Air India News

Reuters

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Air India Expands Pilot Drug Testing After Phuket–Delhi Incident as Malaysia Airlines Screens Cockpit and Cabin Crews

Air India has temporarily de-rostered two more pilots after preliminary psychoactive-substance screenings returned non-negative results following the Phuket–Delhi A320neo emergency; confirmatory tests are pending. Separately, Malaysia Airlines says all active pilots tested negative after a pilot’s arrest in Indonesia and has begun screening 2,840 cabin crew.

AeroTime

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Air India and Akasa Air accelerate India fleet expansion with more than 100 jets and seven 737-8-200s

Air India plans to add more than 100 aircraft across its group in 2027 and 2028 as it pursues a fleet overhaul despite ongoing challenges. Meanwhile, Akasa Air has agreed to a sale-and-leaseback for up to seven Boeing 737-8-200s with Avolon to support further growth.

CNBC

Tata Sons chairman’s planned exit raises questions over Air India, semiconductor and iPhone investments

Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran’s sudden plan to step down is raising concerns about the Indian conglomerate’s commitment to major national-priority projects, including Air India, semiconductor manufacturing and iPhone production. The leadership transition could introduce uncertainty around the group’s continued investment in these strategic businesses.

ch-aviation

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Air India mandates drug screening for all pilots after Phuket mid-air plunge

Air India will begin mandatory substance testing for its pilots after the captain of an A320 that dropped about 300 feet on a Phuket–Delhi flight reportedly tested positive for cannabis. The incident injured 24 passengers and remains under investigation by India’s AAIB and DGCA amid reported technical warnings.

Skift

Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to step down in 2027, putting Air India transformation under new leadership

N. Chandrasekaran will not seek another term as Tata Sons chairman when his current tenure ends on February 20, 2027. His planned departure opens a leadership transition for the Tata Group as it advances Air India’s transformation and broader aviation and MRO strategy.

Reuters

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Air India Captain Faces Further Drug Testing as Malaysia Orders Crew Screening

India’s civil aviation ministry confirmed that the Air India captain involved in a sudden altitude loss after severe turbulence will undergo further laboratory testing after an initial psychoactive-substance screening result. Separately, Malaysia is imposing drug tests on pilots and cabin crew, alongside expanded random testing.

Bloomberg

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Air India appoints former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO to lead turnaround

Tewolde Gebremariam will succeed Campbell Wilson as Air India’s chief executive and managing director, bringing extensive airline leadership experience to the Tata Group-owned carrier. His appointment comes as Air India confronts mounting losses, regulatory scrutiny and the operational fallout from last year’s deadly crash.

Bloomberg

Air India Taps Ethiopian Airlines Veteran Gebremariam as CEO