aviation news Archives - Page 3 of 31

Caracas, Venezuela: Venezuela’s civil aviation authority has officially revoked the operating permits of six major international airlines after they failed to comply with a government-imposed 48-hour deadline to resume flights. The affected carriers are Iberia (Spain), TAP Air Portugal (Portugal), Avianca (Colombia), LATAM Airlines (Chile/Brazil), Turkish Airlines (Turkey), and GOL Linhas Aéreas (Brazil). Venezuelan authorities stated that the airlines’ suspension of flights following a safety advisory issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amounted to an alignment with “actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States.” The FAA had issued a warning earlier this month, citing a “potentially hazardous situation” over Venezuelan and Caribbean airspace due to heightened military activity in the region, including increased U.S. naval deployment. Airlines cited this advisory when temporarily halting flights to Venezuela. Caracas has rejected any external jurisdiction over its airspace and framed the suspensions as politically motivated. In a statement, the Interior Ministry said, “The government will not tolerate violations of our sovereignty by foreign airlines complying with pressures from foreign powers.” European and Latin American governments have expressed concern over the decision. The Portuguese Foreign Ministry described the revocation as “totally disproportionate,” emphasizing that TAP had acted purely on safety grounds. Observers warn that the ban could escalate diplomatic tensions between Venezuela, the United States, and European nations. The revocation significantly reduces Venezuela’s international air connectivity. Thousands of passengers are affected, especially with the peak holiday travel season approaching. Airlines that suspended flights but adhered to the Venezuelan deadline, such as Air Europa and Plus Ultra, have not had their permits revoked. Meanwhile, regional carriers like Copa Airlines and domestic Venezuelan airlines continue to operate, maintaining limited air services. The ban also affects trade and logistics. Freight services and cargo operations have been disrupted, adding to the already fragile economic and transportation infrastructure of the country. Analysts warn that long-term restrictions could isolate Venezuela from major global air networks, impacting both business and humanitarian travel. Some airlines have expressed willingness to resume flights once “full safety conditions” are guaranteed. Aviation industry experts note that such state actions set a complex precedent for international carriers operating in conflict-prone or politically sensitive regions. Legal challenges and diplomatic negotiations may follow as airlines attempt to reinstate their rights.

Venezuela Revokes Permits Of Six Major Airlines After 48-Hour Return-To-Service Deadline

Aviation Today News Desk / November 28, 2025

Caracas, Venezuela: Venezuela’s civil aviation authority has officially revoked the operating permits of six major international airlines after they failed […]

New Zealand

NZ Launches New Aviation Sandbox To Speed Up Testing Of Emerging Aerospace Technologies

Aviation Today News Desk / November 27, 2025

Wellington, New Zealand: The New Zealand Government has introduced a new civil aviation rule aimed at reducing regulatory barriers and accelerating innovation

Vilnius, Lithuania: A regional jet operated by LOT Polish Airlines slid off the taxiway at Vilnius Airport today, forcing a temporary closure of the runway. All 63 passengers and four crew members on board disembarked safely, and no injuries have been reported, airport and airline officials confirmed. The aircraft involved was an Embraer E170 (registration SP-LDK), operating flight LO771 from Warsaw (Poland) to Vilnius (Lithuania). The flight landed at 13:43 local time (runway 01) without apparent issues. However, while taxiing toward the stand, the aircraft veered off the paved surface sliding onto the northern side of the airfield. Flight-tracking records show the plane had slowed to under 30 knots before the final taxiway turn but nevertheless “continued straight,” failing to make the turn and leaving the paved taxiway surface. Emergency services including fire and ground-handling teams responded immediately. Passengers disembarked via mobile stairs and were safely transported to the terminal. No injuries or medical emergencies have been reported. The airline confirmed the return flight, LO772 from Vilnius to Warsaw, has been cancelled pending technical inspection. LOT’s technical team, together with airport authorities, is assessing the aircraft and runway condition before any further operations resume. Following the incident, Vilnius Airport under the authority of Lithuanian Airports (LTOU) issued a NOTAM and closed its runway, suspending all arrivals and departures. Initial estimates suggested resumption by 17:00 local time, but the closure was later extended until at least 22:00 as recovery and inspection work continued. The closure has affected other scheduled flights. Passengers on flights due to depart or arrive during the shutdown were advised to contact their airlines for updated schedules. The incident occurred amid heavy, wet snowfall in Vilnius part of a broader winter weather surge across Lithuania. The buildup of snow and slush likely contributed to poor friction on taxiway/runway surfaces. Meteorological warnings had been issued earlier, cautioning travelers about hazardous conditions. While the exact cause has not yet been determined, local media and aviation-safety observers have highlighted slippery surfaces from snow and wet slush as plausible contributing factors. Immediately after the incident, the airport’s Emergency Commission convened a meeting. The gathering included the transport minister, justice-department officials, and LTOU management, signaling the start of a formal investigation. Authorities have yet to publish a preliminary report. The investigation is expected to examine multiple aspects including runway/taxiway surface condition, snow/ice removal procedures, friction measurements, aircraft handling during taxi, and possible human or technical errors.

Incidents

LOT Polish Airlines Jet Slides Off Taxiway At Vilnius Airport, Runway Shut After Snow

Aviation Today News Desk / November 27, 2025

Vilnius, Lithuania: A regional jet operated by LOT Polish Airlines slid off the taxiway at Vilnius Airport today, forcing a

transparent reporting and genuine implementation by airlines. New Delhi, India: In a new circular dated November 20, the DGCA has ordered stricter measures to address pilot fatigue, signalling a shift in the regulator’s approach from mere duty-hour limits to systemic fatigue-risk management. The DGCA initiated this crackdown after an audit of all scheduled airlines found that many operators were uncertain about the scope and content of “annual fatigue training.” Officials noted that fatigue-reports from crew members had not been reaching DGCA for several months, especially following the implementation of the first phase of revised duty and rest norms on July 1, 2025. Under the broader regulatory overhaul of 2025, the DGCA had already increased the minimum weekly rest period for pilots from 36 to 48 hours and set stricter limits on night duty, night-landing frequency and consecutive night flights. Still, regulators found that merely limiting duty-hours was not enough fatigue risk persisted when scheduling, rostering and crew-management systems failed to account for real-world operational stresses. The new circular aims to close that gap. The new measures mean that airlines must now build internal processes, not just comply with hours-based restrictions. Mandatory training for schedulers/dispatchers, a fatigue-reporting system, and a review committee these steps aim to ensure safety proactively, rather than reactive incident-based enforcement. For flight-crew, this may encourage a culture of openness about fatigue; the quarterly reporting system and independent review could reduce pressure on pilots to “tough it out.” For airlines, compliance will demand more than roster-planning operators will need to implement fatigue-awareness training, document reporting and follow-up, and coordinate across departments (scheduling, operations, HR). The November 25 circular builds on changes introduced earlier in 2025. In February, DGCA told the court that a revised framework for flight duty time limitation (FDTL) would be phased in from July 1, with full implementation by November 1. Under that framework: weekly rest was raised to 48 hours, night-duty definitions were revised, and caps placed on night landings and consecutive night flights. Simultaneously, DGCA released a draft “Fatigue Risk Management System” (FRMS), offering airlines a performance-based alternative to prescriptive duty-hour limits if operators can demonstrate through data that fatigue risk remains low. However, the regulator clarified that adoption of FRMS would remain optional; airlines may choose to continue under the standard duty-hour/rest rules.

Pilots

DGCA Tightens Pilot Fatigue Rules, Mandates Training And Quarterly Reporting

Aviation Today News Desk / November 26, 2025

New Delhi, India: In a new circular dated November 20, the DGCA has ordered stricter measures to address pilot fatigue,

Beijing, China: Air China and Rolls-Royce have completed their USD 315 million engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Beijing, marking a major expansion of Rolls-Royce’s service network in mainland China. The joint venture, Beijing Aero Engine Services Ltd (BAESL), will induct its first engine in December 2025, with full commercial operations scheduled for early 2026. The Beijing site will overhaul Trent 700, Trent XWB-84, and Trent 1000 engines, which power A330, A350 and Boeing 787 fleets operated by Chinese carriers. Rolls-Royce said BAESL is designed as a “digitally enabled, next-generation” shop with advanced tooling and automation. According to official Beijing investment authorities, the facility spans more than 80,000 sq. m and will employ up to 800 staff once fully ramped up. It is expected to reach an annual capacity of 250 engine shop visits by the mid-2030s. This is Rolls-Royce’s first MRO joint venture on mainland China and its fourth globally, complementing HAESL in Hong Kong, SAESL in Singapore, and N3 in Germany. For Air China, the project strengthens domestic overhaul capability for high-thrust wide-body engines, reducing dependency on overseas shops. Air China executives said the facility will support the “industrialisation and localisation” of China’s engine maintenance ecosystem. Rolls-Royce leaders noted that China’s expanding wide-body fleet with nearly 600 Trent engines in service requires long-term, locally available maintenance capacity. BAESL is situated in Shunyi District, inside the Beijing Capital International Airport Economic Zone. Infrastructure includes overhaul bays, advanced engine testing facilities, parts warehousing and digital monitoring centres. With the JV now structurally complete, Rolls-Royce and Air China will begin progressive operational readiness checks before the first Trent engine arrives later this year. The facility is expected to significantly cut turnaround times for Chinese operators and reinforce China’s position as a major MRO hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Airlines

Air China And Rolls-Royce Complete $315 Million Engine MRO Facility In Beijing

Aviation Today News Desk / November 25, 2025

Beijing, China: Air China and Rolls-Royce have completed their USD 315 million engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in

New Delhi, India: Flight operations across several Indian carriers were disrupted on Tuesday after volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption drifted toward major West Asia and India-bound air corridors. Airlines including Air India, Akasa Air and IndiGo cancelled or rerouted multiple flights as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advisory enforcing strict avoidance of ash-affected airspace. The DGCA directed airlines to steer clear of regions and flight levels identified as contaminated by volcanic ash. The regulator also instructed carriers to reassess flight plans, fuel requirements and alternates, and to file immediate reports of any suspected ash encounters. The advisory highlighted the risk to aircraft engines and airframes, and asked operators to conduct additional inspections for any aircraft that may have flown near the affected zones. Airports were simultaneously ordered to check runways, aprons and taxiways for possible ash contamination and initiate cleaning procedures if required. Air India cancelled 11 flights over the past 24 hours, stating that precautionary checks were needed on aircraft that might have traversed areas close to the ash plume. The airline said it was monitoring volcanic-ash advisories in coordination with international aviation agencies and had not observed any major operational impact beyond temporary cancellations. Akasa Air suspended several India–Gulf flights, including services to Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, citing the need to avoid ash-affected airspace over the Arabian Peninsula. The airline offered full refunds and complimentary rebooking for passengers scheduled to travel on 24 and 25 November. IndiGo reported multiple cancellations as well, noting that its operations team was adjusting routes in real time based on ash-movement maps issued by global meteorological centres. At least six flights including services from Mumbai and southern metros were grounded as a precaution. Volcanic ash can severely damage aircraft by melting inside engines, clogging ventilation systems and affecting sensors. Following ICAO protocols, Indian carriers have shifted flight paths and temporarily halted services operating along westbound routes that intersect the plume’s trajectory. Although the ash cloud was observed at high altitudes reducing the likelihood of direct impact on surface visibility, aviation authorities stressed that even small concentrations can be hazardous for high-altitude jet operations. Meteorological agencies indicated that the ash plume continued its eastward movement toward China after passing over northern India. Airlines said normal operations would resume once updated advisories confirm the clearing of affected corridors. Indian regulators and carriers remain on heightened watch, treating the event as a significant international air-safety incident requiring continuous monitoring.

Airlines

Ethiopia Volcano Ash Disrupts Indian Flight Operations; DGCA Issues Safety Alert

Aviation Today News Desk / November 25, 2025

New Delhi, India: Flight operations across several Indian carriers were disrupted on Tuesday after volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi

Airlines

Saudi Arabia To Launch Three New Airlines To Boost Tourism And Aviation Growth

Aviation Today News Desk / November 24, 2025

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch three new airlines, a significant expansion of its aviation ecosystem as

Fiji

Fiji Regulator Orders Sunflower Aviation To Cease Operations Over Compliance Issues

Aviation Today News Desk / November 24, 2025

Suva, Fiji: The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) has ordered Sunflower Aviation to shut down its operations after the

Hyderabad, India: A Gulf Air flight operating from Bahrain to Hyderabad was diverted to Mumbai early Sunday after airport authorities in Hyderabad received an email claiming a bomb had been placed on the aircraft. The threat was later confirmed to be a hoax after detailed security checks. Flight GF 274, carrying 154 passengers, departed Bahrain at 22:20 hrs on Saturday and was scheduled to arrive at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 04:55 a.m. On Sunday. At around 3 a.m., an email warning of an explosive device onboard was sent to the Hyderabad airport’s customer support address, prompting authorities to initiate emergency protocols. Following standard procedure, the aircraft was instructed to divert to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, where it landed safely. Security teams conducted multiple layers of inspection and found no suspicious objects. After receiving clearance from security agencies, the flight departed Mumbai and landed in Hyderabad at 11:31 a.m. Gulf Air stated that the diversion was carried out “in accordance with safety and security requirements” and confirmed that all passengers were safe. Hyderabad Airport officials filed a complaint with local police, who have registered a case and begun tracing the origin of the threat email. Authorities noted that the message appeared similar to earlier hoax threats received in recent weeks. The incident follows a series of false alarms involving flights bound for Hyderabad. Earlier this month, an IndiGo flight from Jeddah to Hyderabad was diverted to Mumbai after an email referencing a past airport blast claimed a bomb was onboard. That threat also proved to be false, but it prompted full emergency procedures and inspections. The repeated hoax threats have triggered heightened alert levels at Hyderabad Airport and renewed discussions within India’s aviation sector regarding cyber-threat response, email-verification systems, and rapid-response coordination for inbound international flights.

Incidents

Hyderabad Bomb Threat Forces Gulf Air Flight To Divert To Mumbai For Security Checks

Aviation Today News Desk / November 24, 2025

Hyderabad, India: A Gulf Air flight operating from Bahrain to Hyderabad was diverted to Mumbai early Sunday after airport authorities

Santa Cruz, United States: Joby Aviation has filed a lawsuit against rival Archer Aviation, alleging that the company gained an unfair competitive advantage by using confidential business information taken by a former Joby executive. The complaint, lodged in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, claims the misconduct allowed Archer to pursue a more lucrative arrangement with one of Joby’s key real-estate partners. According to the filing, Joby accuses former employee George Kivork, its ex-head of U.S. state and local policy, of downloading and transferring internal documents days before resigning in July and joining Archer. Joby Aviation says the files included details on partnership agreements, regulatory strategies, vertiport infrastructure plans, and operational data related to its electric aircraft. A forensic review cited in the lawsuit found that Kivork allegedly emailed dozens of files to his personal account and altered permissions on hundreds more, enabling him to retain access after his departure. Joby Aviation argues that Archer later approached a strategic real-estate developer with insight drawn from the leaked information, attempting to outbid Joby’s existing agreement. The company is seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction to stop Archer Aviation from using any of the disputed materials. Archer Aviation has rejected the accusations. In a statement, Eric Lentell, Archer’s Chief Legal and Strategy Officer, said the lawsuit “is entirely without merit” and lacks identification of any specific trade secrets. He added that the company has no agreement with the developer referenced in Joby’s complaint and criticised the lawsuit as an attempt to disrupt competitive dynamics in the emerging electric air-taxi sector. The dispute comes as both firms accelerate toward FAA certification and negotiate infrastructure and development partnerships essential for future eVTOL services. Archer previously faced a similar trade-secrets battle with Wisk Aero, which was settled in 2023, but maintains that its compliance systems prevent misuse of any proprietary information from former employees’ previous employers. The court has scheduled the first hearing for March 20, 2026, with the case expected to progress through motions and discovery well into next year.

eVTOL

Joby Aviation Sues Rival Archer Aviation For Misusing Confidential Business Information

Aviation Today News Desk / November 22, 2025

Santa Cruz, United States: Joby Aviation has filed a lawsuit against rival Archer Aviation, alleging that the company gained an

aviation news

Venezuela Revokes Permits Of Six Major Airlines After 48-Hour Return-To-Service Deadline

NZ Launches New Aviation Sandbox To Speed Up Testing Of Emerging Aerospace Technologies

LOT Polish Airlines Jet Slides Off Taxiway At Vilnius Airport, Runway Shut After Snow

DGCA Tightens Pilot Fatigue Rules, Mandates Training And Quarterly Reporting

Air China And Rolls-Royce Complete $315 Million Engine MRO Facility In Beijing

Ethiopia Volcano Ash Disrupts Indian Flight Operations; DGCA Issues Safety Alert

Saudi Arabia To Launch Three New Airlines To Boost Tourism And Aviation Growth

Fiji Regulator Orders Sunflower Aviation To Cease Operations Over Compliance Issues

Hyderabad Bomb Threat Forces Gulf Air Flight To Divert To Mumbai For Security Checks

Joby Aviation Sues Rival Archer Aviation For Misusing Confidential Business Information

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