Tag: Indian aviation

Business

FLY91 Leases Two Aircraft from TrueNoord to Accelerate Regional Expansion

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Regional airline FLY91 has inducted two aircraft under long-term operating leases from regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord, continuing its measured fleet expansion aimed at strengthening air connectivity across Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets in India.
The first aircraft entered service in December 2025, while the second, delivered in January 2026, is scheduled to commence operations in February. With this transaction, TrueNoord becomes FLY91’s second aircraft lessor.
“This partnership gives us the flexibility to scale our fleet in a disciplined manner, aligned with demand and our long-term regional strategy,” said Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91. “The addition of a second leading global lessor to our portfolio is a significant reaffirmation of FLY91’s operational strengths, governance standards and execution capability.”
One of the newly inducted aircraft will be based in Goa, the airline’s home base, while the other will operate from Hyderabad, reinforcing FLY91’s dual-hub strategy and its focus on underserved regional routes.
Harsha Raghavan, Chairman of FLY91 and Managing Partner at Convergent Finance, said the collaboration supports responsible scaling. “The partnership with TrueNoord enables growth while maintaining financial and operational discipline.”


India’s regional aviation market continues to gain momentum, driven by increasing demand from smaller cities and policy support under the UDAN scheme. Welcoming the partnership, Anne-Bart Tieleman, CEO of TrueNoord, said the company is pleased to support FLY91’s growth plans. He noted that regional flying in India is becoming increasingly viable and commercially sustainable, with airlines seeking aircraft that can be rapidly deployed, operate from regional airports and deliver low trip-cost economics.
Abhineet Awasthi, Commercial & Transaction Manager at TrueNoord, highlighted FLY91’s execution-focused approach. “FLY91 is an agile, execution-driven airline with a clear regional connectivity focus. The team demonstrated a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach throughout the transaction.”
With the induction of these aircraft, FLY91’s fleet expands to four aircraft. The airline currently serves nine destinations and plans to grow its network to 15 destinations in the first quarter of 2026, with two additional aircraft expected to join the fleet by the end of Q1 FY2026.

Travel

FLY91 Launches Daily Kochi–Agatti Flights, Plans Expansion to Seven New Regional Stations

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

FLY91 has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights between Kochi and Agatti in the Lakshadweep islands, with bookings now open for travel in both directions. The announcement comes as the regional airline accelerates its network growth, with plans to add seven new stations over the next 90 days as part of a phased expansion strategy.

The new Kochi–Agatti service marks a significant milestone for FLY91, enhancing connectivity between the Indian mainland and Lakshadweep through a key southern gateway. The airline currently operates flights between Agatti and Manohar International Airport in Goa, and the addition of Kochi provides island residents and visitors with greater flexibility, improved access, and more seamless onward connections.

As part of its expansion roadmap, FLY91 will add Kochi, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Hubballi, Dabolim, Nanded, and Indore to its network. Once operational, the airline’s footprint will expand to 15 stations, supported by a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft. Three additional aircraft are scheduled for induction within the next 45 days, enabling higher frequencies and the introduction of new city pairs while maintaining operational reliability.

The airline’s expansion will roll out in phases beginning in early February with the launch of daily Kochi–Agatti flights. This will be followed by thrice-daily services on the Rajahmundry–Hyderabad and Vijayawada–Hyderabad routes, along with daily flights between Hubballi–Hyderabad and Hubballi–Bengaluru. Subsequent phases will include connections from Nanded to South Goa and Bengaluru, while Indore will be linked to Jalgaon and Hyderabad.

Agatti Island, known for its coral reefs, lagoons, and pristine beaches, is an emerging tourism destination. Improved air connectivity is expected to support sustainable tourism while also easing travel for island residents who depend on limited transport options for education, healthcare, and commerce.

Commenting on the launch, Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91, said the daily Kochi–Agatti flights add momentum to regional aviation in India and reaffirm the airline’s commitment to connecting aspirational tier-two and tier-three destinations. He noted that improved regional connectivity will play a key role in unlocking India’s next phase of economic and tourism growth.

Headquartered in Ribandar, Goa, FLY91 currently connects nine destinations and operates from regional hubs including Goa, Hyderabad, Pune, and Bengaluru, with a strong focus on underserved regional markets.

Travel

Air India Deploys New B787-9 Aircraft on Mumbai–Frankfurt Route from February 2026

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Gurugram, January 15, 2026: Air India has announced a major enhancement to its Mumbai–Frankfurt service with the deployment of its newly delivered, first line-fit B787-9 aircraft featuring new cabin interiors. The upgraded aircraft will operate on the route starting February 1, 2026.


Air India currently operates five flights a week between Mumbai and Frankfurt, strengthening connectivity between the financial centres of India and Germany. With this deployment, all Air India flights to Germany, including services between Delhi and Frankfurt, will now be operated using new or upgraded aircraft.

The move is part of Air India’s ongoing fleet transformation programme, which includes additional widebody aircraft deliveries and retrofits planned through 2026. These upgrades aim to modernise a significant portion of the airline’s long-haul fleet and enhance passenger experience.

Further strengthening international connectivity, Air India continues its codeshare partnership with Lufthansa, enabling seamless onward travel from Frankfurt to 29 destinations across Europe, as well as select destinations in North and South America.

Air India’s optimised schedules also provide convenient one-stop connections via Mumbai or Delhi for travellers flying between Germany and destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia. These include Bangkok, Bali, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Phuket and Singapore.

Mumbai–Frankfurt Flight Schedule

Flight Route Departure Arrival

AI2027 Mumbai–Frankfurt 12:35 hrs 17:30 hrs
AI2028 Frankfurt–Mumbai 20:20 hrs 09:00 hrs (+1)


Tickets for the Mumbai–Frankfurt services remain available across all booking channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, contact centres and authorised travel agents worldwide.

Air India Group, comprising Air India and Air India Express, continues its five-year transformation programme, Vihaan.AI, following its return to Tata Sons ownership in 2022. The airline has placed orders for 570 new aircraft and is undertaking fleet renewal, training infrastructure expansion and maintenance facility development as part of its long-term growth strategy.

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Modi Government Clears NOCs for Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, Boosting Competition in Indian Aviation

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The Indian aviation sector is set to witness a fresh wave of competition as the Modi government has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two new airlines — Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. The approval marks a key step towards expanding air connectivity and offering passengers more travel options across domestic and international routes.

With air travel demand in India growing rapidly, the entry of new carriers is expected to enhance competition, improve service quality, and potentially bring more affordable fares for flyers. Industry experts believe that these approvals reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s aviation ecosystem and supporting private investment in the sector.

Al Hind Air and FlyExpress are expected to focus on niche routes, regional connectivity, and underserved markets, aligning with the government’s broader vision of improving accessibility under aviation growth initiatives. The development also comes at a time when India is emerging as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally.

The move is likely to create new employment opportunities, boost allied industries, and further reinforce India’s position as a major aviation hub in the coming years.

Travel

Air India Adds 174 Weekly Flights to Domestic and Short-Haul International Network for Winter 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Air India has announced a significant network expansion for the Northern Winter Schedule 2025, introducing 174 additional weekly flights across key domestic and short-haul international routes starting 26 October 2025. The new schedule strengthens connectivity between major Indian cities and Southeast Asian destinations, reflecting the airline’s commitment to offering greater convenience and choice for travelers.

Among the international enhancements, flights from Delhi to Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar (Bali) will each increase from seven to ten weekly services, effective mid-November and early December respectively. Domestically, the expansion focuses on high-demand destinations in Rajasthan, with new routes such as Delhi–Jaipur and Delhi–Jaisalmer, along with increased frequencies on existing routes including Delhi–Udaipur, Mumbai–Jaipur, and Mumbai–Jodhpur. Additional flights are being introduced across Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and other cities including Varanasi, Port Blair, Guwahati, Raipur, and Amritsar.

This growth follows the near completion of Air India’s comprehensive retrofit program for its legacy Airbus A320neo aircraft, launched in September 2024. Of the 27 aircraft, 26 have been completely refurbished with brand-new interiors featuring Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. With this upgrade, Air India now operates more than 100 A320 Family aircraft with enhanced interiors, serving over 80 domestic and short-haul international destinations.

The expansion is part of the airline’s ongoing transformation plan under Vihaan.AI, which aims to rebuild Air India into a world-class global carrier with an Indian heart. The airline, which returned to the Tata Group in 2022 after seven decades of government ownership, continues to evolve under an ambitious five-year roadmap. With more than 300 aircraft in its fleet and an order for 570 new planes underway, Air India is reshaping the future of Indian aviation through network growth, modern infrastructure, and superior customer experience.

As part of the larger Air India Group, which includes the full-service Air India and low-cost Air India Express, the company is leading the next chapter of Indian aviation by expanding reach, enhancing quality, and strengthening India’s position as a global travel hub.