Civil Aviation

Bengaluru, 30th December 2025: Taking a significant leap in rotor wing sector, HAL while celebrating its 86 years of innovation and excellence has shaped the Indian aeronautical and defence industry with many first in both civil and military aviation. Today, the Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurated the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) DHRUV-NG, the next-generation civil helicopter, at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru. The indigenous helicopter was also showcased by HAL at the 2025 Aero India show in Bengaluru this year in February. The event witnessed presence of HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr DK Sunil. Ram Mohan Naidu shared on his social media handle, “Honoured to flag off a defining lift-off for India’s civil aviation ecosystem. The inaugural test flight of HAL’s Advanced Light Civil Helicopter ‘Dhruv NG’ marks a major Atmanirbharta milestone. A Made-in-India rotary-wing for civil and commercial operations is a proud testament to our indigenous engineering capability. It reflects India’s strength to design, develop and manufacture world-class helicopters.” He further added, “ Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, India has moved decisively from ‘Import Dependency’ to ‘Indigenous Reliability’.Dhruv with the indigenous Shakti engine reinforces our rise as a reliable global aviation manufacturing hub.” DHRUV-NG Capabilities As per the details shared by HAL, the DHRUV-NG is a 5.5-tonne light, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter designed to meet the diverse and demanding conditions of Indian terrain. The platform has been upgraded to cater to the stringent requirements of the global civil aviation market. The helicopter has been engineered with a focus on enhanced safety, performance, and passenger comfort, marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous rotary-wing capabilities. It is powered by twin Shakti 1H1C engines that deliver higher power ratings and allow internal maintenance within India. HAL stated that the DHRUV-NG features a civil-certified glass cockpit compliant with AS4 requirements and a modern avionics suite that provides superior situational awareness. Advanced vibration-control systems ensure a smooth ride, making it suitable for VIP transport and medical evacuation missions. With a maximum take-off weight of 5,500 kg and a top speed of 285 km/h, the helicopter can carry up to 14 passengers. The Dhruv Civil NG is positioned as a cost-effective, high-performance alternative to imported light twin-engine helicopters. HAL also offers a “One-Stop Solution” covering manufacturing, maintenance, and upgrades. Operational support is provided through integrated logistics models such as Power-By-Hour (PBH) and Performance-Based Logistics (PBL), aimed at ensuring high fleet serviceability.

* PACR operates round-the-clock, continuously monitoring aviation operations, says MoCA Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha * 13,000 grievances resolved through focused monitoring and expedited interventions since December 03, 2025 * PACR anchored in a clear vision to place passenger at centre of India’s civil aviation ecosystem New Delhi, 28 December 2025: India’s aviation sector has witnessed phenomenal growth over the past decade, particularly the last eleven years, leading to a sharp rise in passenger traffic and connectivity. While this expansion has brought significant success, it has also resulted in persistent challenges such as flight delays, refund-related grievances, baggage-related issues, congestion, long queues and inadequate passenger facilities at peak hours. These challenges underscored the need for a structured, coordinated and real-time response mechanism to address these passenger centric issues. Recognising these urgent needs, Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to establish a permanent, 24×7 Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR). The initiative is spearheaded by Secretary, MoCA, Samir Kumar Sinha, with the objective of institutionalising a unified, future-ready mechanism for passenger assistance and crisis response. The Secretary informed, the PACR functions as an integrated hub bringing together officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), airline operators and other key stakeholders under one roof at Udaan Bhawan, in New Delhi. “The PACR operates round-the-clock, continuously monitoring aviation operations, attending to passenger calls and coordinating real-time assistance and grievance resolution very efficiently and effectively,” he added. The AirSewa system has also been fully integrated into the PACR, enabling seamless handling of passenger grievances received through it. An omni-channel technology backbone converts passenger inputs into actionable cases, supported by data-driven dashboards that provide live visibility on grievance types, timelines and stakeholder actions. The physical presence of airline representatives within the Control Room allows immediate coordination and on-the-spot resolution of issues. The Secretary expressed satisfaction that as of now, more than 13,000 passenger grievances have been resolved through focused monitoring and expedited interventions at the PACR since December 03, 2025. In addition, over 500 call-based interventions have been undertaken to directly assist passengers during operational disruptions. Grievances related to flight delays, cancellations, refunds and baggage issues are prioritised and addressed in accordance with the provisions of the Passenger Charter. The PACR is anchored in a clear vision to place the passenger at the centre of India’s civil aviation ecosystem. It is guided by the principles of Passenger First, Collaborative Action, Stakeholder Convergence and a Future-Ready, technology-driven framework that enables real-time coordination, data-supported decision-making and scalable operations for sustained improvement in passenger assistance. Samir Kumar Sinha personally visits the PACR on a daily basis to review operations and ensure the speedy redressal of passenger grievances. The leadership and support of the Chairman, Airports Authority of India; Joint Director General, DGCA; Deputy Director General, MoCA and other senior officials of the Ministry have been instrumental in ensuring its effective functioning. The marked improvement in the speed, transparency and effectiveness of grievance redressal has received positive feedback from air passengers and stakeholders alike. The Secretary said, “The Ministry of Civil Aviation reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthen the PACR by providing dedicated manpower, enhanced technological support and improved logistical facilities, ensuring that the system continues to serve passengers with empathy, efficiency and accountability at all times.” (Courtesy: PIB/MoCA)

Bahrain, 22 December, 2025: Gulf Air is expanding its partnership with MedAire, an International SOS company to further strengthen passenger and crew safety and well-being. As part of this expansion, Gulf Air is integrating new medical support services within its existing aviation security platform to support its continued international growth, adding four MedAire medical solutions: MedLink for in-flight medical emergencies, Passenger Fit-to-Fly screening, the Inflight App for real-time medical data collection, and Crew Support for layover assistance—significantly enhancing the medical resources available to Gulf Air’s teams. Gulf Air Chief Operations Officer Captain Qassim AlBastaki said:“This expanded agreement is a strategic step in reinforcing Gulf Air’s safety and wellbeing framework, ensuring passengers and crew benefit from 24/7 expert medical and security support as we continue to grow our international network. As we add more long-haul routes, immediate access to medical guidance becomes essential for safeguarding the well-being of our passengers and staff. This integrated approach reflects our commitment to safety and wellbeing across the 50 destinations we serve.” MedAire Business Development Director, Middle East & Asia, Reely Rajan said,“Gulf Air’s decision to extend our collaboration underscores their commitment to the highest standards of health and safety as they expand globally. By integrating MedAire’s medical expertise with Gulf Air’s established aviation security services, the airline benefits from a unified platform of support, from pre-flight assessments and in-flight emergencies to crew wellbeing worldwide.” Gulf Air flies to more than 50 destinations across 28 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, Indian Subcontinent and America from its hub at Bahrain International Airport. Gulf Air is also expanding its network with a return to America after nearly 30 years, supported by flights between Bahrain and New York JFK operating three times a week. This marks an important step in the airline’s wider international growth.

Delhi, 16-December-2025: Strengthening connectivity between Thailand and Uttar Pradesh, Air India Express has announced weekly flights between Varanasi and Bangkok starting February 1, 2026. The new service will offer travellers from Varanasi convenient non-stop connectivity to one of Asia’s most popular leisure destinations. Similarly, it will provide convenient options for tourists from Thailand to visit Varanasi, Sarnath, and other major attractions on the Buddhist circuit. Speaking on the announcement, Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, “The introduction of this non-stop service to Bangkok provides seamless access to one of India’s most sought-after international destinations. It aligns with our strategic focus on enhancing direct international connectivity from the nation’s rapidly growing non-metro and Tier-II cities. For inbound travellers, the service strengthens access to Varanasi – one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities and widely regarded as India’s spiritual capital – while further developing the Buddhist travel circuit for visitors from Thailand. This new connection reflects our credo of expanding the network with meaningful connections, supporting our commitment to deliver greater convenience and value to our guests.” This launch will further build on Air India Express’ presence in Thailand. The airline currently connects Bangkok with Bengaluru, Lucknow, Pune, and Surat, and operates direct flights between Hyderabad and Phuket.

New Delhi, 11th December 2025: Air India today announced a new, unilateral interline partnership with Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA).This interline partnership with Scoot will further strengthen Air India reach across Southeast Asia, North Asia and Australia via Singapore. With this, Air India guests has options to seamlessly access most of Scoot’s network with over 70 destinations across 18 countries in these regions. This includes the addition of these unique destinations to Air India’s extended international network that were previously not covered by any of the airline’s other existing partnerships: Macau SAR in China; Padang and Labuan Bajo in Indonesia; Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Langkawi, Ipoh, Kuantan, Miri, Sibu, Malacca and Kota Bharu in Malaysia; Davao and Iloilo City in the Philippines, Koh Samui, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in Thailand; and Nha Trang and Phu Quoc in Vietnam. Air India guests can fly non-stop from Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai to Singapore and take onward journeys with Scoot to these destinations in addition to many other points across the Scoot network. To enhance customer convenience, both airlines have implemented Inter-Airline Through Check-In (IATCI), enabling passengers booked on a single ticket to receive boarding passes for both, Air India and Scoot flights, at the point of origin to provide a smooth transfer experience at Singapore Changi Airport. Air India guests can also look forward to checking in baggage to their final destination, subject to the applicable local laws and regulations. “Asia Pacific remains the world’s fastest-growing region for aviation, with intra-regional air travel demand surging at significant rates,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India. “Our new interline partnership with Scoot taps into that momentum, meeting the rising Indian traveller appetite for seamless access to far-flung corners of the continent – from Malaysia’s rainforests to Vietnam’s beaches and Indonesia’s emerging cities.” Calvin Chan, Chief Commercial Officer, Scoot, said, “This partnership marks an important step in broadening travel options for customers in India to discover unique destinations across Scoot’s extensive network via Singapore. We look forward to welcoming Air India customers onboard and connecting them to new experiences with Scoot.” Air India operates 49x weekly flights from India to Singapore, including thrice daily flights from Delhi, twice daily flights from Mumbai, and twice daily flights from Chennai.Air India and Singapore Airlines are codeshare partners, providing seamless connectivity to their common guests to over 60 destinations worldwide.

Delhi, 10 December 2025: Akasa Air had received the delivery of its 31st aircraft as the Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft.Bearing registration number VT-YBH, the Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft arrived at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on December 10, 2025. The latest aircraft is equipped with Safran Z200 seats, a next- generation seating solution designed to elevate the in-flight experience. These seats feature a generous 4-inch recline, an ergonomically contoured backrest, and enhanced cushioning for superior sitting comfort, alongside thoughtfully positioned additional conveniences such as USB-C and USB-A ports to support the needs of today’s hyper-connected travellers. In addition to their passenger-centric design, these seats align with the airlines sustainability and reliable goals using ultra-modern material and construction techniques. Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air, said, “Every addition to our fleet represents much more than capacity; it reflects our ongoing promise to offer the highest levels of service – comfortable, modern and uniquely warm. The induction of our 31st aircraft is another meaningful step forward in Akasa’s journey to build a world- class airline rooted firmly in the evolving expectations of today’s Indian traveller.” The airline has a project of 195 additional aircraft scheduled for delivery over the next seven years and as long-term commitment to expanding capacity in line with rising demand.

New Delhi, 9th December 2025: To cater to the ongoing winter season, Air India has mentioned that it is working in close coordination with all stakeholders and has initiated several measures such as CAT III B crew rostering, CAT III B aircraft readiness, network-wide airport readiness, tech-enabled passenger assistance and proactive communications to minimise passenger inconvenience during the ensuing fog season. The DGCA has announced the winter schedule from 10 December 2025-10 February 2026 and the northern parts of India, including Air India’s primary hub Delhi, experience low visibility due to dense fog with a potential to have a cascading impact on flight schedule across the network. Following marked improvements in operations during the fog window last year, and taking cues from the previous years’ experiences, Air India has further strengthened its internal SOPs and adopted proactive measures to address potential fog-related delays and disruptions. Several initiatives have been put in place to mitigate disruption and minimise passenger experience during the fog season. These include: Crew Readiness: Air India will ensure adequate cockpit crew, trained in Low Visibility Operations (LVO) through CAT III B or specific Instrument Landing System (ILS), is in place to operate flights during the critical fog window. This also includes trained crew on stand-by for any exigency. Aircraft Readiness: Cat III B certified aircraft will be deployed for operations during the fog window at strategic locations that are prone to fog impact. Station Readiness: Air India has been working closely with its airport partners and has initiated proactive measures to minimize inconvenience to passengers during the fog season. This will include ensuring there are adequate ground support teams to aid passengers and keeping ready care packages with refreshments and other resources at origin as well as diversion airports. Airport teams will monitor delays, make regular announcements, and proactively rebook impacted passengers on alternative flights. Schedule Planning: Flight schedules have been aligned to minimise inconvenience to passengers on long-haul and metro-to-metro flights with onward connectivity. Disruption Monitoring: The Integrated Operations Control Centre and teams at key airports across Air India’s domestic network will work round-the-clock to keep every flight running safely and smoothly. This includes real-time met forecast to help prepare for anticipated disruptions, Safety Risk Assessments for severe weather alerts and enabling proactive schedule adjustments. Customer Contact Centre Readiness: Dedicated teams have been set up as part of the Customer Contact team to guide passengers on fog-related queries. Air India will proactively communicate with passengers to minimise inconvenience during the fog season. Passengers will receive alerts over SMS, WhatsApp and email before arriving at the airport and real-time updates will continue across the Air India website and social channels. Air India has also activated its Fog Care initiative to help passengers in scenarios where there are delays or schedule changes due to situations beyond our control. Under the initiative, flights that are likely to be affected by fog, based on met forecast, are proactively identified and passengers are alerted about any delay or a change in schedule. Passengers also have the option to avail complimentary rescheduling or opt for full refund without penalty through Air India Fog Care.

New Delhi, 8th December 2025: TezJet Airlines, carrier based out of Kyrgyzstan, has commenced its direct passenger services between Delhi (DEL) and Bishkek (BSZ), marking a new milestone in India–Kyrgyzstan connectivity. The service aims to boost tourism, trade, and cultural ties between the two nations while offering travelers a convenient and affordable travel option. Often referred to as the “Switzerland of Central Asia”, Kyrgyzstan is a land of breathtaking mountain ranges, alpine lakes, and vibrant nomadic culture. From the crystal-clear waters of Issyk-Kul Lake to the bustling bazaars and rich heritage of Bishkek, the country offers Indian travelers a unique blend of adventure, nature, and cultural exploration — all within a short flight from Delhi. With simplified visa procedures and growing tourism infrastructure, Kyrgyzstan is rapidly emerging as a preferred destination for Indian holidaymakers, adventure seekers, and filmmakers. The inaugural flight ceremony was held at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DIAL) in the presence of the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in India, the GMR Airport leadership, and senior airport officials and dignitaries. Arun Kumar, President & CEO of TezJet, said,” We are thrilled to see our Delhi–Bishkek service takes off. This route represents not only a new flight but a new bridge connecting two vibrant regions. India is an important market for us, and we look forward to welcoming Indian travelers to experience the beauty and hospitality of Kyrgyzstan.”” TezJet has appointed Aeroprime as its GSA in India, which will be responsible for driving its passenger and cargo sales, supporting marketing initiatives, and ensuring seamless experiences for both travelers and freight customers in India. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director & CEO of Aeroprime Group, added, “We are proud to partner with TezJet in this exciting journey. The commencement of direct flights between Delhi and Bishkek will unlock immense opportunities for tourism and business, bringing the people of India and Kyrgyzstan closer together.” The direct service between Delhi and Bishkek will initially operate once a week, every Sunday, offering direct connectivity for travelers and efficient solutions for cargo movement between the two nations.

Abu Dhabi, 8th December 2025: Etihad Airways and the German carrier Condor announced a strategic partnership alongside the launch of new daily flights connecting Frankfurt and Berlin to Abu Dhabi starting Summer 2026 and an extensive codeshare agreement. From 1 May 2026, Condor will operate daily services between Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi using its Airbus A330 aircraft, followed by the launch of daily Berlin-Abu Dhabi flights from 15 June 2026 operated by Airbus A320 aircraft. The new services willsignificantly broaden direct access to Abu Dhabi for German travellers, with seamless onwardconnections to Etihad’s extensive network across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We are delighted to announce this strategic partnership with Condor and welcome their new services to Abu Dhabi. Germany is a vital market for Etihad, and adding Berlin alongside new Frankfurt options meets clear passenger demand – including a direct capital-to-capital link that further strengthens UAE-Germany ties.” “Above all, this partnership puts the traveller first: Condor guests will discover Abu Dhabi’s award-winning hub and seamless onward journeys across our extensive network, while our customers will benefit from enhanced connectivity to destinations across Germany and beyond.” “This codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways is the great foundation on which we are building our new services to Abu Dhabi to better connect Germany’s capital Berlin and Europe’s financial hub Frankfurt to the GCC and beyond,” said Jens Boyd, Commercial Director and Member of the Executive Committee of Condor. “As we build and expand connectivity within Europe from our home hub in Frankfurt, this first codeshare in Asia is one more step towards Condor becoming a true global player and partnering with the leading airlines across the globe.” These new services complement Etihad’s existing flights to Germany and expand direct, convenient access to Abu Dhabi for even more visitors, supporting the emirate’s growing tourism sector and wider economic ambitions. The move also continues Etihad’s ongoing commitment to attracting major international airlines to Abu Dhabi’s growing aviation ecosystem. Together, Etihad and Condor will offer enhanced connectivity between Europe and the Middle East, Asia and Africa, giving travellers access to over 80 destinations through the combined networks and creating even more opportunities to experience Abu Dhabi and its world-class attractions. Etihad Guest members will be able to earn and redeem miles when flying on the Condor-operated flights between Frankfurt or Berlin and Abu Dhabi, with further loyalty programme benefits to be introduced under the new partnership. The codeshare agreement will be implemented following regulatory approvals, with full details of the cooperation to be announced thereafter.

New Delhi, 5th December 2025: Air India and Maldivian have entered into a bilateral interline partnership aimed at boosting connectivity between the two countries. Through this new partnership, Air India will provide access to 16 islands across the Maldives through Maldivian’s network, via Malé. The connection will serve across the archipelago such as Hanimaadhoo, Kooddoo, Gan, Kaadedhdhoo, Kulhudhuffushi, Dharavandhoo, Maafaru, and Kadhdoo, among others. This also enables Maldivian to serve Air India passengers from Delhi and Mumbai or those connecting through these large hubs onto Maldivian-operated flights from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to Malé and Hanimaadhoo Island. The interline partnership enables pax across both carriers to seamlessly travel on a single itinerary that combine Air India and Maldivian flights, ensuring convenient connections and coordinated baggage handling. “The Maldives continues to be one of the most preferred leisure destinations for Indian travellers, and this interline partnership with Maldivian opens the door to the country’s lesser-explored atolls and islands”, said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India. “By combining Air India’s extensive global network with Maldivian’s reach across domestic points beyond Malé, guests can now discover the true diversity of the archipelago on a single itinerary.” Air India is the only carrier operating daily flights between Delhi and Malé, providing a direct capital-to-capital link. Air India deploys more than 55,000 seats to the Maldives annually (in one direction), contributing significantly to the country’s tourism and trade. “This partnership marks a new chapter in our efforts to expand accessibility to the Maldives and provide connectivity for passengers traveling beyond Malé to the atolls,” said Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Maldivian. “With Air India’s strong network and our reach within the Maldives, this collaboration will play a key role in supporting tourism and business travel between our nations.” The partnership aligns with both airlines’ goals to enhance regional cooperation and support tourism growth through stronger network integration, smoother connections, and improved customer experience.