Page 4 - Indian Aviation

Saudi Arabia aims at 25% of leisure travellers from India by 2030

The West Asian country's global vision is to attract 150 million tourists annually, generating 10 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP)

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.

DGCA issues advisory as Pak's airspace closure extends flight timings

Aviation watchdog DGCA on Saturday issued an advisory to airlines on providing proper communication and in-flight catering services to passengers as international flights are having longer flying time due to the Pakistan airspace closure. Pakistan has closed its airspace for Indian airlines, resulting in longer flying hours for their international flights, especially those flying out from north Indian cities, including Delhi. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an advisory on passenger handling measures in view of airspace restrictions resulting in extended flight durations and technical stops. The advisory focuses on five main areas -- pre-flight passenger communication, in-flight catering and comfort, medical preparedness and alternate aerodromes, customer service and support readiness, and intra-departmental coordination. DGCA said that due to recent developments involving international airspace closures and overflight restrictions, airline operations hav

Pahalgam attack: India shuts airspace to Pakistan from Apr 30 to May 23

India has closed its airspace to all Pakistani-registered aircraft, including commercial and military flights, from April 30 to May 23, 2025, in retaliation for Pakistan's earlier airspace closure

Engines stalled, planes grounded: ICRA alerts turbulence in Indian aviation

Indian airlines remain grounded by engine problems and labour gaps, with recovery not expected before FY2026, finds credit rating agency ICRA

Air India to cut fares, add new jets and boost reach to woo diaspora

Air India, in order to enhance its appeal, has worked on reducing airport transfer times to within 180 minutes and is further streamlining the travel experience

India's air passenger traffic to see 7% growth in 2025: Alton Aviation

India's air passenger traffic is expected to grow at a strong pace of 7 per cent in 2025, supported by a growing middle class and increasing air travel affordability, according to Joshua Ng, Director of US-headquartered Alton Aviation Consultancy. Bullish on aviation prospects in India, Ng said the country, which contributes approximately 10 per cent of Asia Pacific's domestic and international air traffic demand, has already returned to pre-pandemic levels. "Such growing demand in turn supports India's massive aviation development programmes including setting up of 150 airports across the country," Ng told PTI on Friday. He further noted that "India's passenger traffic is expected to grow at a strong pace of 7 per cent in 2025, supported by an order book of nearly 1,900 aircraft among airlines based in the country." Besides, "the recent merger between Air India and Vistara is also expected to bring more stability to the industry, with Air India and IndiGo emerging as the two prima

Inside Akasa Air's struggles with Boeing delivery delays and idle pilots

The Mumbai-based low-cost airline, Akasa Air, which started operations about three years ago, has a fleet of 27 planes, but has 226 jets - all Boeing 737 MAXs - on order

Akasa Air appoints Belson Coutinho as COO to oversee operations, growth

Belson Coutinho, a key member of Akasa Air's leadership since 2022, previously served as chief marketing and experience officer before being appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The India Story: Long journey traversed, but 90% of nation yet to be built

From highways connecting once-remote regions to aviation networks carrying millions, India's infrastructure story is one of transformation

DGCA suspends Akasa Air's directors of training, flight ops over lapses

The regulator said an audit found that navigation skills of pilots were being conducted on simulators that weren't qualified for that kind of training

IndiGo expects to carry 112 million passengers in 2024: CEO Pieter Elbers

IndiGo expects to carry 112 million passengers in 2024 and is on the way to become a leading player in global aviation, its chief Pieter Elbers has said. In 2023, the country's largest airline has flown over 100 million passengers. India is one of the world's fastest-growing civil aviation markets and IndiGo, which has a domestic market share of 63.6 per cent, is also expanding its international network. In a statement to PTI on the outlook for 2025, CEO Elbers said A321 XLRs will be arriving next year. These narrow-body planes have a longer range and will help the airline to start longer-duration direct international flights. IndiGo, flying for the last 18 years, has a fleet of over 400 aircraft and also placed an order for 30 wide body A350-900 widebodies. "An airline so young expects to welcome over 112 million customers in 2024, after crossing the 100 million annual customers bar last year," Elbers said. Aligning with India's vision to establish itself as an aviation hub, he

Akasa Air fined Rs 10 lakh by DGCA for denying boarding to passengers

The DGCA has imposed a Rs 10 lakh fine on Akasa Air for denying boarding to seven passengers on a Bengaluru-Pune flight in September and failing to provide required compensation

BluJ Aero, Blade India sign deal for sustainable regional aviation

Blade India will purchase 60 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft as part of agreement

Govt sets Rs 1 cr fine for airline bomb hoaxes under revised security rules

Hoax bomb threats on airlines now attract fines up to Rs 1 crore under revised Aircraft Security Rules as the Centre aims to curb disruptions, and enhance safety

Air India announces changes in its international routes with new aircraft

The airline is looking to increase flexibility and connectivity for intercontinental travel between North America, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia through its hubs in Delhi and Mumbai

The aim is to make India a top global domestic aviation hub: Minister Naidu

India's civil aviation sector has witnessed rapid growth over the last ten years and now the aim is to make the country the top global domestic aviation hub, Union minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Friday. The civil aviation sector in India has witnessed rapid growth over the last ten years and the aim should be now to become the number one domestic hub globally, Naidu said. Launching the centenary celebration logo on completion of 100 years of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport Kolkata, he noted that the last ten years have been glorious for the civil aviation sector with expansion of several airports and the way the number of passengers has expanded. "Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, we have pushed all the boundaries, and now we are the third largest domestic country a civil aviation hub in the whole world itself, and now we need to take it forward," Naidu said. "We need to break the barriers once again, level up the civil aviation sector in the country,

Aircastle drops insolvency case against SpiceJet after $5.6 mn settlement

Earlier in November, the airline had announced the resolution of a $23.39 million dispute involving Aircastle (Ireland) Designated Activity Company and Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Ltd

Aviation milestone: Indian airlines carry over 500,000 passengers in a day

Indian skies set a new record with 505,000 domestic flyers in a day, driven by post-Diwali demand, festive travel, and a steady rise in passenger numbers over recent weeks

Air India-Vistara merger complete; new entity to run 5,600+ weekly flights

Air India-Vistara merger: The combined airline will service 103 domestic and 71 international routes