Latest news with #FlightDutyTimeLimitations
Canada Standard
2 days ago
- Canada Standard
Operational, regulatory, weather factors drive recent Air India disruptions: Spokesperson
By Shafali Nigam New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Amid a spate of flight disruptions, Air India has clarified that a mix of operational, regulatory, and environmental challenges--not just technical issues--are behind the recent cancellations and delays across its domestic and international network. In an official update issued on June 18, the airline detailed the status of several affected flights over the past 48 hours, citing causes ranging from inclement weather to regulatory crew duty norms and environmental hazards. According to the airline spokesperson, AI2491 from Mumbai to Lucknow, scheduled for June 17, was cancelled due to a cascading impact of flight diversions triggered by heavy rains in Delhi. The resulting delays led to the operating crew exceeding the permissible Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), forcing a cancellation on operational grounds. Similarly, AI160 from London to Ahmedabad, also on June 17, was rescheduled due to a combination of FDTL constraints and restrictions on night operations at Ahmedabad airport. Passengers were informed that a revised schedule would be communicated shortly. On June 18, AI188 from Toronto to Delhi was cancelled due to extended maintenance work, which again caused the crew to fall outside permissible duty hours. Passengers had already boarded but were safely disembarked, the airline said. AI996 from Dubai to Delhi, also scheduled for June 18, was the only flight in the update confirmed to have been cancelled due to a technical issue. Passengers on board were disembarked before departure. Meanwhile, AI2145 from Delhi to Bali was forced to return mid-flight due to reports of volcanic activity near the destination airport. 'The decision to air return was taken purely in the interest of safety,' the spokesperson noted, adding that the aircraft landed safely back in Delhi and all passengers were deboarded without incident. Air India acknowledged the inconvenience caused and assured that ground staff are actively working to make alternate travel arrangements for affected passengers. 'Full refunds or complimentary rescheduling options have been offered,' the spokesperson said. The airline also advised that due to ongoing enhanced aircraft inspections, continuing weather disturbances, and airspace restrictions, further disruptions may occur. Passengers have been urged to check real-time flight updates via the airline's website or customer care numbers. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 days ago
- India Gazette
Operational, regulatory, weather factors drive recent Air India disruptions: Spokesperson
By Shafali Nigam New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Amid a spate of flight disruptions, Air India has clarified that a mix of operational, regulatory, and environmental challenges--not just technical issues--are behind the recent cancellations and delays across its domestic and international network. In an official update issued on June 18, the airline detailed the status of several affected flights over the past 48 hours, citing causes ranging from inclement weather to regulatory crew duty norms and environmental hazards. According to the airline spokesperson, AI2491 from Mumbai to Lucknow, scheduled for June 17, was cancelled due to a cascading impact of flight diversions triggered by heavy rains in Delhi. The resulting delays led to the operating crew exceeding the permissible Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), forcing a cancellation on operational grounds. Similarly, AI160 from London to Ahmedabad, also on June 17, was rescheduled due to a combination of FDTL constraints and restrictions on night operations at Ahmedabad airport. Passengers were informed that a revised schedule would be communicated shortly. On June 18, AI188 from Toronto to Delhi was cancelled due to extended maintenance work, which again caused the crew to fall outside permissible duty hours. Passengers had already boarded but were safely disembarked, the airline said. AI996 from Dubai to Delhi, also scheduled for June 18, was the only flight in the update confirmed to have been cancelled due to a technical issue. Passengers on board were disembarked before departure. Meanwhile, AI2145 from Delhi to Bali was forced to return mid-flight due to reports of volcanic activity near the destination airport. 'The decision to air return was taken purely in the interest of safety,' the spokesperson noted, adding that the aircraft landed safely back in Delhi and all passengers were deboarded without incident. Air India acknowledged the inconvenience caused and assured that ground staff are actively working to make alternate travel arrangements for affected passengers. 'Full refunds or complimentary rescheduling options have been offered,' the spokesperson said. The airline also advised that due to ongoing enhanced aircraft inspections, continuing weather disturbances, and airspace restrictions, further disruptions may occur. Passengers have been urged to check real-time flight updates via the airline's website or customer care numbers. (ANI)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Multiple Air India flights cancelled amid safety checks, airspace restrictions
Air India flights cancel NEW DELHI: Air India on Tuesday cancelled several international flights, including services to London, Paris, San Francisco and Dubai, attributing the disruptions to airspace restrictions, safety checks, and operational constraints. The affected flights included: London-Amritsar Delhi-Dubai Bengaluru-London Mumbai-San Francisco Ahmedabad-London Gatwick Delhi-Paris In a statement, the airline clarified that flight AI159 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was cancelled due to "unavailability of the aircraft, resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks, leading to longer than usual turnaround of aircraft, and not due to any technical snag as claimed." The cancellation comes just two days after a deadly crash on the same route. Air India's Delhi-Paris service (AI143) was also cancelled after pre-flight checks identified an issue. The airline added that with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport enforcing night flight restrictions, the aircraft could not be dispatched in time. 'The mandatory pre-flight checks identified an issue which is being presently addressed,' said an airline spokesperson. Separately, a San Francisco-Mumbai flight was grounded after landing early Tuesday when a post-landing inspection raised concerns. The Airbus A321-211 aircraft (VT-PPL) had earlier faced operational delays, during which the crew exceeded their Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), prompting further delay. Additionally, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi was diverted back to Delhi on Monday due to a suspected technical issue. The Boeing 737 Max 8 resumed normal operations after inspection and clearance.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- General
- India Gazette
Air India flight grounded in Kolkata after technical issue suspected
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 17 (ANI): An Air India flight operating from San Francisco to Mumbai, with a scheduled stop in Kolkata, was grounded early Tuesday after a technical issue was suspected during a routine post-landing inspection. According to sources, all passengers were safely deplaned as a precautionary measure. On Monday, Air India's flight AI2493 from Mumbai to Ahmedabad was cancelled after facing delays caused by operational issues, eventually leading to the expiry of the crew's duty time, according to sources. The flight, which was supposed to be operated by an Airbus A321-211 aircraft (VT-PPL), was first delayed due to an unspecified operational issue. During this delay, the assigned crew reached the limit of their Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), a rule that restricts the number of hours airline crew members can work for safety reasons. Meanwhile, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi was diverted back to the national capital shortly after taking off on Monday due to a suspected technical issue. The Boeing 737 Max 8 plane was scheduled to land at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport at 6:20 PM. After the inspection and clearance, the aircraft continued its normal operations, according to an Air India spokesperson.'One of our flights returned to Delhi after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue. Post inspections and clearance, the aircraft continued scheduled operations. We regret the inconvenience,' the Air India Express spokesperson said. Earlier on Monday, an Air India flight, which was supposed to land in Delhi, was diverted back to Hong Kong after the pilot suspected a technical issue mid-air, according to sources. The AI 315 flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, had departed from Hong Kong to Delhi. According to the flight tracking site, Flight Radar 24, the Air India flight was supposed to reach Delhi by 12.20 PM. Sources said that the passengers deboarded safely and the plane is undergoing a safety check. (ANI)
News18
4 days ago
- General
- News18
Air India Mumbai-Ahmedabad Flight Cancelled As Crew Exceed Duty Time Amid Operational Delays
Last Updated: Air India's Mumbai-Ahmedabad flight was cancelled after delays led the crew to exceed their duty time limit. Amid the rising incidents involving Air India, another of the carrier's flights was cancelled on Monday after facing delays caused by operational issues, eventually leading to the expiry of the crew's duty time. News agency ANI quoted sources and reported that Air India's flight AI2493 from Mumbai to Ahmedabad was supposed to be operated by an Airbus A321-211 aircraft (VT-PPL). The flight was first delayed due to an unspecified operational issue, during which, the assigned crew reached the limit of their Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), a rule that restricts the number of hours airline crew members can work for safety reasons. Early on Tuesday, an Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai suffered a technical glitch in one of its engines. All passengers on the flight were asked to deplane at the Kolkata airport, where the flight had arrived for a layover. On Monday, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi was diverted back to the national capital shortly after taking off, due to a suspected technical issue. Before that, an Air India flight returned to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to a midair technical issue. Air India said in a statement that the New Delhi-bound plane landed in Hong Kong safely and was undergoing checks 'as a matter of abundant precaution." Airport Authority Hong Kong said in a separate statement that flight AI315 returned to the southern Chinese city's airport around 1 pm. The incidents come days after a London-bound Air India flight AI-171, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. All but one on board the plane died along with 29 on the ground when the aircraft smashed into a medical complex. The ill-fated flight was under the command of Capt Sabharwal along with First Officer Clive Kundar. While Sabharwal had 8,200 hours of flying experience, Kundar 1,100 hours, the DGCA earlier said in a statement. On Tuesday, the mortal remains of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal were brought to Mumbai. Those dead in the Ahmedabad plane crash also included Gujarat's former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was cremated with full state honours in the presence of top BJP leaders on Monday. First Published: June 17, 2025, 08:52 IST
