Latest news with #AirbusA320
New Indian Express
14 minutes ago
- General
- New Indian Express
IndiGo flight suffers bird hit, lands in Ranchi
RANCHI: A major accident was averted as an IndiGo Aircraft on its way to Kolkata via Ranchi from Patna had an emergency landing at Ranchi Airport after being hit by a bird on Monday afternoon. The passengers were unhurt. According to reports, IndiGo's Airbus A320 craft was en route from Patna to Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport with 175 passengers when it collided with a vulture, which was flying at around 4,000 feet, just before landing. 'An IndiGo flight suffered a bird hit near Ranchi. It was approximately 10 to 12 nautical miles away from here, at about 3,000 to 4,000 feet altitude, when the incident occurred. The IndiGo flight was coming from Patna to Ranchi, and the pilot had to make an emergency landing here,' Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, Director R R Maurya said. At that time, the plane reportedly was 10-12 nautical miles away, at an altitude of 3,000-4,000 feet. The aircraft suffered a dent in the front. The aircraft remained airborne for approximately 40 minutes after the hit, before the pilot made the emergency landing. The pilot kept the plane in safe flight till the landing. Sources say the pilot followed all protocols after the bird hit. Engineers are assessing the extent of the damage.
The Sun
an hour ago
- General
- The Sun
Like father, like daughter
FOR most families, bonding over dinner conversations is a cherished routine. But for Captain Feroz Francis Abdullah and First Officer Nur Sarra Feroz Francis, bonding happens 30,000ft in the air. In lieu of the upcoming Father's Day on 15 June, theSun spoke to the father-daughter flying duo from AirAsia to explore what it means to share not just a home, but a profession and a flight deck. It is not every day one finds a family legacy quite literally taking flight. While aviation has long been regarded as a demanding and disciplined career, it is also one steeped in passion, dedication and precision. For Feroz, who has logged over three decades of flight experience, aviation was never just a job, it was a calling. That same calling, passed down quietly but powerfully, now lives on in his daughter Sarra, who is forging her own path as a First Officer. From runway to role model Feroz's journey into aviation began with childhood curiosity. 'I have always been fascinated by aviation. Watching planes take off and land sparked something in me. That fascination evolved into determination. I worked hard, starting from the basics and gradually building my experience, always motivated by the dream of commanding a commercial aircraft,' he said. With decades of flying under his belt and roles as an Instructor and Examiner on the Airbus A320, Feroz's career has been a masterclass in discipline and perseverance. His proudest achievement, however, does not involve awards or title but it is seeing his daughter Sarra soar through the same skies he has flown for years. 'One of my proudest moments was seeing my daughter Sarra, become a pilot and eventually fly for AirAsia. Watching her achieve her dreams and knowing I played a part in that journey is incredibly rewarding,' he said. Seeds of inspiration Sarra's love for aviation was planted early. 'My journey began with my dad, he is a pilot and my biggest inspiration. Growing up around aviation sparked my interest since childhood. I used to spend time plane watching, playing flight simulators with my dad, and playing with airplane models at home. I knew from a young age this was the career path I wanted,' she shared. Yet, Sarra was quick to add that her father never pressured her. 'He never once pushed me into aviation. His quiet encouragement and the way he carried himself as a pilot made me want to follow in his footsteps.' She joined AirAsia as a cadet pilot in 2018 and is now two years into her role as a First Officer. 'It is been an incredibly rewarding journey. I am thankful for the training and the opportunities that have shaped me into the pilot I am today.' Lessons from the flight deck For Feroz, supporting Sarra's journey meant sharing hard-earned lessons from a lifetime in the cockpit. 'I emphasised discipline, humility, continuous learning and above all, the importance of safety. I also reminded her to stay resilient. There will be obstacles but perseverance pays off,' he said. Sarra remembers those lessons vividly. 'One of the most valuable things my dad taught me was to ride the wave and grab opportunities as they come. He always reminded me that this industry can be unpredictable. Timing and attitude matter just as much as having the skills.' That perspective proved vital during her training, which she described as 'taxing and immensely rewarding'. 'There were high-pressure simulator sessions, fast-paced learning and constant assessments. But each hurdle made me stronger.' Among the many milestones, her first flight remains the most unforgettable. 'It felt like yesterday. Lining up on the runway for the first time, my heart pounding. The moment we got airborne, it hit me that I was finally living the dream I worked so hard for.' Feroz's addicting passion for flying is inspiration for daughter Sarra. When dreams take off together The moment Sarra donned her pilot's uniform for the first time was a defining one for Feroz. 'It was a moment I will always cherish. Seeing her ready to take on the skies was a proud 'dad moment'. It felt like a dream come true,' he dream became even more real when the two finally flew together as colleagues. 'Flying alongside my dad is phenomenal and truly special. It is not just a professional milestone but a deeply personal one. Everything feels like it is come full circle,' Sarra explained. Their conversations now go beyond father-daughter exchanges to include aircraft performance, flying techniques and crew resource management. Sarra said: 'We definitely bond over technical talk, but the most special part is the learning that goes both ways. He shares his experience, and I bring fresh perspectives. It is (the) mutual respect that deepens our relationship.' Even in the cockpit, Sarra often finds herself channelling her father's influence. 'I ask myself, 'What would dad do?' especially in high-pressure situations. His calm, steady approach has shaped the way I handle challenges.' A father's legacy, a daughter's tribute For Feroz and Sarra, aviation is a shared language, a way of life and a bond that transcends generations. 'As a father, watching your child thrive in something you love is deeply fulfilling. Calling her my colleague and seeing her wear the same uniform is the ultimate reward,' Feroz reflected. For Father's Day, Sarra has a message for the man who helped her take flight literally and figuratively. 'Dad, thank you for always being my biggest supporter and the quiet strength behind my journey. You always believed in me, even on the days when I struggled to believe in myself and that truly made all the difference. It is a great honour to be walking in your footsteps and living out this legacy that we share together. I am so proud to call you my father, my role model and now, my fellow colleague. This one is for you Dad! Happy Father's Day.'
Time of India
7 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Bird-hit IndiGo flight makes emergency Ranchi landing
RANCHI: A Ranchi-bound Indigo flight from Patna carrying 175 passengers made an emergency landing at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi on Monday after a bird reportedly hit the aircraft. The nose of the Airbus A320 suffered damage, but all passengers and crew on board the flight, 6E6902, were unharmed. Ranchi airport director R R Mourya said, "The aircraft was approximately 10-12 nautical miles away from Ranchi and was flying at an altitude of 3,000-4,000ft when it was hit by a big bird, which looked like a vulture, following which it had to make an emergency landing. The flight landed safely at 1.14 pm, and the passengers are safe." Mourya said the aircraft suffered a dent after the bird hit, and technical experts were assessing the damage. The flight was scheduled to depart for Kolkata from Ranchi, but was terminated as the aircraft was grounded due to the damage.
Hans India
13 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Ranchi after mid-air collision with vulture
An IndiGo flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport on Monday after a mid-air collision with a vulture triggered a safety concern. All 175 passengers and crew members on board escaped unhurt, officials said. The Airbus A320 aircraft was operating on a Patna-Ranchi-Kolkata route and was flying at an altitude of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 feet when it was hit by the bird, prompting the pilot to initiate emergency landing. Following the bird strike, the aircraft remained airborne for nearly 40 minutes as the crew assessed the situation and prepared for an emergency landing. The pilot displayed calm and successfully brought the aircraft down safely at Ranchi airport around 2 p.m. on Monday Panic gripped passengers on board following the impact, but the crew reassured them that the situation was under control and the flight was heading for a precautionary landing. Passengers heaved a sigh of relief once the aircraft touched down safely. Airport officials confirmed that no injuries were reported and credited the pilot for the safe landing. 'The pilot acted swiftly and professionally under pressure. All passengers are safe. Our engineering team is currently inspecting the aircraft to assess the extent of the damage,' an airport official said. The aircraft will be cleared for further operations only after a thorough safety check and approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This is not the first instance of bird strikes causing flight disruptions at Ranchi Airport. On May 8, an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Ranchi (IX 116) encountered a technical snag after a pigeon got stuck in its wing. During post-landing inspection, one dead and one live pigeon were found lodged in the aircraft's blades. That flight was subsequently cancelled due to technical issues.
India.com
14 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Meet IIT Graduate Who Got Richer By Rs 11,385 Crore After Selling... In India's Largest Airline; Check His Net Worth
photoDetails english 2910142 Indigo Success Story: In an industry where turbulence is the norm and success stories are rare, IndiGo's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Founded in 2006 by travel entrepreneur Rahul Bhatia and seasoned airline executive Rakesh Gangwal, IndiGo defied the odds to become India's largest airline. While Bhatia brought business vision, Gangwal's deep aviation expertise played a pivotal role in shaping the airline's low-cost, high-efficiency model. Together, they built a powerhouse—but not without friction. Rakesh Gangwal, whose family once held nearly 37% in IndiGo's parent firm, InterGlobe Aviation, would later raise serious concerns about governance, setting off one of Indian aviation's most high-profile corporate clashes. Updated:Jun 02, 2025, 05:54 PM IST IndiGo Co-founder: Massive Stake Sale By Rakesh Gangwal 1 / 9 IndiGo co-founder Rakesh Gangwal and his family trust offloaded a 5.72% stake worth ₹11,385 crore ($1.33 billion) via a block deal, reducing their holding significantly in India's largest airline, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, according to the media reports. IndiGo Shares Sold At Rs 5,175 Each 2 / 9 The latest deal involved selling up to 2.2 crore equity shares at a floor price of ₹5,175 per share, according to a term sheet filed with the exchanges on Tuesday. IndiGo Co-founder Career And Education 3 / 9 He was born in 1953, Rakesh Gangwal studied Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kanpur and earned an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, laying a strong academic foundation for his aviation career. IndiGo Co-founder: Rich Aviation Background 4 / 9 Rakesh Gangwal held key roles at United Airlines, Air France, and US Airways before co-founding IndiGo. He also served as chairman and CEO of Worldspan Technologies, a leading travel technology company. Indigo's Low-Cost Strategy Paved the Way 5 / 9 IndiGo's model revolved around operating a single aircraft type—the Airbus A320—helping the airline cut maintenance and training costs, a hallmark of its efficient low-cost strategy. Indigo Market Value Erosion Amid Disputes 6 / 9 Since July 8, InterGlobe Aviation has lost ₹8,300 crore in market value as investors reacted to concerns over corporate disputes potentially affecting IndiGo's operations. Rakesh Gangwal Seeks PM Modi's Help Over IndiGo Dispute 7 / 9 Rakesh Gangwal, who co-founded IndiGo with Rahul Bhatia in 2006, later fell out with him over governance issues. He even sought intervention from PM Modi, citing concerns in a letter to SEBI. Indigo Staggered Stake Sales Over Years 8 / 9 Between 2022 and 2023, the Rakesh Gangwal family gradually trimmed their stake, selling portions for ₹2,005 crore, ₹2,944 crore, and over ₹2,800 crore in three major transactions before the latest offloading. Indigo Co-founder Net Worth: 9 / 9 Rakesh Gangwal has a real-time net worth of USD 6.3 billion, as of May 27, Forbes reported. The 72-year-old made his fortune from InterGlobe Aviation, the parent outfit of IndiGo, India's largest airline by market share. (Image Credit: Social Media)
