Forbes India
The impact of the Iran conflict intensified during the week ended April 10, disrupting international flights and pushing up costs for airlines. Indian carriers saw large-scale cancellations and longer routes, prompting intervention from the government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The week also saw leadership changes and fresh legal developments for SpiceJet. Over 10,000 international flights cancelledIndian carriers have cancelled over 10,000 international flights since February 28 due to airspace restrictions linked to the Iran conflict, the aviation ministry said on April 7. Joint Secretary Asangba Chuba Ao said daily flights to West Asia dropped from 300-350 to 80-90. The ministry said the situation has caused “unprecedented disruption” to global aviation networks and impacted airline revenues.Photo by Amr Abdallah Dalsh/ Reuters Government cuts airport charges by 25 percentThe government on Wednesday announced a 25 percent cut in landing and parking charges for domestic flights for three months. This could save airlines about Rs 400 crore. The aviation ministry said the relief measure aims to offset rising costs due to higher jet fuel prices and longer flight routes. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) will allow airports to recover any revenue shortfall in future tariff cycles. The order applies to both major and non-major airports.Photo by R.Satish Babu / AFP Air India CEO steps downAir India CEO and managing director Campbell Wilson resigned on Tuesday, stepping down before the end of his term in 2027. The airline said he will continue until a successor is appointed. Wilson, who took charge in 2022 after the Tata Group takeover, oversaw fleet expansion, system upgrades and the merger of Vistara. His tenure also saw safety concerns following the 2025 Ahmedabad crash, with investigations still underway.Photo by Bhawika Chhabra/Reuters DGCA eases pilot duty normsThe DGCA has temporarily relaxed Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for pilots operating long-haul flights, allowing extended flying hours to manage disruptions caused by rerouting. The relaxation, valid till April 30, increases flight time limits to around 11.5 hours and duty periods to about 11.45 hours. The move is aimed at preventing crew shortages and maint. Photo by MrKotov/Shuttesrtock SpiceJet ordered to pay $8 millionA UK court has ordered SpiceJet to pay about $8 million to an aircraft engine lessor over unpaid dues, Reuters reported on Tuesday. The London Commercial Court ruled in favour of Sunbird France 02 SAS, citing unpaid rent and maintenance charges. The dues date back to 2020-22, and the lessor had repossessed the engines earlier.Photo by Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP Dubai limits flights by foreign carriersThe Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) urged the government to intervene after Dubai airport imposed temporary restrictions on foreign carriers for the summer 2026 season. In a letter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the FIA said Indian airlines have been limited to one daily rotation between April 20 and May 31, while UAE carriers are not subject to similar curbs.Photo by AFP IndiGo aircraft hit by vehicle in KolkataAn IndiGo aircraft was damaged after a third-party unmanned vehicle came into contact with it at Kolkata airport on April 7, according to a report by ANI. The aircraft, scheduled to operate a Kolkata–Guwahati flight, was grounded for inspection. IndiGo said an alternate aircraft was arranged for passengers and that it is working with authorities to investigate the incident. No injuries were reported.Photo by benzmj/Shutterstock Fire at Mumbai airport terminalA minor fire broke out at Terminal 1 of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Thursday due to a short circuit, PTI reported. The incident occurred around 6.10 pm and was brought under control within minutes by emergency teams. Airport operations were not affected, and no injuries were reported.Photo by virtualexploring/Shutterstock Airline stocks gain, then lose groundAirline stocks rallied on Wednesday after a ceasefire announcement in the US-Iran conflict led to a sharp fall in crude oil prices. Shares of InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) rose about 10-11 percent, while SpiceJet gained around 5-6 percent during the session. However, the rally was short-lived, with stocks losing gains as ceasefire concerns resurfaced.Photo by Beautyimage/Shutterstock
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