News for 'Special Air India'

When Pakistan Bombed Jail That Sonam Wangchuk Is Housed In

When Pakistan Bombed Jail That Sonam Wangchuk Is Housed In

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Sonam Wangchuk is under tight surveillance within the three-tiered prison, with CCTV cameras monitored around the clock.

'It's Not Possible That Some Warning Was Not There'

'It's Not Possible That Some Warning Was Not There'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'If anything happened out of the normal, there would be instantaneous ECAM, EICAS warnings, the master caution or master warnings going off.' 'It would be like a Christmas tree in the cockpit if things start going wrong.'

Op Sindoor takes centre stage at Red Fort on I-Day

Op Sindoor takes centre stage at Red Fort on I-Day

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

The bilingual -- Hindi and English -- invitation cards for I-Day anniversary celebrations carry this image on the top right corner of the invite, while the silhouetted image of the Chenab bridge, the world's tallest railway arch bridge, sits at the lower side of the cards, which have largely being issued online via 'Aamantran' website of the Ministry of Defence.

How Army Is Preparing For Future Wars

How Army Is Preparing For Future Wars

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

The Indian Army's broader reorganisation is inevitable as India's military doctrine adapts to the demands of the modern battlefield.

'Sadly, SOPs Are Written On Somebody's Blood'

'Sadly, SOPs Are Written On Somebody's Blood'

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

'The tone of the preliminary report creates a narrative towards pilot error. This is wrong.' 'Selected conversation has been divulged. It's not as if the pilots did not speak anything else in the cockpit.'

Operation Sindoor, swadeshi push in Modi's I-Day speech

Operation Sindoor, swadeshi push in Modi's I-Day speech

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

The invitation cards for the 79th Independence Day celebration also carry the Operation Sindoor logo, and the water mark of Chenab bridge to exemplify the rise of 'Naya Bharat'. Floral decorations at the venue will also be based on 'Operation Sindoor'.

Rupani cremated with full state honours; Shah leads tributes

Rupani cremated with full state honours; Shah leads tributes

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

Thousands of people gathered along the entire route of the funeral procession to give a poignant send-off to the late BJP leader at his hometown, where his mortal remains were flown from Ahmedabad four days after the tragedy.

Govt agrees to Air India employees' main demands

Govt agrees to Air India employees' main demands

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

The central government has agreed in-principle to Air India employees' main demands. It fears an industrial dissension now could impede the process of privatisation. It has agreed to bear the cost of liquidation loss on account of transfer to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) from company-owned trusts, inclusion of employees in the central government health scheme (CGHS), and encashment of leaves. The template of the Air India process will be followed for other public sector undertakings up for privatisation at a later date.

DGCA audit reveals major lapses in flight safety

DGCA audit reveals major lapses in flight safety

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

Aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said surveillance conducted at major airports revealed several defects in the aviation ecosystem, including multiple cases wherein the defects reappeared on aircraft and centre line marking faded on runway.

Air India: Will JRD Tata's Legend Return?

Air India: Will JRD Tata's Legend Return?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2021

J R D Tata and Air India... Mrigank Warrier explores one of India's eternal love stories.

AI plane crash death toll hits 270 as families wait for bodies

AI plane crash death toll hits 270 as families wait for bodies

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

The process of identification of victims by matching the DNA samples is currently underway, and the bodies will be handed over to their relatives once the process is complete.

Air India eyes more slots at Heathrow

Air India eyes more slots at Heathrow

Rediff.com15 Jan 2020

With over 700,000 annual passengers and 21 per cent market share Air India is the largest carrier on India-United Kingdom routes.

Pakistan's nukes to be available for Saudi under new pact

Pakistan's nukes to be available for Saudi under new pact

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

The entry of other Arab countries in the mutual defence deal between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is not ruled out, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said, adding that 'doors are not closed' for such developments.

'We want Air India to keep flying'

'We want Air India to keep flying'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2020

'Whether it is the unions or the politicians, they don't have to do politics over Air India, but be guided by a solitary factor -- that we don't want Air India to fly into oblivion.'

'No Sane Pilot Would Shut Off Fuel'

'No Sane Pilot Would Shut Off Fuel'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'In multi-pilot operations, no critical switch can be moved without the other pilot's consent.'

What happens to Air India's Rs 16,000 cr unpaid bills?

What happens to Air India's Rs 16,000 cr unpaid bills?

Rediff.com11 Oct 2021

The government will transfer about Rs 16,000 crore of unpaid fuel bills and other pending dues that Air India owes to suppliers, to a special purpose vehicle before handing over the loss-making airline to the Tata Group, a senior official said. Air India Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL), which will hold non-core assets of Air India such as land and building, will also be saddled with 75 per cent of the airline's debt that the Tata Group is not taking over. Besides the debt, the excess liability going to AIAHL comprises unpaid fuel bills to oil companies, airport operators and vendors, said Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Secretary to the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management - the department running the privatisation programme of the government.

Trump claims 5 jets shot down during India-Pak conflict, gives no details

Trump claims 5 jets shot down during India-Pak conflict, gives no details

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

US President Donald Trump claimed that "five jets were shot down" during the conflict between India and Pakistan in May and repeated his assertion that the fighting ended following his intervention. India has maintained that the two sides halted their military actions following direct talks between their militaries without any mediation by the US.

Trump, Putin meet in Alaska along with aides

Trump, Putin meet in Alaska along with aides

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

Trump's one-on-one meetings with Putin during his first term were clouded with mystery. With only a translator inside the room, it was often unclear what exactly was discussed. Aides had a difficult time ascertaining if the two reached any agreements. After one such meeting, in Germany, Trump asked his interpreter to discard his notes.

Show courage like Indira Gandhi, say Trump is lying: Rahul attacks Modi

Show courage like Indira Gandhi, say Trump is lying: Rahul attacks Modi

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of prioritizing his image over national security after the Pahalgam attack, challenging him to refute Trump's claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Air India seeks help for selling securities of its PF trusts

Air India seeks help for selling securities of its PF trusts

Rediff.com6 Oct 2021

Divestment-bound Air India is looking to sell securities of its two provident trusts AIEPF and IAEPF, and has sought applications for transaction advisors to help with the proposed sale of the securities. The Air India Employees Provident Fund (AIEPF) trust and Indian Airlines Employees Provident Fund (IAEPF) trust are governed by the Provident Fund Trust Act, 1925. The two trusts' investments together amounted to Rs 4,500 crore as of August 31, 2021, according to the tender document, seeking RFPs for the appointment of the transaction advisors.

Eliminated 9 high-value terrorist targets in Pak: COAS

Eliminated 9 high-value terrorist targets in Pak: COAS

Rediff.com26 Jul 2025

Indian army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday said that the surgical strikes carried out during Operation Sindoor were a clear message to Pakistan that supporters of terrorism will not be spared.

Govt sweetens deal for potential Air India bidders

Govt sweetens deal for potential Air India bidders

Rediff.com20 Oct 2020

In a bid to resurrect Air India privatisation, the government is planning to give flexibility to potential investors to decide on the humongous debt with the national carrier, a top official has said. The flexibility to potential investors on the quantum of the Rs 60,074 crore debt that they want to absorb will replace the current condition of the buyer taking over more than a third of the debt and transferring the rest to a special purpose vehicle, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said.

'They shot down 5 planes': Trump repeats India-Pak truce claim

'They shot down 5 planes': Trump repeats India-Pak truce claim

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

Trump, who has repeatedly said that he stopped the conflict between India and Pakistan through trade, last Friday said for the first time that "five jets were shot down" during the fighting.

'It Must Have Been Hellish In The Cockpit'

'It Must Have Been Hellish In The Cockpit'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

'Visualise those 15 to 18 seconds: Fully loaded aircraft, pilot manually controlling with both hands (no autopilot immediately after takeoff), looking forward while switches are behind.'

Swamy's plea seeking to set aside Air India divestment dismissed

Swamy's plea seeking to set aside Air India divestment dismissed

Rediff.com6 Jan 2022

The Delhi high court on Thursday dismissed BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking to set aside the Air India divestment process on the allegation that the methodology adopted by the government in the valuation of the national carrier was "arbitrary, illegal and against public interest". The order was passed by a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh. The court said a detailed order will be uploaded. "Dr. Subramanian Swamy, sir we are dismissing this matter...," the bench said.

Ministries told to clear Air India dues, make cash payments for tickets

Ministries told to clear Air India dues, make cash payments for tickets

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

The government on Wednesday asked ministries and departments to clear dues of debt-laden Air India immediately and henceforth purchase tickets only in cash. The government earlier this month decided to sell Air India to Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of salt-to-software conglomerate Tata group, for Rs 18,000 crore. The Department of Expenditure, under the Finance Ministry, in a 2009 order, had said that in cases of air travel (both domestic and international), including LTC where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials may travel only by Air India.

Air India sale: Govt signs share purchase agreement with Tata Sons

Air India sale: Govt signs share purchase agreement with Tata Sons

Rediff.com25 Oct 2021

The government on Monday signed the share purchase agreement with Tata Sons for the sale of national carrier Air India for Rs 18,000 crore. Earlier this month, the government had accepted an offer by Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of the salt-to-software conglomerate, to pay Rs 2,700 crore cash and take over Rs 15,300 crore of the airline's debt. Following that, on October 11 a Letter of Intenet (LoI) was issued to the Tata Group confirming the government's willingness to sell its 100 per cent stake in the airline.

What's The Solution To India's Pakistan Problem?

What's The Solution To India's Pakistan Problem?

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

China and Pakistan are in a tight strategic alliance. India must deal with them one at a time, but be prepared in case they decide to collude, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Muslims, RSS Join Hands To Help Crash Victims

Muslims, RSS Join Hands To Help Crash Victims

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

'Grief united all of us as Ahmedabadis.'

Pak moving troops to forward areas, indicating...: India

Pak moving troops to forward areas, indicating...: India

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Wing Commander Singh asserted that while all hostile actions have been effectively countered with proportionate responses, India has reiterated its commitment to de-escalation, conditional on reciprocal restraint from Pakistan.

India Must Be Ready For Next War With Pakistan

India Must Be Ready For Next War With Pakistan

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

India has to fill in all the critical gaps in missiles, ammunition, sensors and stockpile in the fastest possible manner, focusing on the critical instruments that worked this time, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

'Simplicity, Vision, Love For Nation. That Is Modi'

'Simplicity, Vision, Love For Nation. That Is Modi'

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

'With tears in his eyes, he told me in Gujarati, "What have they done to this country? It has so much potential." That feeling for the country -- it was striking.'

How Tatas plan to make Air India world's most advanced airline

How Tatas plan to make Air India world's most advanced airline

Rediff.com16 Feb 2022

Virtually addressing employees of Air India across the globe, he said for the airline to be the best again there will be an organisational redesign, and it will "require a huge transformation, probably the largest transformation and the change all of you would ever go through". The carrier will expand its "outreach both domestically and internationally" and it has the desire to connect India with every part of the globe, he added.

Tatas, SpiceJet chief Ajay Singh bid for Air India

Tatas, SpiceJet chief Ajay Singh bid for Air India

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

"Financial bids for Air India disinvestment received by Transaction Adviser. Process now moves to concluding stage," DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey tweeted.

Vaughan's Verdict: Gill's Grit Missing, Stokes the Difference

Vaughan's Verdict: Gill's Grit Missing, Stokes the Difference

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

'Shubman Gill did not look as technically tight or calm as usual when he came out to bat on the fourth evening, but his team fought so hard on Monday in a fabulous Test.'

The rot inside Air India

The rot inside Air India

Rediff.com6 Jul 2017

Enormous debt isn't the only thing afflicting Air India. Its work culture is an equal culprit in its downfall.

GST 2.0: What Is Taxed, What Is Exempted

GST 2.0: What Is Taxed, What Is Exempted

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

The GST Council on Wednesday approved a two-tier rate structure of 5 and 18 per cent, which will be implemented from September 22.

Air India handover to Tata Group delayed by a month till Jan

Air India handover to Tata Group delayed by a month till Jan

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Tata Group's takeover of loss-making national carrier Air India is most likely delayed by a month till January as the completion of procedures taking longer than expected, an official said on Monday. In October, the government accepted the highest bid made by a Tata Sons company for 100 per cent equity shares of Air India and Air India Express along with its 50 per cent stake in ground-handling company AISATS -- the first privatisation in 20 years. At that time, the government had stated that it wanted to complete the transactions, which included Tatas paying Rs 2,700 crore in cash, by December end.

When Aamir, Amitabh Fought...

When Aamir, Amitabh Fought...

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

'People ask me about my biggest action sequence; this is it, because it involved two giants of Indian cinema.'

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

In the last 11 years, India and the world witnessed what he stood for, what he promised and did not deliver, and what he actually stood for and practised without fearing how history would judge him. Modi's tenure has been punctuated with headline-grabbing decisions, symbolic gestures, and stage-managed moments that continue to define his leadership and India's politics, points out Ramesh Menon.