Today's newsletter ties together multiple issues, but the central theme remains one of much-needed reform and regulatory action, be in in job creation or aviation or industry
The crash report due next week may not be conclusive, but the spate of diversions, emergency landings, and narrow escapes over past month has brought need to improve aviation safety front and centre
Air India pilots ran simulations on Boeing 787s after flight AI-171's crash, as investigators probe black box data and fuel switch role in possible dual-engine failure
The flight incident happened minutes after take-off from Delhi airport when the plane triggered a warning it was going to stall; however, the pilots managed to control the plane
According to an official statement from the airline, the flight landed safely and is currently being inspected
Air India confirmed that an incident of unruly passenger behaviour occurred on board flight AI454 from Amritsar to Delhi on 28 June
A Chennai-bound Air India flight was forced to return to Mumbai on Saturday due to a "burning smell" in the cabin. The aircraft, however, landed back safely, Air India said in a statement. "Air India flight AI 639, operating from Mumbai to Chennai, on Friday, June 27, made a precautionary air-return to Mumbai due to a burning smell in the cabin," the airline said in a statement. The flight landed "safely" back in Mumbai, and an aircraft change was initiated, Air India said without giving specific details. The airline further said its ground teams in Mumbai provided all necessary support to passengers to minimise the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen disruption.
The Union government has extended an armed security cover to GVG Yugandhar, the director general of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, who is leading the probe into the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, official sources said on Saturday. Commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had taken over the charge of his X-category security sometime back based on a Union Home Ministry order, a source said. The security cover was provided to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) director general following a threat perception report prepared by central intelligence agencies, the source said. Three to four armed commandos will accompany the AAIB DG during his movements in Delhi and other parts of the country. Yugandhar is leading a team that is investigating the June 12 crash of the Ahmedabad-London Air India flight which claimed at least 270 lives.
AAIB chief GVG Yugandhar, probing the AI171 crash that killed 270, has been granted CRPF protection; ICAO joins as observer in rare move
India opens its Air India crash investigation to a UN aviation expert as an observer, while Parliament seeks answers from Boeing and aviation officials over safety concerns
Airport services management firm Air India SATS Services (AISATS) has dismissed four senior executives for hosting a party at its office, days after a video clip of the gathering in the backdrop of the fatal Air India plane crash elicited criticism from various quarters. AISATS is a joint venture between Tata Group-owned Air India and Singapore's SATS Ltd, a global provider of gateway and food solutions. In a statement on Friday, AISATS said it has taken "firm disciplinary action" against the people responsible for the party but did not disclose specific details. A source said the company has terminated the services of four senior executives for their direct role in hosting the party. "At AISATS, we stand in solidarity with the families affected by the tragic loss of AI 171 and deeply regret the lapse in judgment reflected in a recent internal video. The behaviour does not align with our values, and firm disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible as we reaffirm ou
Chairman N Chandrasekaran told Tata Sons' board that a dedicated trust will be created with Tata Trusts to provide long-term support to victims' families
The committee is likely to conduct a detailed study of the plane crash and is planning to hold deliberations with several stakeholders, including Air India, DGCA, and Boeing
Due to the crew reaching their regulatory duty time limits, a fresh set of personnel had to be arranged before the flight could depart, further delaying takeoff
Earlier this week, the United Nations aviation agency took the unusual step of offering India one of its investigators to provide assistance following the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash
The AAIB has accessed and begun analysing the CVR and FDR of Air India Flight AI171, with Indian and US experts working to reconstruct the accident timeline and causes
The Congress on Thursday attacked the government over the lead investigator reportedly not being appointed till now for the probe into the Ahmedabad plane crash, saying the delay is "inexplicable and inexcusable". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared on X a media report which claimed that almost a fortnight after the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is yet to appoint a lead investigator to probe the accident. "A fortnight after the catastrophic air crash in Ahmedabad it is being reported that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has yet to appoint a lead investigator for the probe," Ramesh said in a post in X. "This delay is inexplicable and inexcusable," he added. There was no immediate response from the AAIB in the matter. The London-bound plane with 242 persons on board crashed into a medical hostel complex in Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad moments after taking off from the Sardar .
Today's news updates: Catch all the news developments from around the world here
Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines invested Rs 9,558 crore in loss-making Air India in 2024-25, with the promoters pumping in Rs 4,306 crore alone in March this year. The airline, being piloted by Tatas since January 2022, has embarked on an ambitious five-year transformation plan. In November 2024, Vistara -- a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines -- was merged with Air India, following which the Singaporean carrier acquired a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India. In response to queries about fundraising, an Air India spokesperson told PTI on Wednesday that its shareholders have together infused fresh capital of more than Rs 9,500 crore in 2024-25 to meet the airline's capital expenditure requirements. Tata Sons invested Rs 3,224.82 crore, and Singapore Airlines put in Rs 6,333.18 crore in Air India, taking the total fund infusion to Rs 9,558 crore in the financial year ended March 2025. "Pursuant to the merger of Vistara with Air India in November 2024, the shareholders h
An official death toll had not been released until now, with authorities stating that identification of victims would only be possible after DNA testing was completed