The Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA are actively discussing to make psychoactive substance testing standards for all commercial pilots.
Regional Indian airline FLY91 has placed a significant order for 40 new ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, valued at nearly USD 1 billion. This marks the single largest order for ATR planes by a regional carrier globally and is set to dramatically expand FLY91's network, connecting more unserved and underserved cities across India. Deliveries are scheduled from late 2027 to 2032, supporting the airline's goal of operating over 60 aircraft.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has allocated portfolios of newly created departments among ministers, keeping Civil Aviation with himself, an official notification said.
Adani Group-operated Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) is set to begin demolishing a section of its nearly 80-year-old Terminal 1 from January 15, 2027, as part of a major redevelopment plan. This initiative involves redistributing air traffic from T1 to Terminal 2 and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, with significant shifts planned for international and domestic flights starting October 1 and October 25, respectively.
A training aircraft operated by Garg Aviation crashed in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, killing a trainee pilot and an instructor. The Tecnam aircraft went down near Nathapurwa village shortly after take-off. Authorities, including the DGCA, are investigating the cause of the fatal accident.
The pilot-in-command of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop last week has tested positive for a psychoactive substance, identified by sources as marijuana, in a confirmatory test. This development comes as Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu met with Air India executives to discuss the serious incident, which left 24 people injured.
Flash floods in Tibet's Gyirong County, near the China-Nepal border, have resulted in five deaths and 558 missing individuals, including 260 foreign nationals. The disaster also caused significant casualties in Nepal and disrupted infrastructure. Rescue operations are underway, and concerns are rising over a newly formed barrier lake that poses a risk of further flooding.
Devastating flash floods near the Tibet-Nepal border have led to the evacuation of over 1,000 people, including tourists, from Gyirong County. The floods caused casualties in both Tibet and Nepal, disrupted infrastructure, and prompted a Level-IV alert due to a rapidly forming barrier lake with a high risk of breaching and causing further downstream flooding.
Aviation regulator DGCA had flagged safety issues concerning Tecnam aircraft over a month before a Tecnam P2006T training aircraft crashed in Kanpur on August 27, killing a trainee pilot and an instructor.
The Airports Authority of India has received a request for a waiver from contractual restrictions that prevent airport concessionaires and their group entities from holding equity in scheduled airlines, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed in the Rajya Sabha. This comes amid reports of the Adani group's interest in the airline business, despite their denial.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new target of creating six crore 'Lakhpati Didis' to empower women and transform the rural economy. He highlighted the success of the existing initiative and the growing contribution of women in various sectors, from defence to technology.
'The number of airport bundles that may be awarded to a single bidder would be capped.'
=The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's sudden altitude variation and the actions of the flight crew.
The pilots testing positive have been removed from duty, with their samples sent for confirmatory testing.
Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav has advocated for increased use of technology, especially drones and geospatial systems, to enhance governance and create employment opportunities for the state's youth. During his visit to the Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre and Drone Centre of Excellence, he highlighted the broad applications of drone technology and the importance of skill development. The centre is actively training youth in various drone-related courses, aiming to meet the demand for drone pilots in the Northeast.
An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden loss of altitude, leading to injuries and prompting a psychoactive substance screening for the pilot-in-command, with confirmatory test results now awaited.
An accidental firing incident occurred at Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport when a passenger's licensed pistol discharged during security screening, injuring a female security personnel and another individual. Both injured parties have been hospitalised, and legal action is being initiated.
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.
Air India has confirmed that all 13 passengers injured during severe mid-air turbulence on a Phuket-Delhi flight have been discharged from hospital. However, four crew members involved in the incident continue to receive medical treatment. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the matter.
An Air India Airbus A320 experienced a near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems at 36,000 feet on a Phuket-Delhi flight, injuring 24 people. The pilot-in-command was subsequently terminated after testing positive for banned psychoactive substances, though the AAIB has not linked this to the technical failure.
An Air India Airbus A320 experienced a near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems mid-flight, causing an altitude upset and injuring 24 people. A preliminary investigation revealed the pilot-in-command tested positive for a psychoactive substance post-flight, leading to their termination, while the technical aspects of the incident are still under scrutiny.
Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been sworn in as Bangladesh's 23rd President, following a contested parliamentary election that saw him defeat Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed. Alamgir, a longtime secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will serve a five-year term.
Andhra Pradesh's "Drone City" in Kurnool district will host a national roundtable on drones on August 18, with the Civil Aviation Minister and up to 40 drone companies expected to attend. This initiative aims to boost the drone sector, which is projected to create 40,000 jobs.
An Air India A320 flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop due to multiple technical glitches, including triple hydraulic failures and autopilot disconnection, injuring 17 people. An investigation by AAIB, with assistance from French agency BEA and Airbus, is underway, while the pilot-in-command is undergoing confirmatory psychoactive substance testing.
Tewolde Gebremariam, a seasoned aviation professional with extensive experience at Ethiopian Airlines, has been named the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India. He is tasked with leading the airline's ambitious five-year transformation plan, Vihaan.AI, aimed at achieving significant growth and profitability, marking him as the second foreign national to helm Air India under Tata Group ownership.
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.
The government has confirmed that Boeing's detailed examination of the Dreamliner aircraft's fuel control switch locking mechanism found no abnormality, following an Air India pilot's report of a possible issue. This investigation was prompted after an Air India flight from London to Bengaluru in February, and comes amidst an ongoing probe into a fatal Dreamliner crash last year where fuel supply to engines was cut off.
Devastating flash floods in Nepal's Bhote Koshi River, triggered by a glacier or ice rock collapse, have resulted in 175 recovered bodies and hundreds missing, including tourists. India has promptly responded by providing 10 tons of humanitarian aid and medical supplies, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveying condolences and assuring full support to Nepal.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a close ally of former premier Khaleda Zia, has been elected as Bangladesh's new President in the first contested poll for the post in 35 years.
The Federation of Indian Pilots has requested the DGCA to increase random drug testing for pilots, aiming to enhance aviation safety.
Bengaluru-based electric air taxi startup Sarla Aviation has received Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a crucial step towards commercial production of its indigenous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company also inaugurated its new headquarters and announced partnerships, highlighting India's growing capabilities in advanced aerospace technology.
Air India Group has accumulated losses of about Rs 47,821 crore since its takeover, leaving its prolonged transformation among the biggest unfinished projects of N Chandrasekaran's tenure.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, the IAF chief, has strongly advocated for India to achieve greater self-reliance in unmanned aerial systems and other critical defence technologies, stating, "Technology delayed is technology denied." He stressed the importance of indigenous development to avoid dependency on other countries for components.
Veteran Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja and nine other climbers are missing after an avalanche struck their expedition on Pakistan's Broad Peak. Rescue efforts are underway but are being hampered by adverse weather conditions, raising concerns for the safety of the renowned climber and his team.
Air India has announced the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Campbell Wilson. This strategic appointment comes as the airline navigates expansion amidst significant challenges.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating two separate trainer aircraft incidents in Uttar Pradesh within four days. One involved a Cessna 152 crash-landing in Kasganj with the pilot safe, and the other saw a trainee pilot injured by a propeller at Kanpur airport.
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.
Customs officials at Mumbai international airport intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok with 29 exotic wild animals, including a gibbon, melanistic squirrel, ball python, and iguana. A rescue team was called to identify and stabilise the animals, which will be repatriated to their country of origin.
Aviation watchdog DGCA has issued a warning letter to IndiGo for lapses in compliance with norms for handling dangerous goods and has asked the airline to review the relevant training programme to include more practical exercises as well as operational scenarios.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has issued an interim statement on the probe into the Air India AI171 plane crash that killed 260 people last year, confirming that the investigation is ongoing and the final report will be released after all processes are complete.
