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    Business Aviation

    BAAFEx 2027 signals industry confidence as APAC Business Aviation gathers momentum

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    Singapore,4th August 2026:  Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo 2027 (BAAFEx 2027) is attracting strong exhibitor interest from across the business aviation ecosystem, as the sector continues its growth trajectory across Asia Pacific. The second edition of BAAFEx will be held 22-24 March 2027 at Singapore’s Changi Exhibition Centre. BAAFEx 2027 will bring together business aviation stakeholders spanning aircraft manufacturing, aircraft ownership and management, charter operations, aviation fuel, flight support, inflight connectivity, cabin interiors, MRO, FBO, regulatory services, recruitment, specialised aviation solutions and more. BAAFEx 2027 is expected to welcome more than 3,000 industry professionals and trade visitors, and over 75 participating companies across exhibitions, sponsorships and a three-day forum programme. This represents a 50% increase in visitors and exhibitors as compared to BAAFEx 2025. Among the companies confirmed to participate are AEG Fuels, Amber Aviation, Boeing Business Jets and Lufthansa Technik. Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia Events, says: “The interest we are seeing for BAAFEx 2027 reflects the diversity and maturity of the business aviation ecosystem. Business aviation is not supported by one part of the industry alone. It depends on aircraft manufacturers, operators, regulators, airports and service providers working together to support the industry’s development. BAAFEx provides a focused platform for stakeholders to connect, exchange perspectives and drive the sector’s continued growth across the region.” This year’s forum further deepens the event’s value proposition, with sessions spanning the full business aviation landscape: market growth and fleet outlooks for Asia Pacific, sustainability and SAF adoption, infrastructure gaps and FBO development, connectivity advances, cabin interior trends, MRO and supply chain, and emerging opportunities in markets including Southeast Asia, China, India, and Australia. The three-day programme also features dedicated sessions on charter operations, advanced air mobility and women in business aviation. Aircraft Solutions: Serving Asia Pacific’s Demand for Range and Capability For aircraft manufacturers and solutions providers, Asia Pacific continues to represent a compelling long-term opportunity. As new high-net-worth individuals and corporate users enter the market, demand is shifting toward long-range, large-cabin aircraft capable of connecting the region directly to Europe and North America. New aircraft deliveries into Asia Pacific reached USD 2.24 billion in 2025, according to Asian Sky Group’s Business Jet Fleet Report YE 2025, with long range jets continuing to lead the market with a 34.9% revenue share. Joe Benson, President of Boeing Business Jets, says: “The Southeast Asian and Asia Pacific regions are extremely important for Boeing Business Jets as a growing number of customers look to the private jet space to meet their business travel demands. These customers look to productivity, comfort, convenience, range and reliability when making their purchasing decisions and Boeing Business Jets portfolio of commercial aircraft are ideally suited to meet these exacting demands. BAAFEx provides the perfect setting for us to engage our customers and partners in the region to better understand how business aviation is evolving in the region and how we can best meet those requirements.” Fuel Supply and Trip Support: The Operational Backbone Reliable fuel supply and operational resilience have never been more critical priorities for the business aviation industry. Recent geopolitical events have exposed structural vulnerabilities that operators across Asia Pacific are navigating in real time. As operators extend their reach across Asia Pacific’s diverse and complex markets, consistent access to aviation fuel and comprehensive trip support has become a critical enabler — and a growing area of focus for the industry. BAAFEx 2027’s forum programme will examine infrastructure and supply chain challenges affecting fuel availability at key gateways across the region, alongside pathways to sustainable aviation fuel adoption. Charter and Aircraft Management: Meeting the Demand for Flexibility Charter demand across Asia Pacific has evolved substantially. The sector is today increasingly considered a compelling alternative to ownership and a first point of contact with business aviation for a new generation of high-net-worth travellers. According to Asian Sky Group’s Charter Report 2025, 19 new-build aircraft were delivered to the Asia Pacific region as charter aircraft during the year, while 70 pre-owned aircraft joined the fleet, reflecting the continued depth of operator appetite for the charter market. The BAAFEx 2027 forum will devote a dedicated session to examining this shift, including the rise of on-demand platforms, membership-style access models, and the challenge of illegal and unregulated charter operations.

    2026

    Air India enters into codeshare partnership with Azerbaijan Airlines

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    New Delhi, 3rd August 2026: Air India and Azerbaijan Airlines have entered into a new codeshare partnership. The cooperation offers greater flexibility, enhanced connectivity, and more convenient travel options between Azerbaijan and India, as well as onward destinations through both airlines’ networks, while strengthening business, tourism, and cultural ties between the two countries. The new codeshare partnership enables Air India to place its ‘AI’ designator code on Azerbaijan Airlines-operated flights between India and Baku, thus opening Baku as a new destination for Air India customers, a market currently not served by Air India’s own metal. Under this codeshare, Air India’s ‘AI’ code will be applied to Azerbaijan Airlines daily flights operating between Delhi and Baku, and between Mumbai and Baku. Customers from Delhi, Mumbai, and beyond can now travel conveniently to Baku with an Air India ticket, on a flight bearing an Air India flight number, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines. The codeshare agreement builds on an existing interline agreement between the two carriers, which allows customers of both airlines to travel seamlessly on a single itinerary that combines flights operated by the two airlines. For instance, a passenger travelling from Bangkok can fly Air India to Delhi and connect onward to Baku on an Azerbaijan Airlines service with one itinerary, seamlessly. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “At Air India, we believe every corner of the world should be within reach of our customers. Partnerships like this one with Azerbaijan Airlines are central to that vision; they allow us to extend our network beyond the destinations we fly to ourselves. Through this codeshare, our customers travelling to Baku will enjoy convenience and reliability from booking their ticket to check-in and touchdown. This is part of a broader effort to keep strengthening connectivity between India and the rest of the world.” Jamil Manizade, Chief Commercial Officer, Azerbaijan Airlines, said: “India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets and an increasingly important destination for both business and leisure travel. Our partnership with Air India is an important step in expanding Azerbaijan Airlines’ international connectivity through strategic partnerships. By bringing together the strengths of our networks, we are offering passengers greater choice, enhanced connectivity and a more seamless travel experience between Azerbaijan, India and beyond.” Since its privatisation in 2022, Air India has significantly expanded its global alliance network. Today, the airline maintains 26 codeshare partnerships and more than 120 interline agreements with leading carriers worldwide, providing seamless access for Air India customers to over 1,000 destinations globally.

    Top Stories

    Willie Walsh takes charge as Chief Executive Officer of IndiGo

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    Delhi, 3rd August 2026: IndiGo has announced that Willie Walsh has assumed charge as its new Chief Executive Officer to lead the airline’s next era of growth and global ambition. IndiGo had announced his appointment as its new CEO in March 2026. Bringing over four decades of global aviation leadership experience, Walsh will work closely with the Board and the management team to build on IndiGo’s strong operational foundations while advancing its strategic ambitions and creating long-term value for customers, shareholders and all other stakeholders. Welcoming Walsh to the organisation, Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director, IndiGo, said, “As IndiGo enters its third decade and stands poised for the next phase of its growth, I am delighted to officially welcome Willie as the airline’s Chief Executive Officer. His extensive global experience in the aviation industry, combined with his operational and strategic expertise, will be instrumental as IndiGo accelerates its international expansion strategy. I am confident that under his leadership, IndiGo will further strengthen its standing on the global aviation stage and increasingly contribute to continued development of the Indian aviation sector.” Commenting on taking charge, Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said, “IndiGo has built a remarkable legacy over the last two decades, establishing itself amongst the largest airlines in the world in a short span of time. With India becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, the opportunities ahead for IndiGo are immense. There could not be a more exciting and opportune time for me to join IndiGo than now. I look forward to working with the entire IndiGo team to build on the airline’s success and take it to greater heights globally.” Walsh is widely regarded as one of the aviation industry’s most accomplished, respected and influential leaders. Renowned for his pragmatic and resolute management, he has successfully led major airlines through growth, transformation, and complex operating environments. His distinguished career highlights commence from his role as a pilot at Aer Lingus to working his way up the ranks to become the CEO of the airline in 2001. He has held leadership positions at several respected aviation organisations including CEO of British Airways (2005–2011); CEO of International Airlines Group (2011– 2020); and most recently serving as Director General of International Air Transport Association (IATA). As CEO, Walsh will lead the airline’s overall management and strategic direction, with a focus on accelerating its global growth trajectory, driving operational excellence, strengthening network and commercial strategy, and further enhancing customer experience. He will work closely with the Board and the leadership team to guide IndiGo through its next stage of growth, reinforcing its leadership position in the industry.

    Interviews

    Building India’s Next Generation Aviation Workforce: Capt. Vaibhav Goutham Suresh

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    Aviation World exclusive Interview with Capt. Vaibhav Goutham Suresh, Director,  School of Aviation, Logistics and Tourism Management (SALTM), Galgotias University AW: Aviation, logistics and tourism are different sectors, yet Galgotias University chose to bring them together under one school. What was the core philosophy behind uniting these three fields in a single school? VAIBHAV:  Because in the real world, they were never truly separate. A passenger’s journey, a cargo consignment and a traveller’s experience all move through the same connected system- an aircraft, a supply chain and a destination that succeed or fail together. When a flight is disrupted, logistics and hospitality feel it within the hour. We built SALTM around that reality. Housing aviation, logistics and tourism under one roof means our students learn to see the whole movement economy rather than a single silo. An airline manager who understands supply chains, or a tourism professional fluent in aviation operations, is far more valuable than a narrow specialist. We are not teaching three unrelated subjects; we are teaching one interconnected ecosystem through three doors. AW: There is often a gap between academic curriculum and real industry requirements. How is SALTM breaking away from the traditional learning model to ensure students are genuinely ‘plug-and-play’ when they enter the workforce? VAIBHAV: The gap between higher education and the aviation sector exists because the two operate on fundamentally different timelines. Consequently, by the time a syllabus catches up, the challenges it was designed to solve have already shifted, leaving graduates fluent only in yesterday’s aviation. Closing this gap requires more than superficial adjustments or formal agreements; it demands a fundamental shift in educational design. We have inverted the traditional model, which prioritises years of isolated theory and hopes relevance follows by engineering our curriculum backwards from actual employer requirements. We adapt simulations, live projects, case work and real operational problems from the very first year.  The centrepiece is a full semester-long industry internship: our students do not visit the industry for a week; they work inside it for months, so they graduate with genuine operational experience, not just a transcript. By the time they enter the workforce, they have already done the job. That is what ‘plug-and-play’ means to us- a graduate who is productive on day one, not after six months of hand-holding. AW: You describe running the school on the principles of a ‘High-Reliability Organisation HRO).’ What does that mean inside a university? VAIBHAV: Aviation is the textbook High-Reliability Organisation. An industry that works in genuinely hazardous conditions yet achieves an extraordinary safety record, because of a particular culture rather than luck. I believe an institution that educates for that industry ought to run itself the same way. In practice, that means a few things. A preoccupation with failure: we treat a disengaged student, or a graduate who was not quite ready, as a near-miss to be studied openly, not an embarrassment to be buried. A reluctance to oversimplify: we resist reducing a young person to a single grade or a single metric, because the real story is always more textured. A sensitivity to operations: leadership stays close to the classroom, because that is where the truth of an institution actually lives, not in the boardroom. And a deference to expertise over rank: in a well-run cockpit, the most junior officer can speak up and be heard, and the same must be true of a junior colleague, or a student, who sees something the rest of us have missed. Reliability, in the end, is not a rulebook. It is a culture of honesty and attention, and if we intend to send that culture out into the industry, we have to live it ourselves first. AW: Travel has changed enormously in recent years. How have you rewired the curriculum to prepare students for this ‘new normal’? VAIBHAV: Travel today is digital, experiential and personalised in a way it never was before. Today’s traveller researches, books and shares almost entirely online, expects authentic and sustainable experiences, and behaves very differently from a decade ago. We have rewired our tourism curriculum around that reality- digital travel technology and online distribution, experience and destination design, sustainable and responsible tourism, and the data skills to actually understand the modern traveller. We have also moved the classroom closer to the field, with hands-on exposure to how destinations, hospitality and travel technology really operate. The goal is a tourism professional fluent in this new, technology-driven, experience-led economy, not the travel industry of twenty years ago. AW: The logistics sector is increasingly driven by AI, automation and data analytics. How are you embedding these next-generation tools directly into the academics? VAIBHAV: You can no longer teach logistics as trucks and warehouses; it has become a data-and-technology discipline, and we have embedded that directly into the academics. Our supply-chain students work with data analytics, automation concepts and the digital tools that run modern logistics, from analytics-driven decision-making to the AI and automation reshaping warehousing, freight and last-mile delivery. Just as importantly, we teach students to think with data, not merely about it. A modern logistics manager must be as comfortable with a dashboard as with a loading dock, and that is exactly the professional we are building. AW: Aviation has long trained people on the job. Why does it need a dedicated university education at all? VAIBHAV:  Because aviation is not a set of tasks, but a system, and a safety-critical one. You can train a task on the job; you cannot train judgement, systems-thinking and professional temperament on the job alone. Education’s role in a field like ours is to form the whole professional: someone who understands not only their own function but how the entire machine fits together, who can make a sound decision when the manual runs out, and who carries the discipline this industry quietly depends on. As aviation grows more complex, with more technology, more regulation, and more interconnection between everyone in the value chain, the case for deliberate, structured education only strengthens.

    Features

    Where The Next Workforce Takes Flight: SALTM, Galgotias University

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    Aviation World Cover Feature, July-August 2026 :  As global aviation races to fill a talent gap measured in the millions, India has become the industry’s most important talent frontier. The world has fixated on one aviation shortage: pilots, cabin crew and engineers. But the industry needs just as urgently the professionals who run the business of flight: the managers and operational leaders behind every airline, airport, OEM and service provider. At Galgotias University, the School of Aviation, Logistics and Tourism Management is building something the sector needs even more than numbers: graduates the industry can put to work on day one. A BOOM THAT RUNS ON PEOPLE Global aviation is entering the largest hiring cycle in its history. Industry forecasts point to close to 1.5 million new professionals needed worldwide over the coming decade, with the Asia-Pacific region driving the surge. No market sits closer to the centre of that story than India, where the in-service fleet is expected to roughly triple within ten years, carriers hold one of the world’s largest aircraft order books, and domestic traffic is projected to reach some 300 million passengers a year by 2030. The challenge is no longer whether the demand exists. It is whether the people can be found to meet it. THE SHORTAGE BEHIND THE SHORTAGE Ask what aviation’s talent crisis looks like and most people picture a cockpit. The headline forecasts reinforce it: the industry is widely quoted as needing some 300,000 new pilots, 400,000 maintenance engineers and nearly 700,000 cabin crew over the coming decade. Almost the entire training ecosystem-flying schools, cabin-crew training institutes, aircraft maintenance academies are built around these visible, licensed roles. But those roles are only the tip of the workforce. Worldwide, air transport directly employs some 11.6 million people, and pilots and cabin crew are only a fraction of that number. The overwhelming majority keep the industry running from the ground and the office: the operations controllers who recover a disrupted schedule, the network and revenue teams who decide where aircraft fly and how routes turn a profit, the airport terminal and ground-handling managers, the OEM programme and supply-chain leaders, the cargo and MRO operations heads. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, direct aviation employment is set to climb from 4.3 million today to 6.1 million by 2043 and most of those new roles will never see a cockpit (source: ATAG).  Nowhere is this clearer than in India. The country’s airport map has been transformed from 74 airports in 2014 to around 150 today, with a national target of some 230 by 2030, and every new terminal, route and greenfield airport needs people to run it. Industry trackers now report that ground-operations and management hiring is rising even faster than pilot hiring, and recent, well-publicised disruptions in the Indian market exposed a specific, unglamorous gap: not enough operational depth, such as the planners, controllers and managers who keep a fast-scaling network stable. When a single carrier’s operations control centre is stretched, thousands of flights are affected. The industry has learned, painfully, that it cannot fly on pilots alone. THIS IS THE SHORTAGE ALMOST NO ONE IS TRAINING FOR, AND IT IS PRECISELY THE ONE SALTM WAS BUILT TO FILL. The school does not train pilots or cabin crew. It builds the managers and operational leaders who sit behind them- the professionals airlines, airports, OEMs, and service providers need to plan, run and grow the enterprise. In an ecosystem crowded with institutions teaching people to fly and fix aircraft, SALTM has deliberately claimed the larger, quieter half of the industry: the people who make the whole system work. A UNIVERSITY BUILT FOR THE WORLD That ambition rests on a strong institutional foundation. Founded in 2011, Galgotias University has emerged in little more than a decade as one of India’s fastest-rising multidisciplinary universities, home to more than 50,000 students across 27 schools and over 200 programmes on a modern campus in Greater Noida, minutes from the newly opened Noida International Airport. Global recognition has followed. The QS World University Rankings 2027 placed Galgotias in the 1201–1400 band worldwide, among India’s top 17 private universities, 46th among all Indian universities, and third among private universities in Uttar Pradesh. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 placed it in the 1201–1500 band, 27th among private universities and 65th overall in India. The University also holds a NAAC A+ accreditation, one of India’s highest institutional quality ratings. Yet rankings tell only part of the story. Galgotias has built its academic model around the idea that education should mirror the realities of the workplace. Industry partnerships, active learning, centres of excellence, global collaborations and experiential education are core design principles, not add-ons. The objective is graduates ready to contribute from day one. The results show. For the Class of 2026, more than 1,250 organisations engaged with the University, extending over 5,500 offers across technology, consulting, banking, manufacturing and professional services. SALTM is the aviation expression of that philosophy, applying the same industry-led approach to prepare professionals for airlines, airports, logistics networks and global travel enterprises. According to Dr Dhruv Galgotia, the visionary CEO of Galgotias University, “The future belongs to universities that can bridge the gap between classrooms and careers. At Galgotias University, we believe education must evolve alongside industry, ensuring students graduate not only with knowledge, but with the ability  to apply it in real-world environments. Through SALTM, we are bringing that philosophy to aviation, logistics and tourism by preparing professionals who are ready to contribute, adapt and lead in some of the world’s most dynamic industries.” ACTIVE LEARNING, BUILT WITH THE WORLD’S BEST What truly sets the University apart is its pedagogy. Galgotias is the first university in India to adopt active learning across every programme, through its flagship G-SCALE ecosystem, the Galgotias Student-Centred Active Learning Ecosystem. Developed with strategic consultancy and faculty training from the InsPIRE institute at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore- one of the world’s leading universities, G-SCALE replaces the passive lecture with structured, evidence-based

    Top Stories

    Air India deploys brand-new B787-9 aircraft on Delhi-Toronto flights

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    Gurugram, 1st August 2026: Air India today deployed its brand-new B787-9 aircraft on Delhi-Toronto flights, bringing the airline’s all-new cabin product and onboard experience to Canada for the first time and significantly elevating passenger experience. Building on this milestone, Air India announced the expansion of its Canada operations for the Winter 2026-27 season with: A new non-stop service between Mumbai and Toronto Overall capacity between India and Canada increasing by 4,400 seats each month Premium seat capacity to Toronto boosting by 71% New, seasonal Mumbai-Toronto service with upgraded interiors Air India will launch a seasonal 3x weekly non-stop service between Mumbai and Toronto between 25 October 2026 and 26 March 2027, adding nearly 2,000 seats each week between India and Canada and making it the only carrier operating direct flights between the two cities. The service will be operated by Air India’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with significantly upgraded cabin interiors, featuring 8 luxurious First Class suites with privacy sliding doors, 40 flat beds in Business Class, and 280 seats in Economy. Travellers between Mumbai and Toronto will also enjoy WiFi internet connectivity on board the upgraded B777-300ER aircraft. Through Air India’s hubs at Mumbai and Delhi, customers travelling to/from Canada can connect seamlessly to destinations including Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ludhiana, and Vadodara, among several other Indian cities. 100% new or upgraded product deployment to Toronto from January 2027 Of the 10x weekly flights Air India operates on the Delhi-Toronto route this Winter, 7x weekly services will be operated by the brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft, featuring the airline’s latest cabin products. The remaining 3x weekly services will be initially operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and will transition to the new Boeing 787-9 from January 2027 as more aircraft join the fleet. With that, all Air India flights to and from Toronto will feature all-new or significantly upgraded cabin interiors, delivering a consistent premium experience across the market. The deployment of the new and upgraded aircraft to Toronto from Delhi and Mumbai enables Air India to boost premium seat capacity to Toronto by 71%this winter, offering more First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy options to travellers. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Canada is one of Air India’s most important international markets, with deep people-to-people connections driving strong demand for travel, particularly during the festive and holiday season. The launch of our seasonal Mumbai-Toronto service this Winter will provide travellers more choice and convenience at a time when many are travelling to reunite with family and friends. At the same time, we are also progressively introducing our newest aircraft and the latest onboard products to North America, reflecting our intent to put our best foot forward in one of the world’s most competitive long-haul markets. Together, these initiatives mark another important step in our journey to make Air India a world-class airline and the preferred gateway between India and the world.”

    2026

    Air India Express commences operations from Bhopal with daily flights to Delhi and Mumbai

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    Delhi, 1st August-2026: Air India Express has today commenced operations from Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal, with the launch of two daily flights to Delhi and a daily flight to Mumbai, strengthening connectivity from Madhya Pradesh’s capital. The inaugural flight to Delhi departed Raja Bhoj Airport at 12:45 hrs and arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport at 14:15 hrs. The first flight to Mumbai departed Bhopal at 13:40 hrs and landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 15:25 hrs. Air India Express recently strengthened Madhya Pradesh’s international connectivity with the launch of direct flights between Indore and Abu Dhabi.With the commencement of services from Bhopal, the airline now operates around 55 weekly flights across Bhopal, Gwalior, and Indore.

    Events, Top Stories

    Egypt announces the launch of the second edition of the El Alamein International Airshow 2026 (EIAS)

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    Hosted with the Participation of the Egyptian Air Force and Global Leaders in Aviation and Aerospace  Cairo, 30th July 2026:  As part of the Egyptian Armed Forces’ commitment to hosting world-class international events across defence and aerospace sectors, the Egyptian Air Force officially announced the launch of the second edition of the El Alamein International Airshow 2026 (EIAS 2026) during an international press conference. The event will take place in September 2026 in El Alamein City, under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The press conference was attended by Lieutenant General Amr Sakr, Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, H.E. Dr. Sameh El Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr. Eng. Maged Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of the Egyptian Space Agency, Major General Mohamed Adly, Chief of the Egyptian Armament Authority, alongside a number of ministers and senior commanders of the Egyptian Armed Forces, accredited military attachés, and representatives of leading international aerospace companies. Opening the conference, Lieutenant General Amr Sakr reaffirmed Egypt’s full readiness to host the second edition of one of the region’s premier international aerospace events. He highlighted that the exhibition would bring together leading organisations and innovators from across the global aviation, aerospace, defence, navigation, and space technology sectors. He added that the Airshow aims to create new opportunities for international cooperation and strengthen partnerships between Egypt and countries around the world in the fields of military, commercial, and private aviation, aircraft manufacturing, aerospace technologies, and related industries. H.E. Dr. Sameh El Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, described the Airshow as a unique platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and showcasing the latest technological advancements across the aviation industry. He also praised the pivotal role played by the Egyptian Armed Forces in organising this prestigious international event on Egyptian soil. For his part, Dr. Eng. Maged Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of the Egyptian Space Agency, stated that EIAS 2026 will serve as a distinguished meeting point for leading defence, aerospace, and space technology organisations from around the world. He noted that the exhibition is expected to attract significant participation from regional and international institutions, reinforcing its position as a major global industry gathering. Major General. Mohamed Adly, Chief of the Egyptian Armament Authority, emphasised the importance of the exhibition as a platform to explore the latest advancements in military aviation, aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and emerging defence technologies shaping the future of global armament. The second edition of the El Alamein International Airshow is expected to feature a comprehensive static aircraft display at El Alamein International Airport, in addition to spectacular flying displays showcasing some of the world’s most advanced aircraft. The event further reflects Egypt’s strategic vision to strengthen its position as a regional hub for aviation and aerospace while supporting the continued growth of its aerospace and defence industries.

    2026

    Egypt positions itself as a global aerospace Gateway with El Alamein International Airshow 2026

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    Cairo, 27th July 2026: El Alamein International Airshow 2026 will return from 8–10 September 2026 at El Alamein International Airport, bringing together international leaders across commercial aviation, business aviation, defence, and space in one of the region’s fastest-growing aerospace gatherings. Hosted with the support of key Egyptian aviation, defence, and space institutions, the event reflects Egypt’s growing role as a strategic gateway connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition, El Alamein International Airshow 2026 is designed as a high-level international platform for strategic partnerships, industry engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. Government delegations, military leaders, OEMs, operators, suppliers, investors, and aerospace innovators from more than 80 participating countries are expected to attend, reinforcing the event’s position on the global aerospace calendar. Taking place in New El Alamein City, the event will showcase the full breadth of the aerospace ecosystem from commercial aviation and advanced air mobility to defence systems, satellite technologies, and future space capabilities. Through live aircraft displays, strategic conference programming, international delegation programmes, and a large-scale exhibition, the event creates a powerful environment for global business engagement and long-term industry collaboration. Under the banner “The Gateway to Aerospace in Africa & the Middle East,” El Alamein International Airshow 2026 highlights Egypt’s ambition to strengthen regional aerospace connectivity while attracting international investment, technology partnerships, and industrial cooperation. The event is spearheaded by the Egyptian Ministry of Defence, Egyptian Air Force, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Egyptian Space Agency, and EgyptAir. The inaugural 2024 edition welcomed more than 10,000 visitors, over 200 exhibitors, and participants from 80+ countries, establishing a strong foundation for continued international growth in 2026, and earning praise from international aerospace media. The Royal Aeronautical Society described the event as “a well-run show” with “genuine promise” that “may well become a fixture on the international circuit.” Exhibitor and visitor registration for El Alamein International Airshow 2026 is now open via the official event website. Press attendance request can be submitted via the form on the website: https://www.egypt-air-show.com/media/media-interest-registration

    Top Stories

    Samtel ropes in Akhil Gupta as strategic advisor, to strengthen space, satellite and UAV expansion plans

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    Gurugram, 31st July 2026: The Indian defence and avionics company, Samtel Avionics has appointed Akhil Gupta as a Strategic Advisor through his firm M/s Inversion Advisory Services. In this role, he will play a key role in advising the company’s expansion into new-age technology domains including space, satellite systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and optronics. He brings with him decades of leadership experience and has been closely associated with the Bharti Airtel group. Under this role, Akhil Gupta will assist Samtel Avionics in preparing the company’s long-term strategy for aviation, space and advanced electronics businesses along with advising in financial management, capital structure, IPO readiness, and corporate governance. Speaking on this development, Puneet Kaura, Managing Director and CEO, Samtel Avionics shared, “We are delighted to welcome Akhil Gupta as a Strategic advisor to Samtel Family. His deep expertise of scaling businesses, strategic investments, corporate governance, and understanding of new-age high technology sectors will bring lot of value as we accelerate our expansion into space, satellite, UAV, and advanced electronics domains. His guidance will help us build a strong foundation for Samtel’s next phase of growth.” Sharing his thoughts on this association, Akhil Gupta said, “India is entering an exciting phase of growth in the aerospace, defence and space sectors, creating significant opportunities for companies with strong technological and manufacturing capabilities. Samtel Avionics has built a robust foundation in mission-critical Defence technologies, supported by a clear commitment to innovation and indigenization. I am pleased to associate with the company at this pivotal stage of its journey and look forward to working with the leadership team to shape a scalable, future-ready organization as it expands into strategic technology domains, particularly in space segment.” Notably, the appointment comes at a time when Samtel Avionics is aggressively expanding beyond its current defence avionics portfolio into space technologies, satellite systems, drone manufacturing, and advanced electronic solutions. The company has recently announced significant investments in future-focused aerospace and defence capabilities to contribute towards India’s aim to indigenise defence and space ecosystem of the country.

    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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    NEWSLETTER

    Aviation World Magazine is India’s premier aviation magazine and has been actively supporting the development of the Indian and global civil aviation sector. We started our journey in year 2015 and its been 12 years now and the response and acceptance is really encouraging. Thanks to all our associates and writers who remained with us in our progressive journey.

    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

    Disclaimer

    The contents published in this website are news covering Aviation, Aerospace and Defence sector. The objective is to provide news in informative form to keep our readers updated of the latest development. We also publish content featured in our print publication Aviation World.We try our best to avoid any factual errors or image displayed here but we ensure immediate corrections to any such thing brought to our notice that might have been published inadvertently. All images and contents are sourced from the relevant organisations media team.

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