In this month's travel updates: Air India suspends Pune - Singapore direct flight until July 15; Iran shuts airspace indefinitely, disrupting major international routes; Indigo announces long-haul flights to London, Copenhagen & Athens and launches direct flights between Mumbai and Almaty, Tashkent & Tblisi; Air India and Air Mauritius expand their codeshare to boost India-Africa connectivity; IndiGo enters into code share agreement with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Garuda Indonesia & Japan Airlines. Catch all the key highlights in the June edition.

IndiGo expands international footprint announcing long-haul flights to London, Copenhagen & Athens:

After announcing direct flights between Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam starting in July, IndiGo, India's largest airline, is set to launch flights to 10 new international destinations this year, including long-haul routes to London, Copenhagen, and Athens. This marks a major step in the airline's global expansion strategy and responds to the rising demand for international travel.

Air India suspends Pune - Singapore direct flight until July 15:

Air India is temporarily reducing its narrow body operations by about 5% till at least July 15 which includes suspending services on 3 routes which includes the five-times-a-week Pune - Singapore flights. In addition, Air India has reduced frequency on 19 routes - these reductions are aimed at strengthening Air India's network wide operational stability and minimising last-minute inconvenience to passengers. For the affected passengers, the airline is offering alternative flights, complimentary re-scheduling or full refund.

Air India announces 15% reduction in wide-body flight operations:

Air India has decided to cut 15% of its wide body operations to mitigate the impact of a combination of factors, including enhanced surveillance for Boeing 787 aircrafts, geopolitical tensions in West Asia, night curfew in the airspaces of many countries in Europe and East Asia. The cuts will continue until at least mid-July and has been done to ensure stability of the airline's operations.

The airline has seen 83 flight cancellations on its Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft since the crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which was the first time that a Boeing 787 Dreamliner was involved in an accident anywhere in the world.

IndiGo enters into code share agreement with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic:

In a move to boost global connectivity, IndiGo has entered into codeshare agreements with major carriers in the Sky Team Alliance: Delta, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. This partnership will allow IndiGo passengers to book smoother connections to destinations across Europe and North America by linking dozens of cities in the United States, Canada, Europe and India.

By linking IndiGo's extensive domestic network with Delta's strength in North America and the transatlantic, the extensive reach of Air France-KLM in Europe, North America, and the U.K. and transatlantic presence of Virgin Atlantic, the partnership is poised to offer travellers broader access, smoother journeys, and a more consistent experience across continents.

IndiGo and Garuda Indonesia announce codeshare partnership:

IndiGo and Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier of Indonesia, have signed a bilateral codeshare agreement offering an enhanced network to their respective customers. This partnership aims to enable seamless travel for customers between India and Indonesia, through Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Bali, on a single booking with through-checked-in baggage.

As part of this codeshare arrangement, IndiGo customers get access to 17 new destinations across Indonesia, while travellers on Garuda Indonesia can fly to seven destinations in India. Customers will benefit from a single ticket booking experience, reducing travel complexities and enhancing overall convenience.

Air India and Air Mauritius Expand Codeshare Partnership:

In a significant move to enhance connectivity between India and Africa, Air India and Air Mauritius have expanded their existing codeshare partnership. Effective July 1, 2025, this expansion aims to provide travellers with more seamless travel options and improved network integration between the two regions.

This partnership builds upon the airlines' previous collaboration, which included Air India's codeshare on Air Mauritius' flights to Madagascar. The new agreement is expected to offer travellers more convenient connections between India and Africa, facilitating smoother travel experiences and broader network access.

Navi Mumbai Airport to Commence Operations post monsoons:

The much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to begin operations soon after the monsoons. This new airport aims to ease the growing air traffic burden on Mumbai's existing airport, offering travellers a modern, efficient alternative.

Leading the initial operations, IndiGo has announced plans to launch 36 daily domestic flights from Navi Mumbai, connecting 15 key domestic destinations from day 1 and enhancing travel convenience for passengers in the region. And by November 2025, the airline plans to operate 79 daily departures, including 14 international routes. That number is set to grow further, with over 100 daily flights-including 30 international ones by March 2026.

Pune Airport Expands Flight Capacity with 15 New Landing Slots:

Travelers flying in and out of Pune can look forward to greater convenience as Pune Airport has recently been allocated 15 additional landing slots by the Indian Air Force. This increase will raise the airport's daily flight movements from 220 to 235, allowing for more flight options and improved connectivity. Notably, some of these new slots are scheduled in the morning hours, offering better choices for early travellers and business commuters.

However due to the lean season for travel, airlines are expected to utilise these slots and announce new flights only in the winter schedule from October 26 onwards.

India and China to Fast-Track Resumption of Direct Flights:

In a positive development, India and China have agreed to accelerate efforts to resume direct air services between the two countries. The decision was made during a recent meeting in Beijing between Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, where both sides emphasized the importance of restoring connectivity and facilitating people-to-people exchanges.

Currently, there are no direct flights operating between India and China, requiring travellers to take longer, indirect routes. The fast-tracking of flight resumptions is expected to benefit a wide range of travellers, including business professionals, students, and tourists. While an exact timeline has not been announced, this agreement marks a significant step toward restoring easier and more efficient travel between the two nations.

Iran shuts airspace indefinitely following regional escalation:

Following recent Israeli strikes, Iran has closed its airspace to all flights indefinitely, significantly impacting international travel routes. The closure affects numerous carriers, including Air India, which has announced diversions and returns for flights from New York, Vancouver, Chicago, and London. This development is particularly disruptive for flights between Europe, North America, and South Asia, many of which rely on Iranian airspace for the shortest path.

Travellers are advised to check flight status directly with airlines and prepare for possible delays or re-routing. The situation remains fluid, and ongoing geopolitical tensions may result in further changes. Passengers with upcoming international travel should monitor official airline communications closely and allow additional time for potential itinerary adjustments.

India & Pakistan extend airspace closure till July 24:

India extended the closure of its airspace for flights operated by Pakistan airlines by another month till July 24. Initially, the ban was to end on May 24 and was subsequently extended till June 24.

Pakistan has also extended the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft by one month till July 24.

Indigo Expands Central Asian Network with New Direct Flights:

Indigo is enhancing connectivity between India and Central Asia with exciting new routes launching this summer. Starting July 1st, travellers can enjoy non-stop flights between Mumbai and Almaty, Kazakhstan, operating four times weekly. This new service offers a seamless gateway to the region's rich culture and scenic landscapes.

4X weekly flight schedule to Almaty:

Following this, from August 1st, Indigo will introduce four weekly flights from Mumbai to Tashkent, Uzbekistan's vibrant capital. Shortly after, on August 2nd, a thrice-weekly Mumbai to Tbilisi, Georgia route will commence, connecting travellers to the historic charm of the Caucasus.

4X weekly flight schedule to Tashkent and 3X weekly to Tblisi:

These additions mark Indigo's strategic expansion in Central Asia, providing more convenient travel options for business and leisure travellers.

Indigo announces new codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines offering connections from Pune:

Indigo has announced the commencement of bookings for a new codeshare agreement between IndiGo (6E) and Japan Airlines (JL) effective June 16, 2025, with flights starting from July 10, 2025. This collaboration allows Pune travellers to seamlessly connect to Japan via Bangkok (BKK) as per the below schedules:

Pune to Haneda:

Pune to Narita:

Narita to Pune:

Plan Ahead: Australia Visa Now Takes Up to 28 Days:

Travellers heading to Australia should note updated visitor visa processing times, which now range from 16 to 28 days. This applies to Subclass 600 tourist and Business stream visas and may affect those with tight travel schedules. To avoid last-minute disruptions, applicants are advised to apply well in advance of their intended departure date. Ensuring that all required documents are submitted correctly can also help prevent unnecessary delays.

Spain Visa Update on Biometric Enrolment:

All applicants must visit the designated Visa Centre for biometric enrolment on the day of their appointment, even if they have held a Schengen visa within the past five years.