In yet another incident involving an Air India flight, a plane en route from San Francisco to Mumbai was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Kolkata in the early hours of Tuesday (Jun 17).<h2>What happened?</h2>All passengers onboard the Air India flight were deplaned after the aircraft encountered a technical snag, though the airline has yet to disclose specific details.Flight AI180, operating on the long-haul San Francisco–Mumbai route, landed at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 12:45 am, as per schedule. However, the technical snag was reportedly in its left engine, which resulted in a delay in its takeoff.The crew made an announcement around 5:20 am, asking everyone to disembark. The pilot informed passengers that the decision was made in the interest of flight safety, reports Mint.There were no injuries reported, and all passengers were safely escorted off the aircraft.Air India has not released a formal statement about the Kolkata incident at the time of publication.<h2>Air India flight glitches in spotlight</h2>This latest incident adds to a growing list of technical snags plaguing Air India flights in recent days. The airline has been under intense scrutiny following a tragic plane crash earlier this month that claimed the lives of 260 people, including ground casualties, when the aircraft collided with a medical college hostel.A series of technical snags have followed since the crash. On Monday (Jun 16), Air India Flight AI315 had to return to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to another midair technical issue. The aircraft landed safely, and passengers were later rebooked on alternative flights to Delhi.A day earlier, on Sunday (Jun 15), a flight from Delhi to Zurich was significantly delayed due to mandatory checks on a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, pushing its arrival close to Switzerland's night curfew window.Separately, early on Sunday (Jun 15) morning at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, a Saudi Airlines flight carrying more than 250 Hajj pilgrims was evacuated due to a landing gear malfunction.After taking off late Saturday from Jeddah, flight SV 3112 touched down at around 6:30 am after smoke and sparks were seen coming from its left wheel during taxiing. The pilot, as per reports, immediately notified air traffic control and brought the aircraft to a stop. All passengers were safely evacuated after emergency personnel acted quickly.&nbsp;

All passengers onboard the Air India flight were deplaned after the aircraft encountered a technical snag, though the airline has yet to disclose specific details.

In yet another incident involving an Air India flight, a plane en route from San Francisco to Mumbai was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Kolkata in the early hours of Tuesday (Jun 17). What happened? All passengers onboard the Air India flight were deplaned after the aircraft encountered a technical snag, though the airline has yet to disclose specific details. Flight AI180, operating on the long-haul San Francisco–Mumbai route, landed at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 12:45 am, as per schedule. However, the technical snag was reportedly in its left engine, which resulted in a delay in its takeoff. The crew made an announcement around 5:20 am, asking everyone to disembark. The pilot informed passengers that the decision was made in the interest of flight safety, reports Mint. There were no injuries reported, and all passengers were safely escorted off the aircraft. Air India has not released a formal statement about the Kolkata incident at the time of publication. Air India flight glitches in spotlight This latest incident adds to a growing list of technical snags plaguing Air India flights in recent days. The airline has been under intense scrutiny following a tragic plane crash earlier this month that claimed the lives of 260 people, including ground casualties, when the aircraft collided with a medical college hostel. A series of technical snags have followed since the crash. On Monday (Jun 16), Air India Flight AI315 had to return to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to another midair technical issue. The aircraft landed safely, and passengers were later rebooked on alternative flights to Delhi. A day earlier, on Sunday (Jun 15), a flight from Delhi to Zurich was significantly delayed due to mandatory checks on a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, pushing its arrival close to Switzerland's night curfew window. Separately, early on Sunday (Jun 15) morning at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, a Saudi Airlines flight carrying more than 250 Hajj pilgrims was evacuated due to a landing gear malfunction. After taking off late Saturday from Jeddah, flight SV 3112 touched down at around 6:30 am after smoke and sparks were seen coming from its left wheel during taxiing. The pilot, as per reports, immediately notified air traffic control and brought the aircraft to a stop. All passengers were safely evacuated after emergency personnel acted quickly.

All passengers onboard the Air India flight were deplaned after the aircraft encountered a technical snag, though the airline has yet to disclose specific details.

Another Air India flight faces technical glitch, passengers forced to deplane in Kolkata

Just days after India's deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade, an Air India flight en route to Delhi from Hong Kong was forced to turn back after suspected technical issues.<h2>Air India flight from Hong Kong turns back midair</h2>Shortly after takeoff on Monday, June 16, Flight AI315, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—the same model that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025—had to return to Hong Kong because of a possible technical problem, according to news agency ANI.Citing sources familiar with the incident, the news agency reported that the Boeing aircraft took off on time but was forced to return in midair when the pilot noticed what appeared to be a system malfunction.According to the report, all passengers were reported safe, and the aircraft made a safe landing back in Hong Kong. Since then, technical teams have started examining the aircraft to identify what caused the anomaly.<h2>Air India's continued bad luck</h2>In less than a week's time, this is the third incident involving Air India. It follows the devastating June 12 crash of Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of 270 people, including 241 of the 242 passengers and 29 on-the-ground civilians.Separately, early on Sunday (Jun 15) morning at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, a Saudi Airlines flight carrying more than 250 Hajj pilgrims was evacuated due to a landing gear malfunction.After taking off late Saturday from Jeddah, flight SV 3112 touched down at around 6:30 am after smoke and sparks were seen coming from its left wheel during taxiing. The pilot, as per reports, immediately notified air traffic control and brought the aircraft to a stop. All passengers were safely evacuated after emergency personnel acted quickly.According to preliminary investigations, the sparks may have been caused by a hydraulic leak that overheated the wheel assembly.&nbsp;

Shortly after takeoff on Monday, June 16, Flight AI315, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—the same model that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025—had to return to Hong Kong because of a possible technical problem.

Just days after India's deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade, an Air India flight en route to Delhi from Hong Kong was forced to turn back after suspected technical issues. Air India flight from Hong Kong turns back midair Shortly after takeoff on Monday, June 16, Flight AI315, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—the same model that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025—had to return to Hong Kong because of a possible technical problem, according to news agency ANI. Citing sources familiar with the incident, the news agency reported that the Boeing aircraft took off on time but was forced to return in midair when the pilot noticed what appeared to be a system malfunction. According to the report, all passengers were reported safe, and the aircraft made a safe landing back in Hong Kong. Since then, technical teams have started examining the aircraft to identify what caused the anomaly. Air India's continued bad luck In less than a week's time, this is the third incident involving Air India. It follows the devastating June 12 crash of Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of 270 people, including 241 of the 242 passengers and 29 on-the-ground civilians. Separately, early on Sunday (Jun 15) morning at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, a Saudi Airlines flight carrying more than 250 Hajj pilgrims was evacuated due to a landing gear malfunction. After taking off late Saturday from Jeddah, flight SV 3112 touched down at around 6:30 am after smoke and sparks were seen coming from its left wheel during taxiing. The pilot, as per reports, immediately notified air traffic control and brought the aircraft to a stop. All passengers were safely evacuated after emergency personnel acted quickly. According to preliminary investigations, the sparks may have been caused by a hydraulic leak that overheated the wheel assembly.

Shortly after takeoff on Monday, June 16, Flight AI315, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—the same model that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025—had to return to Hong Kong because of a possible technical problem.

Air India's bad luck continues: Boeing Dreamliner 787 from Hong Kong to Delhi forced to return after 'technical issues'

It was meant to be a routine flight. Instead, it became one of the most haunting tragedies in recent Indian aviation memory. Shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, Air India flight AI171 plunged from the skies, leaving behind wreckage, grief—and a trail of unanswered questions.&nbsp;The pilot’s last words were stark and chilling: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.” That was all. No follow-up. No elaboration. Silence, then impact.&nbsp;As investigators sift through the data and debris, a broader aviation community is asking: What happened in those final seconds? Could the crash have been avoided? And what does it tell us about the pressure’s pilots face when machines malfunction and margins vanish?&nbsp;To make sense of the tragedy, WION spoke exclusively to former captain and training captain SK Pillai, with decades of experience in cockpit emergencies and pilot instruction. The former captain discusses and explains possible factors that can lead to disasters like these.&nbsp;His breakdown offers a window into a world where decisions are made faster than thought—and where a single misstep can turn an aircraft into a falling object.&nbsp;The final transmission: ‘Mayday’ and then nothing &nbsp;According to air traffic control logs, the pilot of the flight managed to transmit just one short distress call. It was formal and urgent: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”—the internationally recognised radio transmission for emergency situations.&nbsp;But what stood out to experts wasn’t just what was said—it was what wasn’t. “A Mayday call means the pilot is facing a life-threatening emergency,” says Pillai. “Normally, pilots follow this with details of their situation and intentions, but in this case, there was hardly any time.”&nbsp;The lack of a follow-up message strongly suggests the pilot was already overwhelmed—perhaps battling for control, diagnosing a problem, or trying to manage the plane’s trajectory in those final moments.&nbsp;“In an emergency, your first duty is to fly the airplane,” Pillai explains. “You have to get control of the aircraft, see where it’s &nbsp;going, and determine your desired trajectory. Communication comes later.”<h3>Aviation’s central mystery: Why didn’t the plane climb?</h3>The plane, according to radar data, reached just about 625 feet above the ground before beginning a fatal descent. This raises one of the most baffling questions in the investigation: Why couldn’t the aircraft climb?&nbsp;While structural failure or sabotage has not been ruled out, Pillai in his personal opinion feels there are possibilities of errors while loading data. “The probability of both engines failing simultaneously is one in many millions,” he says.&nbsp;He noted that video footage taken just before the crash showed no signs of smoke or fire, making a bird strike unlikely.<h3>The hidden threat: Incorrect take-off data</h3>Every pilot, before take-off, inputs crucial parameters into the flight management system—details like aircraft weight, runway condition, temperature, and wind speed. From this, the aircraft computes three critical speeds.&nbsp;If these calculations are wrong—especially weight—the result can be devastating. “If incorrect data is entered—for example, underestimating the aircraft’s weight—the computer may set insufficient thrust, leading to a sluggish take-off or inability to climb,” explains Pillai.&nbsp;He references the 2009 near-disaster of an Emirates flight 407, from Auckland to Dubai with a stopover in Melbourne.&nbsp;The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) led the investigation into the accident,&nbsp;focusing on three key questions: How the first officer came to enter an incorrect aircraft weight, why the error went undetected prior to take-off, and why the flight crew failed to notice the unusually slow acceleration until nearly the entire 3.6-kilometre (12,000-foot) runway had been used.&nbsp;“If the computer thinks the plane is lighter than it actually is, it won’t command enough power. You’ll lift off sluggishly, maybe not at all.”<h3>Human factors: When team dynamics go awry</h3>The cockpit is a place of hierarchy—but also of shared responsibility. A seasoned captain working with a less experienced first officer may create an imbalance that affects safety.&nbsp;“An experienced pilot can multitask and set a fast pace, but if the co-pilot is less experienced and fails to double-check, errors can creep in,” Pillai notes.&nbsp;In critical moments, a failure to cross-verify aircraft weight, flap settings can reduce acceleration and climb rate—eating into safety margins rapidly. Failure to cross check, can lead to an errors in calculating the take off run required and climb performance. &nbsp;“If the weight is incorrect, the plane may not accelerate or climb as expected, using up more runway and reducing safety margins,” he said.<h3>Landing gear, flaps—and the danger of mistakes</h3>Among the anomalies being examined is the suggestion that the landing gear was never retracted. Normally, gear-up selection happens shortly after take-off.&nbsp;“After reaching 35 to 50 feet, you select the landing gear up,” says Pillai. “If this isn’t done, it could be due to preoccupation with an emergency—or by mistake moving the flaps lever instead of the gear lever.”&nbsp;This isn’t just theoretical. He recounts a past tragedy caused by a similar mistake where the flap lever was moved instead of the gear lever, thereby reducing speed and increasing drag<h3>How simulators keep pilots prepared for the worst</h3>Modern commercial aviation is built on precision, preparedness, and constant practice—especially for those in the cockpit. Pillai says that no matter how experienced a pilot is, continuous training is non-negotiable.&nbsp;“Every pilot, right down to the time he retires—whether he’s a seasoned training captain with 30,000 hours or a newcomer with just 500—has to undergo mandatory simulator training every six months.”&nbsp;These aren't just routine refreshers. The simulator sessions replicate a wide range of&nbsp;emergency scenarios: engine failures, hydraulic losses, electrical faults, bird strikes, and even complex weather conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Almost any emergency that you can think of—that can happen on an airplane—is simulated and practiced. Because in reality, many pilots may never experience a single major emergency in their entire career,” he explains.&nbsp;Despite that rarity, preparedness is key. That's why proficiency checks are held after every simulator session. Pilots must pass these checks to keep their licenses valid and remain eligible to fly.&nbsp;“It’s not optional. If a pilot doesn’t clear the check, they don’t go back to line flying,” the former captain stresses.&nbsp;Beyond simulator evaluations, pilots are subject to other regular in-flight assessments such as route checks. “Practically every three months, there’s some form of check or clearance. The system is designed to ensure pilots stay sharp—not just technically, but also in decision-making under pressure."

WION Exclusive | Was it a data error, miscommunication, or malfunction? Former pilot and training captain weighs in on possible reasons

It was meant to be a routine flight. Instead, it became one of the most haunting tragedies in recent Indian aviation memory. Shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, Air India flight AI171 plunged from the skies, leaving behind wreckage, grief—and a trail of unanswered questions. The pilot’s last words were stark and chilling: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.” That was all. No follow-up. No elaboration. Silence, then impact. As investigators sift through the data and debris, a broader aviation community is asking: What happened in those final seconds? Could the crash have been avoided? And what does it tell us about the pressure’s pilots face when machines malfunction and margins vanish? To make sense of the tragedy, WION spoke exclusively to former captain and training captain SK Pillai, with decades of experience in cockpit emergencies and pilot instruction. The former captain discusses and explains possible factors that can lead to disasters like these. His breakdown offers a window into a world where decisions are made faster than thought—and where a single misstep can turn an aircraft into a falling object. The final transmission: ‘Mayday’ and then nothing According to air traffic control logs, the pilot of the flight managed to transmit just one short distress call. It was formal and urgent: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”—the internationally recognised radio transmission for emergency situations. But what stood out to experts wasn’t just what was said—it was what wasn’t. “A Mayday call means the pilot is facing a life-threatening emergency,” says Pillai. “Normally, pilots follow this with details of their situation and intentions, but in this case, there was hardly any time.” The lack of a follow-up message strongly suggests the pilot was already overwhelmed—perhaps battling for control, diagnosing a problem, or trying to manage the plane’s trajectory in those final moments. “In an emergency, your first duty is to fly the airplane,” Pillai explains. “You have to get control of the aircraft, see where it’s going, and determine your desired trajectory. Communication comes later.” Aviation’s central mystery: Why didn’t the plane climb? The plane, according to radar data, reached just about 625 feet above the ground before beginning a fatal descent. This raises one of the most baffling questions in the investigation: Why couldn’t the aircraft climb? While structural failure or sabotage has not been ruled out, Pillai in his personal opinion feels there are possibilities of errors while loading data. “The probability of both engines failing simultaneously is one in many millions,” he says. He noted that video footage taken just before the crash showed no signs of smoke or fire, making a bird strike unlikely. The hidden threat: Incorrect take-off data Every pilot, before take-off, inputs crucial parameters into the flight management system—details like aircraft weight, runway condition, temperature, and wind speed. From this, the aircraft computes three critical speeds. If these calculations are wrong—especially weight—the result can be devastating. “If incorrect data is entered—for example, underestimating the aircraft’s weight—the computer may set insufficient thrust, leading to a sluggish take-off or inability to climb,” explains Pillai. He references the 2009 near-disaster of an Emirates flight 407, from Auckland to Dubai with a stopover in Melbourne. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) led the investigation into the accident, focusing on three key questions: How the first officer came to enter an incorrect aircraft weight, why the error went undetected prior to take-off, and why the flight crew failed to notice the unusually slow acceleration until nearly the entire 3.6-kilometre (12,000-foot) runway had been used. “If the computer thinks the plane is lighter than it actually is, it won’t command enough power. You’ll lift off sluggishly, maybe not at all.” Human factors: When team dynamics go awry The cockpit is a place of hierarchy—but also of shared responsibility. A seasoned captain working with a less experienced first officer may create an imbalance that affects safety. “An experienced pilot can multitask and set a fast pace, but if the co-pilot is less experienced and fails to double-check, errors can creep in,” Pillai notes. In critical moments, a failure to cross-verify aircraft weight, flap settings can reduce acceleration and climb rate—eating into safety margins rapidly. Failure to cross check, can lead to an errors in calculating the take off run required and climb performance. “If the weight is incorrect, the plane may not accelerate or climb as expected, using up more runway and reducing safety margins,” he said. Landing gear, flaps—and the danger of mistakes Among the anomalies being examined is the suggestion that the landing gear was never retracted. Normally, gear-up selection happens shortly after take-off. “After reaching 35 to 50 feet, you select the landing gear up,” says Pillai. “If this isn’t done, it could be due to preoccupation with an emergency—or by mistake moving the flaps lever instead of the gear lever.” This isn’t just theoretical. He recounts a past tragedy caused by a similar mistake where the flap lever was moved instead of the gear lever, thereby reducing speed and increasing drag How simulators keep pilots prepared for the worst Modern commercial aviation is built on precision, preparedness, and constant practice—especially for those in the cockpit. Pillai says that no matter how experienced a pilot is, continuous training is non-negotiable. “Every pilot, right down to the time he retires—whether he’s a seasoned training captain with 30,000 hours or a newcomer with just 500—has to undergo mandatory simulator training every six months.” These aren't just routine refreshers. The simulator sessions replicate a wide range of emergency scenarios: engine failures, hydraulic losses, electrical faults, bird strikes, and even complex weather conditions. “Almost any emergency that you can think of—that can happen on an airplane—is simulated and practiced. Because in reality, many pilots may never experience a single major emergency in their entire career,” he explains. Despite that rarity, preparedness is key. That's why proficiency checks are held after every simulator session. Pilots must pass these checks to keep their licenses valid and remain eligible to fly. “It’s not optional. If a pilot doesn’t clear the check, they don’t go back to line flying,” the former captain stresses. Beyond simulator evaluations, pilots are subject to other regular in-flight assessments such as route checks. “Practically every three months, there’s some form of check or clearance. The system is designed to ensure pilots stay sharp—not just technically, but also in decision-making under pressure."

As investigators sift through the data and debris, a broader aviation community is asking: What happened in those final seconds? Could the crash have been avoided? And what does it tell us about the pressure’s pilots face when machines malfunction and margins vanish?

After Israel launched a ‘preemptive strike’ on Iran, Iraq closed its airspace and suspended air traffic across the country on Friday, state media said.&nbsp;"The ministry of transport closes Iraqi airspace and suspends air traffic at all Iraqi airports," the Iraq News Agency reported.&nbsp;Now, Air India has issued a fresh advisory for its passengers. In a post on X, it said, “Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin.” “We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimize it, including providing accommodation for passengers. Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling is also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations.”&nbsp;“We advise all our passengers to check their flight status here http://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html.” &nbsp;Below is the list of the flight either diverted or returned to their origin:&nbsp;AI130 – London Heathrow-Mumbai – Diverted to Vienna AI102 – New York-Delhi – Diverted to Sharjah AI116 – New York-Mumbai – Diverted to Jeddah AI2018 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Mumbai AI129 – Mumbai-London Heathrow – Returning to Mumbai AI119 – Mumbai-New York – Returning to Mumbai AI103 – Delhi-Washington – Returning to Delhi AI106 – Newark-Delhi – Returning to Delhi AI188 – Vancouver-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah AI101 – Delhi-New York – Diverting to Frankfurt/Milan AI126 – Chicago-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah AI132 – London Heathrow-Bengaluru – Diverted to Sharjah AI2016 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna AI104 – Washington-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna AI190 – Toronto-Delhi – Diverted to Frankfurt AI189 – Delhi-Toronto – Returning to Delhi

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TravelAdvisory?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TravelAdvisory</a> Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin: AI130 – London Heathrow-Mumbai – Diverted to Vienna…&mdash; Air India (@airindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/airindia/status/1933376923113029890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Israel attack on Iran: Air India issues travel advisory, several flights diverted. Check full list here

After Israel launched a ‘preemptive strike’ on Iran, Iraq closed its airspace and suspended air traffic across the country on Friday, state media said. "The ministry of transport closes Iraqi airspace and suspends air traffic at all Iraqi airports," the Iraq News Agency reported. Now, Air India has issued a fresh advisory for its passengers. In a post on X, it said, “Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin.” “We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimize it, including providing accommodation for passengers. Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling is also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations.” “We advise all our passengers to check their flight status here http://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html.” Below is the list of the flight either diverted or returned to their origin: AI130 – London Heathrow-Mumbai – Diverted to Vienna AI102 – New York-Delhi – Diverted to Sharjah AI116 – New York-Mumbai – Diverted to Jeddah AI2018 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Mumbai AI129 – Mumbai-London Heathrow – Returning to Mumbai AI119 – Mumbai-New York – Returning to Mumbai AI103 – Delhi-Washington – Returning to Delhi AI106 – Newark-Delhi – Returning to Delhi AI188 – Vancouver-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah AI101 – Delhi-New York – Diverting to Frankfurt/Milan AI126 – Chicago-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah AI132 – London Heathrow-Bengaluru – Diverted to Sharjah AI2016 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna AI104 – Washington-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna AI190 – Toronto-Delhi – Diverted to Frankfurt AI189 – Delhi-Toronto – Returning to Delhi

Air India has changed several of its flight as Emergency is declared in Iran after Israel's attacks

Air India confirmed 241 fatalities and one sole survivor, who is being treated in a hospital.&nbsp;“We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital,” Air India said in a statement on early Friday (Jun 13).&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">UPDATE: Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly…&mdash; Air India (@airindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/airindia/status/1933240865591370052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;In a post on X, the airlines wrote, “Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off."&nbsp;“The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. The survivor is a British national of Indian origin,” it added.&nbsp;Air India also expressed “its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” adding that their efforts are now focused entirely on the “needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones.”&nbsp;The statement added, “A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident. Air India has also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call on +91 8062779200."&nbsp;Hours earlier, &nbsp;Air India CEO Campbell Wilson expressed deep sorrow and support to the victims and their families.&nbsp;“This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones,” he said.&nbsp;The London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. The incident took place in Meghani area near the Ahmedabad airport, five minutes after take-off. &nbsp;

Air India confirmed 241 fatalities and one sole survivor, who is being treated in the hospital.

Air India confirmed 241 fatalities and one sole survivor, who is being treated in a hospital. “We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital,” Air India said in a statement on early Friday (Jun 13).

Air India confirmed 241 fatalities and one sole survivor, who is being treated in the hospital.

Ahmedabad plane crash: Air India confirms 241 fatalities, 1 survivor

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday. The aircraft had 242 people onboard, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday. The aircraft had 242 people onboard, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

Ahmedabad plane crash: All about the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’s tech, safety record, and troubled history

An Air India plane crashed onto the building, leaving it in flames at the doctors' hostel mess of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12).&nbsp;A part of the plane fell on top of the dining area of BJ Medical College, killing at least five medical students and injuring nearly 50.&nbsp;According to Divyansh Singh, vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, a national body that represents resident doctors across the country. He said, “Some of the injured are critical. We are in close contact with our peers in the hospital who are on a lookout for more people feared buried in the debris.”&nbsp;Several images shared on social media platforms showed plane parts strewn around on the ground, and stuck on top of the buildings. &nbsp;According to reports, there were up to 60 intern doctors inside the hostel when the plane crashed. The plane crashed into Atulya 1, 2, 3, and 4 buildings, all housing resident doctors.&nbsp;The doctors' hostel was badly damaged. Some people were seen being taken on stretchers to the nearby hospital.&nbsp;Taking to X, one user said ‘Things look bad’, while sharing photos of what appeared to be a hostel mess. "Visuals from inside of Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College mess. Things look bad. Young doctors were supposed to be in the dining halls," said the post.&nbsp;On the ground, charred remains and plane parts were visible. Bulldozers were seen being used to clear out the debris.&nbsp;The Ahmedabad police, army, fire service and rescue workers rushed to the area. Social media visuals showed fire hoses extinguishing the flames, fire engines lining up to the residential area, and first responders carrying out what appeared to be dead bodies from the site.

Ahmedabad plane crash: At least 5 medical students killed, around 50 injured

An Air India plane crashed onto the building, leaving it in flames at the doctors' hostel mess of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College in Ahmedabad on Thursday (June 12). A part of the plane fell on top of the dining area of BJ Medical College, killing at least five medical students and injuring nearly 50. According to Divyansh Singh, vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, a national body that represents resident doctors across the country. He said, “Some of the injured are critical. We are in close contact with our peers in the hospital who are on a lookout for more people feared buried in the debris.” Several images shared on social media platforms showed plane parts strewn around on the ground, and stuck on top of the buildings. According to reports, there were up to 60 intern doctors inside the hostel when the plane crashed. The plane crashed into Atulya 1, 2, 3, and 4 buildings, all housing resident doctors. The doctors' hostel was badly damaged. Some people were seen being taken on stretchers to the nearby hospital. Taking to X, one user said ‘Things look bad’, while sharing photos of what appeared to be a hostel mess. "Visuals from inside of Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College mess. Things look bad. Young doctors were supposed to be in the dining halls," said the post. On the ground, charred remains and plane parts were visible. Bulldozers were seen being used to clear out the debris. The Ahmedabad police, army, fire service and rescue workers rushed to the area. Social media visuals showed fire hoses extinguishing the flames, fire engines lining up to the residential area, and first responders carrying out what appeared to be dead bodies from the site.

Air India flight AI171 was heading to London's Gatwick from Ahmedabad and was carrying 242 passengers on board

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has announced that the Tata Group will give ₹1 crore to the families of each individual who died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Thursday.&nbsp;The group will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that all necessary care and support are provided to them.&nbsp;In a statement issued on X via the @TataCompanies handle, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said, “We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171.”“No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones and with those who have been injured.”“Tata Group will provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the BJ Medical’s hostel.”“We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time,” read the statement.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171. No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured. Tata Group will…&mdash; Tata Group (@TataCompanies) <a href="https://twitter.com/TataCompanies/status/1933159585772367969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;The Tata Group had acquired Air India from the government in January 2022 after bidding successfully for the loss-making airline. The acquisition, valued at Rs 18,000 crore, included ownership of Air India, Air India Express, and a 50% stake in Air India SATS. The takeover was seen as a crucial step in the government’s privatization efforts for Air India, aiming to revitalise the struggling airline.&nbsp;J.R.D. Tata had founded Tata Airlines in 1932, but it was nationalised by the Government of India in 1953 after World War II and renamed as Air India.&nbsp;Air India’s B787 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad on Thursday after taking off at 1:38 pm. Over 200 people out of the 242 on the flight are feared dead in the tragedy, though there is no official confirmation yet.&nbsp;

The Tata Group had acquired Air India from the government in January 2022 after bidding successfully for the loss-making airline. The acquisition, valued at Rs 18,000 crore, included ownership of Air India, Air India Express, and a 50% stake in Air India SATS.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has announced that the Tata Group will give ₹1 crore to the families of each individual who died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Thursday. The group will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that all necessary care and support are provided to them. In a statement issued on X via the @TataCompanies handle, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said, “We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171.” “No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones and with those who have been injured.” “Tata Group will provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the BJ Medical’s hostel.” “We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time,” read the statement.

The Tata Group had acquired Air India from the government in January 2022 after bidding successfully for the loss-making airline. The acquisition, valued at Rs 18,000 crore, included ownership of Air India, Air India Express, and a 50% stake in Air India SATS.

Tata Group pledges Rs 1 crore aid to kin of each Ahmedabad plane crash victim

Gujarat BJP chief CR Patil while speaking to media after an Air India aircraft, en route to London, with 242 people onboard crashed in the Indian state of Gujarat's Ahmedabad said, “Our leader, respected former CM Vijay Rupani was on the flight. Tragically, Vijay Rupani is among the victims of this accident. May his soul rest in peace. This is a massive loss for the BJP family.”&nbsp;BJP National spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi in a post on X said, “The news of the tragic demise of former Chief Minister of Gujarat and senior leader of the BJP family, Shri Vijay Rupani ji, in the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad is extremely painful. His departure is a serious loss to Indian politics. May God give place to the departed soul in his feet and give strength to the bereaved family and supporters to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">अहमदाबाद में हुए दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण विमान हादसे में गुजरात के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री एवं भाजपा परिवार के वरिष्ठ नेता श्री विजय रूपाणी जी के दुखद निधन का समाचार अत्यंत पीड़ादायक है। उनका जाना भारतीय राजनीति की गंभीर क्षति है। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को अपने श्रीचरणों में स्थान दें और शोकसंतप्त… <a href="https://t.co/ThpGC0n6uq">pic.twitter.com/ThpGC0n6uq</a>&mdash; Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi (@SudhanshuTrived) <a href="https://twitter.com/SudhanshuTrived/status/1933174600369914338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Watch | &quot;Our leader, respected former CM Vijay Rupani was on the flight. Tragically, Vijay Rupani is among the victims of this accident. May his soul rest in peace. This is a massive loss for the BJP family,&quot; says Gujarat BJP Chief C.R. Patil on Air India Plane Crash.… <a href="https://t.co/vr2m8DMEg4">pic.twitter.com/vr2m8DMEg4</a>&mdash; DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeshGujarat/status/1933160964708294974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>Who was Vijay Rupani?</h3>Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the 242 passengers on board the Air India AI-171 plane that crashed near the Ahmedabad Airport. The incident occurred on Thursday and included 12 crew members as per the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).<h3>Vijay Rupani’s political journey</h3>Vijaybhai Ramniklalbhai Rupani was born on 2 August 1956. He is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and served as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat for two terms from 2016 to 2021.&nbsp;Rupani began his political career as a student activist with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and later joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He became part of Jan Sangh in 1971.&nbsp;He served as the mayor of Rajkot from 1996 to 1997, and in 1998, he was appointed as the BJP's Gujarat unit general secretary. In 2006, he became the chairman of Gujarat Tourism and also served as a Rajya Sabha MP from 2006 to 2012. He was named the BJP state president in February 2016 and continued in the role until August that year.&nbsp;Rupani was sworn in as Gujarat's Chief Minister in August 2016 and continued in the role after being elected as the leader of the Legislature Party in December 2017. He stepped down from the position on 11 September 2021.&nbsp;Vijay Rupani was married to Anjali Rupani and has two children. Vijay Rupani was a partner in the trading firm Rasiklal &amp; Sons, which was founded by his father. &nbsp;&nbsp;The couple has two children a son, Rushabh, who is an engineering graduate, and a daughter, Radhika. The couple lost their youngest son Pujit in an accident and started the charity the Pujit Rupani Memorial Trust in his honour.

Ahmedabad plane crash: Vijay Rupani was on flight that crashed , says local chief as BJP leaders offer condolences

Gujarat BJP chief CR Patil while speaking to media after an Air India aircraft, en route to London, with 242 people onboard crashed in the Indian state of Gujarat's Ahmedabad said, “Our leader, respected former CM Vijay Rupani was on the flight. Tragically, Vijay Rupani is among the victims of this accident. May his soul rest in peace. This is a massive loss for the BJP family.” BJP National spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi in a post on X said, “The news of the tragic demise of former Chief Minister of Gujarat and senior leader of the BJP family, Shri Vijay Rupani ji, in the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad is extremely painful. His departure is a serious loss to Indian politics. May God give place to the departed soul in his feet and give strength to the bereaved family and supporters to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti.”

The plane, en route to London, had taken off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.38 pm IST

Ahmedabad plane crash: Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani killed, party leaders offer condolences

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday (June 12) in a post on X sent his condolences after an Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner that was carrying 242 people from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed just moments after takeoff.&nbsp;He said, “Saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad today. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims grieving this immense loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad today. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims grieving this immense loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.&mdash; Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1933159649458651500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Meanwhile, Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar also posted on X. He said, “Saddened at the crash of Air India flight in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Condolences over the loss of precious lives in this tragic incident. Our sympathies are with the families of the victims in this hour of grief.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Saddened at the crash of Air India flight in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Condolences over the loss of precious lives in this tragic incident. Our sympathies are with the families of the victims in this hour of grief.&mdash; Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) <a href="https://twitter.com/MIshaqDar50/status/1933151106525245462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The plane, en route to London, had taken off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.38 pm IST.&nbsp;The plane was boarded by 242 people, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals. In a post on X.com, Air India confirmed the crash. “The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals,” it said.&nbsp;“The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information,” it added.&nbsp;According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, issued a "Mayday" call to Air Traffic Control shortly before the plane lost contact. A mayday call is an internationally recognised distress signal used in radio communication. It indicates an imminent danger.&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Minister of Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, and took stock of the situation. In a post on X, he said that the incident is ‘heartbreaking beyond words.’ He added that he has been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.&nbsp;Air India changed its profile picture on its social media handles to black as a sign of mourning. On its website, Air India is carrying the flight number - AI 171 - in black with a black band.

Ahmedabad plane crash Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says Saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad today

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday (June 12) in a post on X sent his condolences after an Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner that was carrying 242 people from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed just moments after takeoff. He said, “Saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad today. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims grieving this immense loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.”

The plane, en route to London, had taken off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.38 pm IST.

Ahmedabad plane crash: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says, 'Saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad today'

Air India and several other airlines, including Germany's Lufthansa, British Airways, and America's Delta Air Lines, have suspended flights to Tel Aviv following a missile attack close to the Ben Gurion Airport in the Israeli city on Sunday (May 1).
Lufthansa Airlines said that it has suspended its flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6. British Airways suspended its flights in the region until May 7.
<h2>Air India flight diverted to Abu Dhabi</h2>
An Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi, news agency PTI reported. The attack occurred less than an hour before the Air India flight AI139, operated with a Boeing 787 aircraft, was to land at the Tel Aviv airport.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-calls-up-tens-of-thousands-of-reservists-for-next-phase-of-war-in-gaza-hamas-hostage-deal-israel-israel-hostages-9030785">Israel calls up tens of thousands of reservists for next phase of war against Hamas in Gaza</a>
According to flight data available on the flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, the aircraft was in Jordanian airspace when it was diverted to Abu Dhabi.
According to Air India, the flight landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will return to Delhi soon.
&ldquo;Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv of 3 May 2025 was diverted to Abu Dhabi after an incident at Ben Gurion airport this morning. The flight has landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Delhi,&rdquo; an Air India spokesperson said.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-wildfire-under-control-after-over-30-hours-but-risk-of-reignition-remains-in-pics-9029536">Israel's wildfire 'under control' after over 30 hours but risk of reignition remains | In Pics</a>
The flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv will remain suspended till May 6.
&ldquo;Consequently, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6 May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our staff on the ground is assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements,&rdquo; the spokesperson said.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-gaza-war-is-israel-to-blame-gaza-bound-ship-carrying-humanitarian-aid-activists-bombed-by-drones-in-waters-video-greta-thunberg-9026175">Is Israel to blame? Gaza-bound ship carrying aid, activists, bombed by drones in international waters | Video</a>
&ldquo;Customers booked on our flights with valid tickets between 3 and 6 May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority,&rdquo; the spokesperson added.
<h2>Missile attack on Tel Aviv airport</h2>
Earlier today, air traffic to the country&rsquo;s main airport in Tel Aviv was briefly halted following a missile strike from Yemen, said Israeli police.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-intercepts-missile-fired-from-yemen-9024306">Israel says intercepts missile fired from Yemen</a>
The flights and other activities near the airport were expected to resume after final searches by officers, reported AP, citing police.
A plume of smoke was seen rising into the air as people were panicking in the terminal building. According to Israel&rsquo;s paramedic service, Magen David Adom, four people were lightly wounded.
Watch | Israel-Hamas war: Israeli PM Netanyahu says, 'Qatar must stop playing both sides'
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/0405_WION_IDF_730AM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/0405_WION_IDF_730AM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=218&amp;tags=Israel, Hamas War, World News, WION" title="Israel-Hamas war: Israeli PM Netanyahu says, 'Qatar must stop playing both sides'" id="PL_iframe_block-ma9keizw-noalbuqk-zu0e2rdc"></iframe>
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, who claimed responsibility for the missile strike, have recently intensified missile launches at Israel. They said that they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz vowed to punish those responsible for the airport attack: &ldquo;Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold.&rdquo;

According to flight data available on the flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, the aircraft was in Jordanian airspace when it was diverted to Abu Dhabi. India news | World

Air India and several other airlines, including Germany's Lufthansa, British Airways, and America's Delta Air Lines, have suspended flights to Tel Aviv following a missile attack close to the Ben Gurion Airport in the Israeli city on Sunday (May 1). Lufthansa Airlines said that it has suspended its flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6. British Airways suspended its flights in the region until May 7. Air India flight diverted to Abu Dhabi An Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi, news agency PTI reported. The attack occurred less than an hour before the Air India flight AI139, operated with a Boeing 787 aircraft, was to land at the Tel Aviv airport. Also read | Israel calls up tens of thousands of reservists for next phase of war against Hamas in Gaza According to flight data available on the flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, the aircraft was in Jordanian airspace when it was diverted to Abu Dhabi. According to Air India, the flight landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will return to Delhi soon. “Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv of 3 May 2025 was diverted to Abu Dhabi after an incident at Ben Gurion airport this morning. The flight has landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Delhi,” an Air India spokesperson said. Also read | Israel's wildfire 'under control' after over 30 hours but risk of reignition remains | In Pics The flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv will remain suspended till May 6. “Consequently, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6 May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our staff on the ground is assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements,” the spokesperson said. Also read | Is Israel to blame? Gaza-bound ship carrying aid, activists, bombed by drones in international waters | Video “Customers booked on our flights with valid tickets between 3 and 6 May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority,” the spokesperson added. Missile attack on Tel Aviv airport Earlier today, air traffic to the country’s main airport in Tel Aviv was briefly halted following a missile strike from Yemen, said Israeli police. Also read | Israel says intercepts missile fired from Yemen The flights and other activities near the airport were expected to resume after final searches by officers, reported AP, citing police. A plume of smoke was seen rising into the air as people were panicking in the terminal building. According to Israel’s paramedic service, Magen David Adom, four people were lightly wounded. Watch | Israel-Hamas war: Israeli PM Netanyahu says, 'Qatar must stop playing both sides' Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, who claimed responsibility for the missile strike, have recently intensified missile launches at Israel. They said that they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli defense minister Israel Katz vowed to punish those responsible for the airport attack: “Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold.”

Air India flight diverted to Abu Dhabi, several airlines suspend operations after missile attack near Tel Aviv Airport

<div data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">In a strategic leadership transition within the Tata Group&rsquo;s aviation sector, Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Air India, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the airline's low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express. This change follows the resignation of Campbell Wilson, who will continue to serve as the Managing Director and CEO of Air India.</div>
<div data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"></div>
<h2>Who is Nipun Aggarwal?</h2>
<div>Aggarwal joined Air India in January 2022, shortly after Tata Group&rsquo;s acquisition of the airline. He played a pivotal role in the takeover and has since overseen key business functions, including aircraft acquisition, financing, network strategy, and loyalty program management. His influence has extended across multiple verticals, positioning him as a key architect of Air India&rsquo;s ongoing transformation.</div>
<div>According to Reuters, Aggarwal has also been instrumental in leading Air India&rsquo;s multi-billion-dollar aircraft deals. The airline is currently exploring additional widebody jet acquisitions, a move crucial for global expansion but complicated by industry-wide aircraft delivery delays.</div>
<div></div>
<h2>Tata Group&rsquo;s Airline Strategy: Mergers and Turnaround</h2>
<div>Nearly two years into its ownership of Air India, Tata Group has undertaken a major consolidation of its aviation portfolio. It merged four airline entities into two core carriers: the full-service Air India (including Vistara) and the low-cost Air India Express (now integrated with AirAsia India). The move aims to create synergy across operations, optimize fleet utilization, and present a unified brand experience.</div>
<div>&ldquo;With this structural work largely complete, the task at hand now [is] to fully leverage and optimize the Group fleet, network, sales, distribution, and loyalty assets,&rdquo; Wilson said in an internal memo, as quoted by Reuters.</div>
<div></div>
<h2>Jet Delivery Delays Slowing Modernization</h2>
<div>Despite the ambitious roadmap, Air India&rsquo;s turnaround has been complicated by delays in aircraft deliveries. The airline is being forced to operate older jets longer than anticipated, resulting in higher maintenance costs and slowing the modernization and expansion drive&mdash;even as global air travel sees a post-pandemic boom.</div>
<div></div>
<div>According to Reuters, Air India had placed a massive order for 470 aircraft last year, including Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A350 jets. However, ongoing supply chain constraints and geopolitical tensions have impacted timely delivery.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Following a Bloomberg News report that China has instructed its airlines to halt Boeing aircraft deliveries amid a tariff dispute with the United States of America. The news further cited that Air India might consider acquiring some of the jets rejected by Chinese carriers for use in its low-cost operations. However, sources cautioned that the situation remains fluid, and neither Air India nor Boeing has commented on the development.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Air India Express currently operates a fleet of more than 100 aircraft, including 68 Boeing 737s and 36 Airbus A320s. The airline plans to expand further by adding approximately 15 aircraft in the current fiscal year, which began on April 1. Some of these new additions will be transferred from Air India.</div>
<div>The Express brand plays a complementary role to its parent carrier, focusing on budget travelers while aligning its network strategy to avoid overlap. Under Aggarwal&rsquo;s leadership, the airline is expected to tighten operational integration and accelerate Tata&rsquo;s vision of a cohesive, world-class airline group.</div>

Business & Economy: Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Air India, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Air India Express.

In a strategic leadership transition within the Tata Group’s aviation sector, Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Air India, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the airline's low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express. This change follows the resignation of Campbell Wilson, who will continue to serve as the Managing Director and CEO of Air India. Who is Nipun Aggarwal? Aggarwal joined Air India in January 2022, shortly after Tata Group’s acquisition of the airline. He played a pivotal role in the takeover and has since overseen key business functions, including aircraft acquisition, financing, network strategy, and loyalty program management. His influence has extended across multiple verticals, positioning him as a key architect of Air India’s ongoing transformation. According to Reuters, Aggarwal has also been instrumental in leading Air India’s multi-billion-dollar aircraft deals. The airline is currently exploring additional widebody jet acquisitions, a move crucial for global expansion but complicated by industry-wide aircraft delivery delays. Tata Group’s Airline Strategy: Mergers and Turnaround Nearly two years into its ownership of Air India, Tata Group has undertaken a major consolidation of its aviation portfolio. It merged four airline entities into two core carriers: the full-service Air India (including Vistara) and the low-cost Air India Express (now integrated with AirAsia India). The move aims to create synergy across operations, optimize fleet utilization, and present a unified brand experience. “With this structural work largely complete, the task at hand now [is] to fully leverage and optimize the Group fleet, network, sales, distribution, and loyalty assets,” Wilson said in an internal memo, as quoted by Reuters. Jet Delivery Delays Slowing Modernization Despite the ambitious roadmap, Air India’s turnaround has been complicated by delays in aircraft deliveries. The airline is being forced to operate older jets longer than anticipated, resulting in higher maintenance costs and slowing the modernization and expansion drive—even as global air travel sees a post-pandemic boom. According to Reuters, Air India had placed a massive order for 470 aircraft last year, including Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A350 jets. However, ongoing supply chain constraints and geopolitical tensions have impacted timely delivery. Following a Bloomberg News report that China has instructed its airlines to halt Boeing aircraft deliveries amid a tariff dispute with the United States of America. The news further cited that Air India might consider acquiring some of the jets rejected by Chinese carriers for use in its low-cost operations. However, sources cautioned that the situation remains fluid, and neither Air India nor Boeing has commented on the development. Air India Express currently operates a fleet of more than 100 aircraft, including 68 Boeing 737s and 36 Airbus A320s. The airline plans to expand further by adding approximately 15 aircraft in the current fiscal year, which began on April 1. Some of these new additions will be transferred from Air India. The Express brand plays a complementary role to its parent carrier, focusing on budget travelers while aligning its network strategy to avoid overlap. Under Aggarwal’s leadership, the airline is expected to tighten operational integration and accelerate Tata’s vision of a cohesive, world-class airline group.

Air India’s Campbell Wilson Replaced: Who is Nipun Aggarwal?

An Air India Express pilot died after landing a flight from Srinagar at the Delhi airport on Wednesday. The airline and airport officials confirmed the news. There is no official word on what happened to the pilot, but reports suggest he suffered a cardiac arrest.
Talking about the sad news, an airline spokesperson said, "We deeply regret the loss of a valued colleague due to a medical condition. Our thoughts are with the bereaved family, and we are extending all possible assistance to them as we all cope with this tremendous loss."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/air-india-crew-told-a-woman-to-give-up-her-business-class-seat-8946908" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Air India crew told a woman to give up her Business class seat. Turns out, they wanted to sleep there: Report</a>
&ldquo;We request all concerned to respect privacy at this time and avoid unnecessary speculation while we commit to assisting the relevant authorities in due process,&rdquo; the spokesperson added.
The pilot was in his last 30s and is said to have recently gotten married. He started feeling unwell after the flight landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead.&nbsp;
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not issued a formal statement on the pilot's demise yet.
It is also not known whether the pilot had complained about any physical issue before taking off from Srinagar.

An Air India Express pilot died after landing a flight from Srinagar at the Delhi airport. It has not been revealed what happened to him. India News Trending

An Air India Express pilot died after landing a flight from Srinagar at the Delhi airport on Wednesday. The airline and airport officials confirmed the news. There is no official word on what happened to the pilot, but reports suggest he suffered a cardiac arrest. Talking about the sad news, an airline spokesperson said, "We deeply regret the loss of a valued colleague due to a medical condition. Our thoughts are with the bereaved family, and we are extending all possible assistance to them as we all cope with this tremendous loss." Also Read: Air India crew told a woman to give up her Business class seat. Turns out, they wanted to sleep there: Report “We request all concerned to respect privacy at this time and avoid unnecessary speculation while we commit to assisting the relevant authorities in due process,” the spokesperson added. The pilot was in his last 30s and is said to have recently gotten married. He started feeling unwell after the flight landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not issued a formal statement on the pilot's demise yet. It is also not known whether the pilot had complained about any physical issue before taking off from Srinagar.

Air India Express pilot dies after landing flight at Delhi airport

A passenger on board an Air India flight flying from Chicago to Delhi recently encountered a strange situation when the cabin crew told her that her Business class seat had a technical fault and wouldn't recline. She claims that she was offered two economy seats in exchange. This happened while she was still at the gate, waiting to board the flight. However, the passenger chose to keep her "broken" seat. A few hours into the flight, she saw the cabin crew and flight attendants take over these seats where they went to sleep, View From the Wing reported.
While Air India is in the process of revamping its fleet by buying swanky airplanes, some of them in operation are in a sorry state. The 12,070-kilometre route from Chicago to Delhi still uses a plane whose interiors aren't in the best condition. This flight is the only one Air India has out of Chicago.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crazy-man-forces-pilot-to-take-a-u-turn-and-return-to-new-york-after-4-hours-8946565" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Crazy' man forces pilot to take a U-turn and return to New York after 4 hours</a>
The passenger told View From The Wing that this seems like a regular occurrence since they gave her a form to fill while pressing her to change her seat. She said that at the gate, the crew insisted she switch her seat to two economy class seats since hers had a technical fault. She said that she didn't want to change her Business class seat and would take a refund. However, that was not an option.
Once on the plane, she took her original Business class seat where the only problem she faced was a broken tray table.&nbsp;
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A fellow passenger had downgraded from First Class to Business Class because of a broken seat. She said there were two rows of empty business class seats.
<h2>Air India crew went to sleep on Business Class seats</h2>
After a few hours, she saw the cabin crew spread out blankets and go to sleep on the Business Class seats. Other passengers started talking about it, and soon she learned that the same thing had happened to others on other flights.
According to the report, the crew often pulls out the seat reassignment form and asks passengers to change their seats. She says that a form with the flight number printed on it shows how frequent this event must be. The woman says the form didn't appear to be formal and had a glaring typo on it - "that thee is a technical issue."&nbsp;

Air India Chicago-Delhi cabin crew wanted the woman to give up her "broken" Business Class seat. She later saw the attendants sleeping on these seats. India News | World

A passenger on board an Air India flight flying from Chicago to Delhi recently encountered a strange situation when the cabin crew told her that her Business class seat had a technical fault and wouldn't recline. She claims that she was offered two economy seats in exchange. This happened while she was still at the gate, waiting to board the flight. However, the passenger chose to keep her "broken" seat. A few hours into the flight, she saw the cabin crew and flight attendants take over these seats where they went to sleep, View From the Wing reported. While Air India is in the process of revamping its fleet by buying swanky airplanes, some of them in operation are in a sorry state. The 12,070-kilometre route from Chicago to Delhi still uses a plane whose interiors aren't in the best condition. This flight is the only one Air India has out of Chicago. Also Read: 'Crazy' man forces pilot to take a U-turn and return to New York after 4 hours The passenger told View From The Wing that this seems like a regular occurrence since they gave her a form to fill while pressing her to change her seat. She said that at the gate, the crew insisted she switch her seat to two economy class seats since hers had a technical fault. She said that she didn't want to change her Business class seat and would take a refund. However, that was not an option. Once on the plane, she took her original Business class seat where the only problem she faced was a broken tray table. Also Read: Person gets $1,000 plane ticket refunded, receives $100,000 instead. Airline insisted it was 'correct' A fellow passenger had downgraded from First Class to Business Class because of a broken seat. She said there were two rows of empty business class seats. Air India crew went to sleep on Business Class seats After a few hours, she saw the cabin crew spread out blankets and go to sleep on the Business Class seats. Other passengers started talking about it, and soon she learned that the same thing had happened to others on other flights. According to the report, the crew often pulls out the seat reassignment form and asks passengers to change their seats. She says that a form with the flight number printed on it shows how frequent this event must be. The woman says the form didn't appear to be formal and had a glaring typo on it - "that thee is a technical issue."

Air India crew told a woman to give up her Business class seat. Turns out, they wanted to sleep there: Report

Air India is targeting the 35-million-strong indian diaspora with discounted fares, as it navigates fleet upgrade delays. CEO Campbell wilson acknowledges that while travelers choose airlines based on multiple factors—including price, travel duration, and onboard experience— Air India will adjust its pricing to stay competitive.

Air India targets 35 mn Indian diaspora with fare cuts

An Air India flight en route from Chicago to Delhi had to return to Chicago 10 hours after take-off on Thursday (March 6) due to dysfunctional toilets. Numerous toilets in the aircraft were clogged and non-functional, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/international-air-india-flight-returns-to-delhi-due-to-serious-unruly-passenger-on-board-580891">International Air India flight returns to Delhi due to 'serious unruly' passenger on board</a>
The Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft generally accommodates over 340 passengers across its first, business and economy classes. It has just 10 toilets, two of them reserved for first class travellers only, PTI reported.&nbsp;
It was also reported that only a single toilet was working in the entire aircraft after 10 hours in the air.&nbsp;
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A video of the ruckus in the flight shared on the social media platform X showed people standing in the aircraft - some discussing, some arguing with each other over the issue.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m82ofex1-tphw4qki-2kgwi764">
❗️✈️🇮🇳 - An Air India flight (Flight 126) from India to Chicago, Illinois, was forced to turn back over Greenland on March 5, 2025, during a 10-hour journey after 11 of its 12 bathrooms became clogged with feces, leaving around 300 passengers, mostly Indian, stranded on a plane&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/w51IzAN77j">pic.twitter.com/w51IzAN77j</a>
&mdash; 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) <a href="https://twitter.com/theinformant_x/status/1898878468416295256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>Airline's response&nbsp;</h2>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-jet-airways-flight-returns-to-mumbai-after-passengers-suffer-nose-ear-bleeds--166780">Watch: Jet Airways flight returns to Mumbai after passengers suffer nose, ear bleeds</a>
"Upon landing at Chicago, all passengers and crew disembarked normally and have been provided with accommodation to minimise inconvenience. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to their destination," an Air India spokesperson told PTI.&nbsp;
The airline also confirmed that all the passengers were offered complete refunds upon their cancellation of the flight along with free rescheduling options.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/srinagar-bound-air-india-flight-returns-to-delhi-due-to-technical-fault-hc-questions-dgca-on-air-safety-133557">Air India Srinagar flight returns to Delhi due to technical fault; HC questions DGCA on air safety</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

Trending | India News | WORLD | A video of the ruckus in the flight shared on the social media platform X showed people standing in the aircraft - some discussing, some arguing with each other over the issue.

An Air India flight en route from Chicago to Delhi had to return to Chicago 10 hours after take-off on Thursday (March 6) due to dysfunctional toilets. Numerous toilets in the aircraft were clogged and non-functional, news agency PTI reported. Also read: International Air India flight returns to Delhi due to 'serious unruly' passenger on board The Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft generally accommodates over 340 passengers across its first, business and economy classes. It has just 10 toilets, two of them reserved for first class travellers only, PTI reported. It was also reported that only a single toilet was working in the entire aircraft after 10 hours in the air. Also read: Ukraine closes airspace to civilian flights, Air India's special flight returns mid-air A video of the ruckus in the flight shared on the social media platform X showed people standing in the aircraft - some discussing, some arguing with each other over the issue. ❗️✈️🇮🇳 - An Air India flight (Flight 126) from India to Chicago, Illinois, was forced to turn back over Greenland on March 5, 2025, during a 10-hour journey after 11 of its 12 bathrooms became clogged with feces, leaving around 300 passengers, mostly Indian, stranded on a plane… pic.twitter.com/w51IzAN77j — 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) March 9, 2025 Airline's response Also read: Watch: Jet Airways flight returns to Mumbai after passengers suffer nose, ear bleeds "Upon landing at Chicago, all passengers and crew disembarked normally and have been provided with accommodation to minimise inconvenience. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to their destination," an Air India spokesperson told PTI. The airline also confirmed that all the passengers were offered complete refunds upon their cancellation of the flight along with free rescheduling options. Also read: Air India Srinagar flight returns to Delhi due to technical fault; HC questions DGCA on air safety (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH: Air India flight en route to Delhi returns to Chicago over 10 clogged toilets

After Union agriculture minister and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill on Tuesday (Feb 25) slammed national carrier Air India, saying it would win 'Oscar-equivalent' award in the "worst airlines" category.
Expressing his deep dissatisfaction on social media platform 'X', Shergill criticised the airline&rsquo;s services.
"If there were an Oscar-equivalent award for the worst airline, Air India would win in every category,&rdquo; Shergill wrote on X.
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Shergill alleged that Air India suffers from poor service standards. He cited broken seats, unprofessional staff, inadequate ground support and a disregard for customer service.
"Broken Seats, Worst Staff, Pathetic &ldquo;on ground&rdquo; Support Staff, give two hoots attitude about customer service!," he further remarked.
<h2 dir="ltr">Air India apologises</h2>
Air India responded to Shergill&rsquo;s criticism and apologised for the inconvenience caused.&nbsp;
In a reply to Shergill&rsquo;s post, the airline said, &ldquo;Dear Mr. Shergill, we apologise for the inconvenience caused. Kindly share the travel details with us via DM. We'll get in touch with you.&rdquo;
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<h2 dir="ltr">Allocated broken seat: Shivraj Singh Chouhan</h2>
Recently, Shivraj Singh Chouhan also faced issues with Air India when he was allotted a broken seat on a Bhopal-Delhi flight on February 22.
Taking to social media platform X, Chouhan shared his ordeal and said he was travelling on Air India flight AI436 and was assigned seat 8C. Upon sitting, he realised the &ldquo;seat was broken and sunken in, making it extremely uncomfortable&rdquo;.
The Civil Aviation Ministry also stepped in, with minister Ram Mohan Naidu responding to the incident. 
The ministry said that Naidu has spoken to Chouhan in this regard.
"We spoke to Air India immediately on this issue and instructed them to take necessary action. From our side, DGCA will also be looking into details of the matter promptly. And I have personally spoken to Shivraj ji also," Naidu said in a statement issued by the aviation ministry.
(With inputs from agencies)

BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill criticises Air India, likening its performance to a sweep at the 'worst airlines' Oscars, following similar remarks by Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

After Union agriculture minister and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill on Tuesday (Feb 25) slammed national carrier Air India, saying it would win 'Oscar-equivalent' award in the "worst airlines" category. Expressing his deep dissatisfaction on social media platform 'X', Shergill criticised the airline’s services. "If there were an Oscar-equivalent award for the worst airline, Air India would win in every category,” Shergill wrote on X. Also read | Four Indian firms sanctioned by Trump for 'knowingly engaging' in Iran's oil trade Shergill alleged that Air India suffers from poor service standards. He cited broken seats, unprofessional staff, inadequate ground support and a disregard for customer service. "Broken Seats, Worst Staff, Pathetic “on ground” Support Staff, give two hoots attitude about customer service!," he further remarked. Air India apologises Air India responded to Shergill’s criticism and apologised for the inconvenience caused. In a reply to Shergill’s post, the airline said, “Dear Mr. Shergill, we apologise for the inconvenience caused. Kindly share the travel details with us via DM. We'll get in touch with you.” Also read | Jaishankar announces halt on Asian Highway project due to Myanmar's internal conflicts Allocated broken seat: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Recently, Shivraj Singh Chouhan also faced issues with Air India when he was allotted a broken seat on a Bhopal-Delhi flight on February 22. Taking to social media platform X, Chouhan shared his ordeal and said he was travelling on Air India flight AI436 and was assigned seat 8C. Upon sitting, he realised the “seat was broken and sunken in, making it extremely uncomfortable”. The Civil Aviation Ministry also stepped in, with minister Ram Mohan Naidu responding to the incident. The ministry said that Naidu has spoken to Chouhan in this regard. "We spoke to Air India immediately on this issue and instructed them to take necessary action. From our side, DGCA will also be looking into details of the matter promptly. And I have personally spoken to Shivraj ji also," Naidu said in a statement issued by the aviation ministry. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Oscar-equivalent award for worst airline’: BJP’s Jaiveer Shergill slams Air India

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticised Air India for poor service after his uncomfortable journey from Bhopal to Delhi on Saturday (Feb 22).
He was allotted a broken seat, which he found "uncomfortable to sit" in. Chouhan questioned Air India's management, asking if they would take steps to prevent such incidents, and expressed disappointment that the airline's service hadn't improved since Tata took over.
Taking to social media platform X, Chouhan shared his ordeal and said that he was travelling on Air India flight AI436 and was assigned seat 8C. Upon sitting, he realised the &ldquo;seat was broken and sunken in, making it extremely uncomfortable&rdquo;.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/totally-illegal-mahua-moitra-slams-railways-over-x-takedown-request-on-stampede-videos-8747403">Totally illegal': Mahua Moitra slams railways over X takedown request on stampede videos</a>
&ldquo;When I asked the airline staff why the seat was allotted to me if it was bad, they told me that the management had been informed earlier that this seat was not good and its ticket should not be sold. There are not just one such seat but many more. My co-passengers requested me to change my seat and sit on a better seat but why should I trouble another friend for my sake, I decided that I would complete my journey by sitting on this same seat,&rdquo; he wrote on X.
&ldquo;My impression was that Air India's service would have improved after Tata took over the management, but it turned out to be my misconception. I don't care about discomfort in sitting but it is unethical to make passengers sit on bad and uncomfortable seats after charging them full amount. Isn't this cheating the passengers?&rdquo; he added.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Air India apologises</h2>
Chouhan urged Air India to take corrective action to prevent such issues for its travellers.
&ldquo;Will the Air India management take steps to ensure that no passenger faces such inconvenience in future or will it continue to take advantage of the passengers' compulsion to reach their destination early?&rdquo; he urged.
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Following his post, Air India apologised for the inconvenience. "Dear Sir, we apologise for the inconvenience caused. Please be rest assured that we are looking into this matter carefully to prevent any such occurrences in the future. We would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you, kindly DM us a convenient time to connect," the airline wrote in its reply.
<h2 dir="ltr">DGCA&nbsp; instructs Air India to take necessary action</h2>
The Civil Aviation Ministry also stepped in, and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu responded to the incident. The Ministry said that Naidu has spoken to Chouhan in this regard.
"We spoke to Air India immediately on this issue and instructed them to take necessary action. From our side, DGCA will also be looking into details of the matter promptly. And I have personally spoken to Shivraj ji also," it said in a statement.
(With inputs from agencies)

India News: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan voiced concerns over Air India's service quality after facing discomfort during his flight from Bhopal to Delhi on February

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticised Air India for poor service after his uncomfortable journey from Bhopal to Delhi on Saturday (Feb 22). He was allotted a broken seat, which he found "uncomfortable to sit" in. Chouhan questioned Air India's management, asking if they would take steps to prevent such incidents, and expressed disappointment that the airline's service hadn't improved since Tata took over. Taking to social media platform X, Chouhan shared his ordeal and said that he was travelling on Air India flight AI436 and was assigned seat 8C. Upon sitting, he realised the “seat was broken and sunken in, making it extremely uncomfortable”. Also read | Totally illegal': Mahua Moitra slams railways over X takedown request on stampede videos “When I asked the airline staff why the seat was allotted to me if it was bad, they told me that the management had been informed earlier that this seat was not good and its ticket should not be sold. There are not just one such seat but many more. My co-passengers requested me to change my seat and sit on a better seat but why should I trouble another friend for my sake, I decided that I would complete my journey by sitting on this same seat,” he wrote on X. “My impression was that Air India's service would have improved after Tata took over the management, but it turned out to be my misconception. I don't care about discomfort in sitting but it is unethical to make passengers sit on bad and uncomfortable seats after charging them full amount. Isn't this cheating the passengers?” he added. Also read | Mass wedding in Gujarat's Rajkot turns chaotic as organisers disappear, leaving families stranded Air India apologises Chouhan urged Air India to take corrective action to prevent such issues for its travellers. “Will the Air India management take steps to ensure that no passenger faces such inconvenience in future or will it continue to take advantage of the passengers' compulsion to reach their destination early?” he urged. Also read | India | Several workers feared trapped after tunnel roof collapses in Telangana; CM Reddy reacts Following his post, Air India apologised for the inconvenience. "Dear Sir, we apologise for the inconvenience caused. Please be rest assured that we are looking into this matter carefully to prevent any such occurrences in the future. We would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you, kindly DM us a convenient time to connect," the airline wrote in its reply. DGCA instructs Air India to take necessary action The Civil Aviation Ministry also stepped in, and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu responded to the incident. The Ministry said that Naidu has spoken to Chouhan in this regard. "We spoke to Air India immediately on this issue and instructed them to take necessary action. From our side, DGCA will also be looking into details of the matter promptly. And I have personally spoken to Shivraj ji also," it said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Shivraj Singh Chouhan slams Air India for ‘broken seat’; Civil Aviation Ministry reacts

Demand for travel to Prayagraj remains high. The government has imposed some measures after the recent tragic stampede incident at the Maha Kumbh, which has failed to trigger any dip in faith.&nbsp;
With soaring airfares making it even harder for pilgrims, the central government has finally stepped in to control the price surge. This was the second meeting within just six days, led by Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and key officials.&nbsp;
Reports suggest that airlines have taken notice. Indigo, the country's largest carrier, has reduced the fares to Prayagraj by 30-50 per cent. &nbsp;Sources cited by CNBC-TV18 reveal that the government has set a price cap on the Prayagraj routes. They also reveal that Air India is expected to add additional daily flights from Delhi starting February 1
<h2>Airlines on the Radar</h2>
The unprecedented price hikes to Prayagraj following massive demand triggered a lot of backlash from travellers. Social media was abuzz with airfare comparisons to international destinations. The government intervention has now forced airlines to reduce airfares and coordinate with their travel booking partners to ensure no unreasonable hike.&nbsp;
Still, there is more room for reduction. Flights from Mumbai and Hyderabad still remain incredibly high. Currently, there are 132 flights connecting 17 cities to Prayagraj. This number is also expecting a boost as the 'one in 144 years' event enters its final month.
With strict restrictions now in place, the government is trying to balance security concerns and airfare control as demand peaks.

Business & Economy, The unprecedented price hikes to Prayagraj following massive demand triggered a lot of backlash from travellers,  Airlines have now reduced the fares. 

Demand for travel to Prayagraj remains high. The government has imposed some measures after the recent tragic stampede incident at the Maha Kumbh, which has failed to trigger any dip in faith. With soaring airfares making it even harder for pilgrims, the central government has finally stepped in to control the price surge. This was the second meeting within just six days, led by Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and key officials. Reports suggest that airlines have taken notice. Indigo, the country's largest carrier, has reduced the fares to Prayagraj by 30-50 per cent. Sources cited by CNBC-TV18 reveal that the government has set a price cap on the Prayagraj routes. They also reveal that Air India is expected to add additional daily flights from Delhi starting February 1 Airlines on the Radar The unprecedented price hikes to Prayagraj following massive demand triggered a lot of backlash from travellers. Social media was abuzz with airfare comparisons to international destinations. The government intervention has now forced airlines to reduce airfares and coordinate with their travel booking partners to ensure no unreasonable hike. Still, there is more room for reduction. Flights from Mumbai and Hyderabad still remain incredibly high. Currently, there are 132 flights connecting 17 cities to Prayagraj. This number is also expecting a boost as the 'one in 144 years' event enters its final month. With strict restrictions now in place, the government is trying to balance security concerns and airfare control as demand peaks.

Maha Kumbh 2025: Government intervenes to curb airline price hikes

One of the hitmen responsible for killing a man acquitted in the 1985 bombing of an Air India flight has been jailed for life in Canada. &nbsp;
Tanner Fox, 24, was convicted on Tuesday by a British Columbia Supreme Court judge, without the possibility of parole for 20 years.&nbsp;
Both he and his accomplice, Jose Lopez pleaded guilty last October to the second-degree murder of Sikh businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik in 2022.&nbsp;
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Lopez will be sentenced on Friday.&nbsp;
They confessed that they were paid for killing Malik in a suburb of Vancouver in western Canada, however, they did not reveal who paid them to do so.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terrorism-should-never-be-tolerated-jaishankar-on-39th-anniversary-of-kanishka-bombing-734439" rel="dofollow">Terrorism 'should never be tolerated': Jaishankar on 39th anniversary of Kanishka bombing</a>
<h2>Who is Tanner Fox?</h2>
Tanner Fox, 24, based in Thailand, was adopted when he was three years old by a couple residing in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Reportedly, he apologised for his actions, saying, "I am sorry for all the pain and hurt that I have caused."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kanishka-bombing-1985-investigation-active-and-ongoing-canadian-police-734155" rel="dofollow">Kanishka bombing 1985 investigation 'active and ongoing': Canadian police&nbsp;</a>
The prosecutor said that Fox and Lopez planned a "deliberate killing" of Malik.&nbsp;
"They were financially compensated for killing him," the prosecutor said, according to a report by BBC.
<h2>Know about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kanishka-bombing" rel="dofollow">Kanishka Bombing</a></h2>
Air India Flight 182, travelling from Canada to India, blew up off the Irish Coast on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board.&nbsp;
The jet disintegrated in midair just 45 minutes from its destination.&nbsp;
The aircraft operating the flight was a Boeing 747-237B registered VT-EFO and named Emperor Kanishka.
It was considered the deadliest aviation terrorism incident until the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US.&nbsp;
On the flight, most of the passengers were Canadians who were visiting relatives in India.&nbsp;
At the same time, another bomb exploded in Japan, killing two baggage handlers. The Air Indian bombing is believed to have been carried out by Khalistani extremists in retaliation for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

World: 24-year-old Tanner Fox was convicted on Tuesday by a British Columbia Supreme Court judge, without the possibility of parole for 20 years. 

One of the hitmen responsible for killing a man acquitted in the 1985 bombing of an Air India flight has been jailed for life in Canada. Tanner Fox, 24, was convicted on Tuesday by a British Columbia Supreme Court judge, without the possibility of parole for 20 years. Both he and his accomplice, Jose Lopez pleaded guilty last October to the second-degree murder of Sikh businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik in 2022. Also read: Kanishka terror attack anniversary: India says justice awaited; Trudeau silent on perpetrators Lopez will be sentenced on Friday. They confessed that they were paid for killing Malik in a suburb of Vancouver in western Canada, however, they did not reveal who paid them to do so. Also read: Terrorism 'should never be tolerated': Jaishankar on 39th anniversary of Kanishka bombing Who is Tanner Fox? Tanner Fox, 24, based in Thailand, was adopted when he was three years old by a couple residing in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Reportedly, he apologised for his actions, saying, "I am sorry for all the pain and hurt that I have caused." Also read: Kanishka bombing 1985 investigation 'active and ongoing': Canadian police The prosecutor said that Fox and Lopez planned a "deliberate killing" of Malik. "They were financially compensated for killing him," the prosecutor said, according to a report by BBC. Know about Kanishka Bombing Air India Flight 182, travelling from Canada to India, blew up off the Irish Coast on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board. The jet disintegrated in midair just 45 minutes from its destination. The aircraft operating the flight was a Boeing 747-237B registered VT-EFO and named Emperor Kanishka. It was considered the deadliest aviation terrorism incident until the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US. On the flight, most of the passengers were Canadians who were visiting relatives in India. At the same time, another bomb exploded in Japan, killing two baggage handlers. The Air Indian bombing is believed to have been carried out by Khalistani extremists in retaliation for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Tanner Fox? Hitman sentenced to life for killing Air India Kanishka Bombing suspect

A Mumbai-bound Air India flight reportedly sent an emergency signal to air traffic control (ATC), indicating that the aircraft was potentially hijacked.&nbsp;
Air India flight AI 2957 departed from New Delhi&rsquo;s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday night. The flight was carrying 126 passengers.&nbsp;
Following the signal, the protocols were activated involving various security agencies and military forces.
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The aircraft&rsquo;s transponder transmitted a 'squawk 7500' code to Delhi ATC right after takeoff, a Delhi airport official who asked for anonymity told Indian news media outlet Hindustan Times.&nbsp;
<h2>What is squawk code?</h2>
Squawk codes are four-digit numbers used by the ATC to identify aircraft in flight, ranging from 000 to 7777.&nbsp;
Squawk code 7500 indicates "unlawful interference," which is typically recognised as a hijacking, according to Flightradar.com.&nbsp;
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On receiving the alert, Delhi ATC initiated a protocol to inform the destination airport, security agencies, and the Indian Air Force. A special committee was formed, and the Indian Air Force was put on high alert.&nbsp;
But the pilot quickly informed the ATC that it was a false alarm and the aircraft was operating normally.&nbsp;
However, authorities were cautious as they did not want to take any chances, as the main concern was that the pilot might have been under threat and might have been forced to report it as a false alarm.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-flight-with-141-passengers-declares-mid-air-emergency-circles-over-tamil-nadu-after-gear-failure-766703" rel="dofollow">Air India flight with 141 passengers lands safely after mid-air emergency</a>
Later, the flight landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 9:47 pm. A full emergency was declared at the Mumbai airport, and all local police forces, including the National Security Guard (NSG), were deployed.&nbsp;
After landing in Mumbai, the aircraft was directed to an isolation bay, where it was inspected. As it&nbsp;was known that the flight posed no danger, the passengers were allowed to disembark.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-year-old-suffers-food-poisoning-after-eating-cockroach-filled-omelette-in-air-india-762919" rel="dofollow">Two-year-old suffers food poisoning after eating omelette with dead coackroach on Air India flight</a>
An investigation is underway for what might have caused the false alarm. However, a potential technical glitch is being considered.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

India news: Air India flight AI 2957 departed from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday night. The flight was carrying 126 passengers. 

A Mumbai-bound Air India flight reportedly sent an emergency signal to air traffic control (ATC), indicating that the aircraft was potentially hijacked. Air India flight AI 2957 departed from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday night. The flight was carrying 126 passengers. Following the signal, the protocols were activated involving various security agencies and military forces. Also read: Air India Express flight from Dubai to Jaipur receives bomb threat via email The aircraft’s transponder transmitted a 'squawk 7500' code to Delhi ATC right after takeoff, a Delhi airport official who asked for anonymity told Indian news media outlet Hindustan Times. What is squawk code? Squawk codes are four-digit numbers used by the ATC to identify aircraft in flight, ranging from 000 to 7777. Squawk code 7500 indicates "unlawful interference," which is typically recognised as a hijacking, according to Flightradar.com. Also read: Singapore fighter jets escort Air India Express plane after bomb threat On receiving the alert, Delhi ATC initiated a protocol to inform the destination airport, security agencies, and the Indian Air Force. A special committee was formed, and the Indian Air Force was put on high alert. But the pilot quickly informed the ATC that it was a false alarm and the aircraft was operating normally. However, authorities were cautious as they did not want to take any chances, as the main concern was that the pilot might have been under threat and might have been forced to report it as a false alarm. Also read: Air India flight with 141 passengers lands safely after mid-air emergency Later, the flight landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 9:47 pm. A full emergency was declared at the Mumbai airport, and all local police forces, including the National Security Guard (NSG), were deployed. After landing in Mumbai, the aircraft was directed to an isolation bay, where it was inspected. As it was known that the flight posed no danger, the passengers were allowed to disembark. Also read: Two-year-old suffers food poisoning after eating omelette with dead coackroach on Air India flight An investigation is underway for what might have caused the false alarm. However, a potential technical glitch is being considered. (With inputs from agencies)

Delhi-Mumbai Air India flight sends 'false' hijack alert soon after takeoff. What went wrong?

With ceasefire holding up in the north and south of Israel, several major international airlines, including Air India, have announced plans to resume flights to Israel, expanding connectivity to the war-torn region.
"It's official now. We are resuming flights from March 2, 2025," a representative for Air India in Israel told PTI. &nbsp; Several Indians staying in Israel felt a sigh of relief as the Indian carrier's website opened bookings on the said route.
Travelling to Israel had become challenging with most of the major international airlines cancelling their operations to the Jewish state in view of the war in the north against Hezbollah and in the south against Hamas since October 23, 2023, when the Palestinian Islamic group's terrorists carried out an unprecedented, brutal attack on the Jewish state.
Air France announced that it will resume daily flights on the Paris-Tel Aviv route starting Saturday this week.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-ceasefire-fake-hamas-attack-staged-in-israel-kfar-saba-hamas-8647184" rel="dofollow">'I was so scared&hellip;': Fake Hamas attack staged in Israel to protest Gaza ceasefire stirs panic</a>
The carrier also plans to increase its daily flight frequency in the coming months.
Transavia France, a low-cost subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group, will also return on the Israel route on January 28.
Lufthansa Group of airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, collectively announced on Thursday that they will gradually resume flights to and from Tel Aviv beginning February 1.
British Airways will also return to Israel, resuming flights between Tel Aviv and London on April 5 with one daily flight initially.
Irish low-cost giant Ryanair has announced plans to operate a full summer schedule for Israel after suspending flights to Ben Gurion Airport since February 2024.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-working-on-second-phase-of-gaza-hostage-ceasefire-deal-report-8644060" rel="dofollow">Trump administration working on second phase of Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal: Report</a>
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire on November 27 which has so far been holding up despite a few hiccups on the way.
Ceasefire in Gaza between Hamas and Israel went into effect on Sunday, leading to the exchange of Israeli hostages with Palestinian prisoners, bringing some calm to over fifteen months of fighting in the region.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World | India News: Several Indians staying in Israel felt a sigh of relief as Air India's website opened bookings on the said route. The Tel Aviv-Delhi flights are resuming from March 2

With ceasefire holding up in the north and south of Israel, several major international airlines, including Air India, have announced plans to resume flights to Israel, expanding connectivity to the war-torn region. "It's official now. We are resuming flights from March 2, 2025," a representative for Air India in Israel told PTI. Several Indians staying in Israel felt a sigh of relief as the Indian carrier's website opened bookings on the said route. Travelling to Israel had become challenging with most of the major international airlines cancelling their operations to the Jewish state in view of the war in the north against Hezbollah and in the south against Hamas since October 23, 2023, when the Palestinian Islamic group's terrorists carried out an unprecedented, brutal attack on the Jewish state. Air France announced that it will resume daily flights on the Paris-Tel Aviv route starting Saturday this week. Also read | 'I was so scared…': Fake Hamas attack staged in Israel to protest Gaza ceasefire stirs panic The carrier also plans to increase its daily flight frequency in the coming months. Transavia France, a low-cost subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group, will also return on the Israel route on January 28. Lufthansa Group of airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, collectively announced on Thursday that they will gradually resume flights to and from Tel Aviv beginning February 1. British Airways will also return to Israel, resuming flights between Tel Aviv and London on April 5 with one daily flight initially. Irish low-cost giant Ryanair has announced plans to operate a full summer schedule for Israel after suspending flights to Ben Gurion Airport since February 2024. Also read | Trump administration working on second phase of Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal: Report Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire on November 27 which has so far been holding up despite a few hiccups on the way. Ceasefire in Gaza between Hamas and Israel went into effect on Sunday, leading to the exchange of Israeli hostages with Palestinian prisoners, bringing some calm to over fifteen months of fighting in the region. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Gaza war truce in place, Air India to start Tel Aviv-Delhi flights from March 2

A 25-year-old pilot, who worked with Air India, allegedly died by suicide on Monday (November 25) and her body was found at her rented apartment in the Andheri suburb of the Indian city of Mumbai.

According to the girl's family, Srishti Tuli was publicly humiliated by her boyfriend for consuming non-veg food at a public event after which the 27-year-old man, identified as Aditya Pandit, was arrested by the police for abetment of suicide.&nbsp;

As per the police, Srishti belonged to Gorakhpur city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and was facing mental health issues.&nbsp;

As per the reports, the girl was being insulted and verbally abused by her boyfriend in different instances.

According to the police, Aditya had even insulted her for eating non-vegetarian food in front of others at an event in Gurugram.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's how the incident unfolded</h2>

At the event, an argument ensued between them after which Aditya left the woman midway and went home.

On Sunday evening (November 24), when Srishti came back from work she had another argument with Aditya who was at her house. After that, Aditya departed for Delhi around 1 am on Monday (Nov 25).

Aditya then received Srishti's call in which she said that she was going to die by suicide after which he came back to her house.&nbsp;

On reaching her house, Aditya found the door locked and nobody was responding from the inside.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/woman-dies-by-suicide-leaves-behind-suicide-note-accusing-bengaluru-police-of-stripping-her-779128">Woman dies by suicide, leaves behind suicide note accusing Bengaluru police of 'stripping' her</a>

The lock was broken open by Aditya with the help of a key maker after which he discovered her unconscious. He then rushed Srishti to a hospital where she was declared dead.

A complaint was filed by Srishti's family members with the police against Aditya who was accused of abusing her after which the police arrested him on charges of abetment of suicide.

According to the details mentioned in the first information report (FIR), Pandit also forced Srishti Tuli to stop eating non-vegetarian food and change her food habits.

Srishti's uncle Vivekkumar Narendrakumar Tuli&nbsp;filed the FIR at Powai police station and&nbsp;mentioned several instances where she was ill-treated by Aditya.

According to the police, a transaction of Rs 65,000 had also taken place from Srishti's bank account to Aditya recently.

On Tuesday (Nov 26), Aditya was produced in the court and&nbsp;was sent to four-day police custody.&nbsp;

As per the postmortem report, the cause of Srishti's death was strangulation. However, no suicide letter was discovered in the room of the pilot.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

<a href="https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/11181469">Get help &amp; support for suicide</a>

If you or someone you know wants help for mental well-being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. You can contact local authorities and also encourage the person to contact a&nbsp;suicide prevention hotline&nbsp;using the information above link.&nbsp;WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations.&nbsp;

A 25-year-old pilot, who worked with Air India, allegedly died by suicide on Monday (November 25) and her body was found at her rented apartment in the Andheri suburb of the Indian city of Mumbai.

A 25-year-old pilot, who worked with Air India, allegedly died by suicide on Monday (November 25) and her body was found at her rented apartment in the Andheri suburb of the Indian city of Mumbai. According to the girl's family, Srishti Tuli was publicly humiliated by her boyfriend for consuming non-veg food at a public event after which the 27-year-old man, identified as Aditya Pandit, was arrested by the police for abetment of suicide. As per the police, Srishti belonged to Gorakhpur city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and was facing mental health issues. As per the reports, the girl was being insulted and verbally abused by her boyfriend in different instances. According to the police, Aditya had even insulted her for eating non-vegetarian food in front of others at an event in Gurugram. Here's how the incident unfolded At the event, an argument ensued between them after which Aditya left the woman midway and went home. On Sunday evening (November 24), when Srishti came back from work she had another argument with Aditya who was at her house. After that, Aditya departed for Delhi around 1 am on Monday (Nov 25). Aditya then received Srishti's call in which she said that she was going to die by suicide after which he came back to her house. On reaching her house, Aditya found the door locked and nobody was responding from the inside. Also Read: Woman dies by suicide, leaves behind suicide note accusing Bengaluru police of 'stripping' her The lock was broken open by Aditya with the help of a key maker after which he discovered her unconscious. He then rushed Srishti to a hospital where she was declared dead. A complaint was filed by Srishti's family members with the police against Aditya who was accused of abusing her after which the police arrested him on charges of abetment of suicide. According to the details mentioned in the first information report (FIR), Pandit also forced Srishti Tuli to stop eating non-vegetarian food and change her food habits. Srishti's uncle Vivekkumar Narendrakumar Tuli filed the FIR at Powai police station and mentioned several instances where she was ill-treated by Aditya. According to the police, a transaction of Rs 65,000 had also taken place from Srishti's bank account to Aditya recently. On Tuesday (Nov 26), Aditya was produced in the court and was sent to four-day police custody. As per the postmortem report, the cause of Srishti's death was strangulation. However, no suicide letter was discovered in the room of the pilot. (With inputs from agencies) Get help & support for suicide If you or someone you know wants help for mental well-being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. You can contact local authorities and also encourage the person to contact a suicide prevention hotline using the information above link. WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations.

Air India pilot dies by suicide, family alleges public humiliation by boyfriend over non-veg food

IndiGo Airlines bid&nbsp;farewell to Vistara on Monday as the airline took to the skies for its last flight from Goa to Bengaluru on Sunday. Vistara is set to merge with Air India, which will end its nine-year journey.

In a heartfelt X post, IndiGo acknowledged the “unforgettable legacy” of Vistara, bidding farewell to its competitor airline.&nbsp;

The airline wrote, “As an unforgettable legacy takes its final flight, a new journey on the horizon awaits. Goodbye, @airvistara. Here’s #ToLimitlessPossibilities ahead.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vistara-ends-its-journey-says-sky-is-just-the-beginning-775248">Vistara ends its nine-year journey, says 'sky is just the beginning'</a>

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As an unforgettable legacy takes its final flight, a new journey on the horizon awaits. Goodbye, <a href="https://twitter.com/airvistara?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@airvistara</a>. Here’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ToLimitlessPossibilities?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ToLimitlessPossibilities</a> ahead. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/goIndiGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#goIndiGo</a> 
 
Video credits <a href="https://twitter.com/UtkarshThakkar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UtkarshThakkar</a> <a href="https://t.co/QAOlNzX5xm">pic.twitter.com/QAOlNzX5xm</a>
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiGo6E/status/1855961099985887533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Vistara Airlines responded to the tweet from its official handle saying, “Onward and upward! Here’s to the future and all the exciting possibilities it holds! #ToLimitlessPossibilities.”

Several social media users reacted to the post, praising the gesture.

A user wrote on X, “When your competitor praises you, that's when you know - you were DAMN GOOD!!”

“That's the spirit @IndiGo6E. Rivals in the market are always friends in the sky,” another commented.

“Loved this gesture,” a third said.

Many users on X also applauded the services of Vistara Airlines as they bid goodbye to the airline.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-navys-hadr-operations-showcase-indias-growing-influence-775365">Indian Navy's HADR operations showcase India's growing influence</a>

“@airvistara had taken the services to different levels,” another person said praising Vistara airline.

Another user posted, "Farewell,&nbsp;@airvistara... you truly were the best of the Indian sky."

<h2>Vistara-Air India merger</h2>

Launched as a joint venture between Tata Sons (51 per cent) and Singapore Airlines (49 per cent) in 2015, Vistara marks the end of its journey as the Tata group decided to merge it with its other aviation venture Air India. The company has said the decision has been made to streamline its aviation assets.&nbsp;

Vistara fleet and routes will be incorporated into Air India, and Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1 per cent stake in the merged airline, becoming India's largest international carrier.​

(With inputs from agencies)

IndiGo Airlines bid farewell to Vistara on Monday as the airline took to the skies for its last flight from Goa to Bengaluru on Sunday. Vistara is set to merge with Air India, which will end its nine-year journey.

IndiGo Airlines bid farewell to Vistara on Monday as the airline took to the skies for its last flight from Goa to Bengaluru on Sunday. Vistara is set to merge with Air India, which will end its nine-year journey. In a heartfelt X post, IndiGo acknowledged the “unforgettable legacy” of Vistara, bidding farewell to its competitor airline. The airline wrote, “As an unforgettable legacy takes its final flight, a new journey on the horizon awaits. Goodbye, @airvistara. Here’s #ToLimitlessPossibilities ahead.” Also read | Vistara ends its nine-year journey, says 'sky is just the beginning' As an unforgettable legacy takes its final flight, a new journey on the horizon awaits. Goodbye, @airvistara. Here’s #ToLimitlessPossibilities ahead. #goIndiGo Video credits @UtkarshThakkar pic.twitter.com/QAOlNzX5xm — IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 11, 2024 × Vistara Airlines responded to the tweet from its official handle saying, “Onward and upward! Here’s to the future and all the exciting possibilities it holds! #ToLimitlessPossibilities.” Several social media users reacted to the post, praising the gesture. A user wrote on X, “When your competitor praises you, that's when you know - you were DAMN GOOD!!” “That's the spirit @IndiGo6E. Rivals in the market are always friends in the sky,” another commented. “Loved this gesture,” a third said. Many users on X also applauded the services of Vistara Airlines as they bid goodbye to the airline. Also read | Indian Navy's HADR operations showcase India's growing influence “@airvistara had taken the services to different levels,” another person said praising Vistara airline. Another user posted, "Farewell, @airvistara... you truly were the best of the Indian sky." Vistara-Air India merger Launched as a joint venture between Tata Sons (51 per cent) and Singapore Airlines (49 per cent) in 2015, Vistara marks the end of its journey as the Tata group decided to merge it with its other aviation venture Air India. The company has said the decision has been made to streamline its aviation assets. Vistara fleet and routes will be incorporated into Air India, and Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1 per cent stake in the merged airline, becoming India's largest international carrier. (With inputs from agencies)

IndiGo bids farewell to rival Vistara, social media applauds the gesture

Vistara flew its last flight from Goa to Bengaluru on Sunday (Nov 10) and as it landed the song 'Kal Ho Na Ho' played in the background to invoke nostalgia among the airline's crew and passengers who were part of its last flight as the time of the carrier in the Indian aviation landscape came to an end.

Vistara flew its last flight from Goa to Bengaluru on Sunday (Nov 10) and as it landed the song 'Kal Ho Na Ho' played in the background to invoke nostalgia among the airline's crew and passengers who were part of its last flight as the time of the carrier in the Indian aviation landscape came to an end. Vistara was a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines and will now merge with Air India on November 12. Taking to Instagram, the airline bid goodbye and wrote, "As the plane ascends, so do our dreams; let's glide toward the future, where the sky isn't the limit, but just the beginning." Thank you for #FlyingTheNewFeeling Here’s #ToLimitlessPossibilities pic.twitter.com/OaELl6d4T5 — Vistara (@airvistara) November 11, 2024 × A tag “to limited possibilities” was also added by the airline which hinted at their new future as Air India. Also Read: IndiGo and Vistara confirm bomb threats across domestic and international flights From September 2024, the airlines announced that customers will not be able to make bookings with Vistara from November 12 onwards. Vistara and Air India merger In November 2022, the merger between Vistara and Air India was first announced and in this new merger, Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1 per cent stake. Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan said that the merger is aimed at providing more options to passengers by expanding the fleet and network and improving the overall travel experience. “Cross-functional teams from Air India and Vistara have been working together for many months to make the transition of aircraft, flying crew, ground-based colleagues and, most importantly, our valued customers, into the new Air India as seamless as possible,” said Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson. Watch: Tracking Trends In The Aviation Sector The passengers also shared their emotional message as they bid adieu to the carrier service and hoped that the new iteration would be good. Meanwhile, additional resources have been deployed by Air India which include desk kiosks at airports and touchpoints to ensure that Vistara passengers have a smooth experience. They have also provided "customer support staff wearing 'How may I assist you?' Air India x Vistara branded t-shirts for support". (With inputs from agencies)

Vistara ends its nine-year journey, says 'sky is just the beginning'

Air india is facing operational challenges. The tata-group owned ariline has cancelled approximately 60 flights scheduled between india and the united states for november and december. This decision affects key routes, including new york, newark, washington, san francisco, and chicago. These cancellations coincide with a peak travel season marked by the christmas holidays.

Air India’s Flight Cancellations Soar

Amid a rise in hoax bomb threats made to flights, an Indian Airline flight travelling from Kathmandu to New Delhi received a fresh threat on Saturday (Nov 2).&nbsp;

“We have received a bomb threat on an Indian Airlines flight that was bound for New Delhi from Kathmandu,” Dambar Bahadur BK, chief of police at the airport told Indian news agency ANI.

The search operation is underway with the help of Nepal police and army, he said.&nbsp;

On Monday (Oct 28), Nepal received a hoax bomb threat call on an Air India flight AI 216 that was about to return to New Delhi.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-least-85-indian-flights-receive-fresh-bomb-threats-770373">Also read:&nbsp;At least 85 more Indian flights receive bomb threats in 24 hours</a>

This marks the second hoax call received by Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport in a week.&nbsp;

Following the threat call, the Air India flight prompted authorities to activate the emergency protocol as the flight landed at 2:41 pm (Nepal Standard Time) at the airport.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;India Investigates Hoax Airline Bomb Threats

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"We didn't find any suspicious or explosives on board the plane. It is preparing to take flight following the procedures," Kiran Bajracharya, AIG at Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari, confirmed to ANI over the phone.

After four hours of searching, it was proved that it was a hoax call as no suspicious objects were found.

“According to protocol, no dangerous objects were found during the security checks, and the situation at the airport is currently normal. It is a second hoax call within a week,”&nbsp;Information officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Gyanendra Bhul, confirmed to the news agency over the phone.

Over the past few weeks, more than 400 Indian flights, including Air India, Vistara and Air Akasa have received bomb threats.&nbsp;

Following these recurrent incidents,&nbsp;India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has asked social media platforms to observe due diligence obligations and promptly disable access to misinformation within the strict timelines prescribed under the country's IT rules.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid a rise in hoax bomb threats made to flights, an Indian Airline flight travelling from Kathmandu to New Delhi received a fresh threat on Saturday (Nov 2). “We have received a bomb threat on an Indian Airlines flight that was bound for New Delhi from Kathmandu,” Dambar Bahadur BK, chief of police at the airport told Indian news agency ANI.

Amid a rise in hoax bomb threats made to flights, an Indian Airline flight travelling from Kathmandu to New Delhi received a fresh threat on Saturday (Nov 2). “We have received a bomb threat on an Indian Airlines flight that was bound for New Delhi from Kathmandu,” Dambar Bahadur BK, chief of police at the airport told Indian news agency ANI. The search operation is underway with the help of Nepal police and army, he said. On Monday (Oct 28), Nepal received a hoax bomb threat call on an Air India flight AI 216 that was about to return to New Delhi. Also read: At least 85 more Indian flights receive bomb threats in 24 hours This marks the second hoax call received by Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport in a week. Following the threat call, the Air India flight prompted authorities to activate the emergency protocol as the flight landed at 2:41 pm (Nepal Standard Time) at the airport. Watch | India Investigates Hoax Airline Bomb Threats × "We didn't find any suspicious or explosives on board the plane. It is preparing to take flight following the procedures," Kiran Bajracharya, AIG at Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari, confirmed to ANI over the phone. After four hours of searching, it was proved that it was a hoax call as no suspicious objects were found. “According to protocol, no dangerous objects were found during the security checks, and the situation at the airport is currently normal. It is a second hoax call within a week,” Information officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Gyanendra Bhul, confirmed to the news agency over the phone. Over the past few weeks, more than 400 Indian flights, including Air India, Vistara and Air Akasa have received bomb threats. Following these recurrent incidents, India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has asked social media platforms to observe due diligence obligations and promptly disable access to misinformation within the strict timelines prescribed under the country's IT rules. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian airline flight bound for New Delhi from Nepal receives hoax bomb threat amid rise in similar incidents

Air India's recent flight cancellations have disrupted holiday travel plans for many passengers heading to the USA. The cancellations have raised concerns among travelers, particularly during the busy holiday season, as they seek alternatives to reach their destinations amidst ongoing operational challenges.

Air India's Flight Cancellations Impact Holiday Travel To The USA

Days after a wave of bomb hoaxes affected&nbsp;several Indian flights, at least 85 flights of IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and Akasa Air received similar threats on Thursday (Oct 24).&nbsp;

These threats targeted 20 flights from Air India, 20 from Indigo, 20 from Vistara and another 25 from Akasa Airlines, according to officials.&nbsp;

Till Thursday, over 250 flights have been impacted by hoax bomb threats in the past 10 days.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/khalistani-terrorist-pannuns-do-not-fly-air-india-threat-resurfaces-amid-hoax-bomb-calls-769455">Also read:&nbsp;Khalistani terrorist Pannun's 'do not fly' Air India threat resurfaces amid hoax bomb calls</a>

The Central government is planning wide-ranging legislative actions to deal with bomb threats to airlines, including placing the perpetrators on the no-fly list.

Over the past eight days, the Delhi Police have registered eight separate First Information Reports (FIR) in connection with bomb threats to over 90 domestic and international flights.&nbsp;

<h2>'X abetting crime'</h2>

Indian government officials held a virtual meeting with the representatives of social media platforms such as X and Meta and airlines to discuss the issue.&nbsp;

The virtual meeting was chaired by Joint Secretary Sanket S Bhondve and the officials said that the situation amounts to "X abetting crime" while asking the representative what steps they have taken to stop control the spread of such rumours.

Watch |&nbsp;Hoax Bomb Threats Impact Several Indian Flights

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology pulled up X and Meta over what is being as their "non-cooperation" regarding investigations related to these waves of bomb threats.&nbsp;

All the handles, engaged in the bomb threats through messages, were found to be fake.&nbsp;

The ministry pointed out that prompt response is needed to ensure that the perpetrators and repeat offenders are identified swiftly, and nabbed," a source said.

The IT ministry also pulled up the companies for "delays" in providing user details of the fake handles, allowing the perpetrators to go undetected.

(With inputs from agencies)

Days after a wave of bomb hoaxes affected several Indian flights, at least 85 flights of IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and Akasa Air received similar threats on Thursday (Oct 24).

Days after a wave of bomb hoaxes affected several Indian flights, at least 85 flights of IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and Akasa Air received similar threats on Thursday (Oct 24). These threats targeted 20 flights from Air India, 20 from Indigo, 20 from Vistara and another 25 from Akasa Airlines, according to officials. Till Thursday, over 250 flights have been impacted by hoax bomb threats in the past 10 days. Also read: Khalistani terrorist Pannun's 'do not fly' Air India threat resurfaces amid hoax bomb calls The Central government is planning wide-ranging legislative actions to deal with bomb threats to airlines, including placing the perpetrators on the no-fly list. Over the past eight days, the Delhi Police have registered eight separate First Information Reports (FIR) in connection with bomb threats to over 90 domestic and international flights. 'X abetting crime' Indian government officials held a virtual meeting with the representatives of social media platforms such as X and Meta and airlines to discuss the issue. The virtual meeting was chaired by Joint Secretary Sanket S Bhondve and the officials said that the situation amounts to "X abetting crime" while asking the representative what steps they have taken to stop control the spread of such rumours. Watch | Hoax Bomb Threats Impact Several Indian Flights × The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology pulled up X and Meta over what is being as their "non-cooperation" regarding investigations related to these waves of bomb threats. All the handles, engaged in the bomb threats through messages, were found to be fake. The ministry pointed out that prompt response is needed to ensure that the perpetrators and repeat offenders are identified swiftly, and nabbed," a source said. The IT ministry also pulled up the companies for "delays" in providing user details of the fake handles, allowing the perpetrators to go undetected. (With inputs from agencies)

At least 85 more Indian flights receive bomb threats in 24 hours

Indian airlines have been hit by a wave of hoax bomb threats, with over 70 domestic and international flights targeted last week. Major carriers, including Air India, Vistara, Indigo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, have reported multiple incidents, causing widespread disruptions. Watch to know more.

Bomb Threats On Indian Airlines Cause $360 Million In Losses

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has warned passengers not to fly on Air India flights between November 1 and 19 claiming that an attack could take place during this period. Pannun has made similar baseless threats in the past such as attacking the Indian parliament, Punjab Chief Minister, amongst others.

Why is Khalistani Terrorist Pannun Not Inside a Canadian Jail?

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