An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick tragically crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, June 12. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, went down near the Meghani area close to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, causing a massive fire and thick black smoke visible from neighboring localities including Meghaninagar and Vastrapur.

Flight AI171 departed the airport at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time. Onboard were 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. The aircraft crashed into a densely populated area near the airport, reportedly hitting a building housing medical students at B.J.

Medical College hostel, resulting in numerous casualties. Unverified videos circulating on social media show the plane struggling to gain altitude during takeoff before crashing.

At least 30 fatalities have been confirmed, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue. Emergency services, including firefighters, ambulances, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were rapidly deployed to the scene.

Rescue teams have cleared approximately 70-80% of the crash site and are working to recover victims and assist survivors. Injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals, with medical teams on high alert.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation, with technical experts from Boeing expected to assist. Initial probes will focus on why the aircraft struggled to gain altitude during takeoff, a critical phase of flight. The aircraft involved was an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, known for its safety record, which has raised concerns and astonishment within the aviation industry.

Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu expressed shock and confirmed that all aviation and emergency agencies are coordinating efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences and assured full government support for rescue and relief operations.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations until further notice. Indian Railways announced deployment of Vande Bharat trains to assist stranded passengers due to the airport closure.

The crash of Air India Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad Airport marks a severe aviation disaster with significant loss of life and injuries. Authorities continue to work on rescue, investigation, and support for affected families. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with early focus on the aircraft’s inability to gain altitude after takeoff.

Etihad Airways is set to elevate the travel experience between Sydney and Abu Dhabi with the introduction of its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on select flights starting October 1, 2025. These aircraft feature one of the airline’s most luxurious business class cabins, offering 44 private suites designed to provide the comfort and exclusivity of first class within a business class setting.

Each business suite is equipped with sliding privacy doors, fully flat beds, and advanced in-flight entertainment systems, ensuring passengers can relax and arrive refreshed after the long-haul journey. The A350-1000’s cutting-edge design also contributes to a quieter, more comfortable cabin atmosphere, with features such as larger windows and improved air filtration.

Technologically advanced and environmentally efficient, the A350-1000 is constructed from lightweight carbon polymer materials and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. This combination reduces fuel consumption by approximately 25% and lowers carbon emissions, making it one of the most eco-friendly aircraft in operation.

Initially, the A350 will complement the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Sydney-Abu Dhabi route, with both aircraft offering the premium business suites. From January 31, 2026, all ten weekly Etihad flights from Sydney will be operated exclusively by the A350, while Melbourne flights will continue daily on the 787-9.

Passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi will benefit from the recently opened Zayed International Airport, which has been acclaimed as the world’s most beautiful airport. The $4.8 billion facility incorporates advanced AI technologies, including facial recognition and smart passenger processing systems, allowing travelers to move swiftly from curbside to gate in as little as 12 minutes.

With this upgrade, Etihad Airways promises Australian travelers a seamless blend of luxury, innovation, and sustainability, ensuring that their journey is as exceptional as their destination.

Qatar Airways has once again soared to the pinnacle of global aviation, clinching the title of World’s Best Airline at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The announcement, made during a gala ceremony at the Paris Air Show, marks a record-breaking ninth win for the Doha-based carrier, reaffirming its dominance in an intensely competitive industry.

The Skytrax Awards, widely regarded as the “Oscars of aviation,” saw Qatar Airways outpace industry heavyweights including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, ANA All Nippon Airways, Air France, and Swiss International Air Lines. Singapore Airlines, last year’s winner, secured the runner-up spot, while Cathay Pacific rounded out the top three.

Qatar Airways also swept several major categories, taking home accolades for World’s Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and Best Business Class Airline Lounge for its Al Mourjan Lounge – The Garden at Hamad International Airport. The carrier’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation was cited as a key factor behind its continued success.

“Being named the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax for the ninth time is an extraordinary honour. This recognition is far more than an award, it is a celebration of the passion, precision and purpose that defines who we are as an airline,” said Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer.

The 2025 awards highlighted a reshuffling among the world’s top airlines. Singapore Airlines, while dropping to second, maintained its lead in premium services, winning the World’s Best Cabin Crew and Best First Class. Cathay Pacific’s surge to third place was credited to its revitalized long-haul service and top-tier inflight entertainment.

Rounding out the top five were Emirates and ANA All Nippon Airways, both recognized for their business class and airport service innovations. More than 325 airlines were evaluated, reflecting the breadth and depth of global competition.

Industry observers point to Qatar Airways’ unwavering commitment to service, innovation, and passenger comfort as key factors in its success. The airline’s recent historic order of up to 210 widebody jets, including 130 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 777-9s, underscores its ambition to redefine the future of air travel. Its focus on seamless travel experiences, from luxury lounges to onboard hospitality, continues to set new benchmarks.

With this latest victory, Qatar Airways has cemented its status as a global standard-bearer for airline excellence. As the industry braces for a surge in post-pandemic travel, all eyes are on the innovations and service strategies that will define the next era of flight.

Emirates, the UAE’s flagship carrier, has once again been recognized among the world’s top airlines, securing the No. 4 position in the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, announced at the Paris Air Show. The rankings saw Qatar Airways retain the top spot for a record ninth time, followed by Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Japan’s All Nippon Airways rounded out the top five, with Emirates reaffirming its place among the global elite.

The Skytrax awards, based on feedback from over 22 million passengers worldwide, highlight excellence across cabin service, onboard experience, staff hospitality, and innovation. Emirates’ high placement reflects strong loyalty and satisfaction from UAE travelers, especially on long-haul and premium routes.

In addition to its Skytrax success, Emirates was also named ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ for the twelfth consecutive year at the 2025 Business Traveller Middle East (BTME) Awards. The airline swept three additional categories: Best First Class, Best Premium Economy Class, and Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East. These accolades underscore Emirates’ ongoing investments in fleet upgrades, onboard product innovation, and premium ground services.

Emirates’ brand value soared to $8.4 billion in 2024, making it one of the top five most valuable airline brands globally and the most valuable outside the US. The airline’s ambitious cabin retrofit program, launched in 2022, continues in 2025 with 51 aircraft already refurbished and a target of 219 upgrades. Emirates has also received its first Airbus A350, equipped with next-generation products, and plans to serve over 70 cities with upgraded aircraft by year-end.

This year, Emirates is expanding its A350 network to seven new destinations across four continents, including Tunis, Amman, Istanbul, Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, Baghdad, and Oslo. This strategic move further strengthens Emirates’ dominance in premium air travel and global connectivity.

Emirates’ achievements align with the UAE’s broader economic and developmental momentum. In 2024, the UAE welcomed 150 million airport passengers and hosted over 30 million guests in its hospitality sector a testament to the nation’s growing status as a global travel hub. The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has set ambitious goals for 2025, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and global partnerships to solidify the country’s position as a model for growth and progress.

The top five airlines in the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards are Qatar Airways in first place, followed by Singapore Airlines in second, Cathay Pacific in third, Emirates in fourth, and ANA All Nippon Airways in fifth. Other notable winners include Lufthansa, recognized as the World’s Most Family-Friendly Airline and for the Best First Class Lounge; Austrian Airlines, awarded Best Airline Staff in Europe; and Eurowings, named Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe.

Emirates’ continued recognition, fleet expansion, and premium service enhancements position it at the forefront of global aviation as the UAE pursues even greater achievements in 2025 and beyond.

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has reiterated that fees paid for exit and re-entry visas are strictly non-refundable, even if the visa is canceled—a policy that has been reconfirmed as thousands of expatriates plan their summer travel. This clarification was issued following a public inquiry from a resident, to which Jawazat responded unequivocally: “If the exit and re-entry visa is cancelled, the fees are non-refundable”.

Under current regulations, a single exit and re-entry visa costs 200 Saudi riyals and is valid for up to two months, with an additional 100 riyals for each extra month, provided the resident’s permit (iqama) remains valid. For multiple exit and re-entry visas, the fee is 500 riyals for up to three months, and 200 riyals for each additional month.

Notably, for residents who are already outside the Kingdom and need to extend their visas, the extension fees are doubled—200 riyals per month for a single visa and 400 riyals per month for a multiple visa.

The process for issuing, canceling, or extending these visas is managed digitally through the Absher platform. To cancel a visa, users must log in, access “Services for Sponsors,” select the relevant individual, and confirm the cancellation; however, the fee remains non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation.

Recent regulatory updates have also introduced higher fees for expatriates outside Saudi Arabia, including doubled extension charges and increased costs for renewing residency permits (Iqama) abroad. Penalties for not using or canceling a visa within the allowed time can be steep, starting at 1,000 riyals for the first offense and rising to 3,000 riyals for repeated violations. Overstaying outside Saudi Arabia after a visa expires incurs a fine of 100 USD per month.

These rules apply to all visa holders, including professionals, domestic workers, and dependents, and are part of broader changes to residency and travel regulations aimed at streamlining processes and ensuring compliance. Authorities urge residents to carefully plan their travel and visa applications, as changes or cancellations will not result in a refund of paid fees.

An easyJet flight from Geneva to Edinburgh was forced to declare a mid-air emergency and return to Geneva shortly after takeoff on Sunday evening due to a bird strike, cutting the journey short and causing flight cancellation.

The Airbus A320, flight EZY3294, took off from Geneva Airport around 6:06 PM local time but encountered a bird strike during its initial climb. The pilots immediately declared an emergency and circled near Geneva before safely landing back about 40 minutes after departure. The bird strike caused a technical defect on the aircraft that maintenance crews could not quickly resolve, leading easyJet to cancel the flight rather than attempt repairs, prioritizing passenger safety above schedule adherence.

EasyJet issued formal notices to affected passengers, apologizing for the inconvenience and providing information on rebooking options and accommodations for those impacted. Emergency services attended the aircraft upon landing as a precaution, and all passengers disembarked safely without incident.

This incident adds to a recent string of easyJet emergencies in mid-June 2025. Two other flights were forced to make emergency landings within days: one from Paphos to Bristol diverted to Izmir due to smoke detection, and another from Manchester to Enfidha diverted to Paris Orly for unspecified reasons. Both flights landed safely with no injuries reported.

These events underscore the operational challenges airlines face in ensuring safety amid technical issues and environmental hazards like bird strikes. EasyJet's response in following established emergency protocols demonstrates its commitment to passenger safety despite the disruption to travel plans.

In summary, the Geneva-to-Edinburgh easyJet flight's emergency return following a bird strike highlights ongoing aviation safety vigilance during the busy European summer travel period, with the airline taking all necessary precautions to protect its passengers.