2026

Kuala Lumpur,29 May 2026: Preliminary April 2026 traffic figures released today by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed stable international passenger demand, with growth moderating amid heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainties. Asia Pacific airlines flew an aggregate total of 32.4 million international passengers in April, broadly unchanged compared to the same month last year. In revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms, demand nevertheless increased by 3.3% year-on-year, reflecting relatively firmer traffic on longer-haul routes. Available seat capacity increased by a marginal 1.4% year-on-year, as capacity growth was restrained in the wake of sharply higher fuel costs. As a result, international passenger load factors remained high, averaging 84.8% for the month, up by 1.6 percentage points. Meanwhile, the conflict in the Middle East resulted in supply chain disruptions and higher prices for goods, prompting accelerated stockpiling activity as businesses and consumers sought to secure products ahead of further cost increases. This, in turn, lent support to air cargo market growth. International air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), increased by 4.1% year-on-year in April. Offered freight capacity expanded by 4.4%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 60.5% for the month. Commenting on the results, Mr. Wong Hong, AAPA Director General, said, “International passenger traffic continued to show resilience in April, supported by sustained demand on longer-haul routes. Overall, Asia Pacific airlines carried a combined total of 135 million international passengers during the first four months of the year, representing a 5.1% increase compared to the corresponding period last year.” “Meanwhile, the start of the second quarter saw accelerated expansion in global manufacturing activity, with increased purchases of consumer and intermediate goods driving demand for air shipments. Growth in April helped lift international air cargo demand during the first four months of 2026 to 5.3%.” Mr. Wong Hong added, “The conflict in the Middle East continues to add volatility to energy markets, keeping jet fuel prices elevated and further intensifying cost pressures for airlines. In April, jet fuel prices rose to an average of US$165 per barrel, reaching levels last seen in 2022 following the onset of the Russia – Ukraine war.” Looking ahead, Mr. Wong Hong said, “Despite signs of the conflict easing, growing macroeconomic uncertainty, coupled with inflationary pressures continue to weigh on the outlook for both passenger and air cargo markets in the months ahead. Nevertheless, Asia Pacific airlines remain vigilant in managing costs and carefully deploying capacity to optimise yields and profitability in this challenging operating environment, without compromising safety standards.”

Bengaluru, 21st May 2026: Star Air has announced the relaunch of its direct flight service with six weekly flights connecting Hyderabad, Jharsuguda, and Bhubaneswar, further strengthening its expanding regional network and enhancing vital air links between key economic and cultural centres in South and East India. The corridor is expected to significantly benefit business and corporate travellers, industrial stakeholders, tourists, and residents alike by improving accessibility, supporting regional trade, and reducing overall travel times between these high-growth destinations. Capt. Simran Singh Tiwana, CEO, Star Air, said, “This route is more than a flight connection, it’s a strategic link for commerce and opportunity between South and East India. By restoring direct access between Hyderabad, Jharsuguda, and Bhubaneswar, we are enabling faster business, attracting new investment, and supporting the vibrant industries and communities that drive these regions forward. Star Air remains committed to delivering reliable, quality service that helps power India’s next phase of regional growth.”

New Delhi, 20th May 2026: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh will pay an official visit to Vietnam from May 18 to 19, 2026, followed by Republic of Korea from May 19 to 21, 2026. In a post on X prior to his departure, Raksha Mantri looked forward to visiting the two Asian nations to further expand the scope of bilateral engagement. The focus will be on deepening strategic military cooperation, strengthening defence industrial partnerships, and boosting maritime collaboration, promoting peace & stability in the Indo-Pacific region, he said. Raksha Mantri’s visit to Vietnam marks 10 years of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations which was upgraded to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the state visit of the President of Vietnam to India from May 05 to 07, 2026. Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with the Minister of National Defence of Vietnam General Phan Van Giang during the visit. A Joint Vision Statement of India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 was signed as part of Raksha Mantri’s last visit from June 08 to 10, 2022. The vision statement clearly enunciates a defined way ahead for bilateral defence cooperation. The two democracies have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the region. Rajnath Singh’s visit also coincides with the 136th birth anniversary of former President of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh on May 19, 2026. Raksha Mantri will lay a wreath at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and pay tribute as a mark of respect. During his visit to South Korea, Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with the Minister of National Defence, Republic of Korea Mr Ahn Gyu-back. The Ministers will review defence cooperation between the two countries and explore new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral engagements. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest. Raksha Mantri will also meet Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Mr Lee, Yong-cheol and chair the India-Korea business roundtable. India’s contribution in the Korean War is one the most profound chapters in history, defined by unwavering commitment to global peace and stability. India’s decision to extend the support was meant to add a healing touch to the war by deploying 60 Parachute Field Ambulance of the Indian Army. Serving for more than three years, the unit treated over two lakh patients and performed about 2,500 surgeries, in addition to treating a number of civilians. The second major contribution of India was the Chairmanship of Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, an Indian proposal to the UN, which was accepted with majority. Accordingly, Custodian Force of India, a 5,230 strong Indian Army contingent undertook peaceful repatriation of almost 2,000 prisoners of war in the post-war phase. To honour the fallen soldiers, a joint inauguration of the Indian War Memorial with Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Mr Kwon Oh-eul has been planned on May 21, 2026. The Natural Alignment of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and Republic of Korea’s ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy’ as well as shared values in the Indo-Pacific Region, have opened a new chapter in the relations between the two countries.

New Delhi, 15th May 2026: Air India has commenced operations to Ludhiana (Halwara), becoming the first airline to operate commercial services to the newly operational airport, connecting Ludhiana to Delhi and beyond to destinations around the world. The inaugural flight from Delhi landed at Ludhiana’s Halwara airport at 0703 Hrs today, and the return flight from Ludhiana departed at 0800 Hrs. Air India will operate two daily flights between Delhi and Ludhiana using its A320 family aircraft. The new flights to and from Ludhiana are timed to offer seamless onward connectivity via Delhi to Air India’s international network, including to destinations such as London, Paris, Milan, Rome, and Birmingham, enabling guests to travel seamlessly using a single ticket and unified baggage allowance, with through check-in of baggage. Air India guests will also enjoy the convenience of same-terminal transfers at Delhi airport to connect between their domestic and international flights.

Bengaluru, India | May 13, 2026: Rossell Techsys Limited, provider of engineering and manufacturing solutions for the aerospace and defence sector, announced its audited financial results for Q4 and the full year ended March 31, 2026. The company reported consistent performance in Q4 FY26, with revenue from operations rising to ₹142.3 crore,marking a 62% year-on-year increase. The growth was driven by continued execution momentum across Rossell Techsys’ aerospace,semiconductor, and space businesses, supported by increasing customer engagements, program ramp-ups, and repeat orders from global OEMs and Tier-1 customers. FY26 Performance ● Revenue from operations for FY26 stood at ₹485.2 crore, registering 87% year-on-year growth ● Profit/(Loss) from Ordinary Activities before Exceptional items increased 165% year-on-year to 28.5 Crore ● EBITDA rose 73% year-on-year to approximately ₹66.6 crore The company’s aerospace and defence business remained the primary growth driver during FY26, supported by strong execution, on-time deliveries, and deeper engagement with global OEMs and customers. The semiconductor business also emerged as a significant contributor, driven by successful qualification programs, rapid volume ramp-up, and the addition of new overseas customers. The space segment also progressed meaningfully during the year, transitioning from qualification programs to scalable execution and positioning the business for further growth in FY27. Additionally, Rossell Techsys strengthened its presence in the Indian market through MRO certifications, DTA establishment, and initial order wins, creating a strong domestic growth platform. Commenting on the results, Rishab Mohan Gupta, Managing Director of Rossell Techsys, said: “Q4 marked a defining quarter for Rossell Techsys as we delivered strong growth across all our businesses. We more than doubled our revenue and achieved record quarterly performance in Q4, all while building a robust order pipeline. Our teams executed consistently on marquee aerospace, defence, semiconductor and space programs, deepening partnerships with global OEMs and Tier-1 customers. This has significantly improved our long-term visibility. We also made strategic investments in capacity expansion,talent and processes to prepare for the next phase of growth.” Senthil Balasubramanian, Chief Executive Officer, added: “Our Q4 performance reflects the strength of our execution and scalability as we ramped up operations to meet growing customer demand. We continue to see strong momentum from repeat orders and new program wins, supported by expanded manufacturing capacity in Bengaluru.”

Mumbai, 11 May 2026: CSMIA, Mumbai has been honoured with the Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) Platinum – Class I Rating by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). With this rating,Mumbai Int.Airport joins the ranks of Indian airports handling over 50 million passengers annually that have earned this certification. This recognition highlights the airport’s sustainable waste management, with over 99 per cent of waste diverted from landfills through integrated, airport-wide systems. The ZWL assessment verified that CSMIA has implemented waste management practices through efficient segregation, recycling, and recovery mechanisms, with key waste streams such as plastic waste, MSW wet and dry, and other recyclables successfully diverted from landfills. Conducted in FY2025-26, the assessment aligns with ZWL’s objective of maximising waste diversion while minimising overall generation. Primary waste sources at the airport includes food, plastic, paper, and operational waste.

Mumbai, 8th May 2026: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), has completed its annual runway maintenance programme, reinforcing operational readiness ahead of the monsoon season. Conducted over a six-hour window from 11:00 hours to 17:00 hours, the exercise covered thorough inspection of Runway 09/27 (3448 metres) and Runway 14/32 (2871 metres), both of which are now restored and fully operational. Planned well in advance, the operation was supported by six months of stakeholder coordination, enabling airlines to realign flight schedules in advance. For an airport handling over 950 air traffic movements (ATMs) daily, such preventive maintenance is critical. It ensures runway infrastructure consistently meets the highest safety and operational standards, strengthens drainage systems and safeguards operations during the high-intensity monsoon period. The scope of work included pavement maintenance, electrical checks across Airfield Ground Lighting systems and substations, rubber removal, surface markings and large-scale drain cleaning. Technical teams also inspected runway intersections, over 3,000 runway lights and critical cable networks supporting lighting, information technology and navigational systems to ensure uninterrupted performance.

Mumbai, 6th May 2026: The Mumbai International Airport has announced that the airport has scheduled its annual pre-monsoon runway maintenance for 7 May 2026, between 1100 hrs and 1700 hrs. During this time, both the primary runway 09/27 and secondary runway 14/32 will be temporarily non-operational. As part of CSMIA’ s comprehensive monsoon contingency plan, stakeholder consultation was carried out six months in advance to notify airlines and other stakeholders, enabling airlines to adjust their flight schedules well ahead of time, enabling them to plan appropriately. This annual pre-monsoon maintenance is crucial for preserving the health and longevity of CSMIA’s expansive airside infrastructure, covering 1,033 acres. Specialists will inspect runway surfaces for wear and tear, addressing preventive measures to ensure safe landings and take-offs during the monsoon season. CSMIA also leverages modern machinery and exhaustive planning to monitor the entire maintenance process, ensuring timely execution within the designated six-hour window. CSMIA has meticulously coordinated this maintenance with multiple stakeholders, including airlines and aviation authorities, to enable a seamless experience for passengers.