News

Civil Aviation

Pilot Training

Flight School Analysis

Aviation Jobs

Training

Services

About Us

Airlines

Air India Group Mandates Substance Screening For All Pilots Following A320neo Incident

Aviation Today News Desk August 14, 2026

New Delhi, India: Air India and Air India Express have begun mandatory substance screening for more than 5,000 pilots, with the

international operations. Beijing, China: Air China’s COMAC C919 completed its first scheduled international passenger service on August 12, 2026, when flight CA723 departed Beijing Capital International Airport at about 3 p.m. for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, marking the first time the Chinese-developed narrowbody aircraft carried passengers on a regular route between China and another country. The aircraft arrived at Chinggis Khaan International Airport at about 4:58 p.m. with 121 passengers onboard. China operates the route daily, with CA723 scheduled to depart Beijing at 3 p.m. and arrive in Ulaanbaatar at 5:15 p.m., while return flight CA724 departs Ulaanbaatar at 6:30 p.m. and reaches Beijing at 8:35 p.m., with all times local. The Beijing-Ulaanbaatar operation marks the latest stage in the C919’s commercial development since the aircraft entered airline service in 2023. The C919 was developed by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the country’s state-owned commercial aircraft manufacturer, as China’s first domestically developed narrowbody mainline jet built to international airworthiness standards. COMAC lists the aircraft’s basic configuration at 158 to 192 seats, with a range of 4,075 to 5,555 kilometers. The programme reached a major milestone on November 2, 2015, when the first C919 completed final assembly and rolled out, followed by its maiden flight on May 5, 2017. The aircraft received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on September 29, 2022, and the first C919 was delivered to launch customer China Eastern Airlines on December 9, 2022. China Eastern subsequently operated the aircraft’s first commercial passenger flight on May 28, 2023, completing the development, manufacturing, certification and commercial-entry stages of the programme. The C919’s international exposure began before Wednesday’s scheduled service. In February 2024, a China Eastern C919 flew to Singapore for the Singapore Airshow, marking the aircraft’s first appearance at the event. COMAC then conducted a series of demonstration flights in Southeast Asia in 2024, including visits to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia, to assess the aircraft’s compatibility with local airports, ground-support equipment and operating procedures. The C919 programme has also expanded beyond the original aircraft configuration. On July 29, 2026, COMAC conducted the first flight of the C919 high-altitude variant at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The aircraft flew for 1 hour and 59 minutes and completed all planned test items. COMAC said the variant incorporates a shortened fuselage and system modifications designed for high-altitude operations. The aircraft remains heavily dependent on an international supply chain. Its LEAP-1C engines are supplied by CFM International, the GE Aerospace-Safran joint venture, while Honeywell, Collins Aerospace, Parker Hannifin, Moog and other Western companies supply systems and equipment. Air Data News reported that this dependence became particularly visible during the 2025 US-China trade dispute, when Washington temporarily suspended export licenses involving technology and engines destined for COMAC before the restrictions were later lifted. The C919’s dependence on foreign technology has also been a factor in China’s efforts to develop domestic alternatives. Replacing established Western systems requires more than manufacturing substitute components, because replacement systems must meet requirements for reliability, weight, fuel efficiency, durability and certification. Production has been another major part of the programme’s development. COMAC delivered 15 C919 aircraft to customers in 2025, well below an earlier target of 75 aircraft. South China Morning Post reported in January 2026 that COMAC was targeting at least 28 deliveries during 2026 and that, if production reached the expected pace, the manufacturer could produce one C919 every 10 to 15 days. The report said two aircraft had already taken shape during the first three weeks of 2026 and were undergoing delivery procedures. COMAC has also been expanding its production infrastructure. ChinaTravelNews reported in July 2026 that deliveries were expected to reach at least 28 C919 aircraft in 2026, with production potentially increasing to one aircraft every 10 to 15 days. The second phase of the C919 final-assembly-line expansion in Shanghai Pudong is expected to take annual production capacity above 100 aircraft, while COMAC has set a longer-term target of 200 aircraft a year by 2029. Earlier production plans were even more ambitious. In March 2025, COMAC raised its planned C919 production capacity for that year to 75 aircraft from an earlier target of 50, while setting a 200-aircraft annual production objective for 2029. The actual 2025 delivery figure subsequently came in at 15 aircraft. The C919’s order book has been concentrated largely among Chinese airlines. By December 2024, Air Data News reported that Air China, China Southern and China Eastern together had ordered 306 C919 aircraft, although only 14 had been delivered to the three carriers at that point. COMAC was simultaneously exploring potential overseas customers in Indonesia, Cambodia and Kazakhstan, while Vietnam Airlines, AirAsia and Brazil’s Total Linhas A

China’s Homegrown C919 Makes International Debut With Air China Flight To Mongolia

Aviation Today News Desk August 13, 2026

Beijing, China: Air China’s COMAC C919 completed its first scheduled international passenger service on August 12, 2026, when flight CA723 departed

WestJet To Pay C$4.5 Million In Decade-Long Flight Attendants’ Harassment Case

Aviation Today News Desk August 13, 2026

Vancouver, Canada: WestJet’s C$4.5 million settlement with female flight attendants in a decade-long sexual harassment class action was approved by the

Nova Scotia Court Approves C$18.075 Million Settlement Over 2015 Air Canada AC624 Crash

Aviation Today News Desk August 12, 2026

Halifax, Canada: A Nova Scotia court has approved an C$18.075 million class-action settlement involving passengers of Air Canada Flight AC624, which

New Delhi, India: Air India’s A320neo operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi suffered multiple technical and mechanical glitches, including three hydraulic-system failures, an autopilot disconnect and a flight-control stall warning before suddenly losing around 300 feet in altitude, according to information reported by PTI, citing sources. The aircraft encountered turbulence during the August 4 incident, which left 17 people injured. The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo registered VT-EXO, was cruising from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi when the sudden altitude loss occurred. According to PTI, the autopilot disconnected during the flight, after which the co-pilot manually regained control. A flight-control stall warning then appeared, while several indicator switches briefly went off. Sources also told PTI that the aircraft experienced multiple other technical and mechanical glitches alongside the turbulence. The latest information indicates that the aircraft experienced three separate hydraulic failures. Hydraulic systems use pressurised fluid to operate critical aircraft components, including flight-control systems, making the reported failures a significant part of the ongoing investigation. The crew managed to stabilise the aircraft and subsequently continued the flight to Delhi, where it landed safely. Air India said the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise before stabilising and continuing normally to Delhi. The flight carried 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members. At least 17 people, 13 passengers and four crew members were reported injured and taken for medical evaluation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the occurrence as a serious incident under ICAO Annex 13, which governs aircraft accident and incident investigations. The aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been secured for examination as investigators work to establish what triggered the altitude loss and the reported technical problems. Airbus has confirmed that it is sending specialists to India to provide technical assistance to the investigation. The manufacturer said it was supporting the relevant investigating authorities in accordance with ICAO Annex 13. France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) is also joining the investigation because the A320 is manufactured in France. Teams from Airbus and BEA are expected to assist the AAIB as investigators examine the aircraft and recorded flight data. The latest technical findings remain preliminary and have not been established as the final cause of the incident. The reported triple hydraulic failures and other malfunctions are based on sources cited by PTI; they are not yet findings formally released by the AAIB. The investigation is continuing, with technical specialists expected to examine the aircraft’s systems and recorded data before any conclusions are reached. A separate line of investigation concerns the pilot-in-command’s post-flight psychoactive-substance screening. The Civil Aviation Ministry said an initial screening result was “not negative” and required confirmatory laboratory testing. The pilot’s sample was subsequently sent for further analysis, and the final confirmatory result was still awaited in the latest reports. The ministry has not disclosed what substance, if any, was indicated by the initial screening. The distinction is important because an initial “not negative” screening result does not by itself establish drug use. The pilots’ body, ALPA India, has said that commonly used over-the-counter medicines can also produce a non-negative result in psychoactive-substance screening. The confirmatory laboratory test is therefore expected to determine whether the initial result was caused by a prohibited substance or another factor. Both pilots have been taken off flying duties pending the investigation, according to reporting on the ministry’s action. Air India has said it was aware that post-flight screening had been conducted under applicable procedures but had not initially been informed of the results. The final laboratory findings remain an important part of determining whether the screening result has any connection to the August 4 occurrence. The incident was initially widely described as a severe-turbulence event after passengers and crew were thrown from their seats during the sudden altitude change. The newer information from PTI, however, adds a series of reported technical malfunctions including autopilot disconnection, a flight-control stall warning, briefly extinguished indicators and three hydraulic failures to the investigation. Whether these issues caused, contributed to or merely coincided with the altitude loss remains to be established by the AAIB probe. For now, the cause remains officially undetermined. Investigators are examining the aircraft’s systems, flight-recorded data, cockpit recordings and other evidence, with Airbus and France’s BEA assisting the AAIB. The outcome of the pilot’s confirmatory psychoactive-substance test is also awaited. Until those investigations are completed, the reported technical failures and the initial screening result should not be treated as established causes of the incident.

Air India A320neo Reportedly Suffered Three Hydraulic Failures During Phuket-Delhi Flight

Aviation Today News Desk August 11, 2026

New Delhi, India: Air India’s A320neo operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi suffered multiple technical and mechanical glitches, including three

Malaysia Aviation Group Mandates Pilot Drug Tests After Alleged Drug-Trafficking Case

Aviation Today News Desk August 8, 2026

Sepang, Malaysia: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has begun mandatory drug screening for all Malaysia Airlines pilots and is expanding fitness-for-duty checks

EasyJet Agrees £5.7bn Apollo Takeover After Castlelake Walks Away From Bidding Race

Aviation Today News Desk August 7, 2026

London, United Kingdom: EasyJet has agreed to Apollo Global Management’s £5.7 billion (US$7.67 billion) takeover proposal, offering shareholders £7.15 per share

New Delhi, India: Akasa Air has backed the Centre's reported proposal to allow airport operators to own airlines, with Founder and Chief Executive Officer Vinay Dube expressing confidence that the government will introduce appropriate safeguards while framing the policy. At the same time, the airline is preparing for its next phase of expansion, with plans to explore an initial public offering (IPO) within the next two to five years as it continues to strengthen its financial position. Speaking in an interview with PTI, Dube said India requires greater competition in the aviation sector and that consumers would ultimately benefit from having more airline choices. His remarks come amid reports that the government is considering changes to existing norms that would permit airport operators to establish or own airlines. According to Dube, any framework allowing airport operators to own airlines would naturally involve regulatory and competitive considerations, particularly when a private entity controls both airport infrastructure and an airline. However, he expressed confidence that policymakers are fully aware of these issues and will incorporate the necessary safeguards while drafting the legislation. "I am very confident that the government will take into account the considerations involved when a private enterprise owns both an airport and an airline. Therefore, I am happy and supportive of this move," Dube told PTI. Emphasising the need for a more competitive aviation market, he said India can and should support multiple airlines to meet growing passenger demand. While acknowledging potential concerns surrounding ownership structures, he stressed that the larger objective should remain expanding consumer choice and encouraging healthy market competition. The comments come shortly after IndiGo Co-Founder and Managing Director Rahul Bhatia publicly warned that permitting airport operators to own airlines could create a "massive conflict of interest." A day later, the Adani Group, which currently operates eight airports across India, denied media reports suggesting it planned to enter the airline business. The policy discussion is unfolding as India continues to rank among the world's fastest-growing domestic aviation markets, with the government pursuing measures aimed at expanding connectivity, increasing airline capacity and encouraging new entrants. Akasa Air, which commenced commercial operations on August 7, 2022, will complete four years of operations this week. The airline currently operates a fleet of 40 Boeing 737 aircraft and has steadily expanded its domestic and international network since launch. The government's commitment to promoting competition was reiterated earlier this week when Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on August 3, said the Centre remains committed to creating a conducive environment that supports the growth of existing airlines while facilitating the entry of new operators. In a separate interview in the past, Dube also outlined Akasa Air's long-term financial roadmap, revealing that the carrier intends to evaluate an initial public offering within the next two to five years. He said the airline remains financially healthy, describing Akasa Air as cash-positive and noting that its financial performance is progressing in line with management expectations. While confirming IPO plans are under consideration, Dube stressed that the airline will continue to prioritise sustainable expansion rather than pursuing aggressive fleet or network growth simply to increase its size."We will not chase growth for the sake of growth," Dube said. Akasa Air strengthened its financial position last year by raising fresh capital from investors, including Premji Invest and Claypond Capital, with the funds earmarked primarily for network and operational expansion. The airline has also outlined ambitious fleet expansion plans. Earlier, Chief Financial Officer Ankur Goel said Akasa Air aims to induct enough aircraft to build a fleet of 226 airplanes by the end of 2032, while continuing to improve financial performance and increase capacity. Official aviation data showed Akasa Air held a 5.4% domestic market share during the latest reporting period cited in the PTI report, underscoring its steady growth since entering India's highly competitive airline sector. With supportive financial fundamentals, an expanding fleet, and a long-term IPO strategy, Akasa Air is positioning itself for sustained growth while advocating for policy reforms that it believes could further strengthen competition in India's rapidly evolving aviation industry.

Akasa Air Supports Airport-Airline Ownership Plan, Says India Needs More Competition

Aviation Today News Desk August 6, 2026

New Delhi, India: Akasa Air has backed the Centre’s reported proposal to allow airport operators to own airlines, with Founder and

Air India Appoints Former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam As CEO & MD

Aviation Today News Desk August 6, 2026

New Delhi, India: Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive

SAS Cabin Crew In Norway To Strike On August 8 After Rejecting Proposed Wage Deal

Aviation Today News Desk August 5, 2026

Oslo, Norway: Scandinavian airline SAS is facing the prospect of another cabin crew strike in Norway after union members overwhelmingly rejected

Airlines

Air India Group Mandates Substance Screening For All Pilots Following A320neo Incident

China’s Homegrown C919 Makes International Debut With Air China Flight To Mongolia

WestJet To Pay C$4.5 Million In Decade-Long Flight Attendants’ Harassment Case

Nova Scotia Court Approves C$18.075 Million Settlement Over 2015 Air Canada AC624 Crash

Air India A320neo Reportedly Suffered Three Hydraulic Failures During Phuket-Delhi Flight

Malaysia Aviation Group Mandates Pilot Drug Tests After Alleged Drug-Trafficking Case

EasyJet Agrees £5.7bn Apollo Takeover After Castlelake Walks Away From Bidding Race

Akasa Air Supports Airport-Airline Ownership Plan, Says India Needs More Competition

Air India Appoints Former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam As CEO & MD

SAS Cabin Crew In Norway To Strike On August 8 After Rejecting Proposed Wage Deal

Quick Links

Navigate

General Support

News Desk Support