Category Archives: Aviation

KR Naidu, MoCA, GoI, said, “India’s aviation sector will grow as the government intends to add 50 new airports in next five years. Currently, India has 159 operational airports, and by 2030, government plans to have 209 airports. “The government aims to drive India’s aviation sector to new heights,” he added.

As per ICRA, domestic air passenger traffic has shown strong growth. In January 2025, passenger traffic grew by 14.5 per cent YOY and was 17.9 per cent higher than pre-Covid levels. However, the industry is expected to incur net loss of ₹2,000-3,000 cr in FY25 and FY26 due to high ATF prices and borrowing costs.

Air India and Lufthansa Group have expanded their codeshare partnership, between Air India, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS). The 60 codeshare routes under the agreement will be operated by the four airlines across 12 Indian and 26 European cities. After agreement, the total number of codeshare routes between Air India, Lufthansa and SWISS has increased from 55 to 100. Additionally, the new agreement between Air India and Austrian Airlines adds 26 codeshare routes.

RateGain Travel Technologies (RateGain), a global provider of AI-powered SaaS solutions for the travel and hospitality industry, announced that Nok Air, a leading budget carrier in Thailand, has selected AirGain, RateGain’s advanced pricing intelligence platform, to gain real-time competitive insights. This strategic collaboration highlights Nok Air’s commitment to delivering affordable and seamless travel experiences across its expanding network in Thailand and Asia. Nok Air, a well-known budget carrier in Thailand, operates a broad domestic network and international routes in India and China, connecting key cities and tourist destinations. Known for its distinctive branding and customer-first approach, the airline has earned a strong reputation among budget and value-conscious travellers. By addressing challenges such as rising competition, fluctuating demand, and shifting customer preferences, Nok Air continues to strengthen its presence in the region. With AirGain, Nok Air will access real-time competitive pricing data from over 300 airlines and 50+ OTAs. This enables the airline to refine its pricing strategies, optimise promotions, and maintain leadership in the aviation market. By leveraging dynamic pricing and market trends, Nok Air aims to deliver exceptional value to its customers while ensuring sustainable growth. Ranon Viputsiri, Chief Commercial Officer, Nok Air, said, “Staying competitive in today’s fast-paced aviation industry requires innovative solutions and actionable insights. With AirGain’s cutting-edge platform, Nok Air can optimise our pricing and promotions to better serve our passengers while achieving sustainable growth. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to make travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.” Vinay Varma, Senior Vice President and General Manager, AirGain, commented, “Partnering with Nok Air, a trailblazer in Thailand’s aviation market, is an exciting opportunity for us. AirGain’s AI-powered pricing intelligence will enable …

As per OAG, the Asia-Pacific region is on track to solidify its position in the global aviation market. Its aviation market in 2025 has surpassed 2019’s total capacity by 0.5 per cent in 2024. As APAC’s domestic market outperforms 2019 up 4.7 per cent in 2019; India’s domestic capacity reached 13 per cent ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

The Engineering team of SriLankan Airlines wrapped up base heavy maintenance on an A321neo aircraft for long-term repeat customer, Salam Air, ahead of the scheduled completion date. The work involved replacing a right-hand main landing gear seal on the aircraft. SriLankan Engineering has been forging a path as a reliable provider of base maintenance services in the region for third parties, with a steady stream of both repeat and new customers.

This reflects Saudia’s ongoing efforts to enhance global connectivity and meet growing international travel demand. Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has announced a significant expansion of its global flight network, adding more than ten new destinations for 2025. This strategic growth, fuelled by a 16 per cent increase in international guest numbers last year, reflects the airline’s commitment to connecting the world and meeting increasing global travel demand. The new destinations offer a diverse range of options, spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The additions to Saudia’s network include Vienna (Austria), Venice (Italy), Larnaca (Cyprus), Athens and Heraklion (Greece), Nice (France), Malaga (Spain), Bali (Indonesia), Antalya (Turkey), El Alamein (Egypt), and Salalah (Oman). These destinations join Saudia’s existing network of over 100 destinations across four continents. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said, “Following last year’s operational success, we have implemented a strategic plan for 2025 to ensure continued excellence and meet rising international travel demand. Our destination selection is based on comprehensive feasibility studies and guest preferences. We are committed to providing our international guests with exceptional travel experiences that combine comfort, efficiency, and authentic Saudi hospitality.” This expansion is facilitated by Saudia’s modern fleet of 147 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, known for their safety and efficiency. The airline’s commitment to high standards of onboard service, including comfortable seating, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and authentic Saudi hospitality, complements the diverse destinations offered. Saudia’s planned delivery of 118 new aircraft during the upcoming years will further enhance its operational capacity. With daily operations exceeding 530 flights, Saudia’s ongoing international development plan aims to increase its global market share and strengthen connectivity between the …

The Swiss experience starts onboard Swiss International Air Lines. Once in Switzerland, travellers can enjoy holidays booked by their travel agent through TourFox, a B2B supplier owned by SWISS. Attend all webinars to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

SriLankan Airlines joined the festivities of oneworld’s 25th Anniversary and hosted the oneday. oneteam. oneworld25 Roadshow at Bandaranaike International Airport on 5 February 2025, as it made a stop in Sri Lanka on its journey around the world, covering the home country of each member airline. Since joining the prestigious oneworld alliance in 2014, SriLankan has been able to offer its passengers an expanded global reach, smoother connections and exclusive benefits across more than 1,000 destinations worldwide. The milestone roadshow aims to reconnect staff with the alliance’s vision by empowering them with knowledge to elevate their work and careers, as well as helping them to understand the alliance’s benefits for passengers and staff of member airlines. As oneworld continues to go places, both figuratively and literally, SriLankan Airlines is excited to be a part of the alliance’s next chapter and share in its goal of creating exceptional experiences for travellers.

The airline’s 2024 achievements showcase its commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aviation goals Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, continues to lead the way in advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, showcasing a strong commitment to the nation’s aviation goals throughout 2024. Through innovation, network expansion, and strategic collaborations, Saudia reinforces its pivotal role in supporting the Kingdom’s broader objectives of enhancing global connectivity, fostering economic growth, and creating new opportunities, while positioning itself at the forefront of the aviation sector’s transformation. In line with Vision 2030’s aspirations to transport 330 million travellers, facilitate 150 million visits, and serve 30 million pilgrims annually, Saudia has made significant strides in advancing its growth and development strategy this year. Saudia’s Network Expansion In 2024, Saudia strengthened its position as a global aviation leader by expanding its international network. The airline launched new routes to key destinations, including Beijing, China; Medan, Indonesia; and Phuket, Thailand, in line with Saudia’s strategic vision to increase its global presence and enhance its competitive advantage in the international market. The new Dammam–Beijing route has set Dammam as the third Saudi city to offer direct flights to Beijing, driving a 16.2 per cent increase in passenger traffic compared to 2023 and enriching King Fahd International Airport’s international offerings. Furthermore, the direct connection to Medan strengthens Saudia’s role in supporting Vision 2030’s goals to facilitate seamless travel for pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques. Seasonal flights to Phuket have also commenced on 2 December 2024, positioning it as Saudia’s second destination in Thailand and further catering to the growing demand for leisure travel. Codeshare Agreements in 2024 Throughout 2024, Saudia has continued …