2 students flying out to Russia from Mumbai for MBBS report Rs 6.5 lakh theft from bags; FIR registered

2 students flying out to Russia from Mumbai for MBBS report Rs 6.5 lakh theft from bags; FIR registered

TNN | Sep 3, 2026, 07.53 AM IST

MUMBAI: Sahar police registered two FIRs against unidentified persons on Aug 31 after two Indian students pursuing MBBS in Russia reported US dollars equivalent to Rs 6.5 lakh stolen from their bags.

The two travelled to Russian cities on separate flights from Mumbai on Aug 26 and 27. Police said these were the first theft cases involving international flights and have sought CCTV footage and details of airline ground staff at Mumbai airport.

The families of the students said the cash, arranged through savings and loans, was meant for college fees and annual expenses.

Priya Gavai (22) of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar reported $2,000, equivalent to around Rs 1.96 lakh, missing from her cabin bag after reaching Cairo on an EgyptAir flight to Moscow. Her mother, Seema Ingle (46), a schoolteacher, said airline staff had asked Gavai to place her purse in the cabin bag. She later handed it to a crew member because cabin storage space was unavailable. At Cairo airport, she found the lock broken and the currency missing.

Ingle alleged airline staff were involved and said the airline had declined responsibility or reimbursement. She had saved money from her salary and borrowed Rs 2 lakh from a friend for her daughter’s fourth-year MBBS fees and expenses.

In the second case, Sanika Rampurkar (19) of Ratnagiri reported $4,625, equivalent to around Rs 4.5 lakh, stolen while travelling to Adler on an Etihad Airways flight. Her flight, scheduled to travel via Abu Dhabi, was diverted to Istanbul.

She reached Adler on Aug 27 but received her cabin and luggage bags on Aug 28. She found 46 $100 notes, one $20 note and one $5 note missing. Her father, Sachin Rampurkar (49), also a schoolteacher, said the money had been arranged through loans and savings for her medical college fees and annual expenses in Russia.

A senior police officer said baggage theft investigations face logistical blind spots, including cargo loading and transit areas without direct camera surveillance. Reliance on outsourced loaders and third-party ground staff also makes identifying suspects difficult. Police suspect baggage scanning or handling staff may alert thieves about bags containing cash or gold.

A Sahar police officer said they have sought details of the CCTV footage from both airlines at Mumbai airport when the passengers’ bags were scanned before loading into flight cargo sections. “Details of the ground staffs are sought to question to find involvement of them in the thefts,” the officer told TOI.

2 festivals, 2 long weekends send airfares soaring

Times News Network 

2 festivals, 2 long weekends send airfares soaring 

Navi Mum Airport Offers Some Respite; Goa, Mumbai Among Top Travel Picks

Mumbai: Two long weekends, two festivals and now two airports; Mumbai travellers have plenty of reasons to plan a short getaway this August. With Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami falling on Fridays a week apart, demand for air travel has gone up, but fares vary sharply depending on the destination. While the addition of Navi Mumbai airport has brought some relief on popular routes such as Goa, travellers flying to destinations with fewer frequencies, including pilgrimage centres, are facing steep fares. 

For instance, return airfare to Ayodhya for travel midweek starts at Rs 15,000, but for Raksha Bandhan weekend, the cheapest return fare is Rs 24,000 on flights via Delhi. Airfares to Agra are sky high already, though Janmashtami is about 12 days away. 

To most destinations, airfares to/from Navi Mumbai airport are cheaper by a few thousand rupees than those from Mumbai airport. However, the high cost of road transport to and from the new airport would make it unattractive, especially to solo travellers. 

The usual warning stays; most travel portals throw up Navi Mumbai (NMI) flight ticket options as well, even when the “BOM” option is selected, so travellers need to be careful when booking tickets. For Onam too, the new airport has added capacity on Kerala routes, helping keep fares from rising as sharply as in previous years. Pallavi Saxena of Cleartrip said that Bengaluru is the biggest source market for Kerala for both bus and air travel, followed by Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. Within Kerala, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram were the most booked destinations via flights. 

As for Raksha Bandhan, Lucknow recorded a 96% YoY rise in air bookings, followed by Bhopal at 86%, Indore at 82%, Raipur at 75% and Patna at 58%, said Saxena. While these indicated people travelling to their hometowns, there was also a parallel leisure trend with Delhi and Udaipur recording an 83% YoY rise in hotel bookings, while in the South, Hyderabad and Bengaluru remained the most booked hotel destinations, both recording triple-digit YoY growth. 

A spokesperson for the online travel portal, Agoda, said, for the Rakshabandhan long weekend, Goa, Mumbai and Puri emerged as the top three most searched domestic destinations. “Beyond the top three, Ooty, Munnar, Lonavala and Varanasi also feature in the domestic top 15, spanning traveller interest across monsoon-friendly hill escapes and spiritual ghats,” the spokesperson said, adding the results were based on accommodation searches made between May 1 and July 31, 2026, for the coming two long weekends. For the Janmashtami long weekend, Goa again led, but it was followed by Udaipur and Mumbai. The wider domestic top 15 included destinations like Puducherry, Chennai, Jaipur and Leh.

Soon, no need for physical boarding cards at immigration

Soon, no need for physical boarding cards at immigration 

23.08.2026

New Delhi: Starting Sept 1, people flying in and out of India will no longer be required to provide a physical boarding card at the immigration counter. Travellers can show their e boarding cards instead. This major change by Bureau of Immigration could pave the way for more seamless international travel once e-passports become more common. 

Senior FRRO (Delhi) Deepak Yadav’s communication says after immigration cleara-nce, the boarding pass is stamped by the immigration officer. “It has, however, been observed that this process causes inconvenience to passengers, and instances of errors in reading boarding passes due to improper or incorrect stamping, have also been reported,” he said. The new measure will come into effect from Sept 1. “Physical boarding passes will continue to be accepted at the Immigration counters, however, these will not be stamped,” Yadav’s circular adds. Junior Union minister for external affairs KV Singh told Parliament this month, “The authentication of e-chip passport and its integration with IVFRT (immigration, visa, foreigners’ registration and tracking) application for utilisation across immigration posts at international airports in India is under process.” To the extent possible, India is trying to make international seamless too. It recently introduced the fast track immigration - trusted traveller programme which allows passengers to quickly use biometrics for immigration check while flying from and to the country. tnn

Pilots drank bottled water purchased from outside vendor

Pilots drank bottled water purchased from outside vendor 

The pilots also consumed bottled water purchased from an outside vendor.

 British Airways is probing whether either could have been the source of the suspected food poisoning. “The welfare of our colleagues is a top priority and we are reviewing crew accommodation in this location following some isolated reports of sickness,” British Airways said in a statement. 

The airline maintained passenger safety was never at risk. “During the flight, one of our pilots became unwell. In line with established procedures, the aircraft continued safely to its destination and landed normally. The safety of our customers and crew is always our highest priority and at no point was the safety of the flight compromised,” the statement said. 

According to the Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA India), commercial aircraft typically climb above 30,000 feet within 20 to 25 minutes of take-off. “If a pilot required supplemental oxygen during a suspected food poisoning incident, it could indicate that the pilot had fainted or was experiencing breathing difficulties, making immediate medical intervention necessary,” said Anil Rao, general secretary of ALPA India. 

Meanwhile, officials of the GHMC’s food safety wing said they had not received any complaint related to the incident. The RGIA police also confirmed that no complaint had been lodged with them. 

Food poisoning? Three BA pilots fall sick mid-air on Hyd–London flight

 Hyderabad : Three British Airways pilots fell ill, one of them seriously, during a Hyderabad– London flight on July 22 in a suspected case of food poisoning, prompting the airline to launch an investigation and review its crew accommodation arrangements in the city. The incident occurred onboard BA276, the airline's daily service from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad to Heathrow. According to UK media reports, the three pilots began feeling unwell shortly after the flight took off from Hyderabad at 7.45 am. One of the pilots reportedly became seriously ill while the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of around 30,000 feet and was unable to continue normal duties. As the pilot's condition worsened, oxygen was administered onboard. The pilot was taken to a hospital for treatment soon after the aircraft landed in London. The other two pilots also experienced similar symptoms but were able to continue operating the aircraft safely. Their condition reportedly worsened after landing. 

Samples collected from the pilots have been sent for laboratory analysis to determine the source of the illness, the reports added. According to airline sources, the pilots had breakfast together at a hotel lounge during their stay in Hyderabad.

3 BA pilots take ill on Hyd-London flight, airline mounts probe

3 BA pilots take ill on Hyd-London flight, airline mounts probe 

24.07.2026

Hyderabad : Three British Airways pilots fell ill during a Hyderabad-London flight on July 22 in a suspected case of food poisoning, prompting the airline to launch an investigation and review its accommodation arrangements in the city, reports Sunny Baski . 

British Airways maintained that passenger safety was never at risk. According to UK media reports, the pilots started to feel unwell soon after the flight took off from Hyderabad at 7.45am. The reports claimed that one of them fell seriously sick and was left incapacitated, unable to continue normal duties, while the aircraft was cruising at around 30,000 feet. 

The pilot was administered oxygen onboard as symptoms worsened, the reports stated. Soon after landing in London, the pilot was shifted to a hospital for treatment. The other two pilots — including one who stood in for his seriously ill colleague — were able to continue operating the aircraft safely, although they too experienced similar symptoms which intensified after landing. 

Samples collected from them were sent for tests, local reports added. According to airline sources, the pilots had breakfast together at a hotel lounge during their stay in Hyderabad, followed by bottled water purchased from an outside vendor. 

]

The airline is probing whether any of that caused the illness. “The welfare of our colleagues is a top priority and we are reviewing crew accommodation in this location following some isolated reports of sickness,” British Airways said in a statement. “In line with established procedures, the aircraft continued safely to its destination and landed normally. The safety of our customers and crew is always our highest priority... ” the airline added. Meanwhile, officials from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s food safety wing said they had not received any complaint in the matter.

Chennai Airport advises passengers to use coloured ribbons on luggage; here is why

Chennai Airport advises passengers to use coloured ribbons on luggage; here is why 

With most modern suitcases appearing similar in size, shape, and colour, travellers often struggle to identify their bags from others, particularly after long flights.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) has advised passengers to identify their suitcases by tying coloured ribbons

Online Desk Updated on: 04 Jun 2026, 1:26 pm

CHENNAI: In a move aimed at reducing baggage-related confusion at airports, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has advised passengers to identify their suitcases by tying coloured ribbons to them before travel.

The advisory comes amid frequent incidents at airports, including Chennai, where passengers mistakenly collect the wrong luggage from baggage conveyor belts.

With most modern suitcases appearing similar in size, shape, and colour, travellers often struggle to identify their bags from others, particularly after long flights.

Although airlines attach baggage tags to every checked-in suitcase and provide passengers with matching tag details on their boarding passes, many travellers fail to verify the tag numbers while collecting their luggage.

Airport officials attribute this to travel fatigue, the desire to leave the terminal quickly, and the small print on baggage tags.

Such mistakes can cause significant disturbances and occasionally lead to disputes between passengers when luggage is wrongly taken from the carousel.

To address the issue, AAI has recommended that passengers tie ribbons or other easily recognisable markers in different colours to their suitcases.

Officials say the simple measure will help travellers quickly identify their bags on conveyor belts and reduce the chances of accidental mix-ups.

“Coloured ribbons can serve as an immediate visual identifier, enabling passengers to spot their luggage easily and avoid confusion,” airport officials said.

Why are passengers seeking better crowd management at baggage claim areas ? Meanwhile, passengers at Chennai Airport have also called for better crowd management around baggage claim areas.

Travellers point out that at many international airports, passengers typically wait at a designated distance from the conveyor belt and approach only when their luggage arrives. This practice helps people gain easier access to their baggage.

However, at most Indian airports, including Chennai, passengers often gather close to the conveyor belts with their trolleys.

This creates congestion, obstructing other passengers from retrieving their luggage and causing delays. In some cases, travellers are forced to wait longer for their bags to complete another round on the carousel because they are unable to reach them through the crowd.

Passengers urge airport authorities to introduce counter measures that encourage people to stand back from the conveyor belt until their luggage arrives. They believe such a system would improve passenger flow, reduce crowding, and make baggage collection more efficient and easier.

Airport officials maintain that a combination of better baggage identification practices and improved discipline around baggage carousels could significantly enhance the overall passenger experience at Chennai Airport and other airports across the country.

Father & son who missed Chicago flight win ₹1.4L compensation

Father & son who missed Chicago flight win ₹1.4L compensation 

DIVERSION DRAMA - COUNSUMER AS KING

 Vindhya.Pabolu@timesofindia.com   14.05.2026

Bengaluru : What began as a routine trip to Chicago soon spiralled into an overnight nightmare for two Jayanagar residents, eventually leading to a legal battle. The episode dates back to Jan 4, 2024, when 68-year-old Satish Nagarajan Iyengar and his 38- year-old son, Rupesh, booked Air India round-trip tickets between Bengaluru and Chicago for Rs 2.9 lakh. 

Their onward journey was scheduled for Jan 18, with the return flight planned for Jan 22. On Jan 18, the duo checked in at Bengaluru airport and received two boarding passes each, while their baggage was tagged directly to Chica- go. Their flight departed Bengaluru at 9.10pm and was slated to arrive in Delhi at 11.55pm, where they were to board a connecting flight to Chicago at 2.35am. 

The flight was normal until it entered Delhi airspace, when the captain announced a diversion to Jaipur, citing low visibility. However, the duo contended that Delhi’s CAT IIIB-compliant runways were operational and the aircraft was equipped for landing in low visibility, alleging the diversion occurred due to pilots lacking CAT IIIB certification. 

The aircraft landed in Jaipur, where passengers waited for more than an hour while a CAT IIIB-certified crew was flown in. The flight then reached Delhi at 1.52am, leaving less than 45 minutes for the connection. Despite assurances that they would make the connection, they were met with placards and escorted through a priority channel. However, they were made to wait more than 30 minutes, their baggage was returned and the Chicago leg was cancelled, citing late arrival of AI 808. 

Air India’s Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) later confirmed seats were available but said boarding had closed. For Satish, a senior citizen, the situation turned distressing. No food, water, seating or hotel accommodation was provided, nor any timeline for resolution. 

After a sleepless night at the airport, they booked a hotel at their own expense. The next morning, Air India issued tickets to Bengaluru and said reimbursement would be provided. On Jan 21, they filed a refund request. On Feb 5, Air India confirmed a full refund within 7-14 days. However, by March 5, only Rs 2.4 lakh was credited, leaving Rs 55,328 pending. Despite acknowledgement and follow-ups, payment was not made. The issue was escalated to the ministry of civil aviation on July 26, but they received no response. 

The duo filed a consumer complaint on July 17, 2025. In its defence, Air India cited operational and safety requirements for the diversion, stating low visibility procedures were mandatory. It argued boarding had closed by the time they arrived at the gate, making acceptance impossible. It also said an alternative routing via London was offered but declined, contending that passengers who opted for a refund could not later claim additional damages. On refunds, Air India stated that out of the total fare of Rs 1.5 lakh per ticket, in addition Rs 11,145 had been refunded for one ticket, while Rs 27,664 and Rs 16,519, respectively, remained under process or pending approval. 

The airline maintained that the delay in crediting the balance amounts was due to routine reconciliation and settlement procedures and not due to any mala fide intent. The commission observed that the flight diversion was not due to weather alone but stemmed from the crew’s lack of CAT IIIB certification, an internal lapse that could not be treated as force majeure to escape liability. 

It held that DGCA exemption clauses could not justify leaving a senior citizen stranded overnight without food, water, rest or accommodation. The partial refund of Rs 2,43,774 was treated as acknowledgement of liability, making the withholding of Rs 55,328 indefensible. It also upheld Rs 33,186 as legitimate damages and concluded that Air India’s actions constituted a clear deficiency in service. 

The bench, comprising president Ramachandra MS and members Nandini H Kumbhar and Savitha Airani, on April 29 ordered Air India to refund Rs 55,328 and pay Rs 33,186 for damages incurred at an interest at 6%. It directed the airline to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for deficiency in service, Rs 25,000 for pain and suffering, and Rs 10,000 in litigationcosts.

Passengers can’t fly Air India to Singapore from June to Aug

Passengers can’t fly Air India to Singapore from June to Aug

 Venkadesan.S@timesofindia.com 14.015.2026

Chennai : Air India will suspend its twice daily direct flights from Chennai to Singapore as part of a wider rationalisation drive in view of soaring fuel costs and operational pressures. It is not clear if the 14 connecting flights to Singapore via Mumbai and Delhi have also been curtailed. A fresh timetable is expected in some time. The Tata Group-owned carrier on Wednesday announced that operations would be curtailed on other international routes as well. 

These include Delhi-Shanghai, Mumbai-Dhaka and DelhiMale through Aug, and reduced frequency of flights to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Kathmandu, Colombo and Dhaka. 

The impact extends to Europe, North America and Australia as well. Air India has suspended the Delhi-Chicago route temporarily and reduced frequencies to San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris, Copenhagen, Milan, Zurich, Rome, Melbourne and Sydney, among others. Despite the temporary cuts, the airline said it would continue operating more than 1,200 international flights every month across fi-ve continents, including 158 weekly flights to the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC destinations. 

The Chennai-Singapore flights cater to leisure travellers, business passengers, students and transit flyers connecting to Southeast Asia, the Far East and Australia. International carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Scoot Airways too operate direct flights between Chennai and Singapore. 

A Sankar, president of Indian Air Passengers’Association, said that move will encourage other carriers to raise fares. “Airlines reducing the operations despite the Union govt releasing ₹5,000 crore emergency credit to them shows their incapability to manage the crisis,” he said. Sankar said Chennai-Singapore is one of the busiest sectors, with people from all walks of life often travelling between these countries for business, work as well as for leisure.

 Air India said affected passengers would be offered alternative flights where feasible, along with 1 options for free date changes or full refunds. The airline added that it is working with regulators and airport authorities to restore full capacity once operating conditions get better.

Now, cancel air ticket for free within 48 hours

Now, cancel air ticket for free within 48 hours 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 27.02.2026

New Delhi : Airlines will now provide a “look-in option” for a period of 48 hours after booking a ticket during which a passenger can cancel or amend the ticket without any additional charges, except fare difference, if the departure date is at least 7 and 15 days hence for domestic and international flights, respectively.

 Airlines will need to ensure refunds within 14 days and they will no longer be allowed to levy any charge for a name correction being made within 24 hours of the booking being made on their website. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has from Thursday revised refund rules and introduced passenger-friendly measures in what is often a painful process for travellers. “In case of purchase of ticket through travel agent/portal, onus of refund shall lie with airlines as agents are their appointed representatives. 

Airlines shall ensure that the refund process is completed within 14 working days,” the amended rules issued by DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai say. “In the event of ticket cancellations due to a medical emergency, where the passenger or a family member listed on the same PNR gets admitted/hospitalised during the travel period, airlines may provide either a refund or a credit shell. 

For all other situations, refunds will be issued once an opinion on the passenger’s fitness to travel certificate is received from an airline’s aerospace medicine specialist/ DGCA empanelled aerospace medicine specialist,” reads another amendment introduced in the rules. The regulator has ruled that airlines “shall not levy any additional charge for correction in the name of the same person when the error is pointed out by the passenger within 24 hours of making the booking, when the ticket is booked directly through the airline website

6 ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பின்.. சீனாவின் ஷாங்காய்க்கு ஏர் இந்தியா நேரடி விமான சேவை!

உலகம்

6 ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பின்.. சீனாவின் ஷாங்காய்க்கு ஏர் இந்தியா நேரடி விமான சேவை!

தில்லி - ஷாங்காய் இடையே 6 ஆண்டுகளுக்குப்பின் நேரடி விமான சேவை

@airindia

இணையதளச் செய்திப் பிரிவு

Updated on:

01 பிப்ரவரி 2026, 8:53 pm

தில்லி - ஷாங்காய் இடையே 6 ஆண்டுகளுக்குப்பின் மீண்டும் நேரடி விமான சேவையை ஏர் இந்தியா நிறுவனம் தொடங்கியுள்ளது. கடந்த 2020-ஆம் ஆண்டு தொடக்கத்தில், இந்தியா - சீனா இடையேயான நேரடி விமான சேவை நிறுத்தப்பட்டிருந்தத நிலையில், சுமார் 6 ஆண்டுகளுக்குப்பின் 2026, பிப்ரவரியில் இருநாடுகளுக்குமிடையே மீண்டும் நேரடி விமானம் இயக்கப்பட்டிருப்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

ஷாங்காய் மாநகரின் புடோங் சர்வதேச விமான நிலையத்திலிருந்து புது தில்லிக்கு 230 பயணிகளுடன் ஏர் இந்தியாவின் போயிங் 787 ரக விமானம் இன்று(பிப். 1) காலை புறப்பட்டது என்று இந்தியத் தூதரக அறிக்கையில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்தியாவுக்கும் சீனாவுக்கும் இடையே மக்கள் தொர்பு, வணிகம், கல்வி உள்பட நிறுவன ரீதியான தொடர்பு ஆகியவற்றுக்கு இந்த விமான சேவை பலனிக்கும் என்று இந்தியத் தூதரக அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

Mid-air mishap: Hot curry spills on passenger, costs airline ₹25k

Mid-air mishap: Hot curry spills on passenger, costs airline ₹25k 

CONSUMER IS KING 

Vindhya.Pabolu@timesofindia.com 02.02.2026

Bengaluru : What should have been a peaceful flight from Bangkok to home in Bengaluru turned into a messy and painful shocker for a passenger. Moments after takeoff and high up in the air, a flight attendant accidentally spilled hot non-vegetarian curry on him. With the passenger taking the legal route, the III additional Bengaluru Urban district consumer disputes redressal commission recently held the airline vicariously liable and ordered payment of compensation. 

The saga began on March 5, 2024, when Sree Nayak (name changed), a resident of Konanakunte Cross, flew from Bangkok to Bengaluru with his wife and daughter, paying Rs 12,404 for himself and Rs 24,808 for his family. Trouble struck about 15 minutes after take-off when a flight attendant opened the overhead bin above his seat, causing a hot food packet to fall on him, spilling curry and other items. Naya k claimed the incident left him shocked, traumatised, and at risk, while his clothes were soiled.

As a vegetarian, he alleged extreme discomfort, including skin irritation and a major headache from the smell, lasting eight hours until he reached home. Unable to change clothes or bathe imme diately, he also faced embarrassment as co-passengers allegedly laughed. The food packet was reportedly stored by some other passenger. He further stated his branded T-shirt, jeans, jacket, shoes, and innerwear were irreparably stained, while his backpack, smartwatch, and mobile phone were damaged. According to Nayak, the airline admitted negligence over phone and email, and offered him a Rs 5,000 travel voucher, which he deemed inadequate given the discomfort he had endured. Seeking a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for mental harassment and other losses, he filed a consumer complaint on July 5, 2025. 

IndiGo’s defence 

In its defence, IndiGo, represented by its manager, denied any deficiency in service, arguing that under consumer law, a deficiency arises only when there is a shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality, nature, or manner of service mandated by the law or contract. To support its stand, the airline cited a past in-flight incident in which a meal container accidentally slipped from an overhead bin shortly after take-off while cabin crew was on routine duty. The airline maintained the incident was unintentional and unforeseen. It said the crew responded promptly by apologising, relocating the passenger to a first-row seat, assisting in cleaning his clothes, and providing wet tissues. 

Referring to the present case, IndiGo said its customer experience team contacted the complainant on March 9, 2024, but he later sought compensation of Rs 5 lakh, which it termed illegal and exorbitant. Saying that as a goodwill gesture, it had repeatedly offered a Rs 5,000 travel voucher — which was declined — the airline urged the commission to dismiss the complaint. 

After examining the records and hearing both sides, the commission held that opening an overhead bin after take-off, resulting in a hot meal falling on a passenger, amounted to a clear lapse in service. It observed that airlines are at fault if loose or hot items are stored in a manner that endangers passengers. However, the commission noted that Nayak had failed to produce credible evidence to substantiate claims of medical expenses or irreparable damage to his clothes. The commission bench, comprising president Shivarama K and members Chandrashekar S Noola and Rekha Sayannavar, on Dec 12, 2025, ordered IndiGo to pay the complainant Rs 20,000 as compensation an d Rs 5,000 as litigation costs.

Air India cancels flights to New York and Newark

Air India cancels flights to New York and Newark

Press Trust of India

New Delhi  25.01.2026

Air India has cancelled its flights to New York and Newark for January 25 and 26 due to a severe winter storm forecast in the U.S. East Coast.

The airline operates daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai to New York. There are daily flights from Delhi to Newark, while services between Mumbai and Newark are operated on certain days of the week.

Severe winter storm

Air India on Saturday said a severe winter storm with heavy snow is forecast for New York, New Jersey and adjoining areas on the U.S. East Coast from early Sunday morning to Monday, which will have a significant impact on flight operations.

Tug of war between AI Group & IndiGo for captains

Tug of war between AI Group & IndiGo for captains 

NEW FDTL RULES Saurabh.Sinha@timesofindia.com 30.12.2025

New Delhi : Call it the IndiGo schedule collapse or its fallout impact. A clamour has broken out between the budget airline and Air India group over having adequate captains to avoid a repeat of what happened under the new safety-enhancing flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules. IndiGo has had to commit to DGCA about hiring pilots — it will induct 100 in Jan itself — and Air India has already come out with an ad for getting more aviators on board. But both the airlines are also facing a significant number of captain resignations — with some leaving one for the other and mostly for joining foreign carriers. So, the hiring is also to ensure they don’t go below their current numbers which has made the scramble more intense than anything seen before in Indian skies. 

For once, their balance sheet-centric human resource departments are on the back foot and can’t oppose sprucing of ranks after what happened earlier this month. A senior officer of one of the two big Indian carriers claimed its captains are already getting “calls with joining bonus of upto Rs 50 lakh.” “Where do we get captains from? Under the new FDTL, experienced pilots’ availability will become acute. There will be a lot of poaching from each other,” said a senior airline officer. A few years back, said a senior pilot, IndiGo had offered a joining bonus to experienced aviators to join which would take care of the bond payment, if any, needed to be paid to the airline they were resigning from. “This was in the range of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh to take care of the bond, which back then was somewhere between Rs 5 and 15 lakh,” the pilot said. “India will witness a scramble for captains between Air India group and IndiGo. While Air India does not have a shortage as of now for its fleet except the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, it has to hire for the future. IndiGo will have to improve its pilot-management relations to retain and attract talent. 3

Akasa does not need more pilots (it has a big surplus). Unless Air India and IndiGo offer better working conditions to pilots, they will not be able to stem the flow to Middle East and other places like Vietnam,” said Captain Shakti Lumba, former VP of Air India and IndiGo. IndiGo has slightly raised pilot pay from next month, by enhancing some existing and adding new allowances. 

Air India is planning a major salvo which will be fired in first week of Jan and is a closely guarded secret within the airline. Pilots at both Air India group and IndiGo have been unhappy for two main reasons — poor working conditions and a pay structure that did not keep pace with inflation. While the FDT proposes to reduce fatigue, the tug of war means that both will have to become humane employers for pilots.

Passenger collapses after seizure mid-air on Delhi–Chennai flight, doctors save his life

Passenger collapses after seizure mid-air on Delhi–Chennai flight, doctors save his life

His companions told doctors he had epilepsy and had skipped his regular medication. He lay motionless for several minutes with frothing at the mouth before gradually regaining consciousness.

The passenger being treated by the doctors after suffering a seizure.Photo | S Lalitha

S Lalitha

Updated on:

19 Dec 2025, 4:18 pm

NEW DELHI: An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai witnessed tense moments early Friday after a passenger in his forties suffered a seizure mid-air, collapsed in his seat. Two doctors on board provided emergency treatment for nearly 20 minutes and managed to revive him before landing.

The incident occurred around 6 am on Flight 6E 6838, which had taken off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 4:30 am, nearly two hours behind schedule due to fog. The passenger, identified as Arjun, was travelling to Chennai en route to his hometown Madurai along with two colleagues, who were deported from Malaysia to Delhi after a month in jail there for illegal overstay.

Arjun suddenly began screaming loudly, startling those asleep around him, and attempted to grab the attention of a co-passenger before collapsing. Cabin crew immediately sought medical assistance, following which two doctors rushed to help.

The doctors moved him into the aisle, placed him on his side to ease breathing and prevent choking, and administered first aid. His companions told the doctors that he suffered from epilepsy and had missed his regular medication that day. He remained motionless for several minutes, with frothing at the mouth, before gradually regaining consciousness, after he stabilised, Arjun was helped back to his seat.

One of the doctors later told the TNIE, "The patient had ignored the medication he was supposed to take to keep epilepsy under check. He has recovered now but we have advised all tests to be performed on him after landing including brain scans."

As soon as the flight landed, ambulance and paramedical staff were waiting. However, it was strange that all the passengers were allowed to deboard and then the medical staff reached the passenger. As per protocol, the priority needs to be given to the ailing passenger to assist him immediately until the right medical treatment is rendered.

IndiGo: SOME PLANE SPEAKING

IndiGo: SOME PLANE SPEAKING 

How airline, DGCA & govt failed passengers. And some mordant humour on airport hostage drama 

Saurabh.Sinha@timesofindia.com08.12.2025

Indian aviation seems to be on a ventilator, after suffering a multi-organ failure. The collapse of IndiGo’s schedule integrity over the past few days has led to thousands of flights being cancelled and delayed, and left lakhs of passengers stranded at airports across the airline’s wide network. This, in the final month of a year that saw the tragic Air India Ahmedabad crash, a series of chopper accidents in Uttarakhand, ATC system collapse at IGIA, and GPS spoofing at airports far from international borders. Public outcry forced GOI to finally intervene and India’s biggest airline has begun ramping up operations. As the dust hopefully settles, let’s not forget how different stakeholders have failed India’s flying public. 

● IndiGo: The new, more humane pilot duty norms, resisted by Indian carriers for many years, as these would increase pilot requirement and hence wage bills, were coming into effect from Nov 1. This was known for a long time. Yet IndiGo did not prepare for rollout. Perhaps it expected an exemption, and when it didn’t get one, the result was mass cancellations. 

To bring IndiGo back on track, certain provisions of FDTL, for pilots operating its Airbus A320 family planes, have been put on hold till Feb 10, 2026. DGCA’s show-cause issued to the airline’s CEO & COO Saturday night clearly says that the flight disruptions were caused by non-provisioning for “the approved flight duty time limitation scheme” and that “such large scale operational failures indicate significant lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management”. The airline neither informed passengers about the cancellations or delays, nor did it provide the facilities it is supposed to in such situations. “As CEO, you are responsible for ensuring effective management of the airline. But you have failed in your duty,” the notice to IndiGo adds. The cash-rich airline has also not been able to address its pilots’ grievances. After ‘adjusting’ for a month, in Nov, by flying as per airline requirements under the new FDTL, many of them refused to do so any longer this month.

 ● Aviation authorities: Govt first deferred the court-ordered implementation of the new FDTL from 2024, which possibly made the airline feel it will be able to manage yet another extension, beyond Nov 1. IndiGo’s confidence was not misplaced. After Operation Sindoor, it was directed to return two wide-body Boeing 777s leased from Turkish Airlines by Aug 31. Later on, it was allowed to keep operating them till the end of next Feb. However, implementation of the new FDTL was not deferred. Plus, IndiGo got its schedule for 6% more domestic flights this winter approved. No one checked if the airline had the crew strength to operate the approved, over 15,000 weekly domestic flights. Meanwhile, despite inducting a plane a week, IndiGo went slow on hiring pilots and on their command upgrade, to keep its wage bill in check.

 ● Other Indian carriers: Once IndiGo mass cancellations started, passengers were forced to buy lastminute tickets on other airlines, by coughing up to 4-6 times the normal fares. A one-way UdaipurDelhi cattle class ticket that usually costs ₹5,0006,000 rose up to ₹25,000. On Saturday , aviation ministry capped domestic airfares at ₹18,000 (taxes, UDF, security fee extra). But by then, a large number of people had paid extortionate prices to fly to their destinations. 

● Govt as a whole: India has among the highest operating costs for airlines globally. Many of these costs, like for lease rentals, are dollar denominated. INR recently breached the 90 level. On top of that, jet fuel faces disproportionately higher pressure, to keep prices of politically inflammable petrol, diesel, and LPG in check. And taxes too. As a result, a billionaire needs to remain at least a millionaire to keep running his or her airline. Or, only a mega conglomerate with multiple cash cows can sustain an airline group. Just like Amar, Akbar, Anthony simultaneously gave blood to Nirupa Roy. Net result is that India has a duopoly of airlines – Tata Group and IndiGo. Other players are struggling to get either paisa or planes. This means consumer is not the king as far as the sky is concerned. A sudden mass cancellation by the airline with 65% domestic market share meant the remaining airlines with 35% market share, could raise fares by up to 400%!

● Finally, passengers: Why did they choose to fly when they could have driven or gone by rail? Sivakumar.Sundaram@timesofindia.com There was a time when air travel was aspirational. You packed, reached early , and announced to relatives that you were ‘going by flight’, in the same tone people now reserve for going to Mars. Today, with 16cr Indians flying every year, airports have become slightly shinier bus stands, with better but inexplicably expensive samosas and far more inventive ways to ruin your week. The recent Great Indian Sky Meltdown, in which the airline ‘did not Go’ discovered that pilots are, inconveniently, human, has given us a brutal refresher course in an old truth: when regulators and airlines arm-wrestle over safety rules, the only guaranteed loser is the common man, clutching a boarding pass with absolutely no ability to board. Weddings shifted to Zoom, brides and grooms attended their own receptions from other states, patients missed appointments, students missed exams, and one-way tickets briefly cost more than some people’s first cars. The only things taking off on time were airfares and blood pressure. So what is the helpless flyer expected to do when airlines convert the sky into a negotiation room? Here, then, are some survival tips for India’s frequent hostages

● Assume the worst, especially when it matters most: If your travel is for a visa interview, surgery, board exam or your own wedding, please assume your flight will be cancelled at the exact moment you have paid ₹480 for coffee and a sandwich, which looks like it survived the previous FDTL regime. Book two flights on two different airlines. Also book a train. India is a land of redundancy: two SIM cards, three astrologers, four family WhatsApp groups but when it comes to travel, we behave like monks practising minimalism. ● In the era of aviation roulette, all roads must lead somewhere: A sensible citizen now maintains: a train option bookmarked, a reasonably clean busservice in mind, and one reliable cab aggregator, plus the local taxi union number. When the sky collapses, the road still exists and usually has better FDTL norms for drivers than pilots. ● Never book the last flight out: The last flight of the day is not a convenience, it is a dare. It is a message to fate saying, ‘Please pick me for adventure.’ Choose earlier departures. Fog, backlog, mysterious “technical issues”, and the great algorithm of cancellations all intensify as the clock moves towards midnight. 

● Fine print exists only to mock you: Even if you read the fine print, the airline has the last word. ‘Full refund’ actually means ‘full credit shell’, valid for three reincarnations, redeemable only on alternate Tuesdays if the flight is not fully booked. ‘Free meal’ for a delayed flight means a stale sandwich and a bottle of water. Travel insurance has terms so stringent even the gods cannot fulfil them. Carry your mother’s thepla, idli, or paratha and water in a steel thermos. India’s airport security still allows water – a small mercy in turbulent times. At worst, you can picnic cheerfully while others queue for an hour only to discover that the only thing left is a biscuit packet you are gluten-intolerant to. And yes, when airlines say ‘hotel’, they actually mean ‘go home’. ● Anything cheap is the most expensive: We love the lowest fare the way we love festival discounts and free kachori with chai. But that extra ₹400 saved may cost ₹40,000 in last-minute tickets, taxis, and hotel cancellations. Sometimes, the slightly costlier airline or simply a saner time slot is the real ‘budget option’.

 ● Anger is free, BP medication is not: Shouting at a 23-year-old ground staffer will not produce a rested pilot, a fresh aircraft, or an apologetic regulator. It will, however, produce a new influencer making a viral reel of your meltdown. Far better to sit quietly with your thepla and achaar and accept the philosophical vastness of the situation. In the end, we, the common people, do not control market share, FDTL acronyms, or aviation policy. But we can control our buffers, our backups, and our expectations. And now it is evident that even ‘on-time performance’ is not a promise, it is a bargaining chip that can make even regulators bend backwards. Until the skies become truly safe and sane, treat every successful, punctual flight as what it has quietly become in India’s monopoly skies: an accidental upgrade to business class, delivered in economy.

Coming soon, curbs on carrying power banks on aircraft

Coming soon, curbs on carrying power banks on aircraft

 Saurabh.Sinha@timesofindia.com 23.10.2025

New Delhi : India may soon adopt stricter rules for power banks on board aircraft following recent instances worldwide, including one in the country, of lithium-ion batteries catching fire. On Sunday, a passenger’s power bank caught fire on a Dimapur-bound IndiGo flight when the aircraft was taxiing at Delhi airport.

 Now, Directorate General of Civil Aviation is “taking up this issue”, said a senior official. The regulator is learnt to be taking technical inputs on the issue. Foreign airlines are increasingly putting restrictions on power banks. Some require the power bank to be kept in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front and not in overhead bins. 

From Oct 1, Dubai-based Emirates “prohibited” use any power bank. While it allows a passenger to carry one power bank under 100 Watt Hours, Singapore Airlines from April 1 did not allow flyers to charge power banks via onboard USB ports, or use them to charge their devices.

 Last week, there was a lithium battery fire on an Air China flight from China to South Korea, forcing it to be diverted to Shanghai. 

Fuel leak scare: IndiGo flight to Srinagar lands in Varanasi An IndiGo flight from Kolkata to Srinagar with 166 people on board was diverted to Varanasi on Wednesday after the crew suspected a fuel leak. 

The pilots sought priority landing in Varanasi, where they safely touched down at 4.06pm, officials said. The aircraft — an Airbus 320neo — remains grounded for checks. TNN

Diwali rush: Airfares witness fourfold surge despite govt’s warning

Diwali rush: Airfares witness fourfold surge despite govt’s warning 

NO CAP ON PRICES 

Venkadesan.S@timesofindia.com 18.10.2025

Chennai : Flight fares to different parts of the country and within the state skyrocketed on Friday, as the airlines decided to cash in on the surge in demand for tickets ahead of Diwali. The flight fares to major metro cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, saw a fourfold increase. 

Tickets were sold for as much as ₹30,000 to Delhi, against the regular fare of ₹7,000. Flight fares to Mumbai soared to ₹20,000, while the regular fare would be around ₹4,000. The tickets to Kolkata cost ₹22,000, while destinations such as Guwahati also saw a surge in ticket fares up to ₹21,000. 

Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu had instructed airlines not to hike ticket fares to unreasonably high amounts during festivals. He directed the tariff monitoring unit of the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) to maintain a strict watch on airfares and requested passengers to register complaints on high airfares on AirSewa, the ministry’s passenger grievance redress portal. 

Apart from metros, fares have been hiked manifold to intra-state destinations such as Trichy, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Salem. The Indian Air Passengers’Association has denounced the practice as unfair and unjust. “There should be a cap on airfares during festival seasons to keep flight journeys accessible to all people,” said the association president Sankar.

Why airlines are cracking down on power banks — Emirates’ latest move explained

Why airlines are cracking down on power banks — Emirates’ latest move explained

 Emirates Power Bank Ban October 2025, Airline Flight Rules Update: Starting October 1, 2025, Emirates passengers will not be allowed to use power banks during flights. Written by Shubham Chhabra October 1, 2025 20:33 IST Follow Us

Emirates Power Bank Ban 2025: New rules for flyers from October 1.

Travellers on Emirates flights will no longer be allowed to use power banks in the cabin starting October 1, 2025. Under the new policy, passengers may carry one power bank up to 100 watt-hours in their hand luggage, but it must remain switched off throughout the flight. Charging devices using power banks or the aircraft’s in-seat outlets is strictly prohibited.

Behind the Ban Emirates stated the decision followed a safety review. “The use of power banks has grown significantly in recent years, leading to more battery-related incidents in aviation. This measure aims to reduce such risks,” the airline said.

The airline highlighted that growing reliance on power banks has contributed to a rise in lithium battery-related incidents in aviation. By restricting their use, Emirates aims to reduce risks linked to overheating or malfunctioning batteries.

Safety Concerns Prompt New Rule Emirates said the restriction comes after a safety review. “The use of power banks has grown significantly in recent years, leading to more battery-related incidents in aviation. This measure aims to reduce such risks,” the airline explained.

The airline noted that frequent use of portable chargers has contributed to a rise in lithium battery-related hazards, such as overheating or malfunction. By banning in-flight usage, Emirates hopes to lower the risk of potential incidents.

Storage Guidelines for Passengers

Passengers must ensure that their power banks have clearly visible capacity labels and can only be stored under the seat or in the seat pocket ahead—not in overhead bins. Emirates also reminded travellers that aircraft are equipped with charging ports, so devices should be fully charged before boarding, especially on longer journeys.

Power banks, commonly used for smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and even laptops, typically contain lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which can be hazardous if damaged or misused.

Global Rules Back Up Restriction 

Worldwide aviation authorities, including FAA, TSA, CAA, and IATA, already regulate power bank use. Generally, devices must be in hand luggage and not exceed 100Wh (about 27,000mAh). Some carriers allow power banks up to 160Wh with prior permission, but anything beyond that is prohibited. Emirates’ policy enforces stricter limits to maximize safety.

Travellers should check that their power banks are undamaged and for personal use only, and charge all devices before travel, as airport or in-seat outlets remain the only charging options.

IndiGo Airlines Adds New International Flights from Mumbai with 787 IndiGo Airlines Adds New International Flights from Mumbai with 787

The direct Mumbai to Copenhagen flight reduces travel time by eliminating layovers in European hubs such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Doha.

By

Mahesh Darkunde

September 16, 20253 Mins Read

IndiGo's first-ever long-haul flight to Manchester with B787-9 pushback at Mumbai Airport | Photo: IndiGo

GURGAON-

IndiGo Airlines (6E)

will launch direct international flights from Mumbai (BOM) to Copenhagen (CPH) starting October 8, 2025. The route marks the airline’s first entry into Scandinavia, expanding its European network and improving access for Indian travelers.

The service will operate three times weekly using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, leased on a wet lease from. 

Norse Atlantic Airways (N0)

. This move underscores IndiGo’s focus on scaling up its international long-haul operations.

Photo: AeroConcepts

IndiGo New International Flights

The Mumbai to Copenhagen route provides a non-stop connection between India’s financial hub and Denmark’s capital city.

Flights will depart Mumbai at 04:35 IST and arrive in Copenhagen at 10:05 local time. Return flights are scheduled to depart at 12:30 and land in Mumbai just past midnight.

Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers highlighted that this marks IndiGo’s 44th international destination. With Copenhagen as a new hub, the airline now serves 138 destinations worldwide.

The route also positions Denmark as a gateway to the Nordic region, improving travel links between India and Scandinavia.

Over 180 passengers travelling from Dubai to Kochi, stranded at Coimbatore airport

Over 180 passengers travelling from Dubai to Kochi, stranded at Coimbatore airport

The flight was scheduled to land in Kochi at 8:30 pm on Friday night, but weather conditions forced it to divert to Coimbatore airport, where it landed around 9:30 pm.

SpiceJet flight image used for representational purposes only.(File Photo | PTI)

Express News Service

Updated on:

17 Aug 2025, 7:46 am

COIMBATORE: Tension gripped Coimbatore airport late on Friday night after more than 180 passengers of a private airline, traveling from Dubai to Kochi, were stranded without proper arrangements for food, accommodation, and onward travel.

A SpiceJet flight from Dubai to Kochi, carrying 184 passengers, including children, women, and heart patients, departed from Dubai at 2:20 pm on Friday after a 55-minute delay. The flight was scheduled to land in Kochi at 8:30 pm on Friday night, but weather conditions forced it to divert to Coimbatore airport, where it landed around 9:30 pm.

The stranded passengers immediately sought help from airline staff, demanding basic amenities such as water, food, and transportation to Kochi. After a significant delay, the private airline arranged bus facilities only at 2:30 am on Saturday morning. However, many distressed passengers, according to sources, had already left for Kerala by hiring private vehicles.

"All 184 of us reached Dubai airport around 9 am on Friday, as our boarding time was 12:25 pm. The flight, which was supposed to depart at 1:25 pm, was delayed by an hour and was expected to reach Kochi by 8:30 pm. However, the cabin crew informed us that we were landing at Coimbatore due to adverse weather conditions, and we arrived around 9:30 pm. We were kept in the aircraft for about an hour, hoping the flight would immediately return to Kochi. An hour later, the crew informed us that they could not fly to Kochi as the weather had worsened and said they would arrange bus facilities for us to reach Kerala by road. However, they failed to make any such arrangements," said Resmi Printo, a freelance journalist from Kerala who works in the UAE.

"Upset with their response, the passengers began to question them, but the staff did not know what to do. After a heated argument, someone finally arranged two buses at 3 am. on Saturday, and about 50 people boarded them to get to Kerala. I reached my hometown, Athani in Thrissur, at 6.30 am. on Saturday, and those going to Kochi took even longer. The journey was incredibly difficult, as it took about 20 hours without proper food or a place to stay. Women, children, and heart patients had an even harder time. Only about one-third of the passengers used the buses. The rest left for Kerala by hiring private vehicles," Resmi added.

When questioned, a senior official stated the private airline had closed its office after it withdrew its services from Coimbatore and did not have staff there. The airline is currently establishing a new unit, hoping to resume service in a couple of months. The official explained that the lack of staff and proper links with hotels and other necessary services caused their failure to handle the passengers appropriately.

"We consistently insist that all flight operators arrange basic facilities for their passengers. In this case, they failed to do so," the officer said.

The flight departed for Kochi at 3pm on Saturday, a senior official at Coimbatore airport said.