No premature disclosure of AI-171 flight data, AAIB to Surat resident

Ahmedabad: Responding to a letter from a Surat resident seeking black box data of the ill-fated AI-171 aircraft, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) India has stated that the data cannot be provided, and the final report will be published “as soon as the investigation is completed and accepted for publication”.

The letter signed by K Ramesh Babu, director of AAIB, dated May 20, read: ‘It is informed that the investigation of this unfortunate accident is being carried out by AAIB in accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025 and Standards & Recommended Practices of ICAO Annex 13.”

The requisite information cannot be provided as per Rule 17 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents & Incidents) Rules, 2025, it added.

“The investigation is looking into each and every factor to identify the root cause/ contributory factor(s) leading to the accident. AAIB will publish the final investigation report on its website as soon as the investigation is completed and accepted for publication. The final investigation report will contain all the findings including the root cause/ contributory factor(s) leading to the accident and will issue safety recommendations to avoid re-occurrence of such accidents in future,” read the response.

23/05/2026 Times of India

Read More

Army officers survive Leh chopper crash, selfie after escape goes viral

 A routine flight over one of India’s harshest military landscapes ended in a narrow escape after an Indian Army helicopter crashed near Leh in Ladakh, leaving three senior officers with minor injuries. Officials said the ageing Cheetah helicopter went down in the mountainous Tangtse region on May 20, triggering a court of inquiry into the incident. A post-crash selfie reportedly shared by one officer later drew widespread attention online.  

The helicopter, part of India’s long-serving Cheetah fleet, was carrying a lieutenant colonel, a major and a senior army officer when it crashed in eastern Ladakh, one of the world’s highest-altitude operational military zones. All survived with minor injuries, according to officials cited by local media reports. 

The incident unfolded in the Tangtse sector near Leh. While authorities have not disclosed the cause, the Indian Army has launched a court of inquiry to determine what led to the crash.  

Images and reports circulating after the incident focused on a selfie allegedly taken after the crash, showing survivors smiling despite the emergency — a detail that quickly drove conversation online and amplified public attention around the story.  

23/05/2026 Nathaniel Lacsina/Gulf News

Read More

Daman Airport India Opens June 2026: Direct Flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad

Daman Airport India Set to Transform Regional Aviation in June 2026

Daman Airport India is officially entering the country's aviation network this June with a brand-new INR 97-crore civil airport facility. The state-of-the-art terminal is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in early June 2026, marking a watershed moment for connectivity in the region. The inaugural operations will introduce direct flights connecting Daman to three major Indian metropolitan hubs: Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. This strategic expansion addresses long-standing connectivity gaps and positions Daman as an emerging aviation destination for business travelers and leisure seekers alike.

The launch phase of Daman Airport India operations will focus on three priority routes connecting to major economic and administrative centers. Delhi connectivity will serve business travelers and government officials, while the Mumbai route addresses demand from financial sector professionals. The Ahmedabad service completes the initial network triangle, creating a hub-and-spoke model for regional circulation. Airlines operating these routes have not yet been officially announced, but industry analysts expect flag carrier Air India and budget carriers to dominate the schedule. Flight frequencies are anticipated at 1-2 daily services per route during the initial ramp-up phase. Passengers can monitor route launches and real-time flight information via FlightAware, which tracks Indian aviation operations comprehensively.

The opening of Daman Airport India is projected to catalyze significant economic activity across multiple sectors. Tourism operators expect increased visitor flows to Daman's coastal attractions, water sports facilities, and heritage sites. Business connectivity improvements will attract corporate investment in manufacturing, import-export operations, and service sectors. Regional hoteliers and hospitality providers are already positioning themselves to capture incremental demand from air travelers. Government officials have noted that improved aviation access supports broader economic development objectives outlined in state-level growth initiatives. Historical precedent from similar regional airport inaugurations in India suggests passenger traffic could grow 15-20% annually during the first three years of operation.

23/05/2026  Kunal K Choudhary/Nomad Lawyer

Read More

Scoot to shift commercial flight operations to Andhra's Bhogapuram airport from July 8

VISAKHAPATNAM: Singapore-based low-cost carrier Scoot has announced that all its flight operations in Visakhapatnam will shift to the upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram from July 8, 2026, marking the first formal airline announcement ahead of the airport’s commercial operations.

According to an advisory issued by the airline, all Scoot flights currently operating from the existing Visakhapatnam Airport (VTZ) will thereafter operate from the new greenfield airport located at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, around 50 km from Visakhapatnam city.

The airline stated that its check-in counters would function from Terminal-1 of the new airport and open two-and-a-half hours prior to flight departure. Passengers have been advised to arrive at least 120 minutes before scheduled departure time to complete check-in and security procedures.

The announcement assumes significance as the Bhogapuram airport project moves closer to operational readiness. In January this year, an Air India aircraft from New Delhi successfully completed the maiden trial landing at the airport.

23/05/2026 Usha Peri/New Indian Express

Read More

IndiGo flight from Delhi to Shirdi diverted to Navi Mumbai due to bad weather

New Delhi: An IndiGo flight operating from Delhi to Shirdi was diverted to Navi Mumbai after bad weather conditions at the destination airport prevented a safe landing, officials said.

The flight, which was scheduled to land at Shirdi Airport on Friday, was forced to divert as adverse weather conditions persisted in the region, disrupting normal flight operations.

According to officials, the aircraft was rerouted to Navi Mumbai as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety.

Further details are awaited.

Earlier on Friday, IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory for passengers in view of heavy rainfall expected across Mumbai, cautioning that road movement in several parts of the city may be affected.

23/05/2026 ANI/Economic Times

Read More

Hundreds Of AIESL Aircraft Maintenance Employees Go 'Off Work' In Major Cities Demanding Equal Pay

Hundreds of aircraft maintenance staff have not reported to work in the last ten days at the airports across the country, forcing the Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), the largest Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO) company in India, to rope in third-party firms to ensure timely daily maintenance of the operating aircraft.

The mass walkout of workers started on May 13, following a number of demands by the employees, including withdrawal of a policy restricting employees from switching jobs, revision of salary, implementation of a dearness allowance, and implementation of the new labour code, among others. Employees alleged that AIESL has not responded to their demands so far.

AIESL handles multiple fleets of aircraft such as the commonly used A320 family, A310, A330, and B737NG, B747-400, B777, B787, and others.

The total country-wide strength of AIESL engineering staff that conducts the daily maintenance work on aircraft is about 1,800 to 2,000, operating at different airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, etc. There are about 1,000-1,200 more non-technical staff in the company.

23/05/2026 Anvit Srivastava/CNN-News18

Read More

Delhi HC asks DGCA to promptly decide complaint that Air India served only one hot meal during 16-hour flight

The Delhi High Court has directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to promptly decide a complaint against Air India over inadequate meals on a 16-hour flight [Nivedita Sharma Vs Ministry of Civil Aviation].

The complaint was filed by two passengers. They said Air India served only one hot meal and limited snacks on its Delhi–San Francisco flight despite knowing that they had diabetes and hypertension.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia has directed the DGCA to examine the complaint in a timely manner.

"We direct that the grievance redressal exercise, if not already concluded, shall be completed expeditiously after taking into consideration the written replies submitted by the Appellants as well as Respondent No. 3/Air India, and a reasoned order shall be passed within a period of six weeks," the May 23 order said.

The case concerned Air India flight AI-173 from New Delhi to San Francisco on November 11, 2020.

Two passengers alleged that the quality and quantity of food served on the flight were grossly inadequate. They also claimed that one of them suffered food poisoning, dehydration and weakness after consuming the meal served by Air India.

23/05/2026 S N Thyagarajan/Bar and Bench

Read More

Hyderabad Pilot Flies Indian Flag Over Pyramids

HYDERABAD: Sukumar Das was sitting at an international aero sports plenary in Switzerland earlier this year when he realised how unusual his presence there was. Delegates from countries with long‑established flying cultures were discussing regulations, competitions and tourism economies built around air sports, but he kept thinking about how little of that world existed in India when he began flying.

“Before this, India did not even have representation in many of these international discussions for paramotors and microlights,” said Sukumar Das, Hyderabad‑based aero sports pilot and founder of Vertical World, who has represented India at international competitions and meetings connected to powered paragliding and microlight aviation.

He spoke about carrying Indian Flags over the pyramids in Egypt and the Atlantic coastline in Brazil, building his own equipment in Hyderabad because imported kits were unaffordable, and trying to convince state governments that aero sports could create tourism jobs and training centres in India.

23/05/2026 Deccan Chronicle

Read More

Cleaners axed for dereliction of duty in disciplinary crackdown at Calcutta airport

Nine cleaning staff engaged by a private agency at Calcutta airport have been terminated for not performing their duties, in a disciplinary crackdown that unions had successfully resisted in the past.

As part of the fresh clean-up drive, stalls opposite the old domestic terminal have been shut down, although they are yet to be dismantled. However, cars allegedly operated by touts charging fliers exorbitant fares were still parked illegally opposite the terminal on Friday.

The nine workers, employed by Rakshak Securitas Private Limited, were deployed in the departure area of the airport. “Nine persons were terminated from service on May 12 for not doing their job. Earlier, several notices were served on them for negligence, but they continued to violate rules,” an official of the agency told Metro on Friday.

Rakshak Securitas, which got the housekeeping contract around one-and-a-half years ago, had about 250 contractual housekeeping staff at the airport. Most of them had also worked with the previous agency.

“We did not receive any phone calls from political leaders after the nine workers were terminated, nor was there any demonstration by other workers,” an airport official said.

Sources said complaints against the dismissed workers included absence from duty posts, misbehaviour with officials and passengers, and failure to wear uniforms.

23/05/2026 Sanjay Mandal/Telegraph

Read More

Indian businessman spends 57 days in jail after airport scanner mistakes spice mix for heroin

 An Indian businessman spent 57 days in prison after security equipment at a domestic airport flagged packets of common cooking spices as heroin, a court has ruled, awarding him £9,000 in compensation.

The man was travelling through Bhopal airport in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, en route to Malaysia via Delhi, when explosive trace detection machines indicated that packets of two common Indian spices – garam masala, an aromatic spice blend, and aamchur, a dried mango powder – contained heroin and a psychotropic substance.

He was arrested under India's Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and held in custody while samples were sent for testing. The regional forensic laboratory returned them after ten days, saying it lacked the equipment to test for the psychotropic substance flagged by the scanner.

The samples were then sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Hyderabad, which confirmed they contained no contraband. However, by that point, the man had been in jail for 57 days.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court, ruling on the case last month, found the state vicariously liable for the violation of the man's fundamental right to liberty.

Justice Deepak Khot said that while the initial arrest was made with reasonable grounds, the businessman could have been freed far sooner had the state's forensic infrastructure been adequate.

"When cases like this are sent for investigation to the regional forensic laboratory, no opinion was given, and finally, when the samples were sent to the central lab, it was found that it does not contain contraband, which took about 57 days of the petitioner's life suffered in jail for no fault on his part," the court said in its order.

The petitioner argued that the detection machine, manufactured in Canada, was not calibrated to handle aromatic Indian spices, which may have triggered a false positive.

23/05/2026 Stuti Mishra/Independent

Read More

Delhi to Noida airport in 21 minutes: UP clears rapid rail connectivity proposal

Travel time between Delhi and the upcoming Noida International Airport could be reduced to 21 minutes under a proposed high-speed rail connectivity plan, Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta said on Thursday.

Reviewing projects of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) at PICUP Bhawan here, the minister said the detailed project report (DPR) for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting Delhi with Jewar airport has been approved by the state government and sent to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Officials informed the meeting that provisions have also been made in the DPR to integrate the proposed Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor with the airport terminal through a dedicated station, enabling Delhi connectivity in around 21 minutes in the future, according to a statement.

The minister said the entire Yamuna Expressway region is set to emerge as a major cargo hub after the inauguration of the Jewar airport.

He asked officials to improve their work culture, adopt a corporate-style approach and ensure better maintenance and repair of damaged roads along the expressway.

23/05/2026 PTI/India Today

Read More

Cocaine worth Rs 11 crore seized at Mumbai airport, 4 foreign nationals arrested

Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 2.25 kg of cocaine valued at Rs 11.25 crore and arrested four foreign nationals at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in last four days, officials said on Saturday.

Based on specific information, the DRI conducted two separate operations, an official said.

On Friday, a male and a female passenger who had arrived from Addis Ababa were intercepted. During interrogation both admitted to having ingested capsules containing cocaine.

They were admitted to a state-run hospital and 84 capsules containing 1.40 kg of cocaine were recovered.

Earlier on Tuesday, the DRI intercepted an African man and a woman arriving from Addis Ababa. A total of 63 capsules containing 850 grams of cocaine, worth Rs 4.25 crore, were purged and recovered from them, officials said.

23/05/2026 PTI/Print

Read More

Illegal car rental kiosk at airport to shut down after TMC union agrees to vacate space

Kolkata: An allegedly illegal car rental kiosk, operating outside the Kolkata airport for years under the label of ‘Prepaid Cab-City & Outstation', was finally headed for a shutdown after the Trinamool-controlled union, which ran it, agreed to vacate the premises.

The move came within three weeks of the change in govt.

Airport officials declared the outlet illegal eight months ago. In Oct last year, then airport director Pravat Ranjan Beuria served a notice to Helpline Transport and Car Parking, which operated the kiosk, directing it to "immediately close illegal operations of pre-paid taxi services" at the airport. Yet, the outlet, allegedly backed by the Trinamool-affiliated union, continued despite the shutdown directive and repeated allegations of fleecing passengers, promoting touts and operating under the guise of an authorised prepaid taxi service. The matter even reached the Centre.

The kiosk eviction follows an intensified disciplinary drive by airport authorities over the past few days. Officials recently cleared hawkers and unauthorised food vendors from the old domestic terminal and also removed nine housekeeping staffers, employed by a private agency, for alleged dereliction of duty.

Amid this tougher administrative stance, the Trinamool-affiliated union, which ran the car rental kiosk, indicated it would no longer oppose the eviction order. "When our party was in office in the state, we stood against such injustice. But now, there is little point in a fight. We know we will have to wrap up the car rental kiosk. Many depend on this kiosk for their livelihood but we have asked those drivers to look for other options. We will shut down shortly," said Barun Natta, a member of the Trinamool-controlled union at the airport.

23/05/2026 Tamaghna Banerjee/Mayukh Sengupta/Times of India

Read More

Flyers endure 18-hour ordeal after glitch grounds Chennai-Kolkata aircraft

 CHENNAI: More than 100 passengers of a Chennai-Kolkata Air India Express flight were stranded without food and accommodation at the city airport for more than 18 hours after the aircraft developed a technical snag just before take off around 7.40 pm on Friday.

The passengers said the flight with 180 on board halted on the runway, and they were kept in the dark for almost an hour. They said they were deplaned and escorted back to the airport terminal after almost an hour.

Their ordeal did not end there, as the flyers had to spent the entire night at the departure terminal. Sources said some of the passengers who stepped out to collect their luggage were allegedly denied re-entry into the secured zone, sparking panic among the others. Many of the passengers refused to leave for hotel accommodation fearing they too would be locked out.

Those who eventually left the airport were taken in cabs arranged by the airline to two nearby hotels. But the passengers taken to one hotel later alleged no room or proper meal was arranged and that they were left waiting in the hotel lobby through the night before being brought back to the airport on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, the passengers who remained inside the terminal said they were given only small bottles of water and a plate of vegetarian biryani around 12.45am, more than five hours after the scheduled departure time.

23/05/2026 Swarnali Dutta, C Shivakumar/New Indian Express

Read More

How an Indian airport retail entrepreneur is reaching extraordinary new heights

Indian entrepreneur Dhruv Jain’s company Orchid Ent Outfit has recently been awarded the master retail concession for the new Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (Leh) Airport terminal in Ladakh – at an altitude of 3,256 metres, India’s highest commercial gateway.

Leh Airport serves as the aviation entry point to the stunning Ladakh region – part of the northern Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory and famed for its spellbinding mountain ranges, lush forests, pristine lakes and rivers, and majestic desert landscapes.

Everything about this airport is simultaneously distinctive and demanding. The facility’s high-altitude setting places extraordinary pressures on its infrastructure. For example, a 2,700-metre asphalt runway is required to allow planes to generate enough speed to take off in the rarefied air.

From a pilot’s perspective, the approach is unidirectional – meaning aircraft are forced to arrive from one specific direction and land on a single runway end, regardless of the wind. To navigate through a corridor of 5,000 metre-plus peaks requires immense skill and attention.

Leh Airport has been undergoing an ambitious redevelopment of its terminal and support systems to create a contemporary hub while respecting a unique and fragile environmental ecosystem. And that makeover, as Dhruv Jain explains to The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie, includes a complete rethink of the commercial offer.

“What makes this project especially meaningful is the opportunity to build a retail ecosystem that reflects India’s identity in a far more authentic way – based on local craftsmanship, culturally rooted brands, and purpose-led retail that resonates with both travellers and the region itself,” says Dhruv Jain, a dynamic young businessman driven as much by a sense of purpose as any commercial imperative.

“There’s also a strong underlying narrative of the airport and its commercial offer supporting border infrastructure and contributing to economic activity in a strategically important area.

23/05/2026 Martin Moodie/Moodie Davitt Report

Read More

Calcutta eyes return of flights as airport reaches out to British Airways, Lufthansa

 A team of officials from Calcutta airport recently spoke to representatives of British Airways and Lufthansa about the possibility of resuming operations from the city, where both airlines once operated.

The discussions took place at an aviation event in China last month. The airlines have asked airport officials to submit data on passengers travelling from Calcutta to Europe, the UK and the US. Aviation experts, however, said that amid global uncertainty, major airlines are unlikely to launch new routes immediately.

The talks were held during Routes Asia 2026 in China in April. The event brought together aviation leaders, airports and tourism authorities to discuss network strategies and air service development in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I spoke to representatives of British Airways and Lufthansa at Routes. They have asked for data on the number of passengers from Calcutta travelling to Europe and the UK. I will prepare the report soon and send it to them,” said Vikram Singh, director of Calcutta airport.

Sources said both airlines have flying rights from India, allowing them to operate flights with a specified number of seats.

British Airways, Lufthansa and Air India had once operated direct flights from Calcutta to London and Frankfurt. All three withdrew services because of poor yields.

23/05/2026 Sanjay Mandal/Telegraph

Read More

FLY91 offers Super Discounted Excess Baggage Pricing

Panaji: FLY91 has introduced its newest product offering SmartBag91 — a customer-first initiative designed to simplify excess baggage for travellers while making regional flying more affordable, transparent and hassle-free.

As part of the initiative, passengers can now pre-book additional baggage at highly discounted rates across any sector on the FLY91 network, and not just on international connecting itineraries — a first-of-its-kind customer convenience feature in regional aviation.

Built around FLY91’s mission of “Connecting Bharat” through safe and reliable regional air travel, SmartBag91 addresses one of the most common traveller pain points: uncertainty and high costs associated with excess baggage.

Under the programme, passengers can choose from structured baggage slabs ranging from 5 kg to 30 kg at the time of booking, with pricing starting from INR 1000 and going up to just INR 3000 for 30 kg of additional baggage.

For travellers flying home, students relocating, business passengers, families, or customers carrying extra luggage for extended journeys, SmartBag91 offers greater predictability and flexibility well before arriving at the airport.

“For us, SmartBag91 is about simplifying travel decisions for our customers,” said Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, FLY91. “As we continue Connecting Bharat through safe and reliable regional air travel, our focus remains on making the journey more seamless and hassle-free for passengers. This initiative is especially valuable for travellers connecting through key hubs such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru, where smooth domestic and international transitions are increasingly important.”

The initiative also aligns with global aviation policies that allow passengers to personalise baggage requirements based on individual travel needs, while avoiding last-minute airport uncertainty.

As part of its digital-first approach, FLY91 continues to build a lean, customer-centric airline experience supported by proactive communication systems, auto check-ins via WhatsApp, QR-enabled inflight services powered by UPI, and simplified passenger processes.

SmartBag91 further strengthens FLY91’s positioning as an innovator in India’s regional aviation space, focused on delivering practical and passenger-led travel solutions.

Headquartered in Goa, FLY91 currently connects 12 destinations across India including Goa (Mopa), Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Solapur, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, Kochi, Agatti, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, and Hubballi.

23/05/2026 Fly91

Read More

IndiGo issues Delhi travel advisory amid thunderstorm, rain forecast

New Delhi, May 23: IndiGo on Saturday issued a travel advisory for passengers travelling to and from Delhi amid forecasts of thunderstorms and rain in the national capital, warning that flight departures and arrivals could be impacted due to adverse weather conditions. Taking to social media platform X, the airline said weather conditions over Delhi may temporarily affect flight operations, even as airport and airline teams were making preparations in advance to minimise disruptions.

“With thunderstorms and rain expected to pass over Delhi, departures and arrivals may be impacted. While our teams are preparing well in advance to keep things running smoothly, the weather may slow things down a touch,” IndiGo said on the social media platform. Moreover, the airline advised passengers to check their flight status through its website or mobile application before leaving for the airport.

In addition, it urged travellers to keep additional travel time in hand, noting that road traffic movement in parts of the city could be affected due to rain and waterlogging. “If you’re travelling today, we recommend checking your flight status on our website or app before heading out,” the airline said.

On Friday, the airline firm had issued a travel advisory for passengers travelling to and from Mumbai in view of heavy rainfall forecast across the city. It requested passengers to leave for the airport earlier than usual to avoid possible delays caused by adverse weather conditions. “Please keep an eye on traffic updates and check your flight status using our app or website before heading out,” the airline said.

23/05/2026 Shillong Times

Read More

Passenger Caught With E-Cigarette Hidden In Socks At Mopa Airport

Mopa Airport Police have registered a case against an airline passenger after an electronic cigarette was allegedly found concealed inside his ankle socks during security screening at Manohar International Airport.

According to police, the complaint was filed by CISF personnel Rahul Layak attached to the airport security unit. The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Domestic Security Hold Area of the airport.

Police identified the accused as 27-year-old Ashish Jalan from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, who was scheduled to travel to Jalgaon on a Fly91 flight from Mopa airport.

During frisking and baggage screening, security staff reportedly detected an electronic vape device hidden inside the passenger's ankle socks. The seized e-cigarette is valued at around Rs 4,200.

23/05/2026 dailyhunt

Read More

Air India suspends Delhi, Mumbai services; more reductions likely

Nagpur: Several airlines have begun scaling down operations at Nagpur airport, raising concerns over reduced connectivity and a possible spike in airfares during the peak summer travel season. The development comes days after the Centre cleared the GMR-led modernisation of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport.

According to sources, major carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express, have cancelled, suspended, or reduced flight frequencies. Several domestic routes linking Nagpur with key cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Indore, and Goa are likely to be affected under revised operational schedules.

Air India has announced that its daily Delhi–Nagpur flights (AI-415 and AI-416) will remain suspended in July. The airline has also suspended two Mumbai–Nagpur services (AI-2581 and AI-2582) from June 1 to August 1. Another evening service on the same sector (AI-2583 and AI-2584) will also remain suspended during this period.

Air India attributed the changes to operational constraints, including airspace restrictions and rising costs. It said affected passengers would be offered alternative flights, complimentary date changes or full refunds, subject to availability.

23/05/2026 Sumukh Kulkarni/Times of India

Read More

Fresh Efforts Begin to Relocate Mosque Inside Kolkata Airport Operational Area

Fresh efforts to relocate a mosque situated inside the operational area of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport have gained momentum following the recent political changes in the state government.

Airport authorities and district officials have restarted discussions regarding the shifting of the 136-year-old Gouripur Jame Masjid, popularly known as the Bankra mosque, which is located close to the airport’s secondary runway.

According to officials, a joint inspection of the mosque was conducted on Tuesday by representatives from the district administration and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This was followed by a meeting on Wednesday between state authorities and representatives of the mosque committee.

During the meeting, airport officials reportedly explained the need to relocate the mosque because of concerns related to flight safety, airport security, and operational limitations.

The mosque currently lies around 165 meters north of the airport’s secondary runway and approximately 150 meters inside the airport boundary wall. Aviation rules reportedly require buildings to maintain a minimum distance of about 240 meters from the runway for safety reasons.

Officials say the mosque’s location has been a concern for the airport for more than three decades. According to airport authorities, its presence affects flight operations and limits the use of the secondary runway.

22/05/2026 Ajeet Yadav/Aviation Jeta

Read More

Boeing expands India manufacturing push through civil and defence partnerships

Boeing India is looking to move up the value chain in the country — from simple assemblies to complex assemblies and the use of composite materials — to make Indian companies more capable partners.

Having leveraged synergies across its civil and defence businesses to expand operations over the past few years, the aircraft maker has invested around $100 million in India in pilot training to ensure the country has the skills required to safely operate its aircraft.

Boeing India’s sourcing from the country currently stands at ₹12,000 crore annually, with the company focused on capability growth rather than numerical targets.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18’s Abhimanyu Sharma, Boeing India and South Asia President Salil Gupte said the company’s sourcing activities in India align with US President Donald Trump’s industrialisation strategy, noting that India is a major market for US exports such as aircraft.

Describing investment as a two-way street, Gupte said Indian companies are also investing in manufacturing, aerospace and high-tech sectors in the US. He added that India is investing in maintaining Boeing aircraft within the country, with the company supporting these efforts through training and tooling.

Welcoming the upcoming visit of Marco Rubio to India, Gupte said the visit is expected to strengthen US-India ties across several areas, including industrial collaboration.

22/05/2026 CNBC TV18

Read More

West Asia conflict hits Indian airlines, foreign carriers gain share in first quarter of 2026

India’s international aviation market saw a clear shift in passenger traffic in the first quarter of calendar year 2026, with foreign airlines gaining ground as Indian carriers lost passengers amid disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict, according to data from aviation regulator DGCA.

International passenger traffic in India fell 1.2% year-on-year to 1.91 crore in Q1CY26, reflecting the impact of airspace disruptions, higher fares and operational constraints triggered by the conflict.

While overall traffic declined, foreign airlines emerged as relative beneficiaries. Passenger traffic on foreign carriers operating to and from India rose by nearly 7 lakh passengers to 1.1 crore during the quarter. In contrast, Indian carriers saw international passenger traffic decline by 8.7 lakh passengers year-on-year to 80.9 lakh, according to DGCA data analysed by CNBC-TV18.

The data suggests that a large share of passengers lost by Indian airlines shifted to foreign carriers, particularly those able to sustain operations and expand connectivity through alternate routes.

Among overseas airlines, the biggest gainer was Etihad Airways, which saw passenger traffic in India rise 10% year-on-year to 7.77 lakh in Q1CY26. Singapore Airlines added more than 20,000 passengers in India during the quarter, taking total traffic to 6.28 lakh. Lufthansa added over 45,000 passengers year-on-year, while British Airways added more than 18,000 passengers.

On the domestic side, Air India recorded the steepest fall in international traffic among Indian carriers. The airline saw international passenger traffic decline by 4.3 lakh passengers year-on-year in Q1CY26. IndiGo also reported a decline, with international traffic falling 2.6% from 39.3 lakh passengers to 38.3 lakh during the quarter.

22/05/2026 Shivani Bazaz/CNBC TV18

Read More

Air India CEO says successor will have ‘hands full’

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said on Thursday ​that his successor will have his or her "hands full," as the carrier ‌grapples with a ban on the usage of neighbor Pakistan's ​airspace, fallout from the Iran war and a strong ⁠U.S. dollar. Wilson said he would leave in a couple of months' time.

“The next four years is going to be just as challenging as the past, albeit ‌in a different way," Wilson told a lunch event at Wings Club in New York. "And so the person that ‌takes over will have their hands full, but I want to ‌make ⁠sure the right person is in place to carry that ⁠forward.” Reuters has reported that Singapore Airlines executive Vinod Kannan and Air India's commercial head Nipun Aggarwal are the two frontrunners to become the new CEO of Air India.

Air ​India, which has reported heavy ‌losses, has also faced a series of safety lapses.

Wilson said it was always clear that he would hold a four-year term at Air India, but would take steps to help his successor.

"I'm going to ‌be flexible for as long as it takes for them to ​find someone and make sure that we do a good transition," Wilson said.

22/05/2026 Reuters/Business Line

Read More

Bengaluru airport expands global flight network as airlines bypass volatile West Asian airspace

As global aviation networks recalibrate following geopolitical tensions and airspace disruptions linked to the Iran conflict earlier this year, Bengaluru is increasingly finding itself at the centre of India’s next big aviation opportunity. Kempegowda International Airport is gradually evolving from a largely point-to-point airport into a potential international transit hub, connecting travellers across Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia through southern India. For airlines seeking diversified routing options and for passengers looking for seamless connections, Bengaluru is beginning to stand out as a strategic gateway.

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) is placing transfer traffic at the heart of its long-term growth plans. BIAL COO Girish Nair in an interview with the Financial Express had stated earlier that the airport is aiming to raise transfer traffic to nearly 20–22% in the coming years as both domestic and international connectivity continue to expand.

Bengaluru’s advantage lies in its strong mix of international business travel, growing outbound demand and extensive domestic connectivity across southern India. At the same time, airlines are increasingly exploring alternative transit points in Asia as operational uncertainties continue in parts of West Asia.

The airport’s international network has expanded significantly over the past year, further strengthening Bengaluru’s ambitions of becoming a global aviation hub.

22/05/2026 Kanchan Nath/Travel Daily Media

Read More

Indigo News: Delhi High Court Grants Interim Relief to IndiGo in ₹458 Crore GST Case

 The Delhi High Court has granted temporary relief to IndiGo Airlines in a major Goods and Services Tax (GST) dispute involving a demand of nearly ₹458 crore. The Court directed tax authorities not to take any coercive action against the airline until further hearings in the matter.

The case revolves around compensation received by IndiGo from a foreign aircraft engine supplier after several aircraft engines reportedly malfunctioned during the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20. According to the airline, the engine failures forced multiple aircraft to remain grounded, resulting in operational disruption and business losses.

A Division Bench of Justices Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Ajay Digpaul observed during the hearing that the payment received by the airline appeared to be “compensation” rather than a taxable “supply” under GST law. Based on this preliminary view, the Court granted interim protection to the airline.

InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, challenged the GST demand and argued that the tax authorities had wrongly treated the compensation as payment for a service. The airline maintained that the amount was paid solely to cover losses caused by engine malfunction and grounding of aircraft, not for providing any service to the foreign supplier.

During the proceedings, IndiGo’s counsel informed the Court that the airline had already paid Integrated GST at the time of importing aircraft and engines. Later, after operational issues emerged, a supplementary agreement was signed with the overseas supplier, which issued credit notes reportedly worth around ₹2,000 crore as compensation for loss of flying hours and business impact.

22/05/2026 Aviation Jeta

Read More

Navi Mumbai Airport Reshapes Mumbai Diversion Pattern

Mumbai: The commissioning of Navi Mumbai airport last Dec is beginning to reshape diversion patterns in the Mumbai airspace, allowing flights from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to divert to each other instead of heading to distant alternate airports in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa. This week, two flights diverted in this pattern and then flew between the two airports of the Mumbai metropolitan region, operating one of India’s shortest flights of 19 minutes’ duration. The same short diversions have started between Pune and Navi Mumbai as well.

On May 21, a Star Air flight from Solapur to Mumbai was diverted to Navi Mumbai around 4 pm due to operational reasons. Two hours later, the aircraft operated from Navi Mumbai to Mumbai, with the flying time reported to be about 19 minutes. A similar situation arose on Friday involving an IndiGo aircraft operating from Madurai to Navi Mumbai. It was to land at Navi Mumbai at 6 pm, but it diverted to Mumbai. The aircraft later operated from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. On Friday, a Kishangarh to Pune Star Air flight was diverted to Navi Mumbai. Three hours later, at 7.20 pm, the flight took off from Navi Mumbai and landed in Pune in 24 minutes. Navi Mumbai airport is not as congested as Mumbai airport, and so it is turning into the preferred airport to divert to. These diversions have unwittingly created one of the shortest commercial flight sectors operated in India, and the diversion between the two airports of Goa too makes for a short journey from the diverted airport to the original destination.

22/05/2026 Manju V/Times of India

Read More

Delhi High Court protects IndiGo from coercive action over ₹458 crore GST demand

The Delhi High Court on Friday protected InterGlobe Aviation, the owner of IndiGo Airlines, from coercive action in connection with a Goods and Services Tax (GST) demand of around ₹458 crore [Interglobe Aviation Vs Additional Commissioner CGST].

A Division Bench of Justices Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Ajay Digpaul passed the interim order after observing that, prima facie, the amount received by IndiGo appeared to be 'compensation' and could not be termed as 'supply'.

The case concerns whether compensation received by IndiGo from a foreign aircraft engine supplier for engine malfunction and grounding of aircraft can be treated as a taxable service under GST law.

The airline moved the High Court against a demand of about ₹458 crore and an equivalent penalty. It argued that the tax order was without jurisdiction since the amount received by it was compensation for loss of business and not consideration for any supply of goods or services.

Appearing for IndiGo, advocate V Lakhsmikumaran, told the Court that the airline had imported aircraft along with engines and had paid Integrated GST at the time of import.

However, during 2018-19 and 2019-20, some engines malfunctioned, forcing the airline to ground aircraft for safety reasons.

As a result, a supplementary agreement was entered into between IndiGo and the foreign supplier. Under this arrangement, the supplier issued credit notes worth around ₹2,000 crore to compensate the airline for loss of flying hours and business.

The tax department, however, treated this compensation as consideration for a service allegedly provided by IndiGo. According to the department, by accepting the compensation, IndiGo had agreed to “tolerate” the supplier’s failure to meet performance benchmarks. On this basis, the department demanded GST under the reverse charge mechanism.

IndiGo disputed this finding and relied on Section 7 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, which defines “supply”. It also placed reliance on a Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) circular dated August 3, 2022.

22/05/2026 S N Thyagarajan/Bar and Bench

Read More

IndiGo pilot's 'jackal' alert at Dhaka airport ends with plastic bag twist

An IndiGo airlines flight from New Delhi found itself in a confusing, wild situation as the pilot noticed "jackals" near the taxiway area in Bangladesh's Dhaka airport. An inspection later, however, found something else.

A video clip featuring conversation between one of the pilots and an Air Traffic Control (ATC) official has gone viral on social media. 

A video shared on X shows the plane on the taxiway, when a pilot notices a "jackal" in the bushes. In the clip, an animal can be seen walking in the bushes. DH, however, could not independently verify the clip.

"Sir there is jackal on the right of the aircraft, about 30 feet into the grass, and its standing there only, so we are holding position... clear off and we will taxi," the pilot is heard saying, in response to which the ATC official says they are se...

Then the pilot says there are two "jackals".

"Request the position of the 'thing'," the official says, after which the pilot says the "jackals" are hiding in a ditch.

Soon, a black vehicle rushed to the spot for inspection. After a while, a person came down from the vehicle and started searching the area. However, he did not find any "jackal" but instead found a polythene bag off the taxiway.

22/05/2026 Deccan Herald

Read More