DGCA

DGCA issues draft duty and rest period norms for cabin crew
The DGCA is taking a progressive step towards improving aviation safety by unveiling a set of draft rules concerning cabin crew working shifts and downtime. Among these guidelines, there’s a cap on landings linked to duty hours and specified mandatory rest durations, especially when crews fly through several time zones, ensuring both crew welfare and passenger safety.

Air India's Dreamliner faces tech issue at Hong Kong airport
An Air India Dreamliner aircraft experienced a technical issue at Hong Kong airport on Thursday. The flight to Delhi was delayed for checks. This is the same aircraft that had a Ram Air Turbine deployment in Birmingham last month. Air India states passenger safety is its top priority.

India to host Asia Pacific aircraft accident investigators meet from October 28-31
In a landmark event, New Delhi, the heart of India, is set to welcome aircraft accident investigators from across the Asia Pacific region for a crucial four-day conference from October 28-31. This is a historic moment, as India steps into the leadership role for the very first time.

Delhi's first cloud seeding trial likely after Diwali, awaiting IMD's nod: Environment Minister Sirsa
Delhi's first artificial rain trial is set for after Diwali. The operation aims to reduce winter pollution. Pilots have completed trial flights. Aircraft are equipped and crew trained. The Indian Meteorological Department's approval is awaited. This project, a collaboration with IIT Kanpur, will assess cloud seeding's effectiveness. The trials are authorized between October 1 and November 30.

Air India pilots declared emergency, forced to divert due to GPS interference over Middle East
An Air India flight from Vienna to Delhi diverted to Dubai. GPS interference severely impacted the aircraft's navigation and control systems. Autopilot and other critical functions failed. Pilots had to manually fly the plane. The aircraft later continued to Delhi after systems were reset. This incident highlights growing concerns over GPS signal spoofing affecting global aviation.

Drone startup Airbound raises $8.65 million in seed funding; aims to cut delivery cost to one rupee
The round was led by Lachy Groom, cofounder of Physical Intelligence, with participation from Humba Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and senior leaders from Tesla, Anduril, and Ather Energy. The startup, founded in 2023 by Naman Pushp, received its first investment from Lightspeed Ventures in 2024. The carbon-fibre drone delivers a payload equal to 1.5 times its own weight, cutting delivery costs by up to 20 times compared to traditional methods.
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Air India appoints Vikram Dayal as new head of IOCC following Choorah Singh's resignation
Air India has appointed Vikram Dayal as the new Head of its Integrated Operations Control Centre, succeeding Choorah Singh. Meanwhile, Air India Express is launching a new direct flight service between Agartala and Bagdogra on October 26, enhancing connectivity to North Bengal.
Alliance Air to offer fixed airfares until Dec 31 under 'Fares se Fursat' scheme
Alliance Air has launched 'Fares se Fursat,' a new airfare scheme offering a single, fixed fare regardless of booking date, even on departure day. This pilot initiative, running from October 13 to December 31, 2025, aims to eliminate passenger stress from fluctuating prices and democratize air travel, aligning with the UDAN scheme's principles.
Air India senior VP & IOCC head Choorah Singh, named in DGCA notice, quits
Choorah Singh, Air India's Senior Vice President and Head of IOCC, has resigned to pursue opportunities in Ireland. Vikram Dayal has been appointed as his successor. Singh's departure follows regulatory action against him and two other executives for alleged crew scheduling lapses earlier this year.
DGCA asks Air India to reinspect RAT on planes with replaced PCM
India's aviation regulator, the DGCA, has requested a detailed report from Boeing regarding the uncommanded deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) on an Air India flight. The DGCA is also advising Air India to reinspect RAT stowage on affected aircraft, particularly those with recently replaced power conditioning modules.
Bengaluru realty firms question need for Jakkur flying school NOC for projects
Credai Bengaluru is raising concerns over the municipal corporation's requirement for a no-objection certificate from the Government Flying Training School (GFTS) at Jakkur for project approvals. The association argues that GFTS's license has not been renewed since December 2023, and safety concerns make issuing a legitimate NOC impossible, leading to significant project delays.
DGCA imposes a Rs 40 lakh fine on IndiGo for using an unqualified simulator to train pilots at critical airports
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has fined IndiGo Airlines forty lakh rupees. The airline conducted pilot training on simulators not approved for critical airports like Calicut and Leh. Two directors of IndiGo received twenty lakh rupee penalties each. This action follows an investigation into training records. IndiGo must deposit the penalties within thirty days.
'Ground Boeing 787 aircraft for electrical checks': Federation of Indian Pilots
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) is demanding the grounding of all Air India Boeing 787 aircraft due to recurring electrical system failures and maintenance concerns. Citing recent incidents, FIP President Captain CS Randhawa called for a judicial probe into a past crash and a comprehensive inspection of the fleet's electrical systems.
Pilots' body demands grounding of Air India 787s after electrical snags
The Federation of Indian Pilots has called for grounding Air India's Boeing 787 fleet and a special audit due to recurring electrical and automation failures. Citing recent mid-air incidents, the pilots' body linked the rise in technical snags to the airline's shift to an in-house engineering team, raising serious safety concerns.
Naidu reviews airlines' performance; asks them to ensure reasonable fares in festive season
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu met with airline representatives. He reviewed their operational and technical performance. The minister stressed keeping airfares reasonable during the upcoming festive season. Airlines assured passenger convenience is a priority. They will deploy additional flight capacities on busy routes. The ministry's AirSewa portal is upgraded for airfare complaints. The DGCA will monitor tariff compliance.
Pilot group FIP demands grounding of AI's Boeing 787s; seeks checks of planes' electrical systems
Pilots are calling for Air India's Boeing Dreamliner planes to be grounded. This follows two recent technical issues on flights AI154 and AI117. The Federation of Indian Pilots wants the civil aviation ministry to order a special audit of Air India by the DGCA. They also want electrical systems and repetitive snags on the Dreamliners to be thoroughly checked.
RAT deployment on plane was 'neither due to a system fault nor pilot action': Air India
Air India's preliminary probe into a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployment on a Dreamliner landing in Birmingham found it was 'uncommanded,' not a system fault or pilot error. The aircraft landed safely, and the airline has submitted its report to the DGCA. However, pilots are urging a fleet-wide audit following this and another recent technical issue.
DGCA seeks funding, powers like global peers to plug gaps
India's aviation regulator, the DGCA, is pushing for more independence. It wants to hire its own staff and offer better pay to keep up with India's growing air travel. The DGCA needs more funds for training and to match global standards. This move aims to ensure safety as India's aviation sector expands rapidly.
IndiGo slapped with ₹20 lakh penalty by DGCA for pilot training lapses, airline to contest
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has fined IndiGo twenty lakh rupees. The penalty is for alleged pilot training lapses at Category C aerodromes. IndiGo is contesting the order. The airline stated there is no material impact on its financials or operations. The delay in disclosure was due to internal communication lags.
Nagpur Flying Club figures among India's top ten 'Category 'B' aviation training institutes
Nagpur Flying Club has achieved a significant milestone, ranking among India's top ten 'Category B' training institutions as per the latest DGCA national rankings. Operated by the Maharashtra government, the club's commitment to timely facility establishment and operational progress has earned it this prestigious recognition. With four training aircraft and a dedicated team, the club is actively shaping future aviators.
DGCA will do thorough study to find root cause for uncommanded RAT deployment in AI plane: Naidu
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced that the DGCA will conduct a thorough study into the uncommanded Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployment on an Air India Boeing Dreamliner. The incident occurred just before landing in Birmingham, with the aircraft landing safely. The Federation of Indian Pilots has urged comprehensive checks on all Boeing 787 aircraft.
Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurates UDAN Yatri Cafe at Vijayawada airport
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first affordable food outlet, the UDAN Yatri Cafe, at Vijayawada Airport. This initiative under the UDAN scheme aims to make air travel more accessible. Meanwhile, the DGCA is monitoring airfares and airlines are adding hundreds of flights to meet festive season demand.
DGCA probes AI Boeing Dreamliner's RAT deployment incident
A detailed probe will be conducted by the DGCA into an Air India Dreamliner's Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployment before landing at Birmingham on October 4, 2025. The RAT, designed for emergencies, deployed at 400 feet, but the pilot reported no issues, and the aircraft landed safely. Maintenance actions were completed, and the plane is cleared for service.
AI plane: RAT gets deployed 'uncommanded' minutes before landing at Birmingham; DGCA probes incident
An Air India Boeing 787 flight from Amritsar to Birmingham experienced an unexpected Ram Air Turbine deployment during its final approach on October 4, but landed safely. This incident follows a fatal Air India Boeing 787 crash in June that killed 260 people, which is currently under investigation.
DGCA keeps 'rigorous oversight' on airfares for festivals; airlines to operate additional flights
Aviation watchdog DGCA monitors airfares for the festive season. It works to prevent ticket price increases. The ministry reviewed trends and asked airlines to increase flight capacities. IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, and SpiceJet will operate services. This action protects passenger interests during demand. DGCA maintains oversight on capacities and fares.
Air India flight deploys emergency engine just like crashed AI 171, pilot body says checking fuel switch not enough
The Federation of Indian Pilots urged DGCA to investigate the electrical systems of all Boeing 787 aircraft in India. This follows an Air India B787's emergency power deployment during landing, suspected to be due to an electrical fault. FIP links this incident to the fatal June Air India B787 crash, reiterating their call for comprehensive electrical checks.
IndiGo leads, Air India gains, Akasa & SpiceJet hold ground as India's domestic aviation grows despite Aug dip: DGCA report
India’s domestic aviation sector maintained steady growth in 2025, though passenger traffic saw a marginal month-on-month fall in August, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Airlines carried 1107.26 lakh passengers between January and August 2025, marking a 4.99% year-on-year rise from the same period in 2024.
Domestic air traffic falls to 1.29 crore in August; flight delays hit 74,381 passengers: DGCA data
Domestic airlines flew 1.29 crore passengers in August, slightly lower than last year but up from July. IndiGo's market share dipped, while Air India Group gained. Airlines addressed numerous passenger complaints, with thousands affected by delays and cancellations, incurring significant compensation costs. IndiGo maintained the top spot for On-Time Performance, reflecting ongoing shifts and operational challenges within the sector.
Most pilot training schools fail to make the grade in DGCA rankings
India's civil aviation regulator, DGCA, ranked pilot training schools for the first time, revealing 63% need significant improvement as none achieved top ratings. Officials criticized DGCA's ranking role, citing potential bias and administrative hurdles faced by schools. This initiative aims to boost transparency and ensure a pipeline of quality trained pilots.
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