It’s raining new updates thanks to the airline winter schedule coming into effect from October 26. Indigo is in a global expansion spree announcing new international flights from Mumbai to London, Mumbai to Bali, Kolkata to Guangzhou, Kolkata to Siem Reap and Delhi to Hanoi. Qantas resumes direct Delhi - Melbourne flights and China Eastern Airlines announces Delhi - Shanghai direct flights. Air India increases frequency of the Pune -Bangkok route from thrice weekly to a daily departure and Air India Express announces 17 new routes including Pune - Lucknow. UAE launches four new visit visa categories. These are many more updates in the October edition.

Akasa Air expands network ahead of winter schedule; Delhi becomes airline’s third operational base:

Akasa Air is set to expand its domestic and international network from October 27, 2025, making Delhi its third operational base after Bengaluru and Mumbai. The airline will increase total departures from the capital by around 56% and enhance connectivity to metro and non-metro destinations, while also scaling frequencies across Middle Eastern routes.

The expanded network will connect Delhi to four of India's five metro cities - Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad - along with eight non-metro destinations, providing greater travel flexibility for passengers. Akasa Air has also launched operations to two new domestic destinations, Kozhikode and Darbhanga, broadening access across southern and eastern India. Kolkata will see an increase in weekly departures from 52 to 62, including two daily non-stop flights to Delhi and through connections to Goa and Srinagar.

Air India to relocate select Delhi domestic flights to T2; Air India Express moves to T1:

Air India will shift 60 of its Delhi domestic departures to Terminal 2 from October 26, 2025 with flights re-numbered under the AI1XXX series. Air India Express will operate all its domestic flights from Terminal 1 and international flights will continue to operate from T3. Free shuttle services for inter-terminal transfers will be available to support passenger movement during the transition.

The adjustment comes as Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) undertakes expansion at Terminal 3 (T3) to increase international passenger handling capacity, requiring a redistribution of domestic operations across terminals.

IndiGo to operate from all three terminals at Delhi Airport from October 26:

Indigo has announced a realignment of its flight operations across all three terminals of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport) starting October 26, 2025. The strategic redistribution is designed to optimise airport capacity and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.

Under the new arrangement, flights numbered 6E 2000 to 6E 2999 will operate to and from Terminal 2, while flights numbered 6E 5000 to 6E 5999, along with all international departures, will be handled at Terminal 3. All other domestic flights will continue to operate through Terminal 1, which remains the airline’s primary domestic base.

The move marks IndiGo’s return to Terminal 2 after a temporary suspension of operations and reflects the airline’s continued commitment to ensuring smoother passenger flows and better terminal utilisation amid growing traffic at IGI Airport.

Digital Arrival card for passengers travelling to India from Oct 01:

Starting October 01, 2025, all foreign nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders arriving in India are required to submit a mandatory e-arrival card before proceeding to immigration. The Bureau of Immigration's digital-first effort is to improve the entire passenger experience at Indian airports, expedite immigration, and simplify the arrival procedure. The change eliminates the need for traditional paper-based disembarkation forms, enabling authorities to digitally record critical entry details, stay details, and travel purpose.

IndiGo confirms order for 30 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, doubling its widebody fleet plan:

Indigo has signed a contract with Airbus confirming the conversion of 30 out of its 70 purchase rights for the Airbus A350-900 aircraft into firm orders. With this agreement, the airline doubles its widebody commitment from 30 to 60 aircraft. The announcement follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed at the IATA Annual General Meeting held in New Delhi in June 2025.

IndiGo’s initial order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft was placed in April 2024, marking the airline’s first foray into widebody operations. Of the 70 purchase rights retained at the time, 60 have now been exercised, leaving the carrier with options for 10 more widebody aircraft to support its long-term expansion.

Air India partners with Taiwan’s STARLUX Airlines to expand connectivity to Taipei:

Air India, India’s leading global airline, has entered into an interline partnership with Taiwan-based STARLUX Airlines, strengthening connectivity for travellers across Asia and improving access to Taipei. The new interline agreement enables passengers to travel seamlessly across the combined networks of both airlines using a single ticket. The collaboration offers coordinated baggage handling, smoother connections, and simplified booking processes for customers of Air India and STARLUX Airlines. Through this arrangement, Air India passengers can conveniently access Taipei via its Southeast Asian gateways - Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, and Kuala Lumpur. In return, STARLUX Airlines’ customers will be able to connect to major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru through the same shared gateways.

Air India Express announces 17 new domestic routes including Pune - Lucknow:

Air India Express continues to enhance connectivity across India with 17 new domestic routes, expanding access to key leisure and business destinations that includes Lucknow - Pune.

The Lucknow - Pune flight schedule is as follows:

Air India increases frequency of Pune - Bangkok - Pune to daily flights:

From the current frequency of 3X Weekly, Air India has increased the Pune - Bangkok service to a daily departure with effect from October 26, 2025 with the following schedule:

IndiGo to launch direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Athens with India’s First A321XLR aircraft:

IndiGo has announced new direct services between Mumbai and Athens from January 23, 2026, followed by Delhi and Athens from January 24, 2026. Operating thrice weekly from Mumbai and Delhi, these routes will mark India’s first A321XLR aircraft in service, positioning IndiGo as the only Indian carrier offering direct connectivity between India and Greece.

The new services mark a strategic milestone for IndiGo as it expands deeper into Europe using long-range narrow-body aircraft. Athens has emerged as a key leisure and MICE destination for Indian travellers, and the airline’s direct connectivity is expected to support both tourism and bilateral trade between the two countries.

Qantas to resume non-stop Delhi - Melbourne flights from Oct 27:

Qantas, Australia’s largest airline and national carrier, has announced the return of its non-stop flights between Delhi and Melbourne, set to begin on October 27, 2025. Operating three times a week until March 28, 2026, the service re-establishes a key route in the airline’s India - Australia network ahead of the busy travel and cricket season. The reinstated connection offers Indian travellers direct access to Melbourne - one of Australia’s most popular cities known for its cultural diversity, culinary appeal, and proximity to iconic attractions such as the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley, and Phillip Island.

The schedule of the thrice-weekly service is as follows:

IndiGo to launch daily non-stop flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow from October 26:

Indigo has announced the launch of daily nonstop flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) starting October 26, 2025. The new route marks IndiGo’s entry into Heathrow, one of the world’s most connected airports, and represents a significant step in its international expansion. London will become IndiGo’s second UK destination after Manchester, which the airline began serving earlier this year. The new service will be operated using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft taken on wet/damp lease from Norse Atlantic Airways.

Indigo’s maiden flight to London Heathrow has been launched with the following schedule:

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will feature a dual-class configuration, including Economy and IndiGoStretch - the airline’s bespoke business product. Complimentary hot meals and beverages will be provided across both cabins, while alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase in Economy and complimentary for IndiGoStretch passengers. Each seat will include an inflight entertainment screen offering nearly 300 hours of curated content.

Air India adds fourth daily flight on Delhi - London Heathrow route from Oct 26:

Air India has announced an expansion of its services to the United Kingdom with the addition of a fourth daily flight between Delhi and London (Heathrow), effective October 26, 2025. The new service will raise the airline’s Delhi - London frequency from 24 to 28 flights per week, adding 1,196 weekly seats each way.

The 4th daily flight has been launched with the following schedule:

All flights on this route will be operated by Air India’s new Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, both featuring three-class cabin configurations - Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.

China Eastern Airlines to resume direct Shanghai - Delhi flights from November 09, 2025:

China Eastern Airlines has announced the resumption of its direct flights between Shanghai and Delhi, beginning November 09, 2025. The airline will operate three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, reinstating a vital air bridge between two of Asia’s most significant economic and cultural centres.

The flight schedule for the thrice weekly service effective November 09 is as follows:

IndiGo to resume daily flights from India to China starting October 26:

IndiGo has announced the resumption of services to mainland China with the launch of daily, non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26, 2025. Subject to regulatory approvals, direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou will also be introduced shortly. The routes will be operated using Airbus A320neo aircraft. The move marks a significant milestone in restoring aviation connectivity between India, the world’s fourth-largest economy, and China, the second-largest. IndiGo’s services are expected to support cross-border trade, strengthen business partnerships and promote tourism between the two nations.

The schedule of the daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou is as follows:

IndiGo to launch daily direct flights from Mumbai to Bali from October 18:

Indigo has expanded its international operations with the announcement of daily direct flights between Mumbai and Denpasar (Bali), Indonesia, starting October 18, 2025. The route, to be served with Airbus A320 aircraft, marks IndiGo’s second direct connection to Bali after Bengaluru, underscoring the airline’s strategy to strengthen connectivity between India and Southeast Asia.

The Mumbai - Bali daily service has been launched with the following schedule:

IndiGo to launch daily direct flights between Delhi and Hanoi from December 20:

Indigo has announced the introduction of daily, direct services between Delhi and Hanoi, effective December 20, 2025. The new route, to be operated by IndiGo’s Airbus A320 aircraft, will offer seamless connectivity from India’s capital to Vietnam’s dynamic cultural and commercial centre.

The flight schedule of the daily service between Delhi and Hanoi is as follows:

IndiGo currently operates 14 weekly flights connecting Kolkata with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The addition of the Delhi - Hanoi route marks a significant expansion of the airline’s presence in Vietnam, catering to the rising travel demand between the two nations.

IndiGo to launch direct Kolkata - Siem Reap flights from November 13:

Indigo has announced the launch of direct flights between Kolkata and Siem Reap, Cambodia, starting November 13, 2025. The new route will operate three times a week, making IndiGo the first Indian airline to provide direct air connectivity between India and Cambodia. The airline will deploy Airbus A320neo aircraft on the route. This expansion further strengthens IndiGo’s presence in Southeast Asia, where it has been steadily building connectivity to key destinations. The addition of Siem Reap will also mark the seventh international destination served directly from Kolkata.

The schedule of the thrice weekly service between Kolkata and Siem Reap is as follows:

UAE launches four new visit visa categories changes entry permit rules:

The UAE government has announced major updates to its visa and residency system, introducing new categories to attract global talent and support tourism, technology, and entertainment sectors. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) said the changes aim to improve quality of life, boost trade, and support economic growth while also addressing humanitarian needs. The new regulations include four specialized visit visas, updates for widows and divorcees, revised rules for visiting relatives and friends, and changes to business and truck driver visas. Officials said the revisions were based on detailed studies and feedback from residents and international stakeholders.

Four new categories of visit visa

• AI Specialist Visa: Issued for single or multiple entries for a specific period, subject to a letter from a host or sponsoring technology company.
• Entertainment Visa: Granted to foreigners visiting temporarily for leisure purposes.
• Event Visa: For those attending festivals, exhibitions, conferences, seminars, or cultural, economic, sports, religious, or educational activities.
• Cruise Tourism Visa: A multiple-entry visa for tourists arriving on cruise ships or leisure boats, subject to an approved travel itinerary and a licensed host company.

Diwali Holiday travel slows down amid weak global cues:

Nikhil Thakurdas, CEO of Odyssey Tours and Travels, said: "Diwali travel is definitely lower this year. But one of the primary reasons is that people are opting for Christmas and New Year travel instead. In the last few years, we've seen a clear trend where families choose between Diwali and Dec holidays, and this time Christmas seems to be winning."

He added, "When NRIs come home in Dec, families don't want to just sit at home in Pune or Mumbai - they plan multi-generational holidays together. So Dec holidays have gained more importance compared to Diwali, which has become more about staying back in your own city with family."

"This year, Diwali has also come a little early, in the third week of Oct. Many families had already taken long holidays in June and July, when many schools now have extended breaks. If you've just returned from a big family holiday abroad in July, you won't plan another so soon in October," Thakurdas added.

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