Air India

According to airline officials, the transaction makes Air India the first scheduled carrier to have acquired an aircraft from an entity registered in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The A350-900 is also the first widebody aircraft to have been leased through India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).

"There will be travel restrictions in Delhi between 7th and 11th September 2023. As a measure of goodwill, passengers holding confirmed ticket to fly to or from Delhi on these dates are being offered a one-time waiver of applicable charges, if they wish to change their date of travel or their flight. Only the fare difference for the rescheduled flight, if any, would be applicable," Air India said on 'X' (formerly Twitter).

His message comes days after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had suspended simulators training for A320 pilots at Air India's Hyderabad facility and Boeing pilots at the Tata Group-owned airline's Mumbai facility.

This significant development opens the door for Air India to potentially become India's largest international carrier and the second-largest domestic carrier, trailing only IndiGo.

"The airline has now received regulatory approvals to operate its flights under the ‘Air India Express’ branding. This development marks a significant fast-tracking of the integration efforts, including harmonisation of customer touch points, products, and services across both airlines," the airline said in a statement. 

The purchase agreements were signed on the sidelines of the ongoing Paris Air Show. Air India's orders include 34 A350-1000, six A350-900, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing 777X widebody aircraft, as well as 140 Airbus A320neo, 70 Airbus A321neo and 190 Boeing 737MAX narrowbody aircraft.

The decision came after the airline received a complaint from the cabin crew, who raised concerns about the violation of cockpit regulations. In response to the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that they are aware of the issue, and appropriate measures are being implemented in accordance with established procedures.

"Air India flight AI180, scheduled to operate from San Francisco (SFO) to Mumbai (BOM) on June 8, was cancelled due to an unforeseen technical issue. Affected guests have been offered the option of alternative flights or full refund for the cancelled flight," an Air India spokesperson said.

"We will fully refund the fare for the journey and, in addition, provide a voucher for future travel to the passengers on Air India," senior airline executive Rajesh Dogra said, while apologising to the passangers in a letter. On Tuesday, Air India flight AI173, from Delhi to San Francisco, was forced to divert and make an emergency landing at Magadan airport due to a technical issue with one of its engines.

The flight, carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members, encountered the problem mid-flight, prompting the pilot to take immediate action to ensure the safety of all onboard. Air India officials assured the passengers that alternate travel arrangements would be made to ensure they reach their destinations as soon as possible.