Unpacking Pilot Fatigue and New Duty Hour Norms
Boarding Now is a podcast from where we look at key aviation developments through an India lens. We will also feature special interviews and cut through the jargon and hype to keep it real. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy every episode.
Host: Jagriti Chandra
Edited by Jude Francis Weston
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Time of India
26-07-2025
- Time of India
Flyers spot peacocks near airport runway, IAF assures safety measures
Pune: Passengers raised concerns about potential bird strikes after spotting three peacocks near the runway at the city airport on Saturday morning. Pune resident Gaurav Chattur was travelling with his son on a SpiceJet flight (SG937) to Delhi. He noticed the three peacocks approximately 40 metres away from the runway when the aircraft was taxiing towards the runway around 7.20am and later expressed his concern through a post on "X". Chattur, the SpiceJet flight's passenger, told TOI, "I was seated in seat number 1A and couldn't have missed the birds because they were large. But I didn't inform the crew because I didn't want to cause any panic." You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke said any queries regarding the sighting of peacocks should be directed to the Indian Air Force (IAF) because it managed the runway area. The IAF confirmed the presence of peacocks in the Airport Force Station (AFS) in Pune. A senior IAF officer at the station told TOI, "The presence of peacocks or peahens at the station does not pose a threat to flight operations. All necessary measures are in place to ensure that birds are cleared from the operating area. An ornithology specialist conducted a survey, and the Bird Hazard Combat Team (BHCT) operates 24 hours a day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo There is no need to augment or deploy personnel from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). We ensure smooth air operations at the base and support civil flights." The officer added, "Peacocks do not fly; they mostly remain on the ground or sit on tree branches. In the past 20 years, no peacock or peahen approached the runway." IAF sources said eight to 10 bird-scaring modules, including crackers, drum beating, reflectors, farrow traps, owl modules and Xon guns, were operational at the base. "These peacocks mainly wander in grass patches of the AFS, where they find their food. They don't go near the runway areas. Additionally, our team is deployed at the runway to manage any ground threats. So far, we have no report about any hindrance to air operations because of peacocks," a source in the IAF said. A couple of bird strikes, including one earlier this year, were reported in the city. Stray dogs intruded into the runway on two occasions in the past six months. These incidents raised concerns among activists and flyers regarding civil and military flights' safety at the airport. HL: PROBLEMS APLENTY DOG HAZARD June 29: An Air India Express flight from Bhubaneswar had to abort landing after a dog was spotted on the runway at Pune airport Impact: Flight delayed, waste of passengers' time BIRD SCARE June 20: Bird hit was detected on Air India's Delhi-Pune aircraft after it landed safely Impact: Thorough check of the plane, unserviceable for a couple of days LEOPARD ALARM April 28: A fully grown male leopard was seen near the runway of the Pune airport Impact: All sensitive areas of the airport, like the runway and taxiways, have been secured
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Air India plane's tail catches fire after landing at Delhi airport; all passengers safe
NEW DELHI: The tail section of an Air India flight from Hong Kong to New Delhi caught fire at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Tuesday afternoon. All 158 passengers on board were reported safe, and the aircraft has since been grounded. The fire reportedly originated in the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), a backup power system located in the tail cone of the aircraft. 'The incident occurred around 12.30 p.m. and smoke was observed emanating from the APU exhaust, which is an opening on the outer portion of the tail,' said an airport official. Flight AI 315 had departed Hong Kong International Airport at 8.59 p.m. (local time) on Monday and arrived at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport at 12.31 p.m. on Tuesday. In an official statement, Air India said: 'Flight AI 315, operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on 22 July, experienced an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) fire shortly after landing and parking at the gate. The incident occurred while passengers had begun disembarking, and the APU was automatically shut down as per system design. There was some damage to the aircraft; however, passengers and crew members disembarked normally and are safe. The aircraft has been grounded for further investigation and the regulator has been duly informed.' An airport source described the fire as a minor one. 'Most passengers were unaware of the incident. There was no panic. In fact, the majority had already deboarded by the time the fire occurred,' the source said. The APU provides electrical power and air-conditioning when the aircraft is on the ground and also serves as a backup power source in the event of main engine failure during flight. Aviation safety expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan said the incident does not constitute a major safety breach. 'There is an inbuilt fire extinguisher inside the APU housing, which is designed to douse such fires. In some aircraft models, a cockpit switch allows the crew to manually extinguish the fire,' he noted. Another source suggested that the fire was likely caused by residual fuel in the system following engine shutdown. ATC not alerted? In a potential breach of aviation safety protocol, Air Traffic Control (ATC) was reportedly not informed of the fire by the airline. Sources said officials at IGI Airport became aware of the incident only around 4.30 p.m after it was brought to their attention by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 'It is mandatory for airlines to inform ATC about any such incident. The ATC would then alert the airport's control centre and the fire and safety departments to initiate immediate response. However, in this case, neither ATC nor the Safety Unit of the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) was informed,' said a senior airport official. A response from Air India regarding the alleged protocol lapse is awaited.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Time of India
'Bekaar hai': Chaos as AC fails on Spicejet flight
Delhi: A tensed moment unfolded aboard a SpiceJet flight recently, capturing the attention of netizens after passengers were seen demanding the air-conditioner to be turned on before takeoff. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A video posted on Instagram by user @shoaiblala7777nimbahera showed passengers visibly distressed and angry, asking the crew to switch on the AC. Some passengers even asked for the flight to be stopped as it was very hot inside the cabin, which can lead to health problems. The clip shows the growing frustration among travelers as the situation escalated. The video quickly gained attention online, sparking a mix of sympathy for the passengers discomfort and criticism of the way they were talking to the crew. One netizen commented 'It's disappointing to see how some people forget basic manners while flying. Treating flight attendants with disrespect clearly shows a lack of civic sense. They're just doing their job, and they deserve courtesy and cooperation like anyone else. Respect those who keep you safe in the skies.' While the other commented 'Awaaj uthani jaruri thi or dono person ne awaj uthai. Good job' ( Raising their voice was necessary, and both of them did. Good job).
