Aviation News

Noida int'l airport likely to see 'slower ramp-up': Operator Zurich Airport

Noida International Airport is expected to see a "slower ramp-up" due to a challenging geopolitical environment, and near-term performance is subject to elevated uncertainty, according to its operator Zurich Airport International AG. The airport, located in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, started operations on June 15, handling 1,044 flights and 77,000 passengers in July. In June, Noida International Airport handled 204 flights and 25,000 passengers. "Slower ramp-up expected due to challenging geopolitical environment, with near-term performance remaining subject to elevated uncertainty," Zurich Airport International said in its investor presentation for the first half of 2026. According to the presentation, the route network will continue to expand, with international services expected to follow at the Noida International Airport. "Strong confidence in the long-term growth potential and attractive fundamentals of the Indian aviation market," the company said in the presentation on Friday.

Air India, Bhutan's Drukair to offer travel across each other's networks

Air India on Wednesday said it has entered into an interline partnership with Bhutanese flag carrier Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines to offer passengers seamless travel on each other's network and strengthen connectivity between the two South Asian neighbours. With this collaboration, Tata group-owned Air India said it now provides seamless connectivity to nearly all countries in the SAARC region through its own or partner network. Apart from India and Bhutan, other countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. An interline arrangement is a pact to issue and accept tickets for flights that are operated by the partner airline. When selling an interline ticket, the operating airlines' flight numbers are used. The partnership with the Bhutanese carrier enables passengers to benefit from a single-ticket itinerary combining Air India and Drukair flights, ensuring a seamless end-to-end ..

Govt mulls random drug tests for all commercial pilots round the year

The civil aviation ministry is looking at the possibility of carrying out psychoactive substance tests for all commercial pilots round the year on a random basis. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Tuesday said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is holding discussions with stakeholders on further strengthening the drug-testing standards of pilots. "Right now, the rules say 10 per cent (drug tests) across the overall pilot network, but just like I said, DGCA is engaging (with stakeholders)... One of the opinions from our side is that everyone has to go through it (drug tests) the (whole) year at a random time. "So, we have to see how all the stakeholders are going to respond to this," the minister said. The issue of possible substance use by pilots has come to the spotlight after an Air India captain of Phuket-Delhi flight involved in a sudden altitude loss incident was tested positive for marijuana. Currently, drug tests for pilots are done on a random ...

Air India seeks $1.5 bn from owners Tata, Singapore Air as losses mount

The carrier and its budget unit Air India Express posted combined losses of $2.33 billion in the fiscal year ended March, more than double the prior year's losses

CIAL, SpiceJet trade charges over weather-linked flight disruption in Kochi

CIAL on Saturday said there were no adverse weather conditions in Kochi to warrant disruptions to SpiceJet services and accused the airline of spreading misinformation. SpiceJet, in a social media post, said: "Due to bad weather in Kochi, all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights might be affected. Passengers are requested to check their flight status via https:picejet.com/#status." In a passenger advisory, Cochin International Airport Limited said it had noted ongoing operational issues with SpiceJet affecting its international services, including those from Kochi, causing considerable inconvenience and uncertainty for passengers. "SpiceJet has issued a social media communication spreading misinformation by attributing the disruption to bad weather at Kochi," CIAL said. It said there were no adverse weather conditions in Kochi warranting the disruption cited by the airline. "No other airline operating from Kochi has reported such disruptions on account of weather ..

Bengaluru airport to levy UDF on arrivals, cut fee for departures

The new tariff structure introduces a user development fee for arriving passengers while reducing the fee for departing passengers

Domestic air traffic falls 4.8% to 12 million in July as demand weakens

Domestic air passenger traffic fell 4.8% year-on-year to 12 million in July, weighed down by high airfares and seasonal slowdown after a 15.39-million peak in May

35 years of liberalisation: How aviation reforms gave wings to pvt sector

The reforms of 1991 triggered the first wave of private airlines, yet most entered a sector that demanded far deeper financial resources than anticipated

Air New Zealand appoints former Air India CEO Campbell Wilson as director

The appointments come as the airline, New Zealand's national carrier, navigates delayed aircraft deliveries, persistent engine problems and elevated fuel costs stemming from the West Asia conflict

Aircrew face higher odds of radiation-related cancer deaths, study finds

A Harvard-led study found pilots and flight attendants had the highest proportions of radiation-related cancer deaths among 503 occupations studied

Two more Air India pilots test positive for psychoactive substances

The pilots have been removed from the duty roster and their samples sent for confirmatory tests as Air India continues its one-time mandatory screening exercise

Bhogapuram airport begins commercial operations with first IndiGo flight

Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram began commercial operations with an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad, replacing Visakhapatnam Airport as the region's main commercial aviation hub

Air India CEO-designate Gebremariam meets top executives during India visit

Tewolde Gebremariam, who is set to take over the reins of Air India next month, held meetings with senior airline executives this week during his first visit to India after being appointed as CEO and MD, according to officials. Gebremariam, an aviation industry veteran and former chief of Ethiopian Airlines Group, will take over from Campbell Wilson as the CEO and MD. The officials said Gebremariam visited the national capital and Mumbai and held meetings with senior executives of the airline and Tata Group. He will be taking charge of the Tata Group-owned airline at a time when it is working on ambitious expansion plans amid multiple external headwinds. On August 5, Air India announced the appointment of Gebremariam after a comprehensive search, overseen by a dedicated board committee. He comes with nearly four decades of experience at Ethiopian Airlines Group, including as its CEO for over 11 years. Currently, he is serving as a Senior Strategic Advisor to Delta Airlines, as wel

Air India faces challenges; group plans to induct over 100 planes in 2 yrs

Air India is facing challenges due to external volatility but remains focused on the profitability path and plans to induct over 100 new planes over the next two years, its CEO Campbell Wilson said on Thursday. The loss-making airline has been facing multiple headwinds, and a leadership transition is happening, with former Ethiopian Airlines Group chief Tewolde Gebremariam set to take over as the CEO and MD from Wilson. During a townhall with staff, Wilson, who is likely to leave the airline next month, said the annual salary increments will come into effect from October 1. The recently revised pay structure for pilots will also be effective on the same date, according to sources. Earlier this year, the increment cycle was deferred by one quarter amid the West Asia turmoil significantly impacting flight operations and costs. Talking about the future trajectory, Wilson said the group expects to induct over 100 new planes in the next two years and that 16 Boeing 787-8 aircraft are t

Phuket-Delhi flight turbulence: Air India pilot fails second drug test

Result 'non-negative' for marijuana; ministry summons CEO

Air India CEO Wilson summoned by MoCA over Phuket-Delhi flight incident

Campbell Wilson briefed senior government officials on the August 4 incident involving flight AI2379, which lost around 300 feet in altitude and injured 17 people

Govt summons Air India CEO over Phuket-Delhi flight's altitude loss

India's civil aviation minister has summoned Air ​India CEO after the ​airline's Phuket-Delhi flight suddenly lost about ‌300 feet of altitude last week, a source with knowledge of the matter said

No policy restricting airport operators from running airlines: Centre

The Centre said that the AAI has received a request seeking a waiver from such contractual restrictions, which could allow an airport operator to enter the airline business

FAA orders crack inspections for hundreds of Boeing 737 Max jets

The Federal Aviation Administration this week ordered inspections for hundreds of Boeing planes, following reports of cracks in some older models. The now-finalised rule, which was unveiled Thursday and kicks in Sept 10, applies to certain aircraft under three Boeing 737 Max models: the 737-8, 737-9 and 737-8200. The FAA estimates this covers 471 planes - and said it is using this directive to address "the unsafe condition" tied to prior reports. So far, no cracks have been found in these specific Max models. But when proposing the rule back in November, the FAA noted it had received reports of cracks in a forward bear strap for several older, "Next-Generation" 737 planes. Bear straps are metal sheets that reinforce areas on planes like doorways and emergency exits. The Max jets have "a similar design and build process" to the older models, "making those airplanes susceptible to the same crack condition," the FAA wrote in November. The agency warned that the issue could "adversely

Akasa Air launches loyalty programme 'Akasa Elevate' as airline turns 4

Four-year-old Akasa Air on Friday launched its loyalty programme as the airline seeks to provide enhanced travel experience and various benefits to passengers. The airline, which started flying on August 7, 2022, on Friday completed four years, with its Founder and CEO Vinay Dube describing the journey so far as "extremely exciting". The loyalty programme called 'Akasa Elevate' will enable members to earn points on eligible flights and ancillary products and services, a release said. "As we enter our fifth year, our focus remains firmly on disciplined growth, operational excellence, employee centricity and delivering differentiated experiences for our customers," Dube said. The airline said Akasa Elevate is designed to reward customer loyalty with greater value, personalised recognition and enhanced travel benefits. In an interaction with PTI, Dube said Akasa Air thinks itself as an "Experience-Led Carrier (ELC)". "We have worked very hard to create this experience for our custom