News for 'Director of Aviation'

Akasa Air launch may be delayed further

Akasa Air launch may be delayed further

Rediff.com19 May 2022

Akasa Air's launch of services is likely to be delayed further as the airline is expected to receive its first aircraft only in June or July, according to a senior DGCA official. The carrier, backed by ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, initially planned to start operations in June and then postponed the plan to July. A top airline official said it intends to start services in July. The Mumbai-based airline, registered as SNV Aviation, received the mandatory no-objection certificate from the civil aviation ministry in October last year.

Go First crisis pushes airfares higher, staff face uncertain times

Go First crisis pushes airfares higher, staff face uncertain times

Rediff.com2 Jun 2023

From a surge in airfares to rattled aircraft lessors to thousands of employees staring at uncertainty, it has been a month of continued turbulence since cash-strapped Go First suspended flights from May 3. As the government and other stakeholders hope that Go First restarts operations at the earliest, plans are being worked out for the budget airline's revival. A section of Go First staff are optimistic about restarting of operations, another section are pessimistic about the airline's future course considering what had happened to erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways, according to employees who spoke to PTI.

Jhunjhunwala's airline gets first 737 Max from Boeing

Jhunjhunwala's airline gets first 737 Max from Boeing

Rediff.com16 Jun 2022

New airline Akasa Air on Thursday took delivery of the first 737 Max aircraft from Boeing in Seattle, USA, a statement said.

Miraculous escape for 8 as small plane skids off runway at Mumbai airport

Miraculous escape for 8 as small plane skids off runway at Mumbai airport

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

Following the incident at little past 1700 hours, both runways at the airport were shut for a brief period, and one of the runways resumed operations at around 1847 hours, the officials said.

Man who urinated on AI co-passenger absconding: Delhi Police

Man who urinated on AI co-passenger absconding: Delhi Police

Rediff.com5 Jan 2023

The Delhi Police sent multiple teams to nab the man, who had allegedly urinated on his female co-passenger on an Air India flight on November 26 last year, but he was absconding, officials said on Thursday.

The NCP Leaders Under The Central Agencies' Scanner

The NCP Leaders Under The Central Agencies' Scanner

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

Did the fear of central agencies probing scams involving NCP leaders that forced these politicians to jump ship?

As Go First seeks to plug exit, 200 pilots accept Air India's job offer

As Go First seeks to plug exit, 200 pilots accept Air India's job offer

Rediff.com30 May 2023

Around 200 pilots of Go First, the cash-strapped airline that suspended operations on May 2, have joined Air India. As many as 75 of them started training with the Tata-owned airline on Monday. As Go First tries to salvage its operations, it has announced additional pay or retention allowance of Rs 100,000 and Rs 50,000 for captains and first officers, respectively, with effect from June 1.

Helicopter carrying pilgrims to Kedarnath crashes, 7 dead

Helicopter carrying pilgrims to Kedarnath crashes, 7 dead

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

A helicopter carrying pilgrims from Guptkashi to Kedarnath crashed on Tuesday amid poor visibility and seven people on board are feared dead.

India extends ban on international flights till Sep 30

India extends ban on international flights till Sep 30

Rediff.com29 Aug 2021

India has formed air-bubble pacts with around 28 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom. the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Bhutan and France.

Akasa Air to operate first flight on Aug 7; opens ticket sales

Akasa Air to operate first flight on Aug 7; opens ticket sales

Rediff.com22 Jul 2022

New airline Akasa Air on Friday said it will launch commercial flight operations on August 7 by operating its first service on Mumbai-Ahmedabad route using Boeing 737 Max aircraft. In a statement, the carrier said it has opened ticket sales on 28 weekly flights it will be operating on Mumbai-Ahmedabad route from August 7, as well as on 28 weekly flights it will operating on Bengaluru-Kochi route from August 13. The carrier will launch commercial operations with two 737 Max aircraft. Boeing has delivered one Max plane and the second one's delivery is scheduled to take place later this month.

Air passenger traffic nearly doubled to 1.25 cr in Jan

Air passenger traffic nearly doubled to 1.25 cr in Jan

Rediff.com20 Feb 2023

India's domestic air passenger traffic nearly doubled to 1.25 crore in January compared to 64.08 lakh recorded in the year-ago period, according to official data released on Monday. In January, IndiGo saw its domestic market share decline for the fifth consecutive month at 54.6 per cent. It carried 68.47 lakh passengers last month.

What will Maharaj do after Maharaja is sold?

What will Maharaj do after Maharaja is sold?

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

There is no reason for keeping an entire ministry with a total staff strength of 2,300, just for the oversight of a few aviation sector laws and regulatory bodies, notes A K Bhattacharya.

IndiGo allowed to wet lease wide-body planes for only up to six months

IndiGo allowed to wet lease wide-body planes for only up to six months

Rediff.com27 Oct 2022

Aviation regulator DGCA has allowed IndiGo to wet lease wide-body Boeing planes from Turkish Airlines for up to six months and has rejected the domestic carrier's request for leasing the aircraft for up to two years, according to sources. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) turned down the request of the country's largest airline to wet lease the aircraft for a longer period, citing that the move could become diversion of traffic rights in collusion with a strong foreign carrier that will mainly feed the latter's hub abroad with more passengers from India, the sources said. IndiGo, which currently has only narrow-body planes in its fleet, decided to lease wide-body aircraft to operate more flights on international routes to meet rising demand.

Jet Airways Revival Hope Diminishes

Jet Airways Revival Hope Diminishes

Rediff.com8 May 2023

Jet's air operator certificate will lapse on May 19.

China plane crash: India puts Boeing 737 fleets on 'enhanced surveillance'

China plane crash: India puts Boeing 737 fleets on 'enhanced surveillance'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2022

Three Indian carriers -- SpiceJet, Vistara and Air India Express -- have Boeing 737 aircraft in their fleets.

1,900 private security guards to be deployed at airports

1,900 private security guards to be deployed at airports

Rediff.com26 Aug 2022

ersonnel in a revamp that aims to provide cost-effective, reliable, and professionally competent security service at airports. Aneesh Phadnis reports.

Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air gets DGCA nod, to start flights this month

Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air gets DGCA nod, to start flights this month

Rediff.com7 Jul 2022

Akasa Air said on Thursday said it has received the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from aviation regulator DGCA and will start commercial operations later this month.

SpiceJet plane makes emergency landing at Hyderabad airport

SpiceJet plane makes emergency landing at Hyderabad airport

Rediff.com13 Oct 2022

SpiceJet has been facing operational and financial headwinds in recent times, and it is already under enhanced surveillance of the DGCA.

Why Telcos Want Airlines To Replace Altimeters

Why Telcos Want Airlines To Replace Altimeters

Rediff.com2 May 2023

'If the airlines are not given a clear deadline to change the altimeters by the DGCA, why should they do it voluntarily?' 'It means that the aircraft will be grounded for a while and lose money.'

No HC stay on decision permitting Sikhs to carry kirpans on domestic flights

No HC stay on decision permitting Sikhs to carry kirpans on domestic flights

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

The bench asked the respondents to file their response to the petition which seeks the constitution of a committee to examine 'workable solutions' to ensure that a kirpan permitted to be carried on the flight is 'appropriately designed and crafted' and does not have a blade length beyond 4 cm.

After 2 yrs, India to resume scheduled international flights from Mar 27

After 2 yrs, India to resume scheduled international flights from Mar 27

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

The government has decided to restart scheduled international flight services from March 27 after a two years hiatus due to COVID-19, according to civil aviation ministry officials.

SpiceJet flight returns to Delhi after smoke noticed in cabin mid-air

SpiceJet flight returns to Delhi after smoke noticed in cabin mid-air

Rediff.com2 Jul 2022

SpiceJet said its flight heading to Jabalpur returned to Delhi on Saturday after the crew members observed smoke in the cabin at around 5,000-feet altitude.

Suspension of international flights extended till 'further notice'

Suspension of international flights extended till 'further notice'

Rediff.com28 Feb 2022

The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in the country has been extended "till further orders", aviation regulator DGCA said on Monday.

Lesson for Go First from Jet Airways' insolvency: Restart quickly

Lesson for Go First from Jet Airways' insolvency: Restart quickly

Rediff.com24 May 2023

Both Jet Airways and Go First have met with a similar fate of landing up in insolvency, albeit for different reasons. Whether Go First will be able to avoid the sharp erosion in value like in the case of Jet, experts say, will depend on how quickly it is able to restart operations and retain its slots at airports. Go First, owned by the Wadia group, filed for voluntary corporate insolvency resolution on May 2 due to inadequate capacity utilisation that led to a cash crunch.

IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Karachi as engine hits snag

IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Karachi as engine hits snag

Rediff.com17 Jul 2022

IndiGo's Sharjah-Hyderabad flight was diverted to Karachi as a precaution on Sunday after pilots observed defect in one of the engines, officials of aviation regulator DGCA said.

Akasa Air takes delivery of first aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX

Akasa Air takes delivery of first aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

Ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-promoted Akasa Air's first aircraft Boeing 737 MAX arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, bringing it closer to securing the mandatory Air Operator Permit to start operations. The airline had received the ceremonial keys for the aircraft in Seattle, the US, on June 15, Akasa Air said in a statement. This is the first delivery out of the 72 Boeing 737 Max planes that Akasa Air placed an order with Boeing last November.

U'khand: Helicopter crashed within seconds after takeoff

U'khand: Helicopter crashed within seconds after takeoff

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

The helicopter came to pieces as it crashed and went up in flames.

Passenger assaults Air India crew onboard Goa-Delhi flight

Passenger assaults Air India crew onboard Goa-Delhi flight

Rediff.com30 May 2023

Rhe unruly passenger was handed over to the security personnel after landing at the Delhi airport.

SpiceJet sees another technical glitch, Dubai-Madurai flight delayed

SpiceJet sees another technical glitch, Dubai-Madurai flight delayed

Rediff.com12 Jul 2022

On Monday, the Boeing B737 Max aircraft with registration number VT-SZK operated the Mangaluru-Dubai flight, DGCA officials noted. After the aircraft landed, an engineer did a walk around inspection and found the nose wheel strut was compressed more than usual, they said.

Traffic Surges; Airlines Grapple With Grounded Planes

Traffic Surges; Airlines Grapple With Grounded Planes

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

If all 102 grounded planes could fly, there will theoretically be 400 more Delhi-Mumbai flights every day.

Air India pilots' group flags fatigue concerns over new rostering system

Air India pilots' group flags fatigue concerns over new rostering system

Rediff.com24 Aug 2023

An Air India pilots' grouping has raised fatigue concerns in the wake of flight crew rosters generated using a new rostering tool, saying that extended waiting periods between duty time will jeopardise crew alertness and performance. "Extended waiting periods, occurring before active flight duties, run counter to enhancing crew readiness and, in fact, contribute to the accumulation of fatigue over time," the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) has said. In a letter to Air India head of safety Henry Donohoe last week, IPG said it has been recently observed that the relentless pursuit of operational efficiency and economic gains has led to an unintended overshadowing of the primary intent behind Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations.

Nepalese booked for attacking crew, damaging loo door on AI flight

Nepalese booked for attacking crew, damaging loo door on AI flight

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

The Nepalese citizen was handed over to security agencies on arrival at the airport in New Delhi.

Air India 'peeing' incident: Experts call for stricter punishment

Air India 'peeing' incident: Experts call for stricter punishment

Rediff.com9 Jan 2023

Air India's handling of an incident in which an inebriated male flier allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger suggests an urgent need for stricter rules to deal with unruly passengers, according to legal and aviation experts.

Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air to launch operations from June

Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air to launch operations from June

Rediff.com26 Mar 2022

Speaking at an interactive session on the sidelines of Wings India 2022, Dube on Friday said the airline hopes to have a fleet of 72 aircraft in the next five years. "We hope to launch our first commercial flight in the month of June.

Fire breaks out in Kolkata airport, no casualty; arrivals remain unaffected

Fire breaks out in Kolkata airport, no casualty; arrivals remain unaffected

Rediff.com15 Jun 2023

The fire was noticed at around 9.10 pm and it was doused within half an hour, officials said adding that no arrival flight was affected.

Vistara fined for letting improperly trained pilot land a plane in Indore

Vistara fined for letting improperly trained pilot land a plane in Indore

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

The pilot, who was the first officer on the flight, landed the aircraft at the Indore airport recently without first getting the requisite training in a simulator, they said.

SpiceJet's licence to carry dangerous goods temporarily suspended

SpiceJet's licence to carry dangerous goods temporarily suspended

Rediff.com15 Oct 2021

Aviation regulator DGCA has temporarily suspended SpiceJet's licence for the transportation of 'dangerous goods' for alleged violations, according to sources. The suspension is for 30 days, and during this period, SpiceJet will not be allowed to carry dangerous goods, including lithium-ion batteries, on its domestic as well as international flights, the sources told PTI on Friday. When contacted, a SpiceJet spokesperson did not directly mention the suspension.

DGCA tells airlines how to handle unruly passengers

DGCA tells airlines how to handle unruly passengers

Rediff.com6 Jan 2023

The guidelines come in the wake of back-to-back two urination incidents on Air India flights last year.

Making Drones For India's Villages

Making Drones For India's Villages

Rediff.com16 May 2024

'From our survey we found that there was a problem in the agricultural sector and drones could solve the problem.'

Akasa Air may launch commercial services by July

Akasa Air may launch commercial services by July

Rediff.com23 May 2022

New airline Akasa Air on Monday said it is on track to receive its first Boeing 737 Max plane by mid-June and launch commercial operations by July. The airline on Monday released the photographs of its first Max plane from the Boeing production facility in the USA's Portland as it gets ready for delivery. "The airline recently reaffirmed its commitment of being on track to receive its first aircraft in India by mid-June and launch commercial operations in India by July 2022," its statement mentioned.