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.
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.
IndiGo will have 74 of its 224 weekly international departures affected while Air India will relocate 33 of its 100 departures.
Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have told the government that the country's airline industry is under extreme stress and on the verge of "stopping operations", as they sought revision in ATF pricing and financial support.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Tewolde Gebremariam, Air India's CEO and MD-designate, has outlined passenger safety, operational reliability, and sustainable profitability as the airline's foremost priorities, emphasising a stronger safety-reporting culture and improved disruption recovery.
India's domestic air passenger traffic experienced a 6.34 per cent year-on-year decline in August, reaching 121.26 lakh passengers, according to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced India's ambition to produce its first indigenous civilian aircraft within two years through a joint venture. He highlighted the rapid growth of the country's aviation sector, with significant aircraft orders, planned new airports, and potential for manufacturing jet engines and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, underscoring India's increasing role in global aviation.
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 suspended a pilot after he failed a breath analyser test at Zurich airport, prompting the airline to reinforce stringent regulatory compliance and accountability measures following recent safety incidents.
In 2025, the total net induction was 35 planes -- 79 added and 44 returned -- making it much lower than even 2024.
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.
Air India is developing a new in-house 'Vista Digital Platform' for its in-flight entertainment system, set to launch progressively from late 2027. This platform aims to integrate entertainment, loyalty, commerce, and travel services, enhancing passenger experience and boosting ancillary revenues through features like 'commerce-on-map' and personalisation.
Mumbai International Airport is set to reduce 265 weekly international flights from October 25 to facilitate the redevelopment of Terminal 1. This move, impacting 46 airlines including IndiGo and Air India, has raised concerns among carriers and global aviation bodies like IATA, who advocate for collaborative planning over mandated relocations.
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.
Passenger traffic Y-o-Y fell 26.8 per cent in April and 24.6 per cent in May, while capacity declined 9.6 per cent and 11.3 per cent, respectively.
Boeing has identified a software issue in some 737 MAX planes that could disengage the automated flight guidance system after a missed landing approach. The company is developing a permanent solution and has advised operators on interim procedures. Indian carriers Air India Express and Akasa Air operate these aircraft, with Akasa Air stating no impact on their safety.
French aerospace and defence major Thales views India as a highly dynamic market for avionics, with significant growth potential as Indian airlines expand their fleets. The company, which has a substantial presence and MRO facilities in India, is also exploring opportunities to replicate India-developed solutions globally and sees increased use of AI in development.
An Air India pilot undergoing Boeing 787 conversion training was found unconscious in his hotel room in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, and later declared dead. Police have ruled out foul play and are conducting inquest proceedings. Air India has expressed deep sadness and is supporting the pilot's family.
The Mumbai-Delhi air route, the country's largest and most lucrative, is witnessing an intense battle for supremacy between IndiGo and the Air India group, with Akasa Air emerging as a significant third player, according to recent data.
Air India has been issued a show-cause notice by the ministry of civil aviation after three Italian nationals travelled from Amritsar to Delhi and then to Munich without obtaining mandatory departure immigration clearance, highlighting a 'serious security and immigration-related lapse'.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced significant opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within India's rapidly expanding aviation sector. With Indian airlines ordering over 1,600 aircraft and the aerospace market projected to double by 2035, there's a massive scope for Indian suppliers to integrate into global aerospace supply chains, moving beyond assembly to design and manufacturing.
China Southern Airlines is set to resume its Guangzhou-New Delhi passenger service from September 21, ending a six-year suspension. This move is part of a broader normalisation of India-China relations, following recent high-level diplomatic meetings and previous flight resumptions by other carriers.
Multiple flights, including three Varanasi-bound domestic flights and one international Dubai-Pokhara flight, were diverted to Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport due to adverse weather conditions at their original destinations. All diverted flights subsequently resumed their journeys.
Economy passengers are paying more year-on-year while business travellers are paying less.
GMR Aero Technic (GAT) and StandardAero have signed an agreement to establish an authorised service centre in India for on-wing engine support in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This partnership aims to combine StandardAero's engine aftermarket expertise with GMR Aero Technic's MRO capabilities, offering a comprehensive range of specialised engine maintenance services to minimise aircraft downtime and enhance operational efficiency for airlines and operators in the region.
The pilots testing positive have been removed from duty, with their samples sent for confirmatory testing.
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has recently increased charges for several ancillary services, including infant travel and unaccompanied minors, citing rising operational costs and higher fuel prices. Domestic infant travel charges have risen to Rs 3,000, while unaccompanied minor services are now Rs 5,999 for domestic and Rs 12,999 for international flights.
Air India Group has accumulated losses of about Rs 47,821 crore since its takeover, leaving its prolonged transformation among the biggest unfinished projects of N Chandrasekaran's tenure.
The UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has ruled out a cyberattack as the cause of the recent massive disruption across UK airports, which led to thousands of flight cancellations and affected tens of thousands of passengers, including those on flights to and from India. An investigation is underway, and the incident marks the third major air traffic collapse under the current CEO's tenure.
A Delhi court has granted bail to eight men accused of smuggling over 6 kg of gold worth Rs 9.9 crore, citing the customs department's failure to provide specific reasons for their continued detention. The court noted the absence of direct evidence linking the accused to the gold recovered from the aircraft after their disembarkation, and the lack of corroboration for alleged activities in Dubai.
Domestic air passenger traffic in India decreased by 4.80 per cent in July 2026 compared to the previous year, reaching 1.20 crore, with major airlines experiencing a drop in load factor, according to DGCA data. Despite the overall dip, IndiGo and Air India Group increased their market share.
Regional Indian airline FLY91 has placed a significant order for 40 new ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, valued at nearly USD 1 billion. This marks the single largest order for ATR planes by a regional carrier globally and is set to dramatically expand FLY91's network, connecting more unserved and underserved cities across India. Deliveries are scheduled from late 2027 to 2032, supporting the airline's goal of operating over 60 aircraft.
A 'technical issue' in the UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) flight processing system grounded hundreds of flights across the UK, including long-haul routes to and from India, leading to widespread disruption and prompting Ryanair to demand the resignation of NATS CEO Martin Rolfe.
Air India and Air India Express are implementing mandatory psychoactive substance testing for all their 5,000+ pilots. This decision follows an incident where the pilot of a Phuket-Delhi flight, which experienced a sudden altitude drop injuring 24 people, tested positive for marijuana. The testing aims to enhance safety standards and reassure passengers.
An Indian pilot and several passengers are being hailed as heroes after thwarting a co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv. The incident involved a mid-air struggle, a rapid descent, and an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, with international leaders praising the bravery that saved 174 lives.
