News for 'State for Civil Aviation'

AI171 crash: Govt refutes media report blaming pilots

AI171 crash: Govt refutes media report blaming pilots

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol refutes a foreign media report regarding the Air India AI171 plane crash investigation, emphasizing that the probe is ongoing and trusting Indian agencies.

PM reviews infra sectors; New civil aviation policy on anvil

PM reviews infra sectors; New civil aviation policy on anvil

Rediff.com5 Nov 2014

Modi directed strict monitoring of projects, based on monthly completion of targets.

Pilots Told To Refuse Unsafe Flights: No VVIP Pressure: DGCA Cracks Down

Pilots Told To Refuse Unsafe Flights: No VVIP Pressure: DGCA Cracks Down

Rediff.com28 Mar 2026

Pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers are responsible for planning and conducting flights, and these decisions must rely on technical judgment rather than external influence.

Sri Lanka Sets Up Emergency Hotlines Amid West Asia Tensions

Sri Lanka Sets Up Emergency Hotlines Amid West Asia Tensions

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Sri Lanka has established emergency hotlines and is in close contact with its diplomatic missions in West Asia following escalating tensions in the region. The country is also preparing its airports for potential flight diversions and emergencies.

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.

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.

Ajit Pawar cremated with full state honours in Baramati

Ajit Pawar cremated with full state honours in Baramati

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash, were held with full state honors in Baramati. Prominent leaders and thousands of mourners attended the funeral.

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 issues show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO over flight disruptions

DGCA issues show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO over flight disruptions

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

The aviation regulator stated that the "primary cause" of the disruptions was IndiGo's failure to make "adequate arrangements" to meet the revised staffing, duty-time and rostering requirements under the newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations scheme.

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.'

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.'

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.

Sri Lanka Establishes Emergency Hotlines Amid West Asia Crisis

Sri Lanka Establishes Emergency Hotlines Amid West Asia Crisis

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Sri Lanka has established emergency hotlines and is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia following escalating tensions, urging restraint and de-escalation from all parties involved.

IndiGo chaos: Passengers left in tears as flight cancellations pile up

IndiGo chaos: Passengers left in tears as flight cancellations pile up

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

Long queues, passengers in tears, and repeated flight cancellations created a morning of severe disruption at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Saturday, as IndiGo continued to face nationwide operational delays.

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.

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.

Air India Delhi-New York flight suffers engine damage at Delhi airport

Air India Delhi-New York flight suffers engine damage at Delhi airport

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

An Air India Airbus A350 sustained engine damage after ingesting a baggage container while taxiing at Delhi airport. The incident occurred after the flight returned to Delhi due to the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace. The DGCA is investigating.

Ajit Pawar's plane crash could be a conspiracy, alleges nephew Rohit

Ajit Pawar's plane crash could be a conspiracy, alleges nephew Rohit

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Rohit Pawar highlighted the atmosphere of suspicion, grief, and political intrigue currently surrounding these events in Maharashtra. He mentioned an investigation into the accident, citing a book that suggests killing a person's driver is an easy way to target them.

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra deputy CM, dies in plane crash

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra deputy CM, dies in plane crash

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Learjet 45 (LJ45), a mid-size business jet aircraft produced by the Learjet Division of Bombardier Aerospace, went off the runway while attempting to land at Baramati airport and burst into flames.

Shivraj Patil cremated with state honours

Shivraj Patil cremated with state honours

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The last rites of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Shivraj Patil were performed with full state honours in his home district, Latur, in Maharashtra on Saturday, with many top leaders in attendance.

Dubai airport hit, Burj Al Arab hotel damaged in Iranian strikes

Dubai airport hit, Burj Al Arab hotel damaged in Iranian strikes

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

The United Arab Emirates intercepted several Iranian missiles and drones, resulting in casualties and damage to infrastructure, including the Dubai airport and Burj Al Arab.

'God Does Not Make People Like Mohsina Kidwai Now'

'God Does Not Make People Like Mohsina Kidwai Now'

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

'She was not a yes person. She would tell the truth and her feelings to Indira Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi would value her opinion. The same was the case with Rajiv Gandhi who would value her opinion.'

IndiGo ropes in external expert for flight disruption probe

IndiGo ropes in external expert for flight disruption probe

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The board of InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of IndiGo, has already set up a crisis management group in the wake of the significant operational disruptions that started on December 2.

DGCA relief to IndiGo sets dangerous precedent: Pilots' body

DGCA relief to IndiGo sets dangerous precedent: Pilots' body

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Pilots' body Airlines' Pilots Association (ALPA) India on Friday took 'strong' objection to safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)'s 'selective and unsafe' relief to domestic carrier IndiGo, amid widescale cancellations, saying the decision sets a dangerous precedent.

Canada flags Air India, alerts DGCA over pilot issue

Canada flags Air India, alerts DGCA over pilot issue

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

An investigation into the matter is currently ongoing, and police have stated that no further details will be released at this stage.

IndiGo Board Unsure If CEO Must Go

IndiGo Board Unsure If CEO Must Go

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'I don't think it is right to remove him over one lapse. The focus should be on restoring operations, not on removing a key management personnel.'

Air ambulance from Ranchi to Delhi crashes, all 7 on board killed

Air ambulance from Ranchi to Delhi crashes, all 7 on board killed

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

The crash took place shortly after the aircraft operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd took off from Ranchi airport at 7.11 pm.

Dense fog threatens flight ops in North India, warning issued

Dense fog threatens flight ops in North India, warning issued

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Monday issued a travel advisory as dense fog gripped Northern India, urging passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport to avoid prolonged waiting periods at the airport in case of flight cancellations or delays.

Middle East on edge as Iran targets US military bases

Middle East on edge as Iran targets US military bases

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Residents across the Gulf region, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, experienced fear and disruption following attacks, leading to flight suspensions and heightened security measures.

IndiGo 'profusely apologetic', DGCA to take action

IndiGo 'profusely apologetic', DGCA to take action

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday said it has received IndiGo's response to the show cause notice issued over the large-scale flight cancellations and will take enforcement action.

Used cooking oil to produce sustainable aviation fuel: IndianOil

Used cooking oil to produce sustainable aviation fuel: IndianOil

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

Cooking oil is often discarded after being used for frying at home or in restaurants. However, a refinery of IndianOil has now won a certification to use the same oil to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the company chairman Arvinder Singh Sahney said.

Even If US, Iran Signed Deal Today, Hormuz Strait Won't...

Even If US, Iran Signed Deal Today, Hormuz Strait Won't...

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

...reopen for up to six months. Until then, the Strait stays nearly closed. The world pays. And no one, including the man who started this, can say when it ends, notes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the Iran War.

Ajit Pawar's funeral today, Amit Shah to attend

Ajit Pawar's funeral today, Amit Shah to attend

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash, will be held with full state honors in Baramati. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to attend.

IndiGo refunds Rs 610 cr, returns 3,000 bags: Govt

IndiGo refunds Rs 610 cr, returns 3,000 bags: Govt

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

IndiGo has processed refunds totalling Rs 610 crore and delivered 3,000 pieces of baggage to passengers after recent flight disruptions, according to the government.

Centre to evacuate Indians from Gulf; IndiGo to operate 10 Jeddah flights

Centre to evacuate Indians from Gulf; IndiGo to operate 10 Jeddah flights

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi assures that the Indian government is prepared to bring back Indians stranded in the Gulf region due to the Iran-Israel conflict and disruptions in Dubai, emphasizing citizen safety as the top priority.

Jharkhand air ambulance crash: DGCA begins probe

Jharkhand air ambulance crash: DGCA begins probe

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the air ambulance crash in Jharkhand's Chatra district that killed all seven people on board. Two teams from the DGCA are probing the accident, while families mourn the loss of their loved ones.

BJP MP 'uncomfortable' with 'GAY' code for Gaya airport

BJP MP 'uncomfortable' with 'GAY' code for Gaya airport

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in a written reply said the three-letter airport codes once assigned are considered permanent and are altered only under exceptional circumstances, usually involving air safety concerns.

Pilots blame IndiGo's manpower policy for flight delays

Pilots blame IndiGo's manpower policy for flight delays

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

Pilots' body the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has alleged that IndiGo, despite getting a two-year preparatory window before the full implementation of new flight duty and rest period norms for cockpit crew, "inexplicably" adopted a "hiring freeze."

My life was very important: Sindhu on missing All England tournament

My life was very important: Sindhu on missing All England tournament

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Indian badminton star P V Sindhu describes her stressful experience being stranded in Dubai due to airspace closures, following explosions near the airport.

Why Mamata is calling for SC probe into Ajit Pawar's death

Why Mamata is calling for SC probe into Ajit Pawar's death

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the truth would not emerge through existing mechanisms and called for a probe, several opposition leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge backed her demand.