Author name: Aviation World

Bengaluru, India, 27 July 2026: SASMOS HET Technologies, a leading provider of Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) and aerospace interconnect solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The ePlane Company (Ubifly Technologies Private Limited) to collaborate on the engineering, design and industrialisation of the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) for the company’s e200X electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The agreement was announced during Farnborough International Airshow 2026 and marks another milestone in SASMOS HET Technologies’ continued expansion across advanced aerospace programmes. Through the collaboration, SASMOS will contribute its EWIS engineering and industrialisation expertise to support the development of the e200X. Under the MoU, the companies intend to collaborate on harness architecture, EWIS engineering, design for manufacturability, prototype evaluation and certification readiness for the e200X programme. The collaboration also establishes a framework to explore broader value-chain opportunities across mission-critical electrical and interconnect systems, supporting the programme’s evolution from development through industrialisation and serial production Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems form the critical electrical network of an aircraft, distributing power and data between propulsion, avionics, flight controls and other onboard systems. For electric aircraft, optimised EWIS architecture plays a vital role in reducing weight, improving reliability and supporting certification. The e200X is one of India’s most advanced electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft programmes, being developed as a modular platform capable of supporting passenger transport, air ambulance, and cargo operations. The partnership forms part of The ePlane Company’s wider strategy to establish a robust supplier ecosystem spanning electrical systems, avionics, composite materials, aerospace fasteners and aircraft interiors. Chandrashekar H.G., Chairman & Managing Director, SASMOS HET Technologies, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with The ePlane Company on the e200X programme. By contributing our expertise in Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems engineering and industrialisation, we look forward to helping advance the aircraft’s development towards certification.” Chinya R. Nagesh, CBDO – SASMOS Group, said : “This collaboration reflects SASMOS’ commitment to supporting next-generation aerospace platforms with world-class EWIS engineering and industrialisation capabilities. We look forward to working closely with The ePlane Company as the programme progresses towards certification and future production.” Govind Ponnappan, Associate Vice President – Head of BD, Contracts & Global Expansion, SASMOS Group, said: “Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems are fundamental to modern aircraft, particularly electric platforms where weight, reliability and manufacturability are critical. This collaboration demonstrates SASMOS’ capability to support innovative aerospace programmes with advanced engineering and industrialisation expertise, from concept through to production.” Professor Satya Chakravarthy, Founder and CTO, The ePlane Company, said: “Selecting the right technology partners is fundamental to developing a certifiable aircraft. SASMOS HET Technologies brings valuable expertise in Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems, strengthening the supplier ecosystem supporting the e200X as we continue progressing towards certification and commercialisation.” The collaboration reinforces SASMOS HET Technologies’ position as a trusted partner for advanced aerospace Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems, supporting the development and industrialisation of next generation aircraft programmes.

Amritsar, 28th July 2026: Air India today inaugurated ‘Easy Connect’ services from Amritsar, further expanding the Government of India’s transformative hub-and-spoke model and bringing seamless global connectivity closer to travellers across Punjab. The launch marks an important step forward in the initiative’s nationwide rollout announced in June 2026. As part of the Easy Connect programme, international travellers from Amritsar can complete through check-in to their final destinations, clear immigration formalities at Amritsar airport, and enjoy seamless transfers through Delhi without having to re-check baggage or change terminals. This enables travellers to fly via Delhi as international transit passengers, eliminating the need for repeated processes and significantly reducing travel complexity and unfamiliarity often associated with connecting through foreign airports, including foreign language barriers. Air India has designated two daily flights from Amritsar to Delhi as ‘Easy Connect’ services: AI1113: Departs Amritsar at 09:10 AM and arrives in Delhi at 10:40 AM AI1115: Departs Amritsar at 10:00 PM and arrives in Delhi at 11:20 PM Together, these flights provide seamless onward connectivity to 27 international destinations within four hours of arrival in Delhi, including destinations in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, West Asia, and Southeast Asia. Commenting at the launch, Mr Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, said: “The expansion of hub-and-spoke operations to Amritsar is another step towards our vision of building an aviation network that truly serves a New India – one where global access is no longer confined to a handful of metropolitan centres but extends to every region of the country. By strengthening connectivity through Indian hubs, we are strengthening the foundation for a more integrated, accessible, and globally competitive aviation ecosystem.” “With these flights, Punjab becomes closer to the rest of the world, deepening connections with its vibrant global diaspora and unlocking new opportunities for tourism, economic growth, and cultural exchange.” Mr Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr Puneet Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India; and Mr P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India, along with other senior officials from government agencies, airport stakeholders, and Air India were present at the inaugural event. From Punjab to the world The morning Easy Connect service from Amritsar (Flight AI1113) is timed to facilitate convenient onward connections to key European destinations including London Heathrow, Birmingham, Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Vienna, Amsterdam, Zurich, Frankfurt, and Rome, as well as select destinations in Southeast Asia and West Asia. The late evening service (Flight AI1115) offers smooth connectivity to destinations in the USA, Canada, Australia, such as New York (JFK), Newark (New Jersey), San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Melbourne, Sydney, and select destinations in Southeast Asia and West Asia such as Singapore, Phuket, Bali, Dubai, among others. Air India will also become the first Indian carrier to implement the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Standard Operating Procedure for inbound hub-and-spoke operations, enabling seamless international-to-domestic transfers via Delhi for passengers travelling onwards to Amritsar. The inbound Easy Connect model is expected to be introduced from Amritsar within the next two months. P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India, said: “Punjab is home to one of the largest globally connected communities of Indians, with generations of families, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals forging strong links with communities around the world, especially the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. Yet for many travellers, international journeys have often involved navigating multiple airports, repeated formalities, and lengthy transit experiences. With Easy Connect flights from Amritsar, travellers can now begin their overseas journeys from their home city without any hassle. We are proud to support the Government of India’s vision to bring the world closer to every Indian while strengthening India’s position as a major global aviation hub.” Air India is leading a phased nationwide rollout that will progressively connect more domestic “spoke” cities in addition to Amritsar and Varanasi to the airline’s primary hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, unlocking seamless, end-to-end international travel for millions of Indians. In the coming weeks, Air India will begin Easy Connect services from Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, and several other Indian cities. Building India’s role as a global aviation connector The Easy Connect initiative forms part of a broader effort to channel more international traffic through Indian airports rather than overseas transit hubs. Nearly 25 million passengers travel long-haul to and from India annually, of which close to 20 million are connecting travellers – and around 85% (approximately 17 million) of whom currently transit through overseas hubs rather than Indian airports. Through the Government of India’s hub-and-spoke framework and Air India’s growing global network, Easy Connect aims to progressively shift more of this traffic through Indian hubs, providing travellers with a more familiar, seamless, and nationally integrated travel experience. Air India currently operates the largest international network among Indian carriers, connecting India to destinations across North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, while its extensive domestic network enables convenient access from cities across the country. More about Easy Connect flights Passengers travelling on Air India’s Easy Connect flights are required to complete certain pre-departure and transit processes to ensure a seamless journey, including mandatory DigiYatra enrolment for Indian nationals. Indian passport holders connecting internationally on Easy Connect flights are required to enrol in DigiYatra. Web check-in and Customs declaration are not available at spoke airports. Bookings for Air India’s Easy Connect flights are available across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, contact centre, and travel agents.

Delhi,23rd July 2026: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Africa World Airlines, the Accra-based carrier that has connected Ghana and the wider West African region for more than a decade, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic partnership spanning codeshare and interline cooperation, cargo collaboration and frequent flyer programmes. The agreement, signed in Accra, sets out a framework for the two airlines to connect their networks. Once implemented, it will allow Etihad guests to travel on a single ticket beyond Accra onto Africa World Airlines’ network across Ghana and West Africa and bring Africa World Airlines’ customers to Abu Dhabi and onwards across Etihad’s network of 118 destinations. The partnership goes further than the airlines’ passenger networks. The two carriers intend to cooperate on cargo, connecting Ghanaian and West African exporters with Etihad Cargo’s global capacity, and on loyalty, giving members of both airlines’ programmes more ways to earn and redeem. The partnership lands as Ghana and the UAE draw closer, with growing trade, investment and government engagement between the two countries, and travel between Accra and the UAE rising with it. A direct commercial link between the two capitals of these aviation markets is the natural next step. The Memorandum of Understanding takes effect from 24 July 2026, with the individual areas of cooperation to be implemented in stages. The partnership prepares the ground for Etihad’s own Abu Dhabi–Accra service set to launch on 24 March 2027. Combined journeys will go on sale as soon as the interline cooperation takes effect. Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “Ghana is one of West Africa’s most dynamic aviation markets, and Africa World Airlines is the natural partner there. This framework spans passenger services, cargo and loyalty, and it will connect Ghanaian travellers and businesses to Abu Dhabi and to our network across the world’s fastest-growing markets. We are here to grow with Ghana.” Sohail Mahmood,Chief Operating Officer, Africa World Airlines, said: “Africa World Airlines has proudly connected Ghana and West Africa for more than a decade, with a network that includes,Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Lagos, Abuja and Ouagadougou.This partnership with Etihad Airways across passenger,cargo and loyalty will give our customers a direct line to Abu Dhabi expansive network, while supporting greater opportunities for Ghanaian travellers and International businesses.” Details of the interline, codeshare, cargo and loyalty cooperation will be announced as each is implemented. For more information, visit etihad.com.