Author name: Aviation World

Kuala Lumpur, 22nd June 2026: Malaysia Airlines (MAB) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have launched their strategic joint business partnership, formalised in January 2026 following the regulatory approvals, with the introduction of joint fare products for travel between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The new joint fare offerings build on the airlines’ existing codeshare partnership, enabling MAB and SIA to provide customers with a greater variety of fare options between the two capital cities, as well as enhanced connectivity across the combined network of both carriers. MAB and SIA are also working towards the progressive introduction of additional customer benefits, including reciprocal lounge access, coordinated flight schedules, and joint corporate travel arrangements. These initiatives reflect the airlines’ deepening commercial collaboration and shared commitment to improving connectivity between Malaysia, Singapore, and the wider region. Bryan Foong, Chief Executive Officer of Airline Business, Malaysia Aviation Group, said: “This joint business partnership with Singapore Airlines marks a significant milestone in the expansion of our commercial collaboration. By introducing joint fare products, we are giving our customers greater choice, improved flexibility, and a more seamless travel experience. This collaboration also lays the foundation for deeper integration across our networks, ultimately benefiting both leisure and business travellers.” Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “The introduction of joint fare products with Malaysia Airlines expands the range of fare options available to customers travelling between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, offering more flexibility and convenience when planning their journeys. As we deepen our collaboration, we will continue to combine our strengths to enhance both airlines’ offerings and deliver greater value to customers, while strengthening the long-standing people-to-people connections and trade links between Singapore and Malaysia.”

New Delhi, 22nd June 2026: Air India and Booking.com, the global digital travel platforms, has announced a strategic partnership to deliver a more seamless and rewarding travel booking experience. Customers can now access a vast array of global accommodations via a dedicated co-branded platform on the Air India website and mobile app, powered by Booking.com, along with exclusive benefits and loyalty rewards for Maharaja Club members. The co-branded platform offers Air India customers access to Booking.com’s extensive global inventory of over 31 million reported listings in 45 languages, including 8.6 million listings in homes, villas and other unique places to stay, backed by its 24/7 customer support. Air India’s Maharaja Club members can earn 5 Maharaja Points for every INR 100 spent on stays booked through the dedicated platform. These points can be redeemed for award flights and cabin upgrades. Customers will also benefit from exclusive discounts of up to 15% on participating properties for a limited period, from June 22 to July 21, 2026. “Our partnership with Booking.com is another step in our efforts to build a comprehensive travel ecosystem for our customers. By combining Air India’s growing global network with Booking.com’s vast portfolio, we are offering our guests greater convenience, choice and added value across journeys,” said Abhijit Menon, Divisional Vice President & Head of Revenue Management, Air India. Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director and Vice President, Asia Pacific at Booking.com, said “As travellers increasingly seek integrated, digital-first travel experiences, we are excited to partner with Air India. This collaboration reflects our Connected Trip vision of making travel planning simpler and more seamless. By combining our diverse global accommodation inventory with Air India’s growing international network, we are helping to make it easier for travellers to book their flights and stay in one place. This partnership also reinforces our commitment to India, delivering greater value, rewarding loyalty and creating a more seamless, end-to-end travel experience.”

New Delhi, 18th June 2026: India’s annual defence production has surged to an all-time high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore in the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26. The milestone represents a 15.6% growth over the previous fiscal year’s output of Rs 1.54 lakh crore and a staggering 110% increase since FY 2020-21 when the figure was Rs 84,643 crore. The indigenous defence production has increased almost four times from Rs 43,746 crore in FY 2013-14. Defence Public Sector Undertakings and other PSUs accounted for approximately 76% of total production, while the private sector contributed 24%, which is a rise from 22% in FY 2024-25. The share of the private sector is at its all-time high of around Rs 42,000 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting its expanding role in the defence ecosystem. The growth in defence production over the years has tremendously contributed in achieving the record defence exports of Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26. The achievement reflects the growing momentum of the Government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. In a post on X, Raksha Mantri  Rajnath Singh credited the inspiring leadership of Prime Minister  Narendra Modi for taking India’s defence production to newer heights, and lauded the collective efforts of the Department of Defence Production and public & private sectors for achieving the landmark. He highlighted that the upward trajectory is a clear indicator of the country’s expanding defence industrial base. With sustained policy support, several new initiatives, increased private sector participation, and growing export capabilities, the defence production sector is poised for continued acceleration in the years ahead, he added. (PIB/MoD)

Dubai, June 18, 2026: SolitAir, the UAE’s next-generation dedicated B2B airport-to-airport cargo airline, has appointed Dubai-based Aviation Training Center (ATC) as its preferred training services provider for dangerous goods (DG). The appointment is designed to equip SolitAir’s growing team with the latest approaches, techniques and competencies in the handling and transport of dangerous goods (DG) – acategory of cargo that is both commercially significant and among the most tightly regulated in the industry. The collaboration marks an important step toward strengthening the UAE’s aviation ecosystem, supporting its position as a global hub for safe, efficient and innovative air cargo operations. The transport of dangerous goods by air is governed by a strict, IATA-enforced framework of compliance obligations, revised annually to reflect emerging risks and evolving cargo profiles. The 67th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, mandatory from 1 January 2026, introduced significant updates across lithium battery shipment requirements, revised state variations and standardised operator variation wording. Hamdi Osman, Founder & CEO, SolitAir said: “The revised requirements enforced by IATA changes underline the need for rigorous, current-edition training across airline operations teams. Through this partnership, SolitAir will ensure our teams remain fully current with these evolving standards, further strengthening the safety, operational excellence and workforce capability already underpinning our DG operations (categories 1-9),which span lithium batteries, flammable liquids and other hazardous materials across our expanding network.” Commenting on the partnership Neeraj Arora, CEO ATC Dubai, said: “Our collaboration with SolitAir underscores our commitment to delivering world-class training solutions that support the evolving needs of the aviation industry. Together, we aim to reinforce safety standards and empower aviation professionals with the competencies required in today’s dynamic operating environment.”