News for 'flight safety'

Pilot suspensions rose 2x in 2022 for violating safety norms: DGCA

Pilot suspensions rose 2x in 2022 for violating safety norms: DGCA

Rediff.com19 Apr 2023

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended the licences of 92 pilots in 2022 for violating safety norms, which was more than double the 2021 figure. The number of scheduled flights (domestic and international) in India increased by 32.74 per cent to 1.3 million in 2022, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. A DGCA official stated that the minimum period of licence suspension in 2022 was one month and the maximum was three years.

US aviation watchdog likely to maintain highest safety rating for India

US aviation watchdog likely to maintain highest safety rating for India

Rediff.com28 Apr 2022

A continuation of the highest standard by the FAA will be a relief for Indian airlines especially the Tata group which intends to increase Air India flights on India-US routes. US aviation watchdog Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has completed the audit of India's aviation regulator DGCA. Sources said that the FAA team was satisfied with the work and changes in regulations by India and is likely to maintain a Category 1 status rating under its International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) programme.

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Lightning claims more lives in India annually than any other extreme weather event. Between April and July this year alone, 1,621 people died due to lightning strikes.

Drunk woman strips on Vistara flight, punches crew

Drunk woman strips on Vistara flight, punches crew

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

When the crew members tried to stop the woman from misbehaving, she allegedly punched one of them in the face and spat on another staffer, the official said.

Feasts, farewells aboard ISS as Shuks, crew end 18-Day mission

Feasts, farewells aboard ISS as Shuks, crew end 18-Day mission

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

After 18 days of experiments, Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew are set to return to Earth, marking the end of their mission at the International Space Station.

India-Pak tensions: Govt extends closure of 28 airports till May 15

India-Pak tensions: Govt extends closure of 28 airports till May 15

Rediff.com9 May 2025

A senior government official confirmed that after a meeting with other stakeholders, the decision has been taken and airlines and airport authorities have been informed about it.

IAF tests inaugural flight at Navi Mumbai airport

IAF tests inaugural flight at Navi Mumbai airport

Rediff.com11 Oct 2024

The airport, being developed by the Adani Group, is expected to start commercial operations early next year.

Hundreds of flights across US grounded due to technical glitch

Hundreds of flights across US grounded due to technical glitch

Rediff.com11 Jan 2023

The outage comes as a result of the failure of the Notice to Air Missions system, which alerts pilots and other personnel about airborne issues and other delays at airports across the country.

AI cancels Kabul flight, diverts 2 US-Delhi flights

AI cancels Kabul flight, diverts 2 US-Delhi flights

Rediff.com16 Aug 2021

The Afghanistan airspace on Monday was declared "uncontrolled" by the Kabul airport and transit flights have been asked to avoid it.

Navi Mumbai airport likely to be inaugurated on April 17

Navi Mumbai airport likely to be inaugurated on April 17

Rediff.com29 Dec 2024

Earlier in the day, an IndiGo A320 passenger aircraft landed successfully at 1.32 pm at runway 08/26 of the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport, paving the way for the Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) to seek an aerodrome licence from the aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to start commercial flight services.

Pak used 300-400 Turkish drones to target 36 places from Leh to Sir Creek

Pak used 300-400 Turkish drones to target 36 places from Leh to Sir Creek

Rediff.com9 May 2025

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi revealed that 300 to 400 drones were deployed across 36 locations, with several being shot down by Indian forces using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods.

Leave at the earliest: India's advisory on Syria situation

Leave at the earliest: India's advisory on Syria situation

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

Islamist rebels almost took control of the central Syrian city of Homs on Thursday after capturing much of Aleppo, the country's largest city. Tens of thousands of people have been fleeing Homs.

Bomb threats: Govt plans to amend aviation security rules

Bomb threats: Govt plans to amend aviation security rules

Rediff.com21 Oct 2024

In the last one week, nearly 100 flights of Indian airlines received bomb threats.

Celebi's clearance revoked citing unprecedented threat: Govt

Celebi's clearance revoked citing unprecedented threat: Govt

Rediff.com22 May 2025

The Indian government defended its decision to revoke the security clearance of Turkey-based Celebi without warning, citing an "unprecedented" threat to aviation security. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that giving a hearing or reasons before taking action would "defeat the purpose" in matters of national security. The decision came after Turkey backed Pakistan and condemned India's airstrikes on terror camps in the neighboring country. Celebi, which operates at nine Indian airports, has challenged the government's move in court.

Fliers concerned about safety on flights after Malaysian Airlines disaster

Fliers concerned about safety on flights after Malaysian Airlines disaster

Rediff.com19 Jul 2014

Malaysia Airlines flies to Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kochi.

Crew well capable: IAF on 'GPS spoofing' in Myanmar

Crew well capable: IAF on 'GPS spoofing' in Myanmar

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed that its crew are well-equipped to handle potential GPS spoofing incidents, asserting that all relief missions to earthquake-hit Myanmar were successfully completed as planned. The IAF's statement follows reports of GPS signal tampering during relief flights, which raised security concerns. Sources in the military establishment had earlier suggested that IAF transport aircraft carrying relief materials to Myanmar faced "GPS spoofing", prompting the IAF to assure that its crew are capable of handling such situations.

'Strongly told US...': India on treatment of deportees

'Strongly told US...': India on treatment of deportees

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

India has expressed concern to the US authorities over the treatment of deportees on a flight that landed on February 5, particularly with respect to the use of shackles, especially on women. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also registered its concerns regarding the need to accommodate the religious sensitivities and food preferences of the deportees. The US side has confirmed that no women or children were restrained on the deportation flights that landed in India on 15th and 16th February, 2025.

Air India crash: Indian diaspora in UK helps in fundraisers

Air India crash: Indian diaspora in UK helps in fundraisers

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

The Indian diaspora in London has been rallying around to coordinate fundraisers to support the UK-based family members of the Ahmedabad plane crash victims, including urgent assistance for two orphaned children.

Plane carrying 64 collides with chopper, crashes in US

Plane carrying 64 collides with chopper, crashes in US

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

The plane, a PSA Airline Bombardier CRJ700, crashed in the Potomac River near the vicinity of Reagan National Airport, according to officials.

No rush for manned space mission, safety first, says ISRO

No rush for manned space mission, safety first, says ISRO

Rediff.com8 Jun 2023

The space agency has redefined the mission in such a way that it will achieve success in the very first attempt.

Passenger assaults Air India crew onboard Goa-Delhi flight

Passenger assaults Air India crew onboard Goa-Delhi flight

Rediff.com30 May 2023

Rhe unruly passenger was handed over to the security personnel after landing at the Delhi airport.

AI peeing case: Pilot fraternity rallies behind airline's captain, crew

AI peeing case: Pilot fraternity rallies behind airline's captain, crew

Rediff.com8 Jan 2023

The pilot fraternity is rallying behind the crew and the captain as they believe that if any action was needed against them, it would have been taken on November 27 or immediately after the incident.

Floods, landslides kill 8 as heavy rains batter Assam

Floods, landslides kill 8 as heavy rains batter Assam

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

Eight persons have been killed in floods and landslides in Assam as incessant rainfall caused massive inundation in 17 districts, affecting over 78,000 people, officials said on Saturday.

Nepalese booked for attacking crew, damaging loo door on AI flight

Nepalese booked for attacking crew, damaging loo door on AI flight

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

The Nepalese citizen was handed over to security agencies on arrival at the airport in New Delhi.

SpiceJet placed under enhanced surveillance

SpiceJet placed under enhanced surveillance

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

Aviation watchdog DGCA on Thursday decided to place crisis-hit SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance that will entail increased spot checks and night surveillance to ensure safety of the airline's operations. Based on reports of cancellation of flights and financial stress being experienced by SpiceJet, DGCA said it conducted a special audit of the airline's engineering facilities on August 7 and 8 and certain deficiencies were found during the audit.

'Shuks Is A New Generation Of Astronaut'

'Shuks Is A New Generation Of Astronaut'

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

'He's gonna inspire billions of girls and boys.'

Flight ops resume in US after major system failure

Flight ops resume in US after major system failure

Rediff.com12 Jan 2023

According to FlightAware, a flight tracking company, more than 9,500 flights within, into or out of the United States were delayed and more than 1,300 were cancelled due to the system failure.

Cyclone Remal to hit Bengal on Sunday, Kolkata airport to suspend flights

Cyclone Remal to hit Bengal on Sunday, Kolkata airport to suspend flights

Rediff.com25 May 2024

A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm, named Remal, on Saturday evening and is likely to turn severe before making landfall between the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh on Sunday midnight, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Sunita Williams to remain in space till...: NASA

Sunita Williams to remain in space till...: NASA

Rediff.com25 Aug 2024

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has said it's 'too risky' to bring the two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, back to earth currently, because of which Boeing's Starliner capsule will return without the two astronauts.

How India's 5G rollout could compromise the safety of aircraft in flight

How India's 5G rollout could compromise the safety of aircraft in flight

Rediff.com19 Nov 2021

The US is set for a geographically limited 5G rollout this Christmas, after a bumper $81 billion spectrum auction earlier this year. Just as the rollout date nears, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sounded alarm bells over potentially fatal consequences of 5G interference on aircraft. Similar consequences could apply in India, where 5G spectrum auction is scheduled in January 2022, with the rollout beginning later next year (though reports suggest impending delays).

Colombia agrees to take back migrants, Trump pauses tariffs

Colombia agrees to take back migrants, Trump pauses tariffs

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs and a travel ban on Colombia after the South American nation refused to accept two American military planes deporting undocumented Colombians. The move comes after President Trump announced mass deportations of illegal immigrants and warned countries of consequences if they refuse to accept them. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in a post on X, said that the US cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals and denied the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into Colombian territory. Trump responded by imposing a 25% tariff on all goods coming into the US, a travel ban and immediate visa revocations on Colombian government officials, and visa sanctions on all party members, family members and supporters of the Colombian government. The US also announced enhanced customs and border protection inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo on national security grounds. In retaliation, Colombia announced a 25% import tariff on American products.

Trump blames Obama, Biden as 67 feared dead in US air crash

Trump blames Obama, Biden as 67 feared dead in US air crash

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Following the mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and a United States Army helicopter in which all 67 are feared dead, President Donald Trump on Thursday blamed former Democratic Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama for lowering air safety standards.

Pilot killed in Jaguar crash got engaged days ago

Pilot killed in Jaguar crash got engaged days ago

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

The incident has left the family grappling with grief and pride as they remember their brave son who sacrificed his life while saving another.

Fears over Iranian climber's safety over not wearing hijab

Fears over Iranian climber's safety over not wearing hijab

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

Rekabi's statement said not wearing her headscarf during the competition was unintentional, adding "there was poor scheduling and I was called to climb unpredictably".

2 passengers offloaded from Go First flight for 'misbehaving' with crew

2 passengers offloaded from Go First flight for 'misbehaving' with crew

Rediff.com8 Jan 2023

The incident which took place on Friday came close on the heels of two mid-air urinating incidents on the international flights of Tata Group-run private carrier Air India late last year.

SpiceJet sees another technical glitch, Dubai-Madurai flight delayed

SpiceJet sees another technical glitch, Dubai-Madurai flight delayed

Rediff.com12 Jul 2022

On Monday, the Boeing B737 Max aircraft with registration number VT-SZK operated the Mangaluru-Dubai flight, DGCA officials noted. After the aircraft landed, an engineer did a walk around inspection and found the nose wheel strut was compressed more than usual, they said.

When A PM Miraculously Escaped Air Crash

When A PM Miraculously Escaped Air Crash

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

Wing Commander Raveendran and flight steward Sargeant Iyer, though shaken and injured, managed to open the rear door of the aircraft and shouted for Prime Minister Morarji Desai and the passengers in the forward cabin to exit in haste since they suspected that fire would engulf the aircraft.

No HC stay on decision permitting Sikhs to carry kirpans on domestic flights

No HC stay on decision permitting Sikhs to carry kirpans on domestic flights

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

The bench asked the respondents to file their response to the petition which seeks the constitution of a committee to examine 'workable solutions' to ensure that a kirpan permitted to be carried on the flight is 'appropriately designed and crafted' and does not have a blade length beyond 4 cm.

PIX: Record-breaking Kane crowned Bundesliga's top scorer

PIX: Record-breaking Kane crowned Bundesliga's top scorer

Rediff.com18 May 2025

A round-up of Saturday's action the Bundesliga, Ligue 1

The lone Kashmiri who died saving tourists' lives

The lone Kashmiri who died saving tourists' lives

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a 29-year-old Kashmiri pony ride operator, was killed by terrorists in Pahalgam while trying to save tourists from an attack. Shah was the only Kashmiri and Muslim victim of the attack, which saw terrorists demand tourists recite Islamic prayers before shooting them. His brother, Syed Naushad Shah, described Adil as a "righteous" man who ran towards the terrorists to stop them from killing more people. The attack has left a pall of fear over Pahalgam, with tourists fleeing the area and businesses shuttered.