2026

2026

Air Astana Group issues statement regarding BAE systems disposal

Almaty, 20th March 2026: Air Astana JSC (Air Astana and together with its subsidiary FlyArystan, “the Group”) on the announcement of BAE Systems plan to sell their remaining holding in the company had issued the public statement: BAE Systems has been a key partner of Air Astana since our inception. The company was formed as a joint venture between the Kazakhstan State and BAE Systems in 2001. BAE Systems reduced their holding to 16.95% as part of the Air Astana’s IPO in 2024 and sold a further 10.1% stake in December 2025. We recognise that Air Astana was no longer a core holding in the context of their wider operations and we look forward to welcoming new shareholders to the group at this exciting point in our development. We also note the increase to our free float as a function of the sale. Air Astana recently reported results for the Full Year 2025 which showed a resilient performance with strong revenue and capacity growth. Total Revenue increased 11.4% to USD1,453.9m and EBITDAR increased 0.8% to USD321.2m (22.1% margin). Details of the results can be found via the below link: https://ir.airastana.com/en/disclosure-center/regulatory-disclosure-and-releases/

2026

Delhi Airport retains ‘Best Airport in India and South Asia’ title for the 8th consecutive year at Skytrax Awards

New Delhi, March 20, 2026: Delhi Airport has received the Best Airport in India and South Asia at the 2026 World Airport Awards by Skytrax. Operated and managed by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Airports Limited (GAL)-led consortium, the airport has also improved its overall global ranking to 28th in 2026 from 32nd in 2025, reflecting its continued focus on excellence and service delivery. It is the only Indian airport among the world’s top 30 airports. Additionally, Delhi Airport has also improved its ranking among the world’s top 10 airports in the 70+ million-passenger category. It has secured the 3rd position in 2026, up from 8th in 2025. This recognition marks the eighth consecutive year (2019–2026) that Delhi Airport has reinforced its standing as a world-class aviation hub, driven by continuous innovation, adoption of advanced technologies, and future-ready initiatives. Delhi Airport was also recognised as the 2nd Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia and ranked the 7th Best Layover Airport in the world. It has emerged as a global transit hub, connecting South East Asia with Europe and North America. The awards are based on the World Airport Survey conducted by Skytrax, which captures feedback from passengers across more than 100 nationalities over a seven-month evaluation period. The survey assesses key parameters such as airport facilities, service quality, and overall passenger experience. The awards were presented at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in London, UK. Expressing his gratitude,Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, said, “We are honoured to be recognised as the Best Airport in India and South Asia for the eight consecutive year. This accolade reaffirms our commitment to delivering a world-class passenger experience and motivates us to continuously enhance our services and infrastructure. We dedicate this achievement to our passengers, partners, and employees, whose unwavering support and dedication enable us to set new benchmarks in aviation excellence.” Delhi Airport continues to invest in infrastructure expansion, sustainability initiatives, and cutting-edge technologies to ensure a seamless and efficient travel experience. With a strong focus on innovation and passenger-centricity, Delhi Airport remains a key gateway connecting India to the world.

2026

Airline operations under strain from escalating global conflicts :AAPA

Kuala Lumpur,18th March 2026: Amid the ongoing disruption of air services in the Middle East, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has released a statement mentioning the rising global conflicts in recent years have reduced the availability of safe airspace for airline operations, increasing potential safety risks to civil aircraft operating in or near conflict-affected airspace and, in some cases, contributing to interference with satellite navigation systems. The escalation in hostilities since 28 February 2026 has further increased operational risks and costs for airlines. Safe pathways along the Asia–Europe air corridor are further constrained by conflicts not only in the Middle East but also over Russia, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Higher jet fuel prices and insurance premiums, together with increased operating costs from longer flight routings, are placing additional strain on the airline industry. Flight crews and operators rely on timely intelligence, robust risk assessments and clear, state-issued airspace information when operating near conflict-affected regions. If the hostilities persist, governments should consider measures to support the industry in mitigating operational challenges and maintaining global air connectivity, which remains vital to economic activity and social wellbeing. Governments can support airlines by providing timely threat information, maintaining clear and responsive airspace restrictions, facilitating coordinated repatriation arrangements, and considering measures to alleviate extraordinary operational costs if the situation is prolonged. Government–industry collaboration and mutual support were crucial in managing airline operations during previous crises, such as the September 11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. Asia Pacific airlines remain committed to maintaining the highest levels of safety and operational resilience, and will continue working closely with governments and industry partners to sustain global air connectivity during this challenging period.

2026

Gulf Air adds Chennai,Cairo and Casablanca in its temporary operations from Dammam

Muharraq, Kingdom of Bahrain, 18 March 2026: Gulf Air has announced the addition of three more international destinations – Cairo (CAI), Casablanca (CMN) and Chennai (MAA) – to its temporary commercial network via King Fahad International Airport in Dammam (DMM), with more additions expected in the coming days. Services to these new destinations complement the airline’s existing operations to London Heathrow (LHR), Mumbai (BOM), Bangkok (BKK), Frankfurt (FRA), and Nairobi (NBO), and will be available for travel until 28 March 2026. Amid the temporary closure of Bahrain’s airspace, this initiative is in continuation of the airline’s ongoing efforts to maintain international connectivity to and from the Kingdom of Bahrain. To facilitate travel, Gulf Air will provide transportation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and King Fahad International Airport in Dammam for passengers holding confirmed bookings on these flights. Gulf Air will assist with Saudi transit visas exclusively to passengers travelling to and from the Kingdom of Bahrain using Gulf Air–arranged land transportation. Passengers whose final destination is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must hold a valid visa arranged independently. Flights to and from Bahrain International Airport remain temporarily suspended, and Gulf Air will resume regular scheduled services once the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs confirms the safe reopening of the Kingdom’s airspace.

2026

Air Astana increases frequencies from Almaty to mark Nauryz holliday

Astana, 18th March 2026: Air Astana is adding extra services from Almaty to popular destinations during the Nauryz holiday period in March. Nine extra frequencies have been added on the Almaty to Phuket route, whilst services to Phu Quoc in Vietnam have been upgraded from single aisle Airbus aircraft to widebody Boeing 767s, resulting in a 35% increase in seating capacity “To mark the Nauryz celebrations, we are increasing flight frequencies to both regional and long-haul destinations, giving more passengers the opportunity to travel, visit family and friends, or spend the holiday abroad. These additional services will enhance schedule flexibility and convenience, enabling our passengers to plan their journeys with greater ease,” – says Ibrahim Canliel, Air Astana’s CFO/CEO-elect. Frequencies have also been increased on other popular routes. In particular, 13 flights were added on the Almaty–Delhi service, while frequencies to London, Male, Istanbul, Tbilisi, and Tashkent have also been enhanced. The expansion of the flight schedule will continue in April. The Astana-Frankfurt route will gradually increase from four weekly flights to a daily service by the end of the month. Additional frequencies will also be introduced on the Almaty to Phuket and Almaty to Bangkok routes.

2026

Air India to operate 36 additional flights to Europe and Canada from 19-28 March

New Delhi, 18th March 2026: Air India has issued a fresh operational schedule where it will continue to operate additional 36 lights to key destinations in Europe and North America through 19- 28 March 2026.This is due to the continued high demand for international travel due to the ongoing situation in the West Asia region. Between 19 and 28 March 2026, Air India will operate 36 extra flights on the following routes: 1. Delhi-London (Heathrow) 2. Mumbai-London (Heathrow) 3. Delhi-Frankfurt 4. Delhi-Zurich 5. Delhi-Toronto Together, these flights will add 10,012 seats on the five routes, further boosting capacity and providing more choice to travellers when travel options remain limited.These services follow Air India’s recently announced capacity augmentation between 10 and 18 March with 78 additional flights on nine routes.

2026

Air India and AIX to commence operations at the new T2 of Guwahati Airport

Gurugram,16th March 2026: Air India and Air India Express will be operating all their flights to and from the newly inaugurated Terminal 2 of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati from 16 March. The first Air India flight to land at the new terminal will be AI879 from Delhi and the return flight AI880 will be Air India’s first departure from T2 Guwahati Airport to Delhi. Air India Express flight IX1517 from Kolkatawill be its first flight to touch down at the new terminal and the same flight’s onward journey to Imphal will be the Air India Express’s first flight to depart from T2, Guwahati Airport. Air India currently operates two daily return flightsbetween Delhi and Guwahati, while Air India Express connects Guwahati with 17 daily flights to Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur, and Kolkata. The ground teams of Air India and Air India Express will extend all support and assistance to the guests at the new terminal.

FOREWORD

Dear Reader’s,

 

The current edition of Aviation World has covered many areas of Aerospace & Defence based on the latest development in the sector. The front cover highlights three different images, first for the Union Civil Aviation Minister ….. who is leading from the front to steer Indian Civil Aviation sector to witness one of the most interesting phases. He is also facing most tumultuous timing due to the ongoing financial stress in the Aviation sector due to ATF rising cost and long airspace restrictions resulting in mounting losses for Indian carriers. Despite of all the ground level challenges,the minister is addressing new things on regular basis which keeps the sector motivated. We have featured many such developmental works in this edition done under his guidance which will be interesting to read.

Our lead story on “ The West War” is another important feature which covers the ground level reality of the challenges faced by the Aviation sector. Its though time ahead and we believe it will pass soon .

There are features on Regional connectivity and MoCA revised rules on the UDAN 2.0 and how its going to transform the flying experience within India.

In this edition, we have covered topics on MRO,Various Policy changes,Sea Plane Operations by SkyHop Aviation, TATA-Airbus joint project on C295 military aircraft under Make In India which is expected to roll out soon and many other interesting contents which will be good to read.

We are covering Farnborough International Airshow 2026 from 20-24July 2026 in London and our next edition will be based on the same event.For features, you may contact our team on priority basis.

 

Happy Reading!

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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