Recent News

Dubai, 11 November, 2025 The Dubai airshow kicks off next week, signalling the last public event at which large commercial orders are announced before the year draws close. As usual, my standard airshow caveat must reiterate that the timing is purely for airline and OEM PR, as orders take months, even years, of careful negotiation before signing. Much like Paris and Farnborough, the Dubai Air Show is a major event, with close to 150,000 industry attendees expected and a large mix of commercial, private and defence exhibits on display, with orders anticipated across the entire field. Historically, while not usually matching the European shows in scale, Dubai has still produced some significant order activity and provided early signals of key buying decisions from operators and lessors, not just from the Middle East but also Africa, Europe and the US. Indigo Partners’ 2021 and 2017 orders for 255 and 430 A320neos, respectively, underscored that point, with deliveries spread across Wizz, Frontier, Volaris, and JetSmart. However, the largest customers have often been from within the region and surrounding areas. The 2025 Landscape so far So far, 2025 has already seen a sizeable level of ordering activity, well above delivery levels, despite relatively benign oil pricing and a wounded supply chain. While it will be another week before Airbus and Boeing announce “official” ordering activity for October, IBA Fleets & Values has already tracked gross firm orders (for the year to date) reaching at least 745 for Airbus and 821 for Boeing. This is also without considering the roughly 650 LOIs, MoUs and options announced but not yet converted, several of which could firm up in Dubai later this month or soon after. Among those from the region are Avilease (25 A320neos, 12 A350Fs, and 10 737 MAX 8s from May and June), Gulf Air (18 787s from July), Riyadh Air (25 A350-1000s from June), and Turkish Airlines (150 MAXs and 25 787s from September). However, the main factors that will likely draw focus this year will be Boeing’s recent announcement of additional delays for the 777X and whether Emirates will continue to make further changes to its overall fleet plan. Anticipated activity and key storylines at the Dubai Airshow The 777X and Emirates’ Dilemma Regarding the 777X, the Middle East and surrounding area account for 65% of the firm backlog for the 777-9, 777-8 and 777-8F, with Emirates leading the pack with 205, followed by Qatar with 124. The remainder is split across Etihad, Ethiopian, Air India and Silk Way, before spreading out to other regions for the rest. With the delay pushing into 2027, Sir Tim Clark has vented his frustration, but aside from continuing with the interior refurb plan and potentially adding a few more to the list that they may have expected to convert, return to lessors or retire, what can Emirates do? They are certainly no strangers to change. They’ve already extended many of their leases on 777s and A380s, but with the price of 777 freighter feedstock reaching a new high, investors may decide to sell the aircraft at lease end rather than extend for a further period. There is nothing on offer above the 777-9, but there is still an ongoing battleground to cover the rest. In particular, Dubai 2025 is the right time to decide on the right mix for the A350 and 787 families, or whether the range/capacity mix for the 777-8 is not required. Emirates currently holds 170 777-9s, 35 777-8s, 15 787-8s, 15 787-10s and 52 A350-900s on order. There has been much talk about a large potential A350-1000 order to replace the ageing 777-300ERs, but there remain question marks coming from Emirates on the engine’s reliability. Similarly, shifting from 30 787-9 orders to an even split of the 787-8s and -10s appeared to open up a gap, too. Whilst a decision may not be made this year, I certainly feel that yet another reassessment could be on the cards that could see 777-8s fall out, A350-1000s go in, and a further adjustment of the 787 mix to pull in some -9s and perhaps more -10s. Regional widebody activity Elsewhere on the widebody front, additional A350 top-ups are possible from a number of potential customers, and potentially a greater number of 787 orders appearing if current-year trends continue. Nailing it down to who is likely other than Emirates is trickier, as many within the region already have long backlogs. Narrowbody activity On the narrowbody front, orders for the A321neo and MAX 8/10s are expected, although the largest MAX type remains in the certification process. Already within the region, Saudia, flydubai, Pegasus, flynas, Air Arabia, and SunExpress probably have enough to be getting on with, whilst Oman Air, Gulf Air, Royal Air Maroc, EgyptAir and Etihad are potentially shy of where they need to be to satisfy fleet growth and replacement requirements. For some, it will be about replacement with a larger variant, whilst others may explore longer-range options. As mentioned, Turkish Airlines could firm up the recent LOIs for 150 MAXs placed just six weeks ago. Despite other OEMs’ increased presence at the show, I’m not expecting many orders from others within the region, outside of private or military use. Conclusion In summary, a reasonable number of orders and commitments are expected, potentially exceeding 300. It will be a tougher show for selling 777s (except perhaps freighters, which are not due for a few years) but could see a major A350-1000 order from Emirates, some reshuffling of widebody portfolios, and steady narrowbody demand. The A350F also can’t be ignored, which is beginning to gain traction. IBA expects around 300 commercial aircraft orders and commitments from this year’s Dubai Air Show,including firm, MoU, LOI and options, but excluding conversions and adjustments to existing deals. ( News based on press release and published unedited.)

New Delhi, November 8th, 2025: The Airports Authority of India successfully addressed a technical issue in the Automatic Message Switching System at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, which had temporarily affected the processing of flight plan messages from 6th November, 2025. Upon detection of the issue in the IP-based AMSS system, an urgent review meeting was convened by Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation with Vipin Kumar, Chairman AAI, M. Suresh, Member (Air Navigation Services) AAI and senior officials. Immediate directions were issued to identify and rectify the root cause of the problem. In parallel, the Original Equipment Manufacturer was engaged and additional manpower was deployed to manually process flight plans, ensuring continuity and safety of Air Traffic Control operations without disruption. A dedicated team comprising officials from Electronics Corporation of India Limited and AAI continues to remain on-site to oversee system stability and performance. The AMSS has now been restored to normal functionality. While minor delays in automated processes may persist due to backlogged data, the system is stabilising and full normalcy is expected shortly. The Airports Authority of India deeply regrets any inconvenience caused to airlines and passengers and reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational safety, reliability and service excellence across the nation’s air traffic management network.

Delhi, 8th November 2025: Air India Express has announced the addition of Nagpur to its growing network. The airline has introduced five new stations in the last two months, taking the total number of destinations on its network to 60. Starting December 1, 2025, the airline will operate twice-daily flights between Nagpur and Bengaluru. The airline is also expanding its Gulf network with the introduction of new flights to Abu Dhabi. Starting December 2, 2025, Air India Express will operate four weekly flights between Delhi and Abu Dhabi, and three weekly flights between Pune and Abu Dhabi, further strengthening connectivity between India and the UAE. Nagpur further strengthens Air India Express’ presence in Maharashtra, where the airline already operates over 130 weekly flights from Mumbai and over 90 weekly flights from Pune. The airline will also commence operations from Navi Mumbai with 35 weekly flights to Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

Mumbai, 04 November 2025: As a part of a comprehensive, annual post-monsoon maintenance plan, both cross runways – RWY 09/27 and RWY 14/32 – will remain temporarily non-operational on 20 November 2025 from 1100 hrs to 1700 hrs IST of CSMIA, Mumbai. The scheduled closure is designed to ensure continued safety, reliability and compliance with global aviation standards. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued in advance, allowing airlines and other stakeholders to adjust flight schedules and manpower planning accordingly. This proactive communication enables seamless coordination across operations and minimises passenger inconvenience. The maintenance will include detailed inspections, surface repairs, and technical assessments of runway lighting, markings, and drainage systems. The post-monsoon maintenance forms an integral part of CSMIA’s year-round operational readiness programme reinforcing its ‘safety-first’ approach.

Delhi, 3rd November-2025: With the start of winter schedule, Air India Express has started started four new daily flights connecting Jodhpur and Udaipur to Bengaluru and Delhi. The first flight from both airports took off on Nov 1st 2025 onwards. Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, “True to our recently launched brand campaign ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’, Air India Express is enabling travellers to discover new destinations, experience diverse cultures, and build meaningful connections. With Jodhpur and Udaipur joining our network, we are delighted to strengthen our presence in Rajasthan, a land celebrated for its regal heritage and art. These new routes will open Rajasthan’s rich cultural and architectural splendour to travellers while offering people from the region convenient access to major domestic and international destinations through our hubs in Bengaluru and Delhi.” With these additions, Air India Express now operates from three cities in Rajasthan, with over 105 weekly flights from the state. The airline operates about 80 weekly flights from Jaipur,offering direct connectivity to 11 Indian cities and Dubai.The airline also connects Jaipur to 25 domestic destinations and 11 international destinations with convenient one-stop connections. Apart from direct flights to Bengaluru and Delhi, the airline connectsJodhpur to 26 domestic and three international destinationsand Udaipur with 29 domestic and seven international destinations through convenient one-stop connections.

Delhi, November 03, 2025 – Australian national airline Qantas has launched its first-ever Qantas Explorer fare sale in India in partnership with Tourism Australia.The campaign is designed to inspire Indian travellers to discover the unparalleled beauty and adventure of Australia. This partnership leverages Qantas’ nonstop flights from India and extensive domestic network across Australia for Indian travellers. In a first for Qantas, the airline has unlocked an extra two million discounted Qantas Explorer fares, in addition to its existing discounted offerings, available for booking from 27 October until 26 November, offering unprecedented value for Indian travellers looking to explore Australia’s diverse regions. Qantas Explorer is designed to help international travellers see more of Australia for less. When booked in conjunction with an international Qantas flight from India, travellers can access discounted fares to over 45 destinations, representing a discount up to 20 per cent off the base fare (excluding taxes, fees and carrier charges). Nick McGlynn, Executive Vice President, Qantas said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Tourism Australia on our first-ever Explorer fare sale for the Indian market. Travel between India and Australia continues to grow and with two million discounted Explorer fares and our direct flights, we’re making it easier and more affordable than ever to explore our incredible landscapes beyond Sydney and Melbourne.” According to Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, “India is a vital market for Australian tourism, and this campaign, featuring Ruby the Kangaroo, is a fantastic way to showcase Australia’s unique experiences and warm welcome. This partnership will not only inspire Indian travellers to plan and book an Australian holiday but it will also offer ways for visitors to stay longer and explore more destinations right around the country.”

New Delhi,October 27 2025: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on behalf of Ministry of Civil Aviation, will be hosting a four-day Asia Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC- AIG) meeting along with workshop from 28-31 October 2025. Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Rammohan Naidu is scheduled to inaugurate the event. The APAC-AIG meeting is held annually and ICAO member states in the Asia Pacific region along with various international organizations participate in the said meeting. The meeting is generally hosted by any one of the ICAO member states in the APAC region. India will be hosting the APAC-AIG meeting for the first time. There will be particpation of approximately 90 represenratives from aircraft accident investigation authorirtes of Asia Pacific countries as well as from the ICAO. Various aspects of aircraft accident investigations, including the processes and reporting, will be discussed at the meeting. The meetings of the group aims to promote the sharing of expertise, experience, and information among accident/incident investigation authorities and aims to develop and strengthen cooperation among them to improve the accident/incident investigation capability in the Asia and Pacific Regions. The workshop will be held on 28-29 October 2025 which will cover topics related to aircraft accident investigations. The workshop will have officials from AAIB, DGCA along with international participants. The representatives from ICAO member states in the Asia Pacific region and AAIB officials will hold discussions on October 30 and 31.

Astana,October 27, 2025: Air Astana switched to a winter schedule on 26th October 2025, which will remain effective until 28th March 2026.The updated flight schedule reflects seasonal travel demand by offering passengers enhanced connectivity across Kazakhstan and to international destinations. During the winter season, passenger demand traditionally shifts towards leisure destinations across Asia and the Middle East, with Air Astana’s revised schedule following these travel patterns. The airline is increasing flight frequencies to popular international leisure routes, including those to the Maldives, Phu Quoc, Dubai, Bangkok, and Phuket. Air Astana will continue to adjust its schedule according to market dynamics, maintaining its commitment to the highest standards of safety, reliability, and passenger comfort. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight schedules and status updates via the official Air Astana website and mobile app.

Delhi, 23rd October 2025: Ministry of Civil Aviation is celebrating the 9th anniversary of the Regional Connectivity Scheme The main celebration was held in New Delhi, chaired by Secretary (Civil Aviation) and attended by Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Members, AAI and other senior officers of the Ministry. In his address, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, highlighted that the UDAN, launched on 21st October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy, has been a transformational initiative aimed at making air travel affordable and accessible to the common citizen. The first UDAN flight, inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 27th April 2017 between Shimla and Delhi, marked a new era in regional aviation connectivity. Under the scheme, 649 routes have been operationalized connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes, facilitating over 1.56 crore passengers through 3.23 lakh UDAN flights. To support airline operators and regional infrastructure, the Government has disbursed more than Rs. 4,300 crore as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and invested Rs. 4,638 crore in airport development under RCS. A key recent initiative has been the introduction of Comprehensive Guidelines for Seaplane Operations in August 2024, and the launch of the UDAN 5.5, a special bidding round for seaplanes and helicopters. Under this round, Letters of Intent have been issued for 150 routes connecting 30 water aerodromes across various coastal and island regions. The Secretary reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continue the scheme beyond April 2027 through an Expanded UDAN Framework, focusing on connectivity with hilly, North-Eastern, and aspirational regions, and the development of around 120 new destinations. The UDAN is not just a scheme; it is a catalyst for change and a testament to India’s commitment to making air travel inclusive, sustainable and an integral part of our development journey.