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Astana, 18th August 2026: Air Astana, the flag carrier of the Republic of Kazakhstan has issued an statement regarding extending the suspension of flights to Dubai from Almaty and Astana until 30th September 2026. The October schedule for these routes has been adjusted with a reduced frequency of flights. The decision has been taken due to the continuing instability in the Gulf region.Air Astana had earlier suspended its flights to Dubai starting July 21 2026, with the temporary shutdown scheduled till August 31, 2026. Air Astana is offering free rebooking in the same booking class for travel until 20th November 2026 to the affected passengers.They may also request a full refund at the original point of purchase or reroute to other Air Astana international destinations without penalty, subject to any applicable fare difference.  

New Delhi, 10th August 2026: Singapore Airlines (SIA) has appointed Aswin K as General Manager, India, with effect from 1 August 2026. He succeeds Sy Yen Chen, who served as General Manager, India for more than five years. During his tenure, Chen’s leadership and extensive experience contributed significantly to SIA’s growth in the Indian market. As General Manager, India, Aswin will oversee SIA’s operations across the country. He joins from Milan, where he has served as General Manager, Italy, since 2024. In his new role, he will lead the Airline’s growth strategy in one of its most important international markets, while strengthening relationships with travel trade partners, customers, and key industry stakeholders. Aswin has more than 12 years of experience with Singapore Airlines. He joined the Airline in 2014 as an Aviation Network Analyst before taking on the role of Regional Marketing Manager, West Asia and Africa. He subsequently served as State Manager for Karnataka and Telangana in Bangalore, followed by General Manager, Gulf and Middle East, where he oversaw SIA’s commercial operations across the region. Prior to his appointment in India, he was General Manager, Italy. Commenting on his new role, Aswin K said: “I am honoured to lead Singapore Airlines’ operations in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. India is a market of strategic importance for Singapore Airlines, and I look forward to connecting with our customers, travel trade partners and industry stakeholders as we continue to strengthen our presence across the country. As demand for international travel continues to grow and the aviation landscape evolves, we remain committed to delivering our award-winning service and world-class products via our extensive global network.” Aswin K will be based in Mumbai, which serves as SIA’s head office for its India operations.

New Delhi,6th August 2026: Pawan Hans Limited (PHL), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, today signed a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS), Norway to explore opportunities for collaboration in next-generation sustainable aviation technologies, including electric seaplane solutions. The MoU was signed in the presence of Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha. The agreement was signed by Sunil Kumar Nagdawne, Chairman & Managing Director, Pawan Hans Limited, and Eric François Lithun, Chief Executive Officer, Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS), Norway. MoU Framework The proposed collaboration seeks to establish a framework for exploring potential cooperation in the areas like  Electric seaplane technologies, Skill development and capacity building, Technical knowledge sharing and workshops , Feasibility studies. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision of promoting regional connectivity, green aviation, innovation-led growth, island connectivity and emerging aviation technologies. The Minister said, “This collaboration reflects our broader vision of encouraging strengthening indigenous capabilities and exploring emerging technologies in the civil aviation sector. Our vision is not limited to operating seaplanes in India; we also want to build them in India guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India vision. Further the Union Budget 2026 strongly puts forward the government’s vision for Seaplane promotion. It proposes to give incentives to indigenize manufacturing of seaplanes. A Seaplane VGF Scheme will be also be introduced to provide support for operations. If we combine global technology partnerships with Indian manufacturing capability, then we can cater to the local and regional demand for Seaplanes.” The Minister further stated, “Over the last two years, the Government of India has taken several concrete steps to promote seaplanes in the country. We launched dedicated Seaplane Operations Guidelines, simplified the regulatory framework and also conducted a demonstration flight across the country to encourage the stakeholders.” Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS), headquartered in Bergen, Norway, is engaged in the development of next-generation electric seaplane technology and is supported by funding from the Government of Norway for its development programme. The MoU is exploratory in nature and does not involve any financial commitment, procurement commitment, investment obligation or exclusive arrangement. Any future collaboration arising from these discussions will be subject to separate definitive agreements and the requisite approvals of the competent authorities, in accordance with applicable laws and Government of India procedures. The initiative reflects Pawan Hans Limited’s continued commitment to innovation, operational excellence and supporting India’s evolving aviation ecosystem through strategic international partnerships.

Gurugram, 5th August 2026: The Board of Directors of Air India today announced the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam as the airline’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, succeeding Campbell Wilson. This executive transition marks a pivotal juncture in Air India’s transformation journey to become a world-class, leading global airline. The Board conducted a comprehensive search to identify the next leader for Air India, overseen by a dedicated Board committee. The committee rigorously evaluated internal as well as highly accomplished external candidates from across the world. The objective of the Board was to identify a leader with a proven record of managing mega-scale airline turnarounds, delivering operational excellence, fostering a strong culture of safety and service, and driving profitable expansion. Following an intensive evaluation process, the Board unanimously concluded that Gebremariam possesses the ideal combination of leadership, deep operational expertise, and strategic execution capability required for Air India’s next phase of growth. Tewolde Gebremariam Professional Journey Tewolde Gebremariam is widely recognized as one of the most successful aviation chief executives. During his decade-plus tenure as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, he spearheaded a multi-billion-dollar expansion, transforming a regional carrier into Africa’s largest, most profitable, and decorated airline group—growing revenue by more than fourfold and fleet size nearly threefold. His unique strength lies in managing complex operational landscapes, driving cultural transformation, building competitive global hubs, and developing world-class MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) and aviation training infrastructure. As Air India shifts from its foundational turnaround phase into a high growth & profitable execution phase, Mr. Gebremariam brings crucial capabilities required for Air India’s next leg of journey. He has strong experience in expanding international long-haul networks and building world-class hub operations, an unrelenting commitment to safety standards, engineering quality, and operational reliability. He also has a track record of driving sustained profitability.  while navigating complex economic cycles and dynamic global markets together with a deep experience in workforce upskilling, talent development, and embedding a high-performance, customer-first service culture. Senior Leadership’s Comment N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, said: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Tewolde to Air India. Having completed the initial phase of stabilization, integration, and fleet commitments under Campbell’s guidance, Air India is now entering a critical execution and expansion era. Tewolde’s track record in building one of the world’s most efficient and profitable airline groups makes him uniquely suited to lead Air India. His operational expertise, commitment to safety, and vision for hub development will be instrumental as we establish Air India as a premier global carrier and a source of national pride.” Tewolde Gebremariam, Incoming CEO & Managing Director, said: “It is a profound honour to be entrusted with leading Air India at such a historic moment in its journey. Air India carries an incredible legacy, and the opportunity to build a world-class global airline that reflects India’s extraordinary economic potential is uniquely exciting. I look forward to working closely with Chairman Chandrasekaran, the Board, our employees, and all government and industry partners to deliver exceptional operational reliability, warm Indian hospitality, and sustained long-term growth.” With a solid foundation now in place, Air India enters its next era with clear strategic clarity, robust capital backing, and world-class leadership at the helm. The Board seemed fully confident that under Tewolde Gebremariam, Air India will realize its full potential as a premier global aviation power.

Bangkok,5th August 2026: With just a month to go until APATS 2026 in Bangkok, anticipation is building for the packed agenda covering every aspect of aviation training. From airline transformation and next-generation pilot training to immersive technologies, regulation and widening access to aviation careers, delegates will have the opportunity to hear directly from the organisations leading change across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Here are six standout sessions from across the APATS programme. 1. Opening Keynote: Thai Airways COO on Aviation’s Next Transformation The conference opens with a keynote from Captain Chawan Ratanawaraha, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Transformation Officer at Thai Airways, who will share how one of Asia’s leading carriers is preparing its workforce for the next phase of aviation transformation. Drawing on decades of operational and leadership experience, Captain Chawan will discuss the strategic challenges facing airlines as they balance growth, technology, sustainability and workforce development. 2. Pilot Stream: Operationalizing Next-Generation MPL Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training has been discussed for years. This session focuses on how to make it work in practice. Experts from CAE and AirAsia will examine every stage of implementation, from designing a fully CBTA-compliant course and preparing instructors to managing grading data and measuring airline outcomes. The session concludes with the airline perspective on cadet readiness and why governance and collaboration between airlines, regulators and ATOs are essential to successful MPL programmes. For organisations considering MPL or looking to improve existing programmes, this promises practical lessons rather than theory. 3. Cabin Crew Stream: Modern Learning Technologies for Aviation Training Technology is changing not only how aviation professionals train but how they consume information. Nicholas Bolton, Technical Lead – Immersive & Emerging Technologies at Qantas, will demonstrate how virtual reality is supporting more immersive, practical learning experiences, while Joaquim Gonsalves from IndiGo explores podcasts as a scalable, flexible training tool for today’s mobile workforce. Together, the presentations highlight how digital learning can improve engagement without sacrificing operational relevance. 4. New for 2026: FSTDO Regulatory Stream Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) regulation is entering a period of unprecedented change, and  APATS 2026 is responding by launching an entirely new conference stream dedicated to FSTD regulatory oversight, qualification and harmonisation across the Asia-Pacific region. The FSTDO Regulatory stream will provide what organisers hope will become a permanent forum for dialogue between National Aviation Authorities (NAAs), Flight Simulation Training Device Operators (FSTDOs), airlines, training organisations and simulator manufacturers. The initiative comes as Europe introduces the new Flight Simulation Training Device Capability Signature (FCS) framework and the task-to-tool approach, and ICAO commences work on the update to ICAO doc 9625 Manual of Criteria for the Qualification of FSTDs, changes that are expected to significantly influence how simulators are qualified and credited for pilot training worldwide. 5. ATO Stream: Breaking Barriers in Ab Initio Training As airlines seek to expand the pilot pipeline, attracting and supporting the next generation of aviators has never been more important. This session explores three practical approaches to widening access and improving student success. Speakers examine how early Aviation English assessment can improve readiness for non-native English-speaking cadets, how universities are balancing technical competence with student wellbeing and regulatory requirements, and how innovative deferred-payment cadetship programmes could remove financial barriers while creating more sustainable pilot pipelines. It’s a session focused not simply on recruiting more pilots, but on helping more students successfully complete the journey. (This PR is sourced from APATS 2026 Page (www.halldale.com) and is published on as it is basis.)

Delhi, 3rd August 2026: IndiGo has announced that Willie Walsh has assumed charge as its new Chief Executive Officer to lead the airline’s next era of growth and global ambition. IndiGo had announced his appointment as its new CEO in March 2026. Bringing over four decades of global aviation leadership experience, Walsh will work closely with the Board and the management team to build on IndiGo’s strong operational foundations while advancing its strategic ambitions and creating long-term value for customers, shareholders and all other stakeholders. Welcoming Walsh to the organisation, Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director, IndiGo, said, “As IndiGo enters its third decade and stands poised for the next phase of its growth, I am delighted to officially welcome Willie as the airline’s Chief Executive Officer. His extensive global experience in the aviation industry, combined with his operational and strategic expertise, will be instrumental as IndiGo accelerates its international expansion strategy. I am confident that under his leadership, IndiGo will further strengthen its standing on the global aviation stage and increasingly contribute to continued development of the Indian aviation sector.” Commenting on taking charge, Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said, “IndiGo has built a remarkable legacy over the last two decades, establishing itself amongst the largest airlines in the world in a short span of time. With India becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, the opportunities ahead for IndiGo are immense. There could not be a more exciting and opportune time for me to join IndiGo than now. I look forward to working with the entire IndiGo team to build on the airline’s success and take it to greater heights globally.” Walsh is widely regarded as one of the aviation industry’s most accomplished, respected and influential leaders. Renowned for his pragmatic and resolute management, he has successfully led major airlines through growth, transformation, and complex operating environments. His distinguished career highlights commence from his role as a pilot at Aer Lingus to working his way up the ranks to become the CEO of the airline in 2001. He has held leadership positions at several respected aviation organisations including CEO of British Airways (2005–2011); CEO of International Airlines Group (2011– 2020); and most recently serving as Director General of International Air Transport Association (IATA). As CEO, Walsh will lead the airline’s overall management and strategic direction, with a focus on accelerating its global growth trajectory, driving operational excellence, strengthening network and commercial strategy, and further enhancing customer experience. He will work closely with the Board and the leadership team to guide IndiGo through its next stage of growth, reinforcing its leadership position in the industry.

Gurugram, 1st August 2026: Air India today deployed its brand-new B787-9 aircraft on Delhi-Toronto flights, bringing the airline’s all-new cabin product and onboard experience to Canada for the first time and significantly elevating passenger experience. Building on this milestone, Air India announced the expansion of its Canada operations for the Winter 2026-27 season with: A new non-stop service between Mumbai and Toronto Overall capacity between India and Canada increasing by 4,400 seats each month Premium seat capacity to Toronto boosting by 71% New, seasonal Mumbai-Toronto service with upgraded interiors Air India will launch a seasonal 3x weekly non-stop service between Mumbai and Toronto between 25 October 2026 and 26 March 2027, adding nearly 2,000 seats each week between India and Canada and making it the only carrier operating direct flights between the two cities. The service will be operated by Air India’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with significantly upgraded cabin interiors, featuring 8 luxurious First Class suites with privacy sliding doors, 40 flat beds in Business Class, and 280 seats in Economy. Travellers between Mumbai and Toronto will also enjoy WiFi internet connectivity on board the upgraded B777-300ER aircraft. Through Air India’s hubs at Mumbai and Delhi, customers travelling to/from Canada can connect seamlessly to destinations including Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ludhiana, and Vadodara, among several other Indian cities. 100% new or upgraded product deployment to Toronto from January 2027 Of the 10x weekly flights Air India operates on the Delhi-Toronto route this Winter, 7x weekly services will be operated by the brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft, featuring the airline’s latest cabin products. The remaining 3x weekly services will be initially operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and will transition to the new Boeing 787-9 from January 2027 as more aircraft join the fleet. With that, all Air India flights to and from Toronto will feature all-new or significantly upgraded cabin interiors, delivering a consistent premium experience across the market. The deployment of the new and upgraded aircraft to Toronto from Delhi and Mumbai enables Air India to boost premium seat capacity to Toronto by 71%this winter, offering more First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy options to travellers. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Canada is one of Air India’s most important international markets, with deep people-to-people connections driving strong demand for travel, particularly during the festive and holiday season. The launch of our seasonal Mumbai-Toronto service this Winter will provide travellers more choice and convenience at a time when many are travelling to reunite with family and friends. At the same time, we are also progressively introducing our newest aircraft and the latest onboard products to North America, reflecting our intent to put our best foot forward in one of the world’s most competitive long-haul markets. Together, these initiatives mark another important step in our journey to make Air India a world-class airline and the preferred gateway between India and the world.”

Gurugram, 31st July 2026: The Indian defence and avionics company, Samtel Avionics has appointed Akhil Gupta as a Strategic Advisor through his firm M/s Inversion Advisory Services. In this role, he will play a key role in advising the company’s expansion into new-age technology domains including space, satellite systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and optronics. He brings with him decades of leadership experience and has been closely associated with the Bharti Airtel group. Under this role, Akhil Gupta will assist Samtel Avionics in preparing the company’s long-term strategy for aviation, space and advanced electronics businesses along with advising in financial management, capital structure, IPO readiness, and corporate governance. Speaking on this development, Puneet Kaura, Managing Director and CEO, Samtel Avionics shared, “We are delighted to welcome Akhil Gupta as a Strategic advisor to Samtel Family. His deep expertise of scaling businesses, strategic investments, corporate governance, and understanding of new-age high technology sectors will bring lot of value as we accelerate our expansion into space, satellite, UAV, and advanced electronics domains. His guidance will help us build a strong foundation for Samtel’s next phase of growth.” Sharing his thoughts on this association, Akhil Gupta said, “India is entering an exciting phase of growth in the aerospace, defence and space sectors, creating significant opportunities for companies with strong technological and manufacturing capabilities. Samtel Avionics has built a robust foundation in mission-critical Defence technologies, supported by a clear commitment to innovation and indigenization. I am pleased to associate with the company at this pivotal stage of its journey and look forward to working with the leadership team to shape a scalable, future-ready organization as it expands into strategic technology domains, particularly in space segment.” Notably, the appointment comes at a time when Samtel Avionics is aggressively expanding beyond its current defence avionics portfolio into space technologies, satellite systems, drone manufacturing, and advanced electronic solutions. The company has recently announced significant investments in future-focused aerospace and defence capabilities to contribute towards India’s aim to indigenise defence and space ecosystem of the country.

Farnborough,UK, 23rd July 2026: Every 3.5 minutes, someone in India dies in a road accident. With over 170,000 lives lost on Indian roads each year, and only 1 in 5 patients reaching trauma care within the critical “golden hour,” urban congestion and geographic distance remain some of the biggest barriers to survival – not the absence of medical expertise. To help close this gap, Ubifly Technologies Private Limited (“The ePlane Company”) and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, on to bring electric air ambulances and medical delivery drones into India’s emergency healthcare system, connecting emergency patients across high-density urban corridors and remote access areas directly to the trauma care they need, without the delays of urban traffic or the expense of traditional helicopter transfers. Why the Golden Hour Matters For trauma, cardiac, and stroke patients, the first hour after an emergency often determines the difference between recovery and tragedy. Yet today, patients frequently lose that hour to traffic, distance, and the need to stabilize at any nearby facility before being moved again to specialized trauma care thereby losing precious time. This collaboration is designed to change that with a faster, more direct path from the point of emergency to definitive care. A New Kind of Emergency Network The collaboration brings together air and road ambulance network complementing one another:: Electric Air Ambulances: ePlane’s e200X aircraft, designed for rapid inter-hospital transfers, trauma response, cardiac and stroke emergencies, and organ transport, moving patients up to 7 times faster than road transport – at a fraction of the cost of a traditional helicopter transfer. Medical Delivery Drones: Through its subsidiary Amber Wings, ePlane’s unmanned aerial vehicles are designed to rapidly move blood products, organs, vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic samples between facilities – cutting critical delivery times from hours to minutes. Apollo’s Network of 1066 ambulances, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and diagnostic centers, A combination of above, creates the foundation for a connected emergency response system –  one that could bring life-saving care to some of India’s most congested and difficult to access cities. Looking Ahead As part of the collaboration, Apollo has indicated its intent to examine the possibility for orders for e200x air ambulances and Amber Wings’ medical delivery drones. The MOU also outlines the possibility of a future strategic investment by Apollo in ePlane, subject to future agreement on terms. Both parties intend to work with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and other relevant authorities to help bring this vision to life, alongside continued discussions on infrastructure needed to support these operations. Leadership Commentary “India loses far too many lives simply because help cannot arrive in time,” said Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. “As the founder of Apollo Hospitals, which  pioneered India’s private healthcare model, I have long believed that access, along with deep clinical expertise –  is what saves lives. This collaboration with The ePlane Company reflects our commitment to bringing Apollo’s clinical excellence to every corner of the country, however remote.” “Every minute matters when someone’s life is on the line,” said Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Founder & CTO of The ePlane Company. “Working with Apollo Hospitals allows us to explore how our electric aircraft and drones can help close the gap between accident and treatment, especially for the millions of Indians living far from specialized trauma care.” Top image caption: Aditya Reddy, Director, Apollo Hospitals Group; S. M. Krishnan, Senior Vice President – Finance & Company Secretary, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited; Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited; Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Founder & CTO, The ePlane Company; and Karthik Reddy, Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, Divya Manchanda EVP Business Partnerships & AAM Strategy ,The ePlane Company.