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Marine Corps V‑22 Osprey Makes Emergency Landing Following Mechanical Malfunction
NTSB Blames ATC Failure to Warn United Airlines Crew Of Turbulence Before Incident
Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers
IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive
Arik Air 737 With 80 Onboard Diverts To Benin After In-Flight Engine Shutdown
British Airways Flight Declares Emergency Due To Technical Issue Minutes After Takeoff
American CEO Faces Backlash From Pilots And Flight Attendants, APFA To Protest At HQ
Three British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Consuming Marijuana-Infused Candies
American Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Return To Barbados Post Burst Tyre On Takeoff
Starsky Plane With 55 Onboard Skids Into Sea After Emergency Landing In Somalia

IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Varanasi After Bird Strike, All Onboard Safe

Aviation Today News Desk

January 13, 2026

Varanasi, India: An IndiGo Airlines flight bound for Bengaluru was forced to make an emergency landing at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday night after it was struck by a bird mid-air, aviation and airport officials said on Monday.

The aircraft, operating as flight 6E-437 from Gorakhpur to Bengaluru, was carrying 216 passengers and crew when the bird impact occurred shortly after takeoff. The strike damaged the front portion of the aircraft, prompting the flight crew to seek an immediate diversion to the nearest safe airport, officials reported.

According to airport authorities, the pilot promptly informed Varanasi Air Traffic Control about the situation and executed a precautionary emergency landing at Varanasi. All passengers and crew were evacuated from the aircraft safely without any reported injuries.

Airport Director Puneet Gupta confirmed that the aircraft sustained damage to its nose section as a result of the bird strike, but emphasized that the crew’s swift action ensured a safe outcome.

Passengers were assisted after the landing, with some being flown to Bengaluru on other flights on Monday and others accommodated on alternative services arranged by the airline. IndiGo has initiated further technical inspections of the aircraft before it resumes service, sources indicated.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to review the incident as part of standard procedural requirements for bird strike events, though no formal DGCA statement has been released yet.

Air India Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Jaipur

On January 12, 2026, an Air India flight en route from New Delhi to Vijayawada was diverted to Jaipur International Airport after an elderly passenger fell critically ill mid-air. The aircraft, operating as AI-2517 on an Airbus A320, made an urgent landing in Jaipur early Monday morning following the onboard medical emergency.

Once on the ground, the passenger was swiftly deplaned and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while all other passengers remained safe. Flight tracking data confirmed the diversion to Jaipur, and no official statement has yet been issued by Air India.

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Marine Corps V‑22 Osprey Makes Emergency Landing Following Mechanical Malfunction

February 14, 2026

$Kelsey, United States: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final investigation report into the severe turbulence incident involving United Airlines Flight 1890, concluding that air traffic control failed to disseminate a critical pilot weather report that could have reduced the severity of the event. The Board said the aircraft encountered an unanticipated region of moderate-to-severe turbulence during descent into Newark Liberty International Airport, resulting in serious injuries to three flight attendants, while 277 other occupants were not injured. The incident occurred on February 10, 2024, when a Boeing 777-222ER, registered N788UA, was operating a scheduled domestic service from Los Angeles International Airport to Newark under Part 121 operations. While descending through approximately 21,500 feet (FL215) in instrument meteorological conditions, the aircraft encountered a localized pocket of turbulence that produced rapid vertical accelerations between 0.55 g and +1.82 g over several seconds. The sudden motion lifted unsecured crew members from the cabin floor and threw them into the ceiling and surrounding structures. Three flight attendants sustained serious injuries, including spinal fractures, a shattered femur, head trauma, and intracranial bleeding. Despite the injuries, the flight crew maintained control of the aircraft and continued to a safe landing at Newark, where emergency medical services met the aircraft at the gate. According to the report, the flight crew conducted standard preflight and in-flight turbulence assessments using Weather Services International (WSI) and SkyPath tools. Both systems showed only light to moderate turbulence along the planned route, and the onboard weather radar did not display any significant convective activity. Dispatch had advised the crew earlier in the flight that only one moderate turbulence report had been received from another regional jet descending into Newark, and no further warnings were issued as the aircraft approached the terminal area. Approximately three minutes before the incident, another aircraft, ACA548, reported moderate turbulence to Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZBW ARTCC) while flying ahead of United 1890 on the same route near the Hancock VOR. That report was not acknowledged or passed on to the following aircraft. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the accident was the aircraft’s encounter with a localized region of moderate-to-severe turbulence associated with strong upper-level wind shear and convective cloud tops. Contributing to the severity of the outcome, the Board found that air traffic control failed to disseminate the earlier pilot weather report, which reduced the flight crew’s situational awareness and limited their opportunity to seat cabin crew and secure the cabin before the encounter. Investigators stated that the controller handling the sector did not hear the initial turbulence report and therefore did not relay it, despite Federal Aviation Administration procedures requiring the solicitation and distribution of pilot weather reports during significant turbulence conditions. Meteorological analysis showed the presence of a cold front, embedded thunderstorms, and a strong jet stream with winds exceeding 110 knots near 21,000 feet, creating wind shear and clear-air turbulence at the tops of cloud layers. Satellite imagery and model data confirmed that turbulence conditions were present in the exact altitude band flown by the aircraft. The NTSB concluded that the flight crew followed proper procedures and used all available tools, but the most relevant real-time warning the pilot report issued minutes earlier was not provided to them, making the turbulence effectively unanticipated.$

NTSB Blames ATC Failure to Warn United Airlines Crew Of Turbulence Before Incident

February 14, 2026

Frankfurt, Germany: Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa was forced to cancel nearly 800 flights on Thursday after pilots and cabin crew staged coordinated industrial action, disrupting travel for around 100,000 passengers . The 24-hour strike began shortly after midnight on Thursday, February 12, and affected most Lufthansa-operated services, particularly at its main hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, where departure boards showed widespread cancellations throughout the day. According to multiple industry reports, Lufthansa removed approximately 800 flights from its schedule, representing more than half of its planned daily operations. The airline said the walkout caused significant disruption to both short-haul and long-haul services, including intercontinental departures. Lufthansa confirmed that about 100,000 passengers were impacted by the cancellations. The airline implemented large-scale rebooking measures, transferring travellers to partner airlines within the Lufthansa Group including Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines as well as offering rail alternatives within Germany in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn. Passengers were advised not to travel to the airport unless they had received confirmation that their flight was operating. Lufthansa also stated that customers whose flights were cancelled were eligible for full refunds or rebooking at no extra cost. Under European passenger rights rules, affected travellers may also be entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600, as airline staff strikes are generally not classified as extraordinary circumstances. The strike was triggered by parallel disputes involving two major unions: Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), representing pilots, over disagreements related to pension schemes and retirement benefits. UFO (Unabhängige Flugbegleiter Organisation), representing cabin crew, over job security, working conditions and collective agreements, including concerns linked to Lufthansa’s regional subsidiary operations. The strike was driven by unresolved labour disputes between staff unions and Lufthansa management, the main issues were pension benefits, job security and stalled contract negotiations. Union leaders said negotiations with Lufthansa management had stalled after months of talks, prompting the one-day walkout. Lufthansa management described the action as “disproportionate and unnecessary”, warning that the disruption would affect not only passengers but also Germany’s wider aviation network during a high-demand travel period. As of Friday, February 13, Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed that the strike had ended as scheduled, and that flight operations were largely returning to normal. No further industrial action has been announced at this stage. The airline said most services were operating according to schedule on Friday, although minor residual delays and isolated cancellations remained possible due to aircraft and crew repositioning. The disruption coincided with a busy week in Germany, with international travel demand elevated due to major events such as the Munich Security Conference and the opening of the Berlin International Film Festival, amplifying the impact on business and diplomatic travel. Lufthansa operates more than 700 aircraft and carries over 100 million passengers annually, making it one of Europe’s largest airline groups. The strike represents one of the most significant single-day disruptions to its operations in recent years.

Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers

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$Texas, United States: American Airlines Group Inc. is confronting unprecedented internal pressure from its largest labor unions this week as both flight attendants and pilots publicly rebuked Chief Executive Officer Robert Isom, citing chronic operational disruptions, lagging financial performance and strategic shortcomings. The escalation marks one of the most significant labor-management tensions in the airline’s recent history. On February 9, 2026, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) representing more than 28,000 American flight attendants issued a unanimous vote of no confidence in CEO Robert Isom, calling his leadership a “downward spiral” and urging a change at the top. The union says persistent operational failures and poor financial outcomes have directly harmed frontline workers and passenger experience. APFA has also scheduled a protest outside American’s headquarters in Fort Worth on February 12, reinforcing demands for executive accountability, improved operational support and a credible turnaround strategy. “This level of failure begins at the very top,” APFA President Julie Hedrick said in union communications, faulting management for decisions that left employees and travelers coping with systemic disruptions. Meanwhile, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) representing about 16,000 pilots delivered a strongly worded letter to American’s board earlier in the week asserting that confidence in management has eroded. Although the APA stopped short of a formal no-confidence vote, its leadership called for a face-to-face meeting with board members to address operational, cultural, and strategic issues. In a leaked letter to the APA board, Isom wrote, “The Board and I are aligned with you in the desire to make American the strongest airline possible in every respect. We discussed your letter at length and agreed that, as a member of the board and CEO, it is most appropriate that I get together with you, your leadership team, or the APA Board of Directors, whatever is best as soon as possible.” “I appreciate the opportunity to address the items outlined in your letter and the specifics you relayed to me personally regarding our handling of Winter Storms Fern and Gianna; American’s focus on pilot attendance policies; and our business plan to return American to its rightful place atop the industry.” American’s board also agreed to discuss those concerns directly with APA representatives, a rare concession that reflects the seriousness of the unrest. The immediate backdrop to the unions’ actions includes a major operational breakdown in late January when Winter Storm Fern swept through the U.S., severely disrupting airline schedules. Between January 23 and January 28, American Airlines cancelled nearly 6,800 flights, equating to roughly 43.4% of its schedule during that period. Unions contend that the airline was inadequately prepared for the storm’s impact, leaving crews stranded overnight in airports and passengers stranded in mass , incidents they say exposed deeper systemic weaknesses in planning and recovery procedures. APFA leaders cited anecdotes of flight attendants sleeping on airport floors and extended hold times during the chaos. American’s financial performance in recent years has significantly lagged its two main rivals, Delta and United Airlines, and many unions pin the blame on Isom’s strategy to turn the carrier’s domestic and network into its main differentiator. In 2025, the airline posted a full-year net profit of $111 million, down sharply from $846 million in 2024 and representing an approximately 87% decline in profits, according to union and industry reporting. By comparison, Delta Air Lines recorded a net profit near $5 billion and United Airlines around $3.4 billion in the same period. Isom embarked on a cost-cutting mission, ripping out TV screens from domestic airliners just as its rivals were doing the exact opposite. American chose to compete on price, while Delta and United pursued higher-yield premium passengers. The strategy adopted by Delta and United has proven to be incredibly successful, while airlines competing on price continue to lag financially. There are very real signs that American Airlines knows it went in the wrong direction. Isom says the carrier is focused on improving its premium proposition, but unions fear that he is the wrong person to lead the significant change that is required to turn American Airlines around. In 2024, the perceived architect of American’s failed strategy, Vasu Raja, was ushered out for what the APFA describes as a “high-profile sales and distribution debacle that set American back years and alienated thousands of high-revenue customers and businesses.” Despite this, however, Vasu continued to receive $462,000 in base pay for seven months and was awarded a $1 million lump sum severance, a decision that infuriated unions. Profit margin disparities have translated into meager profit-sharing payouts for front-line workers. One example cited by union critics shows that while employees at other major carriers received bonus checks worth weeks of pay, American’s payout was a fraction roughly 0.3% of annual salary. American’s stock has also underperformed broader expectations, declining significantly in early 2026 and continuing a negative trend from 2025. American Airlines executives, including Isom, have defended the company’s direction in recent earnings calls, emphasizing a strategy focused on customer experience enhancements, network optimization, and revenue generation through premium product upgrades. Management has acknowledged the winter storm as the largest weather-related operational disruption in the airline’s history but maintained that ongoing improvements will yield stronger results in 2026. Isom, who became CEO in March 2022, has told pilots that the upcoming board meeting will focus not only on addressing operational performance but also on issues such as pilot attendance and broader business planning. However, union leaders argue that without measurable progress on reliability, strategy, and employee support, morale and confidence will continue eroding a dynamic they warn could have long-term consequences for American’s competitive position. With protests planned, direct talks underway between pilot representatives and senior leadership, and flight attendants pushing strategic change at the board level, American Airlines finds itself at a labor and leadership crossroads. Stakeholders from investors to travelers will be watching closely as the airline seeks to reconcile internal dissent with its efforts to close performance gaps against Delta and United, restore operational stability, and articulate a definitive long-term strategy for recovery.$

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IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Varanasi After Bird Strike, All Onboard Safe

Aviation Today News Desk

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Recent News

Marine Corps V‑22 Osprey Makes Emergency Landing Following Mechanical Malfunction

NTSB Blames ATC Failure to Warn United Airlines Crew Of Turbulence Before Incident

Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers

IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive

Arik Air 737 With 80 Onboard Diverts To Benin After In-Flight Engine Shutdown

British Airways Flight Declares Emergency Due To Technical Issue Minutes After Takeoff

Three British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Consuming Marijuana-Infused Candies

American Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Return To Barbados Post Burst Tyre On Takeoff

Recent News

Marine Corps V‑22 Osprey Makes Emergency Landing Following Mechanical Malfunction

NTSB Blames ATC Failure to Warn United Airlines Crew Of Turbulence Before Incident

Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers

IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive

Arik Air 737 With 80 Onboard Diverts To Benin After In-Flight Engine Shutdown

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