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Swiss expands India network with new nonstop Bengaluru–Zurich service

Bengaluru, 19th May 2026: Swiss International Air Lines has announced the launch of new nonstop flights between Bengaluru and Zurich, further enhancing connectivity between Zurich and Bengaluru. The new service will operate five times weekly beginning in October 2026, offering customers seamless access between southern India and SWISS’s global hub in Zurich, with onward connections across Europe and North America through the Lufthansa Group network. Bengaluru becomes SWISS’s latest destination in India and reflects the airline’s continued focus on expanding its presence in strategically important growth markets. The new route is designed to meet strong demand from business travellers, the technology sector, premium leisure customers, and the growing Indian diaspora across Europe and beyond. According to Kevin Markette, Lufthansa Group Senior Director – Regional Sales South Asia: “India remains a strategically important market for the Lufthansa Group, and we are delighted to welcome Swiss International Air Lines to Bengaluru – one of the world’s leading technology and innovation hubs. As our third Lufthansa Group gateway from the city, alongside Frankfurt and Munich, this new SWISS service significantly enhances connectivity for travellers from southern India. Customers can now enjoy a truly premium Swiss travel experience – including First Class on every flight – combined with seamless access to Europe and North America via our Zurich hub.” Customers travelling on this new route will enjoy SWISS’s award-winning onboard service across First, Business and Economy Class, including premium lounges, high-quality Swiss cuisine, and effortless onward connections through Zurich Airport. As highlighted by Girish Nair, Chief Operating Officer of Bangalore International Airport Limited: “The introduction of SWISS’ direct BLR–ZRH service is a strong validation of the market maturity and long-term potential that Bengaluru continues to demonstrate. This non-stop link meets surging corporate and leisure demand, connecting India’s Silicon Valley with a premier global financial capital. Supported by BLR Airport’s domestic network spanning 78 destinations, the new service will also enable efficient single-ticket transfers for passengers across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India.” SWISS’ new Bengaluru service reinforces the broader commitment of the Lufthansa Group to the Indian market, where the Group continues to expand connectivity and customer choice through its portfolio of airlines, offering 70+ weekly flights in the Winter 2026 schedule.

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Air Astana celebrates 24th anniversary of its first commercial flight

Astana, 15th May 2026: Air Astana is marking the 24th anniversary of its first commercial flight today. During this time, the airline has grown from being a small carrier operating three aircraft into the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus by fleet size. Air Astana Group currently operates 63 aircraft and serves 44 international and 14 domestic destinations across Asia, Europe and Kazakhstan. Since May 2026, Air Astana has carried more than 94 million passengers, becoming one of Kazakhstan’s most recognisable companies and the recipient of numerous international awards for service excellence and flight safety. “Over the past 24 years, Air Astana has grown significantly, with an expanded route network and fleet of modern aircraft, together with developing a large workforce of aviation professionals. We are sincerely grateful to our passengers for their trust and loyalty over these years, and to the team for their professionalism, dedication and outstanding contribution to the airline’s success,” said Ibrahim Canliel, CEO of Air Astana.

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Air India rationalises international route network through August 2026

New Delhi, 13th May 2026: Air India has announced the rationalisation of its services on select international routes between June and August 2026. The adjustments have been made in response to a combination of factors, including continued airspace restrictions over certain regions and record high jet fuel prices for international operations, which significantly impact the commercial viability of certain planned services. These changes are aimed at improving network stability and reducing last-minute inconvenience to passengers. Air India said in the statement that despite the challenges and beyond these adjustments, it will continue to operate more than 1200 international flights every month, retaining a robust international network that spans five continents, including 33 flights per week to North America, 47 flights per week to Europe, 57 flights per week to the UK, 08 flights per week to Australia, 158 flights per week to the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC regions, and 07 flights per week to Mauritius (Africa). Air India will also assured to proactively assist customers with bookings affected by the cancellations through this period with re-accommodation on alternative feasible Air India flights, free date change or full refunds, as applicable. The airline remains available to support guests through its 24×7 contact centre and digital channels. The temporary network adjustments are summarised below by region: North America Delhi-Chicago: temporarily suspended Delhi-San Francisco: reduced from 10x weekly to 7x weekly through August Delhi-Toronto: reduced from 10x weekly to 5x weekly through July, increasing to daily operation from August Delhi-Vancouver: reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly Mumbai-Newark service increases from 3x weekly to 7x weekly and Delhi-New York (JFK) remains a 7x weekly service while Delhi-Newark and Mumbai-New York (JFK) services will be temporarily suspended Europe Delhi-Paris: reduced from 14x weekly to 7x weekly Delhi-Copenhagen: reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly Delhi-Milan: reduced from 5x weekly to 4x weekly Delhi-Vienna: reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly Delhi-Zurich: reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly Delhi-Rome: reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly Australia Delhi-Melbourne: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly Delhi-Sydney: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC Delhi-Shanghai: temporarily suspended through August Delhi-Singapore: reduced from 24x weekly to 14x weekly Mumbai-Singapore: reduced from 14x weekly to 7x weekly Chennai-Singapore: temporarily suspended through August Delhi-Bangkok: reduced from 28x weekly to 21x weekly from July Mumbai-Bangkok: reduced from 13x weekly to 7x weekly from July Delhi-Kuala Lumpur: reduced from 10x weekly to 5x weekly Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly in July and August Delhi-Hanoi: reduced from 5x weekly to 4x weekly in July and August Delhi-Kathmandu: reduced from 42x weekly to 28x weekly in June, and further to 21x weekly in July and August Delhi-Dhaka: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly Mumbai-Dhaka: temporarily suspended through August Mumbai-Colombo: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly Delhi-Colombo: reduced from 14x weekly to 12x weekly Delhi-Malé: temporarily suspended through August Air India has also mentioned that it continues to work closely with the regulators, airport authorities, and industry partners to restore full capacity as soon as conditions permit, but may make further adjustments to its network, should the extraordinary operating environment prevail.

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Akasa to connect Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai from NIA from 16th June onwards

Delhi,12th May 2026: Akasa Air has announced its plan to commence operations from Noida International Airport, connecting it directly with Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai in its initial operations. The airline has informed that the flights will start operating from 16 June 2026 onwards from NIA. Anand Srinivasan, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, said: “As India’s aviation market expands, capacity creation at the right infrastructure nodes will be key to sustaining growth. With its modern infrastructure, multimodal connectivity, and long-term capacity potential, Noida International Airport will transform access to NCR. We are pleased to be among the first airlines to establish operations at the airport enabling us to build early relevance, optimise network flows, and scale capacity with demand. Daily direct connectivity with Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai are anchored in strong origin-destination demand as well as onward connectivity potential. Over time, we see Noida International Airport evolving into a key pillar of our network architecture, supporting both point-to-point traffic and future connectivity flows, while contributing meaningfully to our long-term growth.” Akasa Air will also operate a MRO facility within the airport premises, offering advanced MRO services, supporting a broad spectrum of aircraft maintenance activities and ensuring high standards of operational efficiency and safety.

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Akasa Air announces establishment of entity at GIFT City, Gandhinagar

Delhi,8th May 2026: At the India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit 2.0 in Gandhinagar, Akasa Air has announced the establishment of its entity, Akasa Air Leasing IFSC Private Limited (AALI), at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). This marks a strategic milestone in strengthening the airline’s aircraft financing and leasing capabilities. The AALI office at GIFT City will serve as a dedicated platform to support Akasa Air’s fleet expansion and long-term growth plans. It will play a pivotal role in advancing the airline’s aircraft financing strategy, enabling greater flexibility, cost efficiency, and enhanced access to global capital markets. Aligned with the Government of India’s vision to create a world-class ecosystem for aircraft leasing and financing through GIFT City, AALI, upon commencement of operations, will provide aircraft leasing and financing solutions to Akasa Air. Leveraging the benefits of the GIFT City framework, AALI is expected to finance a majority of the airline’s aircraft over time while strengthening onshore leasing capabilities. Priya Mehra, Chief of Governance & Strategic Acquisitions, Akasa Air, said, “The GIFT City entity is a key enabler of Akasa Air’s next phase of growth, strengthening our aircraft financing strategy and positioning us to access global capital more efficiently. It allows us to build deeper, long-term partnerships with leading lessors while supporting our fleet expansion at scale. We appreciate the enabling ecosystem created by the Government of India and remain committed to contributing to the evolution of GIFT city as global aviation financing hub. We also sincerely thank our leasing partners for their trust and collaboration as we take this important step.” This move strengthens Akasa Air’s long-term growth strategy by deepening global lessor partnerships and enhancing operational agility as it scales its fleet and network.

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Air Astana Group Q1 2026 results highlights agile reallocation of capacity driving revenue and traffic growth

Almaty,6th May 2026: Air Astana JSC,the airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size, announced its results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2026. At the end of Q1, the airlines group showed continued Revenue and traffic growth with improving load factor. The detailed summary includes: • Total revenue and other income increased 13.2% to USD 331.0 million (Q1 2025: USD 292.4 million). • EBITDAR decreased 19.6% to USD 48.2 million (Q1 2025: USD 59.9 million). EBITDAR margin 5.9pp lower to 14.6% (Q1 2025: 20.5%). • PAT decreased to USD -21.1 million (Q1 2025: USD -7.3 million). • ASK up 0.7% to 4.72 billion (Q1 2025: 4.69 billion). • RPK increased 3.0% to 3.94 billion (Q1 2025: 3.82 billion). • RASK-CASK differential negative for the quarter: • RASK increased 12.4% to USD 7.01¢ (Q1 2025: 6.23¢) • CASK increased 19.8% to USD 7.30¢ (Q1 2025: 6.09¢). • Group passengers carried remain stable at 1.95 million (Q1 2025: 2.01 million) with average load factor improving to 83.3% (Q1 2025: 81.5%). At the announcement of the result, the CEO of Air Astana Ibrahim Canliel said,“These are my first quarterly results as CEO of Air Astana and I am pleased to report that we have seen continued growth in revenue and in traffic despite the market environment and ongoing cost challenges. With a modest increase in traffic (RPK +3.0%) we have seen revenue up 13.2% for the quarter, and unit revenues (RASK) +12.4%. The first quarter of 2026 has posed challenges for the entire aviation industry but has also given Air Astana a further opportunity to demonstrate our agility and resilience in the face of aversion. Within 48 hours of the Gulf conflict starting, we had already begun reallocating our aircraft to support the rapidly evolving demand conditions which have become a new norm. I am immensely proud of my colleagues’ response: from flying repatriation flights, to providing the increased transit opportunities for our business and leisure passengers. Alongside this operational response, we continued to advance our long-term network strategy. In Q1 we launched our first flight to Shanghai, a city with a greater population than our home nation. This adds both additional destinations and frequencies to our existing routes into China and capitalises on the huge growth opportunity within our nearby megamarkets. We have also boosted capacity to India, Central Asia and the Caucasus providing a robust substitute for the Gulf destinations.”

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Successful first flight of the Do228 NXT – German multi-role aircraft ready for versatile missions

OBERPFAFFENHOFEN, 4th May, 2026: The much awaited Do228 NXT demonstrator aircraft made the successful first flight on May 2nd, 2026 marking a major milestone in the aviation sector.This begins a new chapter in the history of the multi-role aircraft and key moment for aircraft production in Germany. The latest version of the proven turboprop aircraft took off to the skies almost 45 years after the first flight of the iconic Do228. An unforgettable moment For the entire team at General Atomics AeroTec Systems, the first flight was a very special and emotional moment. After General Atomics Group acquired the facility about five years ago, a new production line was established, numerous partners and suppliers were brought on board, and the series production of the Do228 NXT was restarted. Now, the Do228 NXT demonstrator took off for the first time, rewarding the team’s years of hard work. “Taking the Do228 NXT into the air for the first time was an extraordinary experience” said Martina Hierle, Test Pilot and Program Manager at GA-ATS. “The aircraft performed flawlessly. You can immediately sense what this aircraft is capable of and that the Do228 NXT is ready for demanding missions around the world. This successful first flight is the result of incredible dedication and hard work from the entire team – and it proves that every effort was absolutely worth it. With the Do228 NXT, we now have a modern aircraft that carries the legacy of the Do228 into the future.” Over the next few weeks, additional production test flights will be conducted with the Do228 NXT demonstrator aircraft to gather important data and evaluate its flight characteristics. This includes testing at different altitudes, speeds, flight patterns, takeoffs and landings, as well as various operational scenarios. Ready for global presentation Following test flights, the aircraft is scheduled to be officially unveiled to the global public in the summer of 2026. Following the premiere event, the Do228 NXT demonstrator will be displayed at numerous trade shows and events. The aircraft’s first trade show appearance is planned for ILA 2026, which will take place from June 10 to 14 in Berlin, Germany. Following that, the Do228 NXT will make its international debut at the end of July, when it will be on display at the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom from July 20 to 24. Craig Simpson, Managing Director of GA-ATS, underlined the significance of this milestone: “The first flight of the NXT demonstrator is the culmination of years of dedicated work across all departments. It is a true reflection of the expertise and commitment of our entire team in Oberpfaffenhofen – and a moment we are all incredibly proud of. The Do228 NXT is not just an upgrade – it is our answer to the demands of modern aviation, and we are proud to bring it to market. That’s why we’re looking forward to showcasing the aircraft during the next months at numerous trade shows, events, customer visits and demo tours. We want to show the aircraft and its features to the world, as there is widespread international interest in the Do228 NXT.”

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Air India starts Hanoi operations, mark its second gateway in Vietnam

Hanoi, 2nd May 2026: Air India inaugurated its new 5x weekly non-stop service to Hanoi, touching down at the Vietnamese capital city for the first time. Hanoi is Air India’s second gateway in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City and the eighth destination in Southeast Asia. Flight AI2390 departed from Delhi at 0120 Hrs (IST), landing at Noi Bai International Airport at 0720 Hrs (local time), where it was welcomed by dignitaries from the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, airport officials, and Air India staff. The new five times weekly service complements Air India’s daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City, offering travellers greater flexibility to explore Vietnam with open-jaw itineraries. With the launch of this service, travellers can conveniently arrive in Hanoi and return from Ho Chi Minh City, or vice versa, making multi-city leisure and business travel easier. Air India’s Delhi-Hanoi service is operated by Air India’s A320neo aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration including Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy, delivering a premium, full-service flying experience to and from India and beyond. The new service also seamlessly connects points in the United Kingdom and Europe to Vietnam, enabling travellers between these regions to travel conveniently via Air India’s hub at Delhi. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Vietnam has rapidly evolved into a high-potential market for Indian travellers, supported by strong leisure demand, growing business exchanges and rising interest in multi-city holidays. With Hanoi joining our network alongside Ho Chi Minh City, we are creating more choice, greater convenience and stronger connectivity between the two countries as well as enabling traffic between Europe and Vietnam.”

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Air India plans to launch international operations from Varanasi under Hub-and-Spoke SOP

New Delhi,29th April 2026; Air India has showed positive approach towards the Government of India’s push to operationalise the hub-and-spoke aviation model and announced that it is preparing to launch international connectivity from Varanasi under this model. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “This is a transformative step for Indian aviation. We would like to thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister for his vision, to make India a global aviation hub and develop the entire aviation ecosystem. The hub-and-spoke model will not only strengthen connectivity but also ensure optimal use of airport infrastructure developed across the country. We thank the Minister of Civil aviation for championing the entire Hub and Spoke model which will create a strong multiplier effect and act as a catalyst for India’s broader growth.” Wilson thanked the Civil Aviation Secretary for playing a key role by engaging closely with all stakeholders such as airlines, airports, government agencies to ensure that operational readiness, passenger convenience and security considerations were addressed holistically as the model moves towards implementation. As part of its network expansion and in alignment with the hub and spoke model, Air India is preparing to launch international connectivity from Varanasi, strengthening the city’s linkages with global destinations and enhancing access for passengers from surrounding regions. P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance and Corporate Affairs, Air India, said: “The introduction of international hub-and-spoke connectivity from Varanasi underscores our focus on expanding India’s global aviation footprint beyond metros. It will provide tremendous boost to international travellers from India’s Tier 2 and tier 3 cities by cutting down travel time, while making travel seamless and convenient.” The hub-and-spoke model marks a fundamental shift in India’s aviation landscape – from a predominantly end destination market to a global transit ecosystem. It will help airlines optimise aircraft utilisation and contribute to decongestion at major airports by decentralising passenger processing, including customs and immigration, across spoke locations.

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Safran Aircraft Engines Partners with Uni Tritech for LEAP Engine Manufacturing in India

Mumbai ,29th April, 2026 : Safran Aircraft Engines has signed a MoU with Uni Tritech , a Neterwala Group company, to manufacture components for the CFM LEAP engine program. This collaboration marks a major milestone in strengthening Safran Aircraft Engines’ supply chain and advancing India’s capabilities in high-precision aerospace manufacturing. Under this agreement, Uni Tritech Private Limited will start production of aluminum investment cast parts for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines at its facility in Dharwad, Karnataka (India). The components will be cast, precisely machined, and receive specialized treatments in India, in accordance with the strict quality, safety, and certification standards required for new-generation commercial aircraft engines. The LEAP engine powers the world’s most advanced single-aisle commercial aircraft and sets a benchmark for fuel efficiency, performance, and durability. This partnership is fully aligned with Safran Aircraft Engines’ strategy to build a resilient and diversified global supply chain, while further consolidating India’s role as a key aerospace manufacturing hub. The collaboration will leverage Uni Tritech’s advanced foundry technologies, precision machining, and proprietary metallurgical processes, to deliver products meeting the highest standards of performance, durability, and reliability. LEAP engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Safran Aircraft Engines (France) and GE Aerospace (United States of Americas) Leadership Commentary “This partnership with Safran Aircraft Engines marks a defining milestone for Uni Tritech and the Neterwala Group. It highlights our expertise in advanced metallurgy and precision engineering, as well as our commitment to supporting global aerospace programs. By manufacturing critical LEAP engine components in India, we are proud to contribute to the growth of a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem.” Said Kuldeep Bhan, Group President – Global Metallurgy Business, Neterwala Group “Our collaboration with Uni Tritech, Safran Aircraft Engines’ first aluminum foundry partner in India, marks an important step in strengthening the resilience and diversity of our global supply chain. This initiative also highlights India’s expanding role as a key aerospace manufacturing hub, as we work together to supply high-precision components and support the fast-growing ramp-up of the LEAP engine program with the highest industry standards.” said Dominique Dupuy, Safran Aircraft Engines, Vice President, Purchasing. Strengthening Global Aerospace Collaboration This agreement highlights the growing alignment between global aerospace industry leaders and Indian manufacturers. It reflects a shared vision to foster innovation, accelerate skills development, and build long-term industrial partnerships to support the future of aviation.

FOREWORD

Dear Reader’s,

 

The current edition of Aviation World has covered many areas of Aerospace & Defence based on the latest development in the sector. The front cover highlights three different images, first for the Union Civil Aviation Minister ….. who is leading from the front to steer Indian Civil Aviation sector to witness one of the most interesting phases. He is also facing most tumultuous timing due to the ongoing financial stress in the Aviation sector due to ATF rising cost and long airspace restrictions resulting in mounting losses for Indian carriers. Despite of all the ground level challenges,the minister is addressing new things on regular basis which keeps the sector motivated. We have featured many such developmental works in this edition done under his guidance which will be interesting to read.

Our lead story on “ The West War” is another important feature which covers the ground level reality of the challenges faced by the Aviation sector. Its though time ahead and we believe it will pass soon .

There are features on Regional connectivity and MoCA revised rules on the UDAN 2.0 and how its going to transform the flying experience within India.

In this edition, we have covered topics on MRO,Various Policy changes,Sea Plane Operations by SkyHop Aviation, TATA-Airbus joint project on C295 military aircraft under Make In India which is expected to roll out soon and many other interesting contents which will be good to read.

We are covering Farnborough International Airshow 2026 from 20-24July 2026 in London and our next edition will be based on the same event.For features, you may contact our team on priority basis.

 

Happy Reading!

NEWSLETTER

Aviation World Magazine is India’s premier aviation magazine and has been actively supporting the development of the Indian and global civil aviation sector. We started our journey in year 2015 and its been 12 years now and the response and acceptance is really encouraging. Thanks to all our associates and writers who remained with us in our progressive journey.

We have started 2026 on a very positive note and we look forward to increase our footprints to more locations and induct many more new companies in our campaign.. Do write to us at : editor@aviationworld.in

Disclaimer

The contents published in this website are news covering Aviation, Aerospace and Defence sector. The objective is to provide news in informative form to keep our readers updated of the latest development. We also publish content featured in our print publication Aviation World.We try our best to avoid any factual errors or image displayed here but we ensure immediate corrections to any such thing brought to our notice that might have been published inadvertently. All images and contents are sourced from the relevant organisations media team.

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