The airline confirmed that all 149 passengers arrived safely. Many had remained stranded due to regional disruptions. Air India said its teams worked continuously to organise the special operation. Officials coordinated closely with authorities to ensure smooth execution.

Earlier, another flight AI918D returned 143 cockpit and cabin crew members. These staff belonged to Air India and Air India Express. They also had been stranded in Dubai. Their safe return brought relief to families and airline management.

Air India thanked the Indian government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for support. The airline stated that passenger safety remains its top priority. It continues monitoring developments and plans more flights, subject to approvals.

The post Air India Brings Back Stranded Indians from Dubai appeared first on India Podcast.

Refunds worth ₹827 crore were given, but the trouble for travellers did not end. In Bihar, 172 flights from Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, and Purnia were cancelled in the last week. Patna faced the most disruption with 146 cancelled flights.

Passengers paid five to six times the normal fare to reach major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Some missed important work and family events. Two SpiceJet flights from Patna were also cancelled on Monday. Twenty-four pairs of IndiGo flights to and from Patna will remain cancelled on Tuesday.

At Patna Airport, the Air India Express ticket counter ran out of tickets for three days. Flights from Mumbai to Darbhanga and Patna were also cancelled.

In Purnia, flight 6E-6559/6560 to Delhi was cancelled on Tuesday, even though all 10 flights had operated on Monday. This caused fresh worry for travellers, as Delhi flights had faced repeated cancellations earlier as well.

The post IndiGo Flight Cancellations: Nationwide Disruptions Continue for Seventh Day appeared first on India Podcast.

The festival, scheduled from December 1 to 10, 2025, celebrates Naga culture, tradition, food, music, and unity, while also hosting business networking sessions and workshops. Last year, international partners included Wales, the US, Japan, and Peru, alongside Sikkim and Telangana as state partners.

The 2025 edition is expected to surpass previous attendance, building on last year’s 33.7% rise in footfall, with 2,05,968 visitors, including 2,375 foreign tourists and over 56,000 domestic visitors, generating ₹100 crore in revenue from a ₹6.5 crore investment. Local participation also increased to 1,47,224 attendees, reflecting strong community engagement.

To facilitate travel, Air India Express has been announced as the official travel partner, enhancing connectivity for domestic and international visitors. “This partnership will strengthen connectivity & create opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange & economic growth in the #LandOfFestivals,” Rio posted.

The Hornbill Festival provides a platform for local artisans, musicians, and entrepreneurs, promoting handloom, handicrafts, and indigenous cuisine. With its international delegations, corporate support, and growing tourist turnout, the Hornbill Festival 2025 is set to further strengthen Nagaland’s position as a premier cultural tourism destination in India.

The post “Nagaland Hornbill Festival 2025 Welcomes Austria, Malta and UK Delegations” appeared first on India Podcast.

As a key highlight of the Hornbill Festival travel partner initiative, the airline will launch a special Tsungkotepsu-themed livery on its latest Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The design is inspired by the traditional warrior shawl of the Ao Naga tribe, symbolising honour, courage, and heritage. The aircraft will be officially received at Dimapur Airport by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on November 22.

To encourage higher tourism inflow, Air India Express has also announced a 15% discount on direct and one-stop flights to Dimapur from November 20 to 30, for travel between November 20 and December 15. Bookings can be availed using promo code HORNBILL. The airline will additionally assist artists and festival organisers with travel arrangements and set up a dedicated Hornbill experience kiosk at Dimapur Airport.

Recognised as the Hornbill Festival travel partner, Air India Express reaffirmed its commitment to celebrating India’s cultural diversity through its “Tales of India” initiative. The airline currently operates daily flights between Dimapur and Guwahati with further connectivity to major metros including Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Patna and more.

With this partnership, both Nagaland Tourism and Air India Express hope to enhance accessibility, cultural visibility, and economic growth while offering travellers an immersive festival experience.

The post Hornbill Festival Partner: Air India Express Named Official Travel Carrier appeared first on India Podcast.

According to sources, the passenger approached the cockpit door, which is secured with a passcode. Even after entering the code, access requires captain approval. The man failed to gain entry, and the cabin crew quickly escorted him back to his seat. It remains unclear why the passenger attempted to reach the cockpit. He was traveling with eight other companions.

Upon landing in Varanasi, the passenger was handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel. Authorities are investigating the incident, and Air India Express has confirmed that the airline’s safety protocols were not compromised.

In an official statement, Air India Express said, “We are aware of media reports regarding an incident on one of our flights to Varanasi, where a passenger approached the cockpit area while searching for the lavatory. Safety and security protocols are in place and were not compromised. The matter has been reported to the relevant authorities and is under investigation.”

Sources also indicated that the unruly passenger may face a no-fly ban due to his dangerous actions. The incident highlights the importance of strict cockpit security and robust airline safety measures.

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