Star Air linked to lease of used Embraer E190 jets

Indian regional airline Star Air appears to be linked to the planned lease of two used Embraer E190 jets owned by lessor TrueNoord , according to fleet data from Planespotters .

The aircraft involved are 12-year-old E190s previously operated by KLM Cityhopper and Eastern Airways. The jets, bearing serial numbers 19000659 and 19000661, are currently listed as stored and associated with future registrations in India.

Neither Star Air nor TrueNoord has publicly confirmed the transaction.

09/05/2026 Ricardo Meier/Air Data News

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Cial air cargo registers 10% growth

Kochi: Amid operational disruptions and geopolitical tensions in West Asia this year, Cochin International Airport Limited (Cial) recorded a 10% growth in cargo operations.

"In FY 2025–26, Cial handled 72,178 metric tonnes of cargo, of which nearly 76% comprised international cargo, marking an increase of around 10% compared to previous year," a spokesperson said.

Consequently, the revenue from the cargo segment rose to Rs 52.84 crore. The surge in cargo volumes was mainly driven by higher movement of perishables, pharmaceuticals, industrial consignments and e-commerce shipments through Cial's expanding cargo network.

09/05/2026 Times of India

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Sell fish, meat around Ahmedabad airport, face 3 months’ jail: Civic body shuts market to prevent bird strikes

The Holi Chakla area on Civil Hospital Road, where one can see the underbelly of planes taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, is also known for its bustling fish market. Earlier this week, however, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) banned the sale of fish and meat in the Chamanpura fish market and the Holi Chakla area in an attempt to tackle an over-decade-old problem. Violations of the ban could attract up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000.

The move came in response to repeated safety concerns raised by airport authorities. The concerns were heightened after the Air India crash last year that killed 260 people on June 12, when a Boeing 737 headed to London crashed minutes before take-off.

The civic body has directed vendors operating in this temporary fish market, barely 5-7 kilometres from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPI), to stop selling fish if they do not want to relocate.

On Thursday, the AMC put up boards in these areas imposing the ban under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, stating, “Fish, chicken and meat attract birds like hawks and vultures which increases chances of bird strikes with airplanes. Since the said area is a plane take-off and landing way, as per Section 25 (2) of The Indian Aviation Act-2024 and Rules 91 of The Aircraft Rules-1937, in order to prevent any disaster from happening here within a radius of 10 km from the aerodrome reference point, it is hereby expressly prohibited to allow vendors and shopkeepers selling fish and meat in the said place.”

The temporary fish market in Asarwa falls in the funnel area of the airport route that involves landings and take-offs, and has been controversial since 2012 due to bird activity. With women mostly engaged in vending, and the market being temporary, no concrete steps had been taken until now.

10/05/2026 Ritu Sharma/Indian Express

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IndiGo Appoints Former Airbus AI Chief To Drive Data, Analytics Transformation

IndiGo has appointed a former artificial intelligence (AI) head from Airbus to spearhead its data and analytics transformation, marking a significant step in the airline’s digital and operational evolution.

The airline has brought on board Jochen Hoesch, who previously led AI initiatives at Airbus, to head its data, analytics and artificial intelligence functions. The move is seen as part of IndiGo’s broader strategy to integrate advanced technologies into core operations and improve efficiency across its network.

IndiGo, which commands a dominant share of India’s domestic aviation market, has increasingly been focusing on leveraging technology to manage scale, reduce costs and enhance customer experience. The appointment comes at a time when airlines globally are investing heavily in AI-driven systems to optimise route planning, predictive maintenance, pricing and crew management.

Hoesch’s expertise is expected to play a critical role in building a comprehensive data ecosystem within IndiGo, enabling real-time decision-making and improved operational resilience. His experience at Airbus, particularly in deploying AI across aviation systems, is likely to strengthen IndiGo’s digital capabilities at a time when the airline is expanding rapidly.

The development also reflects a wider shift within IndiGo towards strengthening its leadership bench with global talent. In recent months, the airline has made several senior-level appointments, including strategic and operational roles, as it navigates a period of transition and growth.

05/05/2026 Business World

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Mumbai airport officials seize drugs, cash

Mumbai: Customs authorities at Mumbai international airport during May 7 and May 8 registered three cases involving the seizure of US dollars and banned drugs.

Officials stated that in one case they booked a passenger from whom they recovered a total of one lakih USD, equivalent to Rs 93.45 lakh. The passenger arrived in Mumbai from Jamnagar and was scheduled to depart from Mumbai to Dubai.

In another case, officials seized 17.9 kgs of suspected NDPS (Hydroponic Weed), valued at around Rs 17.9 crores, from a passenger who arrived from Bangkok via Thai Airways.

In the third case, officials booked two passengers for carrying 1.9 kgs of suspected NDPS (Hydroponic Weed), valued at around Rs 1.9 crores. The accused passengers arrived from Bangkok.

09/05/2026

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Noida International Airport may lose fare edge over IGI despite UP’s fuel tax relief

 Air passengers hoping for cheaper flights from the newly inaugurated Noida International Airport may end up paying fares similar to — or potentially higher than — those from Indira Gandhi International Airport, as higher airport tariffs and passenger charges at the new airport offset Uttar Pradesh’s low tax on aviation fuel.

With commercial operations at Noida International Airport (NIA) set to begin next month, airlines and local representatives have raised concerns over the airport’s pricing structure, according to a report by The Times of India.

Despite Uttar Pradesh levying just 1% VAT on aviation turbine fuel (ATF), compared to Delhi’s 25%, interim passenger user charges and aeronautical fees at NIA are significantly higher than those at Delhi airport, effectively wiping out the expected fare advantage for travellers.

The issue has already begun reflecting in ticket prices. IndiGo, the first airline to announce services from NIA, is charging nearly identical one-way nonstop fares on June 24 from both airports. Flights to Bengaluru are priced at Rs 8,910 from both Delhi and Noida, while Hyderabad fares stand at Rs 6,129, Jammu at Rs 6,999, and Amritsar at Rs 3,499, according to the ToI report.

IndiGo has formally objected to the tariff structure before the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), warning that the higher charges “will make overall fares paid by passengers travelling to and from NIA higher than IGIA”.

10/05/2026 Economic Times

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In 16 days, 50 pvt aircraft landed at airport

 Kolkata: Kolkata airport has witnessed an unprecedented number of flights in just over a fortnight starting from the election campaign hitting a fever pitch between the first and second phase of elections in Bengal and Saturday's oath-taking ceremony that was attended by the Prime Minister, home minister, defence minister and chief ministers of several BJP-ruled states. Kolkata airport officials said at least 50 private flights have operated to Kolkata during this period.

"On Friday and Saturday, nine private aircraft flew in dignitaries for the mega-event at the Brigade Parade Ground. This is in addition to the special Indian Air Force aircraft in which PM Narendra Modi arrived. Defence minister Rajnath Singh touched down in a BSF aircraft. Kolkata airport has not handled so many dignitaries on a single day in a long time," an airport official said.

While Union Home minister Amit Shah and Odisha CM Mohan Charan were the first to arrive on Thursday, 15 dignitaries arrived on Friday. Four VIPs arrived on Saturday apart from the PM, who reached Kolkata in the special IAF flight.

Among those who arrived for the oath-taking ceremony a day earlier were Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Tripura CM Manik Saha, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde, MP deputy CM Rajendra Shukla and Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

10/05/2026 Subhro Niyogi/Times of India

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MIA hosts II PUC toppers for behind-the-scenes aviation visit

Mangaluru: Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) recently hosted II PUC toppers from science, arts and commerce streams across Dakshina Kannada district for an exclusive experiential visit, offering them a behind-the-scenes glimpse into airport operations.

The visit was organised to mark the city’s tryst with civil aviation 75 years ago, when the first aircraft carrying then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru landed at the Bajpe aerodrome on Dec 25, 1951. The airport has lined up various programmes throughout the year to mark the platinum jubilee of the historic event, culminating in a finale planned in Dec 2026.

The initiative aimed to inspire young achievers by offering a ringside view of the aviation ecosystem, from terminal operations to critical airside functions. During the visit, students were introduced to key passenger-journey touchpoints, including security procedures, airline and terminal operations, and the role of the Aviation Security Group within the Central Industrial Security Force.

Students also gained insights into the airport’s focus on passenger experience, learning how terminal operations are designed to ensure comfort, efficiency and satisfaction. A key highlight was their interaction with operational units such as Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) and Air Traffic Control.

10/05/2026 ET Infra

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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu meets Pratt and Whitney Global President, Shane Eddy

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu today met a senior delegation of Pratt and Whitney led by its global president, Shane Eddy, in New Delhi. In a social media post, the minister said that the company’s growing investment footprint in India reflects how ease-of-doing-business reforms are encouraging global original equipment manufacturers to strengthen their presence in the country. Mr Naidu assured the delegation of complete support towards advancing the production of Make in India aircraft engines in the country. He said the work on their facility in Andhra Pradesh, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was done earlier, is continuing at a fast pace and is expected to be completed within about a year.

07/05/2026 AIR

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Air India terminated over 1,000 staff in 3 yrs for ethical breaches: CEO

Air India has terminated more than 1,000 staff in the last three years for ethical breaches, including those for misusing the employee leisure travel system, according to the airline's chief Campbell Wilson.

Flagging that hundreds of employees are terminated every year due to non-compliance, Wilson has also emphasised that the staff need to act in the right way even when others are not looking.

As Air India implements cost-saving measures amid significant financial headwinds, Wilson made the remarks during the town hall meeting with the staff on Friday, according to sources.

Tata Group-owned Air India has around 24,000 employees now.

The airline's CEO and MD said that over the past three years, "we have terminated more than 1,000 people for ethical breach" such as smuggling things off the plane and allowing excess baggage onto the aircraft without being charged.

He also mentioned hundreds of staff who had misused the Employee Leisure Travel (ELT) system and added that such things should not happen.

10/05/2026 PTI/Business Standard

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Suryakiran Team Will Showcase Indian Defence Aviation Excellence During The Somnath Temple 75th Anniversary on May 11

 The skies over Somnath are set to turn into a canvas of national colours and precision flying as the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of the Somnath Temple with a two-day aerial display on May 10-11.

The performance will see six Hawk Mk-132 aircraft executing coordinated aerobatic formations above the historic temple complex, drawing together celebrations of heritage, aviation skill and national symbolism in Prabhas Patan.

The display forms part of the broader 'Somnath Amritparva-2026' commemorations being held at the first Jyotirlinga shrine.

According to officials, the SKAT, widely known as the “Ambassadors of the Indian Air Force,” will present a sequence of close-formation flying and aerobatic manoeuvres designed to demonstrate precision, discipline and teamwork.

10/05/2026 IANS/Defence.in

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India’s aviation growth needs strong regulation before ATC privatisation

Recent reports suggest that the GOI proposes to privatise Air Traffic Control (ATC) services. Separating Air Navigation Services (ANS) — of which ATC is a component —from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and creating a separate corporation under the Government has been debated since 2007, enabling the corporation to use its Air Navigation Charges income to modernise Air Navigation Systems and meet growing aviation demand.

Eventually, in 2015, the proposal was withdrawn, with a decision to separately account for the ANS components of AAI’s revenue and to have a full-time Member (ANS) on the AAI Board. Thus, ANS remains a function of AAI, a Government body, at all airports. Now, the government seems to be pondering the idea of privatisation rather than corporatising ANS under Government control. Against this background, let us examine the issues of interest to an inquisitive common air passenger.

Article 28 of the Chicago Convention mandates the provision of airports and AirNavigation Services within the territory of each contracting state in accordance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). However, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) does not mandate that the ownership and management of ANS must remain solely under the state. Thus, the ownership and management of ANS may be delegated to a statutory autonomous body, a corporate body, or even the private sector.

10/05/2026 B V Surya Bhagavanulu/Hans India

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Sachin Tendulkar Praises Air India's Upgraded Cabin Experience, Airline Reacts

 Air travel today is one of the most remarkable yet complex experiences of modern life. The evolving landscape of aviation is focused on comfort, cost, and convenience - where even small aspects of the passenger experience matter greatly. So when a celebrity makes a light-hearted remark about the service they received from a particular airline, it tends to attract attention and go viral. That is exactly what happened when cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar praised Air India after travelling on one of the airline's retrofitted aircraft. The sportsman shared that the upgraded cabin gave him a "new car feeling".

In a post shared on X, Sachin wrote, "Experienced the 'new car feeling' in a retrofitted airplane today... Safe to say, I spent more time looking around the cabin than out the window. Thanks to the Air India crew for a lovely morning." Not to be outdone, Air India responded to Tendulkar's post with a cricket-themed reply. The airline wrote, "Safe to say the retrofit hit the middle of the bat. Looking forward to seeing you on our pitch again soon, Master Blaster."

The exchange drew plenty of reactions on social media, with users praising both Sachin Tendulkar's post and Air India's witty reply. One user wrote, "Glad to see the legacy 787s finally getting fixed. The new ones are a massive upgrade from the old, broken seats."

10/05/2026 NDTV

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Airport hotels fuel hospitality growth as India expands aviation infrastructure

New Delhi: India's expanding aviation infrastructure is emerging as a major catalyst for growth in the hospitality sector, with leading hotel chains ramping up investments in airport-linked properties amid rising air traffic, improved regional connectivity and the development of new urban corridors.

According to hotel industry executives, the surge in greenfield airports and improving connectivity to tier-II and tier-III cities is creating strong momentum for hotels located near airports, which cater to business travellers, transit passengers, airline crew and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) traffic.

Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director & COO, South Asia, of Radisson Hotel Group, told PTI that airport hotels are emerging as a high-growth segment within the hospitality industry as India accelerates airport infrastructure development.

"The rapid expansion of airport infrastructure across India, particularly greenfield developments, is positioning airport hotels as a high-growth segment within the hospitality sector," Sharma said.

"As air connectivity improves, we are seeing a clear rise in demand for well-located hotels that cater to transit passengers, airline crew, and business travellers seeking convenience, efficiency, and seamless access to key commercial hubs," he added.

10/05/2026 PTI/Economic Times

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Bengaluru's 2nd airport likely on twin plots on Kankapura Road

As plans for the city’s second airport gain steam, government agencies appear increasingly inclined towards southern Bengaluru, a preference publicly articulated by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

And plans are also being considered to merge the two shortlisted locations on Kanakapura Road — in the south — into one one “perfect land parcel” that fits the airport’s requirements with fewer airspace restrictions and better connectivity.

The plans — outlined to DH by senior officials from the Infrastructure Development Department (IDD), the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) — come even as the state government recently picked Singapore consultancy Meinhardt EPCM to study the feasibility of all three shortlisted locations.

The locations include Chudahalli and Somanahalli (Kanakapura Road) and villages between Kunigal and Nelamangala near Tumakuru Road in the west.

The Kanakapura Road sites — located adjacent to each other — span 4,800 acres and 5,000 acres each, while the one near Nelamangala covers an area of 5,200 acres.

09/05/2025 Asra Mavad/Deccan Herald

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Chennai Airport tops TN in passenger traffic for 2025–26

Chennai International Airport has emerged as the busiest airport in Tamil Nadu, recording the highest passenger traffic during the 2025–2026 financial year, according to data released by the Airports Authority of India.

The airport handled nearly 2.30 crore passengers between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026, marking a 2.7% increase compared to the previous financial year. Officials attributed this steady growth to the expansion of both domestic and international flight services, reinforcing Chennai’s position as a key aviation hub in South India.

Coimbatore International Airport ranked second in the state, handling 32.2 lakh passengers and registering a 5.2% growth. It was followed by Tiruchirappalli International Airport, which recorded 22.2 lakh passengers, driven largely by increased connectivity to Southeast Asian destinations.

Madurai Airport secured the fourth position with 13.8 lakh passengers. Meanwhile, Tuticorin Airport handled 2.90 lakh passengers, and Salem Airport recorded 1.27 lakh passengers during the same period.

09/05/2026 News Today

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Hydroponic marijuana worth Rs 34.9 crore seized at Delhi airport from Bangkok passengers

Delhi Customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport have seized 34,935 grams of suspected hydroponic marijuana from two passengers who arrived from Bangkok on flight TG-323, officials said on Thursday.

The contraband was detected after the passengers were flagged through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) profiling and intercepted by Customs officers after they crossed the Green Channel at the airport.

According to officials, the passengers came under suspicion during routine profiling procedures carried out by Customs authorities. Their baggage was subsequently subjected to X-ray screening, during which suspicious images were noticed by officials.

A detailed examination of the luggage led to the recovery of 31 vacuum-sealed packets containing a substance suspected to be hydroponic weed, commonly referred to as ganja or marijuana.

In an official statement, Delhi Customs said, "On the basis of APIS profiling, two passengers travelling from Bangkok to Delhi by Flight No. TG-323 dated 08.05.2026 were intercepted by Customs officers after crossing the Customs Green Channel at Indira Gandhi International Airport."

09/05/2026 IANS/Mid Day

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18.8 acres of land transferred for phase I expansion of Dimapur airport

Dimapur, May 9: The Assam Rifles today handed over 18.8 acres of land, currently occupied by the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School at 3rd Mile in Chumoukedima, to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for the first phase of expansion of the Dimapur airport.

The land was handed over at a ceremony at the Dimapur airport, which was attended by Moa Pongen, Airport Director, AAI, Dimapur airport, Col KD Sharma, CO, No 2 Bn, Assam Rifles Training Centre and School, Sentiwapang Aier, Secretary (Airports, Inland Waterways, and Railways Cell), Nagaland Transport Department, Polan John, DC, Chumoukedima, M Ababe Ezung, OSD, Nagaland Transport Department, along with other officials.

Meanwhile, the officials inspected the identified area at Assam Rifles Training Centre and School. The issue relating to the transfer of the remaining areas for Phase II expansion was also discussed during the programme.

It was stated that further directives from the appropriate authorities would be required for the transfer of the remaining areas for Phase II development works.

09/05/2026 Assam Tribune

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Indian man criticises fellow travellers' behaviour at airport lounge, shares pics

An Indian man triggered a heated online debate about public etiquette after sharing pictures from an airport lounge showing a traveller resting his feet on a table and children repeatedly running around the workspace area, allegedly disturbing fellow travellers.

Vivek Shukla shared the pictures on X, criticising what he described as poor behaviour by some passengers inside the lounge.

The pictures showed a man seated comfortably in the lounge with both his feet propped up on a table in front of him while other travellers sat nearby. According to Shukla, lounge staff had allegedly requested him multiple times to remove his feet from the table, but he refused to comply.

Alongside the image, Shukla also shared photos of children moving in and out of a designated work area inside the lounge. He claimed the repeated movement and noise had been bothering passengers trying to work or relax in the quiet space.

“We Indians are the worst travellers,” he wrote in the caption, adding that the passenger seemed to feel “entitled” despite being asked to behave appropriately.

He further claimed that the children continuously entering and exiting the workroom were irritating other passengers, but their guardians “couldn’t be bothered.”

The post gained traction online, reigniting conversations around civic sense, travel etiquette, and behaviour in shared public spaces.

09/05/2026 India Today

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India denies entry, NZ won’t take him back—’Indian’ who ‘sought asylum’ stranded at Malaysian airport

New Delhi: A man in his 30s who claims to be an Indian citizen has been stranded at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia for two weeks after he was denied entry in Delhi for not being able to present a valid Indian passport.

The man, who has identified himself as Aakash and says he is from Punjab’s Jalandhar, was last month turned away from Delhi after Indian immigration authorities refused to accept the identity certificate—reportedly issued by New Zealand to asylum-seekers—as a valid travel document to enter India.

He was put on a Malaysia Airlines flight bound for Auckland but was stranded during a stopover in Kuala Lumpur, with neither India nor New Zealand willing to accept him, sources in the Indian security establishment told ThePrint.

According to them, it appears that Aakash had earlier fled India and sought asylum in New Zealand, citing threats to his life. Whether he was formally granted refugee status remains unclear.

“He wanted to enter India with an Identity Certificate issued by the New Zealand government. When asked to produce his Indian passport, he claimed he had lost it. No one can be allowed to enter India without a valid travel document,” a source said Saturday.

A New Zealand Certificate of Identity is a travel document is issued by the Department of Internal Affairs to non-citizens who cannot obtain a passport from their home country. According to the NZ immigration website, this document allows holders to leave and return to NZ. It primarily serves refugees, stateless persons, or residents unable to get a national passport.

“A certificate of identity may be issued to a person who is not a New Zealand citizen and who cannot obtain a passport from their country of citizenship,” the website says. The certificate is valid for two years and holding this certificate does not affect the nationality or citizenship status of the applicant, it says.

The source quoted above said that Aakash did not, at the time of his arrival in Delhi, disclose whether he had sought or been granted asylum in New Zealand. “He was then put on a Malaysia Airlines flight back to New Zealand,” the source said.

09/05/2026 Ananya Bhardwaj/Print

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Fly Bharathi Group & SP Plus AG, Switzerland Announce Landmark Investment Initiative in India

Fly Bharathi Group, India's emerging integrated aviation and infrastructure platform, together with its long-term Swiss investment and business partner SP-PLUS AG, Switzerland, today announces a series of landmark strategic initiatives representing a historic commitment of European institutional capital and expertise into India's high-growth aviation economy. The announcements span five transformational areas — a flagship state-of-art MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility at Bhopal Airport in collaboration with a global knowledge partner, private airport development aligned with India’s surging spiritual / religious tourism

sector, a formal Flight Training Organisation (FTO) partnership with Global Avianautics Limited, significant investments in the NBFC sector with a focus on micro financing, and a landmark technology collaboration with Mission Ops AI (UK) for AI-powered defence applications — each aligned with the Government of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat mandate, the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, and India's ambition to build a world-class, indigenously capable ecosystem across aviation, financial services and defence technology.

“India is at an inflection point. The confluence of policy reform, surging domestic demand, and a young aspirational population creates an unparalleled opportunity for long-term, mission-driven investment. SP-PLUS AG and Fly Bharathi are proud to channel Swiss capital and institutional credibility into ventures that generate genuine, lasting national impact alongside commercial returns.” said Girish Shivashankar Pillai, Founder & Promoter, Fly Bharathi Group.

An investment of USD 250 Million represents the first tranche of Fly Bharathi Group and SP-PLUS AG's long-term USD 5 Billion investment pipeline into India's aviation, Finance, infrastructure and technology sectors. Each initiative has been sized to deliver commercially viable returns at the project level while contributing measurably to India's Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda.

09/05/2026 Republic

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‘Gujarat will lead aviation sector…’: CM Patel at India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit 2.0

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel addresses the India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit 2.0, stating that Gujarat is set to play a leading role in India’s aviation and aircraft leasing sector. He highlights the state’s strong infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and growing financial ecosystem that make it a key destination for global aviation investments. During his address, CM Patel emphasizes Gujarat’s vision to become a major hub for aircraft leasing, financing, and aviation-related services. He also underscores the government’s commitment to supporting innovation, boosting investment opportunities, and strengthening India’s position in the global aviation industry. The summit brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and global investors to discuss future growth in the sector.

09/05/2026 ANI

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India offers $50 billion aircraft leasing opportunity: Ram Mohan Naidu

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Friday that India’s commercial airlines currently have outstanding deliveries of 1,640 aircraft, which translates into a $50 billion opportunity for the country’s leasing ecosystem over the coming decade.

Addressing the India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit 2.0 at GIFT City here, the minister said India’s commercial aircraft fleet is expected to reach 1,100 aircraft by 2027 and expand to over 2,250 by 2035, reflecting the scale of opportunity in the leasing sector.

He further stated that India is positioning itself not only as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, but also as an emerging global aviation financing and leasing jurisdiction.

He projected a significant expansion of India’s commercial fleet across aircraft categories over the coming years, underscoring the urgent need for a strong domestic financing and leasing ecosystem to support this growth.

Ram Mohan Naidu also highlighted the major commitments fulfilled following the first India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit.

He referred to the enactment of the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025, describing it as a landmark reform aligning India’s legal framework with the Cape Town Convention.

He stated: “For years, lessors faced prolonged delays in exercising their Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation rights, increasing costs for Indian airlines and ultimately impacting passengers through higher airfares.”

09/05/2026 Investment Guru India

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AR hands over 18.8 acres to AAI for Dimapur airport expansion

Dimapur: Assam Rifles on Friday handed over 18.8 acres, presently under occupation of Assam Rifles Training Centre and School, 3rd Mile, Chumoukedima, to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for the Phase-I expansion of Dimapur airport.

The land was handed over at an event at Dimapur airport.

08/05/2026 Bhadra Gogoi/Times of India

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Bhubaneswar airport faces wildlife menace: Authorities seek solutions to prevent bird strikes

Transport department has written to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), and the city forest division, drawing their attention to wildlife menace, particularly of birds, at Biju Patnaik International Airport, amid reports of four or five bird-hit cases a month, sources said.

Airport director Prasanna Pradhan said a team of 20 people are engaged at present exclusively for chasing the birds away, otherwise, there could have been more bird-hit cases.

With monsoon approaching, the airport authorities apprehend that more birds could be attracted as there will be growth of insects. Hence, it proposed to dismantle the bird nesting points in and around the airport.

A letter from transport department sent to the three organisations on Wednesday stated that on Nov 20 last year, a meeting was held to deliberate on the increasing incidences of wildlife hazards in and around Biju Patnaik International Airport.

“Various issues were discussed among the stakeholders of the state govt and Airports Authority of India, and the minutes of the meeting were circulated for necessary action at their end. In view of this, it is requested to review and ensure compliance with the decisions taken on Nov 20 last year at your end,” said the letter to the BMC, OUAT (which is located near airport) and the city DFO.

08/05/2026 Riyan Ramanath V/Times of India

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Kolkata airport braces for rush as Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, CMs set to land together ahead of oath-taking ceremony

In a first at Kolkata airport, the Prime Minister will land in the city along with defence minister Rajnath Singh and nearly two dozen chief ministers of various states on Saturday morning in what will mark the busiest morning for both the controllers and officials in the terminal building.

A series of meetings were held at the airport on Friday to ensure that VIP flights reached on time and exited the airport without delays. Several of them including PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, who is already in the city, will fly out later in the day.

Most of them are expected to fly in between 9 am and 9.30 am to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari.

Sources said while some VIPs may arrive by scheduled flights, several CMs may come in private aircraft.

VIPs who will arrive by scheduled aircraft on Saturday morning include Tripura CM Manik Saha, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma and MP deputy CM Rajendra Shukla.

09/05/2026 Subhro Niyogi/Times of India

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Star Air to Launch Bhuj – Mumbai Direct Flight Service from May 20

Bhuj: Star Air will launch a new flight service between Bhuj and Mumbai from May 20, providing direct air connectivity between Kutch and Maharashtra’s capital city.

The airline will operate the service twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays. Bookings for the flights have already commenced on the airline’s official website, with fares starting from Rs. 5,400.

According to the schedule, flight S5-464 will depart from Bhuj at 5:50 pm and arrive in Mumbai at 7:20 pm. The return flight, S5-463, will depart from Mumbai at 12:40 pm and reach Bhuj at 2:10 pm.

The flights will be operated using Embraer E175 aircraft, and the travel duration between the two cities will be approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

09/05/2026 DeshGujarat

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