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Air India and Lufthansa Group signs MoU

New Delhi, 17th February 2026: Air India and Lufthansa Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing the framework for a joint business agreement between Air India’s and Lufthansa Group’s carriers and subsidiaries, including Air India Express, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), and other affiliated airlines. Building on their existing codeshare agreements and shared membership in Star Alliance, this MoU enables the carriers to mutually explore ways to boost connectivity between India and major European markets with the goal of offering travellers more connected and consistent experiences across some of the world’s busiest routes on a single ticket. The MoU – signed by Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, and Lufthansa Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Carsten Spohr – is intended to leverage opportunities unlocked by the recent conclusion of the landmark India-European Union Free Trade Agreement. Subject to requisite regulatory and anti-trust approvals, the carriers intend to collaborate across multiple strategic areas, including coordinated route planning and flight schedules in specific markets for greater customer convenience and enhanced connectivity as well as joint sales, marketing and distribution initiatives. Further cooperation would encompass the joint development and coordination for improved customer experiences in areas such as frequent flyer programmes, IT infrastructure, – customer journey, quality assurance, and other mutually beneficial initiatives – to enhance the ease of travel for our customers. The MoU initially focuses on increasing passenger traffic flows between Air India’s home market of India and Lufthansa Group’s core Home Market region, encompassing Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland. It also proposes to include the rest of Europe and the Indian subcontinent, creating opportunities for future expansion. The precise scope, including specific routes and markets, will be finalised upon the formation of a comprehensive joint business agreement, subject to regulatory approvals. Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Chief Executive Officer of the Lufthansa Group: “Today’s agreement with our long-standing Star Alliance partner Air India is a strong signal of our mutual determination to open a new chapter in aviation between the EU and India following the landmark trade agreement between both economic regions. Together with Air India, we will strengthen our access to the aviation market with the highest growth rates worldwide. The Lufthansa Group is already the most successful and most popular European airline group among customers in India. In the future, we will contribute to deepening economic and cultural relations between India and Europe with even more connections. With our new long-haul aircraft and Lufthansa Allegris and SWISS Senses on board, we are offering a significantly improved premium travel experience in all classes on more and more routes, including to India.” Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India, said: “This milestone in our deepening relationship with the Lufthansa Group is great news for travellers and enterprises alike between India and Europe. As Air India continues to expand its global footprint with a fast-modernising fleet and transformed product and service offerings, this framework enables us to explore closer cooperation on multiple fronts to meet the growing trade, commerce, and people-to-people ties between our respective regions. This would unlock greater value for our common customers and respective shareholders, and we look forward to progressing these initiatives together with the Lufthansa Group.” Air India and Lufthansa Group carriers currently codeshare on 145 routes across 15 Indian and 29 European cities and 20 countries. In February 2025, Air India and Lufthansa Group announced the expansion of the codeshare agreements between Air India, Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines.

Top Stories

Deutsche Aircraft and Indian partners announce strategic outcomes from Wings of Opportunity summit

New Delhi, 7th November 2025: Deutsche Aircraft, in collaboration with the Aerospace India Association, Cyient, Dynamatic Technologies and SASMOS HET, announced strategic outcomes from the Aviation Partnership Summit held on 5 November at JW Marriott Aerocity, in New Delhi. The summit convened key stakeholders from aviation, government and investment sectors to shape the future of India’s regional aviation. India’s Aviation Growth: A Strategic Inflection Point India’s domestic aviation market is the third largest globally, with over 220 million passengers in 2024. The government’s UDAN scheme is driving connectivity to Tier II and III cities, creating demand for aircraft tailored to short routes and challenging environments. “India is the largest growth market for regional aviation and already a crucial partner for the D328eco programme,” said Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft. “During the event, we aspired to better understand market needs and develop a joint strategy to strengthen our partnerships and support ambitions under the UDAN scheme.” D328eco®: Designed for India The D328eco is a 40-seater turboprop aircraft optimised for India’s regional needs: • High-altitude and hot-weather performance • 100% SAF compatibility for sustainable operations • Quiet, ergonomic cabin suited for India’s youthful demographic • Digital Garmin cockpit for enhanced pilot efficiency • 55% break-even load factor, ideal for low-density UDAN routes • Optimal range of 100–300 NM, covering 90% of India’s regional flights Summit Themes: Wings of Opportunity During the one-day summit, discussions centred around five essential themes for propelling India’s aviation market into its next phase of exponential growth: • Regional Connectivity – Expanding access to underserved regions through modern aircraft and infrastructure. • Sustainable Aviation – Decouple India’s growth from carbon impact with SAF, efficient design and innovative systems. • Fleet Modernisation – Replacing aging aircraft with next-gen turboprops like the D328eco. • Collaborative Manufacturing – Strengthening Indo-German supply chains and technology transfer. • Investment Opportunities – Attracting global capital to support aviation infrastructure and innovation. Partner Contributions to ‘Make in India’ A number of Indian partners are contributing significantly to the structures and systems of the new D328eco. This collaboration leverages India’s manufacturing and digital engineering expertise to integrate high-value components directly into the aircraft. Cyient’s partnership with Deutsche Aircraft underscores our commitment to innovation in sustainable aviation,” said Sukamal Banerjee, Executive Director and CEO, Cyient. “With our expertise in design engineering, AI-driven solutions, and manufacturing, we’re proud to support the D328eco program—enhancing efficiency, passenger experience, and shaping the future of aerospace technology.” For the airframe, Dynamatic Technologies manufactures the crucial rear fuselage of the D328eco at a dedicated assembly line in Bangalore. CEO Udayant Malhoutra emphasised the scale of this effort, stating, “This partnership is a milestone in India’s aerospace manufacturing journey.” SASMOS HET develops advanced EWIS & electrically integrates the flight-critical electrical & electronics subsystems onboard the D328eco® aircraft. “This collaboration was driven by a clear objective — to harness SASMOS’s specialized expertise in electrical integration of the onboard electrical and electronic subsystems, complemented by reliable interconnectivity solutions that are designed and manufactured in India,” said H.G. Chandrashekar, CMD, SASMOS. Engaging India’s Aviation Ecosystem The summit featured high-level panels, networking sessions and strategic discussions with key figures from industry and government. It emphasised inclusive dialogue and long-term partnerships to shape India’s aviation future.

Top Stories

LOT Polish to operate Warsaw to Almaty sector from May 2026 onwards

Warsaw,22 October 2025: LOT Polish Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, expands its operations to Central Asia by adding Almaty in southern Kazakhstan to its global route network. From 31 May 2026, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 of the Polish flag carrier with two service classes on board will fly four times a week (every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday) from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to the Kazakh city at the foot of the Transili Alatau Mountains. LOT Polish Airlines will operate the new route all year round, with three weekly flights during the winter schedule. After the capital Astana, Almaty is now the second destination that LOT Polish Airlines flies to in Kazakhstan. The 6.5-hour overnight flights from Warsaw depart at 22:40h, arriving at Almaty International Airport at 8:00h next day. The return flight to Warsaw departs at 9:20h. “With the new air service and attractive feeder flights, we are setting a further accent in Central Asia,” says Robert Ludera, Registered Representative and Head of Network Planning at LOT Polish Airlines. “Almaty is an important economic centre in Kazakhstan, but also highly interesting from a tourist perspective and at the same time a gateway to the Silk Road.”

Top Stories

Aviator partners with Finnair for de-icing and winter services at Helsinki Airport

Helsinki, 17th Oct 2025: Aviator Airport Alliance (Aviator), the independent provider of airport ground handling in the Nordics, has renewed its partnership agreement with Finnair. The agreement, which will see Aviator’s subsidiary Aviator Airport Services Finland provide de-icing and winter operations at Helsinki Airport (HEL), covers the upcoming 2025-2028 seasons. Aviator is part of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider. Under the agreement, Aviator Airport Services Finland team will continue providing Finnair, Finland’s flag carrier, with high-quality de-icing services. The company will use 9de-icing units, which will be operating at two designated pads at Helsinki Airport. The renewed agreement also covers a range of winter-specific services, including aircraft heating, and engine covering. Jonne Lehtioksa, Head of Commercial at Aviator Airport Services Finland, said: “We are grateful for Finnair’s continued trust in our expertise and commitment. Safety, efficiency, and reliability remain at the core of everything we do, and this renewed agreement further strengthens the long-standing partnership between us.” “We are very proud of the Finnish ‘snow-how’. We are one of Europe’s most punctual airlines despite the challenging weather conditions our home hub, Helsinki, faces, especially in wintertime. Reliable winter operations and strong partnerships play a key role in maintaining that position, and our continuing partnership with Aviator is one of the cornerstones of our safe and reliable winter operations at Helsinki Airport”, says Jukka Glader, Finnair’s Vice President of Ground operations.

Top Stories

Air India enters Interline Partnership With Starlux Airlines

Gurugram, 08 October 2025: Air India has announced a new interline partnership with Taiwan-based STARLUX Airlines, further enhancing travel options for customers across Asia. The interline agreement between the two carriers enables single-ticket itineraries that combine Air India and STARLUX flights, offering smoother journeys, coordinated baggage handling, and simplified travel for customers of both airlines. Through this partnership, Air India customers will be able to access Taipei via Air India’s Southeast Asia gateways namely, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur. Conversely, STARLUX customers will enjoy seamless connections to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru via shared gateways in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “We are excited to partner with luxury full-service carrier, STARLUX Airlines, to enhance travel options across for our customers to Taiwan. This interline agreement aligns perfectly with Air India’s commitment to delivering premium experiences for our guests, while inviting STARLUX Airlines customers to experience India’s diverse cities in full-service comfort through our robust network.” Taiwan based STARLUX Airlines is a boutique international airline serving over 30 routes from Taiwan to the U.S., Japan, Macau, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Top Stories

DGCA grants Navi Mumbai Int. Airport Aerodrome Licence

Navi Mumbai, 30th Sept 2025: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has been granted its Aerodrome Licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The licence, awarded after meeting stringent safety and regulatory requirements, is an essential prerequisite for commencing operations. With issuance of Aerodrome Licence, NMIA’s progress towards becoming fully operational. It will also inch closer to its vision of enhancing regional and international connectivity and establishing a modern gateway that will link Navi Mumbai with the rest of the world.

Drones, Top Stories

Amber Wings receives DGCA approval for India’s first hybrid cargo drone

Delhi, 18th July 2025: Amber Wings, a Chennai-based aerospace startup that was incubated at IIT Madras, has received DGCA Type Certification for its ATVA-1 cargo drone. This is a big step forward for India’s drone and logistics ecosystem because it makes Amber Wings the first Indian company to get this certification for a hybrid drone made just for commercial cargo operations. This accomplishment marks the beginning of a new age in autonomous logistics. It opens the door for high-frequency, last-mile deliveries utilising drones that are planned, developed, and produced entirely in India. The ATVA-1 has been approved for commercial use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including night missions. It was built over six design iterations and years of research and development. This approval from India’s aviation authority demonstrates that the drone is safe, reliable, and ready for large-scale deployment across diverse sectors. “Receiving the DGCA Type Certification for our ATVA-1 is a moment of immense pride and a validation of our team’s relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Founder, Chief, and Technical Lead of Ubifly Technologies. “We believe the ATVA-1 will be a disruptive force in the logistics industry. Its unique capabilities are set to redefine the standards of aerial cargo transportation in India and across the globe.” Amber Wings is one of the few Indian drone producers with more than one DGCA-certified platform, including its agricultural drone, Vihaa. This is important since India is trying to localise its tech stack and be a leader in next-gen manufacturing. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the drone industry is estimated to be valued more than 5,000 crore by 2030. This second certification makes Amber Wings a pioneer in a field that will play a big part in changing e-commerce, healthcare delivery, manufacturing, and emergency services. Uday Kumar, VP of Products, Amber Wings said, “We’re not just making drones; we’re making the future of self-driving logistics.” “The ATVA-1 is more than simply a plane; it’s a promise of a world that is faster, more efficient, and more connected. This is simply the first step in our journey to make a big difference in the world. Looking ahead, the ATVA platform will evolve with its successor, the ATVA-2, which is designed to carry over 6 kg of payload—making it suitable for more frequent, bulk logistics. While most of these platforms already exist and are fully capable, they are currently pending certification. Amber Wings’ expanding, fully autonomous product ecosystem includes: ● The DGCA-certified Vihaa agricultural drone ● ATVA-1, which also has an advanced imaging variant designed for mapping, surveillance, and precision agriculture ● ATVA-2, the next-gen fixed-wing VTOL cargo drone with enhanced payload capabilities ● Multi-50, an all-altitude, heavy-lift multicopter with a payload capacity of over 50 kg ● QuadCopter, a flexible drone platform combining 20+ kg payload with advanced imaging solutions ● e50, a hybrid VTOL built for fast delivery of 50+ kg payloads ● e100, a future variant designed for up to 100 kg payloads, currently in development.

Top Stories

IndiGo to debut its long-haul flight on Mumbai-Amsterdam route starting July 2nd, 2025

Delhi,21st May 2025: IndiGo has announced its expansion into Europe with its first-ever non-stop flight from Mumbai to Amsterdam, set to launch on 02 July 2025.Upgrading its in-flight dining experience, IndiGo also announced that complimentary hot meals and beverages will be served to all customers on this route. The thrice weekly service, operated with IndiGo’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, marks the airline’s strategic foray into long-haul operations to meet the growing demand for air travel between India and Europe, facilitated by Indian operators. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said, “I am thrilled to announce IndiGo’s long-haul debut to Amsterdam. We are stretching our wings further to enhance accessibility and convenience to customers traveling to Europe for leisure, business, and education, as well as unlocking IndiGo’s unparalleled domestic network, showcasing ‘India by IndiGo’ to foreign travellers. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we’re very proud to announce specially curated complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route. This will a major milestone in our international growth journey as we move towards our vision to become a global aviation leader, propelling India’s ambition of transforming into a global aviation hub. The Netherlands and India share a strong and thriving bilateral relationship, and this new non-stop, thriceweekly service between Mumbai and Amsterdam will only deepen the growing ties between the two nations. We are closely working with Schiphol Airport to provide customers with our quintessential seamless and hassle-free travel experience. With this route, we continue to bridge economies, cultures, and communities, while tapping into new exciting markets rich in history and potential. With every new global connection, IndiGo is taking India to the world and bringing the world to India.” The airline has made consecutive announcements of its debut long-haul routes from Mumbai, with Amsterdam and Manchester being added to its growing international network.This is the start of a truly exciting new chapter in IndiGo’s growth journey with Amsterdam and Manchester being the initial long-haul destinations. With the introduction of more 787-9 from Norse,and the arrival of IndiGo’s A321XLRs starting this year and A350 from 2027 will usher a new era enabling the airline to offer long-haul flights with IndiGo’s unique value proposition. Aircraft configuration IndiGo recently signed agreements with Norse Atlantic Airways,to damp lease six Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The first Norse-operated flight for IndiGo took off in March 2025 on the Mumbai-Bangkok route. With the three additional aircraft IndiGo is planning to lay a strong foundation for intercontinental growth, while the airline awaits the delivery of its A321XLR from this year and A350-900 aircraft from 2027 onwards. The wide-body aircraft boasts a spacious double-aisle design, featuring 56 IndiGoStretch seats in a comfortable 2x3x2 configuration, with an impressive 43-inch seat pitch. The economy class offers 282 seats in a 3x3x3 configuration, providing a generous 31-inch seat pitch for a relaxed travel experience.

Events, Top Stories

Emirates’ A350 to begin India operations on Republic Day

Delhi,January 23, 2025: Emirates is set to launch its brand-new Airbus A350 aircraft in India on Republic Day, January 26, 2025, as a gesture of appreciation for its customers. This significant debut will see the A350 operating daily flights to Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The A350 now serves five destinations in the airline’s network. The roll out of Emirates’ A350 aircraft to India, featuring the airline’s latest interiors, industry-first technologies and innovations, reinforces Emirates’ commitment to customers in India and beyond, and offers exceptional levels of comforts onboard. Emirates’ A350 services to both Mumbai and Ahmedabad will operate daily as follows: • Mumbai: The Emirates A350 will operate daily on EK502 and EK503. EK502 departs Dubai at 1315hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 1750hrs. The return flight, EK503 leaves Mumbai at 1920hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2105hrs. • Ahmedabad: The A350 aircraft will operate the route daily on EK538 and EK539. EK538 will depart Dubai at 22:50hrs, arriving in Ahmedabad at 0255hrs (next day). EK539 will depart Ahmedabad at 0425hrs to arrive back in Dubai at 0615hrs. The highly-anticipated launch of Emirates’ A350 services to the two Indian points follows the launch of operations to Edinburgh, Kuwait and Bahrain. The airline also currently serves Mumbai and Bangalore with daily services on its flagship A380 aircraft, offering customers a choice of four cabin classes, including the signature Premium Economy experience. Emirates services nine points in India with 167 flights per week.

Top Stories

Royal Jordanian to start non-stop flights connecting Jordan’s capital Amman with Mumbai and New Delhi

Amman, Jordan 10th January 2025: Royal Jordanian Airlines has announce the launch of new non-stop routes connecting Amman with Mumbai and New Delhi. The Mumbai route will operate with four weekly flights starting on April 17, 2025, and the New Delhi route will commence with four weekly flights starting on September 17, 2025. These new routes align with Royal Jordanian’s growth and expansion strategy, focusing on positioning Jordan as a premier tourism destination for the Indian market and enhancing connectivity to over 45 global destinations. In line with the “Explore Jordan” program, the launch of these routes highlights Royal Jordanian’s commitment to showcasing Jordan as a unique tourist destination for Indian travelers. Jordan offers a rich array of experiences, blending ancient wonders like Petra and the Dead Sea with the modern vibrancy of Amman, creating an authentic and contemporary Arabian journey just five-hours away. Through these routes, Royal Jordanian aims to introduce Indian travelers to Jordan’s charm and diversity while positioning itself as a boutique airline that delivers exceptional service, connects cultures, and brings this remarkable destination closer than ever. Amman, the hub of Royal Jordanian Airlines, will serve as a gateway for Indian travelers to Europe,North America, and the Middle East, providing seamless connections to a wide range of destinations. As part of its expansion plan, Royal Jordanian will introduce 19 brand-new A320neo and Boeing 787 aircraft in 2025/26. The new routes to Mumbai and New Delhi will be served by the A320neos, featuring dual- class configurations (Economy and Business), advanced in-flight entertainment, and WiFi services to enhance the passenger experience. These state-of-the-art aircraft ensure travelers enjoy exceptional comfort, efficiency, and a seamless journey. Flights from Mumbai and New Delhi will launch with competitive fares, starting at INR 19,999 for one- way tickets and INR 33,333 for return tickets. With a flight time of just five hours, Royal Jordanian is excited to introduce Indian travelers to Jordan’s rich cultural heritage, modern Arabian charm, and unique offerings as an attractive tourism destination. Karim Makhlouf, Chief Commercial Officer at Royal Jordanian Airlines, commented:”The launch of our new routes to Mumbai and New Delhi marks a significant milestone in our strategy to promote Jordan as a tourism destination for the Indian market. Through these routes, we aim to showcase the unique experiences Jordan offers while positioning Royal Jordanian as a boutique airline that promotes Jordan as a boutique destination. The new direct connection between Jordan and India will also increase the bilateral trade and economic link between both countries.”

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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