Civil Aviation

Delhi, 2nd July 2026: Etihad Airways is marking 20 years of flying to France, two decades after it launched its first service to the country, between Abu Dhabi and Paris, in June 2006. What began as six flights a week has grown alongside an airline that now operates a fleet of 124 aircraft to 118 destinations worldwide. Two decades on, the airline is in a renewed phase of growth, with demand across its European markets continuing to strengthen. When Etihad first flew to Paris in June 2006, it was a young airline, less than three years old, with a network of around 34 destinations and a fleet of 17 aircraft. Twenty years on, Etihad connects Abu Dhabi and Paris with up to three daily flights, and its French network now spans two cities, with seasonal summer flights to and from Nice on the French Riviera. Etihad’s global network has grown to 118 destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia, served by a fleet of 124 aircraft. The anniversary comes at a time of renewed momentum for Etihad. The airline is once again operating ahead of the capacity it flew a year ago, and it continues to expand across Europe, with new routes, added frequencies and codeshare partnerships strengthening its offer from the region. Etihad is also investing in growth for the years ahead, with an ambition to expand its fleet to around 250 aircraft and double the size of the airline, widening the choice available to travellers in France and beyond. Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways CEO said: “Twenty years of flying to France is a milestone we are proud of, and at its heart are the travellers who have chosen Etihad over two decades. More and more of them are discovering Abu Dhabi for themselves, alongside the wider world our network opens up, and it is a privilege to keep welcoming them on board.”

Dubai, 1st July 2026:  flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, has launched daily operations to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, marking its second destination in Thailand alongside Krabi. The inaugural flight departed from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) on 01 July, offering passengers more options to connect to one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations. The inaugural flight touched down earlier today to a water cannon salute and a warm welcome from local officials representing the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Don Mueang International Airport as well as other key stakeholders. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “We are pleased to celebrate the start of our daily flights to Bangkok, further expanding our network in Thailand. Thailand remains a key destination for both leisure and business travel and our direct service to Don Mueang International Airport, which offers convenient access to central Bangkok, introduces a new gateway to the Thai capital that our customers will benefit from, supporting the growth of trade and tourism flows while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global aviation hub.” Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “The Middle East, particularly the UAE, is one of Thailand’s most important long-haul markets, bringing high-quality, high-spending travellers, with 188,447 visitors arriving from the region between 01 January and 21 June 2026 alone. Today’s inaugural flydubai flight between Dubai and Don Mueang comes at an especially opportune time and will strengthen air connectivity. Starting with one daily flight and operated with Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, this route will add much-needed capacity to Thailand this summer, building momentum through to our year-end peak season and reinforcing Thailand’s position as a leading destination for Middle Eastern travellers.” Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at flydubai, said: “We are always looking for opportunities to diversify our network and offer our customers more travel choices. With the start of flights to Bangkok, we are providing passengers from the UAE, the GCC and beyond with convenient travel options just in time for the busy summer season. Over the coming years, we look forward to seeing how this route will develop as demand continues to grow and more customers choose to travel with flydubai, enjoying our lie-flat seats in Business Class and enhanced comfort in Economy Class.”

Singapore, 30th June 2026: Air China and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a MoU to establish a commercial joint venture partnership, which will allow them to deepen their collaboration and offer customers more travel options and flexibility, greater value, and additional benefits. The agreement covers the potential expansion of their codeshare partnership to additional destinations between Singapore and mainland China, within China, and beyond the two countries. The airlines plan to coordinate flight schedules, explore joint fare products, and pursue joint marketing and revenue-sharing arrangements. All initiatives are subject to the relevant regulatory approvals. Building on their long-standing relationship as Star Alliance members, the carriers also intend to deepen cooperation between Air China’s PhoenixMiles and SIA’s KrisFlyer frequent flyer programmes. This will enable members to enjoy enhanced rewards and greater opportunities to earn and redeem miles across both airlines. Both carriers will also look to exchange best practices in areas such as ground handling, catering, and in-flight service.  Qu Guangji, President, Air China, said: “As members of Star Alliance, Singapore Airlines and Air China enjoy a solid foundation of long-standing cooperation. We will further deepen our bilateral partnership, broaden the scope of codeshare arrangements, enhance frequent flyer programme synergies, and vigorously promote our joint venture initiatives. By consistently delivering diversified travel products and premium services, we will continue to offer greater convenience and more travel options to passengers flying on China-Singapore air routes.”  Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “Singapore Airlines is pleased to embark on this strategic partnership with Air China, which has an extensive domestic and international network from its hubs in China. Together, we will offer customers more travel options, seamless connections, and enhanced convenience on flights between Singapore and China, and across our combined networks. Closer cooperation on services and frequent flyer programmes will further enhance the travel experience and create greater value for our customers. Our partnership will also support the growth of tourism, business, and cultural exchanges, strengthening economic and people-to-people ties while fostering deeper connections and shared opportunities between Singapore and China.”

The airline will commence direct flights to Abu Dhabi from 15 July 2026, expanding travel options across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and strengthening connectivity between India’s financial capital and the UAE capital. Delhi,22 June 2026: Air India Express has announced the launch of direct flights between Navi Mumbai International Airport and Abu Dhabi, becoming the first airline to operate international services from Maharashtra’s newest airport. The new route provides travellers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with a second gateway to the UAE, enhancing accessibility, convenience, and travel choice. Flights will operate from 15 July 2026, with an initial frequency of two weekly services, scaling to three weekly flights from 29 July 2026. With the addition of this route, Air India Express will operate 30 weekly flights from Navi Mumbai, connecting the airport directly to Abu Dhabi, Bengaluru, and Delhi. Air India Express’ presence in Maharashtra continues to grow steadily, with over 95 weekly flights from Mumbai, more than 100 weekly flights from Pune and 14 weekly flights from Nagpur. The airline operates one of the largest networks between India and West Asia connecting multiple Indian cities with destinations across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. (Air India Express Image Courtesy: Krish Aarush/wikipedia)

Jeddah,18th June 2026:  flyadeal, the Saudia Group’s LCC has been ranked the most on-time airline in the Middle East for May 2026 and the second most on-time airline across the Middle East & Africa region. This is according to the latest On-Time Performance (OTP) Report published by Cirium, a aviation analytics company.As per the report, flyadeal achieved 93.37% on-time arrival rate and a 95.61% on-time departure rate during May. The results are based on 5,449 flights operated by flyadeal during May 2026 and reflect the airline’s continued commitment to delivering a dependable travel experience for its growing number of passengers. Capt. Abdulaziz Bahri, Chief Operating Officer, flyadeal commented: Being recognised by Cirium as the most on time airline in the Middle East is a tremendous achievement for flyadeal and a testament to the dedication of our people. Punctuality is the result of continuously coordinated decisions made every day across our operations. From flight planning and operational control to aircraft maintenance, airport handling and crew scheduling, every team plays a critical role in ensuring our flights depart and arrive on time. Achieving these results during one of the busiest operational periods of the year, coinciding with the 1447H Hajj season, the arrival of pilgrims from several countries, and the operation of additional flights during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, reflects flyadeal’s operational efficiency and its ability to maintain on-time performance while continuing to offer competitive fares to passengers. The airline’s investments in technology, operational planning, and performance management continue to strengthen flyadeal’s ability to maintain high levels of reliability as the airline expands domestically and internationally.

New Delhi, India, 11th June 2026: Centrum Air, Uzbekistan based airline, has announced an increase in its flight frequencies between India and Uzbekistan, further strengthening connectivity between the two countries. The airline will now operate five weekly flights, offering greater flexibility, convenience, and travel options for passengers.The enhanced schedule reflects the growing demand for travel between India and Uzbekistan,driven by increasing tourism, business exchanges, medical travel, and cultural ties.The additional frequencies are expected to support both leisure and corporate travellers while contributing to the continued growth of bilateral tourism and trade. Since entering the Indian market, Centrum Air has witnessed encouraging passenger demand,particularly from travellers seeking seamless access to Uzbekistan’s historic cities, cultural attractions, and expanding business opportunities. The increase to five weekly services demonstrates the airline’s commitment to the Indian market and its long-term growth strategy in the region. Speaking on the development, Abdulaziz Abdurakhmanov, Founder and CEO of Centrum Holding, said, “India remains one of the most important international markets for Centrum Air. The increase in frequencies is a direct response to growing passenger demand and reflects our confidence in the market’s potential. We are committed to offering reliable, comfortable, and affordable travel options while strengthening connectivity between India and Uzbekistan.” The enhanced services will provide travellers with greater scheduling flexibility and improved connectivity across Centrum Air’s growing network. Passengers will also benefit from convenient onward access to key destinations within Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region. Abhishek Goyal, CEO & Executive Director, Aeroprime Group, the airline’s GSA partner in India, added, “The response to Centrum Air’s services from Indian travellers and the trade community has been extremely encouraging. Increasing operations to five weekly flights is a significant milestone that reflects the strength of the India-Uzbekistan travel corridor. We look forward to supporting Centrum Air’s continued expansion and making Uzbekistan more accessible than ever for Indian travellers.”

New Delhi, 8th June 2026: Air India and Thai Airways International (THAI), Thailand’s national carrier, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) building on their existing interline agreement, to explore a deeper partnership aimed at boosting connectivity between Thailand, India, and destinations beyond, leveraging each other’s global network strengths. The MoU was signed on 07 June 2026 on the sidelines of the ongoing IATA AGM in Rio de Jeneiro, Brazil. Air India and THAI intend to enter into a codeshare agreement in 2026, subject to the requisite regulatory approvals, designed to expand travel options for travellers between India and Thailand and deliver enhanced customer value across their respective networks. The two Star Alliance member carriers intend to place their respective designator codes (‘AI’ for Air India and ‘TG’ for THAI) on each other’s flights between India and Thailand as well as on select international routes from the two countries, providing their customers with convenient access to several destinations across Asia, North America, and Europe. The specific terms governing the proposed codeshare agreement will be announced in due course. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “India and Thailand are connected by longstanding cultural ties, growing economic engagement, and strong flows of tourism and business travel. As Asia reinforces its position at the centre of global growth, deeper collaboration between leading airlines will be key to enabling that growth by making travel more seamless and accessible. This MoU with Thai Airways brings together two carriers with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to service excellence. It also supports Air India’s broader ambition to strengthen India’s connectivity with the world, offering our customers more choice and greater value.” Chai Eamsiri, Chief Executive Officer, THAI, stated: “The MoU with Air India marks a meaningful milestone in our strategy to strengthen the regional connectivity and better serve to passengers traveling between Thailand, India and destination beyond. It also reflects the shared commitment of both airlines to supporting economic growth, promoting people-to-people exchanges, while contributing to broader cooperation between the two countries.”

New Delhi, May 20, 2026: In a significant step towards enhancing passenger experience and promoting inclusive airport infrastructure, a series of passenger-centric and culturally significant facilities at Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi were formally inaugurated today by Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Minister of Civil Aviation, in the presence of Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence. The newly inaugurated facilities include the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Feature Wall with Statue, UDAN Yatri Café, AVSAR Counter, Kids Zone and Flybrary.The Bhagwan Birsa Munda Feature Wall with Statue has been developed as a tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The installation reflects Jharkhand’s rich cultural heritage and historical legacy while offering passengers an immersive and visually engaging experience upon arrival. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated,“Today’s unveiling of the statue of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda is an occasion to honour the confluence of tribal pride and modern development. I firmly believe that our airports should not merely serve as centres of travel, but should reflect the identity, heritage and spirit of the states they represent. Every passenger arriving at Ranchi Airport will now be welcomed by the inspiring legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji and introduced to the soul of Jharkhand.” Highlighting aviation growth in Jharkhand, the Minister added,“Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, India’s civil aviation sector has witnessed transformative growth, with the number of airports increasing from 74 in 2014 to 165 today. In Jharkhand too, this progress has been remarkable. Annual air passenger traffic has grown more than fivefold since 2014, aircraft movements have increased over three times, and air cargo has also recorded nearly threefold growth.” Talking about future expansion of aviation infrastructure in the state, the Minister said,“Through Modified UDAN, 100 new airports and 200 heliports will be developed across the country, immensely benefiting tribal regions and aspirational districts. RCS operations have already commenced at Jamshedpur Airport and airports at Dumka, Hazaribagh, Daltonganj, Dhalbhumgarh and Chaibasa are planned to be developed under the UDAN scheme.” Highlighting Ranchi Airport’s growing passenger traffic, Naidu noted that annual passenger numbers have increased from 17 lakh to over 27 lakh in the last five years. Keeping future demand in view, a comprehensive plan has been prepared for the reconfiguration and expansion of the terminal building. Under the proposal, the Domestic Security Hold Area will be expanded to 6,480 sqm, increasing peak-hour passenger handling capacity to 2,160 passengers. He further stated that plans are also underway for the development of a Parallel Taxi Track, Rapid Exit Taxiway and two additional aircraft parking aprons to improve runway efficiency and operational capacity. “We are committed to connecting Ranchi with global destinations and creating new economic opportunities for Jharkhand,” the Minister said.Sharing his ‘Ease of Flying’ vision around inauguration of passenger-centric facilities, Minister added that the UDAN Yatri Café will provide affordable food and beverages to passengers, making airports more inclusive, while the Flybrary initiative seeks to promote reading culture and create more meaningful travel experiences.

Abu Dhabi. 20th May 2026: Etihad Airways will increase its Airbus A380 service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to double-daily this summer, expanding the route to triple-daily overall and making Paris one of only a handful of destinations in the world to be served twice a day by the iconic double-decker aircraft. From 1 July, Etihad’s expanded Paris schedule will include two daily Airbus A380 services departing Zayed Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) at convenient morning and afternoon departure times designed for both business and leisure travellers, complemented by a third daily Boeing 787-9 service featuring First, Business and Economy cabins. Together, the additional frequencies will significantly expand premium travel capacity between Abu Dhabi and the French capital. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “Paris is one of our most popular and most loved destinations, and this summer we are giving our guests more of what they love. Flying double-daily on the A380 to Charles de Gaulle is a statement of confidence in one of the world’s great travel markets. Whether our guests are heading to Paris for business, for leisure, or as the start of a journey onward across Europe, we are offering them our iconic A380 experience at the double.” The double-daily A380 operation will bring more of Etihad’s flagship experience to the French capital than ever before. Guests travelling between Abu Dhabi and Paris can enjoy the airline’s celebrated onboard offering across every cabin, from The Residence – the world’s only three-room suite in commercial aviation – and the exclusive First Apartments, to the spacious Business and Economy seats. With three daily flights to Paris, including two operated by the A380, Etihad is significantly expanding premium travel capacity between Abu Dhabi and one of the world’s most iconic destinations, while strengthening connections to the wider Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Asia through its growing global network.

Riyadh,20th May 2026: flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline has announced the launch of scheduled services to India with daily flights between Riyadh and Hyderabad beginning 1 July 2026 onwards. Sanjiv Kapoor, flyadeal acting Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President Strategies at Saudia Group, said: “India, a long-awaited addition to flyadeal’s growing network of international destinations,is a key part of Saudia Group and flyadeal’s long term strategy. “Our promise of friendly, efficient, low fare, and on-time service, builds on parent Saudia Group’s long-established presence in India since 1964 through our sister airline Saudia. “Hyderabad is the first step of our planned expansion into India, fuelled by the strong economic, social and cultural tiesthat India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have enjoyed for decades.Together with Saudia, the Saudia Group will now serve the Indian market comprehensively. Saudia offering full-service excellence and flyadeal delivering the best low fares for price-conscious travellers.” He added: “flyadeal will soon announce a second Indian destination as we execute our India market strategy.” flyadeal has, over the past three years,operated special Hajj and Umrah pilgrim-only flights from select points in India to Saudi Arabia, but this is the first time the airline will operate regular scheduled services between the two countries. The Hyderabad route will be operated by flyadeal’s Airbus A320neo aircraft with 186 seats in an all-Economy Class configuration. Features include USB-A or USB-C charging ports in every seat, and Airbus’ highly-acclaimed ‘Airspace’ cabin interior with extra large overhead bins.