Civil Aviation

Australia, 7th Nov 2025: The Qantas aircraft set to conquer the final frontier of long-haul travel is now on the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse, marking a significant step towards the airline’s historic non-stop flights between Australia and London and New York. The national carrier and Airbus have released the first images of the A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range) aircraft, following the completion of major production milestones at the Airbus manufacturing facility. All key airframe components including the forward, centre and rear fuselage sections have come together, along with the wings, tail section and landing gear now attached. This week the aircraft will be transferred to a new hangar where it will have engines and flight test instruments installed, in preparation for an extensive test flight programme, commencing in 2026.   These specially configured A350-1000ULRs will enable the world’s longest commercial flights, connecting Australia’s east coast non-stop to London and New York for the first time. The aircraft will fly for up to 22 hours non-stop, made possible by an additional 20,000 litre rear centre fuel tank and enhanced systems, with every element designed around passenger comfort and wellbeing for ultra-long-haul operations. The direct services will cut up to four hours off total travel time, compared with one-stop services today. The Project Sunrise name is a nod to the airline’s historic ‘Double Sunrise’ endurance flights during the Second World War, which remained airborne long enough to see two sunrises. Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said the progress brings Project Sunrise one step closer to reality. “Given Australia’s position in the world, Qantas has a long history of breaking aviation barriers. Project Sunrise will not only overcome the tyranny of distance, it will fundamentally change the way our customers travel the world,” said Ms Hudson. “These flights will cut up to four hours off the journey and transform how people experience ultra long-haul travel, through science backed design to minimise jetlag and maximise wellbeing”. The cabins have been developed from the ground up in collaboration with aviation specialists, Australian industrial designer David Caon, and a multidisciplinary team of experts from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre. This includes sleep scientists working to combat jetlag through features like unique, customised lighting design and timed meal service. Key to the cabin design has been giving passengers more space, with a 238-seat configuration versus the 300-plus seats layout used by other A350-1000 operators. This includes a purpose-built Wellbeing Zone located between the Premium Economy and Economy cabins featuring integrated stretch handles, guided on-screen exercise programs, a hydration station and a range of refreshments. The first of 12 new aircraft is scheduled for delivery in late 2026, with the first commercial Project Sunrise services commencing in the first half of 2027.

Abu Dhabi, 7th Nov 2025: Etihad Airways and Hong Kong Airlines have launched a codeshare partnership and also established a reciprocal loyalty agreement. The loyalty agreement was signed on 4th November 2025, coinciding with the arrival of Etihad’s inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Airlines flights between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi are now bookable as Etihad ‘EY’ services, while travellers can fly Etihad to popular Japanese destinations including Fukuoka, Hokkaido-Sapporo, Osaka, and Okinawa on Hong Kong Airlines-operated flights under the ‘HX’ code. This means one ticket for the entire journey, single check-in, and bags transferred automatically. Abu Dhabi becomes the effortless bridge linking Greater China and Japan to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Once the programme is launched, members of Hong Kong Airlines’ Fortune Wings Club and Etihad Guest will be able to enjoy reciprocal earn-and-redeem functionalities across both full networks. This builds on Etihad’s existing partnership with Hainan Airlines and enables Fortune Wings Club members to collect and redeem on Etihad’s newly launched Hong Kong service. With this addition, Etihad Guest leads as the non-alliance loyalty programme with the largest airline partner portfolio worldwide. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “This partnership delivers meaningful value to Etihad Guest members through full earn-and-redeem access across Hong Kong Airlines’ network, complemented by codeshare connectivity to high-demand Japanese destinations. It underscores our commitment to providing our loyal guests with greater flexibility, broader reach, and superior rewards.“ Louis Li, Executive Vice President of Hong Kong Airlines, said: “This partnership marks an important milestone in Hong Kong Airlines’ return to the international market. The expansion of our codeshare and the launch of a reciprocal loyalty programme not only benefit travellers from both airlines but also lay the foundation for deepened commercial collaboration.” He added, “Our relationship with Etihad Airways began in 2014 through codeshare cooperation and has remained strong ever since. In recent years, we have observed growing travel demand from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to Hong Kong and other major Asian cities. As the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi plays a vital role in facilitating trade and economic ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East. We are confident that this renewed partnership will create significant commercial opportunities for both airlines and deliver greater convenience and value to business and leisure travellers alike.”

New Delhi, 07 November 2025: Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Minister of Civil Aviation, Govt of India said that the global aviation industry stands at crossroads between rapid growth along with the climate concerns. The sector continues to expand faster than the overall economy and most other transport segments, driven by globalization and growing passenger demand. With an annual growth rate of 6.7%, nearly 10 million passenger trips are expected in 2025. “Aviation has truly become the growth engine for mobility and businesses worldwide,” he added. Addressing the ‘India Sustainable Aviation Fuel Summit’, organized by FICCI, jointly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the minister said that the growing energy needs of the aviation sector demand greater clarity, commitment and collaboration from all stakeholders. “Our ATF consumption is projected to reach 15-16 million ton by 2030 and 30-31 million ton by 2040. The solution here for all of us is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). With the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to conventional jet fuels, SAF offers a direct way for all of us to reduce carbon footprint in aviation sector,” he stated. Speaking on the potential of SAF, the Minister further stated that the government is in the process of drafting a ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy’. “The Ministry has been taking robust steps to speed-up the SAF movement and we are committed to soon releasing the SAF policy,” he emphasized. Mr Kinjarapu also stated that as agricultural powerhouse with over 750 million ton of biomass, India has the capacity to become the global leader in SAF production. SAF will not only help in addressing the challenge of growth versus sustainability but will also benefit with its huge scale impact by reducing crude oil import bill by $ 5-7 billion every year along with creating 1 million green jobs across SAF value chain. The Minister said that in the last 9 years, India has added 90 airports, addition of 400 aircrafts in the fleet along with increasing the scheduled flight movements by 78 per cent. “We plan to expand our airport network by 50 in the next 5 years and 200 in next 20-25 years along with a growth projection of 500 million annual passengers with growth rate of 10-12 per cent in coming 10 years,” he noted. With this growth, India’s aviation share in transport emissions is projected to rise from 5 per cent to 8-10 per cent by 2030, added Kinjarapu. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, DG, DGCA said that decarbonization of the aviation sector is a global endeavor. It requires shared responsibility, mutual respect and a spirit of solidarity and India is committed to being a constructive, proactive and principal partner in this journey. “Our ambition is to achieve 5 per cent SAF blending target 2030 which is not just a goal but a declaration of intent to lead by example,” he added. Jurgen Westermeier, Chairman, FICCI National Civil Aviation Committee and President & MD, Airbus India & South Asia said SAF is also a transformative opportunity for India. “For India, the relevance of SAF extends far beyond just environmental targets- it can be a powerful economic enabler. By developing a domestic SAF industry, India can immediately and effectively enhance its energy security and sovereignty over its fuel supply chain,” he added. Ashish Saraf, Co-Chairman, FICCI Civil Aviation Committee & Vice President and Country Head India, Pratt & Whitney said that India’s aviation journey is unstoppable. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is the cornerstone of India’s Net Zero aviation story. SAF alone could be responsible for reducing emissions by up to two-thirds, making it uniquely positioned not only to help India cut down emissions but also to take a leading role globally and become an export hub, he added. During the event, FICCI-KPMG Thought Leadership Report was released.

Almaty, 7th Nov 2025: Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, is setting course on a major long-haul fleet expansion with a new order for up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This is the largest order ever placed by the airline, with it comprising of five firm positions, five options and five purchase rights. The company has secured Board approval and is now completing the final procedural requirements. This order is in addition to the three Boeing 787-9 aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2026/27, which now brings total commitments up to 18 aircraft. The newly ordered aircraft will be delivered between 2032 and 2035. The total value of the 18 Boeing 787-9 aircraft fleet including engines is US$7 billion based on manufacturer list prices. “Air Astana is strategically committed to boosting its service capabilities from Central Asia / Caucasus to Asia, Europe and the rest of the world over the next decade, with the arrival of the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner next year marking the start of this exciting phase of development,” said Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana. “With its customer friendly cabin, fuel efficiency and range flexibility, the fleet of up to 18 Boeing 787-9 aircraft is destined to become an outstanding success with the airline and its discerning passengers.” Air Astana has a long history of operating Boeing aircraft, with the start-up fleet in 2002 comprising of Boeing 737-700/800 aircraft for domestic/Central Asia flights and joined a year later with the introduction of Boeing 757-200 for longer range flights to Asia and Europe. Whilst the Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 aircraft were respectively retired from the fleet in 2007 and 2020, the airline took delivery of three new Boeing 767-300ER aircraft in 2013, with these aircraft continuing to be operated on international long-haul and domestic high-density routes.

London, 4th October 2025: Vietjet has converted its MoU signed in June, into a firm order for 100 A321neo aircraft.The finalisation of this contract underscores Vietjet’s network expansion and fleet modernisation strategy, bringing its total orders for the A321neo to 280 aircraft.This agreement follows closely on Vietjet’s earlier order of 20 A330neo widebody aircraft in May, further solidifying its long-term strategic partnership with Airbus. Vietjet Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said,“This is not merely a commercial contract, but a symbol of trust, aspiration, and a shared vision for sustainable development and global connectivity.The A321neo’s proven efficiency and flexibility make it the ideal platform to support Vietjet’s ambitious expansion,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “Combined with the A330neo, this fleet will deliver the best economics and seamless commonality across operations, hallmarks of the Airbus product family.” The A321neo, the largest member of Airbus’ best-selling A320neo Family, offers long range and exceptional performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo provides a 50% noise reduction and more than 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort. At the end of September 2025, more than 7,100 A321neo aircraft have been ordered by nearly 100 customers across the globe. The A321neo is able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with a target to increase to up to 100% SAF capability by 2030, directly supporting the aviation industry’s sustainability goals.

Delhi, November 4, 2025: Building on the success of the first edition of this pioneering initiative, Akasa Air hosted the second Chiefs of Flight Safety (COFS) meeting at its headquarters in Mumbai. The initiative continues to serve as a collaborative platform bringing together the Chiefs of Flight Safety and their teams from leading Indian airlines and aircraft operators to exchange best practices, share insights, and collectively strengthen safety standards across the aviation ecosystem. The second meeting had participation from safety leaders across the industry, including Captain Nitin Anand (Vice President – Corporate Safety, Air India), Poonam Kohlatkar (Chief Manager, Flight Safety, Air India), Captain Manish Jha ( Chief of Flight Safety, Air India Express), Captain L. Shankaranarayan (Chief Flight Safety Manager, Blue Dart), and Captain Amardeep Sarai (Chief of Flight Safety, Fly91), reaffirming the collective commitment of Indian carriers towards advancing a shared vision of safety excellence. Under the continued theme of “Safety Beyond Competition,” the forum reinforced the importance of collaboration, transparency, and continuous learning in driving world-class safety outcomes. The participating airlines engaged in discussions on emerging safety trends, risk management practices, and data-driven safety frameworks to ensure that the highest standards of operational integrity underpin India’s aviation growth. Commenting on the initiative, Captain Gaurav Pathak, Chief of Flight Safety, Akasa Air, said, “The second edition of ‘Safety Beyond Competition’ is a reaffirmation of our belief that aviation safety transcends competition. What began as an idea to unite flight safety leaders has evolved into a constructive initiative of shared responsibility and learning. Each participant brings invaluable experience, and through this open exchange, we are collectively building a stronger, safer future for Indian aviation.” “We are deeply encouraged by the continued enthusiasm and participation from our industry peers. Together, we aim to set new benchmarks and further strengthen India’s position among the world’s safest aviation markets.” He added.

New Delhi,28th October 2025: Air India Express unveiled the new cabin interiors and refreshed onboard ambience of its latest Boeing 737-8 aircraft at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The aircraft, registered as VT-BWD, features the regal Tsüngkotepsü-inspired tail art, celebrating the warrior heritage of the AoNagas from Nagaland. The unveiling marks another significant milestone in the airline’s transformation journey, which began with the launch of its refreshed brand identity in October 2023. Winter Schedule 2025: Air India Express undertook a comprehensive network optimisation exercise beginning September 2025. The exercise aims to enhance connectivity, strengthen hub operations, and build frequency density across key markets. In April 2025, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru accounted for about 62% of the airline’s total domestic departures. By November 2025, this share is projected to increase significantly to around 74%, reflecting the growing focus on hub-based operations. From Bengaluru, Air India Express has further strengthened its short-haul international network with the addition of four new destinations – Bangkok, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Riyadh – as part of its Winter Schedule. Most of the realignment will be completed by the end of the Winter 2025 season.