The reduction is primarily driven by high airfares, increased fuel costs, and rupee depreciation, leading to softer passenger demand.
Indian airlines are increasingly focusing on developing in-house maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities to support their rapidly expanding fleets and reduce reliance on overseas facilities. This strategic shift is driven by market growth projections, with India's MRO market expected to triple to USD 9.5 billion by 2035, and recent geopolitical challenges highlighting the need for domestic capacity.
The government has introduced new aviation rules, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, granting it the power to intervene in airline ticket pricing during extraordinary situations.
The Airline Operators Committee has questioned the basis for shifting 33 per cent of international services to Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Adani Group-controlled Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has reiterated that airlines must decide whether to shift flights to Navi Mumbai, temporarily suspend operations at Mumbai airport, or pursue other alternatives from the summer 2027 schedule due to Terminal 1's redevelopment.
Air India secured the 57th spot worldwide, marking a notable rise from its 84th position in 2025. IndiGo, meanwhile, slipped to 61st, compared with 39th place a year earlier.
Air India Express, Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo have cancelled flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following reported attacks by Houthi militants on Riyadh and Abha airports, with cancellations extended until at least October 9-10.
IndiGo will have 74 of its 224 weekly international departures affected while Air India will relocate 33 of its 100 departures.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu stated that no decision has been made regarding allowing Delhi and Mumbai airport operators to own and run airlines, as the government is carefully considering the implications of relaxing cross-ownership restrictions, including potential conflicts of interest and the need for more airlines.
United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that Iranian airlines could be effectively shut out of international travel from Wednesday, September 23, as Washington threatens secondary sanctions against foreign companies that continue providing services to Iran's carriers.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), controlled by the Adani group, plans to unilaterally shift international flights to 14 destinations from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai airport if airlines do not voluntarily submit relocation plans. This move is part of MIAL's strategy to redevelop Mumbai airport's Terminal 1 due to safety concerns, aiming to temporarily shift 5 million passengers annually.
Air India group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam announced plans to order more wide-body aircraft to boost international operations, while simultaneously addressing the 'major concern' of high operating costs. The airline aims for profitability 'very soon' despite significant financial losses in recent fiscal years.
IndiGo is undertaking a comprehensive review of its long-standing policy against fuel hedging, particularly in light of rising jet fuel prices and its ambitious long-haul expansion plans. CEO Willie Walsh stated that while domestic competitors don't hedge, international expansion necessitates a re-evaluation to manage risk and provide stability against volatile fuel costs.
IndiGo CEO Willie Walsh announced that the airline expects to begin receiving wide-body A350 aircraft from the second quarter of 2028, featuring a three-class configuration, as the airline sees significant opportunities in the long-haul market despite industry challenges like rising fuel costs.
Varthaman, who downed an enemy jet during an aerial combat with Pakistan in 2019 and was held captive for three days in that country, was honoured with the Vir Chakra award in 2021.
IndiGo, India's largest airline, reported a narrowed loss of Rs 1,879.1 crore in the September quarter, down from Rs 2,582.1 crore a year ago, primarily due to exceptionally high fuel costs and rupee depreciation.
A flight may be cancelled for reasons beyond an airline's control. The chaos that follows need not be, points out Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).
Flight disruptions between India and Saudi Arabia are continuing, with Akasa Air extending its service suspensions to Jeddah until November 18 and Riyadh until November 30. This follows similar suspensions by Air India and Air India Express until November 14, all due to the prevailing security situation and attacks on infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy has advised nationals to remain vigilant and is assisting affected travellers.
The Supreme Court refused urgent listing for a plea alleging a 700 per cent increase in airfares, advising the petitioner "Don't travel by air." The court is already hearing a separate petition seeking regulation of airfares, with the Centre informing it about new aviation rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, expected to be published soon.
India has issued a fresh advisory for its nationals, particularly Umrah pilgrims, in Saudi Arabia due to ongoing flight cancellations and regional tensions. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah is providing assistance, coordinating with Saudi authorities, and helping facilitate the early return of affected individuals amidst disruptions caused by drone and missile attacks.
IndiGo and Air India Group will progressively shift flights from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the newly built Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) starting from December. This phased transition, expected to complete by the 2027 summer aviation season, aims to ease capacity constraints at CSMIA, facilitate its Terminal 1 redevelopment, and establish a dual-airport system for Mumbai, enhancing connectivity and future growth.
Kumar Sangakkara accused Ryanair personnel in Dublin of 'discriminatory' and 'threatening' behaviour while travelling with his family.
Six individuals, including the alleged mastermind and a website developer, have been arrested for operating a sophisticated fake airline job racket. The fraudsters used social media ads and fake websites to solicit fees for aviation diplomas, promising jobs at Indira Gandhi International Airport, and duped numerous job seekers before being caught.
The Airports Authority of India has received a request for a waiver from contractual restrictions that prevent airport concessionaires and their group entities from holding equity in scheduled airlines, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed in the Rajya Sabha. This comes amid reports of the Adani group's interest in the airline business, despite their denial.
Air India has commenced construction of a new multi-facility Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hangar at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. This nine-acre facility aims to centralise engineering and maintenance activities, enhancing fleet upkeep, improving reliability, and reducing aircraft ground time for the Tata Group-owned airline.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has informed airlines that it will not shift any international flights from Mumbai airport to Navi Mumbai airport until the end of the winter season in March next year, following discussions with the Airline Operators Committee.
Tewolde Gebremariam, a seasoned aviation professional with extensive experience at Ethiopian Airlines, has been named the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India. He is tasked with leading the airline's ambitious five-year transformation plan, Vihaan.AI, aimed at achieving significant growth and profitability, marking him as the second foreign national to helm Air India under Tata Group ownership.
Two-thirds of India's 160 airports, approximately 120, have very low utilisation rates, with only 40 operating at 70-80 per cent capacity.
Israel has implemented new aviation security directives, barring pilots and cabin crew from countries without diplomatic ties, including Pakistan, from entering its airspace. This follows a hijacking attempt last month on a flight to Israel, where Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was injured while thwarting the plot. The restrictions affect over two dozen nationalities and have prompted airlines like Air France and United Airlines to adjust crew assignments.
Air India has extended the cancellation of flights to Saudi Arabia until October 20, 2026, due to escalating tensions and Houthi attacks in the region. IndiGo and Akasa Air have also extended their flight suspensions to Saudi cities, with passengers offered full refunds.
Former India all-rounder and coach Ravi Shastri embarked on one of the world's longest non-stop commercial flights, travelling from Dubai to Auckland for India's upcoming tour of New Zealand, praising Emirates' hospitality for making the 16-hour journey 'an absolute breeze'.
Around 40 pilots of SpiceJet's Q400 aircraft fleet refused to fly till the airline cleared their salary dues, a stance that has been supported by pilots' grouping ALPA India, according to sources.
Air India has announced the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Campbell Wilson. This strategic appointment comes as the airline navigates expansion amidst significant challenges.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has requested Adani Airports to postpone the partial relocation of international flights from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport, a move initially proposed due to renovation of Mumbai's Terminal 1 and opposed by airlines. Discussions are underway to formulate a revised transition plan.
The process agreed on Tuesday will require MIAL to first build stakeholder agreement on the transition before taking the plan through the regulatory approval process.
6 out of 10 flyers had experienced higher baggage weights at airport check-in than at home.
Follow these guidelines to reduce the potential of a power bank fire on a flight.
India has advised its nationals in Saudi Arabia to 'remain calm and vigilant' due to an evolving security situation, including drone and missile attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which recently resulted in the death of an Indian national and injuries to several others.
Two foreign nationals, a German airline crew member and an IBM project manager, died in a five-star hotel's swimming pool in Bengaluru due to suspected electrocution. Two others were injured attempting rescue. Police have registered a case against the hotel management for negligence and are investigating the incident.
The Delhi High Court has expressed concern over the tendency to implicate husband's relatives in matrimonial disputes with sweeping allegations of cruelty. The court also stressed the importance of timely support from a woman's family when she reports marital violence, stating that her concerns should not be dismissed and her return home should not be seen as shameful. These observations were made while discharging a husband from cruelty and abetment to suicide charges in a 2018 case.
