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    Features

    SriLankan Airlines adds Ahmedabad as its 10th destination in India

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    :- By Preeti Puja The airlines aim to enhance its presence into India alongwith growing network for transit operations from Colombo. Sri Lanka has always been a top destination for Indian travellers as its national carrier SriLankan Airlines has long made it a mission to bring India closer to Sri Lanka and the world. With close to 90 weekly flights between the two countries, and more to come, the airline has never been more energised about setting the pace for India’s expanding global footprint. For SriLankan, India is its largest market, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the airline’s total passenger traffic and 23 per cent of overall visitor arrivals to the island. Building on this momentum, the SriLankan Airlines is poised to enhance its India operations in 2026 through targeted strategic initiatives which will strengthen its connectivity and reinforce the relation between the two nations. In the current year, SriLankan Airlines will increase its weekly India services and further start new direct flight to the tenth Indian destination at Ahmedabad. At present, the airlines operate direct flights to Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Trivandrum, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli. With the addition of Ahmedabad, SriLankan Airlines will serve six of India’s eight major metropolitan hubs, further diversifying its India portfolio and boosting route economics by capitalising on year-round demand and strong cultural ties between the two countries. These initiatives are projected to increase Indian passenger traffic across the airline’s network by up to 12 per cent this year. SriLankan Airlines is also establishing itself as one of the top choice for transit flight options with around 30 per cent of Indian passengers had travelled further destinations via Colombo. The airline provides seamless connections between the cities it serves in India and the Middle East, the Maldives, the Far East, Europe and Australia through its own and code share services. Indian travellers account to approximately 40 per cent of total tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, a contribution that is deeply significant to the national economy. SriLankan Airlines works closely with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and other trade partners in supporting national tourism ambitions. Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Commercials, SriLankan Airlines, while addressing the media at a Delhi event highlighted that due to the geographical advantage we are so lucky to be positioned close to India. We operate 89 flights across nine destinations in India and this year we want to expand our operation with addition of Ahmedabad and further increase the frequency to the existing destinations. This new addition will be after five years and this is due to the result of lot of work we did on deciding which destination we should start. But finally, we decided that the most important city, right now for SriLankan would be none other than Vibrant Gujarat. Ahmedabad –Colombo Schedule Once the regulatory approval will be received, SriLankan Airlines will operate from Colombo to Ahmedabad with four frequencies a week. The aircraft to be used for this sector will be the Airbus A320 neo with two types of seat configuration, business and economy with flight timing of approx two hours. SriLankan Airlines has plans to increase frequencies to all the existing sectors into India and is expected once they receive the two new aircrafts with the first one expected in June 2026. At present, SriLankan has 23 aircraft in operational status which comprises of 10 wide-body and 13 narrow-body aircraft and with the new addition, it will have 25 aircraft in its fleet. Indian Tourist flow to SriLanka Sri Lanka has the largest tourist from India which accounts to 23 per cent and in numbers its 531,000 tourists arrivals with most number from Kerala. The rest of them around 30 per cent transit from India to Sri Lanka to countries like Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Many transit passengers also prefer SriLankan for travel to Indonesia and Korea. Establishing pre-Covid flight schedules Before the pandemic, SriLankan Airlines used to operate 125 weekly flights to India but now they operate only 90 weekly flights. However, they target to enhance the numbers up to 200 but to reach that goal, new aircraft will be required and that seems difficult to be achieved by 2028 -29. The SriLankan Airlines booking statistics shows that about 60 per cent of bookings by Indian passengers are made through indirect channels, including traditional trade partners and Online Travel Agents, while the remainder are made directly through SriLankan Airlines’ channels. As it expands its digital capabilities, SriLankan Airlines continues to nurture its trade partnerships, serving travellers across both channels pan India.

    Interviews

    Aviation World exclusive interview with Kate Sullivan,CCO,Philadelphia International Airport

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    Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), the only major airport serving the United States 7th largest metropolitan area, is a large hub airport serving 25.24 million passengers in calendar year 2022. Twenty-seven airlines, including all major domestic carriers, offer nearly 323 daily departures to more than 120 destinations worldwide. Located 7 miles from downtown Philadelphia, the Airport is easily accessible and convenient to many tourist sites, business centers, and cultural hubs. The Airport is self-sustaining and uses no local tax dollars. PHL is one of the largest economic engines in the region, generating $16.8 billion to the economy and accounting for 106,000 full-time jobs annually. As Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Kate Sullivan is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all functions and activities within the commercial division, which includes air service development, cargo development, concessions, retail, food and beverage, parking, real estate development and all other commercial activities at the Philadelphia International Airport. In this exclusive Interview with Vishal Kashyap, Managing Editor,Aviation World , she touches upon the factors that binds the two important nations Indian and the US with one of the best air connectivity. And, she also highlights the key initiates and facilities available at PHL Airport to facilitate smooth transition of passengers. Excerpts… Q: As part of establishing a robust connection between Indian airports and PHL what are the focus area and the future plan? A: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)is as a key entry point for Indian travelers to the U.S., leveraging its strategic East Coast location. It continues to strengthen its partnerships with airlines and travel trade stakeholders to enhance connectivity via key hubs such as major international hubs like Heathrow, Doha and Frankfurt. The airport’s collaboration with PHLCVB and tourism partners aims to highlight the demand for direct services to airlines. The Philadelphia region has a significant population of residents from India or of Indian descent. Our goal is assist airlines in their decision-making process to support this segment of the travel population that consistently connects in both directions, in addition to the tourist seeking to spend time in the first capital city of the United States and the first UNESCO-designated city in the United States. Q: What are the traveler’s demographics from India? What would be the Pre and post pandemic arrival figures from India? A: According to the local convention bureau, travel from India has experienced a 13.1% growth since 2019, from 57,100 to 64,600visitors last year.Indian travelers to Philadelphia primarily include business travelers, students, and leisure visitors. Q: Could you highlight the present airport features and services extended to the passengers? A: PHL’s terminals have undergone a number of significant additions and enhancements to enhance guest experience in the past year. PHL’s new lounges provide luxury and local options that make waiting part of the journey. American Airlines new Flagship and Admiral’s Club Lounges in Terminal A-West feel include a menu curated by a local James Beard nominated chef. The new Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club Philadelphia between Terminals D and E serves Philly bites, a beer garden with local brews, a Philly sports-themed game room, and a custom mural by local artist James Burns. Delta also just completed a renovation of its lounge. PHL continues to enhance our Founded in Philly program opening a number of new signature Philadelphia restaurants in the past year bringing the city’s award-winning dining scene into the airport that numbers more than 20. We’re continuing to enhance our Founded in Philly concessions with two new signature eateries opening this spring, Primo Hoagies and Insomnia Cookies. We’re also focusing on family-friendly amenities through our restroom renovation program that is bringing family care rooms, pet-care rooms and additional nursing suites. Also, for families, PHL just opened a new LEGO© Travel retail location. Another iconic addition in 2025, is the new “Rocky” statue in Terminal A-West, and several new art installations and murals that celebrate Philadelphia history and culture. Q: What is the status of new facilities and infrastructure development and expansion at the airport? A: PHL has a $1.8 billion capital improvements program underway to modernize and enhance our facilities. We’re refreshing our gate areas with new seating and work areas and adding electronics. This includes an extensive restroom renovation program bringing modern finishes and new amenities to support every traveler’s needs. Q: How do you rate the airport in its Sustainability initiatives? Do share few of key examples that drive the green efforts? A: PHL is at the forefront of sustainability initiatives and has achieved a Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), joining only 27 airports nationwide. ACA is an international carbon management certification program intended to encourage the airport industry to reduce its carbon footprint and improve efficiency. The airport has implemented sustainable design standards and has earned Envision Silver verification from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure for two airfield projects at PHL by utilizing recycled products in paving, reducing energy usage by 50 percent in lighting and recycling construction demolition materials. PHL continues to add new water filling stations to reduce plastics and enhance facilities with energy efficient updates and support vehicles. Q: What steps are taken towards airport digitization and technology upgrades? A: A significant portion of our infrastructure improvements include digital and technology upgrades. The airport is updating all its digital information displays throughout the terminals to provide guests with enhanced access to information. PHL has partnered with TSA and U.S. Customs to bring to make it easier and faster for travelers to move through security and international arrivals with TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) EPP which uses facial comparison and biometric technology. Other new technologies alert guests to TSA wait times and guide to available parking spots in our garages. Q: What’s the current capacity and future projections of the PHL Airport? A: In 2025, PHL had 30 million passengers. With major events coming in 2026, we anticipate the summer 2026 season to be incredibly busy for PHL, with expanded capacity and several new service routes that

    Top Stories

    Air India unveils its first retrofitted B787-8 with new cabin interiors and livery

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    New Delhi, 19th April 2026: Air India unveiled its first retrofitted, twin-aisle B787-8 (registered VT-ANT), marking the completion of a nose-to-tail cabin refresh of the first of 26 B787 aircraft. The aircraft, which received comprehensive interior upgrades at Boeing’s Modification Center in Victorville, California, was subsequently painted in Air India’s new livery at AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified aircraft paint facility in San Bernardino, California. Refreshed cabins, upgraded experience As part of the retrofit, the aircraft interiors were completely reconfigured, transforming it from a two-class layout previously to a modern three-class configuration now with the installation of brand-new seats and inflight entertainment (IFE) system, and bringing the aircraft in line with Air India’s latest widebody product standards, as seen on its new bespoke Boeing 787-9 inducted in January 2026. The first B787 took close to 12,825 manhours over 45 days for the retrofit, as teams progressed through a tightly choreographed workflow – from stripping out the legacy interiors to reconfiguring the cabins, installing new seats, carpets, wall laminates, overhauling galleys, lavatories, and rigorously testing the new seating and cabin components. Refurbishing the first aircraft required a total of: -475 metres of fabric for new seats across cabins -167 metres of synthetic leather -169 metres of carpet -646 litres of paint -The aircraft exterior received a complete makeover as well, with a 20‑member specialist team dedicating over 5,700 hours over 18 days to strip the old livery and meticulously apply the new Air India colours. The custom-styled cabins now feature: :- 20 luxurious private suites in Business Class in a 1-2-1 layout, each offering privacy sliding doors, direct aisle access, 42-inch of pitch, fully flat 79‑inch bed, 17‑inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, multiple charging options, a softly lit cubby, vanity mirror, headphone hook, and a jaali‑inspired feature lamp. :- 25 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout, each offering enhanced privacy, 38‑inch pitch, 7‑inch recline, 6‑way headrest, calf and leg rest, 13.3‑inch 4K QLED HDR screens, Type A and C fast charging ports, and a bottle holder for added convenience. :- 205 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout, each ergonomically optimised, offering 31/32‑inch pitch, 5‑inch recline, 11.6‑inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and Type A and C charging ports. :- Additional enhancements across cabins encompass new carpets and curtains, new wall laminates, galley overhauls, refresh of all lavatories, replacement or refurbishment of overhead bin panels, installation of a new Cabin Service System, and an updated Crew Application Panel interface. :- The cabins feature customised versions of the Elevate Ascent seat in Business Class and RECARO PL3530 and CL3710 seats in Premium Economy and Economy Class, respectively. All seats are equipped with Thales’ state-of-the-art AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system. Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, said, “This is a yet another proud milestone in our transformation journey as we welcome this transformed legacy B787 aircraft as a shining beacon of the new Air India. The retrofit of our first widebody aircraft is a visible symbol of the momentum behind Air India’s transformation. With 25 other 787s undergoing this comprehensive refresh, we are rapidly modernising the backbone of our long‑haul fleet and raising the bar for customers flying between India and the world.” Progress of retrofit programme Air India will be retrofitting 25 additional B787 aircraft over the next year, two of which are already undergoing the process, as part of a US$400 million investment to modernise the airline’s legacy fleet. The B787 retrofit programme has been jointly conceptualised and executed with Boeing, ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety in the aircraft and throughout the process. Upon full completion of the B787 retrofit program by 2027, Air India aims to significantly upgrade the onboard product and passenger experience on over 300 flights per week to destinations across the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. Air India will subsequently retrofit 13 of its legacy B777-300ER aircraft. This initiative forms a key part of Air India’s broader fleet modernisation efforts, delivering elevated comfort, privacy, and entertainment options while reinforcing the airline’s position as a premium global carrier.

    RCS

    FLY91 marks its entry into Hubballi,announces three new sectors

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    Hubballi, 18th April 2026: Indian regional airline FLY91 has inaugurated operations to Hubballi on Friday,April 17 onwards.The airline flagged off three routes on the same day, further strengthening its footprint across key regional corridors. FLY91 commenced operations on three new routes, Solapur–Hyderabad, Hubballi–Hyderabad and Hubballi–Bengaluru, even as the airline stays committed to Solapur increasing the frequency of its Goa–Solapur service, responding to growing passenger demand for reliable and convenient travel options in the sector. Hubballi, a prominent trade, education and industrial hub in North Karnataka, plays a critical role in driving regional economic activity. Improved air connectivity to cities such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru is expected to further support business travel, educational access and industrial linkages, while offering passengers a safe, reliable and convenient alternative to surface transport. Commenting on the expansion, Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and CEO, FLY91, highlighted that the addition of Hubballi reinforces the airline’s focus on strengthening regional connectivity. “The addition of Hubballi to our network reflects our continued commitment to building reliable, trustworthy and convenient regional air connectivity through our vision of ‘Connecting Bharat’. Hubballi is our regional airline’s 12th domestic destination after just two years of starting operations. Connecting as many as two dozen tier 2 and tier 3 destinations in central and southern India within that relatively short timespan is testimony to FLY91’s pursuit of measured growth and commitment to connecting underserved destinations in the country.” Further, addressing seasonal demand, he added, “Due to the peak demand during the summer holidays, we are introducing additional flights on the Agatti–Kochi route twice a week from April 16 to May 20, 2026. This has been a successful route for us, and the increased frequency will help us better serve rising passenger demand.”

    Top Stories

    Air India enters into interline partnership with WestJet

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    New Delhi,17th April 2026: Air India has announced new interline partnership with WestJet, Canadian carrier to boost connectivity between India and North America beyond Toronto and Vancouver.The partnership enables single-ticket itineraries combining Air India and WestJet flights, offering smoother journeys, coordinated baggage handling, and simplified journeys for travellers. Through this partnership, Air India guests travelling to Toronto or Vancouver can take onward connections on WestJet to 17 Canadian cities and 14 U.S. cities, namely: Canadian cities: Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Ottawa, Regina, Saskatoon, Kelowna, St. John’s, Prince George, Victoria, Fort St. John, Terrace, Cranbrook, Comox, Nanaimo. U.S. cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa, Nashville, Las Vegas, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs, Santa Ana, Fort Myers. Halifax, Calgary and St. John’s are also accessible via Air India’s select European gateways at Amsterdam (Schiphol), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), London (Heathrow), and London (Gatwick). Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Canada continues to be a key market for Air India, driven by strong people‑to‑people ties and increasing trade between our nations. By partnering with WestJet, we are making travel across North America more accessible and effortless for our guests, with coordinated baggage handling, single‑ticket convenience, and a far wider choice of destinations.” John Weatherill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, the WestJet Group, said: “By bringing this interline agreement to life, we’re significantly expanding access between India and Canada, making it easier for our shared guests to seamlessly visit high-demand destinations across North America. This partnership aligns Air India’s long-haul strength with WestJet’s North American reach, creating meaningful new travel options and improving the end-to-end journey for travellers.” Air India currently operates 17x weekly non-stop flights to Canada, including 10x weekly services to Toronto and 7x weekly services to Vancouver.To its European gateways that provide connections on WestJet flights to Canada, Air India operates a total of 75x weekly services, including 49x weekly to London (Heathrow), 5x weekly to London (Gatwick), 14x weekly to Paris (Charles de Gaulle) and 7x weekly to Amsterdam (Schiphol).

    Technology

    Advanced Data Transmission for Do228 NXT: General Atomics AeroTec Systems partners with SVP Aerospace

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    OBERPFAFFENHOFEN,16th April, 2026: General Atomics AeroTec Systems GmbH (GA-ATS) joins a strategic partnership with SVP Aerospace to provide comprehensive mission equipment solutions for reliable data transmission between the Do228 NXT special mission aircraft and various ground targets, including ships, vehicles, ground stations and other aircraft. Flexible data transmission solutions for critical missions With this partnership SVP Aerospace’s proven technology, capable of transmitting up to four HD videos or one UHD stream with low latency and high stability, becomes available for the Do228 NXT aircraft and its ever-growing list of equipment options. The Spanish provider offers versatile data transmission equipment for defense, security and emergency operators worldwide. The new mission equipment allows Do228 NXT operators to transmit a wide variety of data, such as metadata, photos, videos, coordinates, live videos or infrared photos. The specific data and transmission paths can be selected individually. Three advanced transmission pathways The partnership delivers three distinct data link solutions that can be installed on the aircraft: IP Satellite DataLink, IP Cellular DataLink and AVS RF Antenna (Line of Sight). These can be installed individually or combined to offer the operator maximum operational flexibility. IP Satellite DataLink provides global coverage for data transmission through satellite communication for operations in remote areas and extended ranges. The second option, IP Cellular DataLink, leverages standard cellular networks and SIM card technology, offering seamless 5G access. This option is particularly advantageous for the Do228 NXT, which operates effectively at low altitudes where cellular coverage remains strong. Furthermore, the AVS RF Antenna enables direct line of sight communication with a range of up to 160 kilometers, providing a cost-effective and reliable option for operations within visual range. Versatile platform for diverse missions The Do228 NXT as a highly versatile platform, is capable of addressing a wide range of operational requirements. The aircraft’s proven design and flight characteristics, combined with the advanced data transmission systems of SVP Aerospace provides full connectivity and real-time data transmission capabilities. This enables operators to conduct complex missions including surveillance and reconnaissance, maritime patrol, emergency response coordination, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue operations.

    Top Stories

    India to officially host Routes Asia 2027 event in Delhi

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    New Delhi, 16th April, 2026: At the closing ceremony of Routes Asia 2026 in Xi’an, China, the hosting rights for the 23rd edition of Routes Asia is formally handed over to India, marking a significant milestone for the country’s rapidly expanding aviation sector. Routes Asia is the only route development event dedicated to Asia Pacific, which provides platform for the region’s airlines, airports, tourism authorities and aviation stakeholders to meet, share best practice and come together to develop network strategies and ensure future route development across Asia Pacific. Reflecting this strong growth trajectory and rising global prominence of the Indian aviation sector,China West Airport Group have officially handed over the hosting responsibilities of the Routes Asia 2027 to India by entrusting the hosting baton to Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India in a dedicated networking session hosted by India on the sidelines of Routes Asia 2026, being held from 12th–16th April.Routes Asia 2026 has brought together over 1,500 delegates, including representatives from 165 airports, 125 airlines, and 35 tourism and government bodies from across the Asia-Pacific region, facilitating strategic airport-to-airline meetings to strengthen regional and international air connectivity. On the occasion, Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation in video message welcomed global airline leaders, airport authorities, and tourism professionals to participate in Routes Asia 2027 and establish new travel corridors. The highlight of the event was that India is preparing to host 24th edition of Routes Asia 2027. The country is embarking on a transformative journey to unlock the full potential of its skies. It was also noted that the platform will foster new partnerships, strengthen air connectivity, and inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, while driving economic growth and showcasing the diversity of Incredible India. Emphasizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat,’ it reaffirmed India’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, building a future where innovation, connectivity, and opportunity define every flight and reflect the nation’s global aspirations. India will be hosting Routes Asia 2027 in New Delhi from 16th–18th March, 2027, at Bharat Mandapam. The event is expected to attract over 2,000 delegates, including decision-makers from leading airlines, airports, and tourism authorities across Asia and beyond. The announcement builds on the official declaration made on 2nd September, 2025, in New Delhi, confirming that on behalf of the country, the Airports Authority of India will host the prestigious aviation forum for the first time in the country’s history. India’s aviation sector is witnessing significant expansion across both domestic and international travel segments, strengthening its position as an important aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently served by more than 80 domestic and international carriers, the country continues to strengthen its global connectivity. Hosting Routes Asia 2027 marks a historic first for India and reflects the country’s emergence as a global aviation leader. With 165 operational airports and continued expansion into tier II and tier III cities, India is creating a robust ecosystem for airlines and stakeholders to explore new markets and enhance connectivity to emerging destinations. The event is expected to play a pivotal role in revitalizing air route networks across the Asia-Pacific region, while enabling the development of new travel corridors linking Asia with Europe, North America, and beyond. India’s assumption of the Routes Asia hosting baton from China marks a defining moment in its aviation journey and sets the stage for a landmark edition of Routes Asia in 2027 carrying its inimitable legacy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – which means ‘the world is one family’.

    Business Aviation

    Gulfstream Delivers 10th G700 Aircraft to Qatar Executive

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    SAVANNAH, Ga., April 15, 2026: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has announced the delivery of 10th G700 aircraft to Qatar Executive, the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group. This delivery completes the order announced in October 2019 and marks the 25th Gulfstream aircraft delivered to Qatar Executive since the partnership commenced in 2015. “Qatar Executive has been a valued and respected partner for more than a decade,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “We were honored to have them as our international partner for the G700 launch and first delivery and appreciate their continued trust as we deliver yet another high-quality aircraft to their growing world-class fleet.” For Qatar Executive, the delivery of this G700 is a key milestone in its continuous growth strategy, reinforcing its position as a leader in the global business aviation market while continuing to expand its capabilities and enhance the travel experience for its passengers. The G700 features the most spacious cabin in the industry and the Gulfstream Cabin Experience with 100% fresh air, natural light from 20 Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows and the industry’s lowest cabin altitude at the highest elevations. With a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935 and a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90, the ultralong-range G700 has more than 90 city-pair speed records to date. The performance capabilities of the G700 can be attributed to the combination of Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, Gulfstream-designed advanced aerodynamic wing and high-speed winglet introduced on the aircraft. The G700 is also outfitted with the award-winning Predictive Landing Performance System and dual head-up display featuring Gulfstream’s new Combined Vision System (CVS) that unites Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) and Synthetic Vision System (SVS) in a single image, increasing pilot situational awareness and opening access to more airports.

    Training

    CAE and InterGlobe opens new pilot training centre in Mumbai

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    Mumbai, 15 April 2026: CAE Simulation Training Private Limited (CSTPL), a joint venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and CAE, has opened its fourth advanced pilot training centre in India. Located in Mumbai, the 44,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility supports India’s growing aviation training sector and strengthens domestic pilot training capacity. Designed to provide an immersive and highly realistic training environment that upholds the industry’s highest safety and proficiency standards, the centre begins operations with its first Airbus A320 full-flight simulator (FFS). A second Airbus A320 FFS is scheduled to enter service later this year, with the capacity to scale up to six FFS over time, in line with market demand. This addition reinforces CSTPL’s position as the largest pilot training organization in the country. With established centres in Greater Noida, Gurugram, and Bengaluru, the network currently has a collective capacity of 16 full-flight simulators, with plans to scale to 23 in the coming years. The Mumbai centre will support comprehensive pilot training services, complemented by Airbus, ATR, and Boeing training delivered across the CSTPL network in India, including type rating, recurrent training, and proficiency checks. This growth underscores the shared commitment of InterGlobe and CAE to setting the highest industry standards for pilot training and flight safety. As one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, India’s rapid expansion requires a robust and sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals. According to CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast, India will need approximately 22,000 new pilots by 2034 to support the continued growth of its aviation sector. Maharashtra stands as a premier aviation hub, and CSTPL’s Mumbai centre is uniquely positioned to serve the evolving operational needs of both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports. By expanding domestic training capacity, the facility enables airlines to meet regulatory and operational standards with greater efficiency. The inauguration ceremony was attended by leadership teams from CAE, InterGlobe, and CSTPL, along with strategic stakeholders from across the aviation industry. The event marked a collaborative milestone for the sector, underscoring the centre’s role as a key hub for airline partners and its contribution to building a steady pipeline of world-class pilots to support their operations. Alexandre Prévost, President, Civil Aviation, CAE, said, “India is one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world, and the opening of the Mumbai centre strengthens our ability to support that growth with world class training capabilities. It reinforces CAE’s global Civil Aviation training network and is aligned with our broader transformation, focusing on disciplined capacity alignment and market led growth. Delivered through CSTPL, in partnership with our long standing partner InterGlobe, this centre expands domestic training capacity and provides airlines with access to advanced, high fidelity simulation close to where they operate.” Aditya Pande, Group Chief Executive Officer, InterGlobe Enterprises, said, “The opening of our new pilot training centre in Mumbai is a defining milestone for India’s aviation ecosystem and a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. For over 12 years, our strategic partnership with CAE has been at the forefront of aviation training in India, consistently evolving to meet the industry’s needs. As the country’s largest pilot training organization, this fourth centre significantly scales CSTPL’s collective capacity to meet the critical demand for highly skilled pilots. We are proud to continue leading the way in nurturing aviation talent and driving the safety standards that support the growth of the industry.”

    People

    Chapman Freeborn appoints Danish Cutleriwala as Country Manager India

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    Mumbai, 15th April 2026: Chapman Freeborn has appointed Danish Cutleriwala as Country Manager India, further strengthening its leadership presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation and logistics markets. Based in Mumbai, Danish Cutleriwala will lead Chapman Freeborn’s operations in India, with a focus on driving commercial growth across cargo and passenger charter services, while expanding the company’s footprint through strategic partnerships and enhanced customer engagement. He joins Chapman Freeborn from Sciens Logistics, where he served as Country Manager, APAC & Middle East. “India is a strategically important market for Chapman Freeborn, offering significant opportunities for growth across both cargo and passenger charter services. Danish’s extensive industry expertise, strong commercial acumen and deep understanding of the regional market make him ideally positioned to lead our operations in India and support our long-term expansion plans.” – said Linas Dovydenas, President – IMEA at Chapman Freeborn “I am excited to join Chapman Freeborn at a time of strong global growth for the business. India presents immense potential, and I look forward to working with the team to strengthen our market presence, build strategic partnerships and deliver tailored charter solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.” – adds Danish Cutleriwala, Country Manager India at Chapman Freeborn.

    FOREWORD

    Dear Readers,

     

    Welcome to the latest edition of Aviation World. This is an incredibly significant issue for us, perfectly timed to align with several prominent aviation events unfolding across the globe.

     

    Chief among them is the Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from July 20th to 24th, 2026, in Hampshire, United Kingdom. Ranked as one of the world’s premier events for aviation, aerospace, and defense, this year’s airshow arrives at a crucial moment. Against a backdrop of geopolitical turbulence, Farnborough provides an invaluable platform to engage with global leaders and gain firsthand perspectives on the future of the industry. Inside, you will find our comprehensive curtain-raiser report focusing on the show’s core themes, as well as the highly anticipated static and aerobatic aircraft displays.

     

    On our front cover, we are proud to feature Capt. Vaibhav Goutham Suresh, Director of the School of Aviation, Logistics and Tourism Management (SALTM) at Galgotias University. In an exclusive interview, Capt. Suresh highlights how SALTM bridges the gap between academia and the runway, delivering a comprehensive curriculum that ensures graduates are industry-ready from day one. Complementing this, our special feature on SALTM dives deeper into how the institution maintains world-class academic standards and a cutting-edge learning environment.

     

    We are also privileged to bring you exclusive insights from a stellar lineup of industry trailblazers in this edition, including:

    • Robin Glover-Faure, Chief Customer Officer of Acron Aviation
    • Karim Makhlouf, CCO of Royal Jordanian Airlines
    • Pallavi Joshi & Vimal Priya, the leadership powerhouse behind AirFleet Managers &Aviatrics Global
    • Wg. Cdr. Prem Kumar Garg (Retd.), CEO of IndiaOne Air

    Each shares a detailed perspective on driving innovation, navigating current market dynamics, and establishing progressive frontiers within their respective sectors.

     

    Beyond these highlights, this issue is packed with curated features and analytical pieces designed to keep you informed and inspired.

     

    Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed advertisers and partners. Your unwavering support empowers us in our ongoing endeavor to make Aviation World a truly world-class publication with global reach and recognition.

     

    Happy Reading!

     

    The Editorial Team

     

    Aviation World

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    We have started 2026 on a very positive note and we look forward to increase our footprints to more locations and induct many more new companies in our campaign.. Do write to us at : editor@aviationworld.in

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