Civil Aviation

Delhi, 4th August, 2025: India’s most successful airline, IndiGo completed 19 years of its operations and has announced several strategic developments in its journey to become a global airline. IndiGo will be receiving five additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in the current financial year under its damp-lease arrangement with Norse Atlantic Airways, which will enable the airline to launch new international routes while strengthening its existing long-haul network. Daily, direct flights from India to London Heathrow IndiGo also announced direct daily flights to London Heathrow starting 26 October 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. The airline will operate a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on this route. These flights will be available for booking soon. IndiGo Stretch now on Dubai and Singapore routes IndiGo has also upgraded the product on select international routes. Starting 09 August 2025, IndiGo will start offering its tailor-made business product, IndiGoStretch on flights connecting Singapore to Delhi and Mumbai, as it will operate its two-class A321 aircraft on the routes. Similarly, the airline will introduce IndiGoStretch on flights between Delhi and Dubai from 30 August 2025, and flights between Mumbai and Dubai starting 03 September 2025. Recognition as the ‘Best Airline in India and South Asia’ by Skytrax Underscoring its leadership in the subcontinent, IndiGo was recently recognized as the ‘Best Airline in India and South Asia’, besides being named the ‘Cleanest Airline in India & South Asia’ by Skytrax at the World Airline Awards 2025. For several years, IndiGo was recognized as the Best LCC in India, the recognition now of being the Best Airline in India and South Asia is an endorsement of its evolution by travellers across the world who voted for the airline. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said: “As we celebrate IndiGo’s 19th anniversary, we are immensely proud of the journey we have had so far and equally excited about the way ahead. The love and support of millions of our customers, coupled with the shared passion and drive of more than 66,000 IndiGo employees, has fueled our flight towards new heights and across new frontiers. Today, we are delighted to announce our next strides in international markets, especially our daily, direct flights to London Heathrow. Looking ahead, we are hopeful to continue winning hearts and accolades in India as well as globally, as we expand our operations across the globe, one airport at a time.”

Delhi, 05 August 2025: Following encouraging load factors and sustained demand on its Trivandrum – Kuala Lumpur route, Malaysia Airlines has announced further expansion into its South India operation by increasing frequencies to the city. Beginning 12 September 2025, the airline will introduce a fifth weekly service, with daily operations to commence from 1 December 2025. This marks a significant step forward since the route’s launch in November 2023, which initially operated twice weekly before increasing to four times weekly in April 2024. The airline has also partnered with Kerala Tourism under “Look East” initiative, launched in Trivandrum to strengthen travel ties between East Asia and Kerala. The increase in frequency reaffirms Malaysia Airlines’ commitment to the Indian market by offering travellers greater flexibility and convenience, while enhancing connectivity between India and Malaysia. Through its hub in Kuala Lumpur, the airline continues to strengthen its role as the gateway to Asia and beyond. Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines from Malaysia Aviation Group said, “India remains a key focus market for Malaysia Airlines, and this frequency increase reaffirms our dedication to meeting the growing demand for air travel from South India. With daily flights to Trivandrum, we are well-positioned to offer greater flexibility and convenience for both business and leisure travellers, while supporting trade and tourism flows between our two countries.” Malaysia Airlines currently operates 76 weekly flights across ten key cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Trivandrum. With the new additions, this number will increase to 77 weekly flights by December 2025. Passengers flying from India to Malaysia can also take advantage of Malaysia Airlines’ Bonus Side Trip (BST) programme, which offers a complimentary side trip to one of seven domestic destinations within Malaysia.

Abu Dhabi,4th August 2025: Etihad Airways has launched the first commercial flight of its all-new A321LR, defining luxury travel on a narrowbody aircraft. Flight EY414 departed Zayed International Airport for Phuket today, marking the introduction of an aircraft designed to deliver Etihad’s premium cabin standards on short and medium-haul sectors. Today’s inaugural flight introduces guests to Etihad’s latest cabin innovation, designed to deliver the same elevated service and attention to detail that defines its award-winning widebody experience, now available on a next-generation single-aisle aircraft. Last week Etihad took delivery of the first of 30 A321LR aircraft scheduled to join its fleet, each configured to provide elevated comfort, refined design and high-speed connectivity across all cabins. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “The A321LR symbolises our ambition to deliver extraordinary experiences on every route we serve. It allows us to bring the sophistication of our widebody cabins, including our renowned First experience, to more destinations, and to more travellers, than ever before.”

Warsaw, 31st July 2025: Star Alliance member LOT Polish Airlines has received its first shipment of RECARO Aircraft Seating products, which will be installed on both its Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A220 aircraft. The initial set was manufactured at RECARO’s facility in Świebodzin and will be fitted into one of the thirteen Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that are set to join the Polish carrier’s fleet by the end of 2026. In total, LOT will take delivery of about 14,000 modern, ergonomic seats – with passenger comfort as a top priority. The new RECARO R2 seats combine lightweight construction with advanced ergonomics and high functionality. Each seat features a dedicated 60W power outlet for fast charging of electronic devices, as well as a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) holder for easy use of a tablet or smartphone. For extra comfort, the seats are equipped with six-way adjustable headrests, extended armrests, contoured backrests with comfort-enhancing foam, and lightweight sliding tray tables. RECARO R2 seats stand out for their light weight – each seat weighs less than 10 kg – helping to reduce fuel consumption and lower CO₂ emissions. Their modular design facilitates easier maintenance and supports sustainable practices. These new seats will be installed on all new Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A220 aircraft as they join the LOT Polish Airlines fleet. The new seats are part of LOT Polish Airlines’ broader initiative to modernise its aircraft cabins. The interiors of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet will be completely redesigned, drawing inspiration from LOT Polish Airlines’ Polonez business lounges in Warsaw and Chicago. The goal is to create a unified look across the entire fleet, aligning the new design with the cabin style of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners – which are also set for a comprehensive interior upgrade. This retrofit will take passenger comfort to an even higher level across all classes of service.

Astana, 31st July 2025: On 29th July 2025, Air Astana and China Southern Airlines signed a codeshare agreement, with cooperation on trunk routes between Kazakhstan and China providing travellers with more flight options. The codeshare agreement covers Air Astana routes operated from Almaty to Beijing Capital, Almaty to Urumqi and Almaty to Guangzhou, as well as Astana to Beijing. For China Southern Airlines, the codeshare covers routes operated on a regular basis from Beijing Daxing to Almaty, Guangzhou to Almaty, Urumqi to Almaty and Xian to Almaty, together with Guangzhou to Astana and Urumqi to Astana. Air Astana Group CEO Peter Foster remarked, “China has always been a strategically important market for Air Astana. Partnering with China Southern Airlines will boost trade, tourism and cultural links with China and open a new chapter in aviation cooperation between the two countries.” China Southern Airlines President and CEO Han Wensheng stated, “Codeshare cooperation with Air Astana will result in an increase in our service frequencies to Kazakhstan. It is not only a strategic move leveraging both airlines’ strengths but also a significant step in deepening Belt and Road aviation connectivity between China and Kazakhstan”.

Warsaw, 29th July 2025: Poland’s national airline and Vienna Airport are commemorating a long-standing and dynamic partnership. On July 29, 1955, LOT Polish Airlines resumed flight operations to Vienna, inaugurating a period of uninterrupted service on the Warsaw–Vienna route that endures to this day. Yet the roots of LOT’s presence in the Austrian capital reach even deeper—its inaugural aircraft touched down in Vienna as early as 1929, operating both non-stop and direct services from Katowice. Over the decades, this route has played a pivotal role in the airline’s development, serving as the launchpad for major fleet milestones, including the first Embraer 170 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner landings at Vienna Airport. About three million passengers have taken advantage of this flight connection over the last 30 years alone, namely since 1994. Today the 70th anniversary of flight service linking Warsaw and Vienna was commemorated within the context of a photo session featuring Amit Ray (Director DACH Markets, Italy, Malta, India & Head of Global Corporate & Strategic Sales), Olaf Krauss (Sales Manager Austria & Corporate Sales Italy), both for LOT Polish Airlines and Julian Jäger (joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport). “The Vienna–Warsaw connection has been a success story for 70 years. LOT Polish Airlines was one of the first international carriers at Vienna Airport and served as a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe. Today, this route is a key pillar of our network – strategically vital. Over the past three decades, three million passengers have flown this route, underscoring its unique blend of continuity and future potential”, states Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport. “Our connection with Vienna dates back to 1929, when LOT’s first aircraft landed in the Austrian capital. Since the resumption of regular operations in 1955, we have developed this route not only through consistent air service, but also through a shared history, mutual trust, and a strong sense of European identity. It was on this very route that LOT introduced newest additions to its fleet – the Embraer 170 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner – underscoring its strategic importance within our network. Today, Warsaw and Vienna are more than just two Central European capitals; they are essential transit hubs at the heart of Europe” , adds Robert Ludera, Proxy and Director of Network Department at LOT Polish Airlines. A flight connection with many premieres: 70 years of flights on the Warsaw-Vienna route The Warsaw–Vienna flight connection is a well-established route in the airline’s network, but one of particular importance. In 2004, LOT Polish Airlines reached a global milestone by becoming the first airline in the world to operate the Embraer 170 on a commercial flight. The next premiere took place eight years later i.e., in the year 2012. LOT Polish Airlines was the first European airline to deploy the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Once again, it did so on the Warsaw-Vienna route. These pioneer achievements underline the airline’s innovative strength, and its close ties to Vienna Airport. The connection goes back even further, as LOT Polish Airlines already landed in 1929 at the former Aspern airfield in Vienna, well before today’s Vienna Airport was officially opened in 1954.

Dubai,25th July 2025: Emirates has announced the deployment of its newly refurbished Boeing 777 aircraft to/from Madrid starting from 16 September. The aircraft will have upgraded interiors and premium signature travel touches across all cabins. Madrid is Emirates’ first destination in Spain to operate with the airline’s next-generation interiors. Emirates’ four-class Boeing 777 will operate as flight EK143/EK144. Emirates flight EK143 will depart Dubai at 14:30hrs and arrive in Madrid at 20:20hrs local time. The return flight, EK144 will depart Madrid at 22:05hrs and arrive in Dubai at 7:10hrs local time, the following day. The deployment of Emirates’ retrofitted Boeing 777 to Madrid marks a new era of premium travel to the Spanish city – offering customers the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy service*, newly configured Business Class cabin, and a‘better’ travel experience to/from the country. Monika White, Emirates Country Manager in Spain, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Emirates’ retrofitted four-class Boeing 777 aircraft to Madrid – the first destination in Spain to receive the nose-to-tail refreshed aircraft. Spain has always been an integral part of the airline’s global network, and we look forward to showcasing the very best ‘fly better’ travel experiences to our customers.” Enhanced travel experience Emirates’ newest Boeing 777 cabin interiors will wow customers with its modern design details and signature cabin finishings, including: • A refurbished First-Class cabin with upgraded interiorsoffering unparalleled luxury. • New Business Class cabin that provides more privacy and comfort for customers with fully lie-flat seats in an updated 1-2-1 seating configuration. • Latest Premium Economy cabin which combines accessible luxury with comfort; offering cream leather seats, increased legroom, adjustable headrests, deeper seat recline and raised cushioned leg rests. • Spacious Economy Class seats with new design elements.

Abu Dhabi,25th July 2025: Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321LR (long range) at the Airbus Finkenwerder site, marking a transformational step towards airline’s fleet expansion strategy. The aircraft brings Etihad’s signature widebody experience to short and medium-haul routes, with premium cabins typically found only on long-haul flights. This is the first of 30 A321LR aircraft scheduled to join Etihad’s fleet. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Today marks an extraordinary moment for Etihad as we welcome an aircraft that changes everything we thought possible on a single-aisle plane. The A321LR enables us to serve more destinations with the same premium experience our guests expect across all cabins, perfectly embodying our commitment to delivering luxury at every altitude.” Redefining Narrowbody Travel The A321LR features a three-cabin configuration, including Etihad’s first-ever narrowbody First Suites – private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, fully-flat beds, and bespoke design touches normally reserved for long-haul widebody operations. Each window-facing First Suite features a large 20-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and additional space for a companion to sit. The aircraft’s 14-seat Business cabin features widebody-style seats in a 1-1 herringbone layout, ensuring every passenger has direct aisle access and window views. Each Business seat includes a 17.3-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing and wireless charging. In Economy, 144 thoughtfully designed seats offer generous space and comfort, providing an elevated experience for single-aisle travel. Passengers enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen displays, USB charging, and Bluetooth connectivity. These seatback screens bring premium content back to narrowbody travel with over a thousand hours of movies, shows and games. cabin features enlarged overhead bins providing significantly more luggage space than traditional narrowbody aircraft. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft Business, commented: “The delivery of Etihad’s first Airbus A321LR is a powerful symbol of innovation and partnership, strengthening the long-standing relationship between Airbus and the UAE. This aircraft sets a new standard for comfort in the single-aisle category and paves the way for increased connectivity as Etihad expands its operations from its Abu Dhabi hub.” Staying Connected Above the Clouds A standout feature of Etihad’s A321LR is its high-speed Wi-Fi powered by Viasat’s advanced technology delivering speeds of up to 100’s of Mbps. Passengers can enjoy seamless streaming, gaming and browsing throughout their journey, bringing ground-level connectivity to the skies. This gate-to-gate connectivity, where permitted, ensures guests remain productive and entertained whether flying for business or leisure. Wi-Fi service on Asian routes is being progressively rolled out and will be available from September 2025. Expanding Horizons The A321LR supports Etihad’s extraordinary expansion momentum, with the airline having launched or announced 27 new routes in a single year as part of its ambitious growth strategy. The aircraft will enter commercial service on 1 August 2025, initially operating between Abu Dhabi and Phuket before serving destinations including Algiers, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Krakow, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Tunis and Zurich. The A321LR delivery supports Etihad’s Journey 2030 vision, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global aviation hub. Additional nine A321LR aircraft will be delivered throughout 2025, supporting Etihad’s ambitious growth plans as the airline works towards carrying 38 million passengers annually by 2030.

Hindon, 20th July 2025: On Sunday, 20th July 2025, Delhi-NCRs second operational Airport at Hindon in Ghaziabad got nine new connections to different cities of India by IndiGo. The Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu officially launched the new flight routes of IndiGo from Hindon in the presence of various ministry and AAI officials alongwith IndiGo team. With the start of these new flights, IndiGo becomes the second airline, after Air India, to mark its presence in Hindon Airport.The Air India Express started its operations four months ago from this airport, which is primarily a defence turned civilian airport. Hindon Airport in NCR will now be connected to nine Indian cities—Bengaluru, Kolkata, Varanasi, Goa, Patna, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Indore—through IndiGo services. “This is an (Udan) success of, Hindon, Ghaziabad, western Uttar Pradesh, and entire country,this is an Udan of the ambitions and aspirations of common Indians,” the civil aviation minister said while addressing the media. He further added,” Airlines fleet, airports, terminal capacity, and flyers have doubled in India over the past decade.During 2024-2034, civil aviation in tier II and III cities will grow and we will have to unlock the potential. Hindon will serve as an example.” The nine airports to be connected by IndiGo are :Bengaluru, Kolkata, Varanasi, Goa, Patna, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Indore.At per the MoCA,the annual flyers from Hindon Airport was about 8,000 in 2019, which has risen to upwards of 80,000 now.

Montreal/Rome, 18th July 2025: Air Canada and ITA Airways has announced signing of a new codeshare agreement that provides customers more convenient travel options when flying between Canada and Italy, and beyond. “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with ITA Airways through our new codeshare agreement that complements our robust network to Italy. This deepening of ties will allow customers travelling on Air Canada to Rome-Fiumicino to conveniently book and seamlessly connect to ten popular destinations across Italy, Africa, Israel and Albania. Likewise, ITA Airways customers arriving in Toronto will benefit from access to 10 key Canadian and U.S. cities across our network,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada. “With work underway to facilitate ITA Airways’ entry into Star Alliance, we are developing significant partnership synergies. This will form the foundation for a strong, long-term relationship between our two flag-carrying airlines.” “The codeshare agreement with Air Canada is a great step forward for our growth strategy,” said Joerg Eberhart, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of ITA Airways. “This partnership improves connectivity for our passengers traveling between Italy and North America, our first market beyond Italy, serving both leisure and business travelers. Moreover, it enables us to offer seamless connections for passengers of Italian origin residing in Canada and the United States, facilitating their journeys to Italy and beyond, while providing them the opportunity to fully experience the excellence of Made in Italy — a heritage that ITA Airways proudly represents as an ambassador worldwide.” Under the agreement, Air Canada will place its AC code on select routes operated by ITA Airways from Rome-Fiumicino. These include five popular destinations in Italy: Lamezia Terme, Palermo, Catania, Florence and Bari; three points in Africa, including Cairo, and Tunis and Algiers; as well as Tirana and Tel Aviv (the latter temporarily suspended). ITA Airways will place its AZ code on selected routes operated by Air Canada from Toronto Pearson, these include: Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and St. John’s; and selected services from Canada to the United States: Boston, Orlando, Dallas, and Fort Lauderdale.