Page 8 - Aviation

Aviation minister visits J-K, reviews security at Srinagar, Jammu airports

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Thursday reviewed the security arrangements at Srinagar and Jammu airports as he visited the Union Territory for the first time after the conflict between India and Pakistan. Jammu and Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir were among the airports that were shut temporarily for civilian flights in the wake of the conflict, and were reopened for civilian flights this week. Naidu arrived at the Srinagar airport in the morning and held a comprehensive discussion with security agencies and relevant stakeholders, according to a release issued by the minister's office. He also reviewed the passenger facilities and infrastructure development at the Srinagar airport and later visited the Jammu airport. An official said the minister reviewed the security arrangements at the two airports. Besides, Naidu visited Lal Chowk in Srinagar. Security measures were enhanced, and at least 32 airports in northern and western parts of the country were temporarily shut

Enhanced security measures in place at airports; operations normal

Delhi airport has said that operations are normal and some flights have been impacted due to changing airspace conditions and heightened security. In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has put in place enhanced security arrangements. In a post on X, DIAL said operations remain normal at the airport while some flights are impacted due to changing airspace conditions and heightened security. "Please check with your airline for the latest updates. We urge everyone to rely only on official sources and avoid sharing unverified information. We're working closely with all stakeholders to minimise any inconvenience," DIAL said. On Thursday, at least 90 flights to and from the Delhi airport were cancelled. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport here.

Delhi airport's runway 28/10 reopens, set to ease air traffic congestion

Delhi airport's runway RW 28/10, which was shut for maintenance works, resumed operations on Tuesday, a development that is likely to ease air traffic congestion. Initially, the runway was to remain closed for a longer period to complete the Instrument Landing System (ILS) upgradation on one end, ahead of the fog season. However, the closure of the runway, easterly winds and congestion impacted flight operations. Against this backdrop, the maintenance works have been temporarily stopped and will resume in mid-June. "As per approved plan with all stakeholders, Delhi airport handed over RW 28/10 to ATC at 8:04 am today for operations till mid June. "This addition will further aid in streamlining operations and smoother arrivals and departures for passengers in the unseasonal varying wind conditions that are continuing. "We prioritise passenger experience and appreciate your understanding and support," Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said in a post on X on Tuesday. The runway w

TCS partners with Kuwait's Jazeera Airways to drive AI-led transformation

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with Kuwait's Jazeera Airways to drive AI-led transformation aimed at enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. The collaboration aims to modernize Jazeera Airways' digital platforms, including its website and mobile apps, and introduce an advanced AI-powered chatbot to enhance the customer experience. As part of this, TCS will deploy its expertise in artificial intelligence, platform engineering, and user experience design to create a seamless, hyper-personalised journey for travellers. "By leveraging TCS' expertise in agentic AI and platform engineering, Jazeera Airways aims to unlock new revenue streams, enhance its digital channels, and deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences, positioning itself at the forefront of innovation and customer-centric transformation in the aviation sector," TCS said in a statement. The airline's CEO, Barathan Pasupathi, emphasized that the partnership with TCS is laying the ...

IndiGo skids 6% on profit booking after Pakistan shuts airspace

According to media reports, India's leading airlines, particularly IndiGo and Air India have warned passengers of service disruptions following Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines.

French aviation firm Lauak mulls sale as Lohia eyes global expansion

The company in France's Basque region is attracting interest from potential suitors including India's Lohia Aerospace Systems

Baggage belt glitch affects full reopening of Delhi airport's Terminal 1

Terminal 1 had been closed on June 28 last year after a section of its roof collapsed during heavy rains, resulting in one death and six injuries

Air India downgrades passenger, crew 'caught sleeping' in business class

An Air India passenger has claimed that multiple crew members were using business class seats - allegedly the same ones reassigned from paying customers

IndiGo to move operations from Delhi's Terminal 2 to T1 from April 15

According to the Delhi International Airport Limited, the runway work is expected to continue till July 2025

Dubai Airport retains title as busiest international hub, Heathrow second

Dubai International Airport remains the world's busiest international hub in 2024, with 92.3 million passengers, while London Heathrow secures the second spot in global rankings

IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Mumbai after bomb threat

The alert was triggered when a bomb threat message was found inside one of the plane's toilets while the aircraft was mid-flight

AI Express to expand virtual interline ties with foreign low-cost carriers

Air India Express plans to have more virtual interline partnerships with foreign low-cost carriers and to deepen its network. The Tata Group-owned airline aims to carry 30 million passengers in 2025-26, higher than 20 million passengers in the current financial year ending March 2025, according to its Managing Director Aloke Singh. Currently, the airline has a fleet of 103 planes comprising 67 Boeing 737s and 36 A320s, and operates around 485 flights daily. Elaborating on the network strategy, he said the airline has grown significantly and the focus is to deepen the network. Among other initiatives, Air India Express will look to have more virtual interline partnerships with foreign low cost carriers and there are six such partnerships at present, Singh said at a briefing on Friday. The virtual interline platform 'AIX Connect' enables travellers to book self-connected itineraries between flights of Air India Express and those of the partner airline. As it pursues growth ...

Air India expects to complete refit of wide body planes by mid 2027: CEO

Air India CEO and MD also said the repainting and refurbishing of Vistara aircraft is expected to be completed in one-and-a-half years

From food to flight: Zomato's Deepinder Goyal bets $20M on aviation startup

Aviation startup LAT Aerospace will be developing low-cost 'short takeoff and landing' aircraft with up to 24 seats, and will focus on improving regional air connectivity

India will need 30,000 pilots in 15-20 years, says aviation minister

India will need 30,000 pilots in the next 15-20 years as domestic airlines have more than 1,700 planes on order as they expand their network, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Tuesday. Asserting that the ministry is working with a collective approach for the aviation industry, he also said that officials are verifying various aspects of 38 Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) and these organisations will be rated. The minister was speaking at a function to mark the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for an order for 200 trainer aircraft. Indian airlines have placed orders for more than 1,700 aircraft and currently, there are over 800 planes, Naidu said. Presently, there are 6,000-7,000 working pilots and the country will need 30,000 pilots in the next 15 to 20 years, the minister said and also pitched for making India a training hub. India is one of the world's fastest growing civil aviation markets. According to the minister, efforts are being made to

Qatar Airways to place large wide-body aircraft order soon, says CCO

He added the contract would be announced next month, declining to say whether it will be signed with Airbus, Boeing

Inspection done, Navi Mumbai airport likely to be inaugurated on April 17

Previously, the airport had encountered some setbacks. During a commercial flight test on December 29, an IndiGo A320 aircraft landed on runway, prompting the DGCA to highlight certain readiness

Pucca helipad every 45 km, airport every 150 km under new policy: MP CM

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday said that under the state's new civil aviation policy, a 'pucca' helipad will be built in every 45 km radius and an airport in every 150 km radius. He was speaking during a dialogue with industrialists in Indore during the 'Invest Madhya Pradesh - Global Investors Summit' organised in Bhopal on February 24 and 25. The cabinet headed by Yadav on Tuesday approved the Madhya Pradesh Civil Aviation Policy-2025. Talking about it, the CM said, "As per the policy, a pucca helipad will be built in every 45 km radius and an airport in every 150 km radius across the state." The state government will provide a grant of Rs 7.50 lakh on every new domestic flight connecting Madhya Pradesh to other states of the country through new routes and Rs 10 lakh on every new international flight to aviation companies. Tenders will be called soon to start helicopter service to connect Indore, Ujjain and Omkareshwar. The cabinet headed by Yadav also ...

FlyDubai eyes to start domestic airline in India by acquiring Go First

FlyDubai, owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, is looking to partner with Busy Bee for this venture

Air India rules out more Boeing jet orders for now, says CEO Wilson

The former state carrier is in the midst of a multi-billion-dollar revamp in the face of established competition, after Tata Group took it over more than two years ago