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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.

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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.”

FOREWORD

Dear Readers,

The Asia-Pacific aviation sector is expanding rapidly, driving growth far beyond aircraft numbers into crucial verticals like MRO, training, logistics, and aerospace supply chains. In this edition of Aviation World, we bring you exclusive interviews and features from across these sectors, offering direct industry insights from top global leadership.

Our cover story highlights Shveta Gupta, CEO of Divyanshi Aviation. Under her dynamic leadership, the company has established itself as one of India’s premier aerospace supply chain providers, partnering with leading global manufacturers. Our corporate feature delves into Divyanshi Aviation’s core operations, paired with an exclusive interview where Ms. Gupta candidly shares her professional journey and vision for the company’s future.

This issue also features exclusive conversations with prominent industry leaders, including:

  • Ron Nye, President of Avionics, Acron Aviation
  • Bob Gibbs, Vice President, Defense & Special Missions Sales, Textron Aviation
  • Sudhir S. Rajeshirke, President – Aerospace, Jubilant Enpro
  • Emmanuel Simon, Program Manager and Aerospace Leader, PHINIA
  • Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer, Saudia Group
  • Simon Azar, Vice President, Civil Aviation, Asia Pacific, CAE

Each leader offers key perspectives on their organization’s strategic initiatives and their growing contributions to the Indian aviation and aerospace ecosystem. Additionally, you will find expert-authored analytical features offering deep dives into current sector trends.

Aviation World continues to expand its global footprint as an official media partner for major domestic and international aviation events. Our editorial team will be participating in several upcoming global forums, and we look forward to connecting with industry peers and exploring new collaborations.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our advertisers and partners whose continued support fuels our endeavor.

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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