in May 2022, killing two pilots. The claim was rejected in August this year after being pending for more than four years, leading the state to pursue administrative and legal remedies.
Follow these guidelines to reduce the potential of a power bank fire on a flight.
The Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA are actively discussing to make psychoactive substance testing standards for all commercial pilots.
Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav has advocated for increased use of technology, especially drones and geospatial systems, to enhance governance and create employment opportunities for the state's youth. During his visit to the Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre and Drone Centre of Excellence, he highlighted the broad applications of drone technology and the importance of skill development. The centre is actively training youth in various drone-related courses, aiming to meet the demand for drone pilots in the Northeast.
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.
Boeing has identified a software issue in some 737 MAX planes that could disengage the automated flight guidance system after a missed landing approach. The company is developing a permanent solution and has advised operators on interim procedures. Indian carriers Air India Express and Akasa Air operate these aircraft, with Akasa Air stating no impact on their safety.
Around 200 SpiceJet passengers protested at Delhi airport after their flights to Dubai were repeatedly rescheduled and delayed since Monday. The airline cited operational reasons due to an aircraft grounding and is arranging alternate flights, while the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA are monitoring SpiceJet's operations.
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.
The pilots testing positive have been removed from duty, with their samples sent for confirmatory testing.
Events from mid-2025 to early 2026 exposed deeper systemic concerns for India's aviation safety architecture.
Nora Fatehi is embroiled in a Rs 3 crore civil defamation lawsuit filed by Dunes Aviation, which claims her 'Lego airplane' comments on social media severely damaged its reputation and commercial operations.
A training aircraft operated by Garg Aviation crashed in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, killing a trainee pilot and an instructor. The Tecnam aircraft went down near Nathapurwa village shortly after take-off. Authorities, including the DGCA, are investigating the cause of the fatal accident.
French aerospace and defence major Thales views India as a highly dynamic market for avionics, with significant growth potential as Indian airlines expand their fleets. The company, which has a substantial presence and MRO facilities in India, is also exploring opportunities to replicate India-developed solutions globally and sees increased use of AI in development.
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.
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.
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.
An Air India Airbus A320 experienced a near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems at 36,000 feet on a Phuket-Delhi flight, injuring 24 people. The pilot-in-command was subsequently terminated after testing positive for banned psychoactive substances, though the AAIB has not linked this to the technical failure.
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.
Air India Group has accumulated losses of about Rs 47,821 crore since its takeover, leaving its prolonged transformation among the biggest unfinished projects of N Chandrasekaran's tenure.
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.
An Air India Airbus A320 experienced a near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems mid-flight, causing an altitude upset and injuring 24 people. A preliminary investigation revealed the pilot-in-command tested positive for a psychoactive substance post-flight, leading to their termination, while the technical aspects of the incident are still under scrutiny.
The Federation of Indian Pilots, said the union has written to the DGCA raising concerns over the extension.
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.
Following a fatal plane crash in Baramati, the DGCA has grounded four aircraft belonging to VSR Ventures due to significant compliance lapses identified during a safety audit.
=The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's sudden altitude variation and the actions of the flight crew.
The DGCA has issued new guidelines for aircraft operators flying VIPs and VVIPs, including chief ministers and governors, emphasising safety and preventing undue pressure on flight crews.
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.
'Extending 'flight duty period' and 'flight time' limits for minimum crew complement operations increases exposure to fatigue-related performance degradation'
