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    Air India

    Air India is the premier national airline and carrier service of India, which currently offers flight connections to around 70 global and about 100 domestic destinations. Air India was originally envisioned and established by JRD Tata as Tata Airlines in October 1932 and nationalised in 1953. On January 27, 2022, the government of India sold the struggling and debt-ridden airlines back to Tata after a competitive bidding process and a period of 67 years for a sum of Rs 18,000 crores. This included paying Rs 2,700 crores in cash and taking over debts worth Rs 15,300 crore of the company. The deal also included the sale of Air India Express and that of the airline’s ground handling and cargo and logistical services arm AISATS. A merger of AirAsia India and Air India Express is also on the cards. The airline has the famous “Maharajah” as its mascot. Post the takeover, the Tata group put in place a new governing board, appointing IlkerAyci, who was the former chairman of Turkish airlines as the new CEO and MD of the airlines. However, Ayci refused to take up the offer, stating that it would not be honourable to accept this position when his appointment had been “colored” by the Indian media. More

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    • Wrong aircraft, long return: DGCA pulls up Air India over Vancouver flight lapse

      A Vancouver-bound Air India Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, after being airborne for over seven hours, returned to Delhi on March 19 after it was found that the plane was not approved for operating the flight

    • Air India's Boeing 787 plane from Bengaluru to London faces tech issue; diverted to Jeddah

      In a statement, an airline spokesperson said the plane made a precautionary diversion and is currently undergoing comprehensive technical inspections in accordance with established safety protocols.

    • 'Most of the financial impact yet to be felt': Air India hit by Middle East conflict, CEO flags rising costs

      Loss-making Air India and Air India Express have faced major operational disruptions since the start of the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28.

    • BMI trouble: Air India crew could lose pay over new fitness norms

      In case the member fails to pass the assessment, then he or she will be placed on loss of pay till the clearance happens, the policy said.

    • Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet oppose govt's 60% free seat selection diktat, say 'will force airfare hike'

      Generally, airlines charge Rs 200 to Rs 2,100 for choosing seats, depending on various factors, including front rows and extra leg room.

    • Costly mistake: Air India Vancouver flight asked to return mid-air as airline sends 'wrong' Boeing aircraft

      Mid-journey—after flying for over four hours and reaching Chinese airspace near Kunming—the airline realised the aircraft type did not have regulatory clearance to operate into Canada

    • Iran war jet fuel shock squeezes airlines, rupee slide adds to margin pressure

      Within days of the Iran war, refining margins per barrel surged nearly tenfold, even as Brent crude and Platts premium rose just 19%

    • Retrofitted aircraft may help Air India ease EASA safety concerns

      The upgraded aircraft, featuring refreshed cabins, are expected to address several issues flagged during European inspections, including broken seats and faulty tray tables

    • Air India faces scrutiny after European aviation regulator flags safety lapses

      The number of observations recorded during inspections of the airline’s aircraft climbed to 1.96 per check in January. Airlines with consistently strong safety records generally maintain a score below 1

    • DGCA relaxes pilot duty norms for Air India long-haul flights amid Middle East airspace curbs

      Providing the relaxations for long-haul flights operated with two pilots, sources said the DGCA has extended the Flight Time (FT) by 1.30 hours to 11.30 hours and the Flight Duty Period (FDP) by 1.45 hours to 11.45 hours.

    • Air travel set to become expensive as IndiGo joins Air India in imposing fuel surcharge

      The surcharge comes amid escalating tensions in the West Asian region, resulting in soaring crude oil prices across the world

    • IndiGo, Air India seek government support during Iran crisis: Report

      The airlines are lobbying the Indian government to provide financial relief, specifically related to aviation-related taxes and charges

    • CCI dismisses complaint against IndiGo, Air India over alleged market dominance

      According to the complainant, InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, held more than 65 per cent share in the domestic aviation sector, while Air India accounted for around 27 per cent.

    • Air India Express flight makes hard landing at Phuket airport over nose wheel damage, runway shut

      The aircraft, registration VT-BWQ, reportedly had a detached wheel, believed to be caused by a hard landing.

    • Air India, Air India Express to impose fuel surcharge on tickets amid rising jet fuel costs; airfares likely to rise

      Air India and Air India Express will impose fuel surcharges on domestic and international tickets from March 12 as aviation turbine fuel prices surge, pushing airfares higher across routes.

    • Air India tickets to get costlier as airline plans fuel surcharge amid West Asia crisis

      The Tata group-owned airline said the price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has seen a significant jump since early March

    • Bengaluru man sues Air India over damaged bag, wins Rs 17,000. Airline had initially offered Rs 500

      Two days after the passenger, Saurabh Raperia, emailed Air India seeking compensation, they offered him Rs 500. When he rejected the amount as inadequate, the airline revised it to Rs 1,000.

    • Air India technical incidents such as fuel leaks hit 14-month high

      India's second-largest airline has come under scrutiny from the country's safety regulator since a crash last year killed 260 people.

    • Lufthansa expands Air India partnership under pressure from Gulf

      The move underscores Lufthansa’s growing reliance on India, which has become its No. 2 premium long-haul market after the US.

    • Punjab MP slams Air India over 'broken seats, non-functional screens' on long-haul flights: 'Unacceptable'

      Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla urged Civil Aviation Minister Mr Ram Mohan Naidu to ensure immediate upgradation of Air India long-haul fleet, better ground support & modern facilities for international passengers, especially from Punjab

    • Tata Sons taps former civil aviation secretary to steady Air India amid regulatory pressure

      Pradeep Singh Kharola, a 1985-batch IAS officer, is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Air India's engagement with the government

    • Passengers protest as Air India Kochi–Kuwait flight delayed due to technical snag

      According to a Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) spokesperson, the Air India flight scheduled to depart at 4.30 pm was unable to operate due to a technical snag, prompting protests from passengers.

    • UK aviation watchdog seeks details from Air India on B787 fuel control switch issue

      An Air India pilot reported on February 2 a defect with the fuel control switch of the Boeing 787-8 plane after operating the AI132 flight

    • Air India Express expects first post‑privatisation operating profit, shows memo

      The profit forecast offers some respite to the Air India Group, with the full-service carrier Air India facing a financial hit from an airspace ban imposed on Indian airlines by Pakistan.

    • Air India 787 fuel switch: Incorrect procedure may have led to issue; DGCA to look at other aspects

      One of the sources told PTI that the DGCA is likely to look at various aspects related to the incident.

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