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Extended duty limits could threaten flight safety: Pilots' union to DGCA

Federation of Indian Pilots warns that DGCA's temporary relaxation in flight duty limits for Air India long haul flights could heighten fatigue risks and compromise safety

Extended duty limits could threaten flight safety: Pilots' union to DGCA
Updated On : 16 Mar 2026 | 10:43 PM IST

Delhi-bound Air India plane diverted to Ireland due to technical snag

An Air India A350 aircraft from New York to Delhi was diverted to Shannon in Ireland due to a suspected technical snag on Monday morning. There were around 300 people onboard the plane which was airborne for nearly six hours before getting diverted to Shannon, according to sources. "Flight AI102 operating from New York (JFK) to Delhi on March 15 made a precautionary diversion to Shannon, Ireland, following a suspected technical issue," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement. The spokesperson said the aircraft landed safely at Shannon Airport at 0430 hours local time, and all passengers and crew were safe. "The aircraft is currently undergoing detailed technical inspections as per established safety protocols," the spokesperson added. Information available with flight tracking website Flightradar24.com showed the plane was airborne for nearly six hours before getting diverted.

Delhi-bound Air India plane diverted to Ireland due to technical snag
Updated On : 16 Mar 2026 | 1:42 PM IST

Air India, AI Express to operate 48 flights to and from West Asia today

These flights are being operated with the requisite permissions from the relevant Indian and local regulatory authorities

Air India, AI Express to operate 48 flights to and from West Asia today
Updated On : 16 Mar 2026 | 7:28 AM IST

DGCA gives flight duty time relaxations to Air India amid West Asia war

Aviation safety watchdog DGCA has provided temporary relaxations in flight duty norms for Air India's long-haul flights as the airline is taking longer routes due to the airspace curbs amid the Middle East conflict, sources said on Sunday. With Iranian and Iraqi airspace restrictions, Air India is taking the Egypt route for European and North American flights, which means longer flying hours. Against this backdrop, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given certain relaxations in pilot Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms till April 30, the sources told PTI. There were no comments from Air India and DGCA on the FDTL norm relaxations. Providing the relaxations for the long-haul flights operated with two pilots, the sources said, adding that DGCA has extended the Flight Time (FT) by 1.30 hours to 11.30 hours and the Flight Duty Period (FDP) by 1.45 hours to 11.45 hours. Sources say that Air India has been violating the relaxation by planning its Jeddah flight, .

DGCA gives flight duty time relaxations to Air India amid West Asia war
Updated On : 15 Mar 2026 | 6:43 PM IST

Air India finds misuse of its leisure travel policy, initiates actions

Air India has detected large-scale discrepancies in the utilisation of its leisure travel policy, involving more than 4,000 employees and has initiated corrective actions, including imposing penalties on the erring staff, according to sources. Loss-making Air India was acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022, and the airline, which has faced multiple headwinds in recent times, is also in the midst of implementing an ambitious transformation plan. The airline has more than 24,000 employees. The sources in the know told PTI that the large-scale discrepancies in the use of Air India's Employee Leisure Travel (ELT) policy were detected after a detailed internal investigation. The ELT policy allows a specified number of free air tickets for individual employees and their nominees, including spouse and parents. These are subject to certain conditions. Many employees were found to have misused the policy by showing those not related to them as relatives to avail the benefits. Some were

Air India finds misuse of its leisure travel policy, initiates actions
Updated On : 15 Mar 2026 | 2:48 PM IST

IndiGo revises schedules, Air India cancels flight to Dubai amid Iran war

Air India stated that following instructions from the UAE airport authorities, both Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express have curtailed several scheduled flights on March 15

IndiGo revises schedules, Air India cancels flight to Dubai amid Iran war
Updated On : 15 Mar 2026 | 9:24 AM IST

Akasa Air to add fuel surcharge on tickets as jet fuel costs soar

The low-cost carrier joins Air India and IndiGo in passing on rising jet fuel costs to passengers, citing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and surging aviation turbine fuel prices

Akasa Air to add fuel surcharge on tickets as jet fuel costs soar
Updated On : 14 Mar 2026 | 2:58 PM IST

Air India, AI Express to operate 80 flights to and from West Asia on Mar 14

Air India Express will also operate its scheduled services to Muscat, including one round-trip each from Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode and Mumbai

Air India, AI Express to operate 80 flights to and from West Asia on Mar 14
Updated On : 14 Mar 2026 | 7:29 AM IST

Air India, AI Express to operate 80 West Asia flights on Saturday

Air India and Air India Express will operate 80 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the West Asia region on March 14. The ongoing conflict in the region, involving the US, Israel and Iran, has significantly disrupted flight operations. According to a statement, both airlines will operate their respective scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat on March 14 (Saturday) -- a total of 18 flights. "In addition to the scheduled services, Air India and Air India Express would operate a total of 62 non-scheduled flights to and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, subject to availability of slots and other prevailing conditions at the departure stations at the time," it said. Air India will operate one round-trip from Delhi and two round-trips from Mumbai to Jeddah, while Air India Express will operate one flight each from Kozhikode and Mangaluru to Jeddah and back. "Air India Express will also operate its scheduled services to Muscat, including one ...

Air India, AI Express to operate 80 West Asia flights on Saturday
Updated On : 13 Mar 2026 | 11:04 PM IST

IndiGo, Air India seek relief from govt as Iran conflict raises costs

IndiGo and Air India are seeking tax relief and lower airport charges from the government as the Iran conflict and Pakistan airspace ban force longer routes and push up operating costs

IndiGo, Air India seek relief from govt as Iran conflict raises costs
Updated On : 13 Mar 2026 | 5:46 PM IST

Air India, Air India Express to operate 58 flights to West Asia today

The two carriers will also operate their respective scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat with a total of 10 flights to and from Jeddah, and 08 scheduled flights to and from Muscat

Air India, Air India Express to operate 58 flights to West Asia today
Updated On : 12 Mar 2026 | 7:04 AM IST

CCI dismisses complaint against IndiGo, A-I over alleged market dominance

Fair trade regulator CCI on Wednesday dismissed a complaint alleging abuse of market dominance by InterGlobe Aviation and Air India. The complainant alleged that the domestic carriers were maintaining unconscionable and illegal rates of cancellation charges and imposing arbitrary conditions and prices for the sale of services. According to the complainant, InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, held more than 65 per cent share in the domestic aviation sector, while Air India accounted for around 27 per cent. Together, both these players control about 90 per cent of the market share, raising concerns of dominance and possible anti-competitive practices, as per the complaint. After examining the information, the Commission said the allegations did not establish any prima facie violation of competition law provisions. CCI noted that the allegation of abuse of dominance does not warrant further examination as OPs (InterGlobe Aviation and Air India) have in place a system for refu

CCI dismisses complaint against IndiGo, A-I over alleged market dominance
Updated On : 11 Mar 2026 | 9:34 PM IST

Air India, its subsidiary to operate 58 flights to and from West Asia

Full-service carrier Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express on Tuesday said they will together operate a total of 58 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from West Asia on March 11. Amid the escalating conflict in the region involving the US, Israel and Iran, airlines are operating services in a calibrated manner as there are airspace restrictions and closures. The two carriers will continue to operate their respective scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat on March 11, Air India said in a statement. While Air India will operate eight flights to and from Jeddah, Air India Express will be operating 14 scheduled flights to and from Muscat, it stated. On Wednesday, Air India will operate one round-trip each from Delhi and Mumbai to Jeddah, and Air India Express will operate one round-trip each from Hyderabad and Kozhikode to Jeddah Air India Express will also operate its scheduled services to Muscat, including one round-trip each from Delhi, Mumbai,

Air India, its subsidiary to operate 58 flights to and from West Asia
Updated On : 11 Mar 2026 | 7:32 AM IST

West Asia war: Air India introduces fuel surcharges amid rising oil prices

Air India to impose fuel surcharges on domestic and international flights in phases from March 12 as aviation turbine fuel prices surge amid supply disruptions

West Asia war: Air India introduces fuel surcharges amid rising oil prices
Updated On : 11 Mar 2026 | 12:05 AM IST

Air India, AI Express to operate 60 flights to West Asia on Tuesday

Air India and Air India Express will operate a total of 60 flights to and from cities in the Middle East, including 32 non-scheduled services connecting the UAE. Amid the escalating Middle East conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, airlines are operating services in a calibrated manner as there are airspace restrictions and closures in the region. On Tuesday, Air India and Air India Express will together operate 14 flights to and from Jeddah, while Air India Express will operate 14 services to and from Muscat. "In addition to the scheduled services, Air India and Air India Express would operate a total of 32 ad hoc non-scheduled flights between Indian cities and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 10 March 2026, subject to the availability of slots and other conditions prevailing at the respective point of departure at the time," a statement said on Monday. These 32 flights will connect to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al-Khaimah from different Indian cities. Akasa Air sai

Air India, AI Express to operate 60 flights to West Asia on Tuesday
Updated On : 09 Mar 2026 | 10:56 PM IST

Air India to run 32 special flights today from UAE amid West Asia crisis

Air India and Air India Express move to bring stranded travellers home while maintaining flights to Jeddah and Muscat

Air India to run 32 special flights today from UAE amid West Asia crisis
Updated On : 09 Mar 2026 | 6:56 AM IST

Air India adds flights to Europe, North America as West Asia unrest grows

Air India will add 78 flights to Europe, North America and South Asia as the Israel-Iran conflict restricts West Asia airspace and forces airlines to reroute or cancel services

Air India adds flights to Europe, North America as West Asia unrest grows
Updated On : 08 Mar 2026 | 6:33 PM IST

Air India to operate special flights for UAE on March 8 amid Gulf crisis

The airlines announced additional non-scheduled flights on March 8 with approvals from Indian and local authorities to facilitate travellers affected by the regional restrictions

Air India to operate special flights for UAE on March 8 amid Gulf crisis
Updated On : 08 Mar 2026 | 6:47 AM IST

Air India to launch Hanoi-Delhi, Tokyo-Mumbai non-stop flights services

Air India on Thursday announced the launch of its non-stop flight services on the Hanoi-Delhi and Tokyo (Haneda)-Mumbai routes starting in the June quarter as part of its expansion across Asia. The Tata group airline already operates to Vietnam and Japan with flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo (Haneda) from the national capital. The new five-time weekly services to Hanoi, starting from May 1, will complement daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City. This provides greater flexibility to travellers who intend to visit Vietnam with open jaw itineraries-entering from Hanoi and exiting Ho Chi Minh City or vice versa, Air India said, adding these services will be operated with a A320neo aircraft in a three-calss configuration--business Premium economy as well as Economy Class. The opening of this new route adds 7,028 seats to and from Vietnam each month, Air India said. Vietnam, which now ranks as the third-most-visited country in Southeast Asia, having recorded over 20 million visitors in

Air India to launch Hanoi-Delhi, Tokyo-Mumbai non-stop flights services
Updated On : 05 Mar 2026 | 10:59 PM IST

Indian airlines ramp up West Asia and global flights as curbs ease

Indian airlines are adding capacity to West Asia, Europe and North America, operating additional and special flights as airspace restrictions ease after recent military strikes in the region

Indian airlines ramp up West Asia and global flights as curbs ease
Updated On : 04 Mar 2026 | 11:10 PM IST