News for 'aviation'

NY-Delhi flight escorted by fighter jets to Rome after bomb scare

NY-Delhi flight escorted by fighter jets to Rome after bomb scare

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

Italian news agency ANSA said the flight was diverted following a request from American Airlines for security checks related to a "suspected bomb threat".

IndiGo Airlines World's Second Fastest-growing Airline In Seat Capacity

IndiGo Airlines World's Second Fastest-growing Airline In Seat Capacity

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

IndiGo is only behind Qatar Airways, which grew slightly faster at 10.4 per cent in the same period, according to the latest data from Official Airline Guide (OAG) based on 20 top airlines in the world.

Shivraj given 'broken seat' on Air India flight, probe ordered

Shivraj given 'broken seat' on Air India flight, probe ordered

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday slammed Tata Group-owned Air India for allotting him a 'broken and sunk' seat, prompting his ministerial colleague K Rammohan Naidu to instruct the airline to take 'necessary action'.

Bomb hoax: AI flight remains airborne for hours, returns to Mumbai

Bomb hoax: AI flight remains airborne for hours, returns to Mumbai

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

An Air India flight bound for New York returned to Mumbai on Monday morning after a bomb threat was reported. The aircraft, carrying 303 passengers, was thoroughly checked by security agencies, and nothing suspicious was found. The flight has been rescheduled to operate at 5 am on Tuesday, and passengers have been offered hotel accommodation and other assistance. This incident follows a recent trend of hoax bomb threats on flights, with at least 15 flights receiving such threats this year.

'India must hit Pakistan hard where it hurts the most'

'India must hit Pakistan hard where it hurts the most'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

'We need to raise the costs and consequences for Pakistan. It is long overdue. Our initial surgical strike was effective for about six months. Then, the Balakot strike provided a deterrent for perhaps two to three years. But we cannot operate under the assumption that such limited responses will suffice for decades to come.'

Wheelchair delayed, 82-year-old AI passenger falls; airline reacts

Wheelchair delayed, 82-year-old AI passenger falls; airline reacts

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Air India has denied claims that a wheelchair was not provided to an 82-year-old woman at Delhi airport, leading to her fall. The airline says the passenger was not denied assistance and was given immediate first aid after the incident. The granddaughter of the passenger had alleged that the airline provided poor treatment and that her grandmother was not allocated a wheelchair for almost an hour. Air India, however, stated that a wheelchair could not be provided within 15 minutes due to high demand. The incident occurred on March 4, and the passenger later boarded the flight to Bengaluru.

Ensure ample staff at check-in counters, govt tells airlines as fog sets in

Ensure ample staff at check-in counters, govt tells airlines as fog sets in

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Airlines must ensure that all check-in counters at the Delhi airport are fully staffed to minimise passenger inconvenience as smog has started affecting the flight operations, Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu directed on Wednesday. The minister gave this direction during a meeting with representatives of major airlines, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

Meet Priyanka Chopra's Bhabhi, Neelam Upadhyaya

Meet Priyanka Chopra's Bhabhi, Neelam Upadhyaya

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

All eyes are on the fabulous Priyanka Chopra's newest family member -- her sister-in-law, Neelam Upadhyaya.

Air India CEO on why aircraft deliveries may be hit for 4-5 years

Air India CEO on why aircraft deliveries may be hit for 4-5 years

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

Aircraft supply to airlines will remain constrained during the next four to five years due to the supply chain issues being faced by plane makers Airbus and Boeing and there is not much that carriers can do beyond optimising their flight network expansion, Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said on Tuesday.

'Votebank ka virus': Modi slams Cong for opposing new Waqf law

'Votebank ka virus': Modi slams Cong for opposing new Waqf law

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

Modi alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka gave reservations in tenders based on religion, "snatching the rights of SCs, STs and OBCs." But Ambedkar had said there would not be reservation based on religion and there is a bar on giving reservation on the basis of religion in the Constitution, he stressed.

London's Heathrow airport closure disrupts flight ops

London's Heathrow airport closure disrupts flight ops

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

Following a significant power outage, operations at the London Heathrow (LHR) have been suspended till 2359 hours (local time) on March 21 (05.30 am March 22, IST).

'Rain not Sole Cause of Delhi Airport Canopy Collapse'

'Rain not Sole Cause of Delhi Airport Canopy Collapse'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates India's largest airport, dismissed the expert committee report as "inaccurate", claiming it relied on "probabilities, hypothesis, and conjectures" rather than empirical data or complete documentation.

SpaceX's Starship rocket explodes, debris grounds flights

SpaceX's Starship rocket explodes, debris grounds flights

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Engineers from Space X said that the 400-foot-tall ship, launched from the company's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach in Texas, lost altitude control after several engines stopped working 20 seconds before the end of the ascent burn.

Plane with 6 onboard crashes in US

Plane with 6 onboard crashes in US

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

A medical transport jet with a child patient and five others aboard crashed and sparked a large fire in a neighbourhood of Philadelphia on Friday.

Air India will increase its global coverage: CEO Wilson

Air India will increase its global coverage: CEO Wilson

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

Air India has covered a lot of ground since privatisation and its global coverage will further increase in the years ahead, the airline's chief Campbell Wilson said on Wednesday. He also said the interior refit of the single-aisle fleet, serving domestic and short-haul international destinations, is underway, and will be completed by mid-2025.

The India Story: 90% Work In Progress

The India Story: 90% Work In Progress

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

From highways connecting once-remote regions to aviation networks carrying millions, India's infrastructure story is one of transformation.

'Abduction' of ex-minister's son turns out to be 'secret' Bangkok trip

'Abduction' of ex-minister's son turns out to be 'secret' Bangkok trip

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

A day after high drama over the 'kidnapping' of ex-Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant's son, traced on a Bangkok-bound chartered flight which was diverted to Pune, the Sawant junior claimed he kept his 'business trip' secret to avoid his family's wrath.

Why Indian Aviation Faces Turbulence

Why Indian Aviation Faces Turbulence

Rediff.com22 May 2023

The inactivity of Go First may help other airlines in India's competitive market as it had a 7.8 per cent market share.

Amid record aircraft orders, aviation remains a long-term play

Amid record aircraft orders, aviation remains a long-term play

Rediff.com3 Mar 2023

The Indian aviation sector is on the cusp of a change as airlines look to induct a record number of aircraft. This, analysts said, will put the sector on a growth runway, though keeping it viable for only long-term investors. According to Vinit Bolinjkar, head of research at Ventura Securities, expectations of strong air traffic, coupled with low penetration, is the prime reason for a solid long-term outlook.

FPIs pull out Rs 24,753 cr from equities in first week of Mar

FPIs pull out Rs 24,753 cr from equities in first week of Mar

Rediff.com9 Mar 2025

Foreign investors continue to pull back money from the Indian equity market, withdrawing Rs 24,753 crore (about $2.8 billion) in the first week of March amid escalating global trade tensions and lacklustre corporate earnings.

History In Minutes: World's First Airmail Flew Over Kumbh

History In Minutes: World's First Airmail Flew Over Kumbh

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

In 1911, French pilot Henri Pequet flew the world's first official airmail, carrying over 6,500 letters and postcards, during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, now Prayagraj. The flight, which covered five miles in 13 minutes, marked a significant milestone in aviation and postal history. The mail included letters to Jawaharlal Nehru and King George V, and special commemorative postcards signed by Pequet are now prized collector's items. The event, which coincided with the Kumbh Mela, highlights the intersection of spiritual and technological advancements in India's history.

Planning A New Year Hol? Book Soon!

Planning A New Year Hol? Book Soon!

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

Demand for the Christmas period is expected to rise further in the coming days.

What Gifts Did Naidu Bring Nirmalaji?

What Gifts Did Naidu Bring Nirmalaji?

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu showered gifts on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman when he met her in New Delhi on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Mumbai Airport's T1 To Be Demolished In October

Mumbai Airport's T1 To Be Demolished In October

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

Reconstruction of the terminal is expected to be completed by September 2028.

'Round Trip To Prayagraj Costs Rs 70,000'

'Round Trip To Prayagraj Costs Rs 70,000'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

'The cost of flying to Prayagraj has gone up six times due to the Kumbh Mela.'

How archery, gymnastics shaped passionate flyer Phillips's success

How archery, gymnastics shaped passionate flyer Phillips's success

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Phillips' remarkable reach and agility on the field can be attributed to genes and his stint as a gymnast in his younger days.

China hikes defence budget, 3 times higher than India

China hikes defence budget, 3 times higher than India

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

China has announced a 7.2 percent increase in its national defence budget, bringing the total to USD 249 billion for the year. This rise comes amidst China's ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces, including the development of new warships and fighter jets. The budget increase, exceeding last year's 7.2 percent rise, reflects China's commitment to bolstering its military capabilities. Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the importance of the Communist Party's leadership in guiding the military, with President Xi Jinping at the helm of the Central Military Commission. China's defence spending is now three times that of India's and is viewed by critics as a sign of the country's growing military ambitions.

Govt plans crackdown to prevent hoax bomb threats

Govt plans crackdown to prevent hoax bomb threats

Rediff.com17 Oct 2024

The civil aviation ministry plans to put in place strict norms to prevent incidents of hoax bomb threats to airlines, including placing the perpetrators on the no-fly list, a senior official said on Thursday.

How China retaliated against Trump's tariffs

How China retaliated against Trump's tariffs

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

China on Tuesday retaliated US President Donald Trump's imposition of 2nd round of ten per cent tariffs on its export by slapping an additional 15 per cent tariffs on American goods and initiated legal action against Washington in WTO while leaving the door open for talks to address each other's concerns.

India may seal 26 Rafale marine jets, 3 Scorpene deal with France

India may seal 26 Rafale marine jets, 3 Scorpene deal with France

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

India is expected to finalize the procurement of 26 naval variant Rafale jets and three Scorpene submarines from France in the coming weeks, further bolstering its naval capabilities. The deals, which are in the final stages of approval, could be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris next month for an AI summit. The procurement of the Rafale (M) jets will be based on an inter-governmental agreement (IGA). The Indian Air Force is considering acquiring additional Rafale fighter aircraft squadrons. The deal for three Scorpene submarines follows the successful construction of six Scorpene submarines in India under Project 75. The defense and strategic partnerships between India and France have been strengthening in recent years, with both countries collaborating on joint development projects for jet and helicopter engines and advanced defense technologies.

New rules: How will airlines decide if a bomb threat is serious

New rules: How will airlines decide if a bomb threat is serious

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

Pseudonymous or anonymous nature of the social media handle, analysis of the geopolitical situation and presence of VIPs onboard are some of the new criteria that agencies will keep in mind while considering the seriousness of a bomb threat made to Indian airlines.

When Will Air India Be Profitable?

When Will Air India Be Profitable?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

'We don't give any guidance about profitability. We have internal targets but we don't discuss them publicly.'

IB officer arrested over false bomb alert on flight

IB officer arrested over false bomb alert on flight

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

A man arrested for allegedly sharing a bogus bomb alert on an IndiGo flight from Nagpur to Kolkata last month has turned out to be an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer.

Our security did it: Official on drop in hoax bomb calls to airlines

Our security did it: Official on drop in hoax bomb calls to airlines

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

A few weeks back, hundreds of flights had received bomb threat calls that later turned out to be hoaxes.

Protocol tweaked amid spate of bomb threats to flights

Protocol tweaked amid spate of bomb threats to flights

Rediff.com22 Oct 2024

Protocols for the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC), convened in the event of a bomb threat call to an aircraft or airport, have been tweaked to better tackle the spate of the ongoing 'random' Internet-based threats being made to various Indian airlines, official sources said Tuesday.

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

The Centre has appointed senior IAS officers Vumlunmang Vualnam and Neeraj Mittal as new secretaries in the ministry of civil aviation and the department of telecommunications respectively in a major secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle, a government order stated.

SpiceJet settles $132-mn dispute with aircraft leasing firm BBAM

SpiceJet settles $132-mn dispute with aircraft leasing firm BBAM

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

Budget carrier SpiceJet on Wednesday said it has amicably settled a $132-million dispute with aircraft leasing firm Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management (BBAM). The dispute, valued at $131.85 million (Rs 1,107 crore) with the lessors -- Horizon Aviation 1 Ltd, Horizon II Aviation 3 Ltd, and Horizon III Aviation 2 Ltd -- has been resolved for $22.5 million, SpiceJet said in a statement.

Young Indian Leaders Shine at WEF 2025

Young Indian Leaders Shine at WEF 2025

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Barring a few, such as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu (74), Union Minister C R Patil (69) and Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna (71), most other ministers attending the WEF represent the next generation of India's politicians.

Naval Aviation Receives President's Colour

Naval Aviation Receives President's Colour

Rediff.com6 Sep 2021

'Naval Aviation has contributed through numerous humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations during which it has provided relief to fellow citizens like the recently conducted rescue operations off Mumbai during Cyclone Tauktae in May 2021.'

India Sees 8 Aviation Accidents Every Year

India Sees 8 Aviation Accidents Every Year

Rediff.com30 Jul 2022

The number of serious incidents has more than doubled in the last seven years.