News for 'Directorate of Civil Aviation'

Air India flight fell on ground right after take-off

Air India flight fell on ground right after take-off

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

The Air India plane AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed immediately after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, as per the Gujarat State Police Control Room.

Airlines are not 'demons': Aviation Minister

Airlines are not 'demons': Aviation Minister

Rediff.com23 Jun 2016

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said the airlines have been responsible in keeping fares reasonable during Chennai and Srinagar floods.

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 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.

DGCA Pulls Up Air India Again

DGCA Pulls Up Air India Again

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

The DGCA has issued four showcause notices to Air India over repeated violations of cabin crew deployment, training lapses, rest regulations, and operational oversight that compromise flight safety.

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

The Centre has appointed senior IAS officers Vumlunmang Vualnam and Neeraj Mittal as new secretaries in the ministry of civil aviation and the department of telecommunications respectively in a major secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle, a government order stated.

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.

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.

What DGCA Wants AI To Check Before B787 Flights

What DGCA Wants AI To Check Before B787 Flights

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

The DGCA directive called for a series of specific checks before each flight's departure from India, including inspection of fuel parameter monitoring systems, cabin air compressors, and electronic engine control units.

Lone survivor reveals what he saw just after the crash

Lone survivor reveals what he saw just after the crash

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of Air India's AI 171 crash, said he still cannot believe how he miraculously survived the accident of the ill-fated London-bound flight in which 265 people lost their lives.

Your Face Could Be Your Boarding Pass

Your Face Could Be Your Boarding Pass

Rediff.com12 Apr 2025

When passengers book a flight, they could receive a secure 'journey pass' on their phone that stores all relevant travel information including passport data, seat assignment.

Helicopter on way to Kedarnath crashlands on highway

Helicopter on way to Kedarnath crashlands on highway

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Five pilgrims and a pilot onboard a helicopter had a narrow escape when the aircraft on its way to Kedarnath made an emergency landing on the highway in Rudraprayag district on Saturday after developing a technical snag during take-off, officials said.

Will Ombudsman Fix Air Travel Hassles?

Will Ombudsman Fix Air Travel Hassles?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2024

'The ministry may like to consider setting up an ombudsman similar to electricity ombudsman and insurance ombudsman, to ensure a time-bound resolution of consumer issues within the airline sector.'

Engine failure or bird-hit: What caused Air India plane crash?

Engine failure or bird-hit: What caused Air India plane crash?

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

The specific reasons for the crash of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick will be known only after the completion of the detailed probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

Indian airlines face turbulence over new global emission norms

Indian airlines face turbulence over new global emission norms

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

'CORSIA has set impossible targets. It tries to limit countries to the emission levels of the number of aircraft that they had in 2020. That has to be opposed.'

Hailstorm horror: IndiGo pilot's request to use Pak airspace rejected

Hailstorm horror: IndiGo pilot's request to use Pak airspace rejected

Rediff.com22 May 2025

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar encountered severe turbulence after a sudden hailstorm. The pilot requested permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control to use Pakistani airspace to avoid the turbulence, but the request was rejected. The flight, carrying over 220 passengers, including Trinamool Congress MPs, landed safely at Srinagar Airport. The incident is being investigated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

1 killed, 6 injured as Delhi airport roof collapses; govt orders probe

1 killed, 6 injured as Delhi airport roof collapses; govt orders probe

Rediff.com29 Jun 2024

The Delhi airport, the country's busiest airport, on Friday early morning witnessed the collapse of a roof at Terminal 1 amid heavy rains that killed one person, prompting the government to order a detailed probe and an inspection of the structural strength of all airports.

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.

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.

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.

'If The Checks Find Anything Even Slightly Off...'

'If The Checks Find Anything Even Slightly Off...'

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

'...rectification has to happen then and there, and that takes additional time.'

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.

What may have caused fuel switch change in doomed AI plane?

What may have caused fuel switch change in doomed AI plane?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

"When the fuel control switch has to be cut off, the pilot flying will say, fuel control switch left, confirm. So, after the confirmation is made by the second pilot, the pilot monitoring will cut off (the switch).

'This Isn't How A Crash Probe Should Work'

'This Isn't How A Crash Probe Should Work'

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

'... when the process isn't transparent, people will naturally raise questions. 'The AAIB's own press release says they had the black boxes by June 16.' 'Why wasn't decoding initiated until the 24th? What were they waiting for?'

Air India crash: 'Engines lost power at critical stage'

Air India crash: 'Engines lost power at critical stage'

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (Reired), on Saturday said the engine of the Air India aircraft that crashed near Ahmedabad airport on June 12 'definitely' lost power at a critical stage and there was no time for recovery.

Fuel Cutoff, Pilot Confusion Before AI Plane Crash: AAIB Report

Fuel Cutoff, Pilot Confusion Before AI Plane Crash: AAIB Report

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

A preliminary investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad reveals that both fuel switches were cut off before the crash, followed by pilot confusion. The report also indicates that fuel samples were satisfactory and no immediate action is recommended for Boeing 787-8 operators.

Tata Sons chief apologises for Air India crash, says AI171 had clean record

Tata Sons chief apologises for Air India crash, says AI171 had clean record

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

When specifically asked about the reason for the crash and whether Air India is privy to any preliminary findings, Chandrasekaran said, "One would have to wait for the probe to conclude."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'We Were There At Every Crew Funeral': AI CEO

'We Were There At Every Crew Funeral': AI CEO

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

'We will continue supporting those affected long after the work in Ahmedabad is done.'

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.

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'.

AI 171 Crash: Fear Lingers Among Pilots

AI 171 Crash: Fear Lingers Among Pilots

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

'This (crash) is one of those times where there is no concrete explanation yet for what happened. I think that adds to my parents' worry.'

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.

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.

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.