News for 'Special Air India'

AI Crash Report Raises More Questions: Pilots

AI Crash Report Raises More Questions: Pilots

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

Pilot groups have accused the AAIB of portraying the pilots as responsible for the incident, with vague and selective presentation of cockpit conversations.

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.

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.

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Lightning claims more lives in India annually than any other extreme weather event. Between April and July this year alone, 1,621 people died due to lightning strikes.

A Mother Is Unable To Forget Daughter's Last Words

A Mother Is Unable To Forget Daughter's Last Words

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

'Take care Maa, flight take off karne wala hai, wapas aakar baat karti hoon.'

Drones Are What India Needs For Future Wars

Drones Are What India Needs For Future Wars

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

The foremost lesson for India today is to beef up its air defence to cater for multiple drone attacks. As seen in Operation Sindoor, we have come a long way, but there's room for getting better. We must develop a robust and almost impregnable air cover over ourselves, asserts IAF veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

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.

India evacuates 3,170 citizens from Iran, Israel

India evacuates 3,170 citizens from Iran, Israel

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

India on Tuesday evacuated over 1,100 citizens from Iran and Israel amid ongoing tensions between the two countries, taking the number of evacuees under Operation Sindhu to 3,170.

Air India to promote yoga mid-air

Air India to promote yoga mid-air

Rediff.com18 Jun 2015

The state-run carrier Air India will on June 21 show a film on yoga across its flights, along with a special in-flight announcement.

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.

Delhi police busts 'Khilafat' terror module linked to Pakistan

Delhi police busts 'Khilafat' terror module linked to Pakistan

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

The Delhi police Special Cell has busted a terror module with links to Pakistan and arrested five suspected operatives after raids across multiple states, an official said on Thursday.

Govt has prepared revival plan for Air India

Govt has prepared revival plan for Air India

Rediff.com27 Dec 2018

Air India has planned to monetise its unutilised and surplus immovable real estate assets over the next few years.

Why Air Indias' privatisation sailed & BPCL's is dragging on

Why Air Indias' privatisation sailed & BPCL's is dragging on

Rediff.com19 Dec 2021

Changing tracks helps. But, not taking the beaten path isn't always helpful. This is the story of two of India's biggest privatisations - Air India and Bharat Petroleum (BPCL). Nearly two decades after the last privatisation, a landmark divestment concluded this year when the loss-making national carrier Air India was sold to the Tatas.

Stubble burning: Why can't some farmers be arrested, asks SC

Stubble burning: Why can't some farmers be arrested, asks SC

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the increasing pollution levels during winter and has suggested that the Punjab government arrest farmers who engage in stubble burning. The court believes that this action would send a strong message and help curb air pollution.

Sindoor: 'We Could Have Continued To Strike'

Sindoor: 'We Could Have Continued To Strike'

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

'But that was not our aim. Our objective was already achieved.'

Bihar polls: Will Oppn's SIR protests or NDA's dominance prevail?

Bihar polls: Will Oppn's SIR protests or NDA's dominance prevail?

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

An analysis of the upcoming Bihar elections, focusing on the key players, alliances, and issues that will shape the outcome. The article examines the strength of the ruling NDA coalition led by Nitish Kumar and the challenge posed by the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, as well as the potential impact of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party.

'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.'

Tatas top bidder for Air India, but no govt nod yet

Tatas top bidder for Air India, but no govt nod yet

Rediff.com1 Oct 2021

Tata Sons has emerged as the top bidder for the takeover of debt-laden State-run airline Air India but the bid is yet to be approved by a group of ministers headed by Home Minister Amit Shah, sources said.

'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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

SBI ready to support Tata group's bid for Air India

SBI ready to support Tata group's bid for Air India

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

India's largest public sector bank State Bank of India (SBI) will support Tata group's bid for soon-to-be-privatised Air India by subscribing to Tata Sons debentures or funding the special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by Tata Sons for the acquisition. Bankers said the credit rating of Tata group's holding company is "AAA" signifying high safety and a combination of Air India with its existing airline businesses would make it a formidable player - leading to a duopoly market with IndiGo. It would also open many business opportunities, including in the retail segment, an official said.

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.

SBI-led consortium agrees to give loan to the Tatas for Air India

SBI-led consortium agrees to give loan to the Tatas for Air India

Rediff.com27 Jan 2022

A consortium of lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) has agreed to provide loans to Tata Group for the smooth operations of loss-making Air India. Tata Group, which won the bid to acquire the national carrier along with Air India Express and 50 per cent stake in AISATS in October last year, is expected to formally takeover the airline on Thursday. Sources said the SBI-led consortium has agreed to grant both term loans and working capital loans depending on the airline's requirements. All large lenders, including Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Union Bank of India, are part of the consortium, they added.

'Govt won't own a single share in Air India'

'Govt won't own a single share in Air India'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

'The business continuity clause will mean the Tatas will have to keep running the airline for three years, and cannot exit the flying business.'

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'.

Deadline to bid for Air India extended till Apr 30

Deadline to bid for Air India extended till Apr 30

Rediff.com13 Mar 2020

The changes are in view of the requests received from interested bidders and the prevailing situation arising out of COVID-19.

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.

Air India plane carrying 240 Indians from Ukraine lands at Delhi airport

Air India plane carrying 240 Indians from Ukraine lands at Delhi airport

Rediff.com23 Feb 2022

The flight AI 1946 landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here at around 11.40 pm.

'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.'

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.

Air India bid deadline may be extended till Dec 15

Air India bid deadline may be extended till Dec 15

Rediff.com19 Oct 2020

To attract potential suitors, the government will ease asset valuation norms for Air India by allowing bidders to put in offers on an enterprise value basis, a source said on Monday. To begin with, the government is likely to further extend the deadline for putting in a preliminary expression of interest for the loss-making national carrier to December 15. The source said bids will be sought on an enterprise value basis - a popular valuation methodology for takeover deals.

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.

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.

Hong Kong bars Air India flights after passengers test Covid positive

Hong Kong bars Air India flights after passengers test Covid positive

Rediff.com21 Sep 2020

Air India passenger flights were barred from landing in Hong Kong between August 18 and August 31 after 14 passengers on its Delhi-Hong Kong flight of August 14 tested positive for COVID-19 post arrival.

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.'

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.