Category Archives: Aviation

The Navi Mumbai International Airport CEO, Capt BVJK Sharma, has revealed that it will commence operations with around 8 to 10 air traffic movements (ATMs) every hour and will gradually scale up to 30 ATMs by 2026 summer as the airport authorities expect to see peak traffic of the first phase by then. In its initial phase, is expected to handle 20 million passengers per annum, with the capacity to serve 90 million passengers once complete. While the date of the commencement of operations has not been announced yet, airlines like IndiGo and Akasa Air have already announced their operations from the airport.

IndiGo has commenced operations on two new routes connecting Bhubaneswar with Abu Dhabi and Visakhapatnam respectively, further strengthening regional as well as international connectivity from Odisha. The inaugural flight from Bhubaneshwar to Abu Dhabi, was flagged off by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, expressing his support to IndiGo’s commitment towards making air travel more accessible, convenient, and affordable for customers across the state. The newly launched flights, with support from Odisha government under New Destination Policy, offer direct international connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Abu Dhabi, operating three times a week, as well as enhanced regional access with daily direct flights between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam.

Star Alliance member LOT Polish Airlines is expanding its route network further, with two new destinations that are sure to attract Indian travellers: the world-famous Spanish seaside resort of Malaga and the fascinating city of Marrakesh in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Starting from 15 January 2026, LOT Polish Airlines will connect its global hub at Chopin Airport in Warsaw with beautiful Malaga on Spain’s Costa del Sol. The airline will serve Malaga year-round and starts with four flights per week (Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday), rising the frequency to six weekly services from 24 February 2025. The flights from Warsaw will depart at 10:20h and arrive in Malaga 4:15 hours later. Departure of the return flights from Malaga will be at 15:35h. In addition to Barcelona and Madrid, Malaga will become the third year-round connection to Spain by LOT Polish Airlines. Flights will be operated by modern Boeing B737-800 aircraft offering two classes of service on board. Malaga is a premier destination for international travellers as the city presents itself with an appealing mix out of history, culture, shopping and leisure. Traces of the Roman and Moorish past are omnipresent in the streets, while the city honours its most famous son, the painter Pablo Picasso. Malaga’s 16 beaches are legendary, with the most having been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for their clean water, high safety standards and excellent facilities. Food lovers will enjoy the fresh Mediterranean cuisine with many vegetarian options. Charming detour to North Africa Already from 29 October 2025, LOT Polish Airlines will serve the famous Moroccan royal city Marrakesh every Wednesday and Saturday from its global hub in Warsaw. Flights of this seasonal service depart …

This year marks a significant milestone in the friendship between Japan and India as 2025 commemorates the 60th anniversary of the sister city affiliation between Yokohama and Mumbai, officially established on 26 June, 1965. To celebrate this enduring relationship, All Nippon Airways (ANA) is rolling out a series of special initiatives throughout June 2025 on its NH829 (Narita–Mumbai) and NH830 (Mumbai–Narita) routes. As part of the anniversary celebrations: Commemorative stickers featuring the 60th anniversary logo will be distributed to passengers flying on NH829 and NH830 throughout the month. A 60th Anniversary Leaflet featuring the Lucky Draw and prizes from Yokohama & ANA will be distributed at Mumbai airport at departures and arrivals. Passengers can scan a dedicated ANA QR code to enter a lucky draw, with exciting prizes including: Complimentary stays at Hotel Associa Shin-Yokohama and The Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu ANA aircraft models Yokohama Zoo and Sankeien Garden tickets Yokohama-themed merchandise such as coasters, bandanas, and ANA-branded tote bags From June 1 to June 30, 2025, the ANA check-in counters at Mumbai International Airport will proudly feature the official 60th-anniversary logo. A special in-flight announcement will be made on June 27, 2025, on both NH829 and NH830 flights, commemorating the occasion of the sister city agreement. This initiative not only highlights ANA’s commitment to connecting cultures but also strengthens the emotional and historical ties between Yokohama and Mumbai. As India–Japan relations continue to grow, ANA is honoured to play a part in celebrating this legacy of friendship.

In the lead-up to the Inter Passenger Terminal Show (IPTS) 2025, Media Fusion LLC hosted a high-impact media roundtable in Mumbai, convening influential voices from the government, aviation, and infrastructure sectors. Held under the theme “Reimagining Airport Passenger Infrastructure through Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability,” the session offered critical insights into building airport ecosystems that are smarter, greener, and future-ready. The roundtable brought together a distinguished panel of speakers: Joseph Gouda, Joint Director, Indian Revenue Service; Sumeet Suseelan, Member, Ministry of Civil Aviation (AAC), Government of India; Geetha Priya G, Senior Director & Sector Head – Infrastructure & Airports, JLL India; Nitin Sharma, DVP – Business Development, dormakaba, Mr. Vikram Falodiya, Head – Terminal Operations, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Nitin Sharma, DVP – Business Development, dormakaba, and Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion LLC. Discussions centred on India’s remarkable aviation trajectory—now the world’s third-largest domestic market, contributing 1.5% to national GDP and supporting 7.7 million jobs. Over the last decade, more than 85 airports have been developed, with a roadmap to scale that number to 350 by 2047 under the government’s Viksit Bharat vision. The roundtable highlighted both the opportunities and the urgency to reshape infrastructure in line with this growth. Speakers outlined key priorities, including the need to bridge infrastructure gaps, reduce import dependencies, and enhance regional connectivity through the UDAN scheme. Strengthening digital ecosystems to manage rising cybersecurity risks was also identified as a crucial area of focus. With over $12 billion already invested in air transport infrastructure, India is setting its sights on capturing a $4 billion share of the global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market by 2031, with the aim of establishing itself as a self-reliant aviation hub. The conversation also showcased a suite of transformative technologies shaping airport experiences: biometric-based Digi Yatra, AI-powered digital twins, integrated multi-modal transport systems, and Net Zero, LEED-certified terminals were all cited as pivotal in creating globally benchmarked, passenger-centric infrastructure. Reflecting on …

Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing airline, today announced its strategic partnership with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (AAHL), the largest operator of PPP airports in India, to commence commercial flight operations from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). As one of the early airline partners to confirm operations from NMIA, Akasa Air reinforces its commitment to shaping the future of Indian aviation through enhanced connectivity and sustainable expansion, further strengthening India’s dual-airport strategy for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Akasa Air will operate 100+ Weekly domestic departures initially, scaling up to 300+ domestic and over 50+ international departures weekly in the winter schedule. As part of its broader network strategy, the airline is also set to ramp up to 10 parking bases by the end of FY2027, with a focused international expansion into key Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets. The addition of NMIA to Akasa Air’s growing network reflects the airline’s long-term vision of providing more options and seamless travel experiences for its passengers, while also contributing to the continued development of India’s aviation sector. Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air said, “Our foray into Navi Mumbai International Airport is a strategic step aligned with Akasa Air’s long-term vision to build a future-ready airline that is responsive to the evolving needs of Indian travellers. No airline in India will have a larger percentage of its fleet and operations based out of NMIA than Akasa Air. Enhanced connectivity from Navi Mumbai will not only strengthen our network in the western region but also help fuel India’s economic engine by improving connectivity, stimulating regional development, and ensuring that the benefits of aviation-led growth reach every corner of the country. This move …

Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, said: “Combining our strengths with those of IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, will enable us to offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience, ensuring that our customers enjoy the highest standards of service and reliability across the globe. We look forward to restarting Delta’s direct service from the U.S. to India in the near future.” The service start date will be announced later.

The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), representing major Indian carriers, has sought waivers on user development fee and aviation security fee for a year at Srinagar Airport to boost air travel demand to and from Kashmir. Currently, every departing passenger shells out ₹1,050 as UDF and ₹200 as Aviation ASF plus GST, as per FIA.  

Despite India holds 18% of the world’s population, its air travel market remains under-penetrated. In FY25, 715 crore Indians travelled by rail and only 16.6 crore flew domestically by air, as per the DGCA. With rising incomes and a growing appetite for luxury, India’s airline passenger count is projected to double by 2030, marking a major shift in travel preferences.

IndiGo is set to enhance its international capacity to Central Asia with the launch of direct flights to three key destinations: Almaty, Tashkent, and Tbilisi. Starting July 1, 2025, IndiGo will commence operations from Mumbai to Almaty, followed by flights to Tashkent from August 01, 2025, and to Tbilisi from August 02, 2025. The airline will operate four weekly flights to both Tashkent and Almaty, and three weekly flights to Tbilisi, significantly enhancing connectivity between India and the growing markets of Central Asia. The new routes are set to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties, while offering customers more travel options across the region. IndiGo had launched flights to these cities from Delhi in 2023, and this move marks another step in the airline’s commitment to expanding its international footprint and meeting the rising demand for international travel. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “Building on the success of our Delhi – Central Asia routes, we are extremely pleased to announce direct flights to Almaty, Tashkent and Tbilisi from Mumbai, reinforcing our commitment to connecting India to the world. These routes will further enhance accessibility to these culturally rich destinations, fostering global connections and enriching tourism. At IndiGo, we anticipate the ever-evolving passenger needs and strive to offer seamless, direct, and reliable travel options.”