News for 'flight safety'

Is The Dubai Dream Over?

Is The Dubai Dream Over?

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Dubai's core promise -- that it is an oasis untouched by regional storms -- has been tested in full public view. The coming months will show whether investors view the attacks as a short-lived disruption or a deeper signal of lasting risk, points out Asif Ullah Khan.

Pak bans all flights at Lahore, Islamabad airports

Pak bans all flights at Lahore, Islamabad airports

Rediff.com8 May 2025

Pakistan has closed its airspace for all commercial flights at Lahore and Islamabad airports after India carried out military strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The country's airspace was closed for all air traffic after India launched a 48-hour closure following the strikes. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has formally conveyed its concerns to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regarding the serious risks posed to civil aviation safety by India's reckless and provocative actions.

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.

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.

Air India crash: Govt says all causes being probed

Air India crash: Govt says all causes being probed

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The civil aviation ministry on Monday said all probable causes leading to the Air India plane crash in June last year are being investigated, and all efforts are being made to complete the probe in a time-bound manner.

AI flight diverted after missile attack in Tel Aviv; suspends services

AI flight diverted after missile attack in Tel Aviv; suspends services

Rediff.com4 May 2025

An Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi on Sunday after a missile attack near the Tel Aviv airport. The airline has suspended Tel Aviv flights till May 6. The attack happened less than an hour before the Air India flight was to land at Tel Aviv. The flight landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Delhi. Air India's operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till May 6.

Thailand: Always A Place To Return To

Thailand: Always A Place To Return To

Rediff.com7 Apr 2026

Discovering the stunning land of breathtaking temples.

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.

IndiGo Crisis: 'Well-Orchestrated To Pressure Government, DGCA'

IndiGo Crisis: 'Well-Orchestrated To Pressure Government, DGCA'

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

'Where rostering systems are automated and duty time software interfaces directly with DGCA, the assertion that they suddenly discovered crew shortages is simply implausible.' 'If adequate crew planning hasn't materialised within 12 to 24 months from inception, how will 45 days -- from December 5 to February 12 -- suddenly resolve matters?'

US Eyes Iran Assault: High Risks Ahead

US Eyes Iran Assault: High Risks Ahead

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

Although extensive air attacks have been carried out to destroy most of Iran's defence capabilities, the latter's resilience and sustenance during the war clearly indicate that the US landing force would encounter severe resistance in the operation, explains Commodore Venugopal Vengalil (retd).

IndiGo faces scrutiny over violating competition norms

IndiGo faces scrutiny over violating competition norms

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Fair trade watchdog Competition Commission of India (CCI) is examining whether the country's largest airline, IndiGo, violated competition norms, a senior official said on Friday amid the carrier facing regulatory scrutiny over significant flight disruptions.

Why Delhi Airport Will See 7% Flight Cancellations

Why Delhi Airport Will See 7% Flight Cancellations

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

'Delhi airport handles 1,450 aircraft movements per day. Of these, 114 daily movements will be cancelled during the runway upgrade.'

Air India, IndiGo cancel flights to 7 cities amid India-Pak tension

Air India, IndiGo cancel flights to 7 cities amid India-Pak tension

Rediff.com13 May 2025

This move comes as a precautionary measure, in light of airspace restrictions and heightened security.

DGCA Moves In As IndiGo Turbulence Continues

DGCA Moves In As IndiGo Turbulence Continues

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

The DGCA has formed two specialised teams to internally monitor IndiGo's daily operations.

Gold most stable asset during geopolitical tensions: RBI staff study

Gold most stable asset during geopolitical tensions: RBI staff study

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

Gold has emerged as the most stable asset during episodes of geopolitical stress, and crude oil has been more sensitive than others when it comes to regional conflicts and sanctions, according to a report in the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) monthly bulletin. Silver and the United States Treasury have showed moderate reactions.

What DGCA Wants AI To Check Before B787 Flights

What DGCA Wants AI To Check Before B787 Flights

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

The DGCA directive called for a series of specific checks before each flight's departure from India, including inspection of fuel parameter monitoring systems, cabin air compressors, and electronic engine control units.

'Air India needs to change its attitude towards safety'

'Air India needs to change its attitude towards safety'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2020

A K Chopra, a retired DGCA official, had flagged concerns regarding engineering, flight safety, operations, and training standards in the airline and subsidiaries, thus warning the management of grave safety risk. He also called for the replacement of the chief of flight safety Harpreet A De Singh, who, he said, did not meet the regulatory requirements for holding the post.

Will take strict action against IndiGo to set example: Govt

Will take strict action against IndiGo to set example: Govt

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the government has initiated an inquiry into Indigo's mass flight cancellations and will take strict action against the operator to set an example for other airlines.

No airline, however large...: Govt talks tough amid IndiGo chaos

No airline, however large...: Govt talks tough amid IndiGo chaos

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu addressed the Lok Sabha regarding the recent IndiGo flight disruptions, assuring that the airline will be held accountable and strict action will be taken for non-compliance and passenger hardship.

Over 18,000 Indians deported by US since 2009, Jaishankar tells RS

Over 18,000 Indians deported by US since 2009, Jaishankar tells RS

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Indian government reveals that the United States has deported over 18,000 Indian nationals since 2009, with a focus on human trafficking investigations and concerns over the treatment of deportees.

India Should Have Been Better Prepared For Gulf War

India Should Have Been Better Prepared For Gulf War

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

'Our diplomacy should have been focused on preventing war and avoiding the inevitable disruptions it would cause, posing a real risk to India's growth story,' asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Was Homi Bhabha Murdered? The Mystery Behind His Death

Was Homi Bhabha Murdered? The Mystery Behind His Death

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

60 years ago, on January 24, 1966, Dr Homi J Bhabha, the father of India's nuclear programme, died in an air crash on Mont Blanc. The official inquiry said the plane went off course in bad weather, but coincidences, missing evidence, and later unproven claims have kept conspiracy theories alive. A fascinating excerpt from Bakhtiar Dadabhoy's book, Homi J Bhabha: A Life.

IndiGo crisis: Are you helpless, Delhi HC asks govt

IndiGo crisis: Are you helpless, Delhi HC asks govt

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela also asked how could other airlines take advantage of the crisis situation and charge hefty sums for tickets from the passengers.

IndiGo Crisis: 'Truth Has Not Been Told'

IndiGo Crisis: 'Truth Has Not Been Told'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

'They are saying that there is a pilot shortage which is not correct, but if it was true, did they suddenly come to know this on December 5?' 'If they didn't have crew, why did they seek approval for a winter schedule? To get the approval, the operator has to show crew strength and also a buffer of crew available.' 'If they had a crew crunch, why did they ask for extra flights? Or was it something else that made them so sure that they would get away with this exemption and bans?'

'Even Something Small Could Hold Clues'

'Even Something Small Could Hold Clues'

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

'The crash site must be secured because something small -- like a pipe or hydraulic line -- could hold a critical clue.'

IndiGo Crisis: What Was Its Board Doing?

IndiGo Crisis: What Was Its Board Doing?

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Where was the Board when a predictable regulatory change brought the country's largest airline to its knees? asks Dr Sudhir Bisht.

Pentagon Purge Rocks Iran War

Pentagon Purge Rocks Iran War

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

The purge in Washington does not pause the war. Strikes continue, Hormuz remains closed, and Brent crude is still dancing around $109 a barrel. For India, the command chaos in the Pentagon is another layer of uncertainty piled on five weeks of conflict that was already straining every buffer Delhi has.

Crashed Dreamliner well-maintained; last check in 2023: Air India CEO

Crashed Dreamliner well-maintained; last check in 2023: Air India CEO

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

In a message to flyers, the Air India chief also said the 15 percent reduction in Air India's international wide-body fleet operations for the next few weeks is a temporary move.

DGCA provides exemptions to crisis-hit IndiGo

DGCA provides exemptions to crisis-hit IndiGo

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Apart from the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) exemptions, the regulator has provided certain other relaxations that will help IndiGo have more pilots for duty to reduce the disruptions and normalise operations.

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.

Air India diverts multiple flights as Iran closes airspace

Air India diverts multiple flights as Iran closes airspace

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Air India on Friday announced that several of its international flights were either diverted or sent back to their origin due to the emerging situation in Iran and the closure of its airspace.

Goa nightclub fire: Owners denied relief, MEA may revoke passports

Goa nightclub fire: Owners denied relief, MEA may revoke passports

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

A Delhi court on Wednesday refused to give any interim protection from arrest to Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the ill-fated Goa nightclub who fled to Thailand, as their partner was held in connection with the fire incident that killed 25 people last weekend.

Khamenei killing sparks mourning, protests across India

Khamenei killing sparks mourning, protests across India

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Following reports of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death, widespread protests erupted in Kashmir, with demonstrators expressing strong anti-US and anti-Israel sentiments.

Luthra brothers deported, being brought to Goa

Luthra brothers deported, being brought to Goa

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

Videos circulating online showed Gaurav, 44, and Saurav, 40, being escorted by Thai police at Bangkok airport ahead of their departure for India.

Indian-American named NASA's associate administrator

Indian-American named NASA's associate administrator

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Amit Kshatriya, a decorated Indian-American and NASA veteran, has been appointed as NASA's new associate administrator, marking a significant step in the agency's exploration efforts.

Software updates completed for 338 A320 planes in India

Software updates completed for 338 A320 planes in India

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

As many as 338 A320 family aircraft operated by Indian airlines require the software upgrade to address a potential issue related to flight controls, and modifications have been carried out in more than half of the affected fleet, according to DGCA data.

Bomb threat 'non-credible' but...: American Airlines on Delhi flight

Bomb threat 'non-credible' but...: American Airlines on Delhi flight

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

However, it said that the Delhi airport protocol required the aircraft to be inspected elsewhere before being cleared to land.

Safety risk in Boeing 737: DGCA alerts airlines

Safety risk in Boeing 737: DGCA alerts airlines

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

The move follows the recent probe report by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that highlighted safety concerns involving Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with Collins Aerospace SVO-730 Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuators.

Over 300 planes affected in India amid Airbus A320 glitch

Over 300 planes affected in India amid Airbus A320 glitch

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

According to the latest data from the aviation regulator DGCA, IndiGo and Air India did not cancel any flights, while Air India Express cancelled four flights due to the system modification process.

Iran Missile Strike Forces Flight Reroutes

Iran Missile Strike Forces Flight Reroutes

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

Flights from Delhi or Bengaluru, while they may still fly over Iran, depending on the route, have alternative paths that may take them through Central Asia or northern routes.