Page 5 - Aviation Sector

Jaipur Airport gets major infra upgrade to boost capacity, user experience

Jaipur International Airport Ltd has started a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at enhancing passenger convenience and accommodating the increasing number of travellers. As many as 14 projects, cumulatively exceeding Rs 600 crore, have been launched to transform various facets of the airport to enhance efficiency and overall passenger experience, an official said. "These projects collectively aim to elevate the infrastructure of Jaipur Airport, ensuring it meets international benchmarks and provides an enhanced travel experience," he said. Under the plan, Terminal 2 is being expanded, which, he said, is a crucial component of the infrastructure development plan. Jaipur International Airport Ltd (JIAL) is a subsidiary of Adani Airport Holdings Limited. "The 15,000 sq mt of expansion will enhance the overall capacity of the existing terminal. Currently, the terminal has 39 check-in counters with 24 new counters planned to be added during the expansion. This will bring the total .

Rising missile threats, airspace closures increase pressure on airlines

Six commercial aircraft have been shot down, with three near-misses since 2001, according to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions

India must clarify tax rules for aviation liftoff, says IATA DG Walsh

IATA Director General Willie Walsh calls on India to provide clarity on tax laws affecting foreign carriers and highlights concerns over airport charges to unlock aviation sector potential

IATA calls for greater clarity on India's complex aviation tax system

Global airlines' grouping IATA on Tuesday said there needs to be greater certainty in India's taxation system, which is very complex. India is one of the world's fastest growing civil aviation markets and airlines are expanding their fleets and networks to meet the rising demand. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said the rate of growth in the Indian aviation market will be higher than China. Against the backdrop of foreign airlines getting tax notices in recent times, Walsh said the taxation system in India is complex and there needs to be "greater uncertainty". The International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents over 350 airlines globally.

HK Express airfares fall amid rising competition, aircraft issues: CEO

Many airlines, including HK Express and its low-cost rivals, are capitalising on the third runway that opened in November to add more flights

Making more noise does not make you right: IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers pushed back, emphasising that bilateral air service agreements are meant to be mutually beneficial

Air India, Air Mauritius expand codeshare partnership to boost connectivity

Air India and Air Mauritius on Monday announced expanding their codeshare partnership that will provide enhanced connectivity for India with South Africa, Reunion and Madagascar through Mauritius. As part of the strengthened bilateral codeshare agreement, Air India and Air Mauritius will place their designator codes on a total of 17 routes between India, Mauritius, Reunion, South Africa and Madagascar, according to a release. Generally, a codeshare partnership allows an airline to book its passengers on its partner carrier on a single ticket. "Air India will place its 'AI' designator code on Air Mauritius flights to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Antananarivo in Madagascar," it said. The airline already codeshares on Air Mauritius flights between Mauritius and Mumbai, Delhi and Reunion. The expanded codeshare partnership pact was signed by Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson and Air Mauritius Chairman Kishore Beegoo on the sidelines of the annual general

We've leased every aircraft available globally; nothing left: Air India CEO

With plane supply scarce, Air India has leased every suitable jet available worldwide, says CEO Campbell Wilson, as the airline navigates delays and demand.

Nothing off the table: ATR open to India manufacturing facility

In March, Airbus announced plans to significantly increase its sourcing of components and services from India, targeting $2 billion annually by 2030

Consumer panel directs Flynas Airlines to pay ₹1.25 lakh for lost baggage

A consumer commission here has directed Flynas Airlines, a Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier, to pay a compensation of more than Rs 1.25 lakh to a passenger for the loss of her baggage. There was a "mala fide negligence" and the airlines "purposely avoided all the logical actions to find the lost bag," the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mumbai (Suburban) said in a recent order. The complainant, along with her family, had gone on a trip to Turkiye from Mumbai between December 23, 2023 and January 3, 2024. Their return flight to the city was booked from Istanbul with a connecting flight from Riyadh. The complainant stated that at the Istanbul airport, she handed over five bags for check-in. The airline staff mistakenly tagged only four bags, and the fifth bag went on to the conveyor belt without a tag, she claimed. The mistake was brought to the notice of the staff present at the ticket and baggage counter. The complainant was given a physical tag by the staff with

Dunes Air enters private aviation market, to offer premium charter services

Ahmedabad-based private aviation firm Dunes Air has announced its entry into the air charter business with the launch of its premium chartered services. Under this vertical, the company will offer aircraft charter services to business leaders, high-net-worth individuals, and discerning travellers, its co-founder Ritesh Hada said. The airline is positioning itself as a premium air carrier delivering efficient, private and flexible flying experiences, Hada said. The non-scheduled operator currently operates two aircraft the Cessna Citation CJ2+, a jet suited for fast intercity routes, and the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, known for its short takeoff capabilities and suitability for regional and remote destinations. Dunes Air said it is also set to induct a Challenger jet into its fleet, enhancing its long-range and luxury offerings, and supporting the growing demand for premium aviation services. The firm has already connected major metros and tier-2 cities, serving corporate leaders

Kempegowda Airport posts record profit for first time since inception

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru has reported a record profit for the first time since its inception, signifying a robust financial turnaround, according to the BIAL sources. The Bangalore International Airport Authority (BIAL) held its board meeting on May 16, presided over by its Chairperson and Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka, Shalini Rajneesh, a press statement said. "The meeting marked a historic milestone as Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) reported a record profit for the first time since its inception, signifying a robust financial turnaround and a testament to the airport's strategic growth, sustainability initiatives, and operational excellence," the statement added. In addition to its strong financial performance, BLR Airport has earned multiple prestigious global recognitions in 2025, further cementing its position as a leader in sustainable and safe airport operations worldwide, it said. According to the statement, BLR .

Indian airlines carried 14.5 mn passengers in March; 8.79% higher YoY: DGCA

Indian airlines carried 1.45 crore passengers in March, an increase of 8.79 per cent compared to the year-ago period, according to official data released on Saturday. The Indian carriers had flown a total of 1.33 crore passengers in March 2024. "Passengers carried by domestic airlines during March 2025 were 145.42 lakh as against 133.68 lakh during the corresponding period of the previous year," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in its monthly domestic passenger traffic report. In the month gone by, IndiGo transported a total of 93.1 lakh passengers with a market share of 64 per cent while Air India Group (full-service carrier Air India and low-cost carrier Air India Express) flew 38.8 lakh passengers with 26.7 per cent market share. The two other major carriers - Akasa Air and SpiceJet - flew 7.2 lakh and 4.8 lakh passengers, respectively in March 2025, cornering market share of 5 per cent and 3.3 per cent. IndiGo delivered the highest on-time performance (O

Direct flights between India and China a possibility now after long halt

But this time, Chinese carriers are unlikely to dominate the market

GE Aerospace CEO Culp advocates tariff-free regime for aviation industry

Trump's trade war has created the biggest uncertainty for the aerospace industry since the COVID pandemic. It has also led to a breakdown in the industry's decades-old duty-free status

Nipun Aggarwal replaces Campbell Wilson as Air India Express Chairman

Air India Express is a wholly owned subsidiary and low-cost airline under Air India

Delhi airport to reopen runway 10/28 in May first week to ease congestion

Faced with air traffic congestion and flight delays, Delhi airport operator DIAL on Sunday said the upgradation works of runway RW 10/28 will be temporarily suspended and it will be reopened for operations in the first week of May. The airport has four runways -- RW 09/27, RW 11R/29L, RW 11L/29R and RW 10/28. In a series of posts on X, DIAL said that in coordination with stakeholders, it has decided to temporarily suspend the critical ILS (Instrument Landing System) upgrade work necessary for the winter season. "Runway 10/28 will be brought back into operation in the first week of May, with the remaining upgrade activities deferred for a month or so," it said. The decision comes against the backdrop of flight delays due to reduced capacity following the runway closure and easterly winds. Runway RW 10/28, where one side is not compliant for CAT III operations, was closed for operations this week to carry out maintenance works. A CAT III facility allows aircraft operations in ...

French aviation firm Lauak mulls sale as Lohia eyes global expansion

The company in France's Basque region is attracting interest from potential suitors including India's Lohia Aerospace Systems

Indian airlines fear CORSIA's financial impact may clip their wings

Kapil Kaul, chief executive officer and director of aviation consultancy firm CAPA India, said that none of the Indian carriers are ready to meet the targets set under CORSIA

Delhi Airport set for 'global hub' tag in 2 yrs: CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar

To become a global hub, Delhi airport should have an international traffic of about 24 million