News for 'Directorate of Civil Aviation'

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Aviation min reveals what went wrong

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Aviation min reveals what went wrong

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Ajit Pawar and four others on board died after the chartered plane crashed.

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.com1 days ago

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.

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.

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

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

Rediff.com3 days ago

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.

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.

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.

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.

Maha govt requests CBI probe into Ajit Pawar plane crash

Maha govt requests CBI probe into Ajit Pawar plane crash

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

Following allegations of foul play, the Maharashtra government has requested a CBI investigation into the plane crash that tragically killed Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, promising a thorough probe into the incident.

Airbus Inaugurates Major Technology Centre in Bengaluru

Airbus Inaugurates Major Technology Centre in Bengaluru

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Airbus has inaugurated a state-of-the-art technology centre in Bengaluru, India, significantly expanding its strategic presence and supporting its 'Make in India' mission.

Strict Rules On Cards For Foreign Airlines

Strict Rules On Cards For Foreign Airlines

Rediff.com7 days ago

Under the proposal, if a foreign carrier does not operate flights to a particular Indian airport for 'four consecutive IATA seasons', the regulator may suspend that airport authorisation.

IndiGo fined Rs 22cr for mass flight cancellation in December

IndiGo fined Rs 22cr for mass flight cancellation in December

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

A Bengaluru-bound IndiGo Airlines flight with 216 passengers made an emergency landing in Varanasi after a bird strike. All passengers were safely evacuated.

Wingtips of Air India, IndiGo jets touch at Mumbai airport

Wingtips of Air India, IndiGo jets touch at Mumbai airport

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Wingtips of Air India and IndiGo planes came in touch with each other at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday evening, and both aircraft have been grounded for checks, according to officials. Aviation regulator DGCA's team is at the site and will be probing the incident.

Gulf War Fallout: DGCA Allows Longer Pilot Duty Hours

Gulf War Fallout: DGCA Allows Longer Pilot Duty Hours

Rediff.com3 days ago

The Federation of Indian Pilots, said the union has written to the DGCA raising concerns over the extension.

Ajit Pawar crash: Naidu seeks Maharashtra's help for fast probe

Ajit Pawar crash: Naidu seeks Maharashtra's help for fast probe

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu has requested the Maharashtra government's cooperation in the investigation into the plane crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a formal investigation.

CCI Orders Probe into IndiGo

CCI Orders Probe into IndiGo

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The Competition Commission of India, following its preliminary inquiry, said the airline appeared to have caused an appreciable adverse effect on competition by restricting its services.

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.

Airline stocks fly into rough weather again

Airline stocks fly into rough weather again

Rediff.com5 hours ago

India's aviation sector is facing fresh turbulence, with rising fuel costs, the Ministry of Civil Aviation's free-seat directive, and geopolitical disruptions in West Asia clouding near-term earnings visibility.

India to get 3 more airlines in 2026. Here are details

India to get 3 more airlines in 2026. Here are details

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

Two new airlines -- Al Hind Air and FlyExpress -- are set to take to the skies, with the carriers receiving their no objection certificates from the civil aviation ministry.

Pankaja Munde's helicopter faces snag ahead of take-off

Pankaja Munde's helicopter faces snag ahead of take-off

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

A technical snag was detected in a helicopter scheduled to transport Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde for campaigning, delaying her journey. The issue was discovered during a routine inspection, leading to the grounding of the helicopter and a DGCA investigation.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: No survivors on board, says DGCA

Ajit Pawar plane crash: No survivors on board, says DGCA

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

An aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others crash landed at Baramati airport, killing all five persons on board. A DGCA team is investigating the crash.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: DGCA finds 'several lapses'

Ajit Pawar plane crash: DGCA finds 'several lapses'

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

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.

Videos show Ajit Pawar's plane in pieces, on fire after crash

Videos show Ajit Pawar's plane in pieces, on fire after crash

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Visuals from the spot showed mangled remains of the aircraft.

New Air Ticket Refund Rules Will Help You

New Air Ticket Refund Rules Will Help You

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

While this doesn't mean that air travel is now a breeze, what it does mean is that you now have more rights and more control over your money.

Air India Delhi-Mumbai flight suffers mid-air engine shutdown

Air India Delhi-Mumbai flight suffers mid-air engine shutdown

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

An Air India Express flight bound for Visakhapatnam was cancelled at Gannavaram Airport due to a technical issue detected before takeoff. Passengers included prominent figures like former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu.

Did bad weather cause air ambulance crash in Jharkhand?

Did bad weather cause air ambulance crash in Jharkhand?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fatal air ambulance crash in Jharkhand that claimed seven lives, with authorities examining weather conditions and potential technical issues.

DGCA Flight Duty Relaxation Sparks Pilot Safety Alarm

DGCA Flight Duty Relaxation Sparks Pilot Safety Alarm

Rediff.com2 days ago

'Extending 'flight duty period' and 'flight time' limits for minimum crew complement operations increases exposure to fatigue-related performance degradation'

Bill to constitute Civil Aviation Authority gets govt nod

Bill to constitute Civil Aviation Authority gets govt nod

Rediff.com13 Feb 2014

With the ongoing Parliament session -- the last for this Lok Sabha, witnessing continued turmoil, there are indications that the legislation would be tabled in the Rajya Sabha so as to keep it alive for the new House to take it up.

GPS spoofing, jamming on rise, IATA warns pilots to stay alert

GPS spoofing, jamming on rise, IATA warns pilots to stay alert

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

In recent times, there have also been instances of GPS spoofing and interference incidents at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai airports.

Air India Dreamliner: 'Is This A New Defect?'

Air India Dreamliner: 'Is This A New Defect?'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

'We have been insisting that all Boeing 787 aircraft be grounded and checked for the electrical systems.'

DGCA chief urges pilots to help stabilise flight ops

DGCA chief urges pilots to help stabilise flight ops

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)'s chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai on Friday requested the cooperation of all pilots to ensure smooth flight operations amid massive IndiGo flight disruptions.

Private plane crash-lands in Odisha, 6 injured

Private plane crash-lands in Odisha, 6 injured

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani said there were four passengers, including two women and two pilots, in the aircraft. Captain Naveen and Captain Tarun were piloting the plane, he said.

DGCA steps up IndiGo scrutiny as CEO Pieter Elbers faces probe panel

DGCA steps up IndiGo scrutiny as CEO Pieter Elbers faces probe panel

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

IndiGo has seen its pilots' strength depleting by 378 pilots in the last nine months despite its chief operating officer and Accountable Manager, Isidro Porqueras stating to the DGCA in a letter last December that "the overall impact of implementing the proposed changes above (now-implemented FDTL) norms would amount to an approximate 3 per cent increase in crewing requirements.

IndiGo crisis: Union minister says accountability will be fixed

IndiGo crisis: Union minister says accountability will be fixed

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

Union Minister assures accountability after IndiGo flight cancellations cause widespread passenger distress and mental harassment. The DGCA has launched an inquiry and issued a notice to IndiGo.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: AAIB flags low visibility, poor runway

Ajit Pawar plane crash: AAIB flags low visibility, poor runway

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Following a fatal Learjet crash, the AAIB is urging the DGCA to implement stricter standard operating procedures for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights at uncontrolled airfields to improve aviation safety in India.

Civil aviation ministry gets 3 airport proposals

Civil aviation ministry gets 3 airport proposals

Rediff.com10 Aug 2007

The civil aviation ministry is considering three proposals to set up privately-owned, or merchant, airports in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Durgapur (West Bengal) and Jhhajjar (Haryana).

DGCA forms panel to probe IndiGo flight disruptions

DGCA forms panel to probe IndiGo flight disruptions

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Aviation watchdog DGCA has set up a four-member committee to carry out a comprehensive review and assessment of the circumstances that led to the massive flight disruptions.

IndiGo cancelled 650 flights on Sunday, operated 1,650

IndiGo cancelled 650 flights on Sunday, operated 1,650

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

IndiGo is operating 1,650 flights of its 2,300 daily domestic and international flights on Sunday, and 650 remain cancelled for the day, amid the airline's operations gradually stabilising after massive disruptions in the last five days, the airline said.

IndiGo Rules Out Flight Cancellations After Feb 10

IndiGo Rules Out Flight Cancellations After Feb 10

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

'During the meeting with DGCA on Monday, IndiGo assured operational stability and no flight cancellations after February 10, 2026, based on the current approved network, above (sufficient) crew strength.'

IndiGo Flyers Get Refunds, Bonus Vouchers

IndiGo Flyers Get Refunds, Bonus Vouchers

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

IndiGo has informed DGCA that 'all refunds for IndiGo flight cancellations during the period of December 3-5 have been fully processed and cleared to the original source of payment.'

SC flags airfare fluctuations during festivals, calls it 'exploitation'

SC flags airfare fluctuations during festivals, calls it 'exploitation'

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta termed the exorbitant rise of airfares by airlines as "exploitation" and asked the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to file their replies to a PIL seeking binding regulatory guidelines to control the unpredictable fluctuations in airfare and ancillary charges imposed by private airlines in India.