Airlines

How passengers of Air India AI173 were hosted in Russia.

The passengers who are currently stranded in Russia were transported to the US on Wednesday by a replacement flight that Air India, a company owned by the Tata Group, deployed from Mumbai to Magadan.

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According to the airline’s statement on Wednesday, “a ferry flight is scheduled to operate to GDX (Magadan) from Mumbai, at 1300 hours IST on June 7, subject to necessary regulatory clearances, taking passengers and crew of AI173 onward to San Francisco.”

#AI173 with 216 passengers stuck in Magadan, Russia since 2 pm IST Tue 6/6 after technical issues. Passengers staying at makeshift accommodation in a nearby school. Conditions have become miserable, no updates from @airindia, bad food. Crew not helping. @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar pic.twitter.com/05NprP9PCw
— Dipankar Niranjan (@dip_niranjan) June 7, 2023

Magadan is a small town with a population of 95 000. Finding hotels for 200 travelers is very difficult, therefore with the assistance of the Russian government, the passengers were housed in a local school or training facility.

Air India aircraft AI173’s emergency landing in Russia en route to San Francisco(Opens in a new browser tab)

The majority of the passengers seen on camera are resting on their beds, however, some are seen walking around and eating in the accommodations center. As no American citizen should be taken captive after arrival, the USA also keeps a close eye on what is happening.

Air India has despatched a ferry flight from Mumbai to GDX, and it is expected to arrive today, June 7, barring any delays caused by regulatory approval. The ferry flight would transport our passengers’ food and other necessities. According to the Air India statement, it has agreements in place with the local authorities at GDX that extend every assistance and cooperation upon the arrival of the flight.

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One of the few Asian airplanes that regularly fly close to Russian airspace is Air India. India has a bilateral relationship with Russia that enables Air India to provide safe accommodations in that country.

Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.