News for 'passenger flights'

SpiceJet passengers struggle in heat after AC fails on Delhi-Pune flight

SpiceJet passengers struggle in heat after AC fails on Delhi-Pune flight

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

SpiceJet passengers on a Delhi-Pune flight experienced significant discomfort due to an air conditioning issue on Tuesday, leading to an alternate aircraft being arranged. Social media videos showed passengers fanning themselves in the heat, though the airline claimed AC remained operational and attributed discomfort to prevailing weather.

How Did 3 Air India Passengers Bypass Immigration?

How Did 3 Air India Passengers Bypass Immigration?

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Air India has been issued a show-cause notice by the ministry of civil aviation after three Italian nationals travelled from Amritsar to Delhi and then to Munich without obtaining mandatory departure immigration clearance, highlighting a 'serious security and immigration-related lapse'.

Air India To Launch Advanced In-Flight Entertainment Platform

Air India To Launch Advanced In-Flight Entertainment Platform

Rediff.com1 days ago

Air India is developing a new in-house 'Vista Digital Platform' for its in-flight entertainment system, set to launch progressively from late 2027. This platform aims to integrate entertainment, loyalty, commerce, and travel services, enhancing passenger experience and boosting ancillary revenues through features like 'commerce-on-map' and personalisation.

Flyers protest at Delhi airport as SpiceJet flights to Dubai delayed

Flyers protest at Delhi airport as SpiceJet flights to Dubai delayed

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Around 200 SpiceJet passengers protested at Delhi airport after their flights to Dubai were repeatedly rescheduled and delayed since Monday. The airline cited operational reasons due to an aircraft grounding and is arranging alternate flights, while the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA are monitoring SpiceJet's operations.

ATC 'technical issue' grounds flights across UK airports

ATC 'technical issue' grounds flights across UK airports

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

A 'technical issue' in the UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) flight processing system grounded hundreds of flights across the UK, including long-haul routes to and from India, leading to widespread disruption and prompting Ryanair to demand the resignation of NATS CEO Martin Rolfe.

Tyre burst: Narrow escape for 41 Alliance Air passengers in Chhattisgarh

Tyre burst: Narrow escape for 41 Alliance Air passengers in Chhattisgarh

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

An Alliance Air flight from Delhi to Bilaspur experienced a tyre burst upon landing in Chhattisgarh, but all 41 individuals, including 37 passengers and 4 crew members, were safely evacuated. The airline cancelled the onward flight.

IndiGo's Goa-Delhi flight suffers mid-air engine failure

IndiGo's Goa-Delhi flight suffers mid-air engine failure

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

An IndiGo flight carrying 229 passengers from Goa to Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing back at Manohar International Airport after one of its engines failed mid-air. The aircraft landed safely, and alternative arrangements were made for the passengers.

When A Flight Fails, Airlines Must Respond

When A Flight Fails, Airlines Must Respond

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

A flight may be cancelled for reasons beyond an airline's control. The chaos that follows need not be, points out Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

Delhi-Guangzhou direct flights to resume after 6 years as Modi-Xi meet

Delhi-Guangzhou direct flights to resume after 6 years as Modi-Xi meet

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

China Southern Airlines is set to resume its Guangzhou-New Delhi passenger service from September 21, ending a six-year suspension. This move is part of a broader normalisation of India-China relations, following recent high-level diplomatic meetings and previous flight resumptions by other carriers.

Passenger tries to open emergency exit mid-air, arrested

Passenger tries to open emergency exit mid-air, arrested

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

A passenger on a Kuala Lumpur-Kochi Batik Air flight was arrested for allegedly attempting to open an emergency exit, damaging a window panel, and threatening fellow passengers and cabin crew. The incident occurred mid-flight, and the accused, Jamsheer Athanikkal, faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Aircraft Act, and Kerala Police Act.

Air India sacks pilot of Phuket flight hours after AIIB report

Air India sacks pilot of Phuket flight hours after AIIB report

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

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.

Flyers injured in Air India flight turbulence discharged

Flyers injured in Air India flight turbulence discharged

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

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.

Air India flight turbulence: Pilot undergoes dope test again

Air India flight turbulence: Pilot undergoes dope test again

Rediff.com9 Aug 2026

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.

Mumbai airport overhaul: T1 partial razing from Jan 15; flight shifts planned

Mumbai airport overhaul: T1 partial razing from Jan 15; flight shifts planned

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

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.

International flights to start from Navi Mumbai airport from July 15

International flights to start from Navi Mumbai airport from July 15

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

The Adani Group-owned Navi Mumbai International Airport is slated to commence international passenger and freighter operations from July 15. This marks a significant expansion for the airport, which began domestic services last December. Air India Express and IndiGo are expected to operate international flights, with customs readiness reviews already completed. The airport anticipates a substantial increase in daily passenger footfall and air traffic movements by the year-end.

15 injured as Air India Phuket-Delhi flight hit by turbulence

15 injured as Air India Phuket-Delhi flight hit by turbulence

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

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.

Domestic Air Passenger Traffic Dips in July; IndiGo and Air India See Market Share Rise

Domestic Air Passenger Traffic Dips in July; IndiGo and Air India See Market Share Rise

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

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.

Passenger's pistol 'accidentally' goes off at Varanasi airport; 2 injured

Passenger's pistol 'accidentally' goes off at Varanasi airport; 2 injured

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

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.

Passenger Accused Of Photographing Female Cabin Crew On Flight

Passenger Accused Of Photographing Female Cabin Crew On Flight

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

A passenger has been booked for allegedly using his phone to photograph female cabin crew on a flight from Coimbatore to Udaipur.

AI Phuket-Delhi flight hit by triple hydraulic failure before 300-ft drop

AI Phuket-Delhi flight hit by triple hydraulic failure before 300-ft drop

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

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.

Phuket flight incident: Air India pilot tests positive for marijuana

Phuket flight incident: Air India pilot tests positive for marijuana

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

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.

Air India May Restore Flight Cuts

Air India May Restore Flight Cuts

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

'We may be able to wind back some of the schedule reductions we'd taken in recent months.'

2 more Air India pilots fail drug test after Phuket flight fiasco

2 more Air India pilots fail drug test after Phuket flight fiasco

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Two Air India Group pilots have failed initial drug tests, with their samples sent for confirmatory analysis. This comes after mandatory psychoactive substance testing was implemented following an incident where a pilot tested positive for marijuana after a flight lost altitude.

Cyber attack behind disruptions at UK's airports?

Cyber attack behind disruptions at UK's airports?

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

The UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has ruled out a cyberattack as the cause of the recent massive disruption across UK airports, which led to thousands of flight cancellations and affected tens of thousands of passengers, including those on flights to and from India. An investigation is underway, and the incident marks the third major air traffic collapse under the current CEO's tenure.

Oxford United apologises after 'United 93' clothing line draws 9/11 association

Oxford United apologises after 'United 93' clothing line draws 9/11 association

Rediff.com4 days ago

Oxford United withdrew its "United 93" clothing line and apologised after recognising its association with the 9/11 hijacked flight, accepting responsibility and promising stricter merchandise approval processes.

'Hydraulic failure, sudden altitude drop': Airbus analysis on Air India Phuket flight

'Hydraulic failure, sudden altitude drop': Airbus analysis on Air India Phuket flight

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

An initial analysis reveals that an Air India Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi experienced multiple hydraulic system failures, leading to a four-second loss of flight controls and a sudden 300-foot altitude drop, injuring 24 people. The incident is under investigation by the AAIB, and the pilot-in-command subsequently tested positive for a psychoactive substance, prompting Air India to implement mandatory testing for all its pilots.

Govt Deliberates Allowing Airport Operators to Own Airlines Amid Conflict of Interest Concerns

Govt Deliberates Allowing Airport Operators to Own Airlines Amid Conflict of Interest Concerns

Rediff.com7 hours ago

Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu stated that no decision has been made regarding allowing Delhi and Mumbai airport operators to own and run airlines, as the government is carefully considering the implications of relaxing cross-ownership restrictions, including potential conflicts of interest and the need for more airlines.

Indigo plane hits pole at Srinagar airport, suffers damage

Indigo plane hits pole at Srinagar airport, suffers damage

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

An Indigo flight from Navi Mumbai to Srinagar sustained damage after hitting a Visual Docking Guidance System pole while being parked at Srinagar airport. All passengers and crew were safe, and an inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause.

Indonesian Airports Reopen After Anak Krakatau Eruption

Indonesian Airports Reopen After Anak Krakatau Eruption

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

Indonesia's main airport in Jakarta, Soekarno-Hatta international airport, has resumed operations after a two-day closure caused by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, with winds pushing the ash away from the airport's airspace.

Air India UK Traffic Slumps After Crash

Air India UK Traffic Slumps After Crash

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

Passenger traffic Y-o-Y fell 26.8 per cent in April and 24.6 per cent in May, while capacity declined 9.6 per cent and 11.3 per cent, respectively.

IndiGo raises travel charges for infants, unaccompanied minors

IndiGo raises travel charges for infants, unaccompanied minors

Rediff.com5 days ago

IndiGo, India's largest airline, has recently increased charges for several ancillary services, including infant travel and unaccompanied minors, citing rising operational costs and higher fuel prices. Domestic infant travel charges have risen to Rs 3,000, while unaccompanied minor services are now Rs 5,999 for domestic and Rs 12,999 for international flights.

Air India Pilot Fails Drug Test Following Mid-Air Hydraulic Failure

Air India Pilot Fails Drug Test Following Mid-Air Hydraulic Failure

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

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.

Nepal-bound flight returns to Bengaluru again, passengers protest

Nepal-bound flight returns to Bengaluru again, passengers protest

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Passengers traveling from Bengaluru to Kathmandu faced significant disruptions and protested at Kempegowda International Airport after their flight failed to land in Kathmandu on two consecutive days, leading to frustration and accusations of mismanagement by the airline.

Air India Crash: Pilots' Body Demands Thorough Electrical System Review For Boeing 787

Air India Crash: Pilots' Body Demands Thorough Electrical System Review For Boeing 787

Rediff.com3 days ago

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Boeing 787's electrical systems during its probe into the fatal Air India crash of June 2025. This call follows concerns raised by the Foundation of Aviation Safety regarding chronic system failures and the central role of electrical architecture in the B787 design. The crash, involving a Dreamliner VT-ANB, killed 260 people, and FIP emphasizes the need for detailed examination of all electrical and electronically controlled systems.

Air India Express flight to Jeddah returns to Kannur after glitch in engine

Air India Express flight to Jeddah returns to Kannur after glitch in engine

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

An Air India Express flight carrying over 180 passengers from Kannur to Jeddah was forced to return to Kannur airport within two hours of take-off due to an engine fault, specifically a fuel filter issue. All passengers landed safely, and the airline is arranging an alternative aircraft and accommodation.

Covid ban on international passenger flights extended till Feb 28

Covid ban on international passenger flights extended till Feb 28

Rediff.com19 Jan 2022

The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in the country has been extended till February 28, aviation regulator DGCA said on Wednesday.

Passenger triggers bomb scare on train to find a seat

Passenger triggers bomb scare on train to find a seat

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

A passenger in Lucknow allegedly caused a false bomb alert on a train at Aishbagh station because he couldn't find a seat. The hoax triggered panic and a multi-agency security check, but no suspicious objects were found. The accused, Saini Jackie, has been taken into custody, and legal proceedings are underway.

Air India to conduct drug test for all pilots after Phuket incident

Air India to conduct drug test for all pilots after Phuket incident

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Air India and Air India Express are implementing mandatory psychoactive substance testing for all their 5,000+ pilots. This decision follows an incident where the pilot of a Phuket-Delhi flight, which experienced a sudden altitude drop injuring 24 people, tested positive for marijuana. The testing aims to enhance safety standards and reassure passengers.

Passenger booked for smoking beedi mid-air on Delhi-Goa Akasa Air flight

Passenger booked for smoking beedi mid-air on Delhi-Goa Akasa Air flight

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

A passenger on an Akasa Air flight from Delhi to Goa was arrested for allegedly smoking a 'beedi' in the lavatory and possessing a lighter, endangering the safety of the flight.

India grounds domestic passenger flights indefinitely

India grounds domestic passenger flights indefinitely

Rediff.com23 Mar 2020

No domestic commercial passenger flight would be allowed to operate in the country from March 25 onwards in order to restrict travel amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Union civil aviation ministry said in a statement on Monday.