An Air India Express flight carrying 178 passengers from Pune was targeted by a laser beam during its final approach to Chennai airport early Tuesday, marking the third such incident in the city’s airspace within a month.

The laser struck the aircraft’s right side about three nautical miles from touchdown on runway 25 at 1:03 am, a critical phase of descent, according to Chennai airport sources. Authorities at Chennai International Airport promptly informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airport police, and the Air India Express station manager. Subsequent arrivals reported no further laser activity, and an investigation is underway.

This incident follows a similar event last week when an Emirates flight from Dubai, carrying over 300 passengers, was hit by a green laser beam approximately 13 nautical miles from the airport near the densely populated St Thomas Mount area. The pilot reported the strike to air traffic control, leading to police involvement.

The Greater Chennai Police have issued advisories warning against the use of laser pointers, hot air balloons, and tethered kites near flight paths due to the serious threat they pose to flight safety. Such actions can cause temporary blindness or distraction to pilots during critical phases of flight, potentially endangering lives and disrupting airport operations.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) stated that all stakeholders are addressing these incidents with utmost seriousness but expressed concern over sensationalized media reports that could cause unnecessary panic.AAI emphasized that pilots managed these situations professionally and no emergencies occurred.

The authority also urged media to verify information before publication, warning that repeated false or exaggerated reporting may lead to legal action.In a recent meeting, AAI committed to working closely with pilots to accurately trace the origin of laser beams to prevent future occurrences.

These repeated laser strikes highlight growing safety concerns in Chennai’s airspace and underscore the need for stricter enforcement and public awareness to protect aviation safety.

Flight operations at Kuwait International Airport have been significantly disrupted due to escalating tensions in the region, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to announce the diversion, cancellation, and rescheduling of several flights on Friday, June 13. The DGCA is actively coordinating with airlines to manage both inbound and outbound flights, ensuring passenger safety and operational continuity amid the ongoing regional situation.

Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to and from Iran, citing the evolving security environment, and is providing regular updates and support to affected passengers. Meanwhile, Kuwait Airways has maintained normal operations but remains on high alert, prepared to implement contingency plans if the situation deteriorates further. The disruptions come as several international carriers have also adjusted routes or suspended flights in response to heightened tensions following recent Israeli strikes on Iran.

These operational challenges add to Kuwait International Airport’s broader struggles. The airport has seen a notable decline in passenger traffic—down 1% in 2024 to 15.4 million travelers—while neighboring Gulf airports such as Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi have reported robust double-digit growth. Fourteen international airlines, including British Airways, Lufthansa, and KLM, have withdrawn from Kuwait in recent months, citing rising jet fuel costs, intensifying regional competition, and persistent infrastructure shortcomings.

Aviation analysts warn that unless Kuwait undertakes urgent reforms to modernize its airport facilities and improve passenger services, it risks further losing its strategic position as a regional air hub. The current disruptions, combined with the airport’s declining competitiveness, could lead to longer travel times, fewer direct connections, and higher costs for travelers, particularly for expatriate communities reliant on Kuwait as a transit point.

As the situation evolves, the DGCA and airlines continue to monitor developments closely, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety and operational readiness in the face of regional uncertainties.

Qatar Airways has announced the temporary suspension of its flights to several destinations across Iran, Iraq, and Syria due to the evolving situation in the region.

In Iran, the affected airports include:

• Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)

• Mashhad International Airport (MHD)

• Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)

In Iraq, flight operations are suspended to:

• Baghdad International Airport (BGW)

• Erbil International Airport (EBL)

• Basra International Airport (BSR)

• Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU)

• Najaf International Airport (NJF)

In Syria, flights to Damascus International Airport (DAM) will remain cancelled until the end of Saturday, 14 June.

Qatar Airways has urged passengers to check the latest status of their flights on the airline’s official website: www.qatarairways.com.

The airline emphasized that it adheres strictly to international aviation safety protocols and assured that passenger safety remains its top priority.

A devastating tragedy unfolded in Ahmedabad on Thursday when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff en route to London Gatwick Airport. The crash, which occurred in the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulted in at least 240 fatalities, including passengers, crew, and reportedly some individuals on the ground.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, where images showed towering plumes of black smoke and burning wreckage as rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover bodies and assist survivors.

Remarkably, there was one reported survivor: 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. According to officials and hospital sources, Ramesh had been seated near an emergency exit and managed to escape the burning aircraft by jumping out after the crash. He was found disoriented and with multiple injuries but is reportedly out of danger and receiving treatment at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh described the chaos: “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital,” he told the Hindustan Times.

The doomed flight was carrying a diverse group of passengers: 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian, along with 12 crew members. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control less than a minute after takeoff, plummeting into a residential area and reportedly striking the dining hall of a medical college hostel, which may have contributed to the high death toll.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow and assured that all possible support was being provided to the victims and their families.

As investigations continue, Air India and government officials have pledged full support for affected families, while the airline’s CEO confirmed that a special team is on the ground to assist with relief efforts. The crash has shocked the nation and the international community, with many awaiting further details as authorities sift through the wreckage in search of answers.

Aviation experts and investigators are piecing together the possible causes behind the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which went down minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick, resulting in over 200 fatalities and marking the worst aviation disaster in a decade.

The aircraft, carrying 242 people—including 230 passengers and 12 crew—crashed at an altitude of just 625 feet, with video footage and eyewitness accounts indicating that the plane struggled to gain altitude, failed to achieve sufficient lift, and descended rapidly before exploding on impact.

Initial analysis by commercial pilots and aviation analysts has highlighted several anomalies observed in the moments leading up to the crash. Notably, the plane’s landing gear remained down longer than usual after takeoff, and the wing flaps did not appear to be set in the correct position for takeoff, both of which are critical for generating the necessary lift at low speeds.

Former British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein noted that without proper flap deployment, the aircraft would not have been able to climb effectively, potentially explaining the rapid loss of altitude. He also speculated that a hydraulic issue could have prevented the landing gear from retracting, though he emphasized that these are early observations based on limited video evidence.

The cockpit crew issued a Mayday distress call shortly after departure, indicating severe trouble almost immediately after becoming airborne. Experts believe the pilots may have been attempting to pull the aircraft’s nose up to regain lift, but with insufficient engine thrust and possibly compromised aerodynamic configuration, the plane continued to lose altitude.

The maximum speed achieved was reported to be just 174 knots—well below what would be expected—suggesting the engines were not delivering adequate power.

While the exact cause remains undetermined, several possible scenarios are under consideration. These include a major technical failure such as engine malfunction or fuel starvation, multiple bird strikes, or a critical hydraulic issue affecting the landing gear and flaps. Some analysts have also raised the possibility of a double engine failure, which, while rare, could explain the rapid loss of lift and descent.

Despite speculation, experts stress that only data from the aircraft’s black boxes—the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—will provide definitive answers, as they contain vital information on the aircraft’s configuration, engine performance, and cockpit communications in the final moments.

Authorities, including India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and international agencies, are prioritizing the recovery and analysis of these recorders, with preliminary findings expected in the coming days.

In the meantime, the aviation community and the public await clarity on what led to this unprecedented tragedy involving a model with an otherwise impeccable safety record

Türkiye's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY), achieved a historic milestone by operating 1,369 flights in a single day on June 9, marking its highest daily flight count ever, CEO Bilal Ekşi announced on social media platform X.

This record-breaking performance coincided with the last day of Qurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha), a significant holiday in Türkiye. Ekşi highlighted the rapid growth of the airline, noting that the previous record of 1,292 flights was set only four days earlier, on the eve of Eid al-Adha. He remarked, "Türkiye is growing, THY is flying high," underscoring the airline's expanding operations.

Turkish Airlines had earlier set records with 1,284 flights on July 2, 2023, and 1,292 flights on June 5, 2025, demonstrating consistent growth in its daily flight capacity.

The airline operates a fleet of 484 aircraft and serves over 300 destinations worldwide, maintaining its status as Türkiye’s most valuable brand in 2025, according to Brand Finance.

Founded in 1933 and owned by the Türkiye Wealth Fund, Turkish Airlines continues to strengthen its global connectivity, operating flights across 131 countries with a fleet of 477 aircraft, making it one of the world's most globally connected carriers.

This new record reflects Turkish Airlines' ongoing expansion and its critical role in connecting Türkiye to the world.