Aircraft

Embraer CEO pledges to make India a manufacturing base for KC-390 aircraft

Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer on Sunday signalled its readiness to set up a major production hub for its KC-390 Millennium aircraft to support the broader Asia-Pacific market if it wins the Indian Air Force's contract for up to 80 transport planes. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Embraer's President and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto pitched KC-390 Millennium as the "best" option for India, leveraging a wave of NATO acquisitions to position the plane as the new 'global benchmark' for tactical airlift. By choosing our aircraft, the Indian Air Force will have an alignment with a rapidly expanding, interoperable alliance of modern air forces, he said as the force intensifies its hunt for a versatile tactical airlifter. Describing the KC-390 as a much superior multi-mission workhorse, Neto said if awarded the Indian contract, the company will turn India into its primary production hub for aircraft to support the Asia-Pacific market. The Embraer CEO said the company is eyeing to set up

ATR bets on 2026 production ramp-up amid strong turboprop demand

The company logged 60 gross orders and 50 net orders last year, taking its backlog to more than 160 aircraft, while revenues held steady at about $1.2 billion

Private mini aircraft crashes in Karnataka, both occupants eject out

Two people, including the pilot, had a narrow escape when a private mini aircraft crashed into an open field in the district on Sunday afternoon, police sources said. The two-seater aircraft belonging to Redbird Aviation in Kalaburagi crashed at Mangaluru village in Babaleshwar Taluk of Vijayapura district, they said. Both the occupants ejected before it crashed, sources said, adding the aircraft broke into three pieces. Those who survived the accident were identified as Captain Kunal Malhotra, who is an Assistant Flight Instructor (AFI) at Redbird Aviation, and trainee pilot Goutham Sankar P R. The duo sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital, they added. It is said that the training aircraft was flying from Kalaburagi to Belagavi, though more details are awaited. A civil aviation ministry spokesperson said, "Redbird Flying Training Academy Limited's Cessna 172 Aircraft, VT-EUC (MSN-17265717), made a forced landing in a field near Bagalkot, 100 km east of Belgavi Airport.

India's private skies under scrutiny as charter flights get busier

Ajit Pawar's death has brought into focus the safety of charter flight services

Why HAL missed AMCA fighter jet shortlist

India’s most ambitious fighter jet project has reached a turning point. For the first time, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will not lead the development of a frontline combat aircraft.

Cost per seat does not work for most regional jets: Boeing's Ashwin Naidu

Boeing says regional jets won't scale in India as cost-per-seat economics and airport congestion favour single-aisle aircraft, with fewer than 10 regional jets likely even by 2044

IndiGo to add one plane weekly for 10 years, target 40% intl capacity: CEO

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said that the airline is targeting over 4,000 daily flights and 200 million passengers by 2030, with early wide-body induction planned to support long-haul expansion

Indonesian regional aircraft carrying 11 passengers goes missing, search on

A regional passenger aircraft carrying 11 people lost contact with ground control Saturday while approaching a mountainous region between Indonesia's main island of Java and Sulawesi island, officials said. A search and rescue operation is underway. The turboprop ATR 42-500 operated by the Indonesia Air Transport was on the way from Yogyakarta to the capital city of South Sulawesi when it vanished from radar, said Endah Purnama Sari, a spokesperson for the Transportation Ministry. The plane was last tracked at 01:17 pm in the Leang-Leang area of Maros, a mountainous district of South Sulawesi province. Multiple search and rescue teams, supported by air force helicopters, drones and ground units have been deployed, Sari said in a statement. Hopes for locating the wreckage grew after hikers on Mount Bulusaraung reported finding scattered debris, a logo consistent with Indonesia Air Transport markings, and small fires still burning at the scene. The sightings were reported to authori

IndiGo permitted to operate 5 Turkey-leased B737 planes till Mar 2026: DGCA

IndiGo has already been allowed to operate five narrow body planes leased from Turkey till March 2026 and no further extension will be given, according to aviation regulator DGCA. The watchdog on Monday provided a clarification about the lease duration for aircraft taken by IndiGo from Turkey amid speculations that the airline has been given more time to use such leased planes. "IndiGo has been permitted to operate aircraft on wet lease from Turkey with a last extension valid till March 2026 with a sunset clause that no further extension will be given. "This is based on the undertaking submitted by Indigo airlines in the instant case wherein they have sought last time extension, since their long range aircraft (A321-XLR) are to be delivered by February 2026," a senior DGCA official said. The lease of five Boeing 737 planes taken from Turkey's Corendon Airlines ends on March 31, 2026, as per the regulator. Currently, IndiGo operates 15 foreign aircraft on wet/damp lease basis, ...

China commissions new aircraft carrier as it seeks to extend power

China has commissioned its latest aircraft carrier after extensive sea trials, state media reported Friday, adding a ship that experts say will help what is already the world's largest navy expand its power farther beyond its own waters. The official Xinhua news agency reported Friday that the Fujian was commissioned in Sanya on Hainan island on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by top leader Xi Jinping. The Fujian is China's third carrier and the first that it both designed and built itself. It is perhaps the most visible example so far of leader Xi Jinping's massive military overhaul and expansion that aims to have a modernized force by 2035 and one that is world class by mid century which most take to mean capable of going toe-to-toe with the United States. With it, Beijing takes another step toward closing the gap with the US Navy and its carrier fleet and network of bases that allow it to maintain a presence around the world. Carriers are key to Chinese leadership's vision of

Air India in talks with Airbus, Boeing to buy 300 more wide-body jets

In June, Air India was negotiating with Airbus and Boeing for a major new aircraft purchase, which could include around 200 additional narrow-body planes

SpiceJet signs lease to induct wide-body aircraft Airbus A340 in its fleet

SpiceJet has signed a lease to add an Airbus A340 to its fleet, with the aircraft expected to arrive in India by September-end and begin operations in October under a wet lease model

From Kabul to Delhi, Afghan teen survives deadly ride in plane's wheel well

The boy, a resident of Kunduz, Afghanistan, reportedly sneaked into Kabul airport on Sunday morning and managed to hide inside the rear wheel well of a KAM Air (RQ-4401) flight bound for New Delhi

Airbus sourcing over $1 bn components from 100 India suppliers: Vaishnaw

Jürgen Westermeier, Airbus' managing director for India and South Asia, said the company will set up a centre of excellence for research and development at Vadodara-based Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya

SpiceJet to add 8 new Boeing 737 aircraft ahead of winter schedule 2025

Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, said the induction will help the airline increase frequency on key routes ahead of the festival season

Japan's armed forces spot China's biggest aircraft carrier for first time

The ship was sailing about 200 kilometers (120 miles) northwest of a disputed cluster of islands called the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China

DGCA may allow import of aircraft up to 20 years old for commercial use

Aviation watchdog DGCA is set to amend norms to allow airlines to import aircraft that are up to 20 years old at a time when global supply chain woes have been impacting plane deliveries. Currently, pressurised aircraft that are up to 18 years old are permitted to be imported into the country, subject to certain conditions. The DGCA has proposed amendments to the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) pertaining to 'Age of Aircraft to be imported for Scheduled/ Non-Scheduled including Charter, General Aviation and other Operations'. A senior official told PTI that the draft CAR proposes changes for pressurised aircraft permitted to be imported subject to certain conditions up to 20 years instead of 18 previously, un-pressurised aircraft up to 25 years instead of 20 previously. According to the draft CAR, pressurised aircraft intended to be imported and used in passenger services (scheduled/ non-scheduled) and general aviation operation, shall not have completed 20 years of age or 65 per

India receives Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft from Spain

India on Saturday received the last of its 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft from Spain, marking an important milestone in strengthening its defence capabilities, the Indian Embassy in Spain said. The C-295, a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology, is set to replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the IAF. Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik, along with senior Indian Air Force officials, received the last of the 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville, the Indian mission posted on social media. "The delivery, two months ahead of schedule, marks an important milestone in strengthening India's defence capabilities," it added. The aircraft, with a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, is a versatile and efficient tactical transport aircraft. India signed a contract with Airbus Defence & Space, Spain, for acquisition of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft for IAF in Sep 2021. Under the

Why hunt for the black box? There's a simpler fix for faster crash probes

Aircraft are equipped with sensors and recorders, which capture everything mechanical and electrical, and record cockpit conversations

Why are China’s ageing F-7 fighters under fire? Bangladesh jet crash

A Bangladesh Air Force jet crash has reignited questions about the safety of Chinese-made F-7 fighter aircraft. Is it time to retire these ageing jets? Watch!