Travel Odyssey

Jun 17, 2025 - 12:10 PM Aviation

New air link: Ethiopian connects Hyderabad to Addis Ababa

Ethiopian Airlines has inaugurated thrice-weekly passenger flights to Hyderabad, marking its fifth destination in India. The service strengthens connectivity between Africa and India, aligning with the airline’s regional expansion strategy. The launch event in Addis Ababa signals growing demand for trade and tourism between the two regions, with Ethiopian now operating over 50 weekly services across India.

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Jun 17, 2025 - 10:32 AM Aviation

Air India ends Imphal operations, AI Express to take over

Air India has stopped its full-service operations from Imphal Airport. This decision follows operational issues at Guwahati airport. Air India Express will now operate the routes. The change aims to offer budget-friendly fares. An emotional farewell was given at Imphal International Airport. The airport acknowledged Air India's dedicated service. Air India Express is committed to continue providing service.

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Jun 17, 2025 - 09:27 AM Aviation

Airports close across the Mideast as the Israel-Iran conflict shutters the region's airspace

Escalating conflict between Iran and Israel has led to widespread airspace closures, stranding tens of thousands of travelers across the Middle East. Airports have halted flights, leaving passengers like an Afghan businessman in Iran and Israelis abroad desperate to return home. Many students are also unable to leave Iran, Iraq and elsewhere, fearing for their safety amidst the ongoing attacks.

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Jun 17, 2025 - 05:56 AM Aviation

300 Jetstar Asia employees to get jobs with SIA Group

Singapore Airlines Group will offer jobs to Jetstar Asia employees. This follows Jetstar Asia's closure on July 31. Around 100 pilots and 200 cabin crew will get roles. Jetstar Asia is shutting down due to rising costs and competition. This move by SIA supports aviation sector jobs. It offers a path for affected staff. The initiative highlights workforce redeployment importance.

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Jun 16, 2025 - 08:20 AM Aviation

SpiceJet posts record Q4 profit, marks first annual profit in seven years

SpiceJet has reported its highest-ever quarterly profit of INR 319 crore in Q4 FY25, driven by operational improvements and strong passenger demand. The airline also posted a full-year profit of INR 48 crore, marking its first profitable year since FY18. Net worth turned positive at INR 683 crore, backed by promoter equity infusion and expanding flight operations.

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Jun 16, 2025 - 07:13 AM Aviation

Plane crash: Ahmedabad-London direct flights resume; Air India retires flight number AI 171

Following the Air India flight AI 171 crash, the Ahmedabad-Gatwick direct flight is set to resume on Monday with a new flight number, AI 159. This renumbering is a standard industry practice after major accidents, aimed at providing emotional closure and restoring traveller confidence. The return journey will be designated as AI 160, operated by a Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

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Jun 15, 2025 - 09:30 AM Aviation

Airspace over Iran, Iraq remain unavailable, causing travel delays after Israel-Iran tensions

IndiGo advises of flight delays due to airspace unavailability over Iran and Iraq. This is amid tensions between Israel and Iran. Flight paths are adjusted, leading to longer travel times. Passengers should check flight status before heading to the airport. Teams are available to assist passengers. The situation follows reported Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation.

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Jun 15, 2025 - 08:30 AM Aviation

No grounding yet, but DGCA begins full technical review of AI’s B787s

Following a deadly crash in Ahmedabad, the DGCA has ordered enhanced inspections of Air India's Boeing 787s. The scrutiny will include checks of take-off parameters and past technical snags. Boeing has issued a service bulletin stating no additional measures are needed. The flight data recorder has been recovered. Search continues for the cockpit voice recorder.

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Jun 15, 2025 - 05:30 AM Aviation

Akasa Air and adidas launch SkyEaze sneakers for its crew & ground staff

Akasa Air has introduced SkyEaze, a custom-designed sneaker developed in partnership with adidas, for its cabin crew and ground staff. The initiative marks a first in Indian aviation and aligns with the airline’s continued emphasis on comfort, performance, and employee wellbeing. The sneaker features adidas’ Cloudfoam technology and integrates Akasa’s signature orange colour with the iconic adidas design.

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Jun 14, 2025 - 06:30 AM Aviation

Etihad crosses 100 aircraft mark amid strong May performance

Etihad Airways carried 1.7 million passengers in May 2025, marking a 19 per cent year-on-year increase. The airline’s average passenger load factor rose to 87 per cent, with year-to-date numbers exceeding 8.4 million travellers. Etihad also reached a milestone with 100 aircraft in operation, signalling continued growth in fleet and network.

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Jun 13, 2025 - 12:55 PM Aviation

Deadly Air India crash puts ambitious turnaround plans at risk

Air India's ambitious turnaround, following its acquisition by Tata Group, faces a significant setback after a fatal plane crash. The incident, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, threatens the airline's progress toward profitability and has sparked renewed scrutiny of its maintenance and service standards. Despite efforts to rebrand and increase market share, Air India grapples with reputational challenges and operational headwinds.

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Jun 13, 2025 - 09:44 AM Aviation

India, China agree to resume direct flights soon

India and China have agreed to restart direct air services and address trade issues during a high-level meeting between officials. They reviewed bilateral relations, prioritizing people-centric engagements and the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra after five years. Both countries will hold functional dialogues on economic and trade matters, aiming to resolve specific concerns and stabilize their relationship.

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Jun 13, 2025 - 08:11 AM Aviation

Ahmedabad plane crash may dent Boeing plane orders

A major incident occurred today. An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board. The aircraft issued a MAYDAY call. However, it did not respond to further calls. The crash will likely bring renewed focus on Boeing. The company has faced several controversies in recent years.

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Jun 13, 2025 - 07:11 AM Aviation

ANA marks 60 years of Yokohama–Mumbai sister city ties with month-long airport and in-flight initiatives

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is commemorating the 60th anniversary of Yokohama and Mumbai’s sister city relationship with special activations throughout June 2025. Activities on its Narita–Mumbai routes and at Mumbai International Airport include commemorative branding, giveaways, and a passenger lucky draw aimed at celebrating the deepening India–Japan ties through aviation and cultural exchange.

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Jun 13, 2025 - 06:06 AM Aviation

Asia- Pacific seta global benchmark in baggage handling as air travel hits records

SITA report shows the Asia-Pacific region maintained the lowest baggage mishandling rate in the world in 2024, reinforcing its status as a global leader in smart baggage performance despite historic passenger volumes

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Jun 12, 2025 - 09:03 PM Aviation

Air India plane crash prompts India to launch high-level aviation safety review

The Air India AI-171 crash, which claimed more than 260 lives, has prompted the Indian government to initiate a high-level aviation safety review. With global investigators, including the FAA and Boeing, involved, the tragedy marks the first-ever Boeing 787-8 crash and raises urgent questions about aircraft safety, oversight, and systemic reforms.

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Jun 12, 2025 - 11:44 AM Aviation

Ryanair says will fine 'disruptive passengers' 500 euros

Irish no-frills airline Ryanair said Thursday it will fine "disruptive passengers whose unruly behaviour" results in their removal from aircraft 500 euros ($580). "Ryanair is committed to tackling unruly passenger behaviour for the benefit of its passengers and crew, and will continue to pursue disruptive passengers for civil damages, but at a minimum, they will now be issued with a 500-euro fine," Ryanair said in a statement Thursday.

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Jun 12, 2025 - 10:36 AM Aviation

Compromise with safety norms can't be tolerated: Uttarakhand CM to heli service operators

The chief minister also directed UCADA and related stakeholders to study the heli service model being operated in Vaishno Devi. Four incidents of emergency landings or accidents involving helicopters on the Char Dham Yatra routes have occurred in the last one month. Six people lost their lives in one of the accidents.

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Jun 12, 2025 - 10:26 AM Aviation

DGCA launches probe into Air India AI-171 crash, no cause confirmed yet

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that a detailed investigation is underway into the crash of Air India flight AI-171, which went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad this afternoon. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, registered VT-ANB and operating a scheduled service to London's Gatwick, crashed just outside the airport perimeter minutes after departure.

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Jun 12, 2025 - 09:48 AM Aviation

London-bound Air India flight crashes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, sole survivor found

Rescue operation has been completed at the crash site near Meghani Nagar area in the capital city of Gujarat. ​​The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB. An emergency response centre has been activated at the Ahmedabad airport, and dedicated support teams have been deployed to assist families of the passengers.

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