Category Archives: Aviation

Domestic air passenger traffic is expected to grow by 7-10% in FY2026 on a YoY basis, reaching 175-181 million passengers, following a 7.6% increase on a YoY basis in FY2025 to 165.4 million passengers, according to ICRA.

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has been named ‘Best Airline Staff Service’ at the prestigious 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, held recently at the 56th edition of the Paris Air Show 2025 in the iconic Air and Space Museum. The airline also climbed three spots in the global Skytrax rankings, securing 17th place among the world’s best airlines following a comprehensive voting process involving millions of travellers worldwide. This recognition reflects the outstanding dedication and performance of Saudia’s team across all the touch points of the guest journey. From seamless ground services to onboard experiences rooted in authentic Saudi hospitality, Saudia staff have played a pivotal role in enhancing guest satisfaction, strengthening brand loyalty, and elevating service standards. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General, Saudia Group, said, “This award reflects the dedication of our incredible frontline team and the trust of our guests. Rising from 82nd to 17th in the Skytrax World Airline Rankings is a proud milestone—but it is just the beginning. With bold investments and a clear vision, we are on a journey to become one of the world’s leading airlines.” Edward Plaisted, CEO, Skytrax, said, “We are pleased to present Saudia with the award for Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East at the 2025 World Airline Awards. The airline’s cabin and ground staff maintain a service style that is both composed and welcoming, and this is delivered consistently by a multi-national team that brings a range of cultural strengths to the customer experience. It is this blend of professionalism and warmth that continues to leave a lasting impression on passengers.” Saudia has demonstrated remarkable progress in recent years, rising from 82nd place …

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) held a high-level meeting with senior officials of M/s. Air India Ltd. and Air India Express, who are currently operating over 1,000 flights daily across domestic and international sectors. The meeting was convened to review the operational robustness of the airlines and ensure continued compliance with safety and passenger service regulations. The recent surveillance conducted on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any major safety concerns. The aircraft and associated maintenance systems were found to be compliant with existing safety standards. The regulator recommended the implementation of a more systematic and real-time defect reporting mechanism to ensure that operational and safety-critical departments receive timely updates. This is expected to enhance overall decision-making and reduce downstream disruptions.  

Encalm Hospitality has joined forces with AVIS India to transform the airport experience. Central to this initiative is Atithya by Encalm, the brand’s signature meet and assist service, which now extends beyond the terminal through integration with AVIS India’s premium chauffeured transfers, delivering travellers a unified, elevated, and thoughtfully curated passage. Atithya has long been synonymous with calm, personalised care from the moment guests arrive at the airport. With the addition of AVIS India’s professionally managed fleet, featuring luxury cars, all impeccably maintained with an average age of just 24 months, this experience now extends beyond the terminal. Whether it is a business traveller on a tight schedule or a family setting out on a holiday, guests are seamlessly guided from gate to vehicle, where a well-trained chauffeur awaits to ensure a smooth and comfortable transition. This enhancement elevates the Atithya journey by incorporating door-to-door convenience, including pickups from home, hotel, or office to the airport-and vice versa. AVIS India’s well-versed chauffeurs, hygienic interiors, and 24/7 customer support complement Encalm’s commitment to attentive hospitality and seamless service delivery. Together, the two brands offer a consistent, high-touch standard of care—both within the airport and on the road—allowing travellers to relax and focus on the journey ahead. Bringing together Atithya’s bespoke assistance and AVIS India’s mobility expertise results in a truly integrated end-to-end airport experience, anticipating every traveller’s need and delivering a journey that is as reassuring as it is refined. Commenting on this evolution, Vikas Sharma, CEO, Encalm Hospitality, shared, “Atithya has always been more than just assistance, it is about making travellers feel truly cared for at every stage. Expanding Atithya to include door-to-door transfers aligns perfectly with our philosophy …

Sindhudurg airport is now linked to Hyderabad and Bengaluru with FLY91  direct flights to the two cities, operating four times a week. The new routes, with introductory fares, are in addition to the existing Sindhudurg–Pune route, offering enhanced air connectivity to south Maharashtra and north Goa.

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 …