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Pieter Elbers steps down as IndiGo CEO

Delhi, 10 March 2026: In a major development surprising the global aviation community, IndiGo announced the removal of Pieter Elbers from the post of InterGlobe Aviation Limited’s (IndiGo) CEO with immediate effect. The decision taken by the Board of Directors in statement mentioned that: We would like to thank Pieter for his contribution and service to the organization, and wishes him well in his future endeavours. Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo, shall in the interim assume management of the affairs of the airline until such time that the Company announces the arrival of a new leader, which is expected in short order. “Rahul returns to assume management of the affairs of the airline to strengthen the Company’s Culture, reinforce Operational Excellence and deepen its commitment to delivering exceptional service of care, reliability and professionalism to its customers”, said the Chairman of the Board, Vikram Singh Mehta. “Having founded and nurtured IndiGo for twenty two years, I feel a deep sense of personal commitment and responsibility towards our nation, and towards the airline’s customers, employees, shareholders and all other stakeholders”, said Rahul Bhatia. “While placing Culture, Service Excellence and Stakeholder Trust at the forefront of its operations, IndiGo will continue to sharpen its strategic focus on serving India and her people with an airline that is professionally managed, operationally reliable and globally respected.”

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Qatar Airways Operates Limited Flight Schedule to and from Doha

Doha, 9th March 2025: Qatar Airways has reported that its scheduled flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe full reopening of Qatari airspace by the relevant authorities. Following temporary authorisation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority confirming limited operating corridors, Qatar Airways intends to operate the following flight schedule in the coming days to support passengers who have been affected due to the current disruption, and in helping them reunite with family and friends as quickly and safely as possible. Flights departing from Doha (DOH): 09-Mar: Seoul (ICN), Moscow (SVO), London Heathrow (LHR), Delhi (DEL), Madrid (MAD), Islamabad (ISB), Beijing (PKX), Perth (PER), Nairobi (NBO), Istanbul (IST). 10-Mar: Cairo (CAI), London Heathrow (LHR), Jeddah (JED), Manila (MNL), Kochi (COK), Muscat (MCT), Istanbul (IST), Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Nairobi (NBO), Islamabad (ISB), Madrid (MAD), Frankfurt (FRA), Colombo (CMB), Milan (MXP). Flights arriving to Doha (DOH): 10-Mar: Seoul (ICN), Moscow (SVO), London Heathrow (LHR), Delhi (DEL), Madrid (MAD), Islamabad (ISB), Beijing (PKX), Perth (PER), Nairobi (NBO), Istanbul (IST). 11-Mar: Cairo (CAI), London Heathrow (LHR), Jeddah (JED), Manila (MNL), Kochi (COK), Muscat (MCT), Istanbul (IST), Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Nairobi (NBO), Islamabad (ISB), Madrid (MAD), Frankfurt (FRA), Colombo (CMB), Milan (MXP). The passenger advisory issued by the airlines is as follows: For the latest flight updates and to book, visit the Qatar Airways website or App or a travel agent.These flights do not constitute a confirmation of resumption of scheduled commercial operations.Passengers are kindly asked not to arrive at their departure airport unless they hold a valid confirmed ticket for travel. The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority during this period of disruption. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by the current situation, which is beyond our control, and thank our passengers for their patience and understanding.A further update will be provided on 09 March 2026.

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IndiGo to start direct flight to Shanghai and Réunion Island

Delhi,5th March 2026: IndiGo, has announced starting of thrice weekly, direct flight between Chennai and Réunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, effective 29 April 2026. The airline will operate its Airbus A320 aircraft on the route. With this, Réunion Island becomes IndiGo’s 46th international destination and its 13th from Chennai – a key gateway in South India. Located between Madagascar and Mauritius, Réunion Island is renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural sites such asthe Piton de la Fournaise, and a vibrant, multi-cultural society shaped by African, European, Indian, and Asian influences. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, “We are pleased to announce direct flights between Chennai and Réunion Island, in the Indian Ocean. Known for its diverse landscapes, pristine coastlines, and rich multicultural heritage, Réunion Island offers travellers a distinctive and immersive experience. These flights extend extreme convenience for travellers to a destination combining an authentic French experience with tropical island allure. We are confident that customers will appreciate travelling on India’s preferred carrier on this new and unique route.” IndiGo had also announced the launch of daily, direct flights between Kolkata and Shanghai, effective 29 March 2026. The new route will be operated using IndiGo’s A320 aircraft. This announcement follows the recent reinstatement of IndiGo’s services to Guangzhou, highlighting the airline’s focus on improving connectivity and enabling smoother travel between India and China. Shanghai, China’s premier global financial centre and a major innovation hub, is an essential addition to the 6E network. With continued growth in exports from West Bengal to China in FY25-26, including marine products, leather goods, and specialized textiles, direct air connectivity will further strengthen trade flows between the two countries. (Pix Courtesy: IndiGo)

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Centrum Air increases frequency of Tashkent-Delhi flights

New Delhi, 3rd March 2026: Centrum Air has announced an increase in flight frequency on the Tashkent – Delhi route. Starting from March 29, flights will operate three times per week: on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Services will be operated using modern and comfortable Airbus A320 family aircraft.The additional frequency will provide passengers with greater flexibility for both business and leisure travel. The schedule is designed to offer convenient connections via Tashkent, enabling passengers from Delhi to continue their journeys across the airline’s international network to Tbilisi, Batumi, Guangzhou, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, and other destinations. The expansion of services to India aligns with the strategy of Centrum Holding to strengthen Tashkent’s role as an international aviation hub connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Uzbekistan’s strategic location, historically at the heart of the Great Silk Road, creates natural advantages for developing modern transit routes and enhancing business and tourism connectivity. The airline’s exclusive General Sales Agent in India is Aeroprime Group, providing commercial representation and sales support in the market. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director & CEO, Aeroprime Group, commented: “The increase in frequency on the Tashkent–Delhi route reflects Centrum Air’s growing commitment to the Indian market. As their Exclusive General Sales Agent in India, our focus remains on strengthening brand visibility, deepening trade engagement, and driving sustainable passenger growth. With the enhanced schedule, we see strong potential to stimulate both point-to-point and transit traffic via Tashkent, further positioning Uzbekistan as a strategic gateway connecting India with Central Asia, the CIS region, and key international destinations.”

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Airspace closure keeps passengers stranded, seems no relief soon

Dubai/Abu Dhabi, 2nd March 2026: Amid the ongoing tension in the middle east, UAE biggest carrier Emirates has announced the temporary suspension of all operations to and from Dubai up until 1500 hours UAE time on Tuesday, March 3, due to multiple regional airspace closures. Dubai International Airport, the most busiest aviation hubs had earlier suffered partial damage due to a suspected aerial strike on one of its main terminal buildings. Confirming the incident, the airport authorities said that one concourse at Dubai International “sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained. The airspace in the middle east across UAE, Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar have all closed following the conflict between Iran and Israel. The UAE said in a statement that it had temporarily and “partially” closed its airspace as a precautionary measure. In its social media handle, Qatar Airways confirmed that it would be suspending all its flights “to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace.” It added that it was working “closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace re-opens.” Air India had also confirmed that its operations to North America and Europe were being impacted by the situation in the Middle East. It confirmed that it would have to cancel select flights to Birmingham, Zurich and Copenhagen on 2 March. The airline’s services to New York-JFK and Newark Liberty are operating with a technical stop in Rome Fiumicino, it added.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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

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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