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Singapore Airlines will make an additional investment of Rs 3,194.5 crore in Tata Group-owned Air India post-merger of Vistara in November. The merger, announced on November 29, 2022, and set to be completed on November 11, 2024, will result in Singapore Airlines having a 25.1% stake in the enlarged Air India. Full-service carrier Vistara, which started flying on January 9, 2015, is a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines, where the latter holds a 49% shareholding. Vistara's last flight will take off tomorrow i.e. November 11, 2024. Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group on Friday said its consideration for the merger comprises the 49% interest in Vistara and Rs 20,585 million (Rs 2,058.5 crore) in cash in exchange for a 25.1% equity interest in the enlarged Air India. Post-merger, SIA expects to recognize a non-cash accounting gain of around 1.1 billion Singapore dollars and also start equity accounting for its share of Air India's financial results. According to a release on Friday, the merger includes an agreement for SIA to contribute its share of any funding previously provided by Tata prior to the completion of the merger, together with relevant funding costs up to Rs 5,020 crore that would allow it to maintain a 25.1% stake in Air India. "SIA's additional capital injection is expected to be Rs 31,945 million (equivalent to SGD 498 million), based on Tata's funding to Air India to date. This will occur after the completion of the merger and within November 2024 through subscription to new Air India shares. "Future capital injections will be considered based on Air India's requirements and available funding options," according to the release issued while announcing the airline's financial performance for the six months ended September 2024. The merger of Vistara with Air India will mark a major consolidation in the fast-growing Indian aviation space. SIA said the merged entity will have a significant presence across all key Indian air travel segments, including domestic, international, full-service, and low-cost operations. "This will strengthen SIA's multi-hub strategy, allowing it to continue participating directly in India's large and fast-growing aviation market," it added. Recently, Air India and SIA agreed to significantly expand their codeshare agreement, adding 11 Indian cities and another 40 international destinations to their network.

Singapore Airlines to invest additional Rs 3,195 cr in Air India post-Vistara merger

<keyword id="19923231" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Air-India-Express" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Air India Express" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Air India Express">Air India Express</keyword>, part of the <keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword>, is set to reconfigure its aircraft starting in April 2025 and will be focusing solely on <keyword id="23932064" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economy-class-seating" source="keywords">economy class seating</keyword>, a PTI report says. This follows the merger of AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) with Air India Express on October 1, marking a major step in Tata’s broader consolidation of its airline operations. Currently operating a fleet of 90 aircraft, including Boeing 737s and A320s, Air India Express has plans to expand its reach, particularly to smaller cities and towns. The airline aims to simplify its fleet by eliminating <keyword id="21350335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-class" source="keywords">business class</keyword> seats, opting instead for a uniform economy layout across its narrow-body planes. The decision comes as the airline faces supply chain challenges that have delayed the delivery of new aircraft. To bridge the gap, it has already inducted 35 white-tail Boeing 737-8 planes, with plans to add 15 more in the coming months. White-tail aircraft are planes originally manufactured for other carriers and later repurposed by Air India Express. These planes, often with varying business class configurations, will be reconfigured to fit the airline’s new model. The PTI report adds that by eliminating business class, the airline aims to better serve its core market—connecting <keyword id="20567886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tier-2-and-Tier-3-cities" source="keywords">Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities</keyword> with major metropolitan hubs, while expanding its international network. In addition to strengthening its domestic routes, Air India Express plans to focus on regional international flights, particularly to destinations in the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and eventually South Asia. Air India Express’ network strategy is closely aligned with that of the larger Tata Group’s airline portfolio, which includes Air India, Vistara, and the recently merged AIX Connect. As part of this consolidation, Air India Express aims to meet growing demand for affordable travel between smaller towns and metros, a market segment identified as a key growth area. The move towards an economy-only fleet reflects broader industry trends, with many <keyword id="20314404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="low-cost-carriers" source="keywords">low-cost carriers</keyword> focusing on streamlining operations to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Air India Express plans to increase its fleet to over 110 aircraft by the end of the financial year, with further additions expected in the future. (with PTI inputs)

Air India Express to bid adieu to business class seats next year, will turn into economy only airlines

A squad full of debutants, free from past baggage will aim to ace the ultimate test of their lives when the shooting competition of the <keyword id="4833237" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="Orion">Paris Olympics</keyword> begins in the sleepy French town of Chateauroux on Friday. <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> has won four Olympic medals in shooting out of its overall tally of 35 but none in the last two editions of the Summer Games, putting the additional pressure of expectations on the record 21-member Indian contingent based in central France. The national shooting federation, National Rifle Association of India (<keyword id="19910689" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NRAI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="NRAI" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="NRAI">NRAI</keyword>), chose current form over pedigree to pick the squad for the mega event and it will be hoping they hit the bullseye at the <keyword id="22557904" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Shooting-Centre" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="National Shooting Centre" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="National Shooting Centre">National Shooting Centre</keyword> here. Even the quota winners were made to battle out in the trials with the inexperienced Sandeep Singh pipping 2022 world champion Rudranksh Patil, who had secured India's quota in the 10m air rifle. Patil wrote to NRAI proposing his selection in the team despite finishing behind Sandeep in the trials, but the federation stuck to its guns. The athletes have been training away from the hustle and bustle of <keyword id="19916613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris" source="keywords">Paris</keyword> and that could work in their favour come competition day. Barring <keyword id="20241095" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="manu-bhaker" source="keywords">Manu Bhaker</keyword>, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Anjum Moudgil and Elavenil Valarivan, all will experience the biggest sporting stage for the first time. India will have representation in all 15 shooting events. It is not just peak performance on the day that matters in the Olympics, luck too plays a major part. The 22-year-old Bhaker, who has won a bagful of medals in world events, had a stroke of bad luck at the Tokyo Games where her weapon malfunctioned in 10m <keyword id="20105950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-pistol" source="keywords">air pistol</keyword> qualification and she could not recover from that setback. She will be taking part in three disciplines - 10m air pistol, 25m pistol and 10m pistol mixed team. India's main challenge will come from China who are also fielding 21 shooters across disciplines. Another women shooter to watch out for will be Sift Kaur Samra, who won the 50m rifle three positions gold at the Asian Games. Moudgil, one of the seasoned pros in the squad, is making a comeback and will lineup alongside Sift in the women's 50m rifle three positions. Twenty-year-old Rhythm Sangwan will be participating in two events, women's 10m air pistol alongside Bhaker and the 10m air pistol mixed team. "The preparation has been going good. The range is beautiful. I was a little upset staying away from main village in Paris. It is not as I expected but I am here for the competition and win and not pass any comments on the Games Village. Olympics is the biggest stage out here," said Sangwan. Among the male participants, only Tomar has been part of the Olympics before. Tomar, member of the gold winning team at the 2023 World Championships, will be seen in the men's 50m rifle three positions alongside Swapnil Kusale. The male debutants who have a decent international experience include Anish Bhanwala, Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Babuta, Arjun Singh Cheema and Vijayveer Singh. Gagan Narang, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist who is here as India's chef de mission, is backing the shooters to end the <keyword id="22557903" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="medal-drought" source="keywords">medal drought</keyword> in this edition. "My first Olympic experience was in 2004 and I remember at that time, we were not as confident as we are today. There is genuine belief that we are at par with the best in the world," said Narang. The biggest test of the shooters' lives awaits. Full squad Rifle: Men's 10m air rifle: Sandeep Singh, Arjun Babuta Women's 10m air rifle: Elavenil Valarivan, Ramita Jindal Women's 50m rifle 3 positions: Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Moudgil Men's 50m rifle 3 positions: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Swapnil Kusale 10m air rifle mixed team: Sandeep Singh/Elavenil Valarivan, Arjun Babuta/Ramita Jindal Pistol: Men's 10m air pistol: Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Cheema Women's 10m air pistol: Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan Men's 25m rapid fire pistol: Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu Women's 25m pistol: Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh 10m air pistol mixed team: Sarabjot Singh/Manu Bhaker, Arjun Singh Cheema/Rhythm Sangwan Shotgun: Men's trap: Prithviraj Tondaiman Women's trap: Rajeshwari Kumari, Shreyasi Singh Men's skeet: Anantjeet Singh Naruka Women's skeet: Maheshwari Chauhan, Raiza Dhillon Skeet mixed team: Anantjeet Singh Naruka/Maheshwari Chauhan.

Record shooting contingent out to end India's 12-year medal drought

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Replenishment ships are essential to resupplying carrier groups at sea with fuel, food and bombs.</li><li>The US is overhauling its aging ships while China has built a dozen.</li></ul>Involved in nearly every crisis since World War II, aircraft carriers have been called upon to assure allies, deter enemies, and strike directly at hostile targets.Yet for all their importance, their missions would be impossible if not for the US Navy's unsung workhorses: replenishment ships.Replenishment ships loaded with food, fuel and bombs are the reason US carrier strike groups can stay at sea for months at a time. This capability is increasingly vital for the US Navy's chief competitor, China. With the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-shrinking-china-biggest-fleet-shipbuilding-taiwan-2024-4">largest navy in the world</a>, its lack of overseas military bases only makes the need for this capability greater.But replenishment ships also form the weakest link in the chain of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-vs-chinese-navy-aircraft-carriers-2024-5">American</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-new-aircraft-carrier-more-to-learn-to-match-us-2024-5">Chinese carrier</a> groups. Often unarmed and full of explosive cargo, they are prime targets for any hostile force.<div type="image" title="USNS Supply is one of the two largest combat logistics ships in the US Navy's Military Sealift Command." height="1500" width="2100" msid="115143523" hostid="261" sizebytes="299192"></div><h2 id="3d01aa20-7b10-4f31-9c1e-4e4a0f3254e6">US replenishment ships</h2>The US Navy's Military Sealift Command's Combat Logistics Force (CLF) operates 17 fleet replenishment oilers, 14 dry cargo/ammunition ships, and two fast combat support ships.These ships are built to deliver wet cargo (mainly aviation and diesel fuel) and dry cargo like ordnance, food, and spare parts. Though US carriers are nuclear-powered, their escort ships still run on diesel, and their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/newest-us-navy-supercarrier-underway-with-all-airpower-first-time-2023-3">air wings</a> require aviation fuel.The most capable replenishment vessels in the CLF are the fast combat support ships of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2174658/">Supply-class</a>, the largest combat logistics ships in the MSC fleet.Equipped with four cargo booms for loading cargo, they are capable of carrying 156,000 barrels of fuel, 1,800 tons of ordnance, 400 tons of refrigerated store, and 250 tons of other dry cargo.<div type="image" title="Fleet replenishment oiler Henry J. Kaiser refuels a US warship via two hose lines suspended on a tensioned wire between the ships." height="1331" width="2000" msid="115143326" hostid="261" sizebytes="123714"></div>These ships have two primary means to transfer cargo: sling loads carried by helicopter or tensioned lines between the ships. They have five fuel-at-sea (FAS) stations that utilize long flexible refueling hoses that travel on the tensioned wire, and six replenishment at sea (RAS) stations that move supplies via the horizontal wire pulley systems on the tensioned line. In addition, the Supply-class ships have a helicopter hangar and deck with space for two helicopters at the stern, enabling helicopter transfer known as vertical replenishment, or VERTREP.The FAS/RAS stations, combined with aerial resupply, enable Supply-class vessels to replenish up to four ships at once. Only two Supply-class ships, the USNS Supply and USNS Arctic, remain in service.The backbone of the CLF's refueling fleet are the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/Ships/Ship-Inventory/Fleet-Replenishment-Oiler/">Henry J. Kaiser-class</a> fleet oilers. Built between 1984 and 1996, the ships are 677 feet long, displace around 41,000 tons, and can carry up to 159,000 barrels of fuel.The Kaisers can refuel two warships simultaneously. They lack a helicopter hangar, but have a deck at the stern where helicopters from nearby ships can sling-load pallets.Fourteen Kaisers are in active service with the MSC.Though effective for refueling, the Kaiser-class has limited space for dry cargo — only enough for 586 pallets, including frozen and chilled food. The Navy relies on 14 Lewis &amp; Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ships to fill in the gap.The Lewis &amp; Clark-class ships can carry a massive 8,391 tons of dry cargo, including 1,716 tons of refrigerated stores. They also have tanks capable of carrying approximately 25,000 barrels of fuel.<div type="image" title="An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter delivers supplies to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower from the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic." height="1331" width="2000" msid="115143525" hostid="261" sizebytes="207016"></div>The Kaiser-class replacement effort kicked off in earnest in 2016, when the Navy signed a design and construction contract with General Dynamics, a leading defense contractor and shipbuilder that reported $11.7 billion in revenue in its third-quarter earnings.Five years later, the lead ship of the new John Lewis-class was christened.The 746-foot-long, double-hull ships can carry 162,000 barrels of fuel, 6,675 tons of dry cargo, and 1,716 tons of refrigerated stores. A helicopter deck at the stern also enables VERTREP.Three John Lewis-class oilers — USNS John Lewis, USNS Harvey Milk, and USNS Earl Warren — are in service, and a fourth, USNS Robert F. Kennedy, is set to begin sea trials soon. Another was recently launched and two more are under construction.The class will soon become the main fleet oiler. An order for six ships was made in 2018, with options for three more exercised in 2022 and 2023. In September, the Navy signed a $6.7 billion contract for eight more John Lewis-class oilers with General Dynamics's National Steel and Shipbuilding Company. The Navy hopes to have 20 of the vessels in total, supplemented by 13 yet-to-be-designed light replenishment oilers.<div type="image" title="The Hulunhu fast combat support ship is part of a new class that was built to service China's carrier strike groups." height="1060" width="2000" msid="115143528" hostid="261" sizebytes="205312"></div><h2 id="02ad4c6d-8c78-4ca1-ab92-1b32a6c75d25">China's replenishment ships</h2>The US Navy has over <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2018/june/century-replenishment-sea">100 years of experience</a> building and operating replenishment ships. China's experience began in the 1980s.Its first replenishment ships could only carry about 10,500 tons of fuel. As China's fleet grew in the 1990s, it searched for a stopgap measure and found it in the Qinghaihu, an oiler built in Ukraine that was intended for the Soviet Navy.Ultimately, the Chinese opted to pursue a new design for its next replenishment ships: the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/qiandaohu.htm">Type 903-class</a> oiler.These ships can carry around 11,000 tons of cargo, including some 10,000 tons of fuel. Like the Qinghaihu, the Type 903s have a helicopter deck and helipad.Nine ships were built between 2002 and 2018, all of which are in service.The Type 903s form the backbone of China's replenishment fleet, but they are not the most capable. That title goes to the PLAN's Type 901-class fast combat support ships.The ships, which NATO designated the "Fuyu-class," are 787 feet long, displace 45,000 tons, have a helicopter deck and hangars, and are equipped with 5 FAS and 2 RAS stations. They are primarily meant to service China's carrier groups and can keep up as they are propelled by four gas turbine engines.The size, mission, and speed of the ships are comparable to the US Navy's Supply-class. Two Type 901s have been built: the Hulunhu and the Chaganhu.<div type="image" title="Replenishment ships like the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ships are essential to carrier operations but are highly vulnerable to attack." height="1333" width="2000" msid="115143527" hostid="261" sizebytes="344510"></div><h2 id="e54916fd-474c-416c-9f6b-46ac068eead5">'Weakest link'</h2>The important role these ships play is hard to overstate.Between October 2023 and May 2024 in support of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-weapons-expenditure-cost-middle-east-conflicts-2024-10">Red Sea operations</a>, for instance, USS Supply <a target="_blank" href="https://gcaptain.com/usns-supply-crew-honored-for-exceptional-service-in-red-sea-operations/">replenished</a> US and allied ships 143 times, transferring over 87 million gallons of fuel and 14,928 pallets of supplies in the process.The Henry J. Kaiser- and Lewis and Clark-class vessels also enabled the continuous presence of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-carrier-strike-groups-significant-combat-power-middle-east-2024-8">two carriers in the Middle East</a>.The PLAN's oilers, meanwhile, have extended the reach of its warships. <a target="_blank" href="https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&amp;context=cmsi-notes">Its contributions to international anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden</a> have, since 2008, almost always been made up of two surface combatants and one oiler, enabling each task force to stay on station for 4 months.The new Type 901s are already proving their worth. Last year, the Type 901-class oiler Chaganhu supported the Shandong carrier group during a series of exercises near Taiwan, Guam, and in the South China Sea. This included 620 aircraft sorties in just 18 days, <a target="_blank" href="https://news.usni.org/2023/07/14/japan-releases-fighter-scramble-data-against-chinese-aircraft">according</a> to the Japanese Ministry of Defense.In all, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-growing-navy-conducts-first-dual-aircraft-carrier-drills-2024-10">Shandong</a> spent about as much time at sea as any US carrier in the western Pacific that year, due in no small part to its replenishment ships.Yet replenishment ships are also the weakest link in each country's carrier groups. The most obvious reason is that they are almost completely unarmed, making them defenseless. Their defenses are instead provided by escort ships.They also face additional challenges unique to each country. The US, for instance, faces a manpower shortage, limited <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-us-navy-warships-delayed-photos-2024-4">shipyard capacity</a>, and an aging fleet with ships approaching the end of their expected service lives.Military Sealift Command employs mostly civilian merchant mariners, but now has a recruiting issue of its own.The manpower issue has been serious enough for MSC to <a target="_blank" href="https://news.usni.org/2024/08/22/navy-could-sideline-17-support-ships-due-to-manpower-issues">propose sidelining 17 of its ships</a> — including two Lewis &amp; Clark-class ammo ships and one Kaiser-class oiler — so their crews could be sent to serve on other vessels.The Kaiser-class itself is aging quickly. Four of the active oilers are already past their 35-year service lives, while one, USNS Pecos, departed for deactivation last month.Ships can have their service lives extended, but American shipyards appear unable to <a target="_blank" href="https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4624326-almost-all-navy-shipbuilding-is-hopelessly-behind-schedule-as-war-looms/">keep up with demand</a> for new ships and maintenance for active ones, with some estimating that the Navy is as many as 20 years behind in needed maintenance.The backlog may be why only one Kaiser-class oiler, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-fired-captain-didnt-fix-steering-problem-near-miss-2024-9">USNS Big Horn</a>, was present in the Middle East during tensions between Israel and Iran in late September. This almost caused major problems when the ship accidentally <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-fuel-ship-damaged-incident-middle-east-2024-9">ran aground</a> and could no longer operate, forcing the Navy to rely on two Lewis &amp; Clark-class ammunition ships for refueling duties despite their smaller capability. The incident exposed <a target="_blank" href="https://responsiblestatecraft.org/refueling-navy-middle-east/">just how fragile UNREP networks can be</a>.China, meanwhile, has just 12 oilers despite having the world's largest navy, which puts a considerable strain on those ships. Additionally, its logistical network is hampered by a lack of overseas naval bases, which can serve as refueling and resupply stations for the oilers.China has the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-shipbuilding-power-players-making-warships-at-a-rapid-pace-2024-9">largest shipbuilding industry</a> in the world, however, enabling it to quickly build more oilers and convert some of its merchant ships into replenishment ships. It has also been attempting to expand its "String of Pearls"— Chinese-controlled ports in countries across the Indian and Pacific oceans that could support military ships.Benjamin Brimelow is a freelance journalist covering international military and defense issues. He holds a master's degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in international security from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. His work has appeared in Business Insider and the Modern War Institute at West Point.

US vs. Chinese replenishment ships: The workhorses that keep aircraft carriers operating

If you woke up in <keyword id="19900881" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="keywords">Delhi</keyword> recently, you might have noticed more than just the nip in the air – a thick, toxic smog has blanketed the city, turning the air almost unbreathable. On Monday, Delhi’s <keyword id="19920379" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-quality-index" source="keywords">Air Quality Index</keyword> (<keyword id="19916482" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aqi" source="keywords">AQI</keyword>) hit 481, placing it in the "severe plus" category. For context, the “severe” category begins at an AQI of 401, and anything above 450 poses serious health risks even for healthy individuals. According to Swiss group IQAir’s live rankings, Delhi is currently the most polluted city in the world, with an air quality score of 1,081 – a “hazardous” level that is 130.9 times the World Health Organization’s recommended limit for PM2.5. <h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">Major contributors to Delhi’s smog</h3>The root causes of Delhi’s pollution are manifold: <ul><li>Stubble Burning: On Saturday, crop residue burning contributed 25% of Delhi’s air pollution. By Sunday, this figure had climbed to 40%, according to SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research). Satellites recorded 1,334 stubble-burning incidents in six northern states on Sunday alone, the highest number in four days.</li><li>Vehicles: On Sunday, vehicular emissions accounted for 15.8% of the city’s pollution, according to the Centre’s Decision Support System for Air Quality Management.</li><li>Construction Dust and Industrial Emissions: PM2.5, a deadly pollutant, remains the most prominent factor, capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and leading to severe respiratory and cardiac diseases.</li></ul><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;"><keyword id="24020184" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GRAP-Stage-4" source="keywords">GRAP Stage 4</keyword></h3>To combat the rising pollution levels, authorities have enforced Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Here’s a breakdown of the restrictions: <ul><li>Vehicle Restrictions:</li><ul><li>Diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV and below) registered in Delhi are banned unless carrying essential goods.</li><li>Non-essential light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi can only enter if they use CNG, BS-VI diesel, or are electric.</li><li>Trucks carrying non-essential items are barred unless they use cleaner fuels like LNG, CNG, or BS-VI diesel. </li></ul><li>Workplace and School Adjustments:</li><ul><li>Classes for students in grades 6 to 9 and class 11 have moved online.</li><li>Offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) are advised to work at 50% capacity, with the rest operating remotely. </li></ul><li>Construction Ban: </li><ul><li>Construction and demolition (C&amp;D) activities have been halted, including large projects like highways, flyovers, and pipelines. </li></ul></ul>Out of Delhi’s 40 monitoring stations, 32 reported AQI levels above 400 on Monday. Visibility in parts of the city dropped to just 100 metres due to the thick smog. The health implications of these numbers are alarming. <keyword id="20118319" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM2-5-levels" source="keywords">PM2.5 levels</keyword> in Delhi were recorded at 130.9 times the safe limit set by the WHO. According to experts, long-term exposure to such air quality could lead to an 11% increase in premature mortality rates due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that Delhi residents may lose an average of 10 years of life expectancy if pollution levels persist. Despite the restrictions, life in Delhi continues under a cloud of smog. Iconic landmarks like India Gate have become barely visible through the haze. While flights and trains are operational, some delays have been reported.

GRAP Stage 4 restrictions take effect as air quality in Delhi deteriorates; PM2.5 levels 130 times higher than WHO limits

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An Air India flight to Chicago diverted due to what a Canadian minister said was a bomb threat.</li><li>The Boeing 777 landed in Iqaluit, a remote town in Canada's Nunavut territory.</li></ul>Hundreds of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-economy-cabin-i-flew-miserable-bad-seats-review-2024-2">Air India</a> passengers caught a flight with the Royal Canadian Air Force after the Boeing 777 they were on was diverted due to an apparent bomb threat.Tuesday's Flight AI127 from Delhi to Chicago had just flown over Greenland when it changed course toward Iqaluit, per <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/ai127#378bba5d">Flightradar24</a>.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/residents-in-canadas-far-north-are-terrified-of-losing-amazon-prime-2017-7">Iqaluit</a> is a remote town in Canada's far north and the capital of the Nunavut territory. On Tuesday, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/canada/iqaluit/historic">temperatures</a> peaked at 37 degrees Fahrenheit and were below zero at times.In a statement posted on social media, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-airbus-a350-soon-flying-us-jfk-photos-2024-7">Air India</a> said the flight was "the subject of a security threat posted online."According to an X post from Canada's Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Harjit Sajjan, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/HarjitSajjan/status/1846357138480005566">the flight was subject to a "bomb threat."</a> Sajjan added that 211 passengers were on the flight.One passenger who was scheduled to take a different flight out of Iqaluit on Tuesday shared pictures of the plane and what appeared to be passengers waiting in the airport, saying that a local musician had been brought in to entertain people while they waited.Air India, the Indian flag carrier, noted that it and other <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-was-on-bomb-threat-flight-akasa-air-analyzed-handwriting-2024-7">Indian airlines have been subject to a number of threats</a> recently that have all turned out to be hoaxes."As a responsible airline operator all threats are taken seriously," Air India said. "The inconvenience to customers is sincerely regretted."It added that it will consider legal action against those responsible for the threat.Air India said that over 18 hours after landing in Iqaluit, a Canadian Air Force plane took off to take passengers to Chicago. It was scheduled to land there 24 hours after the initial flight's scheduled arrival time."We thank the Canadian authorities and authorities at Iqaluit airport for their support and assistance extended to the passengers and Air India during this unexpected disruption," the airline said.Back in May, an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-787-diverted-to-canadian-arctic-flight-canceled-to-rescue-them-2024-5">Air France Boeing 787 also had to divert to Iqaluit</a> after a burning smell was detected in the cabin.In that instance, a different flight was canceled 11 hours after the landing in Nunavut so a plane could be rerouted to take the passengers onward.

An apparent bomb threat saw over 200 Air India passengers stranded in Canada's freezing remote north before the air force picked them up

Delhi continued to battle with air pollution for the 10th consecutive day post-Diwali as a dense layer of smog blanketed parts of the national capital on Sunday. Several parts of the national capital recorded very poor air quality levels on Sunday morning as per the data issued by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR-India). Today morning, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 351, Bawana 383, CRRI Mathura Road 323, Dwarka Sector 8 at 341, IGI Airport at 326, ITO 328, Lodhi Road 319, Mundka at 358, Najafgarh at 341, New Moti Bagh at 394, Okhla phase-2 at 339, RK Puram at 368, and Wazirpur at 366, as per SAFAR-India data. As of 5 pm on November 10, Delhi's AQI stood at 334, with Anand Vihar at 353, Dilshad Garden at 262, and Jahangirpuri at 377. For tomorrow, AQI in adjoining cities of Noida and Gurugram is forecasted to be at 208.92 and 77.51, respectively. Multiple visuals from Delhi's Kartavya Path showed the area surrounding India Gate engulfed by a layer of smog. The AQI in the area was recorded at 357 as of 7 am. High-rise buildings were also covered in smog in the Kalindi Kunj and surrounding locality, as the AQI was recorded as 323 in the area. An AQI is considered "poor" between '200 and 300', "very poor" at '301 and 400', "severe" at '401-450," and 450 and above is "severe plus." As the air pollution levels in the national capital reach "very poor," doctors say that even people with no history of respiratory diseases are suffering from breathing issues. Dr. Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant for Respiratory Critical Care at Apollo Hospital, told ANI that apart from the regular patients, those who haven't had any respiratory issues in the past are showing up with symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and having increasing difficulties breathing. As it is, respiratory illnesses in the national capital are estimated to have shot up by around 15-20%. The Apollo doctor further suggested that the government close the schools for children as they remain vulnerable. Whenever the pollution levels have gone beyond a certain limit, the government has opted to close the schools, Dr. Modi said. "For the last few years, we have been seeing that the government has taken action. Whenever this pollution level has gone beyond a certain limit, they have opted to close the schools. This is important because children are from a vulnerable group. As adults, we are masked and can protect ourselves better, but children usually are not that effectively taking these measures. Secondly, their lungs are still in developing stages, so they are bound to have more harm due to this pollution," the doctor told ANI. Siddharth Singhal, Head of Health Insurance, Policybazaar.com, notes that while most standard health plans in India cover pollution-related ailments, it is always advised to also go for an OPD plan along with a health insurance plan to cover consultations, medications, and diagnostic tests that may be required frequently due to pollution. "Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR and some other parts of India have shot up post Diwali. Effects of this are very evident in the form of sore throats and breathing problems, among others. This can also result in respiratory ailments and chronic conditions like asthma, bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pneumonia, and severe cases of respiratory or bronchial obstruction. Health insurance becomes critical to cover such expenses. Most policies typically cover emergency hospitalization for respiratory issues like asthma or COPD exacerbations requiring ICU or critical care," he adds.

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