Category Archives: Aviation

The new Air India Express (merged entity of two of its LCCs – Air India Express and AirAsia India – rebranded AIX Connect) will focus on leisure-oriented and price-sensitive markets while improving connectivity between key domestic cities and Air India’s fast-expanding international network. While a complete merger is still months away, both airlines have now integrated their reservation systems along with other customer-facing processes. Integrating Air India Express and Air India with other airlines in the Tata Group is expected to bring revenue, cost, and operational benefits through broader adoption of each airline’s best practices, systems, and routes, and conferring greater economies of scale.

Virgin Atlantic has expanded its codeshare with IndiGo, opening up an array of new destinations throughout India and increased opportunities for frequent flyers to earn more points than ever before. Customers will now be able to book one ticket which allows them to connect seamlessly to London and beyond from destinations such as Varanasi, Srinagar, Goa Mopa and Lucknow through Delhi and Mumbai. In total, the partnership is adding 18 destinations to its existing portfolio making it a total of 34 destinations. The beautiful beaches of Goa have proved particularly popular with Virgin Atlantic customers. The expanded partnership will incorporate Goa’s second airport, Goa Mopa, providing travellers with even more access to one of their favourite destinations. The expanded codeshare allows Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members to reach their rewards faster, with opportunities to earn both Virgin Points and Tier Points available on every codeshare flight with IndiGo. Alex McEwan, Country Manager – South Asia, Virgin Atlantic said: “We are excited to more than double the number of destinations available in our codeshare partnership with IndiGo. This offers our customers even more choice when travelling to and from India. By combining IndiGo’s vast network with Virgin Atlantic’s three daily services between India and UK, we offer a range of connections to and from India’s most popular destinations.”

Join Etihad’s senior management team in India for an exclusive trade webinar today at 4pm IST. Etihad is celebrating flying again from the city of Kolkata, West Bengal. To register, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or +919650196532.

Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, has said that the Civil Aviation Ministry is encouraging budget carriers to induct widebody planes in order to become an international hub. “Construction of Jewar and Navi Mumbai airports is on track and the two are likely to be inaugurated by next year. We are looking at a 500 mn capacity at 6 metro airports.”

Speaking at the CAPA India Aviation Summit in New Delhi, Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, said that the construction of the Jewar and Navi Mumbai airports is on track and the two are likely to be inaugurated by next year. “We are looking at a 500 mn capacity at 6 metro airports,” he said.  

Vietnam Airlines is pleased to announce 3 additional  flights to their existing flight schedule of 4 flights a week, making it a Daily flight service between Delhi-Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City effective March 26, 2023. The new flight schedule provide non-stop flight services with 4 non-stop flights a week on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday between Delhi & Hanoi and 3 non-stop flights every week on every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday between Delhi & Ho Chi Minh City, to meet the demand and facilitate travel between the two countries. With night departures from Delhi and early morning arrivals in Hanoi &/or Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Airlines is fast becoming preferred Full Service Carrier for the discerning traveler to Vietnam. The daily departures from Delhi will further enhance seamless connectivity to Japan, Korea, China, Australia and other international destinations on the airlines network.

Campbell Wilson, CEO, Air India, has said that Air India will reduce the frequency of flights on certain US routes due to crew shortage issues for a temporary period. He was speaking at the CAPA India Summit in New Delhi. “There is a lot happening. Air India is shrinking and growing again,” he added.

Speaking at the CAPA India Aviation Summit, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, has said that the average daily domestic aviation passenger is set to surpass the earlier peak of 4,56,000 by October 2023. “Currently, India experiencing daily domestic aviation passengers of around 420,000 – 440,000”, he said.

Join Etihad’s senior management team in India for an exclusive trade webinar on Thursday March 23, 2023 at 4pm IST. Etihad is celebrating flying again from the city of Kolkata, West Bengal. To register, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or +919650196532.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has appointed Salil Nath as General Manager of the Indian Subcontinent. Based in New Delhi, he will be responsible for all commercial activities across a key cluster for the Etihad network within the central region – India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Seychelles. Since joining Etihad in 2012, Nath has served as the Regional Sales Manager of key sectors starting with Bangalore-Hyderabad, followed by the North and East India. During the COVID-19 restructuring, he took on the additional responsibility of managing Central India as well as Bangladesh & Seychelles. Prior to joining Etihad, Nath has worked with Kingfisher Airlines, part of the United Breweries Group, and a brief stint at renowned multinational travel management company Amex GBT, overlooking corporate sales and client servicing respectively. Amer Khan, Vice President Middle East, Africa, & The Sub-Continent, Etihad Airways, said: “India plays a crucial role in Etihad Airways’ growth strategy, contributing significantly to the airline’s global operations, and we are honoured to support demand in one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. As we look to expand our operations, we are delighted to have Salil take up the new role, leading Etihad’s commercial activities in the region.” Nath holds a degree in Hotel Management from Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration in Manipal, specializing in Sales and Marketing. “With a strong and growing network, Etihad is one of the world’s most recognised and trusted airlines, operating for almost 20 years. As I step into this new role, I look forward to working together, enabling growth, and delivering value as we take our positioning to new and greater heights,” said Nath. He will succeed Neerja …