Civil Aviation

15th April-2025, Goa: Effective April 15, 2025,Air India Express has launched operations from Manohar International Airport (GOX) in North Goa, complementing its existing services at Goa International Airport (GOI). With operations now from both airports, the airline will operate over 115 weekly flights from Goa—including 75 from GOI and over 40 from GOX. Air India Express launched new services connecting North Goa with Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Indore, further strengthening domestic connectivity to the region. The airline now operates twice-daily flights to Delhi, daily flights to Bengaluru and Indore, and flights to Chennai on all days except Wednesdays. Services on the Hyderabad–North Goa route will commence on May 3, 2025. Expanding its international footprint from North Goa, Air India Express will also launch direct flights to Kuwait starting May 3, followed by services to Abu Dhabi from May 5, 2025. Air India Express currently operates over 75 weekly flights from Goa International Airport (GOI), connecting key domestic destinations, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hindon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Surat.

Abu Dhabi, 14th April 2025: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates,added its sixth A350 to its growing fleet.The state-of-the-art aircraft arrived this weekend following a successful delivery flight from Toulouse, France, further strengthening Etihad’s position as one of the airlines with the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the sky. The A350 is a favourite with guests, boasting an unparalleled flying experience with award-winning Business Class, featuring privacy-focused sliding doors, wireless charging, and cutting-edge inflight entertainment systems, while Economy Class offers ergonomic seating, device holders, and Bluetooth connectivity with inflight entertainment. Renowned for its sustainability, the A350 stands out as one of the most efficient wide-body jets, with 25 per cent lower CO2 emissions and a 50 per cent smaller noise footprint compared to earlier-generation aircraft. The long-range of the A350-1000 makes it a versatile aircraft for Etihad’s fleet. This summer, Etihad will begin operating the A350 to Atlanta, its newest and sixth gateway into North America and one of 16 new routes Etihad is launching this year.

Atlanta,USA, 9th April 2025: Satair, an Airbus Services company, and HAECO Group, aircraft engineering and maintenance service providers, have announced the signing of a new strategic supply agreement at MRO Americas 2025 in Atlanta. This agreement focuses on the supply of expendables for all operating companies under the HAECO Group, providing a unified approach to material management across the organization. The partnership is designed to create a streamlined and reliable supply chain, giving HAECO consistent access to expendable materials that align with its operational requirements. This agreement will also reduce administration and material management costs while mitigating Aircraft on Ground (AOG) risks, ultimately fostering greater operational efficiency. Paul Lochab, Chief Commercial Officer of Satair, commented, “We are excited to strengthen our relationship with HAECO Group and continue supporting them as a reliable partner in their global supply chain and material management operations.” “We are pleased to extend our partnership with Satair, who has proven to be a dependable and valued partner over the years. This agreement not only aligns with our strategic goals to optimize material management but also enhances our ability to deliver superior service to our customers by ensuring they receive timely and reliable support,” said Christian Pinter, General Manager of Group Procurement at HAECO. This agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening the supply chain and material management capabilities of both companies, benefiting the aviation industry and enhancing operational readiness in the region.

Delhi, 8th April 2025: Cathay has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, reflecting steady progress in its sustainability journey and reaffirming its commitment to long-term sustainable development. As the Cathay Group moves into its next phase of growth, sustainability remains a key priority. Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam said: “Having successfully completed our two-year rebuilding journey, we have now set our sights on growth and development, where sustainability remains an area where we aspire to lead and is at the forefront of our path forward. “Our environmental focus continues to be on climate change and a circular economy. As a pioneer and early adopter of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF),we continue to work towards fostering a local SAF ecosystem and expanding SAF usage globally, while acknowledging the challenges and opportunities ahead. We are also embracing the shift towards responsible use of resources by continuously reducing our reliance on single-use plastics (SUP) and exploring packaging alternatives. Beyond our environmental efforts, we remain committed to our deep roots in Hong Kong,enriching our communities through youth, sports, and arts initiatives while setting our sights on future growth by attracting, developing and retaining a strong pipeline of global talent.” Key highlights from the 2024 report include: • Fostering a local SAF ecosystem with the Group’s record global SAF usage:Cathay launched a landmark tripartite SAF partnership with HSBC Hong Kong and EcoCeres, enabling SAF usage from Hong Kong International Airport while demonstrating the potential of fostering an SAF system in Hong Kong. It also co-initiated the Hong Kong Sustainable AviationFuel Coalition (HKSAFC), a multi-stakeholder group, to drive SAF policy development and adoption in Hong Kong. Globally, Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programmerecordeda 22-fold increase in SAF usage compared to its launch in 2022. • Advancing a circular economy: Cathay Pacific reduced its passenger-facing SUP items to an average of 2.6 pieces and set two new secondary SUP targets for 2025: increasing inflight recycling of water bottles to 33% and ensuring at least 50% of the remaining passenger-facing SUP items are made with recycled plastics. Working towards its goals, CathayPacific introduced a first-of-its-kind workflow for recycling plastic bottles and cans at Hong Kong International Airport. • Nurturing the Hong Kong community: 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of Cathay’s flagship youth development programme, I Can Fly, with its return after a five-year hiatus, expanding the initiative to include an exchange tour in the wider Greater Bay Area.

Riyadh, April 7,2025: AviLease, the global aircraft lessor headquartered in Saudi Arabia,today announced that it has signed strategic agreements with Turkish Airlines for long-term leases of eight Airbus A320neo aircraft. Two of the aircraft have already been delivered, with the remaining six scheduled for delivery throughout 2025. AviLease’s Chief Executive Officer, Edward O’Byrne, commented: “We thank the Turkish Airlines team for their partnership, and we are delighted to further strengthen our relationship. These aircraft will support Turkish Airlines’ growth plans while contributing to their fleet modernisation strategy and sustainability goals.” As of today, AviLease’s portfolio consists of 200 owned and managed aircraft, including purchase commitments, on lease to 48 airlines.

New Delhi, 15th March 2025: Vietnam Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad to Hanoi, further expanding its footprint in the rapidly growing Indian market. Starting May 2025, the airline will operate four weekly flights from Bengaluru (BLR) and three weekly flights from Hyderabad (HYD) to Hanoi, using its modern Airbus A321 aircraft. With the addition of Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Vietnam Airlines will now operate from four major Indian cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, further solidifying its presence in the region. Passengers traveling on the new routes can expect a premium flying experience onboard the Airbus A321, featuring comfortable seating, modern cabin interiors, curated Indian meal options, and Vietnam Airlines’ renowned hospitality. These flights will also provide seamless connectivity from India to popular destinations across Japan, Korea, China, Australia, and ASEAN countries, making travel more convenient for Indian passengers. Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager India, Vietnam Airlines, expressed his excitement about the expansion, stating, “India is an extremely important market for Vietnam Airlines and South India has witnessed a surge in demand for travel to Vietnam. We are excited to cater to this growing segment with the launch of direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad. We are reinforcing our commitment to providing world-class service and seamless connectivity for passengers from all parts of India.’’ This strategic expansion marks a major milestone in strengthening air connectivity between India and Vietnam, offering seamless access to one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic travel destinations. It also reinforces Vietnam Airlines’ commitment to serving the increasing demand for business and leisure travel between the two countries. Adding to this, Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director, Aeroprime Group (India GSA, Vietnam Airlines), said, “The expansion into Bengaluru and Hyderabad is a game-changer for Vietnam Airlines in India. These new routes will make travel more convenient for business and leisure travelers alike while offering an enhanced flying experience onboard with world-famous Vietnamese hospitality.” According to Google Trends, Vietnam was the most searched international destination by Indian travelers in 2023. With the introduction of direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Vietnam Airlines aims to further strengthen this travel trend and offer unparalleled convenience to Indian passengers.

Samarkand,March 7th, 2025:. Kazakh airline QAZAQ AIR has announced the resumption of regular flights on the Turkistan-Samarkand route, effective from May 1, 2025.The services will be operated twice a week according to the following schedule (all local times): Thursdays: • Departure from Turkistan at 19:10, arrival in Samarkand at 20:00. • Departure from Samarkand at 21:00, arrival in Turkistan at 21:50. Sundays: • Departure from Turkistan at 10:10, arrival in Samarkand at 11:00. • Departure from Samarkand at 12:00, arrival in Turkistan at 13:00. The route also provides convenient connecting flights with QAZAQ AIR to Astana, with onward connecting flights departing from Turkistan for the capital of Kazakhstan in as little as 40 minutes. The news came soon after Samarkand International Airport announced a further expansion of its direct route network with services to Baku and Krasnoyarsk. Azerbaijan Airlines it to operate two flights a week to the Azerbaijan capital of Baku on Wednesdays and Sundays, while Ural Airlines is to introduce direct flights to Krasnoyarsk, the largest economic, educational and cultural center of the East Siberian Federal District every Tuesday. Both services commence on 1st April. Ulugbek Shamsikulov, CEO of Air Marakanda, the airport management company for Samarkand airport, said, “The resumption of services between Samarkand and Turkistan, provides an important link between two spiritual and historical centers. This route also strengthens the commercial and business links between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.” Samarkand International Airport was named the fastest growing airport in Europe and Central Asia by the Airports Council International (ACI), with 1.38 million passengers passing through the ultra-modern terminal. This equated to growth of 36.6% compared with 2023 when Samarkand surpassed the one-million passenger mark for the first time. In 2024 ACI figures showed that Samarkand grew twice as quickly as the next fastest growing airport in the Europe/Central Asia region. Added Mr Shamsikulov,“Overseas visitors to Samarkand can enjoy the modern tourism infrastructure that has been carefully curated to help showcase the historic treasures that are housed in one of the world’s oldest cities. An increasing number of tourists are recognizing the treasures in Samarkand and our neighboring areas of Urumqi, Xi’an, Baku, Mineralnye Vody, Sochi and Izmir, locations that offer such rich historical heritage.”

Delhi, 1st March 2025: Akasa Air has commenced daily direct flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Bengaluru and Ahmedabad under codeshare with Etihad Airways, propelling travel momentum between India and UAE. The maiden flight from Bengaluru on 1st March 2025 departed Kempegowda International Airport at 1000hrs IST arriving at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi at 1235hrs AST. The maiden flight from Ahmedabad will depart Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 2245hrs IST arriving at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi at 0100hrs AST on 2nd March 2025. The new routes complement Akasa Air’s daily service between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, which was inaugurated in July 2024. With this expansion, Akasa Air now operates 21 weekly flights connecting Abu Dhabi with three major Indian cities. This also marks the airline’s first international route from Bengaluru while further strengthening its international connectivity from Ahmedabad. In an event held at Kempegowda International Airport to flag off the maiden flight, a ceremonial lamp was lit in the presence of members of Akasa Air’s Executive Committee. To commemorate the occasion, a special boarding pass was presented to the first passenger on the inaugural flight. Neelu Khatri Co-Founder and SVP International, Akasa Air, said “We are thrilled to launch this new international route operated with a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, which strengthens our presence in UAE, one of the most crucial international aviation corridors. This partnership unlocks new travel possibilities for our customers, supporting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two countries. With the choice to access an array of global destinations under a single, seamless itinerary, our passengers will benefit from both airlines’ shared commitment to service excellence, accessibility and convenience. The launch of this service also marks the commencement of Akasa’s international operations from Bengaluru and further expands our international connectivity from Ahmedabad.” “This is yet another step in Akasa’s ongoing mission to deliver a world-class flying experience with holistic connectivity, and we look forward to hosting travellers from across the globe on board”, Khatri added.

Abu Dhabi,19th Feb 2025: Etihad Airways announced its results for the full year 2024, recording strong performance across all key metrics with a AED 1.7 billion (U.S.$ 476 million) profit after tax driven by AED 20.8 billion (U.S.$ 5.7 billion) passenger revenue and AED 4.2 billion (U.S.$ 1.1 billion) Cargo revenue, alongside significant operational efficiency improvements. The airline carried 18.5 million passengers last year, a 32 per cent increase from the previous year, reflecting strong and sustained demand across its expanding network. This growth was supported by a 28 per cent year-on-year increase in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) and an improved passenger load factor, which reached 87 per cent in FY24, compared to 86 per cent in 2023. Total revenue saw a remarkable year-on-year increase of 25 per cent to AED 25.3 billion (U.S.$ 6.9 billion). This growth was driven by a robust performance in both passenger and cargo business. Passenger revenue increased by AED 4.2 billion (U.S.$ 1.1 billion), or 25 per cent compared to 2023, reflecting an enhanced network and increased capacity. Cargo revenue rose by 24 per cent compared to last year, fuelled by increased capacity and volume (12 per cent increase in cargo leg tonnes carried), alongside improved yields in the second half of the year. In 2024, the airline expanded its operations to over 1,700 weekly flights and increased frequencies on 25 routes over the past two years. It also launched more than 20 new destinations, such as Boston, Jaipur, Bali, and Nairobi, alongside summer hotspots like Antalya, Nice, and Santorini, with over 10 of these cities set to begin operations in 2025. The airline’s operating fleet continued to expand with the addition of 12 aircraft, including the introduction of a new fleet-type, with six A320 NEOs, and the re-entry into service of its fifth A380. Etihad now operates the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet in the region, supporting its ESG strategy to minimise carbon emissions while enhancing its service offerings. The airline invested in customer experience enhancements, driving a significant NPS increase, reflecting higher operational and service satisfaction. In 2024, the airline approved a AED 3 billion retrofit program—its largest-ever—which, once underway, is expected to further elevate cabin comfort, inflight experience, and NPS. Etihad also introduced a dedicated premium call centre, delivering faster and more personalised service for premium travellers, leveraging AI to boost productivity. Over 200 enhancements were made to the website and app to further improve the guest experience. Additionally, the airline’s loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, reached a milestone of 10 million members. Recognising these achievements, Etihad received multiple industry awards from bodies such as World Travel Awards and Business Traveller Awards, including Best Cabin Crew, Best Customer Experience, Best Economy Class, and Best First Class Lounge. It was also named Environmental Airline of the Year by AirlineRatings.com in 2024 for the third consecutive year. Etihad’s team grew to over 11,000 employees, with more than 2,000 new hires and over 1,500 promotions. UAE National Talent initiatives progressed, with over 70 Emirati cadet pilots graduating and more than 3,000 applications received for the latest cadet programme. UAE Nationals now represent 20 per cent of the workforce, underscoring Etihad’s support for the UAE talent strategy and its role in developing future aviation professionals. His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Airways, said: “We extend our gratitude to our guests and the dedicated Etihad family for allowing us to realise our ambitions and consistently delivering the reliable, best-in-class service that defines our operations. The unwavering commitment of our team has strengthened our airline, boosting efficiency while consistently improving our exceptional customer experience. “As we expand our network and enhance our offerings, we remain focused on connecting more people with Abu Dhabi and supporting the Emirate’s tourism ambitions, fulfilling our vision to be the airline that everyone wants to fly.” Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “These results are testament to the dedication of our people who have worked together for a purpose, delivering our strategy. Their efforts have driven improvements in customer satisfaction measured across all cabin classes and numerous other touchpoints. Equally they have delivered sustainable, profitable growth while maintaining disciplined efficiency and a steadfast commitment to safety. “Looking ahead, I am confident we will continue to be a financially strong airline delivering extraordinary customer experiences, fulfilling our shareholder’s mandate, and contributing to the long-term prosperity and success of the UAE.” Throughout 2024, Etihad strengthened profitability and expanded margins through an optimised fleet and network, improved efficiency, and a continued focus on productivity. The airline continued to strengthen its network through 126 interline, codeshare, and strategic partnerships, including a landmark partnership with China Eastern, the first of its kind between a Middle Eastern and Chinese airline, and a strategic partnership with SF Airlines to boost logistics capacity and network reach. Etihad had further increased operational efficiency, with CASK and CASK ex-fuel decreasing by 3 per cent and 4 per cent respectively. Increased efficiency is also evident in costs related to central functions, which grew much lower than capacity. Strong top-line performance and continued improvements in unit costs drove a remarkable operating result, with EBITDA reaching AED 4.7 billion (U.S.$ 1.3 billion), a 32 per cent year-on-year increase. Profit after tax for FY24 more than tripled year-on-year, driven by strong momentum in the passenger business, a robust recovery in Etihad’s cargo operations, and a significant reduction in net finance costs – down by almost AED 1 billion, or 80 per cent year-on-year – reflecting continuous balance sheet deleveraging supported by strong cash generation. Recognising Etihad’s strong improvement, credit rating agency Fitch upgraded Etihad’s rating to A+ in July 2024, citing its materially stronger standalone credit profile. Key 2024 highlights at a glance: • Total revenue saw a significant increase, reaching AED 25.3 billion (U.S.$ 6.9 billion), a 25 per cent uplift from the previous year. • Passenger revenue grew by almost AED 4.2 billion (U.S.$ 1.1 billion), reflecting an enhanced network, increased capacity and volumes. • Cargo revenue rose

Astana, 18th Feb 2025: Air Astana will launch direct flights from Atyrau in Westen Kazakhstan to Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi on 27th May 2025, with the service operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays using Airbus family aircraft. The airline already offers scheduled flights from Atyrau to Istanbul, Dubai and Amsterdam. With a flying time of 1 hour 50 mins between Atyrau and Tbilisi, flight KC125 will depart Atyrau at 08:00 and arrive in Tbilisi at 08:50, with the return flight, KC126 departing Tbilisi and arriving in Atyrau at 12:40. All time local. Round-trip fares, inclusive of all taxes and fees, start from US$213 in Economy Class and from US$587 in Business Class. Tickets are available for purchase on the airline’s website or through authorised travel agencies. The launch of the new route will bring the summer schedule frequency to Tbilisi up to 15 weekly flights, with departures from three cities in Kazakhstan: nine flights per week from Almaty and three weekly flights each from Astana and Atyrau. Kazakhstan citizens can stay in Georgia visa-free for up to one year. Air Astana continues to enhance international connectivity from other regional cities, including scheduled flights from Shymkent to Jeddah and Medina, and charter flights to Doha.