In a remarkable mid-air emergency turned miracle, a Thai national delivered a healthy baby aboard an Air India Express flight en route from Bangkok to Kochi. The dramatic yet heartwarming incident took place at cruising altitude, with the aircraft crew responding swiftly and compassionately.
The flight crew, supported by a trained nurse who happened to be on board, quickly created a makeshift medical setup and helped the woman through labor. The delivery was successful, and both mother and child were stable when the flight landed safely in Kochi.
Air India Express issued a statement commending the cabin crew and the nurse for their exemplary conduct under pressure, highlighting the training and calmness that enabled them to assist in such a sensitive situation.
This incident is a powerful reminder of how preparedness, compassion, and teamwork can transform a potentially critical situation into one of life’s most joyful moments.
Mother and child are doing well. And somewhere high above the clouds, a new story of birth took flight.
In a significant move to enhance air connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR), Air India Express has launched its operations from Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad. The airline will operate 40 weekly flights from Hindon, connecting five key destinations: Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Jammu, and Kolkata.
The inaugural event was attended by K. Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, along with other dignitaries, including Atul Garg, Member of Parliament, Ghaziabad, and Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express.
With this launch, Air India Express becomes the first airline to serve the National Capital Region from two airports, Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Hindon Airport (HDO). This strategic expansion will cater to the vast catchment area of North and East Delhi NCR, as well as Western UP.
New Routes and Frequencies
The airline has introduced the following routes and frequencies from Hindon Airport:
Hindon to Goa: Daily flights, departing Hindon at 10:40 and arriving Goa at 13:15
Hindon to Kolkata: Daily except Saturday, departing Hindon at 17:15 and arriving Kolkata at 19:40
Hindon to Bengaluru: Daily except Saturday, departing Hindon at 16:00 and arriving Bengaluru at 18:35
Hindon to Chennai: Daily except Saturday, starting March 22, departing Hindon at 15:10 and arriving Chennai at 18:05
Hindon to Jammu: Daily except Saturday, starting March 22, departing Hindon at 09:45 and arriving Jammu at 11:20
Convenience and Accessibility
The launch of flights from Hindon Airport will provide greater convenience and accessibility to residents of Ghaziabad, Meerut, Noida, and other key localities in the NCR. The airport’s proximity to these areas will reduce travel time and make air travel more accessible to a larger population.
Air India Express’ Network Expansion
Air India Express operates over 400 daily flights, connecting 39 domestic and 16 international airports. The airline has a fleet of 99 aircraft, comprising 63 Boeing 737s and 36 Airbus A320s. With its strategic expansion, Air India Express continues to strengthen its presence in the Indian aviation market.
In a significant milestone, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) received its first commercial flight today, marking the beginning of a new era in aviation for the region. The inaugural flight was operated by IndiGo Airlines, one of India’s leading low-cost carriers.
The airport, which is expected to become fully operational by March 2025, will serve as a secondary hub for Mumbai, alleviating congestion at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). With a projected capacity to handle over 90 million passengers and 2.5 million tonnes of cargo per annum, NMIA is poised to become one of India’s busiest airports.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) had earlier made the first-ever landing at the airport on October 11, 2024, with its Airbus C295 aircraft. Today’s commercial flight marks a major step forward in the airport’s operationalization.
