Deepak Patel

Ahmedabad, United States, Westfield

Writer at Business Business Business

Journalist | Past: Press Trust of India (PTI), The Indian Express | Retweet ≠ endorsement | All opinions are my own | Email: [email protected]

Articles

'We Were There At Every Crew Funeral': AI CEO

1 week ago | rediff.com | Deepak Patel

IMAGE: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the flight commander of the ill-fated AI 171 flight, being taken for his last rites in Mumbai, June 17, 2025. Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on Friday said senior executives of the airline were present at the funeral of every flight crew member who died in the June 12 crash, dismissing 'social media commentary' that claimed otherwise. 'We have had senior representation at each and every one,' Wilson wrote in a message to employees.
Crash Puts Spotlight On DGCA Warnings To Air India

1 week ago | rediff.com | Deepak Patel

The DGCA has issued multiple fines and warnings to Air India over the past three years, flagging serious concerns in flight operations, cockpit discipline, and internal accountability. IMAGE: The tail of AI 171 stuck in the B J Medical College hostel mess building in Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025. Air India has been in regulatory crosshairs since its privatisation in January 2022.
'If The Checks Find Anything Even Slightly Off...'

1 week ago | rediff.com | Deepak Patel

'...rectification has to happen then and there, and that takes additional time.'IMAGE: An Air India Airbus A321 aircraft at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport in Ahmedabad, June 17, 2025. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, said it did not find any major safety issues with Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, following an intensive four-day inspection prompted by a fatal crash last week.
'This Year, We Will Commence Full Refit Of B787s'

1 week ago | rediff.com | Deepak Patel

'That refresh programme -- because they are big aircraft and we cannot ground them all at the same time -- will last well into 2027.'This interview was conducted before the tragic crash involving Air India flight AI 171 on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Air India, Tata Support Crash Victims' Kin

1 week ago | rediff.com | Deepak Patel

Air India reiterated that its priority remains extending assistance to the families. IMAGE: Relatives carry a coffin containing the remains of Rozar David Christian who lost his life in the Air India crash for his burial at a cemetery in Ahmedabad, June 15, 2025. The solemn process of handing over the mortal remains of the 241 passengers and crew members killed in the Air India crash is currently underway, the airline said on Sunday.
Why Delhi Airport Will See 7% Flight Cancellations

2 weeks ago | rediff.com | Deepak Patel

'Delhi airport handles 1,450 aircraft movements per day. Of these, 114 daily movements will be cancelled during the runway upgrade.'Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. IMAGE: Travellers in the departure area of Terminal 3 at the Indira Gandhi international airport in New Delhi.
What DGCA Wants AI To Check Before B787 Flights

2 weeks ago | rediff.com | Deepak Patel

The DGCA directive called for a series of specific checks before each flight's departure from India, including inspection of fuel parameter monitoring systems, cabin air compressors, and electronic engine control units. IMAGE: The wreckage of the ill-fated London-bound Air India flight on the rooftop of the doctors' hostel in Ahmedabad on Friday, June 13, 2025.
No disruption in ops due to rare earth magnet shortage: Maruti

2 weeks ago | rediff.com | Deepak Patel

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) said on Thursday its operations are unaffected by the global rare earth magnet shortage, but added that the situation is “uncertain and evolving”. Image used for representation purpose only. The firm said it is exploring multiple solutions to maintain continuity in operations and will notify stakeholders in case of material impact.
Did A Bird Strike Cause The Crash?

2 weeks ago | rediff.com | Aashish Aryan |Deepak Patel

Air India pilots said that Ahmedabad airport has long been known for bird activity near the runway, which could have contributed to the incident. IMAGE: Wreckage of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Shortly after the Air India Ahmedabad-London flight crashed, reports of an accident near the city's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport started trickling in on a WhatsApp group of the airline's pilots.
Curbing air access is like shooting yourself in foot: Emirates president

2 weeks ago | rediff.com | Deepak Patel

Restricting air access to foreign carriers by not granting them more bilateral rights is akin to shooting yourself in the foot, as air transport is a wealth multiplier for India’s economy, Emirates president Tim Clark said during a press conference held on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association. The remark comes amid a long-standing tussle over bilateral flying rights between India and the United Arab Emirates.