Ministry of Civil Aviation: News
Barring tourists, government eases visa curbs for OCIs, PIOs, foreigners
Eight months after strict restrictions were imposed on inbound and outbound travel, the Indian government on Thursday eased visa curbs for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and foreign nationals, saying they can visit the country for any purpose, except tourism.
By Diwali, domestic air operations could be restored: Hardeep Puri
Come Diwali (November 14), much of India's domestic civil air traffic will be restored to original numbers, said Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday.
India establishes bilateral 'air bubbles' with France, US: Details here
India on Thursday announced it has set up bilateral "air bubbles" with France and the US to resume international commercial flights from Friday.
Government may resume international flights by next month
A recent report from India Today had suggested that the Ministry of Civil Aviation was contemplating to resume international flight operations in July.
Air India can operate flights with full strength, for now
On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed national carrier Air India to operate special international flights with occupied middle seats for ten days, till June 6.
Air fares will be capped for three months
Once airlines restore partial services from Monday, they will have to adhere to the pricing guidelines of the Civil Aviation Ministry, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday. The rates will be capped for three months.
In lockdown 4.0, public transport will be allowed with limits
In the third extension of the countrywide lockdown, imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, massive relaxations related to economic activities, manufacturing, and, more importantly, travel will be provided, a TOI report said on Thursday.
How will air travel change in post-Coronavirus era
On Tuesday, the Civil Aviation Ministry came up with a draft standard operating procedure (SOP) for commercial flights, indicating that air operations could also start, in a calibrated manner, in the fourth phase of coronavirus-induced lockdown.
Soon, you will get Wi-Fi on domestic Indian flights
Finally, you will be able to use internet service on domestic Indian flights.
AI pilot, sacked for failing alcohol-test, promoted as Regional Director
A senior pilot of Air India, Arvind Kathpalia, has recently been promoted as the Regional Director (Northern Region) of the national carrier.
Jet Airways' flight safety at risk: Aircraft engineers to DGCA
Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu has ordered an emergency meeting after the Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association (JAMEWA) wrote to the aviation watchdog that Jet Airways' flight safety is at risk.
#Boeing737MAX8 grounding: Civil Aviation Ministry holds meeting with all airlines
The Civil Aviation Ministry held a meeting with all the airlines in the country to come up with a contingency plan in the backdrop of the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft after the deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday.
Soon, you may have to pay more for flight tickets
Passengers travelling via air, both domestic and international, might have to pay more for their tickets soon, as Passenger Service Fee (PSF) is due for an increase.
You'll have to pay for baggage screening at Delhi Airport
From February 1, Delhi International Airport (DIAL), after being allowed by AERA, will charge for X-ray baggage fees ranging from Rs. 110 to Rs. 880 for domestic flights, and $149.33 (Rs. 10,655) to $209.55 (Rs. 14,952) for international flights.
India to have 200-airports, 1.1bn air-passenger traffic by 2040: MoCA
India's air passenger traffic is expected to grow six-fold to 1.1 billion and the number of operational airports to increase to around 200 by 2040, according to Ministry of Civil Aviation's (MoCA) vision document released at a summit in Mumbai today.
Soon, islands in Andaman will be connected by seaplanes
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, islands in Andaman will soon be connected by seaplanes that can land on or take-off from water.
Soon, drones could deliver organs, medical supplies in India
In a country like India, organ delivery can be a major problem, especially due to the mess of traffic.
You can fly drones from today: All details here
It had earlier been reported that individuals and companies would be legally allowed to fly drones in Indian airspace starting December 1, as per the Ministry of Civil Aviation's Drone Regulations 1.0.
Indian airlines can meet just 3 weeks' expenses; needs govt-help
Amid rising fuel prices and the weakening rupee, airlines in India are having a hard time staying afloat, and have asked the government to help them get unsecured credit from oil companies and airports.
Woman abuses Air India crew after being denied alcohol, held
A business class passenger verbally abused an Air India crew member after she was denied extra alcohol aboard a London-bound flight from Mumbai.
Kannur International Airport to be inaugurated on December 9
Kannur International Airport, the second greenfield airport set up under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, near Mattannur in Kerala's Kannur district would be inaugurated on December 9.
100ml limit for liquids on flights might be lifted soon
According to government officials, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is considering installing and testing liquid explosive detectors at airports.
India plans to construct 100 airports worth $60bn: Suresh Prabhu
India plans to construct 100 airports at an estimated cost of $60 billion (about Rs. 4.2 lakh crore) in the next 10 to 15 years, Civil Aviation Minister, Suresh Prabhu said today.
Drunk man pees on woman's seat on Air India flight
An intoxicated man allegedly urinated on the seat of a woman passenger onboard an Air India international flight, prompting the Civil Aviation Ministry to seek a report from AI.
You'll legally be able to fly drones from December 1
Starting December 1, individuals and companies will be legally allowed to fly drones in Indian airspace, except for in restricted areas, according to the civil aviation ministry's new Drone Regulations 1.0.
12 sexual harassment cases under probe: Air India tells WCD
There are 12 cases of alleged sexual harassment before Air India's various Internal Complaints Committees (ICC), the airline has informed the Women and Child Development Ministry.
Indian carriers need $50bn to buy planes over 10yrs: Report
Indian carriers will require a whopping $50bn to take the expected scheduled delivery of ordered planes over the next 10 years, Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation said.
Complaints against domestic air carriers increase to 7,251 in 20-months
Complaints against domestic air carriers swelled to 7,251 between December 2016 to July this year, according to Civil Aviation Ministry platform AirSewa.
Jet Airways 'can't run after 60 days,' stake-sale attempts on
The debt-ridden Jet Airways, India's second-largest airline by market share, is desperate for cash, and has resumed talks with investment bankers for assistance in a stake sale.
26 mid-air misses reported over Indian airspace this year: Sinha
Twenty-six cases of mid-air miss were reported over the Indian airspace this year till June, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha informed Lok Sabha.
59 incidents of aircraft engine damage since 2014: Govt
There were 21 incidents of damage to aircraft engines during flights in 2017, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha informed Lok Sabha today, adding that the figure is also the highest in the last four years.
Passengers flying from Delhi might soon have to pay more
Airfares for people flying out of Delhi's IGI Airport might soon undergo a hike, although a marginal one, as its operator, the DIAL, requested permission for increasing 'passenger service fee' (PSF).
Mumbai's iconic Air India Building getting sold?
In an attempt to revive the debt-ridden Air India, the government is considering selling the iconic Air India building at Nariman Point in Mumbai to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).
Dubai-Mumbai busiest international route; witnesses 2.5mn passengers in FY 2017-18
The Dubai-Mumbai air sector witnessed the highest flow of passengers at about 2.5 million during the 2017-18 financial year, primarily led by migrant workers, according to data released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Want full refunds on airfare? Pay more for tickets first
If the government's 'full refund on airfare within 24 hours' proposal goes through, it might prove costly for other passengers.
India slammed by IATA for taxing international tickets, creeping re-regulation
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today reprimanded India for taxing international tickets in contravention of the resolutions of the UN body International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Air India up for sale, but nobody interested in buying
In an embarrassing turn of events, the state-owned Air India airline has not received any buyer for government's 76% stake, a day before the bidding closes on Thursday.
Center to finalize 'vision 2035' document, address aviation sector issues
The Center is concluding a strategic vision document for the fast-growing aviation sector in the country to address issues such as infrastructure constraints at airports, boosting air connectivity to smaller towns, and developing the local human resource.
Relief for flyers: No Cancellation-charges within 24 hrs of booking
Bringing cheer to passengers, the aviation ministry has proposed lifting of airlines' cancellation charges if tickets are cancelled within 24 hours of booking.
Fearing poaching by BJP, JD(S) and Congress MLAs reach Hyderabad
Amid a power struggle in Karnataka, some of the newly-elected JD(S) and Congress MLAs from the state arrived in Hyderabad today and are expected to be lodged in five-star hotels or resorts there.