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IndiGo announces appointment of William Walsh as the new CEO

Delhi, 31st March 2026: The biggest Indian carrier, IndiGo has announced the appointment of William Walsh as its new Chief Executive Officer. This follows after the former CEO Peter Elbers resigned from his post in early March, which was accepeted by the Inter Globe management after the December 2025 operational fiasco. This strategic decision comes at a time when IndiGo seeks to strenghten its leadership team and drive growth and enhance its presence in the global aviation market. William Walsh’s role as CEO will involve overseeing the airline’s management and strategic direction, focusing on enhancing operational performance and customer experience. He is currently the Director General ‌of the International Air Transport Association(IATA) and will join the Indian airline in early August. On March 31, 2026, IndiGo’s Board of Directors approved the appointment of William Walsh as CEO, subject to regulatory approvals. Walsh, who is currently the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), will conclude his tenure there on July 31, 2026, and is expected to join IndiGo by August 3, 2026. Walsh is renowned for his extensive experience in the aviation industry, having previously served as CEO of British Airways and the International Airlines Group (IAG). His leadership is credited with effective restructuring and successful mergers and acquisitions. Walsh tenure at IATA is coming to end on July 31. He started as a commercial pilot, moving to different roles as the COO and then CEO of Aer Lingus (2000-2005) and later moved to British Airways as CEO (2005-2011), CEO of IAG (2011-2020) and to IATA. Walsh’s experience of “managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics make him ideally suited to strengthen and lead IndiGo for continued growth,” said Vikram Singh Mehta, IndiGo’s chairman, in an exchange filing on Tuesday.

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Maldivian completes 18 years of operations in India

Delhi, 31st March 2026: Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives recently completed its 18 years of operations in India. For nearly two decades, India operations have remained a key pillar of Maldivian’s regional connectivity and growth. Maldivian currently flies 5 times every week to both Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin. Over the past eighteen years, these routes have played an important role in strengthening access to essential markets and enhancing connectivity between the Maldives and major Indian cities. The network has also supported tourism, trade, education, and medical travel, further reinforcing the close ties between the two neighboring countries. The airlines in an special event brought together key stakeholders, partners, and team members to reflect on the airline’s journey in the Indian market and to recognise the contributions of those who have helped shape this success over the years. As part of the celebration, long-serving staff and valued partners were presented with commemorative awards in recognition of their dedication, loyalty, and longstanding support throughout Maldivian’s 18 years of operations to India. Maldivian’s continued service to India underscores the airline’s commitment to maintaining strong regional links and delivering greater convenience for travellers journeying between the Maldives and India. As one of the airline’s most important international markets, India continues to contribute significantly to Maldivian’s broader vision of connecting the Maldives to key destinations across the region. With the largest domestic network in the Maldives, Maldivian also provides seamless connections for travellers arriving from India to destinations across the country, linking them to resort islands, local communities, business hubs, and essential services. “India has been an integral part of Maldivian’s international journey for the past 18 years,” said Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Maldivian. “This milestone is not only a celebration of our operations, but also a tribute to the dedicated staff, trusted partners, and loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years. We remain committed to strengthening this important market and further enhancing connectivity between the Maldives and India.”

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Noida Int. Airport inaugurated by the PM,Phase 1 developed at an investment of 11200Cr

Noida, 28th March 2026: The date 28th March 2026 will be remembered as an iconic day not only for the uttar Pradesh or Noida but also for the nation as the one of the much awaited airport at Jewer in Greater Noida finally got inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The PM said that this airport marks a new chapter in the Viksit UP, Viksit Bharat Abhiyan mission . With addition of Noida International Airport, Uttar Pradesh has now become one of the states with the highest number of international airports. There are total seventeen operational airports in Uttar Pradesh till now. Benefits of Noida International Airport The far-reaching impact of the new airport will benefit a vast region encompassing around Uttar Pradesh in the vicinity of 100-200 kilo meters range. The airport will bring numerous new opportunities for all the sections of the society. The PM said, “Aircraft will fly from here to the world, and this airport will also become a symbol of a developed Uttar Pradesh taking flight.” On the IDAN scheme the PM said,” Recently, the Central Government has further expanded the UDAN scheme with an approval of approximately Rs 29,000 crore, under which 100 new airports and 200 new helipads will be built in smaller cities in the coming years. UP will also benefit immensely from this.” Addressing a critical gap in India’s aviation ecosystem, the Prime Minister drew attention to the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, noting that 85 per cent of Indian aircraft still have to go abroad for MRO services. PM Modi noted that the government has resolved to make India self-reliant in the MRO sector as well and highlighted that today, the foundation stone of an MRO facility has been laid here at Jewar. “When ready, it will serve aircraft from India and abroad , generating revenue for the country, keeping our money within India, and creating numerous jobs for the youth,” announced The PM. The first phase of the Noida International Airport is projected to become the largest in India once fully built, with the capacity to handle 225 million passengers each year. Airport Operations Timeline Early this month on March 6th, the DGCA issued the aerodrome license to the airport after multiple delays due to various factors. As per the official project plan, the domestic and cargo operations is expected to start within 45 days after issuance of the license. However, the exact date is not yet announced but as per the media sources the commercial flight services may begin between mid-April and May 2026.The international flight are likely to begin from September 2026.The official sources confirmed that initially the airport will start operations with limited domestic flights mostly during daytime hours, before gradually expanding to full-scale domestic and international services. The airport officials also mentioned that the airport is now physically ready, commercial services will commence only after final approvals, including tariff clearance and airline scheduling, are completed. The Noida International Airport, has been already assigned the IATA code DXN and now the process of complete coordination with airlines, ground handlers, and other stakeholders before launching passenger flights is under process. Airport Development Plans Noida International Airport is spread across over 1,300 hectares and is being developed into multiple phases. The first phase which was inaugurated includes one runway and a terminal capable of handling around 12 million passengers annually. In its final form, the airport is planned to have up to five runways and a capacity of 70 million passengers per year by 2040, positioning it among Asia’s largest aviation hubs. (Pix Courtesy: PIB)

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Air India to relocate all Ahmedabad flight operations to T2 from 29 March onwards

Ahmedabad, 27th March 2026: Air India has announced that all its domestic flight operations at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport will shift from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, effective 29 March 2026. The relocation covers Air India’s schedule of 210 weekly domestic flights operating to and from Ahmedabad, while the airline’s international flights departing and arriving in Ahmedabad already operate from Terminal 2. This transition is part of Air India’s ongoing efforts to enhance the airport experience for guests travelling to and from Ahmedabad. Spread across 49,000 sq. m built‑up area, Terminal 2 offers a significantly upgraded passenger experience and is equipped with 52 check‑in counters, self-baggage drop kiosks, DigiYatra kiosks, 17 departure immigration counters, 22 arrival immigration counters, 8 Fast Track Immigration e‑gates at departures and arrivals, and a wide range of retail and F&B options. Air India has begun proactively notifying all passengers booked to travel to or from Ahmedabad about the terminal change through SMS, email, and other direct communication channels. Travellers are also advised to double‑check their terminal information before heading to the airport to avoid any last‑minute inconvenience.

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IndiGo appoints Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer

New Delhi, 23rd March, 2026: The Board of InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) announced the appointment of Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer.In this role, he will lead the Company’s long-term strategic planning function and drive enterprise-wide transformation initiatives focused on accelerating growth, enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving global aviation landscape. He will partner closely with the leadership team on cross-functional priorities designed to improve agility, elevate customer experience and deliver sustainable shareholder value. Aloke Singh brings over three decades of aviation industry experience spanning Strategy, Planning, Operations and Commercial functions. He has a proven track record of leading complex operational and cultural transformation, driving rapid growth and managing large-scale expansion programmes. More recently, he served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Air India Express, where he played a pivotal role in the airline’s transformation, delivering operational improvements and driving rapid growth. He has previously held senior leadership positions, including in the Strategy domain, at Air India and Oman Air. Welcoming Aloke Singh, IndiGo’s Managing Director Rahul Bhatia said, “Aloke brings an exceptional blend of strategic vision and operational depth. His comprehensive understanding of the aviation ecosystem will be invaluable as we build a more agile, resilient and future-ready organisation, and accelerate our next phase of growth. For now, Aloke will report to me. Once the next CEO assumes office, he will transition to reporting to the new Chief Executive.” Commenting on his appointment, Aloke Singh said “I am delighted to join IndiGo at such a pivotal moment for the airline and for Indian aviation broadly. Having redefined India’s domestic and shorthaul international aviation landscape, IndiGo is taking its ambitions global. I look forward to working with colleagues across the organisation to sharpen our strategic direction, double down on operational excellence and deepen and broaden our markets.”

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ACIA Aero Leasing Secures Financing from volofin for Four ATR72-600 Aircraft

Dublin,24th March, 2026: ACIA Aero Leasing (“ACIA”),provider of regional aircraft leasing and lease management services, announced the completion of a financing transaction with volofin Capital Management (“volofin”), a specialty finance and alternative asset management firm focused on the commercial aviation market. The facility covers the refinancing of two ATR72-600 passenger aircraft on lease to Emerald Airlines, the exclusive operator of Aer Lingus Regional services together with an accordion facility to fund additional aircraft. ACIA subsequently utilised a portion of the accordion to support the closing of a sale and leaseback of two ATR72-600 passenger aircraft operating with EWA Air, the primary airline of the French department of Mayotte. The new facility marks a significant milestone in broadening ACIA’s financing relationships. The addition of volofin to ACIA’s lending pool further diversifies the company’s funding sources and underscores growing lender confidence in ACIA’s business model, portfolio quality, and long-term growth strategy. “We are delighted to welcome volofin as a new lending partner to ACIA,” said Bradley Gordon, SVP Corporate Finance and Risk at ACIA. “The volofin team provided a flexible facility designed to meet our specific requirements. The efficiency with which we completed two transactions in such a short timeframe is a testament to the professionalism and commitment of the volofin team. Adding volofin to our lender pool is a significant step in our continued efforts to diversify and strengthen our financing base, and we look forward to building a long and productive relationship.” Robert Jack, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of volofin, commented: “We are very pleased to have established this new relationship with ACIA Aero Leasing. ACIA has built an impressive profile in the turboprop leasing market. We look forward to supporting ACIA’s continued growth and exploring further opportunities together.” These financings will support ACIA’s continued growth and its ability to provide innovative and flexible leasing solutions to regional airlines worldwide.

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FLY91 marks two years of operations, flies over 4.8 Lakh passengers

Panaji,19th March 2026: Goa-headquartered regional airline FLY91 has completed two years of commercial operations, flying 4,81,802 passengers across India’s emerging regional air destinations since its inaugural flight in March 2024, underlining the steady rise of regional aviation and the growing demand for direct connectivity between India’s smaller cities. Over the past two years, the airline has operated 9,569 flights and logged 12,896 flying hours, building a network that connects underserved destinations with regional aviation hubs. FLY91 commenced commercial services on March 18, 2024, when its first flight departed from Goa’s Manohar International Airport for Bengaluru, marking the entry of a new carrier focused on strengthening regional connectivity in India. Headquartered in Goa FLY91 operates from its home base at Manohar International Airport, Mopa and a second hub in Hyderabad which was added recently. The airline currently connects nine destinations including Goa, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Agatti and Jalgaon, and aims to scale up to 15 stations. Built as a pure-play regional airline, the carrier operates ATR 72-600 aircraft suited to short-haul sectors and efficient regional operations. Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91, said the two-year milestone reflects the growing importance of regional aviation in connecting India’s smaller cities. “Completing two years of operations is a meaningful milestone for our team and partners. When we launched, the objective was clear: to connect underserved cities and enable easier, faster travel for people who often had limited options. The response from passengers across our network has been extremely encouraging. As we grow, our focus will remain on measured growth, disciplined expansion, operational reliability and building a regional airline that communities can depend on,” he said. The airline’s network has seen particularly strong demand on routes linking emerging industrial centres with larger economic hubs. Among the busiest sectors has been the Jalgaon–Pune corridor, which accounts for a large share of repeat travellers on the network.

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Air India restores VT ALL- its final grounded aircraft

New Delhi, 17th March 2026: When Air India returned to the Tata Group in 2022, one of the airline’s biggest priorities was rebuilding its fleet and restoring world‑class operational capability. Among the inherited legacy fleet of 113 aircraft were 30 widebody and narrowbody aircraft that had remained long‑grounded and untouched for years. Post-privatisation, Air India committed significant resources to revive each of them. With the return of VT‑ALL, the last of the 30 grounded aircraft, a Boeing 777‑300ER, the final chapter of this massive revival effort is now complete. In the next phase, VT-ALL and the other B777 aircraft in our fleet will undergo a full retrofit, starting 2027. With the retrofit, the aircraft will offer the new Air India experience with new seats and modern amenities while sporting our new livery. A comeback six years in the making VT‑ALL had been grounded since February 2020 due to multiple unserviceable systems and aging components. In April 2025, Air India initiated efforts to bring it back to full operational life to support long‑haul expansion. The aircraft entered the AIESL Nagpur MRO facility in May 2025, beginning an intensive, nose‑to‑tail restoration programme. The scale of the task was exceptional: 3,000+ new key components installed – an undertaking rarely seen outside of deep structural overhauls 4,000+ maintenance tasks completed, including 80 mandated modifications such as the complex Longeron Modification, a crucial structural reinforcement Replacement of major assemblies including engines, APU, inlet & fan cowls, and thrust reverser cowls A full systems rebuild – covering air-conditioning, landing gear, hydraulics, oxygen, avionics, and engine systems – essentially reconstructing the aircraft’s functional backbone Each part replacement, system restoration, and structural repair underwent stringent testing, documentation, and regulatory oversight by DGCA, with technical guidance from Boeing. Skilled engineering teams worked nearly round the clock to bring the aircraft back to life. A collaborative engineering triumph The revival of VT‑ALL was driven by seamless coordination across Air India’s base maintenance, planning, technical services, procurement and supply chain, Project Management Office (PMO) powerplant, Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO), and quality assurance teams. Their combined effort ensured the aircraft was restored in record time and to the highest safety and performance standards.

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Deutsche Aircraft appoints Nils Heuer as Director of Global Sales

Wessling, Germany, 12th March 2026: Deutsche Aircraft has appointed Nils Heuer as Director of Global Sales. In his new role, Nils will lead the global sales organisation for the civil regional aviation market and the multi-role/special mission segment, driving the company’s commercial expansion as the D328eco® advances toward key milestones. Deep Industry Expertise and Aerospace Engineering Background This appointment strengthens Deutsche Aircraft’s commercial organisation as the D328eco programme enters its industrialisation phase. Over the past three years, Nils has served as Director Sales for the D328eco, contributing to the establishment of Deutsche Aircraft in the aviation market through strong customer engagement and positioning the aircraft in both traditional regional airline environments and high demand multi-role applications. Before joining Deutsche Aircraft, Nils held various positions in sales, business development and strategy at Lufthansa Technik AG, with broad experience in market development, technical sales and aircraft lifecycle support. His background in aerospace engineering further underpins his technical understanding of the aircraft and mission specific operator requirements. Strategic Leadership to Accelerate the D328eco Roadmap “Nils’s appointment comes at a crucial point in our commercial roadmap, as the D328eco moves toward major certification and production milestones,” said Anastasija Visnakova, Chief Commercial Officer at Deutsche Aircraft. “His leadership will be instrumental as we further develop, expand, and internationalise Deutsche Aircraft’s global sales organisation. Nils combines strong technical expertise with deep customer insight and a proven ability to navigate complex campaigns. With his experience, we will strengthen our ability to serve both civil and multi-role operators and accelerate our commercial growth worldwide.” Nils Heuer added: “I’m honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Deutsche Aircraft. I look forward to continue working with our customers around the world as we expand our presence across civil and special mission markets.” A Unified Approach to Global Market Entry Nils’s appointment is part of Deutsche Aircraft’s ongoing effort to streamline commercial functions and ensure closer alignment between sales, marketing, operator engagement and programme development. This integrated approach supports the company’s preparations for the D328eco’s entry into service and reinforces its ability to meet operator requirements across regional, governmental and multi-role applications. As the company moves into its next phase of commercial and operational maturity, Nils role will more commited to the programme.

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Undisclosed Asia-Pacific carrier signs purchase agreement for three refurbished De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft

Calgary, 12th March, 2026: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) has announced that an undisclosed Asia-Pacific carrier has signed a Purchase Agreement for three refurbished Dash 8-400 aircraft. The aircraft will undergo comprehensive refurbishment, ensuring the aircraft meet the highest standards of reliability, passenger comfort, and operational efficiency. These aircraft will support the airline’s network development and fleet strategy and join the airline’s existing fleet of Dash 8-400s with deliveries scheduled to take place through 2027 and 2028. This agreement highlights the demand for the Dash 8-400 aircraft across the Asia-Pacific region, where its blend of speed, efficiency, and flexibility gives airlines the ability to connect key urban hubs and regional destinations while maintaining strong operating performance. From high-frequency regional services to operations in challenging environments, De Havilland Canada aircraft get the job done. “We’re proud to support our customer’s continued fleet enhancement with these refurbished Dash 8-400s, which will offer a refreshed passenger experience and increased seating capacity thereby offering increased revenue opportunities” said Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President Sales and Marketing for De Havilland Canada. “The Dash 8-400 gives airlines the confidence to serve their communities with an aircraft that is fast, efficient, and dependable every day. Through our refurbished aircraft program, we’re able to deliver that capability with the reliability and support our customers count on.” Renowned for its turboprop efficiency and jet-like performance, the Dash 8-400’s short takeoff and landing performance enables operations at airports with shorter runways, high temperatures, and complex terrain, conditions frequently encountered across the Asia-Pacific region. De Havilland Canada’s refurbished aircraft program combines upgraded cabin interiors and modernized systems with the proven durability. The global Dash 8 fleet is supported by De Havilland Canada’s comprehensive customer support network, including parts services, technical support, and tailored maintenance solutions.

FOREWORD

Dear Readers,

 

Welcome to the latest edition of Aviation World. This is an incredibly significant issue for us, perfectly timed to align with several prominent aviation events unfolding across the globe.

 

Chief among them is the Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from July 20th to 24th, 2026, in Hampshire, United Kingdom. Ranked as one of the world’s premier events for aviation, aerospace, and defense, this year’s airshow arrives at a crucial moment. Against a backdrop of geopolitical turbulence, Farnborough provides an invaluable platform to engage with global leaders and gain firsthand perspectives on the future of the industry. Inside, you will find our comprehensive curtain-raiser report focusing on the show’s core themes, as well as the highly anticipated static and aerobatic aircraft displays.

 

On our front cover, we are proud to feature Capt. Vaibhav Goutham Suresh, Director of the School of Aviation, Logistics and Tourism Management (SALTM) at Galgotias University. In an exclusive interview, Capt. Suresh highlights how SALTM bridges the gap between academia and the runway, delivering a comprehensive curriculum that ensures graduates are industry-ready from day one. Complementing this, our special feature on SALTM dives deeper into how the institution maintains world-class academic standards and a cutting-edge learning environment.

 

We are also privileged to bring you exclusive insights from a stellar lineup of industry trailblazers in this edition, including:

  • Robin Glover-Faure, Chief Customer Officer of Acron Aviation
  • Karim Makhlouf, CCO of Royal Jordanian Airlines
  • Pallavi Joshi & Vimal Priya, the leadership powerhouse behind AirFleet Managers &Aviatrics Global
  • Wg. Cdr. Prem Kumar Garg (Retd.), CEO of IndiaOne Air

Each shares a detailed perspective on driving innovation, navigating current market dynamics, and establishing progressive frontiers within their respective sectors.

 

Beyond these highlights, this issue is packed with curated features and analytical pieces designed to keep you informed and inspired.

 

Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed advertisers and partners. Your unwavering support empowers us in our ongoing endeavor to make Aviation World a truly world-class publication with global reach and recognition.

 

Happy Reading!

 

The Editorial Team

 

Aviation World

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

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