CIVIL AVIATION UPDATES

GOVERNMENT & POLICY

Pucca helipad every 45 km, airport every 150 km under new policy-
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that under the state's
new civil aviation policy, a 'pucca' helipad will be built in every 45 km radius
and an airport in every 150 km radius. He was speaking during a dialogue
with industrialists in Indore during the 'Invest Madhya Pradesh - Global
Investors Summit' organised in Bhopal on February 24 and 25. The cabinet
headed by Yadav approved the Madhya Pradesh Civil Aviation Policy-
2025. Talking about it, the CM said, "As per the policy, a pucca helipad will
be built in every 45 km radius and an airport in every 150 km radius across
the state." The state government will provide a grant of Rs 7.50 lakh on
every new domestic flight connecting Madhya Pradesh to other states of
the country through new routes and Rs 10 lakh on every new international
flight to aviation companies. Tenders will be called soon to start helicopter
service to connect Indore, Ujjain and Omkareshwar. The cabinet headed by
Yadav also approved the new Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSME) Development Policy of the state. Listing various provisions of this
policy, he said the interests of the investors who set up a small industry
with an investment of more than Rs 2.50 crore will also be
protected. Industrial areas developed by industrialists at private level will
also get all the benefits and facilities, which are provided to industrial areas
developed by the state government. To promote industrial development in
western Madhya Pradesh, a metropolitan authority will soon be announced
which will include a total area of 10,000 square kilometres of Indore, Ujjain,
Dewas, Dhar and Shajapur districts. The chief minister said that for the
Simhastha fair to be held in Ujjain in 2028, different communities can
permanently construct their 'dharamshalas', ashrams and dining halls in an
area of 2,300 hectares, which will also benefit the devotees coming to this
religious event.
The Indian aviation sector continues to soar, and the best is yet to
come- Over the past decade, Indian aviation has experienced significant
growth, with the number of airports more than doubling from 74 to nearly
160, aircraft fleet size increasing from 400 to over 800, and annual
passenger traffic rising from 120 million to over 236 million. In 2024, India
recorded the world’s second-highest domestic air traffic growth and
surpassed Spain and the UK to become the third-largest aviation market.
With new airports like Jewar and Navi Mumbai set to open and expansions
at major hubs nearing completion, the summer of 2025 is expected to mark
a transformative phase, potentially boosting allied sectors such as cargo,
air navigation services, MRO, and ground handling. Key policy initiatives
like the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) under the National Civil
Aviation Policy (NCAP 2016) have improved regional access, enabling over
15 million passengers to fly on previously underserved routes. The
privatisation of major airports and the national carrier has led to increased
capital infusion, operational efficiency, and improved service standards.
Looking ahead, India aspires to become a global aviation hub by 2030, with
a focus on world-class infrastructure, sustainable practices, digital
integration, and streamlined airspace management through systems like
GAGAN. Strengthening cargo and MRO sectors, boosting domestic
aerospace manufacturing under 'Make in India', deepening aircraft leasing
markets, and accelerating the drone ecosystem are also crucial elements.
Further, enhancing the aviation talent pipeline through partnerships with
academic and training institutions, promoting sustainability with SAF
targets, and improving passenger experience through safety, affordability,
and grievance redressal remain key priorities. With robust stakeholder
collaboration and policy support, India’s aviation industry is poised for
breakout global growth.

200 aircraft leased out from Gift City-Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan
Naidu said that the government was keen on developing an aircraft leasing
ecosystem in the country, and several companies have set up bases in
Gujarat's GIFT City, which has already leased 200 aircraft. Replying to
supplementaries in the Lok Sabha, the minister highlighted that the
government was also working on bringing down aircraft leasing costs. The
minister said the government would bring in a new law to ratify the
Capetown Convention which will reduce the leasing costs of aircraft by 8-
10 per cent. The reduction in leasing costs would also result in more planes
and lower airfares for passengers, he added. The government has also
rolled out various tax incentives for companies leasing out aircraft and the
easing of DGCA rules to import such aircraft into the country. He cited the
examples of Ireland, Singapore, and Dubai as major hubs for leasing
aircraft that India could follow. The minister also highlighted the rapid
growth in the Indian civil aviation sector. He said that the government was
encouraging more airlines to enter the Indian civil market, and the UDAN
scheme had led to even smaller airlines starting operations.He said that
GIFT City will give India’s aviation sector the further required confidence,
commitment and collaboration to develop a competitive aircraft leasing hub.
The minister further stated that aircraft leasing is a key financial innovation
that India’s growing civil aviation sector needs. Fuelled by the UDAN
scheme and doubling of India’s airports in 10 years, India has become the
3rd largest domestic aviation market in the world, he emphasised. The
Minister also stated that by 2047, the Government is planning to build 350
airports, out of which 34 will function as mega airports handling two crore
passengers annually. "In the next five years, we are planning to build 50
more airports," he said.

Delhi airport operator sues government over defence airbase flights-

The operator of the Indian capital's international airport, majority owned by
GMR Airports is suing the government for allowing commercial flights from
a nearby defence aerodrome, flagging financial risks, legal papers showed.
The airport in Delhi is one of India's busiest, with about 73.6 million
passengers last year, although it made a loss of $21 million because of
higher government fees. As more and more Indians fly, airports are a
lucrative business for the likes of GMR and billionaire Gautam Adani who
also operates in the sector. The Delhi airport will become "economically
and financially unviable", after the government permitted commercial flights
from the airbase, DIAL said in the March 10 lawsuit. In the lawsuit, which
Reuters was the first to report, DIAL told the Delhi High Court that the
government had breached aviation rules barring a new airport within an
aerial distance of 150 km (90 miles) of an existing one, unless there was
passenger demand. The Hindon Airport operates over 120 flights weekly,
India's Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court on Monday as the
judge asked the government to file written responses to DIAL's plea. India's
civil aviation ministry did not respond to e-mails seeking comment. Shares
of GMR Airports fell as much as 0.7% after the case was reported.The
state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI), which operates the Hindon facility
in Ghaziabad, also has a stake and three board seats in DIAL. DIAL said
AAI had a conflict of interest as it was privy to confidential information on
DIAL's business practices and strategies. DIAL wants the court to overturn
the government's decision, citing media reports for its contention that flights
by Air India Express began operating in March from the Hindon Airforce
Station, about 30 km (19 miles) from the Delhi airport.

Potential Violation Of Citizenry’s Fundamental Right To Live

Progressive, Meaningful & Dignified Life: Rajasthan High Court Issues
Directions For Development Of Aviation Infrastructure In Jodhpur-The
Rajasthan High Court has issued directions for the development of the
aviation infrastructure in Jodhpur while observing that the lackadaisical
approach of the concerned aviation planners has opened doorways for
potential violation of the citizenry’s fundamental right to live a progressive,
meaningful and dignified life. The Court noted that the matter had been
pending for the last nine years due to the “lackluster response” of the
aviation policy and the stakeholders involved. “This Court finds that the
issue regarding the current state of affairs vis-a-vis the dismayed conditions
of facilities in the aviation sector is attributable to the slow pace of the
infrastructural development, extension of timelines (one after another) for
the said purpose and the lack of concrete decisions,” the Bench further
noted. A Division Bench of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice
Chandra Prakash Shrimali remarked, “It is with a heavy heart, this Court
observes that the aforementioned is not just an infrastructural issue; rather,
the lackadaisical approach of the concerned aviation planners which has
opened doorways for potential violation of the citizenry’s fundamental right
under Article 21 to live a progressive meaningful and dignified life.”

South Africa Eyes Direct flights to India in 2025 with Major Visa
Reforms- The South African Tourism Board is making an aggressive push
into the Indian travel industry. The country has unveiled groundbreaking
strategies at its highly anticipated 2025 India Roadshow. Set to take place
from March 18th to 20th across Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai, the event
marks a pivotal moment in the deepening tourism and trade ties between
the two nations. This year’s power-packed roadshow is set to introduce
visa system reforms, MICE tourism expansion, and potential direct flight
routes, reshaping how Indian travelers experience the Rainbow Nation. The
growing Indian outbound travel sector has positioned India as one of South
Africa’s most critical source markets. This event signals major opportunities
for trade partners, travel agents, and tourism operators.

India, Australia agree to deepen interoperability across maritime, land

and air domains- India and Australia agreed to further deepen cooperation
and interoperability across maritime, land and air domains, including
working with multilateral partners. Besides, the two countries also decided
to focus on cooperation in maritime domain awareness, reciprocal
information sharing, industry and science and technology collaboration
aside from “exchanges including deployments from each other’s territories”.
This was agreed in the 9th India-Australia defence policy talks held in New
Delhi. The Indian delegation was headed by Joint Secretary Amitabh
Prasad, while the Australian side was led by First Assistant Secretary
International Policy Division, Department of Defence, Australia, Bernard
Philip. The previous edition of the talks was held in 2023. The ninth edition
of India-Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on March 17,
2025. The Indian delegation was headed by Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh
Prasad, while the Australian side was led by First Assistant Secretary
International Policy Division, Department of Defence Australia Mr Bernard
Philip.
Both sides welcomed sustained progress in bilateral defence cooperation,
including the growing frequency and complexity of defence exercises &
exchanges. It included several first-time milestones, finalisation of key
agreements and participation in each other’s major defence trade
expositions.
The meeting reviewed defence outcomes of second Ministerial Foreign and
Defence Ministers’ 2+2 in November 2023, inter-sessional 2+2
consultations at Secretary-level in October 2024 and the second Annual
Leaders’ Summit in November 2024. The discussions focused on
cooperation priorities including maritime domain awareness, reciprocal
information sharing, industry and science and technology collaboration and
exercises and exchanges including deployments from each other’s
territories. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global
issues of mutual interest.
India and Australia are committed to working together to promote a
peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The two sides agreed
on priorities and preparations for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to be
held in Australia in 2025. They reiterated their commitment to work on
formulating long-term vision of defence and security collaboration between
the two countries as envisioned by both Prime Ministers to enhance
collective strength, contribute to both countries’ security and make an
important contribution to regional peace and security.
Both countries also explored the possibilities of defence industry
collaboration. They called upon the respective agencies on both sides for
acceleration cooperation in field of defence science and technology
collaboration. They also agreed to further deepen cooperation and
interoperability across maritime, land and air domains, including working
with multilateral partners.Over the years, defence has emerged as an
important pillar of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic partnership. The
eighth edition of Defence Policy Talks was held in 2023. As part of the visit,
the Australian delegation will visit Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in
Mumbai. The Australian co-chair will call on Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh
Kumar Singh on March 18, 2025.

Air India Express Hindon Airport Expansion: A Masterstroke - TATA

Group-owned low-cost carrier, Air India Express (IX), continues to expand
its operations from Hindon Airport (HDO). The airline is increasing its
presence, reinforcing itself as a key player in regional connectivity. The
airline is increasing its network from Hindon further to seven destinations,
enhancing accessibility from the National Capital Region (NCR). The
expansion has led to a legal dispute between Delhi International Airport
Limited (DIAL) and the Union government regarding commercial operations
at Hindon Airport. Air India Express is doubling its presence at Hindon, with
new connections to major cities across India. The most recent additions
include a four-weekly service to Mumbai (BOM), which started on
10th March 2025. Over the next few days, the airline will continue to add
more flights. New services to Chennai, Jammu, and Bhubaneswar are all
set to take off. The airline will continue operating flights to Bengaluru
(BLR), Kolkata (CCU), Goa (GOI). This expansion will enhance travel
options for passengers. Particularly for those in the NCR looking for
alternatives to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).

AAI team to assess sites for Bengaluru's second airport - An Airports

Authority of India (AAI) team is scheduled to visit in April sites identified by
the Karnataka government and assess their suitability for Bengaluru's
second international airport, Industries & Infrastructure Development
Minister M B Patil. The AAI team will visit the state between April 7 and 9,
Patil said. Karnataka has shortlisted two locations situated along
Kanakapura Road and a third one on Kunigal Road in Nelamangala.
In its communication to the civil aviation ministry, Karnataka said it is ready
to provide 4,500 acres of land at any of the shortlisted locations near the
city.
Patil said the Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development
Corporation (KSIIDC) has paid Rs 1.21 crore to he AAI towards inspection
charges. "We have already prepared documents such as the revenue map
of these sites, 10 years of weather reports, detailed images of geographic
features, maps from the Survey of India and operational details of the
proposed airport," "The AAI team is not coming to accord permission. They
will just say whether or not the sites are suitable. After that, it is the state
government that decides on viability," Patil specified.

Landmark ruling orders AAI to pay Aer Lingus INR10m in costs-

Bombay City Civil Court has significantly shaped aviation law and
operational liabilities in its landmark ruling on 3 January 2025 in a
commercial suit, Airports Authority of India v Aer Lingus Ltd, that began in
1997.Bombay City Civil Court delivered its verdict in commercial suit No.
1143 of 2024 (formerly HC suit No. 366 of 1997). K Singhania & Co
represented Ireland’s flag carrier Aer Lingus. The team successfully argued
that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had no legal basis to recover
landing and parking charges from Aer Lingus as the owner/lessor of aircraft
leased to East-West Airlines, which is currently in liquidation. The court
deemed AAI’s claims vexatious, imposing INR10 million (USD115,633) in
exemplary costs and INR5 million in litigation expenses, both with 9%
interest per annum. It also ordered AAI to reimburse the INR9.625 million
that Aer Lingus spent to maintain a bank guarantee for 27 years, again with
interest. The judgment clarified that the liability for operational charges lies
solely with airline operators under the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994,
dismissing claims against aircraft as they are neither natural nor juristic
persons.Managing partner Krrishan Singhania led the K Singhania team in
Mumbai, which included advocates Srishti Singhania and Anjana Devi, and
supporting advocate Archana Deshmukh, who was arguing counsel.

HC orders AAI to give height clearance NOC for SRA project in

Chembur- The appellate committee had already approved the height, and
it cannot be reversed owing to minor discrepancies in undertakings and
certificates, the court clarified, The Bombay high court has directed the
Airport Authority of India (AAI) to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) for
height clearance to developers undertaking a slum rehabilitation project in
Chembur. The appellate committee had already approved the height, and it
cannot be reversed owing to minor discrepancies in undertakings and
certificates, the court clarified. Three developers – Paradigm Dotom
Buildheights LLP, Jai Bhagwati Developers & Builders, and RK Madhani &
Co – are jointly executing a slum rehabilitation project on a plot measuring
13,494.83 square metres in Chembur. The developers had applied for an
NOC from AAI and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), seeking
sanction for the permissible top elevation of the buildings at 84.92 metres
above mean sea level (AMSL). The application was approved by the
appellate committee of the ministry of civil aviation in 2015, subject to filing
of an undertaking. However, the NOC was subsequently refused due to a
few technical deficiencies. The ministry of civil aviation, on December 17,
2020, notified GSR 770E under “the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height
Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Amendment Rules,
2020”, subjecting the developers to acquire a revised NOC. The developers
approached the AAI, saying if the height of 84.92 metres was not utilised,
three floors of rehabilitation and sale buildings would be reduced and
rehabilitation of approximately 142 slum dwellers would be affected. But the
AAI refused to give approval citing time lapse and changes in rules,
prompting the developers to approach the Bombay high court. Senior
advocate Dr Virendra Tulzapurkar, representing the developers, submitted
that the NOC could not be denied to them since they had fulfilled the basic
terms and conditions required for the approval of the height of 84.92
metres.
 MINISTRY
India will need 30,000 pilots in 15-20 years, says Civil Aviation
Minister Naidu-India will need 30,000 pilots in the next 15-20 years as
domestic airlines have more than 1,700 planes on order as they expand
their network, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said. Asserting
that the ministry is working with a collective approach for the aviation
industry, he also said that officials are verifying various aspects of 38 Flying
Training Organisations (FTOs) and these organisations will be rated. The
Minister was speaking at a function to mark the signing of a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) for an order for 200 trainer aircraft. Indian airlines
have placed orders for more than 1,700 aircraft and currently, there are
over 800 planes, Mr. Naidu said. Presently, there are 6,000-7,000 working
pilots and the country will need 30,000 pilots in the next 15 to 20 years, the
minister said and also pitched for making India a training hub. According to
the minister, efforts are being made to categorise airports, including the
possibility of having dedicated airports for cargo and FTOs.

AURGRF delegation meets Union Civil Aviation Minister to address

aviation safety deficiencies- A high-level delegation from the Airline
Users Rights and Grievances Redressal Forum (AURGRF) has met
Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu to address urgent
concerns regarding critical aviation safety issues. The delegation led by
chief patron N.K. Premachandran, MP highlighted serious regulatory
deficiencies, safety gaps, and lapses in compliance with international
aviation standards. The meeting emphasised that aviation safety is a
fundamental passenger right requiring immediate corrective measures. The
discussions centred on IATA operational standards and the critical need for
coordinated implementation through active industry and state collaboration
to enhance aviation safety and operational effectiveness.AURGRF
stressed the urgency of addressing aviation safety lapses, citing several
incidents that demonstrate gaps in regulatory implementation and
underscore the need for proactive safety measures to mitigate future risks.
It also emphasised the need for a proactive, preventive approach to
aviation safety, stressing the importance of addressing hazards before
incidents occur. The approach is aligned with ICAO and IATA guidelines for
operational safety and effective enforcement, as demonstrated by best
practices in the USA, Canada, the UK, and the UAE. Biji Eapen, president
of AURGRF said that the Minister assured to constitute an expert team to
conduct a thorough review of the Forum’s recommendations and respond
shortly with actionable outcomes.

No proposal for Charbatia civil aviation hub- State govt has not
submitted any proposal to the Centre for developing Charbatia in Cuttack
as a civil aviation hub or international airport, transport minister Bibhuti
Jena informed the assembly on Friday, in response to a question raised by
Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous. The disclosure comes barely two
weeks after Cuttack BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahatab wrote to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi seeking support for the project’s development. In his Feb 6
letter to the PM, Mahatab had emphasised Charbatia's strategic potential,
notin proximity to key industrial areas. "Charbatia, once a strategic airbase,
has remained underu most of the defence traffic shifted to Midnapore, West
Bengal," Mahatab wrote, highlighting within 50 km of the Nalco township
and several steel plants, and just 60 km from Paradip po Firdous termed it
a "clear reflection of the BJP govt's apathy towards Cuttack's development
BJD MP Debashish Samantaray questioned the BJP's commitment to
regional development. Urban development expert Prasil Pazare
emphasised the project's potential impact, stating th planned aviation hub
could transform Cuttack into a major logistics and transportation centre not
just about connectivity but also about enhancing Odisha's strategic
importance in the eas economic corridor," Pazare said. With increasing
industrial activities in Kalinganagar and Paradip regions, experts believe a
civi hub at Charbatia could significantly boost regional connectivity and
economic growth.

IAF Fostering Civilian Military Co-Operation With Project Udan- In a

landmark move to strengthen regional connectivity the Civilian Aviation
Ministry, launched its aircraft BOEING-737 flight from Kolkata- Hindon -
Goa on 01 March 2025. The project was inaugurated by Hon’ble Civil
Aviation Minister Mr Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu at Hindon, showcasing
exemplary civilian military coordination. Hindon airport is located in
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Due to its strategic location dual use
capabilities, military infrastructure and capacity to handle diverse air traffic,
it is a crucial asset for the nation. Introduction of flights from Hindon will go
a long way in decongesting air traffic in NCR.This flight under UDAN (Ude
Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) project is a testament to the Indian Air Force’s
commitment to supporting both military and civilian air operations,
facilitating improved access to varied locations. Beyond its core mission of
safeguarding the nation’s skies, the Indian Air Force actively contributes to
nation-building by supporting initiatives like Project UDAN, aimed at
enhancing regional air connectivity across India.

Bilateral discussions progressing on resuming India-China direct

flights-
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Tuesday said bilateral
discussions are in progress on resumption of direct flights between India
and China. Direct flights were operational between the two countries till
early 2020 before getting suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Both Indian and Chinese carriers had direct services. On January 27 this
year, India and China in-principle agreed to resume direct air services
between the two countries as part of certain people-centric steps to
"stabilise and rebuild" the bilateral ties. To a query on whether there is any
update on proposed resumption of direct flights between the two countries,
Naidu on Tuesday said, "The bilaterals are happening, once it is complete,
we can give an update". "It is an inter-country thing... bilaterals are in
progress," he added. The minister was interacting with reporters on the
sidelines of an event in the national capital. IndiGo had daily flights from
Delhi to Chengdu till February 6, 2020, and from Kolkata to Guangzhou till
February 1, 2020. Air India's flights from Delhi to Shanghai were also
suspended in early 2020.

DGCA

Amid constant complaints, DGCA directs airlines to send flyers link to

passenger rights with tickets- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA) has directed all airlines to disseminate passenger-centric
regulations and passenger rights along with air tickets, All airlines are
directed to send the online link of passenger charter available on the
Ministry of Civil Aviation in a message to the passenger (SMS/WhatsApp)
once a ticket is booked and on airline tickets and on the airline website in a
conspicuous...manner, letting passengers know their rights. This directive
comes amid regular complaints against airlines like Air India and Indigo by
both commoners and high-profile passengers. In recent days, Australian
cricketer David Warner, Member of Parliament and senior Maharashtra
politician Supriya Sule slammed Air India for unsatisfactory services. On
the other hand, cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle slammed Indigo for not
paying heed to passengers' considerations.
DGCA suspects tech error behind false hijack alarm-India’s aviation
regulator suspects a technical fault caused a false hijack alarm on an Air
India flight last month, triggering an emergency response at two of the
country’s busiest airports, two senior officials have said. The Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) believes the incident was likely caused by
a transponder malfunction on the Mumbai-bound flight from New Delhi,
according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Indian Air
Force, which first detected the alarm, has submitted its report indicating a
technical error, one of the officials said “As of now it’s appearing to be an
error in codes,” a ministry official confirmed. The incident occurred at 8.40
pm on January 27 when Air India flight AI 2957, carrying 126 passengers,
transmitted a “squawk 7500” code shortly after take-off from New Delhi’s
Indira Gandhi Airport. The emergency signal remained active for three
minutes. In aviation, transponders use four-digit codes ranging from 0000
to 7777 to identify aircraft to air traffic control. The code 7500 specifically
indicates a hijacking attempt, while 7600 signals radio failure and 7700
denotes a general emergency.Despite the pilot’s immediate notification that
it was a false alarm, authorities were compelled to follow full emergency
protocols. “How can air traffic control assume that the pilot is not being
pressured? What if he is at gunpoint?” explained a former air traffic control
official, speaking on background. The procedures included the formation of
a central committee in Delhi comprising the police, the Central Industrial
Security Force, the Airports Authority of India, the Bureau of Civil Aviation
Security, and the Air Force.In Mumbai, where the flight landed at 9.47 pm,
authorities declared a full emergency around 9.30 pm, deploying the
National Security Guard, local police, and other stakeholders. The aircraft
was directed to an isolation bay upon landing, where passengers were only
permitted to disembark after an hour-long security verification.“The pilot
repeatedly insisted that the plane had not been hijacked and that it had
been a regular flight,” a Mumbai airport official said. An Air India official
familiar with the incident said at the time there was “no indication of any
crew involvement,” suggesting a technical malfunction. Air India did not
respond to requests for comment. “Overlapping of codes is a rare
phenomenon,” a former Airports Authority of India official said. “However,
the reason for the code sent to air traffic control needs to be thoroughly
investigated.”The DGCA has requested a detailed report from the AAI
about the incident. The aviation regulator declined to comment when
contacted by HT. Aviation experts said more scrutiny may be needed. “The
incident can be possible either when someone accidentally entered the
code wrong or if there is a technical issue with the transponder of the
aircraft. The code in the ATC system will only reflect what the aircraft
sends,” said aviation expert Mohan Ranganathan. “The pilots seem void of
folly as the airline would have evaluated the FDR (flight data recorder — a
device that records various flight details like speed, altitude, engine
performance, and pilot’s actions). However, a technical glitch or a
malfunction seems like a remote possibility,” a former AAI official said,
adding: “The incident needs a thorough study”.Despite repeated attempts,
an Air India spokesperson remained unavailable for comment. Aviation
experts, however, raised questions about technical issues being the reason
for the false alarm. “The incident can be possible either when someone
accidentally entered the code wrong or if there is a technical issue with the
transponder of the aircraft. The code in the ATC system will only reflect
what the aircraft sends,” said aviation expert Mohan Ranganathan. “The
pilots seem void of folly as the airline would have evaluated the FDR (flight
data recorder — a device that records various flight details like speed,
altitude, engine performance and pilot’s actions). However, a technical
glitch or a malfunction seems like a remote possibility,” a former AAI official
said. “The incident needs a thorough study,” he added.

Air Kerala.com Eyes Takeoff by March 2025: Officials Meet with Civil
Aviation Minister and DGCA Authorities- Air Kerala.com, a promising
airline based in Kerala, is on track to commence operations by March 2025,
following a pivotal meeting between its management and India's Civil
Aviation Minister Shri: Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, along with senior
officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).This key
meeting saw discussions surrounding the airline’s operational strategies
and regulatory requirements as Air Kerala.com prepares to take flight.
Zettfly Aviation Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Air Kerala.com, has recently
appointed Mr. Harish Kutty as the airline’s CEO. "We are thrilled to have
Mr. Harish Kutty lead Air Kerala.com as CEO. His vast experience in the
aviation industry will be crucial in realizing our vision of taking to the skies
by March 2025," said Mr. Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Air Kerala.com .During
the meeting, Civil Aviation Minister Mr. Kinjarapu Ram expressed his full
support for the airline's ambitious plans, stating, “The Government is ready
to provide all necessary assistance to ensure the airline secures its
approvals and launches successfully. This marks a significant milestone for
India's aviation industry.” The Minister further praised Air Kerala.com’s
Chairman, Mr. Afi Ahmed, for his extensive experience in the travel and
tourism sector. “Mr. Afi Ahmed’s expertise will be instrumental in enhancing
Kerala’s tourism and aviation landscape,” he added. In addition, Mr. Ayub
Kallada, Vice Chairman of Air Kerala.com, highlighted the airline’s focus on
improving cargo and perishable goods transportation between Kerala and
other regions. He also discussed future plans for introducing seaplane
services to boost regional tourism in Kerala.Mr. Harish Kutty presented the
airline’s commitment to safety, operational efficiency, and top-tier service
during the meeting with the DGCA and Minister. He outlined a roadmap for
route expansions, market share growth, and strategic partnerships, all
aimed at securing Air Kerala.com’s place as a premium airline. The DGCA
and other officials at the meeting commended Air Kerala.com’s dedication
and assured full support for the airline’s regulatory approval process. With
ambitious plans backed by a strong leadership team and the support of
government authorities, Air Kerala.com is well on its way to becoming a
leading player in the aviation industry by March 2025.

DGCA directs airlines to inform passengers of rights via SMS,

WhatsApp- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has
instructed all airlines to actively inform passengers about their rights and
passenger-centric regulations. According to the DGCA's directive, airlines
must share the online link to the passenger charter, available on the
Ministry of Civil Aviation's website, via SMS or WhatsApp when a ticket is
booked. This information should be prominently displayed on airline tickets
and websites to ensure passengers are aware of their rights. The DGCA
issued this directive on March 7, requiring airlines to implement it by March
27, 2025. SpiceJet has already made the necessary updates, while other
airlines are in the process of modifying their systems to enhance
communication regarding passenger rights, including flight delays,
cancellations, denied boarding, and baggage issues. Several airlines have
confirmed that they will comply with the guidelines as soon as possible.
IndiGo has informed the regulator that passengers booking tickets can
access the passenger charter by clicking on the ‘Click Here’ link located in
the right-hand panel under the "Notes" section. This link directs them to the
DGCA's PDF file. The passenger charter is also available on IndiGo’s
website under the ‘Quick Links’ section for easy access. The DGCA and
Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, are at odds over a
directive requiring carriers to provide detailed airfare data from the past two
years. The regulator has requested comprehensive passenger fare
information, including booking dates and base fares, to examine pricing
trends following public concerns over high airfares during peak travel
periods. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), DGCA’s digitisation partner, has
been tasked with analyzing the data, However, airlines have opposed
sharing this information, arguing that it is commercially sensitive and
proprietary.

DGCA approves 25,610 weekly flights for summer schedule 2025-

DGCA approved the airline's domestic summer schedule for 2025 (effective
from 30th March 2025 till 25th October 2025). The scheduled domestic
airlines have been finalised after the slot conference meeting held in
February 2025. The final slot clearances have been received from the
respective airport operators. According to data released by the Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's scheduled domestic flight
operators carried around 1.40 crore passengers during February this year,
up from 1.26 crore in the same month of the previous year. The DGCA's
monthly passenger traffic report shows that IndiGo continues to be the
country's largest airline with a 63.7 per cent market share, flying 89.40 lakh
passengers in February 2025. IndiGo was followed by Air India Group,
including Air India Express, which carried 38.30 lakh passengers, giving the
Tata Group airline a 27.3 per cent market share. Akasa Air carried 6.59 lakh
passengers to get a 4.7 per cent share of the market pie, while Ajay Singh-
led budget airline SpiceJet flew 4.54 lakh passengers, giving it a market
share of 3.2 per cent. Among the smaller airlines, Alliance Air carried 0.86
lakh passengers in February to get a market share of 0.6 per cent, followed
by Star Air, which flew 0.60 lakh passengers, accounting for a 0.4 per cent
market share.