In major news since our last update: Air India expands services to Canada with direct Mumbai - Toronto flights from Oct; Eva Air announces direct flights between New Delhi and Taiwan; Air India & Azerbaijan Airlines enter into codeshare partnership; Air India to add frequencies to New York, Tokyo, Milan; IndiGo scales back leased long-haul operations ahead of Airbus A350 induction; India opens 11 more ports to foreign e-visa holders. These and more updates in our August edition.

Air India plots Sept flight comeback, to add frequencies to New York, Tokyo, Milan:

Air India will restore most of the flight services it curtailed in July and August from September 1, while also adding frequencies on several international routes during the winter season. The flight services were curtailed for 2 months following a sharp rise in fuel prices and other operating challenges.

The airline will also add additional frequencies to Milan, Frankfurt, Zurich, Vienna, Melbourne, Tokyo and New York during the winter schedule

Air India, Azerbaijan Airlines enter into codeshare partnership:

Air India and Azerbaijan Airlines have entered into a codeshare partnership that will provide more travel options for passengers while improving connectivity across both airlines' networks between India and Azerbaijan.

Under this codeshare, Air India's 'AI' code will be applied to Azerbaijan Airlines daily flights operating between Delhi and Baku, and Mumbai and Baku. Travellers from Delhi, Mumbai and beyond can now travel conveniently to Baku with an Air India ticket, on a flight bearing an Air India flight number, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines.

IndiGo scales back leased long-haul operations ahead of Airbus A350 induction:

IndiGo will suspend its wide body Boeing 787-9 operations from October 25, 2026 which is the start of the winter schedule, and conclude its damp lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways by the end of the month, citing a challenging operating environment driven by geopolitical tensions, elevated operating costs and airspace restrictions.

The airline, however, reiterated that the move does not alter its long-term strategy of building a global long-haul network with its own Airbus A350 fleet. As part of the transition, IndiGo's Mumbai-Amsterdam service will continue using the Airbus A321XLR from October 25, while flights to and from London Heathrow will be temporarily suspended until the airline begins inducting its Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

The decision brings to a close a strategic initiative launched in early 2025, when IndiGo entered into a damp lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for six Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The programme enabled the airline to enter long-haul markets in Europe and the United Kingdom ahead of the arrival of its own wide body fleet, allowing it to gain operational experience while establishing its brand in international markets.

Indigo completes 20 years of operations:

IndiGo, India’s largest airline has completed 20 years of operations, having served nearly 900 million passengers while expanding to more than 140 destinations with a fleet of over 430 aircraft. Today, IndiGo serves 97 domestic destinations and more than 40 international destinations, connecting 89 non-metro cities to major hubs.

The airline plans to grow its fleet to more than 550 aircraft, operate around 3,000 daily departures and serve nearly 200 million passengers annually by 2030 as it accelerates its domestic and international expansion. The airline's long-term expansion strategy includes landmark aircraft orders, of more than 500 Airbus A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR aircrafts announced in 2023, followed by an order for 60 Airbus A350 aircraft with options for an additional 40. International operations are expected to contribute around 40 per cent of IndiGo's capacity by FY 2030.

Air India expands services to Canada with new Mumbai - Toronto flights from Oct 25:

Air India will launch a new seasonal non-stop service between Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) from October 25, 2026.

The service will operate three times a week until March 26, 2027, connecting India’s financial capital directly with Canada’s largest city during the 2026-27 winter schedule. Air India says the route will add nearly 2,000 seats per week and make it the only airline operating a nonstop Mumbai - Toronto service during the season.

The flight schedule of the new thrice-a-week service is given below:

Delhi gets first nonstop Taiwan connection as EVA Air to launch new direct flights from Dec 1:

EVA Air is set to strengthen air connectivity between India and Taiwan with the launch of a new nonstop service between Delhi and Taipei from December 1, becoming the only Taiwan-based carrier to operate direct passenger flights on the route.

The five-times-weekly service is expected to cater to growing business, technology and education links between the two countries while also providing Indian travellers with enhanced one-stop connectivity to North America through Taipei.

The new route will be operated using Airbus A330-300 aircraft with the following schedule:

Beyond point-to-point travel, the service is designed to strengthen onward connectivity through Taipei to EVA Air's extensive network across North America and Asia. Through the airline's partnership with Star Alliance member Air India, passengers from multiple Indian cities will be able to connect via Delhi onto EVA Air's Taipei service, enabling seamless onward travel across the carrier's international network.

According to EVA Air, eligible Indian passport holders travelling onwards to North America may be able to utilise Taiwan's conditional visa-waiver transit programme, making short stopovers in Taipei more convenient while potentially encouraging inbound tourism to Taiwan.

Emirates offers unlimited free date changes for Dubai-bound flights; refund fees cut:

Emirates has introduced unlimited free date changes for passengers travelling to Dubai, effective August 10, 2026. The move gives travellers greater flexibility amid ongoing uncertainty around regional travel.

• Unlimited date changes: Eligible Dubai-bound passengers can change their travel dates as many times as required without an airline change fee
• Eligible Economy fares: Saver through Flex
• Eligible Business Class fares: Special, Saver and Flex
• Reduced refund fees:
  • Economy Saver: US$50
  • Economy Flex: US$25
  • Business Special/Saver: US$50
  • Business Flex: US$25

Important: Fare differences (if any) will continue to be applicable if the changed flight has a higher fare or taxes. Only the date change fee penalty has been waived.

In addition, passengers travelling anywhere on the Emirates network (beyond Dubai) can make one free date change on tickets booked from April 2, 2026. Emirates said the measures are intended to give passengers greater flexibility when booking, changing or cancelling their travel plans.

Akasa Air launches loyalty program 'Elevate' on its fourth anniversary:

Akasa Air has introduced Akasa Elevate, its loyalty programme aimed at rewarding frequent travellers with points, tier-based benefits and personalised recognition. The announcement coincides with the airline's fourth anniversary as it continues expanding its domestic and international network.

Members of Akasa Elevate can earn Elevate Points on eligible flights and ancillary products and services. The programme also offers four membership tiers, allowing customers to qualify through either eligible flights or eligible spending. According to the airline, members will receive benefits across seat selection, baggage, meals, priority services and travel flexibility, while premium-tier members will have access to dedicated support and enhanced airport experiences.

Since commencing operations in August 2022, Akasa Air said it has carried nearly 30 million passengers and become the fastest-growing airline in India's aviation sector. The carrier also highlighted that it was the first Indian airline to induct more than 40 aircraft within such a short period, attributing its growth to customer-focused innovation and operational expansion.

Commercial flights to shift from Vizag Airport to Bhogapuram from Aug 17:

Commercial flight operations at Visakhapatnam Airport will cease from August 17, with all services shifting to the newly developed Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district.

The International Air Transport Code "VTZ" for the existing Visakhapatnam Airport will be transferred to Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport from 00.01 hours of August 17. The Ministry of Civil Aviation also notified that Bhogapuram Greenfield Airport is renamed as 'Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport' with immediate effect.

The airport's 3,800-metre Code-E runway, capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and Airbus A340. The airport is also equipped with advanced passenger processing technologies, advanced airfield lighting, navigation aids and CNS/ATM infrastructure to support both domestic and international operations.

India opens 11 more ports to foreign e-visa holders:

The Centre notified 11 additional international ports, nine land ports and two airports, to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals holding electronic visas.

11 newly added e-Visa entry points:

Airports - 2

• Bhopal Airport, Madhya Pradesh
• Tirupati Airport, Andhra Pradesh

Land Ports - 9

Agartala, Tripura || Darranga, Assam || Gede, West Bengal || Ghojadanga, West Bengal || Haridaspur, West Bengal || Jaigaon, West Bengal || Dawki, Meghalaya || Moreh, Manipur || Attari (Road), Punjab

The move is aimed at enhancing the attractiveness and utility of electronic visas. India clears about 95 per cent e-visa applications in less than 72 hours, the Union home ministry said in a statement.

With the latest addition, the total number of International ports enabling entry of E-Visa holder foreigners has increased to 88, including 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports.

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