DGCA initiates investigation into SpiceJet-Akasa Air minor collision

A SpiceJet aircraft hit an Akasa Air plane at the Delhi airport on Wednesday, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to off-roster the air traffic controller and the SpiceJet pilots involved and initiating a probe.

 “Winglet of SpiceJet B-737-700 aircraft... hit the horizontal tail surface (HTS) of Akasa B-737 aircraft,” the DGCA said in a statement, describing the sequence of the ground collision.

 The incident occurred when the SpiceJet aircraft operating flight SG-124 from Leh to Delhi was taxiing, moving on the ground under its own power, towards its allocated parking bay at Terminal 1. Its winglet — the upward-curved tip of the wing that improves fuel efficiency — struck the HTS, the rear stabilising structure of an Akasa Air plane.

  The Akasa aircraft had pushed back and was positioned on the apron — the area where aircraft are parked and serviced — for operating flight QP 1406 from Delhi to Hyderabad. The impact damaged the SpiceJet aircraft’s right-hand winglet and the tail section of the Akasa aircraft.

16/04/2026 Deepak Patel/Business Standard

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Delhi Airport Mishap: DGCA Off Rosters SpiceJet Pilot, ATC Control Officer After Plane Hits Akasa Aircraft

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into a minor on-ground collision between two commercial aircraft at Delhi's airport, even as both airlines confirmed that all passengers and crew are safe.

Both aircraft were grounded for inspections following the incident. All passengers and crew aboard the stationary Akasa flight disembarked safely, with no injuries reported.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched a probe into the incident, temporarily off rostered the concerned SpiceJet pilot and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) officer from duty as part of its standard safety enforcement measures in such taxiway-related cases.

According to the regulator, the SpiceJet aircraft, while taxiing to its designated parking bay after operating flight SG-124, made contact with the horizontal tail surface of the Akasa plane, which had already pushed back and was positioned on the apron.

The impact damaged the right winglet of the SpiceJet aircraft and the left-hand horizontal stabiliser of the Akasa aircraft. Both planes have since been grounded and moved out of operations.

Akasa Air stated that its aircraft was stationary at the time of impact and that passengers were safely disembarked, with alternate travel arrangements being made. SpiceJet also confirmed that its aircraft has been grounded pending further checks.

16/04/2026 NDTV

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AIX reveals the critical trends transforming India's aviation market

Hamburg: Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) has unveiled fresh insights into the trends shaping India's aviation interiors market in 2026, highlighting how rapid fleet growth, domestic capability, and evolving passenger expectations are redefining cabin design across both commercial and business aviation.

Drawing on expertise from Indian airlines, business aviation operators, MROs, and design specialists – including Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, Timetooth Technologies, Jamco, and West Entertainment – the latest analysis from the AIX Global Cabin Concepts Lab series explores the forces driving a uniquely Indian approach to cabin innovation.

Once defined primarily by density-driven, cost-conscious interiors, India's market is now moving toward premiumisation, domestic capability, and globally credible design. With one of the world's largest aircraft order books, the country is entering a decisive growth phase, supported by rising incomes, competitive fares, and infrastructure expansion.

Five trends shaping India's cabins

1. Fleet expansion drives scale and sophistication

Massive narrowbody renewal and widebody retrofits are creating sustained demand for certified seating, modular interiors, and lightweight solutions. Airlines are moving quickly from functional cabins to brand-led, globally credible products, while low-cost carriers are beginning to adopt premium touches to meet rising passenger expectations.

"2026 is the year when Air India's product reset will become visible across the fleet," says Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India. "The most powerful part of this transformation isn't just the aircraft, it's how the airline is reshaping perception."

 2. Domestic capability is on the rise

Indian MROs, soft-goods specialists, and certified seat manufacturers are reducing reliance on overseas suppliers, offering faster turnaround, cost efficiency, and cycle-hardened solutions. Companies like Timetooth Technologies are now producing DGCA-approved seating and components, while leading MROs handle cabin refreshes and retrofits across commercial and business aviation fleets.

3. Premiumisation extends across market segments

Business jets and narrowbody fleets alike are adopting high-functioning, tech-forward interiors. New-generation Indian flyers value open layouts, minimalist design, sustainability, wellness, and seamless connectivity, while still reflecting local warmth and subtle cultural motifs.

4. Durability meets design

India's hot, humid, dusty environment, combined with high utilisation rates, has given rise to "cycle-hard" interiors. Lightweight composites, modular soft goods, and robust finishes ensure cabins are resilient without compromising style or comfort.

5. Connectivity and digitalisation are poised to accelerate

While inflight Wi‑Fi adoption remains limited due to cost and regulation, pre-wired aircraft and emerging LEO satellite systems offer a pathway to high-performance, digitally enabled cabins. Operators are preparing for a near-future where connectivity, enterprise applications, and smart cabin management can match global expectations.

 "India is not just an emerging market," says Archana Dharni, Event Director at AIX. "It is becoming a laboratory for cabin innovation, creating interiors that are resilient, adaptable, and deeply tuned to the needs of passengers and operators alike. From climate-smart materials to lightweight, modular solutions, India is shaping cabin concepts that have the potential to truly influence the global market."

 "At AIX 2026, a growing contingent of operators, MROs, and component manufacturers based in the Indian region have been showcasing their contribution to the global cabin supply chain, and revealing the very latest in design, technology, and production."

16/04/2026 Aircraft Interiors Expo

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Air India enters into interline partnership with Westjet

Air India on Friday announced a new interline partnership with WestJet, Canada’s leading leisure carrier, to boost connectivity between India and North America beyond Toronto and Vancouver.

The partnership enables single-ticket itineraries combining Air India and WestJet flights, offering smoother journeys, coordinated baggage handling, and simplified journeys for travellers.

Through this partnership, Air India guests travelling to Toronto or Vancouver can take onward connections on WestJet to 17 Canadian cities and 14 U.S. cities, namely:

Canadian cities: Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Ottawa, Regina, Saskatoon, Kelowna, St. John’s, Prince George, Victoria, Fort St. John, Terrace, Cranbrook, Comox, Nanaimo

U.S. cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa, Nashville, Las Vegas, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs, Santa Ana, Fort Myers.

Halifax, Calgary and St. John’s are also accessible via Air India’s select European gateways at Amsterdam (Schiphol), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), London (Heathrow), and London (Gatwick).

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Canada continues to be a key market for Air India, driven by strong people‑to‑people ties and increasing trade between our nations. By partnering with WestJet, we are making travel across North America more accessible and effortless for our guests, with coordinated baggage handling, single‑ticket convenience, and a far wider choice of destinations.”

John Weatherill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, the WestJet Group, said: “By bringing this interline agreement to life, we’re significantly expanding access between India and Canada, making it easier for our shared guests to seamlessly visit high-demand destinations across North America. This partnership aligns Air India’s long-haul strength with WestJet’s North American reach, creating meaningful new travel options and improving the end-to-end journey for travellers.”

Air India currently operates 17x weekly non-stop flights to Canada, including 10x weekly services to Toronto and 7x weekly services to Vancouver.

To its European gateways that provide connections on WestJet flights to Canada, Air India operates a total of 75x weekly services, including 49x weekly to London (Heathrow), 5x weekly to London (Gatwick), 14x weekly to Paris (Charles de Gaulle) and 7x weekly to Amsterdam (Schiphol).

Interline itineraries are available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app and through travel agents worldwide.

17/04/2026 Air India

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Star Air to start Hindon to Mundra flights from April 29

Ghaziabad: After massive reduction of flight services, Star Air will operate flight services to Mundra in Gujarat.

Star Air — which reduced flight services from 21 to 12 and now eight — is currently operating on Adampur (Punjab) and Nanded (Maharashtra) routes. By the end of this month, it will introduce the new destination, which will operate on all seven days, officials said. An official from Star Air said, “We planned to operate on Mundra route from April 25, but due to some work going on at Mundra, we had to postpone it till a further date. We are in talks with the Mundra airport officials.”

“Star Air will operate operations from the Hindon civil terminal to Mundra in Gujarat from April 29,” Hindon Civil Terminal director Chilka Mahesh said, adding, “We have been informed that the Kishangarh route, on which the air carrier stopped operating, will commence operations by the end of this month.”

This curtailment of flights from the terminal has brought down the footfalls from a peak of 6,000 per hour to just between 2,000 and 2,200 per hour.

17/04/2026 Times of India

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SpiceJet Legal Tussle Intensifies: High Court Reserves Order

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has reserved its decision regarding petitions from SpiceJet and its promoter, Ajay Singh, challenging an order to deposit Rs 144 crore in a legal dispute with media mogul Kalanithi Maran and Kal Airways.

Justice Subramonium Prasad made this move after hearing arguments that urged reconsideration of the deposit, citing financial strains due to geopolitical tensions. SpiceJet proposed a commercial property in Gurugram as an alternative security.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Singh and SpiceJet, highlighted potential public disinterest in the airline's shutdown. Nonetheless, counsel for Maran maintained that the Supreme Court had previously considered the reasons SpiceJet gave for financial duress.

16/04/2026 Devdiscourse

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Delhi-bound SpiceJet flyers find themselves in Pune after short nap, reach destination 7 hours late

Pune: Many flyers of an early morning Delhi-bound SpiceJet flight SG-937 on Thursday boarded the plane and dozed off. When some of them woke up after an hour-and-a-half hoping that the aircraft must be descending for the destination, they were disappointed to find themselves still on the Pune airport tarmac.

"The flight (SG-937) was scheduled to take off at 5.55am and land in Delhi at around 8.30am. We boarded the plane by 6.15am and many of us dozed off because it was an early flight. The pilot, however, announced that the flight would take another 10 minutes to take off due to a technical glitch. I woke up after an hour or so to find that the flight had still not taken off," Pramodkumar Sonami, a Pune resident and one of the flyers, told TOI.

"No one even told us to disembark before 8.30am, the time when the flight was supposed to land in Delhi. The cabin crew asked us to disembark over two hours after we waited onboard the plane," Somani said.

The flight was eventually delayed by around seven hours, defeating the flyers' purpose of taking an early flight.

An airline spokesperson told TOI that a technical issue delayed the flight. 

17/04/2026 Times of India

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Tiff at Amritsar airport over Rs 500 parking penalty

Allegations of overcharging by a parking contractor at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport resurfaced on Thursday after a heated argument broke out at the facility between a passenger and parking staff over a Rs 500 fine.

The dispute occurred in the airport’s pick-and-drop area after a vehicle was parked there for over 20 minutes. The parking staff issued a fine of Rs 500, following which the passenger entered into an argument with him. The passenger alleged that such high charges were not levied at other airports and accused the contractor of overcharging.

After a prolonged argument, the staff eventually allowed the vehicle to leave without paying the fine. However, employees of the contractor maintained that the challan was issued according to the rules and the passenger continued to argue despite being informed of the same.

17/04/2026 Tribune

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Ambala domestic airport will be inaugurated soon: Vij

Chandigarh: Haryana minister Anil Vij said on Thursday that the domestic airport constructed at Ambala Cantonment will be inaugurated soon. During a meeting held on Thursday, with officers of the Haryana Civil Aviation Department, directions were issued to complete the remaining minor works at the airport at the earliest.

While chairing the meeting, Vij directed officers to constitute a team of senior officers to inspect the airport so that technically pending works can be completed promptly. He directed that CCTV installation, control room setup, security arrangements, online UPS, minor civil works and other office-related requirements be completed on priority. Directions were also issued regarding the availability of staff and vehicles. Additionally, Vij directed officers to establish an off-airport air terminal to facilitate cargo operations.

The minister said that Ambala Cantonment is a major junction, and the start of air services from here will greatly benefit people in surrounding areas and boost commercial activities. He said that apart from districts like Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Kaithal, Karnal and Panipat in Haryana, people from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh will also benefit. He added that since the airport is located within the city, passengers will not face any inconvenience in commuting.

 16/04/2026 Times of India

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Air India co-pilot deported from US after airport check -- here's why

An Air India co-pilot was sent back from the US after a shocking discovery was made at the airport check-in in San Francisco. The pilot, who was travelling as staff on duty in the passenger cabin on a Delhi-San Francisco flight, was allegedly found to be carrying marijuana in his bag. 

Delhi-San Francisco is the fifth-longest route in Air India's international network. On arrival in San Francisco, authorities allegedly found marijuana in his bag. Following this, the pilot was not allowed to leave the airport, The Times of India reported, citing people aware of the matter. Authorities informed Air India, and it was decided to send the pilot back to India on the next available flight. 

An Air India spokesperson was quoted as saying by TOI: “One of our crew members travelling from Delhi to San Francisco on April 14, for positioning to operate a subsequent flight, was found to be inadmissible as per local laws and has been sent back to India. Air India maintains zero tolerance towards any violation of the law and upholds the highest standards of safety, compliance, and professional conduct. Appropriate strict disciplinary action will be taken as per laid-down company policies. Ensuring safety, as always, remains Air India’s number one priority.”

The pilot had not consumed marijuana and allegedly had it in his possession, according to people aware of the matter. Some countries, barring India, allow medicinal use of marijuana. 

17/04/2026 Business Today

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Indian Man Charged After Alleged Mid-Air Sexual Assault on Perth-Bound Flight

New Delhi: A 52-year-old Indian national has been charged in Australia after allegedly sexually assaulting a fellow passenger during a flight from Singapore to Perth, in an incident that has raised fresh concerns over passenger safety on long-haul journeys.

The case was first reported by The West Australian, which identified the accused as Sudhir Kumar Chauhan. Authorities have since confirmed that the man is facing charges linked to alleged non-consensual sexual conduct on board the aircraft.

According to a statement from the Australian Federal Police, the alleged assault occurred on April 13 during a Scoot flight travelling from Singapore to Perth. The woman, who was seated next to the accused, reported that he engaged in “non-consensual sexual acts” during the journey.

The victim alerted cabin crew after the incident. Airline staff responded promptly, relocating her to another seat to ensure her safety and comfort for the remainder of the flight.

The flight, operated by Scoot, departed Singapore at around 3 am and landed in Perth at approximately 8 am.

Upon arrival at Perth Airport, officers from the Australian Federal Police boarded the aircraft and escorted the man off for questioning.

He was subsequently charged under Australian law. Under Australian law, offences involving sexual misconduct are treated with severity. Sexual intercourse without consent carries a maximum penalty of up to 12 years in prison, while indecent acts without consent can attract jail terms of up to seven years.

16/04/2026 Republic

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Scan Global secures on-time delivery with Vietnam–India charters

Scan Global Logistics arranged two full air charters to transport 30 tonnes of production-critical automotive cargo from Vietnam to India within a strict two-day timeline to ensure an on-time arrival. The shipment required a non-negotiable estimated time of arrival (ETA) to protect the customer’s production schedule. With limited time to act, the company mobilised a solution designed around the committed lead time.

Commercial flight options were assessed but carried risks of offloads and delays. As a result, a full charter solution was proposed and implemented to maintain schedule reliability.

16/04/2026 ITLN

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Singapore Airlines CEO to meet senior Tata Group executives, Air India losses top agenda

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong will be meeting senior Tata Group executives on Thursday, and both sides are expected to have detailed discussions on loss-ma ines CEO to meet senior Tata Group executives, Air India losses top agenda   Read More: https://www.moneycontrol king Air India.

Goh Choon Phong arrived at the Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group, on Thursday morning.

Tata Group acquired Air India from the Indian government in January 2022, and later Singapore Airlines purchased a 25.1 per cent stake in the airline.

A source said he would be meeting senior Tata Group executives.

Details about his planned meetings with the Tata Group executives could not be immediately ascertained.

According to reports, the Singapore Airlines CEO will be meeting Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran.

The meeting assumes significance against the backdrop of Air India facing multiple headwinds, including spiralling operating costs due to the airspace curbs in the wake of the West Asia conflict and the closure of Pakistan airspace for nearly a year now. These restrictions have forced the airline, which is in the midst of an ambitious transformation plan, to take longer routes for long-haul international flights, resulting in increased fuel burn and higher expenses.

16/04/2026 PTI/Moneycontrol

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Odisha Pushes AAI Takeover And Major Expansion Of Rourkela Airport To Enable Larger Aircraft Operations

The Odisha government has stepped up efforts to transfer Rourkela Airport to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), alongside plans to significantly upgrade the facility to handle larger aircraft under code 4C operations.

The airport is currently owned by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) through its Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and operates on a much smaller scale, catering to ATR-72 type aircraft under code 2C classification.

According to The New Indian Express report, a high-level meeting held in Bhubaneswar last week brought together senior officials from both the Centre and the state, along with SAIL representatives, to fast-track the proposal and resolve pending issues.

Discussions centred on removing land-related hurdles and accelerating expansion plans for both the airport and the steel plant. Authorities emphasised the strategic importance of the project in boosting regional connectivity and industrial growth.

16/04/2026 Arjun Brij/Swarajya Mag

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IndiGo Enters Air Taxi Race, invests in Bengaluru Startup Sarla Aviation

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has taken a step into the emerging electric air taxi sector with an equity investment in Bengaluru-based startup Sarla Aviation.

The airline has invested Rs 10 crore through its investment arm, IndiGo Ventures, in January, according to regulatory filings.

Sarla Aviation, founded in 2023, is developing a hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft for use as a flying taxi. Its flagship model, Shunya, is intended for urban transport and is expected to launch in Bengaluru by 2028.

Shunya is designed to seat six passengers plus one pilot, while the aircraft has a cargo configuration with a payload capacity of up to 680 kilograms.

The startup had earlier raised $10 million in January 2025 in a funding round led by Accel, with participation from angel investors including Binny Bansal, Nikhil Kamath and Sriharsha Majety.

16/04/2026 Indian Startup News

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‘RR’ stamp on boarding pass: What it means for your next flight from India

You are all excited to board your flight, but just as you receive your boarding pass, you spot ‘RR’ stamped over it. Is it a concern: has your luggage been flagged, or is your travel under question? It’s normal to start worrying over all sorts of possibilities; however, the silver lining is that it is a simple process that shouldn’t trouble you much if you have all your documents in place and you arrive early.

Let’s understand this scenario in detail.

In simple terms, RR stands for Random Review or Random Referral, which means you have been randomly selected for an extra security or customs check before your flight. But it doesn’t mean you are in trouble or have done something wrong. “Basically, it is an additional security screening. You have been randomly selected for additional security or customs screening before boarding, particularly for flights departing from Indian airports. This is a standard procedure and doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. It is printed or written by the airlines’ check-in system and is required by airport security and customs authorities. This is a mandated layer within India’s aviation security framework governed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS),” said K Anuradha Suresh, an aviation expert and a Retired Senior AGM from Air India.

Notably, airports regularly select a small number of passengers for additional checks, which falls under their mandate.

According to the expert, the selection is algorithm-driven and purely random. “It is not based on passenger behaviour, ticket category, nationality, or frequent flyer status. The principle behind this protocol is unpredictability, a globally accepted aviation security doctrine designed to strengthen deterrence,” said Anuradha, adding that generally, this additional screening happens after the immigration check.

16/04/2026 Indian Express

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Navi Mumbai Airport emerges key aviation hub

Navi Mumbai International Airport has already emerged as one of India’s busiest aviation hubs, ranking as the ninth busiest domestic airport with 393,819 departing seats in April, according to OAG data.

 The airport has been developed to ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which has been operating near capacity for years. This new facility is expected to significantly enhance overall air traffic management in the Mumbai region.

 In its first phase, the airport is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually, featuring one integrated terminal and a single runway. The development represents a major infrastructure investment of approximately INR 19,650 crore.

Looking ahead, the airport’s long-term expansion plan is ambitious. By 2032, it is expected to reach a total capacity of 90 million passengers per annum, positioning it among the largest airports in India and globally.

17/04/2026 Travel Biz Monitor

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West Asia Conflict Hits India Aviation, Tourism: Rs 18,000 Crore Loss Explained

India’s travel and tourism ecosystem is facing renewed turbulence as geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple across global mobility networks. A new report by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry paints a detailed picture of how aviation, hospitality and inbound travel are being squeezed, despite strong domestic demand acting as a cushion.

The report, titled "Impact of the West Asia Conflict on India's Tourism, Aviation & Hospitality Sectors," highlights that inbound tourist traffic has dropped by 15–20 per cent. More significantly, India’s aviation sector is staring at an estimated net loss of Rs 18,000 crore.

This comes at a time when the broader tourism and hospitality sector, contributing nearly 8 per cent to India’s GDP and supporting over 40 million jobs, had just recovered strongly in 2025. The fresh geopolitical tensions in early 2026 have now disrupted that momentum.

The aviation sector has taken the biggest hit due to the disruption of critical Middle Eastern air corridors, which are among the busiest transit routes globally. Airlines are dealing with flight cancellations, airspace closures and forced rerouting.

These rerouted flights are increasing travel time by two to four hours on key routes. That, in turn, is pushing up fuel consumption and operational costs. With fuel already accounting for 35–40 per cent of airline expenses, profitability is under severe strain.

16/04/2026 Open

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Pune airport gets 15 new slots; new routes to Tirupati, Mangaluru from May

Pune Airport is set to expand its air connectivity this May, with 15 additional flight slots approved by the Indian Air Force, taking the airport’s total slot count from 220 to 235. The new slots will facilitate the introduction of fresh routes connecting Pune to Tirupati (via Solapur), Mangaluru, and Bagdogra.

“Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol had requested the Indian Air Force to allow 15 additional slots, which had been agreed, and these new flight schedules would be part of these daytime slots. This is expected to boost tourism, trade, and regional integration,” said airport director Santosh Dhoke.

Tirupati via Solapur

One of the most important additions is a multi-leg route linking Pune to Tirupati through Solapur, creating two new sectors: Tirupati-Solapur-Pune and Pune-Solapur-Tirupati. Star Air will operate flight S5 331/332 on this route effective May 1.

On the Solapur-Pune leg, flights will arrive in Pune at 3:20 pm and depart back to Solapur at 4:00 pm six days a week except Saturday. While the Saturday service will arrive at 4:10 pm in Pune and depart at 4:40 pm. Timings for the Solapur-Tirupati leg are yet to be announced.

Mangaluru

FLY 91 will launch flight IC 1609/1610 connecting Mangaluru and Pune effective May 1. The flight from Mangaluru arrives in Pune at 6:40 pm and departs from Pune back to Mangaluru at 7:05 pm. The service will operate all seven days of the week.

Bagdogra

Air India will operate flight AI 4171/4172 between Bagdogra (IXB) and Pune effective May 1. The inbound flight arrives in Pune at 12:25 pm and departs at 1:15 pm, Monday through Sunday.

Dhoke highlighted the strategic importance of Bagdogra in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. “Bagdogra is strategically important as it serves as a gateway to the Northeast. Direct connectivity from Pune will significantly ease travel to these areas,” he said.

13/04/2026 Shubham Kurale/Indian Express

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Manipur CM reviews Imphal airport expansion, reaffirms commitment to high-quality aviation infrastructure

Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday inspected the ongoing upgradation of the new terminal at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal and reiterated that the government is fully committed to delivering infrastructure that meets the highest standards for the people. 

The expansion and facelift of Imphal airport, including the construction of a new terminal building awarded in 2022, had been stalled for several months following the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur in May 2023. However, work has recently resumed, and the Airports Authority of India now expects the project to be completed by 2027. 

During his visit to the airport on Monday, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of construction. Later, in a Facebook post, Khemchand Singh noted: “Encouraging progress has been made, and we remain hopeful that upon timely completion, passenger convenience and service delivery will be significantly enhanced.” “At the same time, certain shortcomings in workmanship were observed. Necessary directions have been issued for immediate rectification to ensure quality standards are upheld,” he added.

Khemchand Singh also reviewed the air cargo terminal facilities during his inspection. “The government remains firmly committed to strengthening airport infrastructure and ensuring efficient, high-quality services for our people. Ensuring that our International Airport operates at optimal efficiency remains a key responsibility of the government,” he stated. While interacting with the AI officials, he assured that the government would extend all possible assistance for the timely completion of the construction of the terminal.

14/04/2026 India News

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China Eastern Airlines resumes direct flights from Kunming to Kolkata in India

Direct flights linking the Indian city of Kolkata and Southwest China's Kunming in Yunnan province will resume operations on April 18 by China Eastern Airlines, a new development following the restoration of the Shanghai-Delhi route in November 2025, according to the Shanghai-based carrier.

The Kunming-Kolkata direct flights will be operational from Kunming every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Kunming, with the return flights scheduled to depart from Kolkata every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

As the capital city of India's West Bengal state, Kolkata is not only the commercial and financial hub of eastern and northeastern India but also the country's third-largest city.

Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, is striving to strengthen its role as a hub for opening up in Southwest China through continuously improved transportation networks for aviation and rail.

13/04/2026 Wang Ying/China Daily

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Pakistani woman shares what her 10-hour layover at Mumbai airport looked like

A Pakistani woman shared what a 10-hour layover at Mumbai airport looked like for her, and her surprisingly smooth experience is now winning hearts online.

The video, posted by Instagram user Wanzipa, who is based in London, documented her transit through Mumbai while travelling to Nepal. Right from the start, she admitted she was nervous. “Like any normal person, I was nervous boarding the flight because India and Pakistan are not the best of friends,” she said.

After landing in Mumbai following an 11-hour IndiGo flight, she shared that the process was far simpler than anticipated. Security checks, she said, were seamless and uneventful. Since she was only transiting and staying within the international terminal, there was no immigration process involved.

With a long layover ahead, she showed snippets of herself exploring the airport, walking through terminals, relaxing, and eventually settling into a lounge where she could eat and rest. “It was quite late, and we were exhausted, found this lovely lounge where we could have food and rest for a bit,” she said, capturing the calm, almost routine nature of her stopover.

There was one brief moment of concern during her stay.

She recalled receiving a WhatsApp call from an Indian number informing her about a “suspicious item” in her luggage. But what initially sounded alarming turned out to be a minor issue. She was simply asked to remove a power bank from her checked-in bag. “Staff was so lovely throughout,” she added, emphasising how the situation was handled smoothly.

14/04/2026 India Today

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Noida International Airport adopts low-emission furniture; aims to be India’s first net-zero airport

New Delhi: Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar has emerged as one of the first airports in the country to use low-emission certified furniture and workstations across its 1,00,000 sq m terminals and back office areas.

An official release from the airport said, “This supports NIA’s ambition to be India’s first net-zero airport through clean energy, efficient design, and low-impact operations.” Made from low-emission materials, the furniture ranges from public seating and lounge systems to modular workstations, control desks, and specialised installations.

“The airport boasts workstations that are 66% recyclable and carry a 115.43 kg CO2e cradle-to-gate carbon footprint – critical to serve the airport’s expected 12 million annual passengers,” it said.

NIA marks a concrete shift from conventional airport fit-outs, where sustainability features are often limited to building design, it added.

“Completed in two zero-delay phases, the 5 lakh sqft project consists of 6,000-plus furniture units and specialised installations involving precision manufacturing and parallel execution,” the release said.

13/04/2026 New Indian Express

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CISF's quick action helps German passenger retrieve bag at Delhi airport

A moment of panic turned into relief for a German traveller at Delhi airport, thanks to the swift response of CISF personnel, an incident now being widely praised online.

According to the post shared on X by Airport Sector of the Central Industrial Security Force (APS-CISF), Carla Teresa Dettki, a German national travelling from Delhi to Colombo, accidentally left her bag behind at the security check. What could have turned into a stressful situation was quickly resolved thanks to the swift action taken by CISF staff on duty.

“Ms Carla Teresa Dettki, a German national traveling from Delhi to Colombo, inadvertently left her bag at the security check. Upon being informed, CISF personnel acted promptly, traced the baggage, and handed it over to her. She appreciated the prompt assistance,” the post read.

The accompanying video shows Dettki explaining how she realised her bag was missing and expressing gratitude towards the CISF team for helping her recover it without delay. Her relief and appreciation are evident, turning what could have been a travel disruption into a positive experience.

13/04/2026 India Today

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Family Of 8 Spends Rs 49 Lakh On Flight, KLM Denies Boarding At Bengaluru Airport

For J S Sathishkumar, chairman of a medical institution based in Salem, Tamil Nadu, a long-planned international family trip ended not at the destination they had dreamed of, but in a courtroom. What was meant to be a celebratory journey from India to Peru has now spiralled into a legal battle involving one of the world's major airlines, raising questions about passenger rights, documentation checks and the responsibilities of airline staff during international travel.

Court Orders FIR Against KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' Top Executives

According to a report by The New Indian Express, a court in Karnataka has directed the police to register an FIR against senior executives of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (the flag carrier of the Netherlands), including its chief executive officer (CEO) and chief operating officer (COO).

The directive was issued by a civil judge and judicial magistrate in Devanahalli, under whose jurisdiction Kempegowda International Airport falls.

The order follows a complaint filed by J S Sathishkumar, after his family was denied boarding at Bengaluru airport at the last minute. The reason? Confusion around visa.

The complaint centres on an incident that occurred on June 19, 2024, when Sathishkumar and seven members of his extended family were scheduled to fly from Bengaluru to Peru on KLM. The family had booked eight non-refundable business-class tickets, reportedly costing around Rs 49 lakh, with a return journey planned for July 3, 2024.

13/04/2026 Jigyasa Kakwani/NDTV Travel

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Kareena Kapoor cuts long queue at Mumbai airport, netizens roast her over ‘VIP treatment’

A viral clip of Kareena Kapoor at Mumbai Airport has ignited a fresh debate on celebrity privilege. The actor is seen walking past a long queue at the entrance security check and heading straight inside, prompting mixed reactions online.

While some users criticised what they called “VIP treatment” and questioned fairness for regular passengers, others defended the actor, suggesting she may have opted for a paid fast-track or special airport service.

The video, widely shared on X with over a million views, has once again brought the spotlight on how celebrities navigate public spaces.

One user @shivbasu2 commented, “When the public becomes foolish enough to lose self respect they will allow such i*diotic activities happen under their eyes. Who is to blame? Those in the long queue they’re . These people get no importance in the USA or UK etc developed countries.”

“Sense of entitlement. People in the queue should have intervened, stopped her from moving ahead, or at least raised their voices,” wrote another user.

13/04/2026 Tribune

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Indian national arrested with cannabis at TIA

Kathmandu: An Indian national has been arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport with approximately two kilograms of cannabis, authorities said.

The suspect, who arrived in Kathmandu today on a SriLankan Airlines flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka, was apprehended from the airport’s customs area by the Armed Police Force Nepal.

According to APF spokesperson Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai, the seized narcotics and the individual have been handed over to Nepal Police for further investigation.

13/04/2026 Republica

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IndiGo offers up to 10% off on flights in limited-period ‘Summer Getaway’ Sale

IndiGo has unveiled its exciting ‘Summer Getaway’ sale, bringing travellers an opportunity to plan their summer holidays or early festive getaways with attractive savings and added convenience. But make sure the bookings for travel from July 1, 2026, to October 9, 2026, are done between April 14, 2026, and April 17, 2026, to avail the limited-time offer.

As part of this campaign, customers can enjoy discounts of up to 10% on both domestic and international flight bookings by using the promo code SUMR10.

The offer is available across multiple booking platforms, including the airline’s official website (www.goindigo.in), mobile app, AI-powered assistant 6Eskai, IndiGo WhatsApp service (+91 70651 45858), and select travel partner platforms to ensure a seamless and accessible booking experience for all types of travelers.

In addition to discounted fares, IndiGo is enhancing the overall travel experience by offering significant deals on its popular 6E add-ons. During the offer period, travellers can avail discounts of up to 70% on Fast Forward services, allowing quicker airport processing. The airline is also offering pre-paid excess baggage at discounts of up to 50%.

14/04/2026 CNBCTV18.com

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SpiceJet seeks relief from ₹144.5 crore deposit in Maran dispute case

New Delhi: SpiceJet on Monday urged the Delhi High Court to grant urgent relief from a direction requiring it to deposit Rs 144.5 crore in connection with its long-running dispute with former promoter Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways, cautioning that enforcement of the order could push the airline into financial distress.

 Appearing for the low-cost carrier, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi submitted that the airline’s current financial position makes it impossible to comply with the deposit requirement within the stipulated timeline. It was argued that insisting on the payment at this stage could severely disrupt operations, with the potential to ground flights and trigger a broader collapse.

Rohatgi said that the entire business is held up and that their airline is the smallest of the big three airlines. “If my accounts are attached for non-deposit, the entire system will collapse or at least I will collapse,” he told the court and asked for more time to arrange the money.

 The dispute stems from a share transfer agreement dating back to 2015, when SpiceJet was taken over by its present promoter Ajay Singh from the Maran family.

 Subsequent disagreements over warrants and financial obligations led to arbitration proceedings, which resulted in an award in favour of the Marans.

While portions of the arbitral award have been contested and partially set aside over the years, the matter has continued to generate litigation, including enforcement proceedings. The present direction to deposit Rs 144.5 crore arises from these ongoing efforts to secure the awarded sums.

13/04/2026 Bhavini Mishra/Business Standard

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Air India's Boeing 787-8 lands in Delhi after refurbishment in California

Mumbai: The first refurbished wide-body Boeing 787-8 aircraft of Air India landed at Delhi Airport on Monday, more than three years after the Tata Group-owned airline announced a USD 400-million investment plan to carry out a comprehensive refit of its legacy twin-aisle fleet.

The aircraft, VT-ANT, operated a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino in the United States, flying over the Pacific, and landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi at 10 pm, the airline said.

San Bernardino International Airport in California acts as a major hub for maintenance, painting and storage of Boeing aircraft.

Air India on Monday welcomed its first retrofitted, twin-aisle B787-8 (registered VT-ANT), marking the successful completion of a nose-tail cabin refresh of the first of 26 B787 aircraft, the airline said.

The aircraft, which received comprehensive interior upgrades at Boeing's modification centre in Victorville, California, was subsequently painted in Air India's striking new livery at AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified aircraft paint facility in California, the airline said.

Following the requisite regulatory certifications and clearances, the aircraft operated a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino to Delhi, it stated.

13/04/2026 PTI/Business Standard

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UAE travel: India’s IndiGo launches summer sale on flights to India

Dubai: India’s biggest airline, IndiGo, has launched a four-day summer getaway flash sale, offering up to 10% off domestic and international flights, including routes popular with UAE travellers heading to India during the summer break.

The sale is open for bookings from April 14 to April 17, 2026, for travel between July 1 and October 9, 2026 — a peak holiday window for families, expatriates and leisure travellers.

Passengers can claim the discount by entering promo code SUMR10 when booking through IndiGo’s website, app, WhatsApp channel, AI assistant 6Eskai, or selected travel partners.

For UAE residents planning summer trips to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi and Chennai, the timing is significant as demand for India-bound flights usually rises sharply ahead of school holidays.

14/04/2026 Dhanusha Gokulan/Gulf News

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Air India taps Hughes multi-orbit primed IFC for tranche of widebodies

Hamburg: Air India has selected Hughes Network Systems’ multi-orbit primed, high-capacity Ka-band satellite-based inflight connectivity service to power onboard Wi-Fi for a mixture of widebodies in its fleet.

Under arrangements announced today at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, the airline will leverage Airbus’s linefit, supplier-furnished HBCplus program to bring the Hughes In-Flight-branded IFC service to new A350-1000 aircraft. Hughes is a managed service provider on the HBCplus program.

Air India will also offer Hughes In-Flight on existing Boeing Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

RAVE Aerospace’s Ka-band terminal, which is based on ThinKom Solutions’ popular Ka-band 2517 VICTS hardware — and a key piece of kit on the Ka-band side of Airbus HBCplus — will be installed on the A350-1000s, 787-8s and 777-300ERs (whether via linefit at Airbus in the first instance, or retrofit in the latter.)

Financial terms of the deals have not been disclosed.

Air India has thus far taken a multi-source approach to IFC, as it also offers Panasonic Avionics’ Ku-band geostationary (GEO) satellite-supported system on select aircraft, as part of Panasonic’s partnership with Tata Group company Nelco in India.

14/06/2026 Mary Kirby/Runway Girl Network

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US Challenges Adani’s Plan To Move Cargo Operations To Navi Mumbai Airport, Flags Possible Breach Of India–US Aviation Pact

A proposal by the Adani Group to relocate cargo operations from Mumbai’s primary airport to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport has drawn objections from US authorities.

According to a Bloomberg report, the US Department of Transportation had written to India’s Aviation Ministry in March, raising concerns that the proposed shift of freighter services, including those operated by FedEx, could breach the India–US Air Transport Agreement.

The US side has cautioned that compelling American carriers to relocate may invite retaliatory measures under the bilateral pact.

The move follows a directive by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., which operates both Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Navi Mumbai airport, asking cargo operators to transition in phases between August 2026 and May 2027.

The company has attributed the decision to planned infrastructure upgrades at Mumbai airport that are expected to reduce cargo handling capacity.

13/04/2026 Arjun Brij/Swarajya

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Cleared for takeoff, unfit to land: How India’s aviation giants lost their captains

It was waiting to happen. The June 2025 Ahmedabad crash of an Air India flight, which killed 260

people, and IndiGo's catastrophic operational breakdown — which alone erased Rs 37,000 crore in

market cap in December — reflected a deeper problem impacting both airlines, which had made the

position of their respective CEOs untenable.

Within a month, both Campbell Wilson of Air India and Pieter Elbers of IndiGo were gone, casualties

of a sector where the margin for error at the top is less. 

In the case of IndiGo, several issues pointed directly at the inefficiency of top management. Reports

about near-misses in the air, an increasingly fragile crew, whistleblowers accusing management of

unsafe, fatigue-inducing rosters, and the regulator issuing a show-cause notice to CEO Pieter Elbers

over planning and oversight lapses kept adding up.

pointing out that pilot fatigue at IndiGo had reached impairment levels comparable to flying after

consuming alcohol above legal limits. Surveys of pilots indicated that they experienced excessive

daytime sleepiness and were forced to fly despite feeling too fatigued; there were also reports that

one pilot was dismissed after reporting fatigue.

When the airline management failed to prepare for the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL)

effective from November 1, 2025, the consequences were catastrophic, with hundreds of flights

cancelled. The airline's biggest asset — its loyal customer base — was left blindsided as it ran a

schedule it simply could not legally operate. It had not recruited enough pilots or made

timely changes to rosters to incorporate FDTL norms, and published a winter schedule that could not

be implemented under the new duty-time and rest limits.

Once the norms came into effect, the crisis hit the roof, leading to a "schedule meltdown" with 4,500–

5,500 cancellations over about 10 days and on-time performance dropping to around 4%, causing

massive hardship for passengers. The DGCA's show-cause notice made it clear that the "primary

cause" of the disruption was IndiGo's "non-provisioning of adequate arrangements" to meet the

revised FDTL requirements — a failure of manpower planning, rostering and operational

preparedness for safety-driven rules that had been signalled well in advance. The airline kept

assuring passengers and stakeholders that it was in control of the situation. The December crisis

proved otherwise.

13/04/2026 K Giriprakash/Deccan Herald

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Govt funds Gurugram startup to build hybrid take-off drone tech

The Technology Development Board (TDB) under DST has approved funding for a Gurugram-based aerospace startup to develop hybrid propulsion technology that could allow drones and light aircraft to take off from short runways or near-vertically. TDB signed the agreement with Casey Aviation Private Limited on Sunday.

The technology, if successful, could enable faster emergency medical evacuations and disaster response operations in remote parts of India where conventional runways do not exist. The system would allow unmanned aircraft to reach areas currently inaccessible to traditional aviation.

Casey Aviation will receive a conditional grant under the India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme for Industrial Sustainability. The company is partnering with UK-based ARC Aerosystems Ltd to develop the system, which it calls Boost Electric Jump Take-Off (BE-JTO).

The project combines electric and conventional propulsion systems to create what engineers call a hybrid powerplant. This hybrid system generates enough thrust for an aircraft to take off from very short distances or climb near-vertically, similar to a helicopter but using different mechanics.

13/04/2026 Tech Observer

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India, UK join hands to create propulsion testing facility for unmanned aviation

The Central government’s Technology Development Board (TDB) entered an agreement with Gurugram-based Casey Aviation Private Limited to develop an advanced hybrid propulsion-based Jump Take-Off (JTO) system for enhancing the operational capabilities of unmanned and light aircraft platforms, an official statement said on Monday. 

The proposed solution integrates hybrid propulsion technologies to enable short or near-vertical take-off capabilities for platforms such as gyrocopters and unmanned aerial systems.

The project also envisaged the establishment of a dedicated test bench facility for validating rotorcraft propulsion systems, as a critical infrastructure for testing and optimisation of next-generation aerial mobility technologies, the statement from the Ministry of Science & Technology said.

It will be the first such propulsion testing facility in North India, a validated testing infrastructure for startups and developers working in unmanned and advanced aerial mobility systems.

The government-run board has sanctioned a conditional grant for the project titled 'Boost Electric Jump Take-Off (BE-JTO)' under the India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme for Industrial Sustainability, in partnership with UK-based ARC Aerosystems Ltd.

13/04/2026 Investment Guru India

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GE Aerospace signs contract with Indian Air Force to help establish in-country depot for F404-IN20 engines

New Delhi: GE Aerospace on Monday announced a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish an in-country depot facility for the F404-IN20 engines that power IAF's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fleet.

According to a press release, the facility will be set up by the IAF with technical inputs from GE Aerospace and is expected to help India's indigenous defence sustainment effort. Once operational, the facility will eliminate the need to depend on the overseas repair centres, significantly improving turnaround times.

The depot facility will be owned, operated, and maintained by the Indian Air Force, with GE Aerospace providing technical inputs, training, support staff, and the supply of necessary spares and specialised equipment, the release said.

This collaboration marks the next step in the four-decade-long partnership between GE Aerospace and the IAF.

"Our commitment to supporting India's armed forces continues to guide our collaboration and partnership in expanding local sustainment capabilities of the Tejas fleet," said Rita Flaherty, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Defence and Systems at GE Aerospace.

"Through the upcoming depot facility, we will support the availability of the F404-IN20 engines for the Indian Air Force, ensuring they have ready access to cutting-edge technology to power their defence needs," she said.

The release further stated that GE Aerospace is committed to developing India's aerospace ecosystem, spanning design, development, manufacturing, and sustainment for both commercial and military aviation. For example, 150 engineers have passed out of the company's local two-year Edison Engineering Development Program, which develops engineering leaders.

Several skilling initiatives over ten years have helped train over 5,000 people with core manufacturing skills at the company's Pune factory.

13/04/2026 ANI

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Gurugram-based Casey Aviation Secures TDB Grant to Build Hybrid Propulsion Test Facility in North India

The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of  Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has signed an agreement with Casey Aviation Pvt Ltd, Gurugram, for the project titled “Boost Electric Jump Take-Off (BE-JTO).” The conditional grant is sanctioned under the India–UK Collaborative R&D Programme for Industrial Sustainability, in partnership with UK-based ARC Aerosystems Ltd.

Project Title: Boost Electric Jump Take-Off (BE-JTO)

Partners: TDB, Casey Aviation Pvt Ltd (India), ARC Aerosystems Ltd (UK)

Funding: Conditional grant under India–UK Collaborative R&D Programme

Develop advanced hybrid propulsion-based Jump Take-Off (JTO) systems

Enhance operational capabilities of unmanned and light aircraft

Establish a dedicated test bench facility for rotorcraft propulsion systems.

Applications

Regional connectivity in remote areas

Disaster response and medical evacuation

Unmanned logistics and surveillance operations

Strategic Importance

First hybrid propulsion testing facility in North India

Supports startups and developers in aerial mobility systems

Facilitates commercialization of hybrid propulsion solutions

13/04/2026 IndianWeb2

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Campbell Wilson’s Air India Exit: A turbulent journey that transformed the ‘Maharaja’

When Campbell Wilson landed in Delhi in July 2022 to take charge of Air India, he was, by his own account, not the first person the Tata Group had called. The job had initially been offered to a former chairman of Turkish Airlines, who withdrew after public and government objections about his nationality and political ties. Ratan Tata then turned to Singapore Airlines, an old partner of the Tatas, who pointed him towards Wilson with their full backing.

Wilson was 51, a New Zealander from Christchurch who had spent the entirety of his professional life with the Singapore Airlines group. 

He had a Master of Commerce with first-class honours from the University of Canterbury, and colleagues over three decades had described him as punctilious and genial.

He had opened Scoot, Singapore Airlines‘ low-cost carrier, from scratch in 2011 and led it to becoming profitable before returning to SIA as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In April 2020, as the pandemic led to a near collapse of global aviation, Campbell went back to Scoot for a second stint to do what he earned recognition for – to steer the low-cost carrier through the wreckage, as per media reports. 

Come 2022, Wilson Campbell officially took charge of Air India on July 25, 2022.

Wilson’s first formal act was to lay out a five-year transformation roadmap he called Vihaan.AI, an initiative aimed at making Air India a world-class global airline with what he described as an “Indian heart.” This is as per the Air India press releases dated September 15, 2022, just two months after Wilson joined Air India. 

13/04/2026 Financial Express

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Asia Air Travel Chaos: Delhi, Tokyo, Dubai Among Worst-Hit As 1,470 Flights Delayed, 67 Cancelled

Air travel across Asia was severely disrupted, with around 67 flights cancelled and nearly 1,470 delayed, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across multiple countries.

The disruption affected nations including Thailand, Japan, Singapore, the UAE, India, and Indonesia, as airports struggled to handle heavy passenger volumes and operational challenges.

Data from April 12 indicates a much larger scale of disruption during the day, with approximately 445 cancellations and 3,839 delays recorded across a wider region stretching from Northeast Asia to the Gulf, including China and Saudi Arabia. The situation led to overcrowded terminals and major schedule disruptions.

Several major airports faced intense pressure. Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport reported the highest number of delays at 216 along with 13 cancellations, followed by Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport with 199 delays.

In Japan, Tokyo’s Haneda Airport saw 182 delays, while Narita recorded 90 delays and 10 cancellations.

13/04/2026 Aanchal Sinha/News18.com

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CEOs Of Air India And IndiGo Exit Amid Deeper Malaise In Domestic Aviation, Raising Safety Concerns And Regulatory Questions

The departures of the CEOs of two of India's biggest airlines, Air India and IndiGo, which together account for 90 per cent of the domestic aviation market, need to be put in a proper context. These resignations, though overdue, clearly point to a deeper malaise within the domestic industry that will not go away even after two CEOs have exited. More of that later. 

The crisis at these two airlines was largely due to those at the helm either not taking the warning signs seriously enough to warrant immediate action to plug the loopholes, or their organisations not allowing them to do so. How else does one explain an incident as recent as April 9, 2026, when Air India flight AI-2812 from Mumbai to Bengaluru was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a midair engine stall? 

This was not the only instance. 

There have been several others. Or the DGCA flagging in a note to Parliament that by early 2025–26, roughly 70–80 per cent of inspected Air India aircraft showed recurring technical faults. For an airline that has placed orders worth $90 billion and positioned itself as a world-class carrier, this gap between ambition and ground reality is deeply troubling. 

Take IndiGo, which, with a 65 per cent market share, has almost the entire domestic sky at its command. Whistleblowers and anonymous open letters from long-serving insiders accused top management of enforcing unsafe, fatigue-inducing rosters and a toxic internal culture.

12/04/2026 Free Press Journal

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Star Air adds 70 weekly flights including first direct Mundra to Delhi NCR route

New Delhi: Star Air has announced the launch of 70 new direct flights weekly across its network, now including a vital new link between Hindon (Delhi NCR) and Mundra, Gujarat’s port city. With Mundra joining as Star Air’s 32nd destination, travellers from Delhi NCR gain direct access to a key economic hub, further strengthening business and leisure ties across northern and western India.

Starting 25th April 2026, Star Air will operate 38 direct weekly flights and a total of 54 weekly connections, linking Mundra to six key cities across Western and Northern India. With over 17,000 additional seats now available each month, this landmark move stands among the largest boosts to air connectivity and economic growth the region has ever seen.

The expansion sees Mundra directly linked to Hindon (Delhi-NCR), Mumbai, Goa (Mopa), and Surat, offering business and leisure travellers unmatched access and convenience. In addition to the 38 direct weekly flights, Star Air will introduce 16 weekly one-stop connections, strengthening ties with Kolhapur and Bhuj which will add 4,104 seats weekly and 17,000 seats monthly in its operating network.

13/04/2026 Aviation World

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Air India receives first refurbished B787-8 aircraft

Air India begins induction of retrofitted B787-8 aircraft with new interiors and three-class configuration, part of a broader fleet overhaul spanning Dreamliners, B777s, and A320 family jets.

Air India has taken delivery of its first refurbished Boeing 787-8, marking a key milestone in the Tata Group-owned airline’s ongoing widebody modernisation programme. The aircraft, registered VT-ANT, underwent a comprehensive cabin overhaul at Boeing’s modification facility in Victorville, California, followed by a full repaint in Air India’s new livery at an FAA-certified facility in San Bernardino.

While delivery was originally slated for February, delays pushed the timeline, with the induction now expected to trigger a steady pipeline of retrofits. A second B787-8 is already undergoing refurbishment.

The upgrade is part of a broader plan to revamp Air India’s legacy fleet with new interiors and branding. Over the next two years, all 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft will be retrofitted with a three-class configuration comprising Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

The refurbished aircraft features new-generation Business Class seats that will also be deployed on incoming new Boeing 787-9s, ensuring product commonality across the Dreamliner fleet. Air India has already inducted its first 787-9, VT-AWA, directly from Boeing earlier this year.

13/04/2026 Akbar Merchant/Financial Express

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Price hikes, outlook cuts - What airlines are doing as fuel costs surge

A surge in jet fuel prices driven by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has upended the global aviation industry, forcing airlines to raise fares and revise financial outlooks.

Jet fuel prices have soared from $85 to $90 per barrel to $150 to $200 per barrel in recent weeks, a financial hit for an industry where fuel accounts for up to a quarter of operating expenses.

Below is a list of how airlines are responding, in alphabetical order:

Air India

The Indian flag carrier said it would revise its fuel surcharge from a flat domestic surcharge to a distance-based grid. It said surcharges on international routes did not compensate for the exponential rise in jet fuel prices.

Akasa Air

India's Akasa Air said it was introducing a fuel surcharge ranging between 199 and 1,300 Indian rupees ($2 to $14) on domestic and international flights.

Indigo

India's biggest airline said it would introduce fuel charges on domestic and international flights from March 14, including a charge of 900 rupees for flights to the Middle East and a charge of 2,300 rupees for flights to Europe.

The company is also lobbying the Indian government to cut fuel taxes, sources told Reuters.

14/04/2026 Reuters/Tribune

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Uttar Pradesh Temple Tourism Boom Lifts India's Aviation Sector in 2026

Uttar Pradesh's temple tourism explosion is reshaping India's domestic aviation landscape. From Ayodhya's Ram Mandir to Varanasi's sacred corridors, record-breaking visitor numbers are forcing airlines to expand routes, increase flight frequencies, and boost passenger capacity across the country. The phenomenon represents a fundamental shift in how India's aviation sector operates, with pilgrimage traffic now rivaling or exceeding traditional leisure and business travel patterns. Airlines, airports, and ground operators are racing to meet unprecedented demand from devotees seeking spiritual experiences at Uttar Pradesh's most revered sites.

Since its public opening in January 2024, Ayodhya's Ram Mandir has become India's undisputed tourism powerhouse. Visitor data consistently places this Uttar Pradesh temple among the world's most-visited pilgrimage destinations, regularly exceeding footfall at traditionally dominant sites. The newly inaugurated Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, which opened in late 2023, now channels over one million annual passengers directly to pilgrims seeking darshan at the temple.

The economic ripple effects extend far beyond Ayodhya itself. Tourism authorities project that annual visitors will continue climbing throughout 2026 and beyond, creating sustained demand for air connectivity. This surge has prompted major airlines to position Ayodhya as a primary domestic hub, with dedicated flight schedules designed specifically around pilgrimage seasons and festival periods. The airport expansion reflects confidence that this growth trajectory will persist for years to come.

14/04/2026 Preeti Gunjan/Nomad Lawyer

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