Around 40 pilots of SpiceJet's Q400 aircraft fleet refused to fly till the airline cleared their salary dues, a stance that has been supported by pilots' grouping ALPA India, according to sources.
Around 200 SpiceJet passengers protested at Delhi airport after their flights to Dubai were repeatedly rescheduled and delayed since Monday. The airline cited operational reasons due to an aircraft grounding and is arranging alternate flights, while the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA are monitoring SpiceJet's operations.
SpiceJet passengers on a Delhi-Pune flight experienced significant discomfort due to an air conditioning issue on Tuesday, leading to an alternate aircraft being arranged. Social media videos showed passengers fanning themselves in the heat, though the airline claimed AC remained operational and attributed discomfort to prevailing weather.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu stated that no decision has been made regarding allowing Delhi and Mumbai airport operators to own and run airlines, as the government is carefully considering the implications of relaxing cross-ownership restrictions, including potential conflicts of interest and the need for more airlines.
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot operating flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, is being airlifted to Abu Dhabi for advanced medical care after suffering stab wounds during a violent mid-air cockpit attack by his co-pilot.
The Mumbai-Delhi air route, the country's largest and most lucrative, is witnessing an intense battle for supremacy between IndiGo and the Air India group, with Akasa Air emerging as a significant third player, according to recent data.
SpiceJet passengers experienced significant disruptions as flights were cancelled and delayed, leading to chaos at airports and a barrage of complaints on social media.
Saudi Arabia will conduct the preliminary investigation into the Omani co-pilot who attempted to crash flydubai flight FZ1073, after the Tel Aviv-bound plane was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Tabuk Airport.
India's domestic air passenger traffic experienced a 6.34 per cent year-on-year decline in August, reaching 121.26 lakh passengers, according to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Mumbai International Airport is set to reduce 265 weekly international flights from October 25 to facilitate the redevelopment of Terminal 1. This move, impacting 46 airlines including IndiGo and Air India, has raised concerns among carriers and global aviation bodies like IATA, who advocate for collaborative planning over mandated relocations.
IndiGo will have 74 of its 224 weekly international departures affected while Air India will relocate 33 of its 100 departures.
Domestic air passenger traffic in India decreased by 4.80 per cent in July 2026 compared to the previous year, reaching 1.20 crore, with major airlines experiencing a drop in load factor, according to DGCA data. Despite the overall dip, IndiGo and Air India Group increased their market share.
An Indian pilot and several passengers are being hailed as heroes after thwarting a co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv. The incident involved a mid-air struggle, a rapid descent, and an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, with international leaders praising the bravery that saved 174 lives.
An Akasa Air and a SpiceJet plane collided on the taxiway at Delhi airport, resulting in both aircraft being grounded due to damage. The incident occurred at Terminal 1, with investigations underway.
Domestic air traffic in India experienced a nearly 12 per cent decline in June, falling to 1.35 crore passengers from 1.53 crore in May, with IndiGo increasing its market share to 66.3 per cent.
An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe mid-air turbulence, causing the aircraft to lose 300 feet in altitude. The incident resulted in injuries to 15 people, including 11 passengers and 4 cabin crew members, with one crew member sustaining severe injuries. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is investigating the event.
SpiceJet will operate 14 special flights from the UAE on Friday to bring passengers who have been stranded due to the Middle East conflict.
IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet are opposing the government's directive to offer 60% of seats for free selection, arguing it will lead to increased airfares to compensate for lost revenue.
SpiceJet will operate 13 special flights from the UAE to facilitate the return of passengers stranded due to the Middle East conflict.
Customs officials at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport seized electronic items, cosmetics, cigarettes, and crude gold worth over Rs 1.79 crore from passengers arriving from Dubai, leading to one arrest.
Airlines are cutting not only international services but also domestic flights, especially on routes projected to remain unprofitable in the coming weeks due to weak demand and high fares.
Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have told the government that the country's airline industry is under extreme stress and on the verge of "stopping operations", as they sought revision in ATF pricing and financial support.
Aviation stocks experienced a significant surge following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, which led to a sharp decline in crude oil prices. This development has positively impacted stock markets and the broader economic outlook for India.
Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express are temporarily reducing their domestic flights due to surging jet fuel prices and lower travel demand. The airlines are cutting flights by 10 to 22 per cent in the coming months.
The officer has been banned from taking any domestic, international or non-scheduled flights operated by the airline during this period, they added.
Two passengers were offloaded from a SpiceJet flight at Delhi airport after attempting to forcefully enter the cockpit while the aircraft was taxiing. The flight to Mumbai was delayed as a result.
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.
'He hit me on my face with baggage. He slapped me and started hitting me. He used his fist and feet to hit me. At the end, he punched me and I fell down'
The frame was fixed once the aircraft landed at the next (Pune) airport, in accordance with standard maintenance procedures, the airline said in a statement.
IndiGo has the lowest pilots-to-aircraft ratio among domestic airlines in India, according to data presented in Parliament. SpiceJet and Akasa Air have the highest ratios. Air India Express employs the most expat pilots.
Airlines experienced check-in problems at various airports due to a software issue that lasted over 40 minutes, impacting IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air.
A SpiceJet employee, Mudasir Ahmad Khan, claims he was assaulted by an army officer at Srinagar airport for enforcing baggage rules. He demands action against the officer, while the army says it is cooperating with the investigation.
Aviation fuel prices for domestic airlines remain unchanged, providing stability for local carriers, while commercial LPG and 5-kg cylinders see a significant rate hike due to rising international energy costs.
The government has suspended its directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60% of seats on flights without additional charges, following industry concerns about the impact on fares and pricing structures.
Indian airlines are expected to cancel 444 international flights due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East following attacks on Iran by Israel and the US. The civil aviation ministry is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with airlines to ensure passenger safety and minimize disruptions.
SpiceJet recorded the highest complaint rate per 10,000 passengers, rising sharply from 3.9 in November 2024 to 13.8 in October 2025.
Due to airspace restrictions resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, Indian domestic carriers have cancelled 278 international flights. Some airlines are operating limited services and special flights to assist stranded passengers.
Airports across the country have been placed on operational alert to manage potential flight diversions, unscheduled landings and passenger facilitation requirements.
Two more insolvency petitions were filed by Sabarmati Aviation and JetAir 17 against budget carrier Spicejet at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Monday. The NCLT issued a notice to the airline over the plea by operational creditor Sabarmati Aviation while asking another complainant, JetAir 17, to file additional documents in support of its claims of $27 million.
Air India and Air India Express are introducing a fuel surcharge on domestic and international flights due to rising jet fuel prices, impacting travel costs for passengers.
