All posts tagged: Airports

Hub-and-spoke model launched from Varanasi; 6 more airports to join in 6 weeks

Hub-and-spoke model launched from Varanasi; 6 more airports to join in 6 weeks

The Centre rolled out the hub-and-spoke aviation model from Varanasi, a move aimed at allowing passengers from tier II and tier III cities to access international destinations through major Indian airports without having to repeat baggage and immigration formalities during transit. Air India operated its first Easy Connect flight from Varanasi to Delhi under this model Air India operated its first Easy Connect flight from Varanasi to Delhi under this model. Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the initiative, launched with Air India as the first participating airline, would change the way passengers from smaller cities connect with the rest of the world and help integrate more airports into the country’s international aviation network. Under the new system, passengers flying from cities such as Varanasi can complete check-in and immigration formalities at their origin airport, with baggage tagged through to their final international destination. At the hub airports, such as Delhi and Mumbai, travellers can proceed directly to their onward international flight as transit passengers instead of collecting baggage and undergoing immigration procedures again. …

CISF seeks govt nod to set up facial recognition cameras at four airports

CISF seeks govt nod to set up facial recognition cameras at four airports

The CISF has sought the Union home ministry’s permission to set up cameras with a facial recognition system in at least four airports — starting with Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata — which will help identify fugitives and suspects using the government’s database. CISF seeks govt nod to set up facial recognition cameras at four airports At the foundation-laying ceremony of the new CISF headquarters in New Delhi on Monday, director general Praveer Ranjan said in his address, “There will be an integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for vital installations and airports. As part of data fusion in this centre, the government is considering our proposal to have a facial recognition system at four airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.” Union minister of state for home, Bandi Sanjay Kumar laid the foundation stone for the new headquarters. While the CISF chief did not specify details about the proposed facial recognition system, people aware of the matter said that cameras with software capable of matching the faces of suspects(with those in government’s database) will first be …

Noida Airport’s first flight carries Jewar villagers who gave land for its development

Noida Airport’s first flight carries Jewar villagers who gave land for its development

Farmers hold boarding passes after arriving at Noida International Airport from Lucknow, in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, Monday (June 15, 2026.) | Photo Credit: PTI Villagers whose land was acquired for the construction of Noida International Airport on Monday (June 15, 2026) boarded the first commercial passenger flight from the airport to Lucknow, as operations commenced at the new aviation hub. A group of residents from the Jewar area of Gautam Buddh Nagar, including several women, arrived at the airport to board its first passenger flight to Lucknow. The passengers were scheduled to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath upon arrival. The passengers included residents whose ancestral land was acquired for the first phase of the airport project. “We are delighted to travel on the first flight from Noida International Airport to Lucknow. What we envisioned is becoming a reality before us today,” Abrar Khan, a passenger, said. Mr. Khan said the group had received an invitation from the Chief Minister’s Office to travel on the airport’s first passenger flight. He described the invitation as …

Noida airport CEO’s security clearance unlikely as govt not in favour of changing rule for greenfield airports | Business News

Noida airport CEO’s security clearance unlikely as govt not in favour of changing rule for greenfield airports | Business News

2 min readNew DelhiApr 22, 2026 02:13 AM IST The CEO of the recently inaugurated Noida International Airport (NIA), Christoph Schnellmann, may not be able to get security clearance from the government, which is not in favour of amending aviation security rules that stipulate that a foreign national should not be the chief executive of a greenfield airport, according to sources. Schnellmann is a Swiss national; an arm of Zurich Airport International AG has developed the NIA, and will also be operating it. The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28, weeks after receiving its aerodrome licence on March 6. Yet, there is no clarity on when it will start commercial operations. Its aerodrome security programme (ASP) is still pending. The CEO’s security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is a prerequisite for the airport to start commercial operations. According to a 2011 aviation security order by BCAS, the “chief executive officer of Indian nationality” at greenfield airports shall be the security coordinator of the airport and shall …

In setback to Noida airport, MHA nixes request to let expat CEO lead new airports| India News

In setback to Noida airport, MHA nixes request to let expat CEO lead new airports| India News

The Union home ministry has turned down a request to tweak rules to allow a foreign national to hold the post of chief executive of a greenfield airport, multiple officials aware of the matter told HT — a decision that affects the upcoming Noida airport. The Noida International Airport (NIA) during a media visit to the project site. (REUTERS) The airport, developed and to be operated by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Limited, is a subsidiary of Swiss firm Zurich Airport International AG with Christoph Schellmann as its CEO. “The MHA is not in favour of allowing expats to be the CEO of a greenfield airport,” one of the officials said, asking not to be named. A letter seeking to amend the rules — which mandate that the chief executive of a greenfield airport be an Indian national, on grounds of air operations security — was written to MHA by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the aviation security regulator under the civil aviation ministry. “The request has been denied,” a second official confirmed. A …

Waiting for another take-off: Dealing with U.P.’s stalled airports

Waiting for another take-off: Dealing with U.P.’s stalled airports

Bystanders look on as aircraft move around at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. Refuting criticism over its ‘lack’ of focus on air connectivity, the U.P. govt. has reported a rise in intra-State air traffic. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena Shortly after coming across a social media post about a flight service between Lucknow and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Vaibhav Tripathi decided to fly with his mother, who had never travelled by air, to their hometown. It was meant to be a birthday gift — a gesture of gratitude for the years she spent doing odd jobs, including working as a farm labourer, to fund his education at an Industrial Training Institute. “Now that I earn ₹25,000 a month, I thought of flying her to our home in Azamgarh on her birthday as, according to the social media post, fares were between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000 per person,” said the 32-year-old, who works as a refrigeration and air conditioner technician at a private firm in Lucknow. Published – April 20, 2026 03:20 am IST Disclaimer: We …

Airports in Tier-II cities are not financially viable after end of UDAN scheme: Karnataka Minister M.B. Patil

Airports in Tier-II cities are not financially viable after end of UDAN scheme: Karnataka Minister M.B. Patil

A view of the Bidar Airport. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Airports in Tier-II cities and district headquarters have proved to be not financially viable after the end of the UDAN scheme, Industry and Infrastructure Development Minister M. B. Patil said in the Legislative Assembly on Friday. Replying to a question by BJP member G. Janardhana Reddy, Mr. Patil said airports in Tier-II cities such as Kalaburagi, Bidar and Shivamogga are not financially sustainable after the completion of the three-year incentive period under the scheme, which provides concessional airfares to passengers. Across country Noting that several airports located in district and divisional headquarters across the country are facing similar financial challenges, he said the airport at Bidar is currently operating with financial support from the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB). There has also been a demand to resume operations at the Kalaburagi airport with similar support from the Board, he added. To improve the viability of district airports, Mr. Patil said he had proposed to the Union Civil Aviation Minister that the UDAN scheme …

Airports Authority of India refutes reports on fuel stock inquiries amid war

Airports Authority of India refutes reports on fuel stock inquiries amid war

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has denied reports suggesting that it requested information on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) stocks at international airports amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. In a press release, AAI stated that it does not exercise oversight over fuel inventories at airports. AAI said, “There are some media reports with reference to Airports Authority of India (AAI) suggesting that AAI has sought details regarding Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) stock positions at international airports in the context of the prevailing geopolitical situation in West Asia.” AAI refutes fuel stock reports Categorically denying the reports, the AAI added, “The Authority states that it has not asked, formally or informally, any airport operator to furnish details regarding fuel stocks or estimated fuel requirements. The reports suggesting such communication are false and factually incorrect.” Further, the airport authority advised citizens against circulating factually incorrect information. “It is further reiterated that AAI functions strictly within its defined mandate. The AAI is an airport operator and navigation service provider. It does not exercise oversight over fuel inventories. …

US-Israel attack Iran: Over 250 flights cancelled at four Indian airports

US-Israel attack Iran: Over 250 flights cancelled at four Indian airports

More than 250 flights were cancelled on Tuesday across four major Indian airports—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai—due to ongoing disruptions caused by the escalating Middle East conflict, officials said. Flight operations have been impacted for the fourth consecutive day as airlines continue to adjust schedules amid airspace restrictions and safety concerns linked to the situation involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Mumbai, Delhi Among Worst Affected Mumbai airport recorded the highest number of cancellations, with 107 flights affected, followed by Delhi with 80 cancellations. Bengaluru reported at least 42 cancelled services, while Chennai airport confirmed 30 cancellations. The figures include both arrivals and departures, significantly affecting passenger movement across domestic and international routes. Over 1,100 International Flights Cancelled in Three Days Since the crisis escalated on February 28, Indian airlines have cancelled a total of 1,117 international flights over the past three days, reflecting the scale of disruption in global aviation. Airspace closures and rerouting challenges over parts of the Middle East have forced airlines to suspend or delay several west-bound flights. Airlines Warn of …

Indians in Gulf Report Fear, Stranded at Airports Amid Iran-US Conflict

Indians in Gulf Report Fear, Stranded at Airports Amid Iran-US Conflict

3 min readJalandharMar 2, 2026 09:50 AM IST As tensions escalate following fresh attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States, and the subsequent retaliation, Indians living across the Gulf region Sunday described scenes of anxiety, loud explosions, and disrupted travel, urging calm while governments issue safety advisories. “Drones and missiles visible in the sky”, said SP Singh Oberoi, a renowned Dubai-based businessman and philanthropist, associated with the Sarbat Da Bhala organisation. He told The Indian Express that the situation is tense and the impact of the attacks is visible even from the United Arab Emirates. “The attack is quite intense. One can clearly see drones and missiles passing overhead from Dubai. A lot of debris is also falling, which has caused losses here as well,” Oberoi said. He added that the< a href=”https://indianexpress.com/article/india/missiles-in-sky-fear-on-phone-10-million-indian-diaspora-faces-war-10560090/”&gt; government has advised residents not to step out unless absolutely necessary. “People have been told not to move out. Thousands of passengers from India and other countries are stranded at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah airports due to flight disruptions,” …