Category Airline, Organisations & Operators

AIR INDIA LAUNCHES ‘EASY CONNECT’ FLIGHTS – BRINGING THE WORLD CLOSER TO EVERY INDIAN

Air India has marked a defining milestone in the Indian aviation industry with the inauguration of its first ‘Easy Connect’ flight under the Government of India’s new hub-and-spoke framework, launching the transformative model aimed at linking the length and breadth of India seamlessly with the world, and vice versa.

The inaugural Easy Connect service, flight AI1111, departed Varanasi at 09:23 AM Friday, with international passengers on the flight connecting onward from Delhi to 9 destinations outside of India, such as Dubai, Colombo, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kathmandu, Phuket.

Emirates unveils its latest Bulgari amenity kits for First and Business Class customers

Emirates has unveiled its latest collection of luxury Bulgari amenity kits for First and Business Class customers, continuing a partnership with the iconic Italian luxury house that has spanned more than 16 years.

The new Spring/Summer collection marks the 18th iteration of Emirates’ exclusive Bulgari amenity kits and will be introduced gradually across select long-haul flight routes throughout the year. Designed to complement Emirates’ latest retrofitted cabin interiors, the collection combines sophisticated aesthetics, premium materials and Bulgari’s most celebrated fragrances, ensuring customers enjoy an elevated inflight experience from take-off to landing.

Etihad steps up pilot recruitment across Europe and Türkiye

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will host a series of pilot recruitment sessions across Europe and Türkiye this summer, inviting experienced First Officers and Captains to join the fastest-growing airline in the world.

The informal, drop-in sessions will take place between June and August 2026 across seven cities in Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Türkiye. They are open to experienced First Officers and Captains, and form part of a wider recruitment drive as Etihad expands its fleet and network through to 2030

Asiana Airlines to Exit Star Alliance

Asiana Airlines, headquartered in Seoul, will formally leave Star Alliance on December 16, 2026, 23:59 Korea Standard Time.

Since joining Star Alliance in 2003, Asiana Airlines has played a valued role in delivering seamless customer experiences across the network. On behalf of all member airlines, Star Alliance thanks Asiana Airlines and its employees for contributing to the exceptional customer experience that the Alliance is known for worldwide.

Emirates brings its global travel rehearsal programme to the Maldives

Emirates, the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline, has conducted its first-ever “Travel Rehearsal” programme in the Maldives, at Velana International Airport (MLE).

The Travel Rehearsal programme allows people with accessible travel requirements to experience a guided simulation of the complete air travel journey, familiarising them with airport procedures and onboard environments ahead of time – helping reduce anxiety and build confidence before an actual flight. This is the first-of-its-kind initiative conducted at Male’s airport, organised by Emirates and supported by airport stakeholders in addition to other partners.

Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines launch strategic joint business partnership

Malaysia Airlines (MAB) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have launched their strategic joint business partnership, formalised in January 2026 following the regulatory approvals, with the introduction of joint fare products for travel between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

The new joint fare offerings build on the airlines’ existing codeshare partnership, enabling MAB and SIA to provide customers with a greater variety of fare options between the two capital cities, as well as enhanced connectivity across the combined network of both carriers.

WIZZ AIR NAMED WORLD’S MOST PUNCTUAL LOW COST AIRLINE IN MAY AS IT PREPARES FOR SUMMER PEAK

Wizz Air has been recognised by OAG* as the world’s most punctual low cost airline in May 2026, achieving an on time performance score of 87.8 per cent and a flight completion rate of 99.99 per cent across its network.

As the airline enters one of the busiest periods of the year, operating a record 1,200 flights a day and carrying more than 200,000 passengers daily, Wizz Air has also introduced a range of operational and customer service measures designed to support reliable performance throughout the summer travel season.

It’s raining recognition for Etihad this award season

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, collected awards for the Airline with the Best Economy Class and Airline with the Best Cabin Crew for the sixth year in a row, at the 2026 Business Traveller Middle East Awards in Dubai on 18 June 2026. The accolades follow a string of wins for the airline this award season, with recognition also coming from the MENA Stevie Awards, the Business Traveller Cellars in the Sky Awards, the Aviation Achievement Awards, and the APEX Best Awards, bringing the airline’s tally to over 30 individual awards from international and regional industry bodies over the past 12 months.