New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has determined that pilot error caused an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER to veer off the runway and strike multiple runway edge lights during landing at Auckland International Airport on January 27, 2023.

 The captain disengaged the autopilot too late during the approach, at just 67 feet above ground level, instead of the recommended 300 to 600 feet, leaving insufficient time to manually control the aircraft before touchdown.

The flight, carrying 271 passengers and 16 crew, approached Auckland from Melbourne amid heavy rain and variable crosswinds. The autopilot operated in runway-alignment mode, applying control inputs to counter the left crosswind and maintain runway centerline alignment.

Upon late autopilot disengagement, the autopilot’s control inputs automatically returned to neutral, but the pilot failed to maintain the necessary left aileron input to counter the crosswind, causing the aircraft to roll right and drift away from the centerline.

The aircraft touched down nine seconds after autopilot disengagement, veered onto the sealed shoulder of the runway, and struck six runway edge lights before the crew regained control and taxied safely to the terminal.

Five of the six right main landing gear tires were damaged, including one fully deflated tire, along with damage to the right brake assembly and wiring harness. Despite the damage, no injuries occurred.

TAIC noted that the runway surface was wet but free of standing water, and the weather conditions, though challenging, were above minimum requirements.

 The commission emphasized that the incident was “virtually certain” given the sequence of events and highlighted the importance of adhering to standard operating procedures for autopilot disengagement and manual control transition.

Since the incident, Air New Zealand has updated its operational procedures and provided additional training to ensure pilots properly manage the transition from autopilot to manual control during approaches in difficult weather conditions. TAIC welcomed these safety actions and made no further recommendations.

Passengers traveling through Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport should prepare for significant disruptions as the airport’s main runway, 28/10, will be closed for 90 days starting June 15.

This closure is necessary for the installation of advanced CAT III B equipment and a new Instrument Landing System (ILS), which will enhance flight operations during low-visibility conditions.

IGI Airport is the busiest in India, handling around 1,400 flights daily with aircraft movements occurring every 21 seconds. The shutdown of runway 28/10 is expected to cause widespread delays and cancellations, similar to those experienced during a previous closure in April, when hundreds of flights were delayed and many were diverted to nearby airports such as Jaipur.

To minimize passenger inconvenience, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry has instructed airport operator DIAL and all airlines to implement strict precautionary measures. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu held a high-level meeting with airline representatives, directing them to prepare advance plans for flight cancellations and rescheduling.

“All stakeholders have been asked to coordinate closely and ensure that passengers are informed well in advance about any changes to their flights,” a ministry official said.

The upgrades being carried out are expected to significantly improve safety and efficiency at IGI Airport in the long term. During the 90-day period, travelers are advised to stay in touch with their airlines for the latest updates and plan their journeys accordingly.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has assured that every effort will be made to reduce inconvenience during this essential upgrade.

Airbus is preparing to secure significant orders for its A350 wide-body aircraft at the Paris Air Show in June 2025, aiming to strengthen its market position amid growing competition with Boeing.

A key focus for Airbus is Riyadh Air, the new Saudi Arabian carrier planning to expand its long-haul fleet. The airline is expected to announce an order for up to 50 Airbus A350 aircraft during the show, complementing its existing Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.

This move highlights Riyadh Air’s emphasis on operational efficiency and reliability, favoring the A350 over Boeing’s delayed 777X.

Airbus is promoting the A350’s fuel efficiency, extended range, and enhanced passenger comfort to appeal to airlines targeting premium international routes in the Middle East.

The anticipated order will likely include a combination of firm commitments and options, giving Riyadh Air flexibility as it grows toward a fleet of more than 200 aircraft.

 This deal will significantly enhance Airbus’s presence in the region, where demand for wide-body jets is rising due to expanding long-haul travel and Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism and business sectors.

In addition to the A350, Airbus is also focusing on growth in the single-aisle market with its A320neo family. These aircraft continue to attract airlines seeking modern, fuel-efficient narrow-body jets, especially as Boeing faces ongoing delays and quality control challenges with its 737 MAX line.

The competition between Airbus and Boeing has intensified in 2025. Boeing has gained ground in wide-body orders, driven in part by diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and renewed airline confidence. However, Boeing still faces low production rates and the challenge of rebuilding trust.

Airbus, although not restricted by government production caps, is dealing with supply chain constraints and assembly delays that affect aircraft output.

 The company is focused on restoring order momentum and improving manufacturing efficiency. The Paris Air Show will be an important opportunity for Airbus to demonstrate its competitiveness in a changing market.

Despite some easing, supply chain disruptions are expected to continue through 2027 or 2028, making backlog management and converting airline interest into firm orders a top priority. Airbus aims to deliver 820 jets in 2025, a 7% increase over 2024, even as the A350 freighter variant experiences delays.

The Paris Air Show will allow Airbus to showcase technological advances such as the A350’s composite airframe and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, which reduce fuel burn by 25% compared to older models.

 Securing major orders like Riyadh Air’s will be crucial for Airbus to counter Boeing’s resurgence and maintain its growth trajectory in the global aviation market.

Further updates from the Paris Air Show 2025 will provide insights into the evolving aerospace industry landscape.

The Adani Group-operated Mumbai International Airport (BOM) has implemented a controversial payment policy requiring airlines to provide cash deposits in banks as security for airport fees, replacing the traditional acceptance of bank guarantees

 This policy, introduced eight months ago in October 2024, has triggered strong opposition from India’s two largest carriers, IndiGo and Air India, which together control 91% of the domestic aviation market.

Policy Shift and Rationale
Mumbai Airport now mandates compulsory cash deposits to cover charges such as landing and parking fees, citing persistent delays in airline payments that disrupt the airport’s cash flow.

 Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings (which holds a 74% stake in BOM), explained that airlines frequently pay beyond month-end deadlines, while the airport must meet its own financial obligations earlier.

This mismatch creates working capital challenges that the cash deposit system aims to resolve. Bansal noted, “They have taken advantage of our niceness,” referring to the resistance from IndiGo and Air India since the policy’s implementation.

Financial Impact on Airlines
The new requirement imposes a significant financial burden on IndiGo and Air India, estimated at a combined deposit of around 2 billion rupees (approximately $23 million).

This is particularly concerning for Air India, which reported losses of $521 million last year and faces additional financial pressures due to Pakistan’s airspace closure impacting its operations. Neither airline has publicly responded to inquiries about the policy change.

Airport’s Financial Challenges
Mumbai Airport itself is under financial strain, having posted losses of $71 million on revenues of $461 million in the previous fiscal year. The airport’s management has cited its deteriorating financial position and substantial debt obligations as reasons for the policy shift, emphasizing that the cash deposits will enhance financial stability and improve its credit rating.

 The airport also highlighted the need to protect itself against risks of airline bankruptcies, referencing recent collapses of carriers like Jet Airways and Go First.

Industry and Government Response
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing both IndiGo and Air India, has raised concerns with India’s civil aviation ministry, opposing the policy as a means for the airport to fund its working capital needs.

The Federation of Indian Airlines has disputed claims that airlines habitually delay payments. Air India has also lobbied the government, warning that similar policies at other airports could exacerbate financial pressures across the aviation sector. The civil aviation ministry, which holds a 26% stake in Mumbai Airport, has not publicly commented on the dispute.

Enforcement and Passenger Impact
While Mumbai Airport retains the authority to cancel airline slots for non-compliance, it has stated it will avoid such actions to protect passenger interests, balancing enforcement with operational continuity.

This payment policy change at Mumbai International Airport underscores growing financial tensions in India’s rapidly expanding aviation market, highlighting the challenges faced by both airport operators and airlines in managing cash flows amid economic pressures.

Saudi Arabia is preparing to place orders worth billions of dollars for Airbus aircraft as part of its strategy to diversify suppliers and accelerate aviation growth to rival its Gulf neighbors, industry sources revealed.

Leasing company AviLease, which recently ordered 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region, is expected to place a comparable order for Airbus A320neo jets at next month’s Paris Airshow.

The company, aiming to become a top global aircraft lessor, is also reportedly interested in Airbus A350 freighters.

Startup airline Riyadh Air is poised to select the Airbus A350 over Boeing’s delayed 777X, with a potential deal involving up to 50 A350 aircraft anticipated to be announced at an upcoming trade show this year. Riyadh Air is currently studying an order for large wide-body planes, with a decision expected in the coming months.

Airbus declined to comment, and AviLease was not immediately available for comment.

These developments come amid Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation expansion, including Saudia Group’s historic order for 105 Airbus narrowbody jets, marking the largest aircraft deal in the kingdom’s history.

This order includes 54 A321neos for Saudia and additional A320neo and A321neo aircraft for its subsidiary Flyadeal, with deliveries scheduled from 2026 through 2032.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation growth is a key component of its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, aiming to triple annual passenger traffic and establish the kingdom as a major aviation and tourism hub by the end of the decade.

The combined efforts of Saudia, Riyadh Air, and leasing firms like AviLease signal a significant expansion of the Saudi fleet, positioning the country to compete strongly in the Gulf aviation market.

Turkey has introduced a new travel regulation imposing fines of up to 2,603 Turkish lira (approximately $70 or Dh255) on passengers who stand up, unbuckle their seatbelts, or open overhead bins before the aircraft has come to a complete stop.

 The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated airlines to update their in-flight announcements to warn travelers about this rule, and cabin crews are required to report any violations.

This crackdown addresses growing safety concerns and chaotic disembarkation scenes. The DGCA warns that premature movement can lead to injuries caused by sudden stops, falling luggage, and blocked aisles that could hinder emergency evacuations.

Turkish Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, has already incorporated clear warnings about penalties into its landing announcements. With millions of tourists passing through Turkey annually, the measure aims to enhance both passenger safety and orderly flow during disembarkation.

Passengers are now required to keep their seat belts fastened and remain seated until the plane has fully stopped and the seatbelt sign is turned off. Opening overhead compartments or crowding the aisle prematurely is prohibited. Violators will be reported to authorities and fined accordingly.

This issue is part of a broader global challenge. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), failure to follow crew instructions remains the most common form of unruly passenger behavior worldwide.

 In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can impose fines up to $37,000 per violation and may pursue jail time in severe cases. During the pandemic, incidents surged due to disputes over mask mandates, with flight attendants frequently facing harassment, verbal abuse, and physical violence, prompting stricter enforcement measures.

In India, a similar problem persists where passengers often stand up immediately after touchdown, causing crowded aisles and onboard chaos.

 While India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) enforces regulations against serious unruly behavior, minor infractions like standing during taxiing are rarely penalized, allowing the trend to continue.

Experts emphasize that the few seconds saved by rushing to exit are not worth the increased risk of injury or delays caused by premature movement.

Following Turkey’s lead, other countries, including India, may consider implementing similar fines to improve passenger discipline and safety. Ultimately, waiting until the plane fully stops before standing up is a small inconvenience that significantly reduces risk and enhances overall travel safety.