Civil Aviation

Gurugram, May 28, 2025: Air India has unveiled a new campaign,‘There is an Air About India’, a tribute to the new India that is bold, joyous, confident, and resoundingly vibrant.The campaign, which includes an OOH segment, print ads and a stunning digital film, captures the essence of a nation on the rise that Air India is proud to carry around the world. Conceptualised and produced in partnership with creative agency McCann, the digital film’s centrepiece is the rap-style soundtrack composed by renowned music director Sneha Khanwalkar, with vocals by emerging rap artist Aarya Jadhao. The film blends rhythmic storytelling, sharp transitions, and stunning visuals — capturing the soul of India, from bustling metros to remote heartlands. Each beat and verse weaves together the diverse cultural fabric of India — its colours, cuisines, communities, and ambitions. From traditional performances and spiritual motifs to modern skylines and global aspirations, the narrative culminates in a powerful refrain “There is an Air about India”and that Air India is proud to carry it around the world. After its return to the Tata group in 2022, Air India is in the middle of a five-year transformation– Vihaan.AI – to evolve into a world-class global airline that matches the aspirations of new India. India is one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world where the number of airports has doubled in the last decade and over 350 million passengers took to the skies last year. Air India is building a world-class airline that reflects the warmth, ambition, and spirit of India. For this, the airline has ordered 570 new aircraft, is undergoing a $400 million retrofit program for its legacy fleet and as part of building the Indian aviation ecosystem, it has set up South Asia’s largest aviation training academy and is setting up a state-of-the-art MRO facility and flying school. Air India is proud to be driving this transformation in Indian aviation. Link to the digital film: https://youtu.be/dXMsB_bY2Os?si=UdXFeP8UXJcqjiGS

Mumbai, May 19, 2025: Vietnam’s leading new-age airline Vietjet and Boeing have announced an agreement to transfer up to 50 Boeing 737 aircraft to Vietjet Thailand—marking a strategic initiative to strengthen aviation and tourism connectivity between Thailand, Vietnam, as well as other countries in the region. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during the latter’s first official visit to Vietnam. Under the agreement, Vietjet will allocate 50 aircraft from its existing order of 200 Boeing 737s to Vietjet Thailand. The first deliveries are scheduled for October 2025. This move will significantly expand Vietjet Thailand’s domestic and international flight network, particularly enhancing connections between Vietnam and Thailand. “We are pleased to partner with Vietjet and Vietjet Thailand to expand Boeing 737 operations in Vietnam and Thailand,” said Penny Burtt, President of Boeing Southeast Asia. “Together, we aim to connect communities and drive economic development, paving the way for a prosperous future in Vietnam and the dynamic growth region that is Southeast Asia.” Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of Vietjet, stated at the event: “The transfer of 50 modern and efficient Boeing 737-8 aircraft to Vietjet Thailand demonstrates our long-term commitment to sustainable aviation development in the region. We are determined to implement the ‘Three Connects’ Strategy between the two countries – encompassing supply chains, businesses, and localities.” As part of the agreement, Boeing will also provide Vietjet Thailand with comprehensive technical support, including pilot, maintenance and engineer training, and product services—ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the new fleet in Thailand. This new agreement marks a new milestone in the robust and effective cooperation between Vietnamese, Thai, and U.S. enterprises, with shared priorities in digital transformation, sustainable development, and narrowing development gaps among member states. Vietjet currently operates 10 India-Vietnam routes, offering a total of 78 flights per week—making it the airline with the most extensive flight network between the two countries. These routes connect New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru with Vietnam’s key destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.

Abu Dhabi,16th May 2025: Etihad Airways is further expanding its fleet with confirming an order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft. Since 2023, the airline has steadily grown its fleet as part of a long-term strategy to double in size by 2030. This reflects Etihad’s ongoing approach to aligning its fleet with evolving network and operational needs. The agreement includes a mix of Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft, powered by GE engines and supported by a services package. These aircraft are expected to join the fleet from 2028 onwards and will support Etihad’s existing plans for growth in connectivity, operational efficiency, and guest experience. “This commitment reflects our approach of carefully managing our fleet and expanding in line with demand and our long-term network plans,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways. “Since 2023, we’ve made consistent additions to our fleet, and this latest step ensures we continue to meet our future requirements.” Etihad is currently finalising a detailed plan that will shape the airline’s strategy through to 2035. The additional Boeing aircraft will form part of that evolving roadmap, ensuring the airline is well positioned to deliver extraordinary customer experiences and to remain financially self sustainable. “This addition reflects Abu Dhabi’s ongoing investment in aviation as a key enabler of connectivity, tourism, and trade,” said Neves. “Etihad’s continued growth supports broader economic opportunity in the UAE and beyond.”

Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 5th May 2025: Uzbek carrier Air Samarkand has operated its latest international scheduled service, to the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv, and announced a doubling of weekly capacity from July to meet surging customer demand. The new weekly service operated for a first time on Sunday with a modern Air Samarkand Airbus A330 aircraft and will continue every Sunday. The first flight departed from Samarkand in Uzbekistan on schedule at 06:00 am and arrived in Tel Aviv five and a half hours later, at 09:25 am local time. The return service departed from Tel Aviv at 11:20 am, arriving back in the historic city of Samarkand at 18:40 pm local time. Given high levels of passenger demand, Air Samarkand used the inaugural service to announce a doubling of route capacity starting from July, with a second return to be operated on every Thursday. Services will be operated by Airbus 330 (with 313 seats) or Airbus A321 (194 seats) aircraft according to load factors. “The opening of regular flights to Tel Aviv represents an important step in the development of ties between Uzbekistan and Israel,” said Zafar Butayev, CEO of Air Samarkand. “We are seeing steady interest in this route from tourist, pilgrim and business travellers, and are delighted to confirm a second service starting from July. This will meet growing demand for a convenient and competitive direct service that links our two culturally rich cities and represents another important step forward in the expansion of the Air Samarkand route network,” he said. These latest developments coincide with recent initiatives to strengthen the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Israel across trade, migration, and other social and economic spheres. Tel Aviv is the latest part of Air Samarkand’s strategy to expand its international route network. In 2025, the airline plans to increase the frequency of services to key destinations and add new international city destinations. It continues to develop its fleet by investing in modern aircraft and improving customer service to strengthen its position in the Central Asian market. In 2024 Air Samarkand began its first scheduled services in March to the Turkish capital of Istanbul, and subsequently opened destinations to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the UAE, the religious Saudi cities of Jeddah and Medina, the tourism hot-spots of Nha Trang and Phú Quốc in Vietnam, and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt from both Samarkand and Tashkent.

Delhi, 2nd May 2025: Air India and Air India Express have announced the appointment of dnata as their General Sales Agent (GSA) and Representative Agency (RA), respectively, in the UAE. The agreement was formally signed at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. Under this partnership, dnata will provide comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution support to both carriers across the UAE, excluding Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for Air India. This localised approach will improve accessibility for travellers and trade partners while supporting the Air India group’s broader growth plans in the region. Air India operates 82x weekly flights from the UAE to India, while Air India Express connects five cities—Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah—with over 240x weekly flights from the UAE. The UAE represents the single-largest international market for Air India Express and remains one of the most significant global markets, serving millions of Indian expatriates and other travellers. Kaizad Postwalla, Head of International Sales – GMEA & North America, Air India, said, “The UAE is a key market in our international network. We are pleased to partner with dnata, whose deep understanding of the region and proven track record in travel services will help us better connect with customers, drive demand, and enhance service delivery in the market.” Dr. Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, added, “Our collaboration with dnata marks another step in expanding our commercial presence in the region. As our network and fleet grow, this partnership will help us stay closer to our customers and offer them even more reliable and seamless travel options to and from India.” Simon Woodford, Vice President Global Air Services at dnata Travel Group, commented, “Air India group is offerig increasingly accessible and affordable options for leisure and business travel between the UAE and India. We represented Air India in Dubai for passenger sales for almost 50 years between 1967 and 2014 and are delighted to now be appointed by the Air India group, as its operations continue to grow and support millions of travellers.” With a growing network of 45 domestic and 43 international destinations served by Air India, and 38 domestic and 17 international destinations by Air India Express, the Air India group continues to invest in partnerships and service enhancements that bring India closer to the world.

Mumbai, 1st May 2025: AirAsia has introduced a new Auto Visa Check (AVC) feature on the AirAsia MOVE app and airasia.com, enabling seamless online check-in for international routes that require a visa and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This innovation is part of the airline’s efforts to simplify the journey for its guests across the region by avoiding wait times and easing congestion at airport check-in counters. Until now, travellers flying to countries with visa requirements were required to check in or re-check in at the airport for manual visa verification. With this innovative AVC feature, guests can verify their visa in real time during online check in, up to 14 days and until one (1) hour before scheduled departure time, from the comfort of their home or while on the go. How to use AVC for seamless check-in: 1. Launch the AirAsia MOVE app or visit airasia.com 2. Select your flight to check in 3. When prompted, scan the sticker visa on your passport or upload the e-visa 4. Get your e-boarding pass once your visa is verified 5. If not*, head to the check-in counter for a manual document check For guests travelling with hand-carry luggage only, they may proceed directly to the boarding gate using their e-boarding pass (where applicable) or reprint their boarding pass at the self-service kiosk if needed. Guests with checked baggage may print their bag tags at the kiosk and drop their bags at the designated baggage drop counter.

Mumbai, April 30th, 2025: Vietnam Airlines has launched the upgraded wide-body operations on the Mumbai-Hanoi route and will now operate four weekly flights using Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 aircraft.The inaugural wide-body flight departed from CSMIA Mumbai amidst much fanfare and celebrations among the dignitaries, airport officials, and representatives from Vietnam Airlines and its India GSA, Aeroprime Group. Speaking at the launch event, Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager India at Vietnam Airlines, said, “We are thrilled to begin this exciting new chapter in our India operations. Upgrading to wide-body aircraft on the Mumbai-Hanoi route underscores our dedication to delivering unparalleled comfort and convenience to Indian travelers. We look forward to welcoming more passengers onboard and strengthening the vital air bridge between India and Vietnam.” This upgrade is a strong testament to Vietnam Airlines’ growing commitment to the Indian market, providing travelers with best-in-class amenities such as spacious full-flat beds in business class, in-flight entertainment across all classes, gourmet meal options including specially curated Indian cuisine, and world-class Vietnamese hospitality. Adding to this, Abhishek Goyal, CEO & Executive Director of Aeroprime Group, commented, “Vietnam has rapidly emerged as a preferred destination for Indian travelers, and with this upgrade, Vietnam Airlines is perfectly positioned to meet the growing demand, enhancing connectivity between India and Vietnam and setting a new benchmark for travel experience in this sector.” Vietnam Airlines currently operates 14 flights weekly from Delhi and Mumbai to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and with the introduction of wide-body aircraft on the Mumbai-Hanoi sector, the airlines has positioned itself as the preferred carrier for travel between India and Vietnam. Additionally, Vietnam Airlines has announced the commencement of direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad, beginning in May.

Abu Dhabi, 28th April 2025: Etihad Airways is setting a new standard for single-aisle flying with the debut of its all-new Airbus A321LR, delivering wide-body comfort on short and medium-haul routes. Etihad’s A321LR represents a leap forward in guest experience and innovation, bringing Etihad’s signature luxury and a true First class experience to narrowbody flying. “The A321LR is an amazing aircraft which proves our commitment to luxury, customer experience, and connectivity,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. “With our new First Suites, 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct-aisle access, and upgraded Economy, we’ve taken the luxury experience which we are famed for on our widebody fleet and adapted it to offer guests the same experience in a single-aisle aircraft – all while keeping them seamlessly connected with superfast, streaming Wi-Fi throughout the journey. More broadly, the A321LR marks a transformational moment for Etihad as we accelerate toward our Journey 2030 vision: doubling our fleet size, tripling our passenger numbers, and opening 16 new destinations in 2025 alone.” An Extraordinary Experience inEvery Cabin Etihad’s A321LR introduces an all-new First Suite – a private,enclosed space with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, elevated dining, and bespoke design touches.With only two exclusive First suites on board, guests will enjoy an intimate, ultra-premium experience normally reserved for long-haul widebodies. This marks the first time Etihad brings the full widebody First experience to a narrowbody aircraft, redefining luxury on short and medium-haul routes. The new Business cabin features widebody-style seats, all forward facing with direct aisle access(1-1) in a herringbone layout with 14 fully-flat 78” beds. Each seat includes a 17.3” 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, and ample personal storage, ensuring a seamless, connected journey. In Economy, 144 thoughtfully designed seats offer up to 5” recline, enhanced ergonomics, and generous space. At 18.4” wide, it’s one of the widest Economy seats in the industry, providing wide-body comfort to the narrow-body aircraft. Every guest enjoys a 13.3” 4K touchscreen, USB charging, and access to Etihad’s next-generation entertainment system. Etihad’s aircraft are equipped with Viasat’s advanced, multi-orbit ready system, which is capable of speeds of up to 1 Gbps, and available from gate-to-gate where permitted.All guests have access to streaming, social media, surfing and gaming onboard, in addition to live television throughout the cabin. Expanding Horizons Etihad’s first A321LR enters service on 1 August 2025, with ten aircraft joining the fleet this year. The aircraft will fly from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to destinations including Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich.

Toulouse: April 24, 2025: Saudia Group announced a new aircraft deal with Airbus to enhance its fleet by adding up to 20 new wide-body A330neo aircraft, 10 of which are firm orders for flyadeal, the Group’s low-cost carrier. Renowned for its efficiency, long range, and exceptional versatility, the A330neo model aligns perfectly with the Group’s strategy to broaden its operational reach and introduce more destinations. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027, with the final aircraft arriving in 2029. The signing ceremony was held at the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, in the presence of H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, and Christian Scherer, CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business. The deal was signed by Saleh Eid, Vice President of Fleet Management at Saudia Group, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, stated: “Today’s deal marks a pivotal milestone in our ambitious strategy to modernize and expand our fleet. It builds on last year’s historic deal with Airbus for 105 aircraft. This step aligns with our national strategies under Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to connect 250 destinations and facilitate the travel of over 330 million travelers and 150 million tourists by 2030.” He added,“This deal supports Saudia Group’s plans to grow and improve its operations. It adds to the modernization of our fleet, improves aircraft maintenance, and makes our overall operations more efficient.” Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales for the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus, said: “Saudia Group’s A330neo order for flyadeal marks a key step in advancing the Kingdom’s aviation ambition to unlock long-haul markets and attract new customers. The A330neo’s proven versatility, new-generation efficiency, and excellent passenger experience will perfectly support Saudia Group’s strategic growth and solidify their position as a global aviation leader. We look forward to seeing this versatile champion fly in flyadeal colours.” Saudia Group currently operates a fleet of 194 aircraft, serving commercial aviation, cargo operations, and logistics services. The Group is set for significant expansion, with 191 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in the coming years. This expansion will further support national economic growth and contribute to key strategic initiatives and major events aimed at bringing the world to Saudi Arabia.

Mumbai, 24th April 2025: Air Astana has celebrated 20 years of connecting Kazakhstan and India with the launch of new three times a week service from Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, to Mumbai on 20th April 2025. During a reception in Mumbai marking the launch of the new service, Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana Group commented, “With the Indian economy growing strongly, Air Astana is delighted to launch services to Mumbai, a vibrant and flourishing metropolis driven by trade, finance and enterprise. Business and leisure travellers will now be able to experience the excellence of Air Astana’s in-services when flying between Kazakhstan’s and India’s most commercial cities.” Since entering the Indian market in 2004, the airline has steadily expanded its presence and currently operates nine weekly flights to Delhi from Almaty, with a regular increase in frequencies during the summer.