Airbus A 320 aircraft operated by Air India taxis at IGI Airport, in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: V. Sudershan

Tata Group-owned Air India welcomed its first narrow-body aircraft in new livery. The Airbus A320 Neo, registered VT-RTN, landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France, on July 7.

The company said that the addition of the new aircraft is a significant milestone in its transformation journey. This addition to the Air India fleet features a three-class configuration, including luxury business class seats, 24 premium economy seats with extra legroom, and 132 comfortable economy class seats.

Notably, this introduction marks the first time Air India is offering premium economy on its narrow-body aircraft. The A320 Neo is expected to enter service in August 2024, primarily operating on domestic short-haul routes. Currently, three A320 Neo aircraft with three-class configurations in the old Air India livery have already commenced operations within the domestic network.

Starting early next year, Air India plans to enhance the flying experience for its guests by deploying new, upgraded, and refurbished aircraft across both its narrow-body and wide-body fleets.

Founded by the legendary J.R.D. Tata, Air India has a rich history in the aviation sector. Its inaugural flight took off on October 15, 1932. Since then, Air India has built an extensive domestic network and operates non-stop flights to major cities around the world, including destinations in the USA, Canada, U.K., Europe, the Far East, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Gulf.

After 69 years as a government-owned enterprise, Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express were welcomed back into the Tata Group in January 2022. The airline is currently navigating through a significant five-year transformation roadmap under the aegis of Vihaan.AI, with an ambition to become a world-class airline with an Indian heart. The first phase of this transformation, known as the Taxi phase, recently concluded.

It focused on addressing the basics, including returning many long-grounded aircraft to service, recruiting additional talent across flying and ground functions, upgrading technology, and enhancing customer care initiatives. Air India is a member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline consortium, which enables it to offer extensive connectivity and facilitate travel for passengers worldwide.

The T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team landed in Delhi on July 4 aboard a specially arranged charter flight, five days after winning the coveted title in Barbados where it was stranded due to a category 4 hurricane.

Hundreds of fans, holding placards congratulating their favourite players and waving the national flag, braved a steady drizzle to line up outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport here to welcome the victorious players.

The Rohit Sharma-led squad won the country its second T20 world title, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, on June 29.

Also read: T20 World Champions Team India arrival LIVE updates

The Air India special charter flight AIC24WC— Air India Champions 24 World Cup— took off from Bridgetown, Barbados around 4:50 a.m. local time on July 3 and arrived in Delhi at 6 a.m. (IST) on July 4 after a 16-hour non-stop journey.

The Indian squad, its support staff, the players’ families and some board officials are aboard the flight along with members of the travelling media contingent.

Theside won the crown, which is India’s fourth overall World Cup, after pulling off a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the final on June 29 but was unable to head back home due to a shutdown forced by hurricane Beryl.

The team is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 9 a.m. at his residence.

After this, the team will fly to Mumbai to take part in an open bus victory parade followed by a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.

New Delhi:

At least one person was killed and six others injured after a portion of the roof of the Delhi airport’s Terminal-1 collapsed on cars amid heavy rain this morning. All departures from Terminal 1 have been temporarily suspended, and check-in counters closed as a “safety measure”, a Delhi airport spokesperson said. Terminal-1 has only domestic flight operations.

The spokesperson also said that all departing flights from T1 of IndiGo and SpiceJet are cancelled till 2 pm today.

Many vehicles, including cabs, were damaged in the incident that was reported to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) around 5.30 am. The officials said the roof sheet and the support beams collapsed, damaging the cars parked in the pick-up and drop area of the terminal at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.

During the rescue operations, a man was taken out from a car on which an iron beam had fallen.

In an official statement, Delhi airport said that a portion of the canopy at the old Departure forecourt of Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 collapsed “due to heavy rain since early this morning”.

“There are injuries reported, and emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected. As a result of this incident, all departures from Terminal 1 are temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a safety measure. We sincerely regret this disruption and apologize for any inconvenience caused,” the statement read.

Terminal 1 Incident pic.twitter.com/Dv9Sir5l4p

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) June 28, 2024

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was “personally monitoring” the roof collapse incident at the Delhi airport and that the injured have been hospitalised.

“First responders are working at the site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to hospital,” the newly-elected minister posted on X.

Personally monitoring the roof collapse incident at T1 Delhi Airport. First responders are working at site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing.

— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 28, 2024

Indigo Cancels Flights As Roof Collapses At Delhi Airport

IndiGo said that its flight operations were impacted due to structural damage to Terminal 1 at Delhi Airport. In a statement, the low-cost carrier said that the incident has led to flight cancellations in Delhi as “passengers are not able to enter the terminal”.

“Passengers already inside the terminal will be able to board their planned flights, but those with flights later in the day will be offered alternatives,” an IndiGo spokesperson said.

“This unplanned situation has also led to operations across the network being impacted. Customers are advised to keep track of and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport,” the statement added.

Heavy Rain In Delhi

Delhi today received heavy rain for the second consecutive day. Rain, which brought respite from the scorching heat, also caused waterlogging in several parts of the national capital.

Visuals shared by the news agency ANI on X showed roads inundated and long traffic in parts of Delhi. 

#WATCH | Delhi: Roads inundated as heavy rain continues in parts of National Capital

(Visuals from Govindpuri) pic.twitter.com/9idnGwx0nb

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

A car was also seen submerged at Minto Road.

#WATCH | A car submerged in water and roads heavily flooded due to continuous downpour in Delhi

(Visuals from Minto Road) pic.twitter.com/reJQPlzfbQ

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

The Safdarjung Observatory, the capital’s primary weather station, recorded 154 mm of rainfall between yesterday and today morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

On Thursday, rain in Delhi brought the temperature down to 35.4 degrees Celsius.

New Delhi:

A Varanasi-bound IndiGo flight today received a bomb threat at the Delhi airport, prompting authorities to inspect the plane, officials said.

The flight, 6E2211, was scheduled to take off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport around 5 am and was stopped on the runway minutes before departure.

“At 05:40 am, a phone call was received from the IGI airport regarding a bomb threat. A message ‘BOMB BLAST @30 MINUTES’ was written on a piece of paper inside the lavatory of the flight and was found by the pilot,” an official said.

The aircraft, with 176 passengers onboard, was immediately taken to the isolation bay for further necessary action, the official said, adding that a quick response team was deployed, which has so far not found any suspicious items.

All passengers were deboarded through the emergency door and are safe, the official said.

#WATCH | Passengers of the IndiGo flight 6E2211 operating from Delhi to Varanasi were evacuated through the emergency door after a bomb threat was reported on the flight. All passengers are safe, flight is being inspected.

(Viral video confirmed by Aviation authorities) https://t.co/el2q5jCatxpic.twitter.com/ahVc0MSiXz

— ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2024

The IndiGo also released an official statement and said that the aircraft was taken to a remote bay as per guidelines by airport security agencies.

“The flight is currently undergoing inspection. Post completion of all security checks, the aircraft will be positioned back in the terminal area,” the airline said.

ALSO READ | Mumbai Cops Receive Hoax Message Threatening To Blow Up Taj Hotel, Airport

Earlier this month, a tissue paper with the word ‘bomb’ written on it was found on an Air India flight lavatory at Delhi airport, but it had turned out to be a hoax.

Police had said that they received information regarding a tissue paper found in the lavatory of an Air India flight scheduled to depart for Vadodara on May 15, with the word ‘bomb’ written on it.

“Following standard security protocols, a thorough inspection was conducted, and no suspicious items were found,” an official had said.

Several hospitals and schools in Delhi have recently been targeted with bomb threat emails, that claimed the presence of explosives on their premises. However, investigators found the threats to be false alarms.

New Delhi:

A fire broke out at the Indira Gandhi International airport on Friday, official of the Delhi Fire Services said.

Three fire tenders were pressed into service, they said.

“We received a call from IGI Airport at 6.15 pm regarding a fire. We have pressed three fire tenders,” the DFS official said.

Further details are awaited.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

A viral video of a heated argument between a passenger and Lufthansa staff at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has prompted the airlines to open an investigation into the matter. The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user ‘Ghar Ke Kalesh’, shows the passenger repeatedly asking the ground staff why she was denied boarding the plane. It also shows a Lufthansa ground staff member leaving her cubicle and asking a fellow staff member to call security. 

Notably, the specific reason for the passenger’s denied boarding remains unclear, however, the video has received significant attention online and has even caught the attention of Lufthansa Airline. “Kalesh b/w Air lufthansa crew & a passenger for Delhi – Munich – Toronto flights with return ticket (Full context in Clip),” the X user wrote while sharing the video, which has accumulated more than 620,000 views. 

Take a look below: 

Kalesh b/w Air lufthansa crew & a passenger for Delhi – Munich – Toronto flights with return ticket (Full context in Clip) pic.twitter.com/BO4szehD10

— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) May 8, 2024

In the video, a ground staff member is seen leaving her cubicle and asking a fellow staff member to call security. The passenger, while recording the confrontation on camera, then asks the staff to answer her query. “I am telling you very politely. I am calling the security,” the staff tells the passenger. “What you are doing, that is anyway not allowed. You cannot take the direct flight. If you want to know the rules, go to the German embassy,” the staff says as the passenger continues to film her.

The clip ends with the ground staff calling security and asking the passenger to tone it down. “I have already called security. Ma’am, please wait, you won’t travel,” the staff says. 

The clip was shared on the microblogging site last week. In the comments section, when one user tagged Lufthansa India, the airline responded saying they are investigating the case and are in contact with the people involved. 

Hi Harpreet, we are investigating this case and are in contact with the people involved. /Aria

— Lufthansa India (@Lufthansa_India) May 8, 2024

Meanwhile, numerous people also flocked to the comments section to share their reactions. 

“There could be a genuine reason to deny boarding to this passenger. But the way she pointed finger on the passenger and using that tone was not at all cool. Imagine you have paid 75k for your ticket and at the airport you are being treated this way. As if she is not calling the security, but a gang of hooligans to scare that person,” wrote one user. 

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“@lufthansa @DGCAIndia – seriously what sort of training are the airlines giving their customers. If this is polite way then god knows what impolite means. Can’t explain her the issue instead want embassy to explain? Is it intentional coz then they won’t refund the tickets also!” said another. 

“How arrogantly she was talking to customer because actually they don’t care, even if customer was wrong but she should have behave politely. I too had faced similar arrogance, so @lufthansa must think to change the staffing agency before it gets too late…” shared a third user. 

“@lufthansa @Lufthansa_India What is harm to guide a customer with proper reason instead of harassing customers.What if someday you will be waiting for customers and customers opt your competitors.Please treat the customers very politely as future is going to be too competitive,” expressed one X user.