Latest news with #Boeing787Dreamliner
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Business
- Mint
Air India bookings down 20 pc; fares dip up to 15 pc after Dreamliner crash
Air India flight bookings have dipped by around 20 per cent on international as well as domestic routes, while average fares have dropped by 8 to 15 oer cent as an effect of the Ahmedabad plane crash last week, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) President Ravi Gosain said on Friday as per a report. The Air India plane crash on June 12 shocked the nation as AI-171 carrying 242 passengers and crew members crashed in Ahmedabad. All on board expect one died on the spot, with the total death toll being pegged at over 270 considering that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a residential building in the Meghaninagar area of the city shortly after takeoff. An Air India spokesperson did not respond to a query seeking comments from the airline, PTI reported. "Following the unfortunate incident involving Air India, we have observed a temporary decline in bookings, particularly on international sectors. While the exact percentage varies by route, our estimates indicate a dip of around 18–22 per cent on international bookings and a 10–12 per cent decline domestically in the immediate aftermath. However, this appears to be a short-term sentiment-driven reaction, as confidence typically stabilizes over time," Gosain was quoted as saying by PTI. IATO president Ravi Gosain also informed that a moderate fare adjustment had been observed across key routes of Air India, dropping by up to 12 per cent on domestic routes and 15 per cent on international ones. "On an average, ticket prices have reduced by 8–12 per cent on domestic sectors where the airline competes directly with low cost carriers like IndiGo and Akasa. On international routes, especially to Europe and Southeast Asia, fares have seen a drop of 10–15 per cent, depending on route occupancy and competition. These reductions are mix of promotional strategies and yield correction due to lowered demand," Gosain told the news agency. Asked whether there have been cancellations by travellers for Air India flights booked via tour operators, the IATO president said, "Yes, we have witnessed a noticeable rise in cancellations, particularly from corporate and high-end leisure travellers who prefer to switch to alternative carriers". He informed that the increase in cancellations was 15–18 per cent internationally, and 8–10 per cent domestically over the past week. However, this trend may normalise in the coming days as no systemic safety issue has been reported and authorities like DGCA reaffirm Air India's compliance with international safety standards. Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) General Secretary Rajiv Mehra also shared that an up to 20 per cent decline in bookings has been observed for Air India flights while the fares have turned cheaper by about 10 per cent on certain sectors where there is high competition with other carriers. "As far as Air India is concerned, fares are around 10 per cent cheaper for both domestic and international routes than other airlines on certain sectors. Besides, there is a 15-20 per cent decline in new bookings for Air India flights on domestic as well as international routes after the crash," Mehra said. He asserted that all airlines have to pull up their socks as far as aircraft maintenance is concerned, to ensure passengers.
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Told to change statement, then fired: Air India whistleblowers write to PM Modi
New Delhi: In a dramatic turn following the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, two former senior cabin crew members wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging they were wrongfully terminated last year after raising alarm over technical issues in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The letter claimed that, "the said accident was waiting to happen as our various statements and contentions relating to the technical aspects and defects in the Aircraft – (Dreamliner Aircraft B787/8 Series), were deliberately pulled under the carpet, ignored, overlooked or not considered seriously for reasons best known to Air India Ltd management (AI) and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ....." The crew claimed the crash was 'waiting to happen,' and that their repeated warnings about aircraft defects -- especially a 2024 incident involving Dreamliner VT-ANQ -- were ignored by Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to the letter, the door's slide raft had deployed on landing in London without manual input, a claim initially supported by the pilot and crew. However, the signatories allege they were later pressured to change their statements, and when they refused, they were sacked without a proper enquiry. "We fail to understand why an informal discussion instead of an impartial full-fledged enquiry was sought to be conducted by DGCA, the Regulatory Authority, when such a grave incident relating to passenger and crew safety was reported", it said. Calling it their "last hope," the crew seeks the Prime Minister's intervention to reinstate them and investigate the Dreamliner's safety record. A day after this letter was shot off, Air India on Friday told IANS that the said cabin crew members were terminated for their 'misconduct and behaviour and continuing to falsify critical information during the course of an investigation'. 'The said investigation was launched after an emergency slide was activated while opening the aircraft door post landing,' said the airline in a statement. This matter now reignites the tensions within the airline and its employees and measures on air travel safety.
India Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
India, England players wear black armbands, mourn Air India crash victims in Leeds
England and India wore black armbands in the first Test at Headingley, as a mark of respect to the victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad in June. India captain Shubman Gill, his England counterpart Ben Stokes and the rest of their teammates were seen wearing black armbands as they entered the iconic venue for the customary pre-match two teams observed a minute's silence before the start of play on Friday, June 20."Both teams will wear black armbands today as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash," England cricket board said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible events that took place in Ahmedabad last week".ENG vs IND, 1st Test: UpdatesBefore the start of the Test match, India players wore black armbands during an intra-squad practice match in Beckenham and mourned the loss of lives in the plane crash. A London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into the campus of a medical college and burst into flames on June 12. All but one of the 242 passengers and crew on board the flight (AI 171) and another 29 people, including five MBBS students, on the ground were killed.A perfectly observed minutes morning we remember those lost in the tragic Air India crash last week. England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 20, 2025advertisementA GOOD BATTING WICKET: GILLSpeaking at the toss, newly-appointed captain Shubman Gill was not too bothered after losing the toss, as he believed that the surface looked like one for the batters after the first session."We would've bowled first as well, you know. It's been a dry summer, hopefully there's going to be a little bit in the first session, but I think it's going to be a good batting wicket after that," Gill commented."Great day, you know, the sun is out and it's looking like a good batting day for us," he on the preparations, Gill was confident in the side after their practice games and the intra-squad match. He backed the team to be in the right space to open their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign for the 2025-2027 season on a positive."Preparation has been, you know, amazing. We were practising in Beckenham for the past 10 days we had a practice game. I think all the boys are feeling in a good space physically and mentally," he EASWARAN, ARSHDEEP FOR 1ST TESTIndia handed Sai Sudharsan a debut in Leeds and brought back Karun Nair, who returned to the Test XI for the first time since March 2017. Prasidh Krishna joined Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as the third frontline pacer for the series revealed that they have opted for a four-man fast-bowling attack with Ravindra Jadeja being the lone-spinner. Shardul Thakur was picked as the second all-rounder in the XI."We've gone with three fast bowlers and Shardul (Thakur) bhai, Sai (Sudharsan) makes his debut, and Karun comes back in." Gill also clarified that Sudharsan would come in at Playing 11 for Headingley Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(wk), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
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Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Weeks before Air India crash, Parliament panel flagged funding shortfall
A report tabled by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism, Transport and Culture on March 25 had flagged 'a distinct imbalance in the allocation of funds across key aviation bodies'. The crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12 has now thrust those warnings back into the public eye. In the 2025–26 Budget Estimate, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was allocated ₹30 crore — nearly half of the ₹65 crore total budget set aside for aviation regulatory and safety bodies. In contrast, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), responsible for probing air crashes, received ₹20 crore, while the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which oversees airport security, was allotted only ₹15 crore. The parliamentary panel expressed concern over this disproportionate distribution. It recommended a reassessment of the DGCA's large share to ensure greater efficiency and accountability, especially as the AAIB and BCAS are critical to handling emergencies and securing the country's expanding aviation infrastructure. Is India's airport growth outpacing its aviation safety budget? Since 2014, India's operational airports have doubled from 74 to 147, with a target of 220 by 2025–26. The panel cautioned that expanding services to Tier-II and Tier-III cities under the Udan scheme must be matched by proportional increases in funding for security and accident investigation. 'It is imperative to assess whether these funds are adequate to strengthen security infrastructure and enhance investigative capabilities. As aviation expands to Tier-II and Tier-III cities under the modified Udan scheme, security infrastructure and capabilities must be extended proportionally,' the report stated. How is understaffing affecting DGCA, BCAS, and AAI performance? The report also highlighted chronic vacancies across key aviation agencies: 53 per cent of sanctioned posts lie vacant in the DGCA, 35 per cent in BCAS, and 17 per cent in the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Committee members warned that understaffing could undermine safety reforms, even if budgets were increased. 'The committee is deeply concerned that chronic understaffing in these institutions could undermine safety, security, and service delivery standards, particularly as air traffic volumes continue to rise. The committee urges the Ministry of Civil Aviation to expedite the recruitment process to fill vacancies across DGCA, BCAS, and AAI, ensuring that regulatory oversight, security enforcement, and airport operations are not compromised,' the report said. What happened during the Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad? Flight AI-171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into the campus of BJ Medical College minutes after take-off, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and crew, as well as 24 people on the ground. Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders; a preliminary report from the AAIB is awaited. Tata Group, owner of Air India, has announced ₹1 crore compensation for each victim's family. Will Parliament boost aviation safety budgets after the Air India crash? Parliamentarians are expected to revisit the committee's recommendations during the upcoming monsoon session. Whether the tragic lessons from Ahmedabad will translate into bigger budgets and faster hiring for AAIB and BCAS will be watched closely by India's aviation industry — now the world's third-largest.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Air India fares drop after Boeing 787 crash; fleet inspections lead to flight cancellations and reduced operations
Representative image Air India fares have fallen significantly across both domestic and international routes following the crash of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner last week. Data from travel platform ixigo showed a sharp drop in Advance Purchase Days (APD) fares, tickets bought between zero and fifteen days before travel, compared to the previous week. The analysis compared average one-way fares for the June 13–19 period with those from June 6–12. According to an ET report, on international routes, several key sectors recorded decreases. Fares from New Delhi to Kuala Lumpur dropped by 16% to Rs 11,389. Other routes, such as Dubai and Sydney, saw 5% declines, while fares to Melbourne dropped 2%. A 1% drop was noted on some flights from Mumbai. Routes to Germany, Hong Kong, and Australia also saw falling fares, while ticket prices to the UK increased, ET reported quoting Online Travel Agency (OTA). Bengaluru-Hyderabad fares fell 24% to ₹3,314. Similar declines were seen on Bengaluru-Pune (22%), Bengaluru-Chennai (22%), New Delhi-Ahmedabad (21%), and Mumbai-Chennai (21%) routes. Smaller drops were observed in New Delhi-Hyderabad (2%) and Mumbai-Ahmedabad (1%). Meanwhile, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson in a statement said that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed underwent a major check in June 2023, with the next due in December 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 70대 혈당, 퉁퉁붓던 발등"이것" 2주 먹었더니..즉각 개선효과! 5070 혈당케어 더 알아보기 Undo The right engine was overhauled in March, and the left was inspected in April. "Both the aircraft and engines were regularly monitored, showing no issues before the flight," he said. Air India is inspecting its entire fleet of 33 Dreamliner aircraft, following a directive from the civil aviation regulator. So far, checks on 26 planes have been completed. As a result of these inspections, along with airspace closures and night-time restrictions, the airline has cancelled some flights. Wilson said that Air India will cut international widebody operations by 15% from June 20 through mid-July to ensure more backup aircraft are available. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
