Mosquitoes on board flights are becoming a major hassle for passengers.&nbsp;

India's premier passenger airline IndiGo today offloaded a passenger for "unruly behaviour" after he reportedly <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/passenger-complains-about-mosquitoes-indigo-offloads-him-for-unruly-behaviour-129496">complained about mosquitoes</a> on board.&nbsp;

And now a video went viral where passengers of a Jet Airways flight were seen swatting mosquitoes on board in Lucknow airport.&nbsp;

The video was shot on April 8 where passengers can be seen sitting in discomfort between a swarm of mosquitoes.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> A video shot by a passenger at Lucknow airport on a Jet Airways flight shows passengers swatting mosquitoes (8.4.18) <a href="https://t.co/vVh3LbrMJk">pic.twitter.com/vVh3LbrMJk</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/983576403881885696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Jet Airways have taken cognisance of the video and have ordered for review. “We have taken this up with our cabin appearance team for review. We sincerely regret the inconvenience,” said Jet Airways in a statement.&nbsp;

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We have taken this up with our cabin appearance team for review. We sincerely regret the inconvenience: Jet Airways statement on passengers seen swatting mosquitoes on a jet flight at Lucknow airport <a href="https://t.co/BqQN0CTQGA">pic.twitter.com/BqQN0CTQGA</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/983581602277183488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, the IndiGo staff said that the passenger who got offloaded,&nbsp;Saurabh Rai, used words such as "hijack" and was "aggressive while using threatening language."

The flight 6E 541 was scheduled to take off from Lucknow on way to Bengaluru on Tuesday morning.

Here's what Twitterati had to say:&nbsp;

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Airlines are on track to become just like railways
— Winger (@vaz_paz) <a href="https://twitter.com/vaz_paz/status/983580943154724864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/jetairways?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jetairways</a> needs Jet Mosquito Coil ? <a href="https://t.co/yDDRPiiEYP">pic.twitter.com/yDDRPiiEYP</a>
— Amar (@amartadi) <a href="https://twitter.com/amartadi/status/983578078478680064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Hey! Give them a break! The crew were busy chasing the dogs out of the plane!
— Sarwagna (@Sarwagna_Ananta) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sarwagna_Ananta/status/983585230828154881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Mosquitoes on board flights are becoming a major hassle for passengers

Mosquitoes on board flights are becoming a major hassle for passengers. India's premier passenger airline IndiGo today offloaded a passenger for "unruly behaviour" after he reportedly complained about mosquitoes on board. And now a video went viral where passengers of a Jet Airways flight were seen swatting mosquitoes on board in Lucknow airport. The video was shot on April 8 where passengers can be seen sitting in discomfort between a swarm of mosquitoes. #WATCH A video shot by a passenger at Lucknow airport on a Jet Airways flight shows passengers swatting mosquitoes (8.4.18) pic.twitter.com/vVh3LbrMJk — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 10, 2018 × Jet Airways have taken cognisance of the video and have ordered for review. “We have taken this up with our cabin appearance team for review. We sincerely regret the inconvenience,” said Jet Airways in a statement. We have taken this up with our cabin appearance team for review. We sincerely regret the inconvenience: Jet Airways statement on passengers seen swatting mosquitoes on a jet flight at Lucknow airport pic.twitter.com/BqQN0CTQGA — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 10, 2018 × Meanwhile, the IndiGo staff said that the passenger who got offloaded, Saurabh Rai, used words such as "hijack" and was "aggressive while using threatening language." The flight 6E 541 was scheduled to take off from Lucknow on way to Bengaluru on Tuesday morning. Here's what Twitterati had to say: Airlines are on track to become just like railways — Winger (@vaz_paz) April 10, 2018 × @jetairways needs Jet Mosquito Coil ? pic.twitter.com/yDDRPiiEYP — Amar (@amartadi) April 10, 2018 × Hey! Give them a break! The crew were busy chasing the dogs out of the plane! — Sarwagna (@Sarwagna_Ananta) April 10, 2018 ×

Jet Airways expresses regret after mosquito video goes viral

Just a day after budget carrier IngiGo reported five technical snags in its aircraft, airlines like SpiceJet and Jet Airways today reported three technical faults while government-owned Air India found a couple of similar faults.&nbsp;

According to reports, IndiGo and GoAir are worst hit by the directives issued by the national aviation regulator. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently grounded Airbus 320neos with the new series engine.&nbsp;

Over the weekend, two Indigo aircraft were grounded after pilots reported glitches. IndiGo&#39;s A320neo aircraft was grounded on Sunday in Srinagar, Jammu &amp; Kashmir. The aircraft was reported of a hydraulic leak from its engine.&nbsp;

The incident occurred within a week of the national aviation watchdog cracking its whip on airlines over stringent safety and security measures.&nbsp;

IndiGo was earlier slapped with a notice by the national aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

DGCA grounded eight of IndiGo&#39;s A320Neo planes with faulty Pratt &amp; Whitney engines.&nbsp;

The official data states as many as 24,700 technical snags reported last year. Jet Airways alone accounted for 9,689 of them, PTI reported.&nbsp;

SpiceJet reported a total of 4,903 technical faults last year, Air India group was at 4,563. GoAir saw 1,888 snags, AirAsia (1,367), Vistara (1,225), Blue Dart (793), IndiGo (340) and Zoom Air (23).&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Over the weekend, two Indigo aircraft were grounded after pilots reported glitches

Just a day after budget carrier IngiGo reported five technical snags in its aircraft, airlines like SpiceJet and Jet Airways today reported three technical faults while government-owned Air India found a couple of similar faults. According to reports, IndiGo and GoAir are worst hit by the directives issued by the national aviation regulator. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently grounded Airbus 320neos with the new series engine. Over the weekend, two Indigo aircraft were grounded after pilots reported glitches. IndiGo's A320neo aircraft was grounded on Sunday in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. The aircraft was reported of a hydraulic leak from its engine. The incident occurred within a week of the national aviation watchdog cracking its whip on airlines over stringent safety and security measures. IndiGo was earlier slapped with a notice by the national aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation. DGCA grounded eight of IndiGo's A320Neo planes with faulty Pratt & Whitney engines. The official data states as many as 24,700 technical snags reported last year. Jet Airways alone accounted for 9,689 of them, PTI reported. SpiceJet reported a total of 4,903 technical faults last year, Air India group was at 4,563. GoAir saw 1,888 snags, AirAsia (1,367), Vistara (1,225), Blue Dart (793), IndiGo (340) and Zoom Air (23). (With inputs from PTI)

After IndiGo, three more airlines report snags

A high-level delegation from Bangladesh today arrived here to discuss with Nepalese officials the issues related to a crash involving a US-Bangla Airlines aircraft that killed 49 people.

The Bangla delegation includes Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism A K M Shahjahan Kamal, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and senior aviation officials, My Republica reported.

The team will meet the survivors of the crash and also discuss the possible reasons for the accident with Nepali authorities, amid reports of confusion between the air traffic control and the pilot of the ill-fated plane.

The Dhaka to Kathmandu US-Bangla Airlines flight, with 67 passengers and four crew members on board, caught fire after it careened off the runway and ploughed into a football ground near the Tribhuvan International Airport yesterday, killing 49 people.

Meanwhile, six officers stationed at the Air Traffic Control Tower who witnessed the air crash have been shifted to another department to &quot;minimise the shock of the accident,&quot; the paper said.

&quot;This is a standard procedure to release stress after a fateful incident. They witnessed a huge disaster and they are shocked. Hence, we have transferred them to other departments to reduce their stress post-crash,&quot; said Rajan Pokharel, deputy director general at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

Pokharel also clarified that the transfer was not due to the leaks of audio conversations between ATC and the pilot before the accident.

The airline and airport authorities have blamed each other for the tragedy, the worst in the country in 25 years after it emerged that there was confusion over landing instructions.

There were 33 Nepalese nationals on board flight UBG 211, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400. Others include 32 Bangladeshis, one Chinese and one Maldivian.

A six-member committee led by former director general at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Yagya Prasad Gautam has been formed by Nepal to probe the accident.

The panel has been assigned to initiate an investigation as early as possible.

A high-level delegation from Bangladesh today arrived here to discuss with Nepalese officials the issues related to a crash involving a US-Bangla Airlines aircraft that killed 49 people

A high-level delegation from Bangladesh today arrived here to discuss with Nepalese officials the issues related to a crash involving a US-Bangla Airlines aircraft that killed 49 people. The Bangla delegation includes Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism A K M Shahjahan Kamal, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and senior aviation officials, My Republica reported. The team will meet the survivors of the crash and also discuss the possible reasons for the accident with Nepali authorities, amid reports of confusion between the air traffic control and the pilot of the ill-fated plane. The Dhaka to Kathmandu US-Bangla Airlines flight, with 67 passengers and four crew members on board, caught fire after it careened off the runway and ploughed into a football ground near the Tribhuvan International Airport yesterday, killing 49 people. Meanwhile, six officers stationed at the Air Traffic Control Tower who witnessed the air crash have been shifted to another department to "minimise the shock of the accident," the paper said. "This is a standard procedure to release stress after a fateful incident. They witnessed a huge disaster and they are shocked. Hence, we have transferred them to other departments to reduce their stress post-crash," said Rajan Pokharel, deputy director general at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Pokharel also clarified that the transfer was not due to the leaks of audio conversations between ATC and the pilot before the accident. The airline and airport authorities have blamed each other for the tragedy, the worst in the country in 25 years after it emerged that there was confusion over landing instructions. There were 33 Nepalese nationals on board flight UBG 211, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400. Others include 32 Bangladeshis, one Chinese and one Maldivian. A six-member committee led by former director general at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Yagya Prasad Gautam has been formed by Nepal to probe the accident. The panel has been assigned to initiate an investigation as early as possible.

Nepal plane crash: Bangladesh team arrives in Kathmandu

GoAir has announced a big Republic Day sale on Tuesday with fares starting as low as Rs 726 and going up till Rs 3926, inclusive of all taxes.

These prices will be valid for travel across its entire domestic network under a limited period scheme. The booking will begin from January 24 and will end on January 28.&nbsp;

The travel validity for the tickets booked under the 5-day Republic Day offer stands between March 1 and December 31, 2018 and will be limited to a number of seats, GoAir said in a release.

The booking can be done using any channel and customers who would use GoAir website goair.in will get an offer worth Rs&nbsp;2500, which consists of Rs 1200 voucher from Zoom car, Rs 1000 voucher from Lenskart, Rs 250 cashback if paid through Paytm and 10 per cent discount if the ticket is booked from GoAir mobile app.

This offer will however not be valid on infant bookings or group discount plus it cannot be clubbed with any other on-going promotional offer or in any form of cash.&nbsp;

Fares are subjected to Standard Cancellation &amp; Rebooking policy applies.&nbsp;

The Wadia Group-promoted airline and currently operates over 1544 flights per week to 23 domestic destinations. This offer has been announced as part of its Republic Day bonanza.

These prices will be valid for travel across its entire domestic network under a limited period scheme. The booking will begin from January 24 and will end onn January 28

GoAir has announced a big Republic Day sale on Tuesday with fares starting as low as Rs 726 and going up till Rs 3926, inclusive of all taxes. These prices will be valid for travel across its entire domestic network under a limited period scheme. The booking will begin from January 24 and will end on January 28. The travel validity for the tickets booked under the 5-day Republic Day offer stands between March 1 and December 31, 2018 and will be limited to a number of seats, GoAir said in a release. The booking can be done using any channel and customers who would use GoAir website goair.in will get an offer worth Rs 2500, which consists of Rs 1200 voucher from Zoom car, Rs 1000 voucher from Lenskart, Rs 250 cashback if paid through Paytm and 10 per cent discount if the ticket is booked from GoAir mobile app. This offer will however not be valid on infant bookings or group discount plus it cannot be clubbed with any other on-going promotional offer or in any form of cash. Fares are subjected to Standard Cancellation & Rebooking policy applies. The Wadia Group-promoted airline and currently operates over 1544 flights per week to 23 domestic destinations. This offer has been announced as part of its Republic Day bonanza.

GoAir announces big Republic Day bonanza with fares as low as Rs 726

Pakistan is set to launch five new airlines in its aviation industry in the next one year as competition intensifies following an open skies policy which may lead to lower fares and pose challenges to the financially struggling Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

Afeef Zara, Askari Air, Air Sial, Go Green and Liberty Air are the new airlines set to hit the market. Air traffic had hiked over 40% in the past five years, flying around 20 million passengers, media reports said.

These airlines aim to cover routes Gwadar, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Dalbandin, Parachinar, Muzaffarabad, Bannu, Turbat, Skardu and Chitral. From these routes places like Gwadar, Gilgit-Baltistan and Turbat provided lucrative profit opportunities due to work being carried under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated that Pakistan&rsquo;s aviation sector could touch 9% per annum which could continue till 2020 and that these numbers highlighted the open skies policy which could prove lucrative for Pakistan, said reports.&nbsp;

Muhammad Afsar Malik, former additional director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that Pakistan&rsquo;s domestic air traffic has grown 10%, which is six percentage points higher than the 4% expansion in international air traffic, media reports said.

Malik added airlines were reducing fares to attract customers due to increased competition in the sector, and it was a result of the open-skies policy otherwise ticket prices would have been Rs30,000 instead of Rs10,000.

But PIA&rsquo;s spokesman believed on the contrary and in an emailed response stated private and foreign airlines were focusing on price cuts instead of providing more customer satisfaction.

However, Shaheen Air spokesman said in an email &ldquo;about every player in the aviation chain including airports, airplane manufacturers, jet engine makers, travel agents and service companies turn in healthy profits. Yet, it is one of the enduring ironies that companies that actually move passengers from one place to another, which are a crucial link in the chain, struggle to achieve break even.&rdquo;

He further added that government should rethink the open skies policy as foreign carriers could enter Pakistan&rsquo;s market without any restriction.

Afeef Zara, Askari Air, Air Sial, Go Green and Liberty Air are the new airlines set to hit the market. Air traffic had hiked over 40% in the past five years, flying around 20 million passengers, media reports said

Pakistan is set to launch five new airlines in its aviation industry in the next one year as competition intensifies following an open skies policy which may lead to lower fares and pose challenges to the financially struggling Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Afeef Zara, Askari Air, Air Sial, Go Green and Liberty Air are the new airlines set to hit the market. Air traffic had hiked over 40% in the past five years, flying around 20 million passengers, media reports said. These airlines aim to cover routes Gwadar, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Dalbandin, Parachinar, Muzaffarabad, Bannu, Turbat, Skardu and Chitral. From these routes places like Gwadar, Gilgit-Baltistan and Turbat provided lucrative profit opportunities due to work being carried under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated that Pakistan’s aviation sector could touch 9% per annum which could continue till 2020 and that these numbers highlighted the open skies policy which could prove lucrative for Pakistan, said reports. Muhammad Afsar Malik, former additional director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that Pakistan’s domestic air traffic has grown 10%, which is six percentage points higher than the 4% expansion in international air traffic, media reports said. Malik added airlines were reducing fares to attract customers due to increased competition in the sector, and it was a result of the open-skies policy otherwise ticket prices would have been Rs30,000 instead of Rs10,000. But PIA’s spokesman believed on the contrary and in an emailed response stated private and foreign airlines were focusing on price cuts instead of providing more customer satisfaction. However, Shaheen Air spokesman said in an email “about every player in the aviation chain including airports, airplane manufacturers, jet engine makers, travel agents and service companies turn in healthy profits. Yet, it is one of the enduring ironies that companies that actually move passengers from one place to another, which are a crucial link in the chain, struggle to achieve break even.” He further added that government should rethink the open skies policy as foreign carriers could enter Pakistan’s market without any restriction.

Pakistan set to launch five new airlines, PIA in for a loss

The parliamentary standing committee on transport tourism submitted a report&nbsp;to the Parliment,&nbsp;on Friday, which enlisted factors for improving consumer satisfaction in flights.&nbsp;

Keeping in mind that the techniques adopted in developed countries will not be useful here, the committee stated that even reducing the Aviation Turbine Fuel prices will not be beneficial for the customers.

The committee also expressed concern over the recent brawl involving<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indigo-staff-manhandle-passenger-at-delhis-igi-airport-23691"> IndiGo staff </a>where they manhandled a passenger at Delhi&#39;s Indira Gandhi International Airport in October.

The committee stated that airlines should check the arrogant behaviour of their staff and take strong action against people indulging in such behaviour.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-many-did-you-hit-today-indigo-passenger-to-airline-staff-24081">&#39;How many did you hit today?&#39;: Indigo passenger to airline staff</a>

On the services and operations front, the committee mentioned that the check-in process at the airport is time-consuming - suggesting that check-ins should not take more than 10 minutes.&nbsp;

They further inferred that it has received reports that private airlines deliberately allow long check-in queues at the airport so that passengers miss their flights and are eventually bound to buy another ticket at a higher price.

Maximum complaints came for IndiGo, who have lacked in their services. Be it for long check-in timing to difficulty in getting food and water in the flight.&nbsp;

Although, the committee suggested other private airlines to also look into these matters.&nbsp;

Finally, the committee has also asked the ministry to form guidelines on the&nbsp;number of seats allowed inside an aircraft.

Currently, airlines are adding more seats in an aircraft, thereby drastically reducing the leg space.

The committee also expressed concern over the recent brawl involving IndiGo staff where they manhandled a passenger at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport in November

The parliamentary standing committee on transport tourism submitted a report to the Parliment, on Friday, which enlisted factors for improving consumer satisfaction in flights. Keeping in mind that the techniques adopted in developed countries will not be useful here, the committee stated that even reducing the Aviation Turbine Fuel prices will not be beneficial for the customers. The committee also expressed concern over the recent brawl involving IndiGo staff where they manhandled a passenger at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport in October. The committee stated that airlines should check the arrogant behaviour of their staff and take strong action against people indulging in such behaviour. Also read: 'How many did you hit today?': Indigo passenger to airline staff On the services and operations front, the committee mentioned that the check-in process at the airport is time-consuming - suggesting that check-ins should not take more than 10 minutes. They further inferred that it has received reports that private airlines deliberately allow long check-in queues at the airport so that passengers miss their flights and are eventually bound to buy another ticket at a higher price. Maximum complaints came for IndiGo, who have lacked in their services. Be it for long check-in timing to difficulty in getting food and water in the flight. Although, the committee suggested other private airlines to also look into these matters. Finally, the committee has also asked the ministry to form guidelines on the number of seats allowed inside an aircraft. Currently, airlines are adding more seats in an aircraft, thereby drastically reducing the leg space.

Check arrogant behaviour of staff: Parliamentary panel to airlines

New security measures including stricter passenger screening take effect on Thursday on all US-bound flights to comply with government requirements aimed at responding to threats of hidden explosives, airlines said.

Airlines contacted by Reuters said the new measures could include short security interviews with passengers at check-in or the boarding gate, sparking concerns over flight delays and extended processing time.

They will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,100 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries.

US&nbsp;Transportation Security Administration officials are giving some airlines or airports additional time to comply with the new interviews as long the US&nbsp;government has approved security plans by Thursday.

&quot;TSA will continue to work closely with our aviation partners and verify that all security enhancements are accurately implemented,&quot; TSA spokeswoman Lucy Martinez said in a statement Wednesday.

The United States announced the new rules in June to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to concerns that explosives could be hidden in electronic devices.

Those restrictions were lifted in July, but the Trump administration said it could reimpose measures on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security.&nbsp;

European and US&nbsp;officials said at the time that airlines had 120 days to comply with the measures, including increased passenger screening. The 120-day deadline is Thursday. Airlines had until late July to expand explosive trace detection testing.&nbsp;

&quot;We see this as a big issue for China Airlines,&quot; Steve Chang, senior vice president of the Taiwanese firm told reporters on Wednesday, adding the airline was trying to consult with the American Institute in the country over the issue.

&nbsp;Korean Airlines, South Korea&#39;s flagship carrier, also said it had a lot of concerns with the new measures.&nbsp;

&quot;We are asking customers to show up at the airport early ... It&#39;s just inconvenient for the passengers,&quot; President and Chief Operating Officer Walter Cho told&nbsp;in Taipei.

Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday the measures would be in place by Thursday and travelers could face short interviews at check-in or at the gate.&nbsp;

Economy passengers on Lufthansa&#39;s Swiss airline have been asked to check in at least 90 minutes before departure.&nbsp;

Singapore Airlines Ltd said the security checks could include inspections of personal electronic devices as well as security questioning during check-in and boarding.

Airlines for America, a US&nbsp;trade group, said the changes &quot;are complex security measures&quot; but praised US&nbsp;officials for giving airlines flexibility in meeting the new rules.

Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of the International Air Transport Association, said the industry understood security threats to aviation were made regularly but in this case, the US&nbsp;government had not shared any specific dangers before changing the rules.

&quot;What we have seen is very strange,&quot; he told reporters in Taipei. &quot;Unilateral measures announced without any prior consultation... That is something that is very concerning and disturbing.&quot;&nbsp;

At their annual meeting in Taipei, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) members passed a resolution calling for security measures to be risk-based, outcome-focused and proportionate to the probable threat.&nbsp;

&quot;Unilateral actions taken by individual governments reacting to emerging threats may result in unnecessary disruption or lead to unintended safety consequences,&quot; said the members.

AAPA includes most large Asian airlines but not mainland Chinese carriers.

&quot;The risk is other countries make similar demands,&quot; AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman said.

US&nbsp;authorities in June also ordered increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas, and other places where travelers can be cleared by US officials before they depart and ordered enhanced screening of personal electronic devices. Some of those new requirements take effect this week as well.

The TSA said in July it was imposing new security rules requiring US&nbsp;domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.

 
&nbsp;

New security measures including stricter passenger screening take effect on Thursday on all U.S.-bound flights to comply with government requirements aimed at responding to threats of hidden explosives, airlines said.

New security measures including stricter passenger screening take effect on Thursday on all US-bound flights to comply with government requirements aimed at responding to threats of hidden explosives, airlines said. Airlines contacted by Reuters said the new measures could include short security interviews with passengers at check-in or the boarding gate, sparking concerns over flight delays and extended processing time. They will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,100 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries. US Transportation Security Administration officials are giving some airlines or airports additional time to comply with the new interviews as long the US government has approved security plans by Thursday. "TSA will continue to work closely with our aviation partners and verify that all security enhancements are accurately implemented," TSA spokeswoman Lucy Martinez said in a statement Wednesday. The United States announced the new rules in June to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to concerns that explosives could be hidden in electronic devices. Those restrictions were lifted in July, but the Trump administration said it could reimpose measures on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security. European and US officials said at the time that airlines had 120 days to comply with the measures, including increased passenger screening. The 120-day deadline is Thursday. Airlines had until late July to expand explosive trace detection testing. "We see this as a big issue for China Airlines," Steve Chang, senior vice president of the Taiwanese firm told reporters on Wednesday, adding the airline was trying to consult with the American Institute in the country over the issue. Korean Airlines, South Korea's flagship carrier, also said it had a lot of concerns with the new measures. "We are asking customers to show up at the airport early ... It's just inconvenient for the passengers," President and Chief Operating Officer Walter Cho told in Taipei. Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday the measures would be in place by Thursday and travelers could face short interviews at check-in or at the gate. Economy passengers on Lufthansa's Swiss airline have been asked to check in at least 90 minutes before departure. Singapore Airlines Ltd said the security checks could include inspections of personal electronic devices as well as security questioning during check-in and boarding. Airlines for America, a US trade group, said the changes "are complex security measures" but praised US officials for giving airlines flexibility in meeting the new rules. Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of the International Air Transport Association, said the industry understood security threats to aviation were made regularly but in this case, the US government had not shared any specific dangers before changing the rules. "What we have seen is very strange," he told reporters in Taipei. "Unilateral measures announced without any prior consultation... That is something that is very concerning and disturbing." At their annual meeting in Taipei, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) members passed a resolution calling for security measures to be risk-based, outcome-focused and proportionate to the probable threat. "Unilateral actions taken by individual governments reacting to emerging threats may result in unnecessary disruption or lead to unintended safety consequences," said the members. AAPA includes most large Asian airlines but not mainland Chinese carriers. "The risk is other countries make similar demands," AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman said. US authorities in June also ordered increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas, and other places where travelers can be cleared by US officials before they depart and ordered enhanced screening of personal electronic devices. Some of those new requirements take effect this week as well. The TSA said in July it was imposing new security rules requiring US domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.

Airlines get ready for new US security rules from Thursday

Monarch <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indigo-airline-staff-steals-10-lakh-from-passengers-bag-at-guwahati-airport-18599" target="_blank">Airlines collapsed on Monday, the biggest ever failure</a> of a British airline, stranding tens of thousands of travelers overseas and prompting the country&#39;s biggest-ever peacetime repatriation effort.

Monarch canceled about 300,000 future bookings and apologised to customers and staff as it became the UK&#39;s largest carrier to go into administration.

&quot;I am so sorry that thousands now face a canceled holiday or trip, possible delays getting home and huge inconvenience as a result of our failure,&quot; Monarch Chief Executive Andrew Swaffield told employees in a message.

&quot;I am truly sorry that it has ended like this.&quot;

Transport secretary Chris Grayling said the company fell victim to a price war overflights to the Mediterranean and told customers not to come to airports.

&quot;We are doing our best to make sure that those people who are stranded and can&#39;t get back otherwise will be able to do so,&quot; he told BBC television, adding that he expected many of Monarch&#39;s more than 2,000 staff to get jobs elsewhere.

The British government has asked the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to charter more than 30 aircraft to bring back to the UK about 110,000 Monarch customers currently overseas, the CAA said.&nbsp;

Tough competition has been pressuring European airlines and driving consolidation, with Air Berlin and Alitalia filing for insolvency this year and seeking new investors for parts of their businesses.

The collapse will be a headache for some of the world&#39;s largest leasing companies, which financed its current fleet of 36 mainly Airbus jets, and for Boeing Co, which has sold the airline 32 of its 737 MAX aircraft. None of the planes has yet been delivered.

Although relatively small compared to Europe&#39;s leading scheduled carriers, Monarch had been a regular hotspot in the global battle for market share between plane makers as it shifted its loyalties between Airbus and Boeing.

Boeing secured Monarch&#39;s agreement to revert back to its jets in 2014 following a fierce contest against Airbus and Bombardier.

&quot;We are working with the joint administrators and the CAA to do everything we possibly can to help minimise disruption where we can, but are under no illusion as to the problems this will cause,&quot; Monarch&#39;s Swaffield said.

&quot;And many suppliers will suffer hugely as a result of our insolvency &ndash; for which I am equally sorry.&quot;

According to flight-tracking service Flightradar24, some 25 aircraft had been lined up to start repatriating passengers by 0600 GMT on Monday, including 10 from Qatar Airways already based in Europe on behalf of British Airways. An easyJet airplane and several charter aircraft were also part of the operation.

Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air meanwhile said it was offering to fly stranded Monarch passengers home from Tel Aviv for 119 pounds ($159) each.

Monarch said its companies that entered into administration include Monarch Airlines, Monarch Holidays Ltd, First Aviation Ltd, Avro Ltd and Somewhere2stay Ltd.

Monarch had previously said it was talking to potential partners after a report that parts of its short-haul network would be sold.

Monarch canceled about 300,000 future bookings and apologised to customers

Monarch Airlines collapsed on Monday, the biggest ever failure of a British airline, stranding tens of thousands of travelers overseas and prompting the country's biggest-ever peacetime repatriation effort. Monarch canceled about 300,000 future bookings and apologised to customers and staff as it became the UK's largest carrier to go into administration. "I am so sorry that thousands now face a canceled holiday or trip, possible delays getting home and huge inconvenience as a result of our failure," Monarch Chief Executive Andrew Swaffield told employees in a message. "I am truly sorry that it has ended like this." Transport secretary Chris Grayling said the company fell victim to a price war overflights to the Mediterranean and told customers not to come to airports. "We are doing our best to make sure that those people who are stranded and can't get back otherwise will be able to do so," he told BBC television, adding that he expected many of Monarch's more than 2,000 staff to get jobs elsewhere. The British government has asked the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to charter more than 30 aircraft to bring back to the UK about 110,000 Monarch customers currently overseas, the CAA said. Tough competition has been pressuring European airlines and driving consolidation, with Air Berlin and Alitalia filing for insolvency this year and seeking new investors for parts of their businesses. The collapse will be a headache for some of the world's largest leasing companies, which financed its current fleet of 36 mainly Airbus jets, and for Boeing Co, which has sold the airline 32 of its 737 MAX aircraft. None of the planes has yet been delivered. Although relatively small compared to Europe's leading scheduled carriers, Monarch had been a regular hotspot in the global battle for market share between plane makers as it shifted its loyalties between Airbus and Boeing. Boeing secured Monarch's agreement to revert back to its jets in 2014 following a fierce contest against Airbus and Bombardier. "We are working with the joint administrators and the CAA to do everything we possibly can to help minimise disruption where we can, but are under no illusion as to the problems this will cause," Monarch's Swaffield said. "And many suppliers will suffer hugely as a result of our insolvency – for which I am equally sorry." According to flight-tracking service Flightradar24, some 25 aircraft had been lined up to start repatriating passengers by 0600 GMT on Monday, including 10 from Qatar Airways already based in Europe on behalf of British Airways. An easyJet airplane and several charter aircraft were also part of the operation. Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air meanwhile said it was offering to fly stranded Monarch passengers home from Tel Aviv for 119 pounds ($159) each. Monarch said its companies that entered into administration include Monarch Airlines, Monarch Holidays Ltd, First Aviation Ltd, Avro Ltd and Somewhere2stay Ltd. Monarch had previously said it was talking to potential partners after a report that parts of its short-haul network would be sold.

Britain's Monarch Airlines goes bust, leaving thousands stranded

European air travel giant Lufthansa has been battling its own pilots over pay and conditions for more than two years.

Tuesday saw a renewed walkout of pilots, bringing the number of passengers affected by strikes over the past week to more than half a million. 
&nbsp; 
What do the pilots want?

Lufthansa&#39;s 5,400 pilots have been called out on strike some 15 times since spring 2014 by union Vereinigung Cockpit.

The dispute was sparked by disagreements over manager&#39;s plans to change costly early retirement provisions for the pilots as they looked for savings in the face of stiff competition from low-cost rivals like Ryanair and Easyjet as well as higher-end competitors from the Gulf.

Cockpit is also concerned about the board&#39;s plans to reform pensions and hire more pilots on lower pay as Lufthansa builds its own low-cost subsidiary Eurowings.

The most recent series of strikes launched last Wednesday is the latest skirmish in the battle over salaries.

Cockpit says pilots have had no salary increase over the past five years, even as Lufthansa has been making billions in profits.

The union wants a pay rise of 3.66 percent per year. But manager&#39;s position remains far removed from Cockpit`s, with the last offer from the board a bonus equivalent to almost two months salary plus a 4.4-percent pay increase spread over two years -- roundly rejected by the pilots.

Lufthansa says that its pilots are among the best-paid in the sector, with co-pilots at the start of their career earning 6,500 euros ($6,890) gross per month, while a late-career captain earns more than 22,000 euros.

Why is the conflict dragging on?&nbsp;

Pilots are not the only group to have hit Lufthansa with work stoppages in recent years.

November 2015 saw the group face its longest-ever strike as cabin crew staged a seven-day walkout at the urging of their own union -- forcing the cancellation of more than 4,600 flights.

Lufthansa has managed to strike deals in several labour disputes, notably with cabin crew and ground crew on its flagship airline.

But other battles are still to be fought -- as a walkout by some cabin crew at Eurowings showed just last week.

An end to the trial of strength with Cockpit appears distant for now.

&quot;The damage is already so great that it`s increasingly difficult for the two sides to reach a compromise without losing face,&quot; said Guido Hoymann, an air travel sector analyst at Metzler bank.

&quot;They should bring in a mediator, the conflict could run on for a long time yet,&quot; he went on.

Cockpit rebuffed Lufthansa`s latest offer of a mediation process, while the group has failed in its attempts to prevent walkouts with legal action.

What does this mean for Lufthansa`s business?&nbsp;

Repeated strikes at Lufthansa have caused &quot;long-term&quot; damage to the group`s reputation, analyst Hoymann said.

&quot;Lufthansa`s reliability has been called into question,&quot; he said, adding that the group could lose customers -- especially from its sizeable business segment.

In purely financial terms, the impact has so far been smaller.

One strike day costs the group between 10 and 15 million euros, Lufthansa says.

In 2015, the group lost around 100 million euros to strikes -- a large figure but one that remained dwarfed by its record profit of 1.7 billion euros.

(IANS) 
&nbsp;

Lufthansa has been battling its own pilots over pay and conditions for more than two years.

European air travel giant Lufthansa has been battling its own pilots over pay and conditions for more than two years. Tuesday saw a renewed walkout of pilots, bringing the number of passengers affected by strikes over the past week to more than half a million. What do the pilots want? Lufthansa's 5,400 pilots have been called out on strike some 15 times since spring 2014 by union Vereinigung Cockpit. The dispute was sparked by disagreements over manager's plans to change costly early retirement provisions for the pilots as they looked for savings in the face of stiff competition from low-cost rivals like Ryanair and Easyjet as well as higher-end competitors from the Gulf. Cockpit is also concerned about the board's plans to reform pensions and hire more pilots on lower pay as Lufthansa builds its own low-cost subsidiary Eurowings. The most recent series of strikes launched last Wednesday is the latest skirmish in the battle over salaries. Cockpit says pilots have had no salary increase over the past five years, even as Lufthansa has been making billions in profits. The union wants a pay rise of 3.66 percent per year. But manager's position remains far removed from Cockpit`s, with the last offer from the board a bonus equivalent to almost two months salary plus a 4.4-percent pay increase spread over two years -- roundly rejected by the pilots. Lufthansa says that its pilots are among the best-paid in the sector, with co-pilots at the start of their career earning 6,500 euros ($6,890) gross per month, while a late-career captain earns more than 22,000 euros. Why is the conflict dragging on? Pilots are not the only group to have hit Lufthansa with work stoppages in recent years. November 2015 saw the group face its longest-ever strike as cabin crew staged a seven-day walkout at the urging of their own union -- forcing the cancellation of more than 4,600 flights. Lufthansa has managed to strike deals in several labour disputes, notably with cabin crew and ground crew on its flagship airline. But other battles are still to be fought -- as a walkout by some cabin crew at Eurowings showed just last week. An end to the trial of strength with Cockpit appears distant for now. "The damage is already so great that it`s increasingly difficult for the two sides to reach a compromise without losing face," said Guido Hoymann, an air travel sector analyst at Metzler bank. "They should bring in a mediator, the conflict could run on for a long time yet," he went on. Cockpit rebuffed Lufthansa`s latest offer of a mediation process, while the group has failed in its attempts to prevent walkouts with legal action. What does this mean for Lufthansa`s business? Repeated strikes at Lufthansa have caused "long-term" damage to the group`s reputation, analyst Hoymann said. "Lufthansa`s reliability has been called into question," he said, adding that the group could lose customers -- especially from its sizeable business segment. In purely financial terms, the impact has so far been smaller. One strike day costs the group between 10 and 15 million euros, Lufthansa says. In 2015, the group lost around 100 million euros to strikes -- a large figure but one that remained dwarfed by its record profit of 1.7 billion euros. (IANS)

Some 1,700 flights cancelled as Lufthansa pilots strike

Three women were asked to deplane and questioned on the tarmac by police&nbsp;officers over allegations that they were Islamic State supporters. 
 
The three siblings - Maryam Dharas, 19, Sakina Dharas, 24, and Ali Dharas, 21&nbsp;- had boarded the flight from Stansted to Naples. 
 
The women, residents of north-west London, were interrogated for an hour by&nbsp;the police. 
 
Maryam later said that they were subjected to racial profiling. 
 
Before letting them go, Sakina was told that further background checks would&nbsp;be conducted. 
 
Maryam also said that she needed an apology. 
 
The airline insisted that security concerns had to be investigated, while the&nbsp;police offered no apology. 
 
The Dharas siblings, who are of Indian ethnic origin, were asked if they had&nbsp;Arabic text on their phones or copies of the Quran. 
 
A couple on the plane had reported that the sister were reading some Islamic&nbsp;State material on their phones.&nbsp; 
 
Sakina had a passport stamp from a visit to Iraq, where she had participated in a&nbsp;walk to raise funds for IS victims. 
 
The officers also asked Maryam to show her Twitter posts. 
 
(WION)

The three siblings said that they were made victims of racial profiling and demanded an apology

Three women were asked to deplane and questioned on the tarmac by police officers over allegations that they were Islamic State supporters. The three siblings - Maryam Dharas, 19, Sakina Dharas, 24, and Ali Dharas, 21 - had boarded the flight from Stansted to Naples. The women, residents of north-west London, were interrogated for an hour by the police. Maryam later said that they were subjected to racial profiling. Before letting them go, Sakina was told that further background checks would be conducted. Maryam also said that she needed an apology. The airline insisted that security concerns had to be investigated, while the police offered no apology. The Dharas siblings, who are of Indian ethnic origin, were asked if they had Arabic text on their phones or copies of the Quran. A couple on the plane had reported that the sister were reading some Islamic State material on their phones. Sakina had a passport stamp from a visit to Iraq, where she had participated in a walk to raise funds for IS victims. The officers also asked Maryam to show her Twitter posts. (WION)

Trio asked to deplane in London suspecting IS links

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