Air India suspends Pune-Singapore direct flight until July 15
Pune: Air India, which is under scrutiny from all quarters following the Ahmedabad plane crash, announced on Sunday that it suspended the direct Pune-Singapore flight until July 15.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The Pune-Singapore flight was launched by the erstwhile Vistara in Dec 2022. The flight, now operating as AI-2111, flew four days a week using an Airbus A-321 aircraft. It used to take off from Pune at 0210 hours (IST) and landed in Singapore at 10.30 hours (GMT). This flight was inaugurated online by former Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
The airline stated that this was part of its overall reduction in narrow-bodied operations by less than 5%.
"This voluntary decision leads to the temporary suspension of Air India's services on three routes and a reduction in frequency on 19 routes. The changes are effective until at least July 15. These reductions aim to strengthen Air India's network-wide operational stability and minimise last-minute inconvenience to passengers," an airline press statement said.
Other international flights suspended by Air India include a flight between Bengaluru and Singapore.
Additionally, a domestic flight between Mumbai and Bagdogra has also been suspended. The frequency of 19 domestic flights, including one between Pune and Delhi, has been reduced.
Amitabh Kumar, who was scheduled to fly to Singapore on the flight on Monday, wrote on X, "My Pune–Singapore direct flight on June 23 is cancelled now, and the alternative offered has delayed me by more than 8 hours. The airline informed me just 12 hours prior—no hotel, no care, no compensation," he wrote.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Sushil Arya, who was scheduled to fly on Sunday, said, "They just cancelled the flight a day before. Why has it been cancelled like this a day before?" he asked the airline on X and received the response that the cancellation was for operational reasons. "I have been trying to book the flight for Aug 25, but cannot see the flight. I don't understand whether it will be restored after July 15 or not," another flyer told TOI.
The suspension of the flight has left Pune with just four direct international flights, down from five. "The flight was good and gave us the opportunity to travel not just to Singapore, but many other countries in Southeast Asia via Singapore. We hope that the flight is restored," Amol Dayal, a businessman, said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
TN floats tenders to set up 118-acre eco-park in MRC
Chennai: Nearly 10 months after it took over the 160-acre Madras Race Course campus at Guindy, the govt has floated a 25-crore tender to hire a consultant to prepare a detailed feasibility report (DFR) for an eco-park on 118 acres. The DFR must be finalised within 10 months of the award of tender. It will have the landscape plan with 3D views and walkthroughs, following which the horticulture department will execute the project. The DFR will also estimate the cost. Govt sources said they envisaged a forest experience area, flower tunnel, bonsai garden, and glass houses with exotic plants in the eco-park. It will also feature gazebos, footpaths, irrigation, garden illumination, a cafeteria, and a children's play area. Director of the horticulture department, Kumaravel Pandiyan, said they will start with flower beds soon, followed by the irrigation system. "We have also decided to plant neem, pungam, poovarasu, and venmab trees across the campus," he said. In Sept 2024, the state revenue department claimed possession of the 160-acre property terminating a 74-year-old lease of Madras Race Club (MRC). Months later, 118 acres, valued at about 4,800 crore, was handed over to the horticulture department for the eco-park. Despite this, the MRC authorities continued to manage the premises. GCC dug three ponds on the campus but did nothing else. When TOI visited last week, MRC did not permit entry on the campus. MRC's chief security officer Kennedy said the club only managed the premises and was in "discussions with the govt" about the maintenance. "The ponds too were not maintained. Nobody came here since they were dug, and we are managing it," he said. The horticulture director said only 118 acres, which comprises the green area, was maintained by the horticulture department. The rest of the campus, including the buildings, was retained by the revenue department. Despite repeated visits to the Chennai Collectorate, TOI could not meet district revenue officer S Geetha or collector Rashmi Siddarth. With MRC controlling entry and exit to campus, how will the public access the eco-park? Horticulture department officials said such issues will be resolved in the coming months. "We got possession in Sept only after some resistance. It will be sorted," said V Dakshinamoorthy, horticulture department secretary.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Man, son from Guntur accused of duping city Pune firm's CEO of 4 crore
1 2 3 Pune: The Bavdhan police on Saturday registered a case against a man and his son, hailing from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, on charges of duping a 33-year-old CEO of an industrial automation and robotics company in the city of Rs3.98 crore. The victim was lured by the promise of high returns on his investments in the share market. Inspector Bhaskar Kadam of the Bavdhan police told TOI, "According to the complainant, the father-son duo were family friends. Initially, they returned Rs1 crore to him and gained his confidence. The duo then duped him by not returning Rs3.98 crore." The economic offences wing (EOW) of Pimpri Chinchwad police is investigating the case. Kadam said that according to the complainant, the duo hail from Guntur district. The complainant's mother and older suspect (father) used to teach together at a college in Nanded district. Their families have known each other since then. "The complainant stated that in Jan 2023, the man contacted them and said he and his son started a financial services firm in Andhra Pradesh. He assured them of good returns on their investments in the stock market through the firm," Kadam said. The officer said the complainant believed them and decided to invest money in stocks through them. Between Jan 2023 and July 2024, the complainant transferred Rs4.98 crore to the suspects to invest in stocks. The complainant did not suspect anything as initially, the duo returned Rs1 crore to him. "The duo used to share details of the investments through fake email IDs posing as a prominent securities and trading firm," the officer said. Kadam said the duo even sent a contact note (record of all transactions through stock brokers on the stock exchange) to the complainant, which later turned out to be fake. When the victim realised that he was being duped, he started asking them to return the money. When he did not get his money back, he approached the police and lodged a complaint. Pune: The Bavdhan police on Saturday registered a case against a man and his son, hailing from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, on charges of duping a 33-year-old CEO of an industrial automation and robotics company in the city of Rs3.98 crore. The victim was lured by the promise of high returns on his investments in the share market. Inspector Bhaskar Kadam of the Bavdhan police told TOI, "According to the complainant, the father-son duo were family friends. Initially, they returned Rs1 crore to him and gained his confidence. The duo then duped him by not returning Rs3.98 crore." The economic offences wing (EOW) of Pimpri Chinchwad police is investigating the case. Kadam said that according to the complainant, the duo hail from Guntur district. The complainant's mother and older suspect (father) used to teach together at a college in Nanded district. Their families have known each other since then. "The complainant stated that in Jan 2023, the man contacted them and said he and his son started a financial services firm in Andhra Pradesh. He assured them of good returns on their investments in the stock market through the firm," Kadam said. The officer said the complainant believed them and decided to invest money in stocks through them. Between Jan 2023 and July 2024, the complainant transferred Rs4.98 crore to the suspects to invest in stocks. The complainant did not suspect anything as initially, the duo returned Rs1 crore to him. "The duo used to share details of the investments through fake email IDs posing as a prominent securities and trading firm," the officer said. Kadam said the duo even sent a contact note (record of all transactions through stock brokers on the stock exchange) to the complainant, which later turned out to be fake. When the victim realised that he was being duped, he started asking them to return the money. When he did not get his money back, he approached the police and lodged a complaint.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Voter ID cards to now be delivered in 15 days as ECI launches fast-track system
Pune: A newly registered voter will now receive their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) within 15 days of their name being added to the electoral roll, under a new fast-track delivery system launched by the (ECI) on June 18, state election officials told TOI. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative also applies to voters seeking changes in their details, including address updates and corrections. State election officials said the system enables real-time tracking and SMS alerts at each stage — from generation by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to doorstep delivery by the postal department. ECI has deployed a dedicated IT module on the ECINet platform, integrated with India Post's Application Programming Interface (API), to replace the older manual workflow for seamless coordination. This a -engineered, secure, and efficient digital process aims to improve transparency, reduce delays, and ensure better data security. "All EPIC-related applications will now be processed through ECINet, allowing for faster and more efficient delivery," an official from the Chief Electoral Officer's office said. Officials said that they will now collate the fresh EPIC applications and clear them according to this new process. ECI's new system to deliver EPICs within 15 days of application or updates halves the existing delivery time of 30 to 45 days. Officials pointed out that the initiative enhances convenience for electors by leveraging technology to streamline service delivery. "This is part of ECI's ongoing effort to make electoral services faster, more transparent, and accessible," said a senior ECI official, adding, "Electors will now have visibility into their voter ID card's journey, reducing uncertainty and delays." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Voters who have enrolled said that it would help track the EPIC cards that get misplaced. Shalini Kumar, who recently shifted to the city, had applied as a voter two months back and is yet to receive the voter card. "This system may help a citizen know the status of the EPIC card dispatch," said another official. A voter planning to apply for the card, choosing anonymity, told TOI, "The new reforms will surely help track the card and see that it does not get misplaced, like in previous instances." Officials emphasized that data security and service accountability remain top priorities. The new system offers an end-to-end encrypted process, while ensuring real-time alerts for both officials and applicants. Pune: A newly registered voter will now receive their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) within 15 days of their name being added to the electoral roll, under a new fast-track delivery system launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on June 18, state election officials told TOI. The initiative also applies to voters seeking changes in their details, including address updates and corrections. State election officials said the system enables real-time tracking and SMS alerts at each stage — from generation by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to doorstep delivery by the postal department. ECI has deployed a dedicated IT module on the ECINet platform, integrated with India Post's Application Programming Interface (API), to replace the older manual workflow for seamless coordination. This a -engineered, secure, and efficient digital process aims to improve transparency, reduce delays, and ensure better data security. "All EPIC-related applications will now be processed through ECINet, allowing for faster and more efficient delivery," an official from the Chief Electoral Officer's office said. Officials said that they will now collate the fresh EPIC applications and clear them according to this new process. ECI's new system to deliver EPICs within 15 days of application or updates halves the existing delivery time of 30 to 45 days. Officials pointed out that the initiative enhances convenience for electors by leveraging technology to streamline service delivery. "This is part of ECI's ongoing effort to make electoral services faster, more transparent, and accessible," said a senior ECI official, adding, "Electors will now have visibility into their voter ID card's journey, reducing uncertainty and delays." Voters who have enrolled said that it would help track the EPIC cards that get misplaced. Shalini Kumar, who recently shifted to the city, had applied as a voter two months back and is yet to receive the voter card. "This system may help a citizen know the status of the EPIC card dispatch," said another official. A voter planning to apply for the card, choosing anonymity, told TOI, "The new reforms will surely help track the card and see that it does not get misplaced, like in previous instances." Officials emphasized that data security and service accountability remain top priorities. The new system offers an end-to-end encrypted process, while ensuring real-time alerts for both officials and applicants.
