News for 'Directorate of Civil Aviation'

Last rites of AI pilot Kunder, flight attendant Songhare held

Last rites of AI pilot Kunder, flight attendant Songhare held

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Hundreds of people, including inconsolable family members and friends, gave an emotional farewell to First Officer Clive Kunder, co-pilot of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad last week, and flight attendant Roshni Songhare whose last rites were held on Thursday.

New aviation wing may monitor finances

New aviation wing may monitor finances

Rediff.com11 Oct 2012

The DGCA will concentrate only on technical and safety aspects.

India Sees 8 Aviation Accidents Every Year

India Sees 8 Aviation Accidents Every Year

Rediff.com30 Jul 2022

The number of serious incidents has more than doubled in the last seven years.

Shivraj given 'broken seat' on Air India flight, probe ordered

Shivraj given 'broken seat' on Air India flight, probe ordered

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday slammed Tata Group-owned Air India for allotting him a 'broken and sunk' seat, prompting his ministerial colleague K Rammohan Naidu to instruct the airline to take 'necessary action'.

Vistara official suspended for lapses in pilot training

Vistara official suspended for lapses in pilot training

Rediff.com30 Apr 2024

The DGCA had conducted an enquiry into alleged lapses in conversion training of some pilots. After the conversion training, a narrow body pilot can operate wide body aircraft.

India plans new aviation rules

India plans new aviation rules

Rediff.com25 Sep 2006

Seeking full utilisation of the Indian airspace, civil aviation authorities are in the process of training pilots and ATC personnel and introducing advanced technology to gradually reduce air distnce between two aircraft from 50 nautical miles to 15.

5G could interfere with aircraft's radio signals, says govt

5G could interfere with aircraft's radio signals, says govt

Rediff.com14 Dec 2023

In a written reply, Singh said the 5G C-band spectrum has the likelihood of interfering with the current radio altimeters installed on the aircraft.

Regulators slap Rs 2.70-cr fine on Mumbai airport, IndiGo, AI and SpiceJet

Regulators slap Rs 2.70-cr fine on Mumbai airport, IndiGo, AI and SpiceJet

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

Aviation security regulator BCAS on Wednesday slapped fines totalling Rs 1.80 crore on IndiGo and Mumbai airport operator MIAL over the incident of passengers having food on the airport's apron. The apron is the area around the aircraft where it has finally parked for deboarding.

How DGCA plans to sort out aviation mess

How DGCA plans to sort out aviation mess

Rediff.com28 Mar 2014

The aviation regulator has taken some good steps lately.

US upgrades India's aviation safety ranking

US upgrades India's aviation safety ranking

Rediff.com8 Apr 2015

India's aviation safety ranking was on Wednesday upgraded to Category-I.

DGCA notice to Air India over 80-year-old's death after denied wheelchair

DGCA notice to Air India over 80-year-old's death after denied wheelchair

Rediff.com17 Feb 2024

The octogenarian was asked to wait due to heavy demand for wheelchair.

1 survives, at least 265 killed in AI crash in Ahmedabad

1 survives, at least 265 killed in AI crash in Ahmedabad

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

An Air India aircraft with 242 passengers on board heading to London crashed in the Meghaninagar area near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, the police said.

Here's some good news for air travellers in India

Here's some good news for air travellers in India

Rediff.com21 Dec 2022

Aviation security watchdog BCAS has recommended installation of scanners based on computer tomography technology at airports whereby passengers will not be required to take out electronic devices from their hand baggage before going through the scanner. Currently, the scanners used at airports provide a two-dimensional view of the objects inside a hand baggage. Jaideep Prasad, Joint Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), on Wednesday said the regulator has proposed installing scanners based on computer tomography technology at airports that will provide a three-dimensional view of the objects in hand baggage.

Aviation ministry to press for airlines' direct import of fuel

Aviation ministry to press for airlines' direct import of fuel

Rediff.com9 Jun 2014

Such direct import was formally allowed in February 2012 but the aviation companies lack the infrastructure to do so.

Global aviation leasing body downgrades India in light of Go First case

Global aviation leasing body downgrades India in light of Go First case

Rediff.com26 Sep 2023

Aviation Working Group (AWG), a global aviation leasing body comprising major planemakers and lessors, on Monday further downgraded India as lessors have not been able to repossess their planes from Go First more than four months after the airline filed for insolvency. The leasing cost stands as a prominent expense for Indian airlines. With AWG's downgrade, it is likely that lessors will increase the aircraft leasing rates for Indian carriers.

15 Vistara pilots quit, over 50 flights cancelled; Govt, DGCA step in

15 Vistara pilots quit, over 50 flights cancelled; Govt, DGCA step in

Rediff.com2 Apr 2024

Aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked Vistara to submit a daily report on flight cancellations and delays as the Tata group airline cancelled more than 50 flights for the second straight day on Tuesday amid non-availability of pilots.

'Rain not Sole Cause of Delhi Airport Canopy Collapse'

'Rain not Sole Cause of Delhi Airport Canopy Collapse'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates India's largest airport, dismissed the expert committee report as "inaccurate", claiming it relied on "probabilities, hypothesis, and conjectures" rather than empirical data or complete documentation.

Navi Mumbai airport opening pushed back by 2 months

Navi Mumbai airport opening pushed back by 2 months

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

The entire construction of the Navi Mumbai airport project is expected to be completed in five phases.

Cab Wars Heat Up at Airports Post BluSmart Exit

Cab Wars Heat Up at Airports Post BluSmart Exit

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Uber recorded approximately 200 per cent year-on-year growth in its pre-scheduled ride option, Uber Reserve.

Airline Threat Calls: 'Someone Is Testing Security Agencies'

Airline Threat Calls: 'Someone Is Testing Security Agencies'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2024

'Whoever is doing it (threats to airlines), they are actually carrying out a recce.' 'This is the manner in which terrorists strike.'

Akasa Air seeks clarity on pilots' mandatory notice period

Akasa Air seeks clarity on pilots' mandatory notice period

Rediff.com22 Sep 2023

Facing headwinds due to pilot exits, Akasa Air on Friday said it had approached the Delhi high court seeking interpretation and clarification with respect to mandatory notice period requirements for pilots and that the move was not against the DGCA or the civil aviation ministry. Akasa Air, which started flying in August last year, has initiated legal action against a "small set of pilots" who left the carrier without serving their notice periods that led to cancellation of many flights. In a statement, the airline said it sought relief from the Delhi high court to stop the unethical and illegal practice by this set of pilots.

India's air safety scores to improve substantially: DGCA

India's air safety scores to improve substantially: DGCA

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

India's scores in the ICAO's air safety oversight audit will improve substantially as the international watchdog's just-concluded validation mission was highly successful as per the initial reports, regulator DGCA said on Wednesday. ICAO is the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach, an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) was undertaken from November 9 to 16.

AI director ops sacked after failing pre-flight alcohol test

AI director ops sacked after failing pre-flight alcohol test

Rediff.com13 Nov 2018

He was grounded by the airline on Sunday after he tested positive for alcohol in two breath analyser (BA) tests before he was to operate Air India's New Delhi-London flight.

SpiceJet placed under enhanced surveillance

SpiceJet placed under enhanced surveillance

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

Aviation watchdog DGCA on Thursday decided to place crisis-hit SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance that will entail increased spot checks and night surveillance to ensure safety of the airline's operations. Based on reports of cancellation of flights and financial stress being experienced by SpiceJet, DGCA said it conducted a special audit of the airline's engineering facilities on August 7 and 8 and certain deficiencies were found during the audit.

Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses

Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

Aviation watchdog DGCA has issued a warning letter to Akasa Air's accountable manager Vinay Dube, who is also its founder and CEO, for regulatory lapses, days after the airline was warned for violating norms related to handling dangerous goods.

3 killed as Mumbai-bound helicopter crashes in Pune

3 killed as Mumbai-bound helicopter crashes in Pune

Rediff.com2 Oct 2024

Two pilots and an engineer were killed after a helicopter crashed and caught fire in Maharashtra's Pune district on Wednesday morning, police said.

Airlines record lowest on-time figures in 11 months in Jan amid fog issues

Airlines record lowest on-time figures in 11 months in Jan amid fog issues

Rediff.com19 Feb 2024

The on-time performance (OTP) of Indian carriers took a major dip in January as dense fog foiled their flight schedules. According to data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation reviewed by Business Standard, five out of six major Indian carriers - IndiGo, Air India, AIX Connect, Akasa Air, and Vistara - recorded their lowest OTPs in at least the last 11 months. In response to queries, an Air India spokesperson said that during this winter, northern India experienced unusually prolonged periods of dense fog affecting traffic at the airline's two largest hubs -- Delhi and Mumbai.

Glaring errors in India's new aviation policy

Glaring errors in India's new aviation policy

Rediff.com11 Dec 2015

A total of Rs 30,000 crore was allocated for five years to Air India by the United Progressive Alliance government in its second term.

20 killed, 171 hurt as B'desh Air Force jet crashes into school building

20 killed, 171 hurt as B'desh Air Force jet crashes into school building

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

The aircraft crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka's Uttara area.

All issues flagged by DGCA were addressed: Aviation minister

All issues flagged by DGCA were addressed: Aviation minister

Rediff.com8 Aug 2020

'It is indeed a fact that several issues were routinely red-flagged by DGCA, and were addressed by the (Kozhikode) airport operator. These pertain to excessive rubber deposits, water stagnation, cracks and other routine issues,' Puri tweeted a day after the plane crash in Kozhikode that claimed at least 18 lives.

Flight delays: DGCA asks airlines to 'sensitise staff'

Flight delays: DGCA asks airlines to 'sensitise staff'

Rediff.com15 Jan 2024

Against the backdrop of a significant number of flights getting delayed and cancelled and passengers facing tough times, the regulator has come out with a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Incident unacceptable, shameful: Scindia on Mumbai tarmac food row

Incident unacceptable, shameful: Scindia on Mumbai tarmac food row

Rediff.com19 Jan 2024

The safety and security of citizens is primary for the government, he said.

More institutes scrap MoUs with Turkiye, Azerbaijan; jewellers join protest

More institutes scrap MoUs with Turkiye, Azerbaijan; jewellers join protest

Rediff.com16 May 2025

The move came against the backdrop of Turkiye backing Pakistan and its condemnation of India's strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor.

Planning A New Year Hol? Book Soon!

Planning A New Year Hol? Book Soon!

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

Demand for the Christmas period is expected to rise further in the coming days.

Indian airlines asked to inspect Boeing 737-8 Max planes' emergency exits

Indian airlines asked to inspect Boeing 737-8 Max planes' emergency exits

Rediff.com6 Jan 2024

On Friday, the Alaska Airlines plane's outer section, including a window, fell off mid-air.

US regulator downgrades Indian aviation safety ratings

US regulator downgrades Indian aviation safety ratings

Rediff.com31 Jan 2014

India's aviation safety ratings have been downgraded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from the top to the second category, which would affect expansion of flights by Indian carriers to the United States.

Air Asia fined Rs 20 lakh over lapses in pilot training

Air Asia fined Rs 20 lakh over lapses in pilot training

Rediff.com11 Feb 2023

This is the third enforcement action against a Tata Group airline in over a month.

India, China set to resume Mansarovar yatra; agree on flight services

India, China set to resume Mansarovar yatra; agree on flight services

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

India is preparing to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, after a three-year hiatus. The decision comes as part of efforts to improve relations between India and China, which have been strained since a military standoff in 2020. The two countries have also agreed in principle to resume flight services between them.

Did Air India divert scheduled flight to ferry cricketers, DGCA wants to know

Did Air India divert scheduled flight to ferry cricketers, DGCA wants to know

Rediff.com3 Jul 2024

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sought a report from Air India on reports that an aircraft that was to operate a scheduled flight has been deployed for flying out the Indian cricket team from Barbados, according to officials.

Akasa Air in 'state of crisis' as 40 pilots suddenly resign

Akasa Air in 'state of crisis' as 40 pilots suddenly resign

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

The fledgling Akasa Air has told the Delhi high court it is in a "state of crisis" following the "sudden and abrupt" resignation of over 40 pilots who left the airline without serving the mandatory notice period. The airline and its CEO Vinay Dube approached the high court with their petition on September 14, seeking a direction to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take coercive action against these pilots for their "irresponsible actions". The high court has fixed the plea for hearing on Friday.