Civil Aviation

Gurugram, 10th September 2025: Air India and Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, have signed a new codeshare agreement to offer more flight options to travellers.The codeshare partnership enables cooperation between the two carriers on trunk routes between Kazakhstan and India, covering Air Astana routes operated between Almaty and Delhi, and Almaty and Mumbai. With this, Air India will place its ‘AI’ designator code on Air Astana’s flights to and from India, providing its customers convenient access to Almaty, a rapidly growing tourism and business hub in Central Asia. Air India customers travelling to Almaty from points beyond Delhi and Mumbai will be able to conveniently travel on a single ticket and check-in their baggage through to Almaty at the point of origin. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “Our new codeshare partnership with Air Astana creates stronger air links to Kazakhstan, a fast-growing market with immense potential for tourism. Beyond serving leisure travel demand, our partnership will also support trade and cultural exchanges between our two countries, while bringing a new destination in Central Asia closer to our customers.” Peter Foster, the Air Astana Group’s Chief Executive Officer, commented on the codeshare with Air India: “We are delighted to have concluded a comprehensive code share agreement with Asia’s oldest airline. Air India is an exceptionally well-managed business, which operates a comprehensive network of flights to, from and across India, the world’s most populous country and one of the fastest growing travel markets. India is of key strategic importance to the Air Astana Group as we increase flights from Kazakhstan to Delhi, Mumbai and Goa. The code share will accelerate the increasingly strong business, tourist and student traffic flows between our two countries”. The new arrangement builds on an existing interline partnership between Air India and Air Astana that came into effect earlier in 2025. Under the interline agreement, Air India customers already have convenient connections via Almaty to multiple destinations across Central Asia and China including Astana (Kazakhstan), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Urumqi (China). Air Astana enjoys access to 18 destinations across Air India’s domestic network and 9 international destinations via Delhi and Mumbai. With this step-up to a codeshare agreement, travel between India and Kazakhstan becomes more convenient for customers while also opening a wider network of destinations through a single booking and check-in process.

Itanagar, 5th Sept 2025: Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu emphasised, “Growth of Civil Aviation infrastructure and enhanced connectivity are giving wings to the aspirations of North East India.” North East Region Ministers’ Conference on Civil Aviation 2025 & 3rd North East Aviation Summit, organised by Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, was held today in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The conference was graced by the presence of Shri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, as the Chief Guest and Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister for Civil Aviation, as the guest of honour. Shri Tesam Pongte, Speaker, Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly remained present at the inaugural function. Shri Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Mizoram; Shri Tsering Thendup Bhutia, Minister of Civil Aviation, Govt of Sikkim and Shri Jogen Mohan, Minister of Hill, Development and Cooperation, Govt of Assam graced the Conference and led the respective State Govt delegations for the interaction with the Ministry and the Aviation Industry. Shri Balo Raja, Minister of Civil Aviation, Arunachal Pradesh presented the State’s perspective.   In the inaugural, Chief Guest Shri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh emphasised that transportation connectivity is the most critical sector for development of the NER. In the last 10 years, aviation infrastructure and connectivity status of NER has seen unprecedented growth. Having airports in Arunachal Pradesh was a long cherished dream of the people which got realised because of the active support of the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the visionary leadership of the hon’ble PM. Progress in creation of aviation infrastructure and path breaking schemes like UDAN have been instrumental in transforming the socio economic aspirations of the NE region. Shri Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, emphasized the need for deepening Centre-State-Industry collaboration for the accelerated growth of the Civil Aviation sector in the North East Region. He emphasized that enhanced air connectivity is vital for improving accessibility to remote and border areas, promoting tourism, facilitating cargo and logistics, and driving industrial as well as socio-economic growth in Arunachal Pradesh and the North East Region. To realise its strong tourism potential, North East Region should solve its connectivity challenges in fast pace. Also there is need for accelerating skilling initiatives for fast tracking employment generation among the youths of the region. An industry driven aviation ecosystem would be able to cater to both these needs. The Minister expressed pride in informing that the number of operational airports in the region has grown from nine in 2014 to 16 at present. Aircraft movements have nearly doubled, while domestic passenger traffic has increased more than threefold since 2014. Encouraging the states to harness on the region’s tourism potential, the Minister stated: “You have not seen India until you have seen North East India. The natural beauty, vibrant culture, warm hospitality and the strong essence of Indianness found here are unmatched.” He urged the states to focus on developing tourism infrastructure and hospitality services to complement expanding aviation connectivity.   Highlighting future support for infrastructure creation, the Minister shared that For the North Eastern group of states, we have decided to offer four pre-feasibility studies for Greenfield Airport development every financial year, free of consultancy or other charges. This will encourage states to plan and build new airports and take full advantage of the growth momentum. He assured continued support from the Central Government and emphasized that aviation is no longer a luxury—but a critical enabler of Viksit Bharat @2047. Highlighting India’s transformation into the third-largest domestic aviation market, he pointed to initiatives like UDAN, expansion of airports, growth of regional carriers, focus on Aviation skilling and efforts to incentivise MRO sector as key pillars of progress. As part of Session on Opportunities for states, officials from Ministry of Civil Aviation and AAI presented various airport development models and opportunities like HEMS and skilling of youth to the states. It was followed by One on One interaction with the state delegations. Parallel interactions of the states with Industry partners were also organised. During the interaction with the Ministry, Shri Lalduhoma, Chief Minister, Mizoram, highlighted that the development and betterment of aviation in the North East is not only a matter of improving air travel but a vital step toward unlocking the region’s true potential. Enhanced aviation connectivity will bridge geographical barriers, link remote areas with the rest of India, and foster stronger integration with national and international markets.   He emphasized that better air infrastructure—such as new airports, heliports, and regional connectivity through smaller aircraft and helicopters—will directly benefit tourism, trade, healthcare access, and emergency services. Improved aviation services will also empower local communities by creating new avenues for employment, boosting entrepreneurship, and attracting private investment into the region. Shri Balo Raja, Hon’ble Minister of Land Management, Civil Aviation during his speech on States’s perspective emphasized that strengthening regional connectivity is pivotal to unlocking the immense economic potential of North East India. The Minister highlighted that aviation development in the North Eastern region will play a transformative role in establishing robust air links between remote towns and metropolitan cities will reduce travel time, improve mobility, and integrate the region more closely with the rest of the country, Improved air cargo facilities will provide new avenues for the export of horticultural produce, handicrafts, and other local products, thereby boosting regional trade and commerce. Shri Tshering Bhutia, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation & Industries, Govt of Sikkim emphasized the importance of policy-driven initiatives that will create a more conducive environment for investment, ease of doing business, and expansion of air services in the North Eastern region. He advocated for the full scale operationalisation of Pakyong Airport by expediting resolution of challenges. He reaffirmed the State’s commitment to work in close partnership with the Centre to build a robust aviation ecosystem in Sikkim. Shri Jogen Mohan, Minister of Hill, Development and Cooperation, Govt of Assam, appreciated the Ministry’s effort to reach out to States and take them as partners for driving policy reforms and implementation frameworks. He detailed the aspirations of the State

Delhi, 3rd September 2025: Uzbekistan’s biggest private airline, Centrum Air announces the launch of direct scheduled flights between Delhi and Tashkent, beginning on October 3, 2025. The service will initially operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, strengthening air connectivity between India and Uzbekistan. Indian travellers can look forward to affordable fares, convenient schedules, and a comfortable travel experience. All flights will be operated using Centrum Air’s modern fleet, which includes Airbus A320neo, A321neo, and the widebody A330-300 aircrafts. Flight schedule (local time) Tuesday and Friday ● Delhi 12:10 – Tashkent 14:50 ● Tashkent 06:55 – Delhi 10:55 Executive statements Abdulaziz Abdurakhmanov, Founder and CEO of Centrum Air, stated: “We are proud to open a direct link between Delhi and Tashkent. This route will not only provide convenience for travellers, but will also support Uzbekistan’s role as a regional hub, connecting India with Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East”. Abhishek Goyal, Executive director & CEO of Aeroprime Group, added: “We are proud to be the Exclusive GSA in India for Centrum Air and to support the launch of Centrum Air’s direct Delhi–Tashkent flights, which will provide Indian travellers with affordable and convenient access to Uzbekistan and beyond. This new route opens immense opportunities for tourism, trade, and business travel.”

Chennai, 02 September 2025: Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, marks a major milestone as it celebrates 25 years of serving Chennai – one of India’s leading metropolitan hubs and a vital gateway in the airline’s South India network. Since launching its inaugural flight on 1 September 2000, Emirates has carried more than 10.7 million passengers on more than 38,000 flights between Dubai and Chennai, reinforcing its long standing commitment to the city’s growing travel and trade aspirations. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, joined Emirates’ celebration to commemorate the milestone. Chennai International Airport also marked the anniversary with a celebratory water cannon salute today, upon the arrival of EK544. On the occasion, Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates’ VP – India and Nepal said: “We are delighted to celebrate 25 years of service to Chennai and connecting its people to our global network. We would like to thank M.K Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for joining us in our celebration, marking an important partnership that has grown from strength to strength over the years. The unwavering support of the authorities and all local stakeholders has been invaluable to the success of our operations and we extend our sincere gratitude on the occasion.”

Bangkok, August 26th 2925: Thai SmartLynx, an ACMI specialist airline, has reached a major milestone with the arrival of its first Airbus A320-200 at Don Mueang International Airport on Friday, 22 August 2025. The aircraft delivery represents the final step in the airline’s application process for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). Thai SmartLynx will provide flexible fleet management solutions through its ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) business model, designed to support Thailand’s seasonal aircraft capacity needs. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), aviation-driven tourism contributes USD22.2 billion to Thailand’s GDP and employs 3.2 million people. The introduction of ACMI solutions in Thailand comes at a timely moment, aligningwith the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s strategy to diversify tourism offerings and encourage foreign tourists to explore destinations beyond Thailand’s major tourist cities. “Today’s aircraft delivery represents more than just a proud moment for the company, it is a powerful symbol of our commitment to supporting Thailand’s aviation and tourism sector,” said Martynas Grigas, Chairman of Thai SmartLynx. “ACMI provides a turnkey solution by delivering not only the aircraft but also crew, maintenance, and insurance. This allows our client airlines to scale operations during peak demand or cover grounded aircraft without the need for significant investment or long-term commitments.” The aircraft arrival coincides with the opening of Thai SmartLynx’s new operations office at Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), reinforcing the airline’s commitment to establishing a strong base in Thailand. Stationing its operations office at DMK allows the company to respond quickly to customer requirements, improve operational efficiency, and foster closer collaboration with airline partners.

Montreal, Canada, August 26, 2025: CAE Simulation Training Private Limited (CSTPL), a joint venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and CAE, announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art pilot training centre in Mumbai, India. The new 44,000 square-foot centre will have a capacity for up to six full-flight simulators (FFS) and will begin operations in the first quarter of calendar 2026 with two Airbus A320 FFS. “The new Mumbai centre expands CSTPL’s ability to meet the rapidly growing demand for professional pilots in India – as many as 20,000 over the next 10 years,” said Michel Azar-Hmouda, CAE’s Division President, Commercial Aviation. “The addition to the new six-bay centre in Mumbai reflects our commitment to bringing world-class training closer to India’s aviation hubs and enhancing training excellence and operational efficiency for our airline partners.” Aditya Pande, CEO, InterGlobe Enterprises, said, “We are delighted to expand CSTPL into Mumbai, in addition to our commercial aviation training centres in Greater Noida, Gurugram and Bengaluru. InterGlobe Enterprises and CAE are committed to building an ecosystem in aviation which will cater to the growing current and future demand for training pilots in India.” CAE’s 2025 Aviation Talent Forecast predicts a demand for 98,000 new pilots in the Asia Pacific region by 2034. In one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, CSTPL’s Mumbai centre will play a critical role in supporting airlines and the broader aviation ecosystem with high-quality, DGCA approved training. In addition to the new centre in Mumbai, CSTPL currently operates three commercial aviation training centres in Greater Noida, Gurugram and Bengaluru with a capacity to operate up to 23 FFS. The new CSTPL centre in Mumbai will also offer comprehensive pilot training programs on Airbus, ATR and Boeing aircraft, including type rating, recurrent training, and proficiency checks. ( The master pix used above is for representation only and sourced from CAE Media Gallery)

Dubai, 22nd August 2025: The role of narrow-body freighter in the air cargo industry has progressed quickly in recent years, largely due to the introduction of new-generation freighters tailored to meet current logistics demands. Certain aircraft, like the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A321-200, have been introduced with more fuel-efficient engines and optimized cargo configurations, making them ideal for short- to medium-haul operations while at the same time reducing significant, environmental impact. Due to the worldwide demand for greater efficiency and sustainability in industrial operations, these planes offer reduced fuel usage alongside quicker turnaround times, rendering it feasible to move small quantities across short distances. Creating a more energy-efficient global operations Aside from the fact that narrow-bodies are generally considered more sustainable and cost-effective due to their passenger-to-cargo aircraft conversion flexibility, their environmental benefits are another important factor. Operating a smaller aircraft on short and medium-haul routes reduces fuel consumption per trip and easily caters to a wide range of industries such as e-commerce and perishables that require a quick turnaround at a lesser space capacity. New-generation narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A321-200, take this efficiency to the next level. These new models are designed with advanced, fuel-efficient engines, improved aerodynamics, and lighter composite materials, resulting in significantly lower fuel consumption compared to older aircraft models. These improvements reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower operational costs, and help operators meet stricter environmental regulations. With the introduction of new aircraft models, this makes narrow-bodies a more sustainable and competitive choice for certain markets with regional proximities and for organizations with a strong commitment to greener operations. Narrow-bodies do not create a competition against the wide-bodies, it complements them It’s generally known that both wide-bodies and narrow-bodies were designed to serve different purposes and serve different target markets. While wide-body freighters connect major global hubs and handle high-volume, long-haul shipments, narrow-bodies allow access to secondary airports and smaller markets with speed and efficiency. These narrow-body aircraft serve as a regional feeder service, allowing operators to efficiently move cargo from smaller airports to major international hubs. For areas where there are limited flexibilities, this service allows the movements of shipments. This balance between wide-body and narrow-body creates a more connected, flexible, and efficient system that meets diverse needs of the market while maximising reach, speed, and reliability. Regional trends with new generation aircraft In Europe and the Middle East, narrow-body freighters have become an increasingly important part of the cargo industry. New-generation freighter like the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A321-200 are making an important role in regional operations as they are design to be more fuel-efficient, has lower emissions, and offers the flexibility to run flights between busy trade hubs within the region where infrastructures are highly-developed and the demand is consistently high. Meanwhile in Africa, narrow-body presence has been consistently growing in the previous years but,still remains more limited due to some geographical dynamics and limited airport infrastructure. However, narrow-bodies are slowly carving out their place as new freighter models are being introduced to the market allowing more cargo volume and longer range compared to existing freighters in service. Magma leverages decades of regional market expertise, creating more lucrative opportunities As global demand for regional and long-haul cargo continues to grow across several industries, Magma Aviation understands how to integrate narrow-body aircraft into a global network in a way that complements wide-body operations. With the strategic combination of both, Magma offers customers better connectivity with faster, tailored, flexible, and more sustainable transport solutions. Honed by almost two decades of extensive global experience, Magma’s global team continues to offer tailored global freight solutions, helping businesses across the globe transport their goods effectively and efficiently.

Delhi, 22 August 2025: Akasa Air has announced the addition of Kozhikode (Calicut) as the 30th overall and 24th domestic destination to its network. Starting 1st October 2025, Akasa Air will operate daily direct flights between Mumbai and Kozhikode, creating a vital new corridor between India’s financial capital and the Malabar coast. The new route builds on the airline’s existing services to Kochi strengthening its footprint in Kerala. Kozhikode, the city of sculptures, has long been known for its cultural heritage, scenic attractions, and thriving trade. The expansion will cater to the strong travel demand that flows between coastal Southern India and the nation’s principal metropolitan centres further stimulating tourism and commerce. Commenting on the announcement, Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air, said, “We are delighted to add Kozhikode as the 30th destination on our network, marking a milestone in Akasa Air’s growth story, and expanding our connectivity in Kerala. The city’s unique cultural character and thriving economy, combined with Kerala’s renewed emphasis on tourism and infrastructure, make it an instrumental addition to our network. Our daily Mumbai–Kozhikode service will not only enhance connectivity between India’s commercial capital and the Malabar coast but also act as a catalyst for trade, tourism, and economic opportunities. We look forward to offering travellers the warm and dependable Akasa experience that has become our hallmark.”

Frankfurt, August 14, 2025: The Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG) welcomes CMAC Group, a leader in ground transport, accommodation and disruption management, to its business partner network. CMAC Group operates in more than 100 countries, working with a trusted global network of 13,000+ small and large vehicle supply partners across the UK, Europe and Australia. Through its partnership with BARIG – which represents over 100 national and international airlines – CMAC Group will further strengthen its European growth strategy and commitment to passenger wellbeing. Wim Kanon, Managing Director at CMAC Group, says: “We are proud to have been delivering continuity and care during disruption for over 18 years. By joining BARIG, we have a stronger platform to collaborate with airlines operating in the region and further develop our industry-wide solutions.” CMAC Group arranges the movement of over five million passengers each year and delivers technology-led services for its partners facing cancellations, delays or diversions. This includes Smartlink – a self-service booking technology for hotels and ground transport, allowing airlines to respond faster in case of exceptional circumstances that can lead to disruptions. Michael Hoppe, BARIG Chairman and Executive Director, says: “We are delighted to welcome CMAC as an innovative partner that helps airlines improve passenger and ground staff experience in exceptional situations. Its presence in our network supports our ongoing efforts to improve processes and service delivery across the aviation sector.”

Gurugram, 11 August 2025: Air India today announced the suspension of its services between Delhi and Washington, D.C., effective September 1, 2025, due to a combination of operational factors, to ensure the reliability and integrity of Air India’s overall route network. The suspension is primarily driven by the planned shortfall in Air India’s fleet, as the airline commenced retrofitting 26 of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft last month. This extensive retrofit programme, aimed at significantly enhancing customer experience, necessitates a prolonged unavailability of multiple aircraft at any given time until at least end of 2026. That, coupled with the continued closure of airspace over Pakistan, impacts the airline’s long-haul operations, leading to longer flight routings and increased operational complexity. Customers with Air India bookings to or from Washington, D.C. beyond September 1, 2025 will be contacted and offered alternative travel arrangements, including rebooking on other flights or full refunds, as per their individual preferences. Air India customers will continue to have the options of one-stop flights to Washington, D.C. via four U.S. gateways – New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago, and San Francisco – with the airline’s interline partners, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, allowing customers to travel on a single itinerary with their baggage checked through to the final destination. Air India will continue to operate non-stop flights between India and six destinations in North America, including Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.