Aviation

Evacuation slide inflated as Air India hostess botched pilot’s order

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According to Indian News Paper Times of India reports An Air India commander took the unusual step of stopping a taxiing aircraft at Heathrow to return a cellphone to an engineer who had left it behind after readying the aircraft for departure.What transpired on the London-Ahmedabad flight last month was a series of incredible decisions.

“The commander informed the ground staff to ask the engineer to reach the aircraft and collect the phone,” said a source.

He instructed the cabin crew-in-charge to ‘recycle the door’, open it and throw the phone, which could be safely embedded in a pillow, conscripted from the passenger cabin for the mission.‘Recycle the door’ means to change the mode it is set in.

Aircraft doors are either set in automatic mode (‘armed’ in aviation parlance) or manual (‘unarmed’).

Before departure, the commander gives an ‘arm the doors’ or ‘doors to automatic’ instruction to the crew.

When she opened the door, the slide inflated and fell into position, ready for an evacuation. But instead of panicky passengers, the only person standing at the door was the rather shocked crew-in-charge, holding a pillow stuffed with suddenly not-so-precious cargo.

The flight’s departure had to be delayed. “The engineering team had to disconnect the slide, deflate it, and fold and pack it into the cargo compartment,” the source said. AI-176, which had started taxiing at 2pm, finally departed at 3.46pm.

Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.