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Israel Strikes Sanaa Airport in Yemen in Retaliation for Houthi Attacks

May 6, 2025, 10:50 pm

The military of Israel said it “fully disabled” Yemen’s largest airport in the capital Sanaa, controlled by the Houthis.

Airport sources reported to Reuters news agency that the attacks on Tuesday targeted three civilian planes, the departures area, the runway, and a military air base. The Houthis reported at least three people killed and threatened retaliation.

This follows two days after Iran-backed Houthis launched a missile that hit close to Israel’s primary airport, causing it to shut temporarily.

Retaliation by Israel : Strike on Hudaydah and Sanaa

Israel retaliated on Monday by attacking the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah, then bombed Sanaa airport the following day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to hold anyone who targets Israel “accountable.”

In a video statement shared on X, Netanyahu said whoever attacks Israel “bears responsibility for his own blood.” “Our choice of when to respond, how to respond and on which targets to respond is a consideration that we make every time,” he added.

Israel has launched several rounds of strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, including targeting a power plant and ports in January. It previously attacked Sanaa airport in December.

IDF’s Latest Strike on Sanaa Airport

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had attacked “flight runways, aircraft, and infrastructure at the airport.” It alleged the Houthis were using the airport to “transfer weapons and operatives.”

Israel’s military said it also struck power stations in Sanaa, which it described as “significant electricity supply infrastructure” for the Houthis, as well as the al-Imran cement factory in the north of the city.

The Houthis warned that they would not let Israeli “aggression pass without a response, and Yemen will not be discouraged from its stance in support of Gaza.”

Hudaydah Attack and Its Impact on Yemen

Monday’s attack on Hudaydah also included strikes on a different cement factory. The port is the second-largest in the Red Sea after Aden, and is the entry point for about 80% of Yemen’s food imports.

The Houthis said that Monday’s attack killed at least four people and wounded 35 others. The group blamed the US and Israel jointly for the attack, but a US defence official told the AFP news agency that their forces did not participate.

Houthi Missile Attack on Airport in Israel

The Houthi missile fired towards Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, on Sunday landed next to an access road near the main terminal. Six people were injured, Israeli emergency services said.

Following the strike, the Houthis said they would impose “a comprehensive aerial blockade” on Israel by targeting airports in response to Israel’s plans to expand its military operations in Gaza.

At the time, Netanyahu vowed retaliation against the Houthis for the airport attack, saying: “We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future.”

Gen Z’s ‘Aesthetic Airport Trays’ Trend Faces Backlash From Passengers

September 9, 2024, 11:57 am

A new social media trend called the ‘airport tray aesthetic’ is gaining traction, where travelers arrange their belongings on trays to capture the perfect ‘Instagrammable’ photo. This trend, which involves carefully placing items like sunglasses, shoes, toiletries, and reading materials on a tray during security check-ins, has caused frustration among other passengers due to the delays it creates. According to CNN, brands like Anthropologie and Stackers, a storage solutions company, have embraced this trend, using it to market their travel-friendly products. Stackers noted that the trend “aligned perfectly” with their emphasis on curated travel accessories.

The trend was initiated by New York-based influencer Chelsea Henriquez, who shared a step-by-step tutorial on how to find a vacant spot and arrange the tray without inconveniencing other passengers. Her video has since garnered over 377,000 views.

Interestingly, not all participants in this trend are actually at airports. Influencers such as Alyssa Lenore have admitted to purchasing TSA-style trays to recreate the setup at home, where they can stage and photograph their belongings without the stress of real security lines. Lenore explained to the New York Post, “I don’t want to be in a situation with people — especially in a line where tensions are already high.”

While some travelers admire the creativity, others see it as a waste of time. The New York Post criticized the trend as “time-consuming,” warning that it could contribute to delays in already lengthy TSA lines. Concerns have been raised that the extra time influencers spend setting up trays could further slow down security processes, especially at busy airports like JFK, where wait times can already exceed 25 minutes.

Vistara Flight Forced to Make Emergency Landing in Turkey Following Bomb Threat

September 7, 2024, 3:13 am

A Vistara Airlines flight from Mumbai to Frankfurt, carrying 234 passengers and 13 crew members, made an emergency landing in Erzurum, Turkey, on Friday. The incident occurred after a crew member discovered a note in the plane’s toilet claiming there was a bomb on board.

In response to the threat, authorities were immediately notified, and the airline is fully cooperating with security agencies to conduct thorough checks. A Vistara spokesperson emphasized that passenger, crew, and aircraft safety is their top priority.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which had departed Mumbai at 1:02 p.m., landed safely in Erzurum at 7:05 p.m. Passengers were evacuated and provided refreshments while bomb disposal experts examined the aircraft. The airspace over Erzurum was temporarily closed during the investigation.

This incident follows two previous bomb threats involving Vistara flights. On June 28, a flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Mumbai received a similar threat, which was later confirmed to be a hoax. Another Vistara flight from Paris to Mumbai faced a bomb threat on June 2, which was also determined to be false.

DigiYatra Expands to Nine Airports, Aims to Cut Passenger Check-in Time: AAI Chairman

September 6, 2024, 6:50 pm

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced the expansion of DigiYatra services to nine more airports, promising to significantly reduce passenger check-in times. AAI Chairman M. Suresh highlighted the benefits of the new technology during a launch event at Visakhapatnam International Airport on Friday.

“DigiYatra is a passenger facility designed to streamline movement inside airports. Previously, passengers had to carry paper tickets and IDs. Now, with DigiYatra, travelers can enjoy a paperless, seamless experience through digital security verification,” Suresh explained.

The service, which now operates in Visakhapatnam, Patna, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Goa (Dabolim), Indore, Ranchi, Coimbatore, and Bagdogra, enables passengers to use just their mobile phones, identity cards, tickets, and boarding passes for a smooth journey through the airport. This development not only benefits passengers but also enhances airport staff efficiency by reducing check-in times from 15 minutes to just four.

The expansion is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to introduce DigiYatra nationwide. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, who inaugurated the service in Visakhapatnam, praised the project’s potential to reduce airport staff workloads and improve the overall passenger experience.

Passengers have responded positively to DigiYatra. Krishna, a frequent flyer, called it a “user-friendly, time-saving technological advancement,” while another traveler, Balaji, shared that the system could reduce processing times to just two or three minutes if introduced at all airports.

DigiYatra uses Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to ensure contactless and seamless processing of passengers. The Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to roll out the service across all Indian airports, with assurances of robust data protection for users.

With over 30 million users already benefiting from the system, DigiYatra is set to revolutionize air travel in India by improving efficiency and setting new industry standards.

Watch: Woman Eats Her ‘Suitcase’ At Airport, Shocking Onlookers | Viral Video

August 31, 2024, 3:36 pm

If you’re active on social media, you’ve likely seen the trend of hyper-realistic cake videos. These cakes are designed to look like real objects, often causing confusion among viewers. A recent viral video features a woman creating quite a stir at the airport by eating from what appears to be a suitcase—except it’s actually a cake. In the Instagram clip, she casually munches on her cake luggage while other passengers look on in shock. Some quickly realized the prank and laughed, while others were left bewildered by the unusual scene.

The Portuguese text accompanying the video translates to, “The day I ate a CAKE bag and looked at the reactions!!” The video has garnered over 27 million views.

The humorous video received widespread attention on social media, with many users sharing their reactions. One person commented, “I would have stopped and helped her eat.” Another user expressed curiosity about the cake-making process, saying, “Show me the video of how you make the cake, I’m dying of curiosity.” One observer noted, “The sisters were in panic.” Another fan added, “I love these cake videos and you too much.” Comments also included humorous remarks like, “I hope that the broom to clean this dirt is not made of cake either,” and “My dream is to find you with a bag like that.” One user playfully tipped their hat to the bakery, saying, “Here I am tipping my hat to this bakery.”

The comments reflect the astonishment and amusement of viewers who were surprised by this creative cake art. What are your thoughts on it?

Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Filming ‘Alpha’ in Kashmir

August 27, 2024, 1:33 am

Actors Alia Bhatt and Sharvari arrived in Kashmir on Monday for the shoot of their upcoming spy drama, Alpha. Earlier that day, both actresses were seen at Mumbai airport, where Alia was accompanied by her daughter Raha. Shortly after, Alia’s mother and renowned actress Soni Razdan was also spotted arriving.

Alia’s airport ensemble featured a black baggy pantsuit, while little Raha mirrored her mother’s style in a matching black outfit. Sharvari opted for a relaxed look, wearing a chocolate brown tank top paired with beige pants.

The action-packed film Alpha is directed by Shiv Rawail, son of veteran filmmaker Rahul Rawail. A few days prior, Sharvari shared her enthusiasm for the project on Instagram, posting a photo with Rawail from the set. She expressed her excitement in the caption: “It doesn’t get bigger than this! Super stoked to start my #Alpha journey today! Trust me… I have manifested this moment super prepped but can feel the butterflies in my tummy…Thank you Adi sir for your faith & @shivrawail for your belief in me! Letssss gooooo!!”

Yash Raj Films (YRF) recently released a title reveal video for Alpha, featuring a voiceover by Alia Bhatt. In the video, Alia says, “Greek alphabet ka sabse pehla akshar Aur humare program ka motto.. sabse pehle, sabse tezz, sabse veer. Dhyaan se dekho toh har sheher mein ek jungle hai. Aur jungle mein hamesha Raj karega.. ALPHA!”

YRF’s spy universe began with the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, starting with Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017). It continued with War (2019), featuring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. Pathaan, which starred Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham, was a major hit in 2023, along with Tiger 3.

Back in Town: Rohit Sharma Gets a Warm Welcome at Airport, Fan Asks, “Sir Ek Photo Dedo Na” – WATCH

July 25, 2024, 5:59 pm

Following a triumphant victory at the T20 World Cup, India’s captain Rohit Sharma returned to India after a vacation in the United States on Thursday. His arrival at the airport was met with an enthusiastic crowd of fans eager to catch a glimpse of their cricketing hero. The reception was so warm that one fan, addressing him as “Rohit sir,” pleaded for a selfie, saying, “Rohit sir ek photo dedo na” (Rohit sir, please have a selfie with me).

Rohit Sharma with his Family ❤️? #rohitsharma pic.twitter.com/edB2dXQDsa

— Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani77) July 25, 2024

Accompanying Rohit were his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, and their daughter, Samaira, adding to the celebratory atmosphere surrounding his return. The excitement and adulation from fans were evident, reflecting the immense pride and joy that Rohit’s leadership and the team’s World Cup victory had brought to the nation. His recent vacation in the United States, followed by a visit to London for Wimbledon, had been well-documented on social media, highlighting his activities after the World Cup triumph.

Rohit Sharma’s decision to retire from T20 Internationals came after India’s win against South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in his T20I career. As he shifts focus to the 50-over format, Rohit is gearing up for a series of One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Sri Lanka. This series, spanning from July 27 to August 7, is crucial for Team India as they prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.

The tour includes three T20 Internationals and three ODIs and marks Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as head coach of the Indian team. For Rohit Sharma and the rest of the squad, these matches are an opportunity to fine-tune strategies and showcase their skills in preparation for upcoming challenges.

Flights Halted At Italy Catania Airport Due To Mount Etna Eruption

July 23, 2024, 6:01 pm

Flights to and from the eastern Sicilian city of Catania were halted on Tuesday following an eruption from the nearby Mount Etna, according to the airport operator. This suspension brings further travel disruptions during the peak summer tourist season.

Mount Etna’s Intense Activity

Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has experienced intense activity in recent days, spewing hot ash and lava. The airport in Catania, which serves as a major hub for eastern Sicily and attracts more arrivals than the capital Palermo, had already been closed earlier this month due to volcanic ash in the sky.

Airport Closure and Travel Impact

Authorities decided to suspend all incoming and outgoing flights at Catania airport. The airport operator’s statement indicated that the suspension would lead to cancellations and rerouting to other airports. Normal operations will resume once the ash fallout subsides.

This latest disruption underscores the challenges faced by travelers and authorities alike in managing the impact of natural events on critical infrastructure during a busy travel period.

Team India’s Barbados Departure Likely Soon, PM Expects Airport To Open Shortly

July 2, 2024, 8:29 am

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has indicated that the island’s airport could resume operations within the next six to 12 hours following the shutdown caused by Hurricane Beryl. The victorious Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, along with support staff, BCCI officials, and players’ families, have been stranded since Saturday after clinching the T20 World Cup title with a win over South Africa.

“We hope, and we’re working towards later today. I don’t want to speak in advance of it, but I’ve literally been in touch with the airport personnel and they’re doing their last checks now and we want to resume to normal operations as a matter of urgency,” Mottley told PTI.

Barbados, with its population of nearly three lakh, has been under lockdown since Sunday evening due to life-threatening winds and storm conditions. Despite the hurricane passing just south of the island, Mottley noted significant damage to coastal infrastructure and assets.

The window for departure from Bridgetown remains narrow, with another hurricane expected on Wednesday, prompting efforts to facilitate the departure of stranded visitors, including the Indian cricket team.

“I’m sure that in spite of the passage of the hurricane, that they would have been in very, very, very good mood and spirit and to win in the manner that they won on Saturday. I think they will be floating on air for a little time,” Mottley added optimistically.

Travellers’ Airport Confiscation Stories Go Viral: Cream Cheese, Candles, And Dante’s Inferno Among Bizarre Items Seized

June 9, 2024, 3:49 pm

Traversing airport security can often lead to surprising encounters, particularly regarding the items passengers bring along. Recently, a Reddit user sparked a discussion, urging fellow travellers to recount their most intriguing, amusing, or peculiar tales of items confiscated at airport security checkpoints.

One user recounted their experience of having a pot of honey confiscated, while another shared the unfortunate loss of expensive cheese spreads acquired from Iceland. Despite finding more after security, the cheese met the same fate at their connecting airport in Dallas, resulting in a distraught spouse.

The stories only grew more peculiar from there. A passenger had Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, a classic literary work, held for inspection in 2001, triggering suspicion due to its title. Others lost items ranging from a grenade-shaped cologne named Spicebomb to a bundle of paper labeled “POOP,” mistaken for an animal product posing environmental hazards.

Airport security’s vigilance extended to seemingly harmless items like candles, with one traveller lamenting the loss of their favourite scented candle. Similarly, a passenger bound for New Zealand had their supply of “poop-paper” confiscated as it was deemed a potential threat to the country’s environment.

In another instance, travellers were detained for hours at LA airport over a dry tangerine forgotten in their suitcase, mistaken for imported food. Despite the inconvenience, the stories shared on Reddit shed light on the often-unexpected encounters travellers face when navigating airport security.

Man Dies After Climbing Into Jet Engine at Amsterdam Airport

May 31, 2024, 3:46 pm

A man was killed after he climbed into a running jet engine on Wednesday at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. The Dutch military police identified the man as “an employee of a company operating at the airport”. In a statement released on Thursday, they explained that the jet had just completed the pushback procedure and was preparing to taxi to the runway when the man, whose name has not been disclosed, climbed into the engine. The death has been ruled a suicide.

Meanwhile, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the Netherlands’ flag carrier, confirmed in a statement that the incident involved Flight KL1341, which was scheduled to depart for Billund, Denmark. “We are currently taking care of the passengers and employees who witnessed the incident at Schiphol,” the airline stated.

Schiphol Airport also expressed condolences, describing the event as a “horrible incident where a person ended up in an airplane engine.” “Our thoughts go out to the relatives, and we are caring for the passengers and colleagues who saw this,” it wrote in a social media post.

Following the incident, passengers disembarked from the aircraft, and the Dutch military police initiated an investigation. Images circulated on social media showed fire trucks and other emergency vehicles positioned next to the plane on the tarmac.

A similar incident took place in January when a man died after climbing into a plane engine at Salt Lake City International Airport. Authorities reported that he accessed the plane by passing through an emergency exit door. Despite lifesaving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at the airport.

Bhubaneswar Airport Unveils New Terminal Link Building Connecting Terminal 1 and 2

February 7, 2024, 4:29 pm

The new link building between terminals T1 (Domestic) and T2 (International) for integrated operations at Biju Patnaik International (BPI) Airport in Bhubaneswar was inaugurated today by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation V.K. Singh via video conferencing, according to an official statement.
The opening of the link building will allow passengers traveling through T-2 (International Terminal) to use the Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) capability provided in T-1 (Domestic Terminal) for smooth linkage.

According to the announcement, the new link building would offer international travelers with access to Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBB) erected at the domestic terminal, addressing the need highlighted by foreign airlines. The Link Building will also help increase the capacity of the existing International Terminal (T-2) from 285 to 384 passengers during peak hours.

T2 and T1 will be connected by a new 3360 sqm link building. The ground floor (2160 sqm) contains an Arrival hall with two arrival belts and all passenger facilities, including customs. The first level (1200 sqm) of the structure is connected to T1 via an airside corridor and houses 12 Immigration Counters.

The new link building also connects perfectly with the current T-1 design. Some of the primary sustainable elements are an insulated roofing system for thermal insulation and energy efficiency, LED lighting for vivid and environmentally friendly illumination, and glazing that reduces heat transfer to keep the temperature comfortable around the clock.
The glass front of the connecting building features elements inspired by the Konark Sun Temple. Natural and earthy color tones are used in the interiors to highlight the amazing native art of the area.

The construction of the link building, as well as the construction of two rotundas for the installation of PBB at T-1, was completed at a cost of Rs 87.21 crore. The operationalization of link building underscores AAI’s persistent efforts to enhance the country’s current aviation infrastructure to satisfy passenger demand.

Customs officials seize 4 Kg gold worth Rs 2.55 crore at Lucknow Airport

December 31, 2023, 6:39 pm

The senior Customs official at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSI) has reported that two incidents were recorded by officers of CCSI Airport Lucknow within the Lucknow Customs (P) Commissionerate this morning.

In the initial case, a coffee machine was found to be suspicious during scanning and upon further inspection, it was discovered to be unusually heavy and damaged.

After cutting open the welded part, two gold cylindrical bars weighing 3.497 Kg were found concealed inside. The gold was being transported from Dubai via flight IX 194.

In a separate incident, 554 grams of gold were recovered from a passenger’s rectum during a routine search based on intelligence and suspicion. The passenger had arrived from Sharjah on flight no 6E1424.

The investigation is currently ongoing. “The official stated that two separate cases were registered at CCSI Airport Lucknow this morning at 5 am, with a total weight of 4.05 Kg valued at Rs 2.55 Cr.”

Surat Airport’s newly inaugurated terminal commences domestic flight operations

December 26, 2023, 3:40 am

Surat International Airport on Monday commenced domestic flight operations from its newly inaugurated terminal, built at a cost of Rs 353 crore, with the arrival of two flights from Delhi and Hyderabad.

Indigo operated the initial flights connecting Surat to Delhi and Hyderabad, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in the airport’s operational history.
According to airport officials, the first flight arrived from Delhi with 177 passengers on board and departed back with 161 passengers. Similarly, the second flight arrived from Hyderabad with 180 passengers and departed with almost an equal number of passengers from Surat.

Additionally, an Air India Express flight to Dubai is scheduled for departure on Tuesday.
The occasion was celebrated with a ceremonial lamp lighting and cake-cutting ceremony, attended by Surat Airport director Rupesh Kumar, airport staff, and airline officials.
“There was a need for a big airport. It was a long-awaited demand. Our Prime Minister inaugurated the terminal on December 17. Today, we are starting the new terminal after cake cutting by the new passenger. We have also given flowers to the first ride traveller,” Airport director Rupesh Kumar said.

Airport officials welcomed the passengers by giving them flowers for the first domestic flight from the new terminal.
“I am very happy and thankful to PM Narendra Modi and the state government. This direct flight will increase our business,” said Aarohi, a traveller.
“Surat city is one of the fast-developing cities in India as well as the world. PM Modi granted approximately 350 crores for this terminal. We are thankful to PM Modi. I congratulate you,” said another traveller.
11 flights will fly in and out daily from the airport’s new terminal, officials pointed out.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 17 inaugurated the new terminal building of Surat Airport, built for Rs 353 crore.
Surat is currently connected to 14 domestic cities — Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Goa, Goa Mopa, Belgaum, Pune, Jaipur, Udaipur, Indore, Diu and Kishangarh and internationally via Sharjah to the rest of the world. It is handling more than 252 passenger flight movements per week.
As per officials, the Surat airport has a runway of 2906 X 45 metres capable of operating Code ‘C’ type of aircraft and a terminal building of an area of 8474 square metres.
The new terminal building is equipped to handle 1,200 domestic passengers and 600 international passengers during peak hours and has provision for further increasing the peak hour capacity to 3,000 passengers with annual handling capacity increasing to 55 lakh passengers.

The terminal building, as it is the gateway to Surat city, has been designed with its local culture and heritage ensuring that the essence should reflect both in interior and exterior, creating a sense of place for the visitors. Rogan, embroidery works such as Zari and Brocade, beautiful relief works of wooden carvings, and mosaic work depicting the famous Kite festival of Gujarat will be showcased in the airport.
The new airport terminal is equipped with various sustainability features like an insulated Roofing System, Canopies for energy saving, a heat Gain Double Glazing Unit, Rain Water Harvesting, a water treatment plant, a Sewage treatment plant and use of recycled water for landscaping and solar power plant, among others.

Kerala: Customs department seizes gold worth 57 lakhs

June 13, 2023, 3:51 pm

The customs department at Kochi airport made a seizure on Tuesday, confiscating 1069.57 grams of gold valued at Rs. 57 lakhs from a passenger who arrived from Bahrain via Calicut.

The individual, named Asraf and hailing from Kozhikode, concealed four compact capsules of gold within his body.

The gold has been taken into custody, and an ongoing investigation is underway. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Union Minister unveils bold plan for airport expansion across India

June 7, 2023, 4:29 pm

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday that 200–220 more airports, heliports, and water aerodromes will be built in the country over the next 5 years.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed the media in the national capital, highlighting the remarkable progress achieved by the aviation sector during the nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Scindia emphasized that the achievements of the Modi government in the past nine years surpassed those of the previous 68 years. The number of airports has increased from 74 to 148, and the ambitious goal is to build 200-220 airports, including heliports and water aerodromes, within the next five years.

In addition, Scindia shared that eight new airports have been constructed in the northeastern region of the country, where some states previously lacked proper airport infrastructure. Today, Arunachal Pradesh boasts three new airports, and Sikkim also has its own airport.

Regarding metro capacity, the minister revealed that India currently has six large metros, namely Bombay, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata, with a combined capacity of 22 crore. The objective is to double the capacity of these six metros, including Jevar and Navi Mumbai, within the next eight years.

Passenger held with Gold worth over 50 lakh at Delhi airport

May 3, 2023, 5:09 pm

As per the officials on Wednesday, Air Customs at Delhi International Airport booked a passenger who arrived from Jeddah and seized gold worth over Rs 50 lakh in the form of paste from the person.

The police have reported that an Indian passenger who arrived at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi from Jeddah on April 29 has been charged with smuggling gold. The recovered gold, which included four oval-shaped chemical pastes weighing approximately 1165 grammes and suspected to contain gold, was confiscated under Section 110 of the Customs Act 1962.

The officials conducted personal and baggage searches on the passenger, which led to the discovery of the suspected gold pastes. Further processing resulted in the extraction of 1013 grammes of unevenly shaped gold bars, with a tariff value of Rs. 53,82,358. This incident was detected by officers of Airport Customs, IGI Airport, Terminal-3, New Delhi, based on profiling.

Customs seizes Rs 38 lakh worth of gold at Kochi airport

April 25, 2023, 5:24 pm

On Tuesday, The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs department seized a total of 788.57 grams of gold worth Rs 38 lakhs at Kochi airport, as per the official statement released said.

“On the basis of profiling done by the officers of Customs AIU batch, a passenger identified as MK Hakkeem a native of Palakkad district was coming from Doha to Kochi by flight IX476 was intercepted at the green channel,” a customs official said.

“During the examination of the said passenger, 3 capsules of gold in a compound form, weighing 788.57 grams were concealed inside his body, were recovered and seized,” the official added. The person was taken into custody of Customs.

Air India to launch TaxiBot operations at Delhi, Bengaluru airport

April 13, 2023, 4:24 pm

Air India has signed an agreement with KSU Aviation to launch TaxiBot operations at Delhi and Bengaluru airports for its Airbus A320 Family of aircraft.

HOW TAXIBOT SERVICE WORK?

The strategic partnership is aligned with Air India’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, as the adoption of TaxiBots envisages a potential saving of around 15,000 tonnes in fuel consumption over three years, said the airline statement. Semi-robotic equipment, the TaxiBot, once attached to the aircraft, acts as an extension of the aircraft’s nose landing gear. It is used on aircraft from the airport terminal gate to the taxi-out point and tow aircraft from the terminal gate after landing (taxi-in phase) without utilizing the aircraft’s engines, thus saving jet fuel. The pioneering technology curbs fuel consumption, carbon emissions, noise levels, as well as costs for airlines.

Elaborating on the adoption of TaxiBot, Air India chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director Campbell Wilson said, “As a responsible airline, Air India is constantly looking for ways to improve sustainability and manage our carbon footprint.

TAXIBOT – AN INITIATIVE TO REDUCE EMISSION & FUEL CONSUMPTION

The deployment of TaxiBots is one more example of our commitment to reducing emissions and fuel consumption. This collaboration with KSU will allow us to better assess the capabilities of TaxiBots, and potentially lead to greater deployment across Air India’s subsidiaries and other airports.”

Air India is investing in efficiency measures to adopt sustainability as part of its regular fleet operations — including inducting new aircraft, better procedures and driving operations with the deployment of innovative technology. Last year, the Air India group entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Indian Institute of Petroleum to collaborate on developing, developing, and deploying sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).

INDIA’S SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE IN PURSUIT TO ACHIEVE ZERO- EMISSION

KSU Aviation director Ashwani Khanna said, “We are excited about the formal induction of TaxiBot as part of Air India’s focused approach to address its carbon footprint. Air India is undergoing a massive transformation and has adopted sustainable practices as an integral part of this journey. We are committed to partnering with like-minded organizations like Air India to leverage modern-day technology in reducing carbon footprint and accelerate the pursuit of being net zero.”
In October 2019, Air India, in a global first, used a TaxiBot on an Airbus A320 aircraft operating a commercial flight with passengers on board.

Gold worth over Rs 65 lakh seized at Hyderabad airport

March 28, 2023, 6:17 pm

As per recent reports, the Customs department seized smuggled gold weighing over 4 kg at Hyderabad airport in two separate incidents. In one of the incidents, gold worth Rs 65 lakh was seized from two passengers who had come from Dubai at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday, said an official. During search three capsules of gold in paste form weighing 840 gm (approximately Rs 51.24 lakh value) was found concealed in rectum, a release from Customs said. The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) sleuths of the customs department were able to gather some information about the gold smuggling, leading to the successful seizure of the smuggled gold.

Another passenger, who came in another flight from Dubai was intercepted by Customs officers and on searching his baggage two gold bars weighing 233 grammes (approximate value Rs 14.23 lakh) was found concealed between Tuna Fish oil tins kept in the check-in bags, said the press release.

The Customs department is continuously working to combat such illegal activities and prevent the smuggling of contraband goods into the country.

PM Modi inaugurates Shivamogga Airport, to hold roadshow in Belagavi

February 27, 2023, 1:58 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Shivamogga Airport in Karnataka.

PM Modi will hold a roadshow in Belagavi later today ahead of which security checks are being conducted.

“Tight security has been undertaken in the backdrop of the Prime Minister’s program. Police personnel has been deployed along the road show route. 6 Superintendent of Police (SPs), 11 Additional SPs, 28 DSPs, 60 inspectors, 22 KSRP squads, and a total of 3 thousand personnel deployed for security. It will be a 10.7 km road show,” said Alok Kumar, Additional Director General of Police.

PM Modi is set to inaugurate water supply projects worth Rs 2,500 crore in Shivamogga and Belagavi districts of Karnataka.

The water supply projects will benefit more than 13 lakh people of the two districts which are implemented under the Centre’s flagship ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’.

According to the announcement, the initiatives were started as part of PM Modi’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all households across the nation have access to safe drinking water.

The majority of the most recent projects PM Modi launched across numerous states are clearly water supply projects.

On February 6, Prime Minister Modi laid the cornerstones for two Jal Jeevan Mission projects in the Karnataka city of Tumakuru, in Tiptur and Chikkanayakanahalli. According to the press announcement, the Tiptur Multi-Village Drinking Water Supply Project cost more over Rs 430 crore to complete.

At a cost of roughly Rs 115 crore, the multi-village water delivery scheme for 147 settlements in the Chikkanayakanahlli taluk has been put into place. The initiatives will make it easier to supply the local population with safe drinking water.

At Kodekal in the Yadgiri district of Karnataka, Prime Minister Modi laid the cornerstone for the Yadgiri multi-village drinking water supply system as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission on January 19. According to the plan, a 117 MLD water treatment facility was to be constructed. The Yadgiri district’s three towns and more than 700 rural habitations would receive drinkable water as a result of the project, which will cost more than Rs 2050 crore.

Indore: Human skeleton found at airport

January 24, 2023, 3:55 pm

As per Aerodrome police-in-charge Sanjay Shukla, “A human skeleton has been recovered at Indore’s airport premises on Monday night. A thorough investigation is underway.” From the preliminary investigation, the skeleton appears to be a year old. However, without further examination, it cannot be determined whether it belonged to a male or a female.

Delhi Cold Wave: IMD issues orange, yellow alerts; homeless says deprived of facilities

January 18, 2023, 12:16 pm

Already reeling under a cold wave since the beginning of the new year in Northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana, the India Meteorological Department issued orange and yellow alerts on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the orange alert means to “be prepared” to respond to any emergency and the yellow alert signifies that the weather could change.

Moreover, homeless people in the national capital are complaining about not getting much help from authorities.

“We are laborers. We feel cold every time, at work and while we are at home as we cannot afford a blanket and are making this survival possible with the help of fire. We came from Bihar to make both ends meet but sometimes it turns difficult as we have no support from the government or anybody,” said one Fasekhtar Alam.

Talking to the media, an auto rickshaw driver named Rajiv Kumar said, if they did not run their rickshaw despite their hands being numb due to the cold, they would die of starvation in a couple of days.

“The cold is so severe that we are not even able to move our vehicle, it gets really tough to hold the clutch. But we are compelled because if we don’t do this, we will die in two days,” Rajiv Kumar said.

Earlier on Wednesday, due to low visibility, several flights and six trains were running late.

Barauni-New Delhi Clone Special, Kamakhya-Delhi Brahmaputra Mail, Visakhapatnam-New Delhi Andhra Pradesh Express, Sultanpur -Anand Vihar Terminal Sadbhavana Express, Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Gondwana, Manikpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Uttar Pardesh Sampark Kranti Express, are running late upto 1 hour, as per the Northern Railway.

The airport authority said on Wednesday that several flights scheduled to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) were delayed due to fog.

However, between 18 January and 19 January, some parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, as well as Chandigarh and Delhi, will experience a cold wave or severe cold wave conditions.

“Cold wave conditions over northwest India likely to abate from January 19. The rainfall/thunderstorm is likely to commence from January 22 and continue till January 25 with peak activity on 23 and 24 January over the plains of Northwest India including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and North Rajasthan,” the IMD said.

A senior scientist of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), RK Jenamani, said on Monday that Delhi will experience severe cold wave conditions for two days.

“The minimum temperature in Delhi has dipped to 1.4 degrees Celsius, with severe cold wave conditions prevailing in Delhi. For the next two days, the same temperature may prevail as the chances of further dipping are unlikely. The temperature may likely go up from January 18,” RK Jenamani said.

DGCA seeks report from GoFirst after flight takes off without 50 passengers

January 10, 2023, 3:52 pm

GoFirst Airlines on Monday took off from Bengaluru and left 50 passengers behind at Bangalore Airport on which the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday sought a report from GoFirst Airlines.

“We have sought a report and shall take stringent action against those responsible,” a senior DGCA official said.

Talking about the incident one of the passengers expressed her inconvenience and tweeted, “Most horrifying experience with GoFirst airlines. I boarded the bus for the aircraft at 5:30 AM for a flight that was at 6:30 AM. I was still in a bus stuffed with over 50 passengers, the driver stopped the bus after being forced. Flight G8 116 takes off, leaving 50+ passengers. Heights of negligence!”

Meanwhile, the passenger further stated that the driver of the bus to the aircraft didn’t stop the bus on time after which without taking 50 passengers the flight took off.

Moreover, out of 55 passengers 53 passengers have shifted some other flights destined for different locations and the other two passengers got their refund along with their luggage.

However, after the Air India incident, the IndiGo incident this incident is one of the horrifying flight incidents which took place on Monday.

IndiGo Airlines issues clarification, says no altercation took place

January 9, 2023, 4:32 pm

After the Air India urination incident on Monday, one more case has come to light in which two drunk passengers caused havoc on a Patna-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi after which IndiGo airlines refuted the incident.

Meanwhile, IndiGo airlines said that no such altercation has taken place on a Patna-bound flight from the national capital.

Taking to Twitter IndiGo airlines said, “With reference to the incident that took place onboard 6E 6383 from Delhi to Patna, the matter is under investigation with the authorities. We would like to clarify that there was no altercation onboard the aircraft, as what is being reported in some sections of social media.”

Earlier media reported that two passengers has been arrested for allegedly creating havoc in an inebriated state on Sunday night after which airlines issued a clarification.

Moreover, at the airport police station, both passengers have been arrested for being in an inebriated state.

Gold worth Rs. 2.05 Cr seized at Coimbatore airport.

January 9, 2023, 11:09 am

The Coimbatore Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Monday intercepted six passengers, arresting one of them.

According to officials, the arrested accused who has been identified as Muthu Kumar brought gold in concealment from Sharjah. “The total quantity of the gold seized is 3.54 kgs valued at Rs 2.05 Crore,” informed Customs officials. Further investigation is underway, they said.

Earlier today the customs department seized gold worth Rs. 21.55 lakhs, including 211 grams of gold in powder form mixed with chocolate powder at Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

As per officials, a passenger arriving from Dubai on an Air India flight was intercepted by customs during checking. 211 grams of gold of 24-karat purity was found concealed ingeniously in three chocolate powder containers. Gold chains weighing 175 grams were also found in the check-in baggage of the passenger, they said.

Woman passenger alleges that she was asked to remove her shirt during security check.

January 4, 2023, 11:07 am

Describing the incident as ‘humiliating’, a female traveller alleged that she was forced to strip during the security check at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda international airport. The woman later took to Twitter saying that the incident had gotten her unwanted attention

Rs 8 lakhs gold biscuits seized at Trichy airport

December 24, 2022, 1:47 pm

The Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) seized two gold biscuits worth Rs 8 lakhs from a man on Saturday at Trichy Airport. “Seizure of two biscuit-shaped gold pieces (100+47.5 grams) of 24-carat purity, totally weighing 147.5 grams, valued at Rs 8,06,530 lakhs from a male pax who arrived at Trichy airport from Singapore by Air India Flight on December 24,” the customs department said. Earlier one piece of gold weighing was seized at Trichy airport from a female passenger in November at the Tiruchirappalli airport.

Scindia issues crucial directives to alleviate T3 rush after surprise IGIA visit

December 12, 2022, 4:23 pm

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Civil Aviation Minister, on Monday shared information from a review meeting he had with Indira Gandhi International Airport stakeholders in New Delhi following his unexpected visit to T3.

In a an interview, Scindia emphasised that measures were being done to make flying easy for travellers. Air travellers who complained about the overcrowding at the major endpoint on social media.

“Today we’ve increased the number of entry gates from 14 to 16. There was a meeting with officials inside the airport where we’ve decided that a signboard should be placed at every entry gate displaying the waiting time before entry,” Jyotiraditya Scindia said.

“This will help people reach the gate where there is minimum waiting time,” he added.

The unexpected visit by Scindia to Terminal 3 at the international airport on Monday occurred in response to an uptick in commuters’ complaints about crowding and congestion.

A video released by Scindia’s office said, “It was a surprise visit of the minister to the airport and he inspected all the suspected congested areas and interacted with the airport staff to ensure maximum avoiding of overcrowding.”

Scindia said that an important decision was made about the security procedure to significantly simplify passenger flow. At Delhi Airport, a total of 13 lines are now in operation, which we have extended to 16. “We are also trying to add a few more lines taking it close to 20,” he underlined.

After evaluating the situation with Rajiv Bansal, the aviation secretary, he expressed optimism that it would be resolved quickly. As he examined the most severely injured areas, he was seen directing airport staff members and the on-duty CISF.

On December 7, Scindia met with officials to address the complaints about airport congestion and to plan a course of action.

“Last week I convened a meeting where all the stakeholders were present,” Scindia remarked in reference to his earlier meeting.

According to the Union Minister, the Covid restrictions-related slowdown that the aviation industry experienced is now passed, and increased foot traffic has taken its place.

“The aviation industry was suffering massively due to Covid restrictions. Because of the recovery from this period, there is a lot of congestion at the airports.”

The Mopa International Airport in Goa was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, marking a significant success for Scidia’s ministry. In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the Center’s initiatives to improve air connectivity throughout the nation.

In the last eight years, India has made every possible effort to improve ‘Ease of Travel’ for tourists,” PM stressed