Date: June 1-3, 2025 Location: Bharat Mandapam – Convention Centre, New Delhi, India Hosted by: IndiGo Focus: The event will gather top leadership from airlines, the aviation value chain, and governments to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the aviation industry. https://www.iata.org/en/events/agm/agm-2025/
The International Paris Air Show is organized by SIAE, a subsidiary of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS). It is the largest event in the industry, bringing together stakeholders from around the world. The event embodies excellence, innovation,and international cooperation in the aerospace sector. Date: 16-22 June 2025 Location: Paris , Le Bourget Organised By: Salon International (SIAE) website:www.www.siae.fr/en
Fatigue poses an important safety risk, especially in aviation, where tasks are conducted around the clock. Psychologist PhD John A. Caldwell noted that pilots’ fatigue has been a top-of-mind issue for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) since 1990. One of tragic fatigue examples is the crash of the 2010 Air India Express Flight 812 on arrival into Mangalore. Based on The Court of Inquiry India report, the aircraft cockpit voice recorder showed the captain had been asleep for most of the flight, for 1 hour and 40 minutes of the 2 hours and 5 minutes journey. Fatigue may arise from numerous forms of causes, mostly including decreased alertness and reduced performance, that can jeopardize an individual’s capabilities to operate safely. Exhaustion leads to slower reaction times and impaired concentration and decision making. Besides decreasing performance in-flight (chronic) fatigue has negative long-term health effects, such as sleep loss, extended time awake, and circadian phase irregularities. “Managing crew exhaustion is not just about guidelines. It is a severe problem that can have a detrimental effect on pilots’ health and the safety of the flight. Therefore, regulatory policies and compliance with fatigue management programs are vital to ensure the safety of every passenger and crew member,” notes Abdelmagid Bouzougarh, CEO of Aerviva. What is fatigue? The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines fatigue as “a physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability, resulting from extended wakefulness that can impair a crew member’s alertness and ability to safely operate an aircraft or to perform safety related duties”. In other words, fatigue is a direct result of prolonged strenuous physical or mental effort. It occurs when the body’s resources are depleted at a greater rate than that at which they are being replaced. Mental fatigue is mainly caused by time-on-task and cognitive load. In the aviation mental type and sleepiness have been mentioned as the most important form of fatigue. This type of fatigue may result from mental strain or mental stress, over stimulation and understimulation, as well as jet lag, boredom, lack of sleep, diseases and depression. Fatigue can be physiological or subjective. The first one reflects the need for the body to replenish and restore. This condition may have a connection with the current health of the person, physical activity, circadian rhythms, and consumption of alcohol. It is very important to understand that in this case a person needs to rest properly. An individual’s perception of how sleepy they feel is defined as subjective fatigue. This form of fatigue is influenced by factors such as sleep deprivation and motivation levels. The connection between fatigue and vigilance According to The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there are common effects associated with tiredness, such as increased reaction times, inability to make decisions, decreased alertness and situational awareness. Situational awareness ties in with vigilance, which refers to an individual’s ability to pay close and continuous attention to a field of stimulation for a period of time. When it comes to pilots, flight crew attentiveness is key. This involves being aware of and anticipating the stages of the flight, its development, weather conditions, communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC), and monitoring times and waypoints. Long-haul pilots usually associate their fatigue with jet lag, caused by time-zone crossing flights, while short-medium-haul pilots associate their fatigue with the high operational demand during the flight duty period. The fatigued pilot may not easily accept an assessment of their degraded performance or be able to improve their performance despite increased effort. Even when feeling tired, a person tends not to link that directly with a loss of vigilance. Sometime people easily overrate their capacity. But often, reduced vigilance is shown by unwanted outcomes of decisions and actions. In the article “The impact of cognitive fatigue on airline pilots’ performance”, based on data from the European Cockpit Association (ECA), obtained through questionnaires applied to more than 6,000 European airline pilots, it is known that about 80% of them have to deal with fatigue in the cockpit. A significant part of the pilots has already fallen asleep unexpectedly (i.e. without notifying the other pilot beforehand) during a flight (Nuno Quental, João Rocha, Jorge Silva, Lídia Menezes, Jorge Santos, 2021). According to BBC, aviation accidents are still extremely rare, but when they have occurred, figures show that 80% are a result of human error, with pilot fatigue accounting for 15-20% of human error in fatal accidents. In 2009 Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo (USA), the cause of the accident was indicated as inadequate training, unnecessary conversation amongst aircrew during takeoff and landing, pilot flying after failing proficiency tests, and fatigue. Both pilots had long commutes and slept in the crew lounge, instead of a hotel before the flight. Shared responsibility makes a significant difference The main causes of pilot fatigue are the disturbance of circadian rhythms, continuous wakefulness, and cumulative sleep loss. But there are other factors such as length of a duty day, shift irregularities, multiple layovers, restricted time available for sleep, and even poor cockpit ergonomics. Crew members are trained to identify the signs of exhaustion in teammates and encouraged to report their own tiredness before the flight. According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), a crew member should not perform duties if they know, or suspect, that their personal state renders them unfit to operate, to the extent that the flight may be endangered. The collaboration and empathy between the crew members can reduce the risk of human error during the flight. The cabin crew can help each other and pilots to avoid fatigue by cross-checks and monitoring, paying extra attention to their colleagues who seem to appear tired as they are intended to take more risky decisions, and their reaction time might be longer. During the flight the cabin crew can reassure that pilots do not experience dehydration by offering refreshments. Consideration should be given to caffeine intake, which can later affect sleep quality. A cabin crew shall not distract flight crew during
New Delhi, 05 April 2025: Deeping its commitment to India, Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies,has announced plans to expand its presence in the country by launching its luxury and upper mid-scale brands in key emerging markets.With rising disposable incomes, increasing demand for premium stays, and enhanced connectivity reshaping India’s hospitality landscape, Dusit is focused on underserved yet high-potential markets nationwide. In addition to exploring opportunities in India’s Tier 1 cities, Dusit also aims to target Tier 2 and Tier 3 destinations where luxury and upscale hospitality options are currently limited – creating opportunities to deliver curated, high-end experiences tailored to local demand. This strategic expansion builds on the momentum of Dusit’s recent foray into the Indian market with the opening of the contemporary, upscale dusitD2Fagu, Shimla in December 2024, and the signings of three key properties in Karnataka: the wellness-focused Devarana Sakleshpur, Karnataka – A Dusit Retreat (set to open in 2028), and two upcoming Dusit Princess Hotels & Resorts. With a diverse brand portfolio spanning the ultra-luxury Devarana – Dusit Retreats to upper mid-scale brands such as Dusit Princess and ASAI Hotels, Dusit plans to tap underserved locations where it can leverage its expertise in delivering Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to meet the needs of today’s business and leisure travellers. Prioritising quality over quantity, the company is thoughtfully selecting locations that align with its ethos of premium, experience-driven hospitality – offering a distinctive blend of holistic wellness, contemporary design, and exceptional service. As part of this vision, Dusit is preparing to launch six additional hotels across the country.The upper-mid-scale Dusit Princess brand will debut in Raipur (200 keys), Bhiwadi (165 keys), Kolkata (220 keys), and Lonavala (120 keys). Meanwhile, two boutique luxury properties underthe recently introduced Dusit Collection brand – in Kasol and Manali (each with 40 rooms) – will offer refined escapes in the Himalayan foothills. “India represents an exceptional growth opportunity for Dusit – across major metros and particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where premium hospitality options remain limited despite strong demand,” said Mr Siradej Donavanik, Vice President –Development (Global), Dusit International. “The country’s tourism industry is evolving rapidly, with increasing demand for high-quality, experience-driven stays. By blending our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with wellness-led experiences and destination-driven properties, we aim to create exceptional stays that resonate deeply with Indian travellers. Through strategic partnerships with visionary local developers, we are committed to shaping India’s premium hospitality landscape for the long term.” Dusit’s entry into the Indian market forms part of its broader expansion strategy targeting vibrant, high-growth markets such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, China, and India. With a bold plan to sign more than 100 hotels globally over the next five years, Dusit is poised to captivate travellers worldwide with its unique fusion of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality and thoughtfully integrated local traditions.
New Delhi, 4th April 2025: Virginia tourism partners and representatives from the Virginia Tourism Corporation conducted five-day tourism marketing mission in India from March 24-28. The President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation, Rita McClenny accompanied by CEO of Visit Fairfax, Barry Biggar, along with additional representatives from Visit Fairfax, Luray Caverns, Visit Williamsburg and the Virginia Tourism Corporation also were part of the delegation, led by Sartha Global Marketing LLP. Between one-on-one business meetings and hosted networking events, the delegation met more than 100 representatives of the Indian travel trade and media over the course of the mission, seeking to further tourism and travel connections between India and Virginia. Popular Attractions Virginia, known for its iconic ‘Virginia is for Lovers’ brand, which speaks to a visitor’s love of travel with those they love, is looking to attract more holidaymakers from India to Virginia. The state on the U.S. East Coast is an attractive travel destination for tourists from around the world and India ranks as a top overseas inbound market for Virginia. From the famous Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, to the long sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast and the Chesapeake Bay in the east, there is a wide range of attractions, culinary hotspots and sites of significant American history across the entire state. “Virginia truly is for lovers – lovers of life, and memorable times with friends and family,” said Rita McClenny. “Our scenic beauty and diverse landscape make for the ideal backdrop for outdoor adventure and superior luxury stays, while our tantalizing culinary offerings and immersive cultural and historical experiences ensure there is always something new and exciting to discover. We are thrilled to be here and show more Indians the exciting potential of a Virginia holiday.” In addition to travel trade business meetings, McClenny and CEO of Visit Fairfax Barry Biggar also conducted interviews with trade media representatives to illustrate the Commonwealth’s extensive tourism assets to prospective travelers. “Trade and media missions boost the profile of Virginia and enhance its position in the global tourism market,” said Barry Biggar. “Through face-to-face meetings we can really showcase our extraordinary tourism experiences and help build strong, lasting relationships with tour operators, travel agents and media representatives from around the world.” India an attractive market for Virginia In 2023, India was Virginia’s second largest overseas market for inbound tourism with more than 53,000 visitors who spent $91 million in The Commonwealth. Estimates for final 2024 visitation numbers point to 61,500 inbound Indian visitors to Virginia, a roughly 15% increase from 2023. Additionally, preliminary spending data shows Indian visitors spent approximately $105.6 million in Virginia in 2024. Visitor volume and spending from Indian travelers has grown significantly in recent years with Indian visitation increasing by 76%, and spending rising by 26% compared to 2019 levels. In 2019, India ranked fifth in visitor volume for Virginia, behind Canada, the UK, China, and Germany. By 2024, India has moved up to second place, trailing only Canada. This rapid growth and increasing interest in Virginia make India an attractive market for the state’s tourism efforts. Virginia Tourism Corporation has maintained Sartha Global Marketing LLP as in-country representatives since 2018.
Delhi , 04 April 2025: Akasa Air has commenced operations from Darbhanga today, marking its entry into Bihar. The airline will operate daily through-flights between Hyderabad and Darbhanga via Delhi, with no change of aircraft required at Delhi. This new route enhances connectivity between the tourist hub and two major metro cities. The inaugural flight was flagged off by the Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu in the presence of Akasa Air’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vinay Dube and his team at a ceremony held at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The event was also graced by senior government officials and the leadership of Delhi International Airport Limited. The maiden flight departed from Delhi at 0900 hrs. and arrived at Darbhanga Airport at 1055 hrs today. Darbhanga becomes the 28th destination added to Akasa Air’s expanding network, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to enhancing air connectivity from metro to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across the country. Vinay Dube, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Akasa Air, said, “We are thankful to the Honourable Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu-ji, for his support on this momentous occasion as we successfully launch our inaugural flight to Bihar. The launch of our operations in Darbhanga is a proud moment for Akasa Air as we continue to expand our network and provide enhanced connectivity across India. This addition reflects our commitment to strengthening regional air travel and unlocking new opportunities for economic and social growth in Bihar. We look forward to serving the people of Darbhanga with our customer-centric and efficient services.” Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air, added, “At Akasa Air, our goal is to provide seamless connectivity between metro and emerging cities, ensuring that passengers have access to affordable and reliable air travel. With the addition of Darbhanga to our network, we are proud to enhance connectivity to Bihar, a region with significant economic and cultural importance. This expansion aligns with our commitment to strengthening India’s aviation landscape by offering world-class service, convenience, and an unparalleled flying experience.”
Mumbai,3rd April 2025: Paras Defence and Space Technologies has signed a strategic MoU with MicroCon Vision , Israel, part of Controp and the Rafael Group, marking a significant advancement in India’s defence and drone industry. This collaboration will position Paras Defence as exclusive supplier of advanced drone camera technology in India, at much lower cost. Paras Defence will bring high indigenous content in these drone cameras and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) payloads, improving the country’s self-reliance while lowering costs. It will offer two models, whose usual import price is around Rs.20 lakh and Rs.40 lakh per unit. Paras Defence anticipates 50-60% price reduction for each model, making advanced surveillance technology more accessible to Indian defence forces and for commercial applications. MicroCon will serve as Paras Defence’s exclusive supplier for drone cameras which include ISR payloads and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) seekers, while Paras Defence becomes MicroCon’s exclusive partner for ISR operations in India. This aligns with MicroCon’s strategy to expand its footprint in the country which is witnessing accelerated growth in its drone market. “This collaboration represents a major leap forward in India’s defence capabilities,” stated Munjal Sharad Shah, Managing Director of Paras Defence. “We are committed to supporting India’s strategic goals and are proud to partner with MicroCon in this groundbreaking endeavour.” The MoU is focused on expanding both companies’ presence in the Indian ISR payload market. The integration of advanced technologies like AI-powered analytics, high-resolution imaging, and thermal vision will enhance surveillance capabilities, improving operational efficiency in both defence and civilian sectors. “MicroCon is committed to delivering cutting-edge ISR payloads that drive the future of defence and surveillance systems,” said Chen Almog, CEO of MicroCon. “We are excited about our collaboration with Paras Defence, which is a key component of our strategy to establish strong local partnerships worldwide. We are confident this partnership will drive growth in the Indian tactical ISR and EO/IR seekers market. By combining MicroCon’s global expertise with Paras Defence’s local insights, we will foster innovation and strengthen the defence infrastructure. This partnership reflects our shared vision for advancing high-performance drone technology and creating lasting impact on both defence and commercial applications.” As the Indian drone market enters a pivotal growth phase, this partnership addresses a critical gap, with drone cameras being one of the most expensive payloads currently imported. By leveraging MicroCon’s expertise in ISR payloads and EO/IR seekers, Paras Defence aims to meet domestic demand and position India as a global manufacturing hub for advanced technologies. The Indian drone market, projected to grow approximately 17% by 2029, driven by demand from defence, homeland security, disaster management, and industrial sectors, will benefit from this collaboration. Strengthening India-Israel defence ties has been key in enabling this transformative partnership.
Delhi,3rd April 2025: Thales has shared that it plans to recruit 8,000 people worldwide in 2025 to support the strong growth momentum across its three business segments. Around 40% of new hires will join engineering roles (including software and systems engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data, etc.), while approximately 25% will join industrial roles (including technicians, operators and industrial engineers). In parallel, more than 4,000 employees will benefit from functional and geographical internal mobility. In a context marked by interconnected geopolitical crises, a rebound in air traffic and accelerating global connectivity, all of Thales’s businesses are growing and hiring. This builds on the strong momentum established in recent years, with: * Over 30,000 new hires between 2022 and 2024, including 9,000 in the Defence sector * Over 8,000 internal mobility moves between 2023 and 2024 * Ten consecutive years during which Thales has hired at least 5,000 people annually In 2025, recruitment will take place across all regions of operation, including approximately 3,000 people in France, over 1,000 in the United Kingdom, 500 in the Netherlands, 400 in the United States, 400 in Australia, 300 in Central Europe, 250 in India, 200 in Germany, and 150 in Africa and the Middle East. Learning company: supporting employees’ professional development and keeping Thales’s expertise at the highest level For the past three years, Thales has invested in its “Learning company” global skills development programme, delivered by 2,000 internal trainers as well as numerous tutors and mentors. Since 2023, Thales has increased the number of its Academies, which are designed to share knowledge globally. The Group now operates 13 Domain Academies (AI, Cybersecurity, Radar, Naval, Tube, Pyrotechnics, etc.) and 18 Functional Academies (Software, Hardware, Systems, Industry, Bid & Project Management, HR, Finance, Communication, etc.). By the end of 2025, Thales will have more than 35 academies. The Group has also introduced innovative skills development methods, including a shared competency management system, simulation and virtual reality tools, and hands-on training solutions. In 2024, 90% of Thales’s global workforce – 72,000 people – took part in skills development activities. Across all countries where it operates, Thales strengthened its outreach efforts in 2024, engaging with more than 150,000 young people and taking part in over 600 events. In France in 2025, the Group plans to host more than 3,000 interns and apprentices, around 25% of whom will go on to be hired on permanent or fixed-term contracts. Nearly 1,500 middle and high school students will also complete observation internships at Thales sites. Improving gender balance within teams and leadership remains a key priority for the Group. In 2024, women accounted for 30% of new hires worldwide. More than 60% of the Group’s executive Committees included at least four women; Thales is aiming for 75% by 2026. With the signing of a new Group-wide agreement in 2024 to further promote the inclusion of people with disabilities, Thales is reaffirming its commitment, with an employment rate of nearly 7% in France.
Gurgaon,02 April 2025: Skyborne Airline Academy is welcoming 40 new cadets to the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program with Skyborne, after a Letter of Intent (LoI) ceremony in Gurgaon, India. Following a competitive application process, the successful cadets will commence the first phase of their flight training at the academy’s base in Florida, United States, before returning to India for their flight license conversion and type rating. After successfully completing the program, the graduates will go on to fly with India’s leading airline as A320 First Officers. Rina Basu, Regional Director (Asia Pacific), Skyborne, says,“Since Skyborne’s partnership with IndiGo began in 2019, we’ve supported India’s aviation industry in meeting workforce demand and tackling pilot shortages. Now, with our largest intake ever, we’re proud to continue supplying IndiGo with passionate and bright cadets who are committed to becoming highly skilled commercial pilots.” Skyborne’s 2025 intake includes two former cabin crew for IndiGo and a strong female contingent, with 21% women cadets, well above the global average of 6%*(Women pilots represent around 6% of the global pilot population.)
Training & hiring is one of the core component of any sector and when it comes to Aviation, its importance becomes more focused and full of responsibility as it has to meet the global parameters. One such strong personality who is a true example of women in Aviation having multifaceted talent is Golda Liza Nengnong, who has played remarkable role in Promoting Aviation in North East India. Aviation World Magazine is pleased to feature her interview on the occasion of International Women’s day and share her journey with our global reader’s. Excerpts: Q: Share about journey in Aviation. Also, about your current role? A: I began my journey in the aviation industry in July 2016 as the promoter for Crewlink Aviation and Hospitality , based in Shillong, Meghalaya, where we have trained and placed many youths in different airlines . Currently, I serve as a partner and Business Head for East and North-East India at Onboard HR Services, overseeing recruitment for the aviation and hospitality sectors. By God’s grace, I played a pivotal role in initiating the non-stop Shillong-Delhi-Shillong flight service in March 2019, in collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya. This service, which commenced on December 21, 2020, is still operational today. Q: What are the main USPs that Airline looks into before hiring a cabin crew? A: Having witnessed the immense potential of the youth in North-East India, I am deeply committed to addressing the unemployment challenges they face. My passion lies in creating awareness and helping them secure better career opportunities by motivating, guiding, and counseling them to pursue careers in aviation as Cabin Crew or Customer Service Executives. I believe their strong communication skills and impeccable etiquette make them well-suited for these roles. Q: What message you would like to give to the youths who want to join Aviation Sector? A: The aviation sector, both domestically and internationally, is growing rapidly. My message to the youth is simple: aim high, aspire to achieve, and let your dreams take flight.
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