Author: Sharad Ranabhat

DELHI – The Delhi High Court has ruled that airlines must increase pilots’ weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours starting July 1, 2025. The decision follows a prolonged delay in implementing new duty and rest regulations introduced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).  This rule, originally announced in January 2024, was postponed due to objections from the airlines. However, after multiple rounds of court-ordered mediation, the High Court has now set firm deadlines for their enforcement. Under the new regulations, pilots must receive a continuous 48-hour weekly rest period, ensuring that no more than 168 hours (seven…

LOS ANGELES – A Delta Air Lines (DL) flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) was forced to return shortly after takeoff on Saturday night, February 22, 2025, when smoke was detected in the aircraft’s rear galley. The Airbus A350-900 with registration N514DN was operating flight DL43 with 162 passengers and 15 crew members on board. Flight DL43 took off from Runway 25R at 9:04 p.m. However, while climbing out over the Pacific Ocean, the crew stopped their ascent at 10,000 feet (3,000m) after cabin crew reported smoke in the rear galley. Soon after, the pilots assessed the situation and decided to return to Los Angeles. Return to Los Angeles Flight DL43 turned back…

Delta Air Lines (DL), one of the world’s largest and most influential carriers, operates a diverse and modern fleet to serve an extensive global network.

BOSTON – JetBlue Airways has decided to discontinue its daily flights between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA), effective April 30, 2025.  This decision is part of JetBlue’s broader strategy to streamline operations and focus on high-yielding routes. The airline had been operating this 185-mile route six times daily using Embraer E190 aircraft.  Impact on Competitors and Travelers With JetBlue exiting from this route, Delta Air Lines will further solidify its dominance on the BOS-LGA route, operating up to 15 daily flights as part of its shuttle service, with hourly departures from 6 AM to 8…

SEATTLE – On February 5, 2025, a Japan Airlines (JAL) Boeing 787-9 collided with a Delta Air Lines (DL) Boeing 737-800 while taxiing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The incident occurred at 10:17 a.m. local time, with the JAL 787’s right wingtip striking the tail of the parked Delta 737. Delta’s Boeing 737 was stationed for deicing before its scheduled departure to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR), with 142 passengers onboard. Moreover, the JAL 787 had just arrived from Tokyo Narita (NRT) with 172 passengers and 13 crew members. Emergency crews, including Port of Seattle Fire and police, responded to the scene,…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana (KC) will launch of a new nonstop route between Almaty (ALA) and Mumbai (BOM) starting from April 20, 2025. It will operate three weekly flights using its Airbus A320 family aircraft.  This expansion complements Air Astana’s existing services to Delhi and highlights the growing demand for business and leisure travel between the two nations. New Route Details and Fare The Almaty–Mumbai service will operate on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with the following schedule: The flight duration is 4 hours 50 minutes on the outbound journey and 4 hours 20 minutes on the return leg. Air Astana is offering the following introductory fares for the new…

NORTH CAROLINA – On February 1, 2025, a Delta Air Lines (DL) A321 bound for Orlando (MCO) was forced to divert to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) due to an unidentified odor in the cabin.  The Airbus A321-200 with registration N368DN was operating flight DL2090 from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) with 158 passengers onboard landed safely in Raleigh, where Delta’s ground team assessed the situation. After landing, passengers were accommodated on an alternative aircraft later in the evening or rebooked on earlier flights to complete their journeys. Flight tracking data from FlightAware shows…

SINGAPORE – Etihad Airways (EY) marked a historic moment on February 2, 2025, as its Airbus A380 touched down at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) for the first time. This milestone strengthens connectivity between the UAE and Singapore, a key destination in Etihad’s global network. The inaugural flight, EY498, departed Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) on February 1 at 22:31 and landed in Singapore after a 6-hour, 57-minute journey. The return flight departed from Singapore Changi at 19:44 the following day, arriving back in Abu Dhabi at 22:33. Moreover, the launch flight was operated by an A380-800 with registration A6-API.…

Starting today (February 3, 2025), the integration of ITA Airways (AZ) into the Lufthansa Group is officially underway, marking a significant milestone for both airlines. With immediate effects, ITA Airways passengers can enjoy the benefits of the Lufthansa Group’s frequent flyer programs. Moreover, Miles & More members can now earn and redeem miles on all ITA Airways flights, while Volare members can earn and redeem points across Lufthansa Group airlines, including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. In addition to frequent flyer program integration, passengers will benefit from smoother travel experiences. Starting March 30, 2025, ITA Airways will move…

HOUSTON – On February 2nd, 2025, a United Airlines (UA) Airbus A319 was forced to abort its takeoff due to an engine failure at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The Airbus A319-100 with registration as N837UA was operating flight UA1382 from Houston to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) with 104 passengers and five crew members on board. The incident occurred as flight UA1382 was accelerating for takeoff on runway 15R when the crew detected the right-hand engine (V2522) failure. As a result, the crew aborted the takeoff at approximately 115 knots over the ground, as reported by the Aviation…