Domestic Air Travel Archives

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of ₹20 lakh on IndiGo, India’s largest airline, for alleged lapses in its pilot training programme. The regulator found that the airline had used unqualified flight simulators to train pilots operating flights to Category C aerodromes, which are considered challenging due to terrain and approach conditions. According to the filing, the alleged non-compliance relates to the airline’s “failure to use qualified simulators for pilot training at Category C aerodromes.” These airports include Calicut, Mangaluru, Srinagar, Port Blair, Leh, Aizawl, Shimla, and international locations such as Kabul and Kathmandu. Aviation experts said that Category C airports require pilots to undergo specific simulator training replicating the topography and terrain of those airfields. “A qualified simulator must realistically depict the local geography, altitude, and approach pattern. Using a generic simulator can affect pilot readiness for critical airports like Leh or Calicut,” said Captain Anil S. Rao, President of the All India Pilots Association, in comments to The New Indian Express. In its statement, IndiGo said the fine would have no material impact on its operations and that it would contest the DGCA order before the appropriate appellate authority. “We remain committed to maintaining the highest training standards and operational safety,” the airline said. The DGCA’s order, dated September 26, 2025, stated that IndiGo failed to comply with simulator certification standards while conducting recurrent training for pilots assigned to operate at high-risk airports. The penalty was disclosed by IndiGo’s parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, in its filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The DGCA had earlier issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo on August 11, 2025, for using unapproved Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulators in pilot training. These simulators were reportedly used for critical training functions such as type rating, recurrent training, and proficiency checks without securing the necessary regulatory approval. The DGCA gave IndiGo seven days to respond, warning that failure to do so could have led to enforcement actions, including potential suspension of related training approvals. IndiGo acknowledged the notice and temporarily withdrew the identified simulators pending regulatory clearance. The airline cooperated with the DGCA to ensure all training devices met the required standards.

DGCA Fines IndiGo ₹20 Lakh For Pilot Simulator Training Lapses At Category C Airports

Aviation Today News Desk / October 9, 2025

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of ₹20 lakh on IndiGo, India’s […]

India

ICRA Slashes India’s FY26 Air Passenger Growth Forecast to 4–6%, Warns of Losses

Aviation Today News Desk / October 4, 2025

New Delhi, India: ICRA has revised its domestic air passenger growth projection for FY26 to 4–6%, down from the previous

New Delhi, India: The GST Council on September 3, 2025, announced a revised two-tier GST structure, set to come into effect from September 22, 2025, impacting air travel and luxury services. Under the new system, most goods and services will attract either 5% or 18% GST, while select luxury and “sin” items will be taxed at 40%. For air travel, the changes are as follows: Economy class tickets: Continue at 5% GST, unchanged from previous rates. Premium economy, business, and first-class tickets: Previously taxed at 12% GST, these fares will now attract 18% GST, increasing the cost for premium travelers. For example, a business class ticket booked on September 4, 2025, for travel on September 24, 2025, will attract the old 12% GST, while the same ticket booked on or after September 23, 2025, will incur the new 18% GST. The Finance Ministry clarified under Section 14(a)(i) of the CGST Act, 2017, that GST liability is determined by the time of supply: If goods or services are supplied before the rate change but invoiced afterward, GST depends on the time of supply. Payment after the rate change: time of supply is the earlier of the invoice date or payment receipt date. Payment before the rate change: time of supply is the payment receipt date. The GST on private jets, helicopters, yachts, and pleasure vessels has increased from an effective 31% (28% GST + 3% cess) to a flat 40% GST, eliminating the cess and raising costs for high-end travelers and operators. According to PTI, The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed disappointment over the increase in GST on non-economy travel. “Aviation has significant potential to boost India’s economy, both through airline growth and improved connectivity. It is therefore disappointing to increase GST on non-economy travel without clear justification,” said Sheldon Hee, IATA’s Asia Pacific regional vice-president. He added that the tax on premium travel has more than doubled since 2017 and warned that such increases could dampen demand and affect airline profitability, especially since premium travelers often determine a route’s viability. Airlines are expected to pass on the higher GST to passengers, making premium tickets more expensive. Meanwhile, economy travelers benefit from stable fares, with GST unchanged at 5%. The revised structure aims to simplify taxation while ensuring that revenue from luxury and non-essential services contributes to public finances.

Airlines

IATA Criticises GST Hike on Premium Flights, Warns of Impact on Airline Viability

Aviation Today News Desk / September 8, 2025

New Delhi, India: The GST Council on September 3, 2025, announced a revised two-tier GST structure, set to come into

Seaplane

India to Revive Seaplane Services with Fresh Routes and Relaxed Norms from October

Aviation Today News Desk / September 2, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s Civil Aviation Ministry now plans to relaunch seaplane operations across at least two domestic routes by

New Delhi: Regional air connectivity is an important goal for the Indian government, as air passenger traffic is expected to reach 40 crore by 2029. During a conference in New Delhi on Monday, Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam stressed the country's aviation sector's enormous growth potential | Aviation Today

Civil Aviation

India’s Air Passenger Traffic Set to Hit 40 Crore by 2029: Civil Aviation Secretary

Aviation Today News Desk / January 7, 2025

New Delhi: Regional air connectivity is an important goal for the Indian government, as air passenger traffic is expected to

Gurgaon, India: ICRA, a prominent credit rating agency predicts that domestic aviation passenger traffic in India is expected to increase by 7-10% year on year in FY2025, reaching 164-170 million passengers. Despite problems like heat waves and weather-related delays, traffic ascended by 5.3% in the first half of FY2025, reaching 79.3 million passengers | Aviation Today

Indian Airlines

ICRA forecasts a 7-10% rise in domestic aviation passenger volume in FY2025

Aviation Today News Desk / December 5, 2024

Image from Wiktionary Gurgaon, India: ICRA, a prominent credit rating agency predicts that domestic aviation passenger traffic in India is

India – IndiGo, India’s leading low-cost carrier, has launched its innovative “Student Special” program, revolutionizing domestic air travel for students across the country. This program offers exclusive benefits designed to make air travel more accessible, affordable, and flexible for young travelers.

Airlines

IndiGo Student Special: Zero-Fee Flight Changes, Extra Baggage, and Discounts for Young Travelers

Aviation Today News Desk / November 26, 2024

Picture Credits: Indigo’s X India – IndiGo, India’s leading low-cost carrier, has launched its innovative Student Special program, revolutionizing domestic

Domestic Air Travel

DGCA Fines IndiGo ₹20 Lakh For Pilot Simulator Training Lapses At Category C Airports

ICRA Slashes India’s FY26 Air Passenger Growth Forecast to 4–6%, Warns of Losses

IATA Criticises GST Hike on Premium Flights, Warns of Impact on Airline Viability

India’s Air Passenger Traffic Set to Hit 40 Crore by 2029: Civil Aviation Secretary

ICRA forecasts a 7-10% rise in domestic aviation passenger volume in FY2025

IndiGo Student Special: Zero-Fee Flight Changes, Extra Baggage, and Discounts for Young Travelers

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