Tag Archives: aviation

Despite India holds 18% of the world’s population, its air travel market remains under-penetrated. In FY25, 715 crore Indians travelled by rail and only 16.6 crore flew domestically by air, as per the DGCA. With rising incomes and a growing appetite for luxury, India’s airline passenger count is projected to double by 2030, marking a major shift in travel preferences.

IndiGo announces the commencement of daily direct flight connecting Mumbai to its 41st international destination, Fujairah. The only emirate situated along the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, Fujairah is renowned for its pristine beaches, majestic mountain landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. This expansion is part of IndiGo’s strategic global growth plan and further strengthens its presence in the Middle East. This marks IndiGo’s fifth destination with direct connectivity in the UAE after Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. The newly launched direct flight from Fujairah to Mumbai and followed by Kannur, not only caters to the growing demand for travel from both business and leisure travellers but also comes at a favourable time, as Fujairah strengthens its position on the global adventure tourism map. In a recent development, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah are planning to launch UAE’s first cross-emirate adventure trial. This opens up new experiences for Indian travellers seeking immersive outdoor getaways. Meanwhile, the strategically planned flight timings carefully coordinated with bus arrival and departure timings are designed to ensure a seamless, hassle-free travel experience for those exploring the UAE, from the cultural charm of Sharjah to the iconic skyline of Dubai and the natural beauty of Fujairah. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said: “We are pleased to commence daily direct operations between Mumbai as well as Kannur to Fujairah, UAE’s hidden gem known for its natural beauty and growing economic significance. IndiGo already flies to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and now also to Fujairah in the UAE. As our 41st international destination and fifth in the UAE, Fujairah offers immense potential for trade, tourism, & business. With these …

Due to government notification on airspace restrictions, IndiGo in a press statement said, “Over 165 IndiGo flights from multiple airports (Amritsar, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Gwalior, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, Leh, Rajkot, and Srinagar) are cancelled until 0529 hrs. IST of 10 May, 2025. The airline advised its customers to check their flight status on the airline’s website or mobile app before heading to the airport. Customers whose flights are affected can reschedule the booking on the next available flight or opt to cancel their bookings at no additional cost, and a full refund will be processed, it added.

As per IATA’s global passenger demand report of March 2025, international demand rose to 4.9 per cent compared to March 2024. Additionally, capacity was up by 7 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was recorded 79.9 per cent. Domestic passenger demand rose 0.9 per cent compared to March 2024.

Aditya Ghosh, Co-founder, Akasa Air, highlighted the environmental impact of India’s fast-growing aviation sector, stating, “Aviation is a part of transportation, and transportation is a part of the overall emissions we see in the country. We are the 3rd largest aviation market and also the 3rd largest emitter.” He added, “Today, aviation contributes to 1 per cent of emissions in India, which is less than the global average but with the rapid development of the sector, it does not take rocket science—no pun intended—to realise emissions will also grow at a faster pace.”

“India’s regional airports can unlock new destinations and democratise travel. If we connect them with well-crafted, thematic tourism circuits, we can drive demand beyond the usual hotspots,” said Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. He urged closer alignment between the UDAN scheme and tourism promotion strategies. “Every small airport should become a launchpad for a unique Indian experience,” he added.

TAAI hosted the ‘Women of Wonder Awards 2025’ in Delhi to celebrate women across India who have significantly impacted the travel, hospitality, and aviation industry. Among the awardees were Pravati Parida, Dy CM, Odisha, Mugdha Sinha, DG, MOT, etc. Out of 75 awards, 20 were received by TAAI’s Region and Chapter heads.

The Indian aviation industry is growing in potential, and there is a rising demand for skilled talent to support this exponential growth. Air India recognises this need and is making significant strides by investing in the training and development of aviation professionals across various domains. Redefining aviation training with the Air India Training Academy Sprawled across 600,000 sq. ft, the Air India Training Academy in Gurugram, is South Asia’s largest aviation training institution. The academy is poised to train over 50,000 Air India professionals in the coming years, encompassing a wide spectrum of roles including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and security personnel. With a strong focus on creating immersive learning experiences, the curriculum seamlessly blends both classroom training and practical application to foster industry-ready aviation professionals. Air India is also in the process of setting up over 20 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) bays within the academy to support the airline’s existing and future Airbus and Boeing fleet and ensure crew readiness ahead of aircraft deliveries. Cultivating a strong talent pool of pilots through the Flying Training Organisation (FTO) Air India is proactively addressing the growing demand for skilled pilots with its upcoming Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati at Maharashtra Airport Development Company’s airport. With a target to graduate 180 commercial pilots every year, it not only aims to strengthen Air India’s pilot pool but also contribute to India’s overall aviation landscape. This state-of-the-art flying school – which is South Asia’s largest and the first by any Indian airline in the country – boasts of digitally enabled classrooms as well as world-class hostels ensuring a conducive environment for young adults aspiring to pursue a career in aviation. Air India has …

Reacting to the Union Budget, Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo, said, “The Union Budget 2025 has outlined various great initiatives to further develop a future-ready travel ecosystem, with emphasis on people and infrastructure, and aviation as a key enabler. Investment in developing world-class airports, enhancing regional connectivity, capacity upgrades, procedures, regulatory framework and streamlined visa facilities, will all play critical role in bringing this vision of developing India into a global aviation hub to life. By strengthening both domestic and international connectivity, we are fueling economic progress, bridging communities, and reinforcing aviation’s role as a catalyst for national growth and collectively building India as a leading global economic powerhouse.”

Travesla is challenging the status quo in the GSA landscape. Led by aviation veteran Salil Nath, it is pioneering a value-driven transformation in aviation, travel, and hospitality. India’s aviation market is poised for extraordinary growth. By 2037, India is expected to handle over 500 million domestic passengers annually, making it the third-largest aviation market globally. Travesla aims to transform the GSA landscape by creating a mini version of the airline or travel brand’s commercial team in India or the respective geography, delivering local expertise with a global vision. Travesla sets new standards for how GSAs can bring tangible value to airlines and all travel and hospitality stakeholders by focusing on partnership, innovation, and holistic solutions. As Travesla officially launches, the company is positioned to lead the representation of global aviation and hospitality businesses in India and beyond, transforming the landscape with its value-driven approach. The mission is clear—adopt a 360-degree approach to commercial success by offering tailored teams, focusing on quality revenue through unparalleled corporate sales penetration, complementary marketing & PR services, and expert aero-political, regulatory, legal, and government liaison services. This approach is helmed by professional leadership with decades of experience in leading airlines globally. Whether you are an airline looking to expand into new markets or a hospitality provider aiming to improve your commercial performance, Travesla’s cutting-edge services are designed to exceed expectations and deliver real, measurable results. Despite the immense potential, the Indian aviation industry grapples with inefficiencies and evolving consumer demands. Traditional GSA models often need to do more to bridge these gaps, focusing on transactional engagements rather than offering the transformative solutions needed to drive meaningful growth and innovation. Airlines and hospitality businesses require partners …