Airlines: Fleet Information, Flight Routes & Ticket Prices

New Delhi, India: India’s youngest airline, Akasa Air, has completed three years of commercial operations and unveiled plans to expand its international footprint into South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region in the coming years. The Mumbai-based carrier, which operated its maiden flight on August 7, 2022, has grown into a network covering 28 destinations, 23 domestic and five international cities, including Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Doha, Riyadh, and Jeddah. The airline said it aims to leverage upcoming infrastructure at Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International Airport to deepen its domestic network and support long-haul regional routes. Akasa Air has carried more than 19 million passengers since inception, including over 8 million in the last 12 months alone. The airline has recorded a consistent load factor above 87 percent and completed over 100,000 departures more than 3,800 of which were international flights. In addition, the carrier has transported over 131,000 tonnes of cargo and secured partnerships with more than 1,150 corporate clients. The airline currently operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in 189- and 197-seat configurations. Orders include additional Boeing 737 MAX 8, MAX 200, and MAX 10 aircraft, which will be inducted over the next several years. Speaking to The Times of India Akasa Air founder and chief executive officer Vinay Dube said Boeing’s production output is “gradually returning to its historic production strength” after a prolonged slowdown, adding that this will allow the airline to receive deliveries on schedule and support its growth strategy. In the financial year ending March 2025, Akasa Air reported a 49 percent year-on-year increase in revenue and a 48 percent rise in available seat kilometres. The airline has set a target of increasing capacity by over 30 percent in the current fiscal year. The carrier also entered into a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways in March 2025, enabling passengers to book combined itineraries across both networks. The partnership is expected to strengthen connectivity to the Middle East and beyond, while providing a platform for future route expansions into Southeast Asia. Industry analysts note that Akasa’s measured but ambitious growth contrasts with the more aggressive early expansions attempted by some of its predecessors in India’s low-cost segment. With South and Southeast Asia’s aviation markets projected to grow significantly in the next decade, Akasa Air’s entry into these regions could place it in direct competition with established carriers such as AirAsia, Batik Air, SriLankan Airlines, and Malindo Air. The airline’s leadership maintains that its strategy focuses on disciplined growth and service quality. Akasa Air’s third anniversary underscores its rapid ascent in India’s aviation sector, driven by operational efficiency, prudent fleet expansion, and targeted market entry.

Airlines

India’s Youngest Airline Akasa Air Marks 3 Years With 49% Year-on-Year Revenue Growth

New Delhi, India: India’s youngest airline, Akasa Air, has completed three years of commercial operations and unveiled plans to expand

August 12, 2025 No Comments

France, Europe: The Low-cost carrier Ryanair will cut 13% of its winter seat capacity in France, equivalent to around 750,000 seats, citing what it calls an “excessive” increase in the country’s air ticket tax. The move will see the airline withdraw completely from Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg airports and cancel 25 routes nationwide. The cuts follow a 180% rise in France’s “solidarity tax” on air tickets, implemented in March 2025. The levy, originally designed to fund public health and climate initiatives, was sharply increased by the French government earlier this year. Ryanair says the tax hike has made operations in regional airports unviable during the winter season. “France has now made itself one of the least attractive markets in Europe for low-fare growth,” said Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary, “Instead of supporting regional airports and tourism, they are imposing punitive charges that destroy connectivity and jobs.” According to Ryanair’s winter schedule update, Bergerac Airport in the Dordogne region will lose its entire Ryanair service, a blow local officials warn could affect tourism-dependent businesses. Airport authorities estimate the cuts will mean 18,000 fewer passengers, or roughly 7% of annual traffic. Brive and Strasbourg airports will also see all Ryanair flights withdrawn from late October. In addition to the three full withdrawals, routes from other French airports will be trimmed. Analysis by the Centre for Aviation (CAPA) shows that the reductions will primarily affect services to Spain, Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom key short-haul markets for French holidaymakers. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot dismissed Ryanair’s criticism, telling The Times that the airline “remains profitable in France” and accusing it of using the tax increase as an excuse to reallocate capacity to other markets. “This is a commercial decision, not a necessity,” Tabarot said, while defending the government’s decision to increase the solidarity levy as part of its climate and budgetary commitments. For now, travelers using affected French airports face reduced options from the start of the winter timetable on October 27, 2025. The cancellations come amid a broader debate in Europe over balancing environmental taxation with maintaining regional air connectivity.

Airlines

Ryanair CEO Blames France’s Air Tax Hike as 750,000 Seats Get Cut and Quits 3 Airports

France, Europe: The Low-cost carrier Ryanair will cut 13% of its winter seat capacity in France, equivalent to around 750,000

August 11, 2025 No Comments

Airlines

British Airways Owner IAG H1 Profit Jumps 43.5% to €1.9B as Premium Demand Surges

London, United Kingdom: International Airlines Group (IAG), the owner of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, reported a sharp increase

August 2, 2025 No Comments

Tokyo, Japan: A massive 8.8‑magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday trigg ered a Pacific‑wide tsunami alert, disrupting air travel and forcing carriers in the United States and Japan to cancel and divert flights. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines canceled multiple flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii, affecting Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue, and Hilo. Alaska Airlines suspended all departures to the islands, rerouted flights already en route, and issued travel waivers for affected passengers. Authorities ordered evacuations of low‑lying areas in Hawaii as tsunami waves up to 1.8 meters struck shorelines Tuesday evening, causing traffic congestion as residents moved to higher ground. Officials warned that multiple waves could follow and urged residents to stay away from coastal zones until all advisories are lifted. On the U.S. mainland, particularly along the Northern California coast, residents were placed on high alert as Crescent City prepared for swells of up to 10 feet. Waves measuring about half a meter were recorded at several locations, prompting emergency services to advise boat owners to secure vessels and avoid harbors. In Japan, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled all flights to and from Sendai Airport after the runway was closed, and bullet train services as well as ferry operations were suspended across parts of the northeast. More than 900,000 residents were advised to evacuate or move to higher ground as tsunami waves up to 40 centimeters reached coastal areas. Authorities also halted operations at multiple nuclear power facilities, including Fukushima, to ensure safety protocols were strictly followed. The earthquake’s impact prompted tsunami advisories across Taiwan, the Philippines, China, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador, with officials urging people to stay away from shorelines and ports because of strong currents and abnormal wave activity. In Russia’s Kuril Islands, waves as high as 15 meters were reported in Severo‑Kurilsk, leading to widespread evacuations and flooding in low‑lying areas. No casualties have been confirmed so far, but search‑and‑rescue operations are continuing and property damage assessments are underway. Aviation authorities have urged travelers to check schedules before heading to airports as disruptions are expected to continue until tsunami warnings are lifted. Airlines are expected to adjust operations based on aftershock activity and evolving wave forecasts. Seismologists caution that aftershocks are likely and could potentially trigger additional wave surges, while emergency response agencies across the Pacific remain on high alert.

Airlines

Tsunami Warnings After 8.8 Russia Quake Force Flight Cancellations in Japan and Hawaii

Tokyo, Japan: A massive 8.8‑magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday triggered a Pacific‑wide tsunami alert, disrupting air travel

July 31, 2025 No Comments

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued four show-cause notices to Air India citing violations of pilot rest norms, training requirements and cabin crew deployment, calling them systemic lapses that could compromise flight safety. These notices follow voluntary disclosures by Air India just days before a scheduled regulatory audit of its Delhi operations, covering incidents from 2023 and 2024. Sources reviewed by Economic Times indicate pilots in multiple instances exceeded weekly duty hour limits, including flights operated on June 24, 2024, and June 15, 2025, without the mandated rest periods. The regulator also noted that pilots who had completed simulator training failed to commence active flying within the specified timeframe, rendering the training invalid. Additionally, at least 17 pilots operated into and out of Kathmandu without mandatory high-altitude airport simulation training, despite its complex terrain and special approach requirements. Cabin crew shortages were also reported on four ultra-long-haul flights to North America in April and May, which were operated with as few as 12 cabin crew members, instead of the required 15. The DGCA has characterized these as serious procedural breaches and gave Air India two weeks to submit explanations and corrective plans. Failure to comply could lead to penalties, leadership accountability measures and further regulatory action. The regulator’s notices add to a series of safety-related actions taken against Air India in 2025, including nine show-cause notices in the first half of the year alone. These issues have gained urgency following the June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI 171 near Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people and has become India’s deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade. The accident has intensified scrutiny of Air India’s governance, safety oversight and crew management practices. In a statement, Air India confirmed receipt of the notices and stressed that all violations were voluntarily disclosed as part of its internal compliance checks. The airline said it remains committed to passenger and crew safety and is implementing measures to prevent recurrence. The DGCA has warned that repeated violations despite earlier advisories point to systemic governance failures and could result in stricter enforcement, fines and even leadership restructuring if compliance gaps remain unaddressed.

Airlines

DGCA Pulls Up Air India for Violating Pilot Rest, Training and Crew Deployment Rules

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued four show-cause notices to Air India citing violations

July 28, 2025 No Comments

Germany: Germany is moving to reverse last year’s aviation tax increase, a step that could make flying from the country more affordable and strengthen its position as a leading European air travel hub. The federal government is considering undoing the levy imposed in May 2024, which raised departure charges on short-haul flights from €12.48 to €15.53, alongside similar increases for medium- and long-haul flights. If approved as part of the 2026 federal budget, the reversal is expected to come into effect ahead of the peak summer travel season, potentially lowering ticket prices for millions of passengers. The 2024 hike was introduced as a fiscal measure to boost government revenue and encourage climate-friendly travel. However, it immediately drew criticism from airlines and tourism advocates who warned it undermined Germany’s competitiveness and pushed airlines to cut capacity or withdraw routes altogether. Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair reduced services at several German airports, while tourism officials, including federal tourism coordinator Christoph Ploss, urged the government to reduce both aviation taxes and airport charges to restore confidence in the market. Rolling back the increase faces significant fiscal and political challenges. The levy contributes approximately €500 million in additional annual revenue, and officials have yet to identify alternative sources to offset the shortfall. As per Reuters a senior government source recently noted that while the aviation sector requires relief, the reversal is “not currently a priority” amid tight public finances and rising defense spending commitments. The debate is also complicated by environmental concerns, with critics warning that cheaper airfares could stimulate higher passenger volumes and increase emissions. In response, government sources have indicated that any tax reform may be paired with sustainability initiatives, including incentives for airlines to use sustainable aviation fuels and invest in cleaner fleets. Despite these challenges, industry groups believe a tax rollback would provide immediate benefits, restoring passenger growth and route development that were disrupted by the 2024 hike. It could also help German airports compete more effectively with hubs in neighboring countries that have maintained or lowered their aviation levies. Major carriers such as Lufthansa and Eurowings, as well as low-cost operators, are closely watching the budget process, which will determine whether the rollback is implemented in full or in phases. The Bundestag is expected to debate the proposal later this year as part of the 2026 budget negotiations. If passed, passengers could see cheaper tickets as early as 2026, a change likely to influence booking patterns and airline strategies for the coming years. The government faces the difficult task of balancing consumer benefits and industry competitiveness with environmental targets and fiscal stability, but the outcome of this reform could mark a significant shift in Germany’s aviation policy.

Airlines

Germany May Reverse Aviation Tax Hike in 2026 Promising Cheaper Flights for Passengers

Berlin, Germany: Germany is moving to reverse last year’s aviation tax increase, a step that could make flying from the

July 26, 2025 No Comments

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Airlines

India’s Youngest Airline Akasa Air Marks 3 Years With 49% Year-on-Year Revenue Growth

Ryanair CEO Blames France’s Air Tax Hike as 750,000 Seats Get Cut and Quits 3 Airports

British Airways Owner IAG H1 Profit Jumps 43.5% to €1.9B as Premium Demand Surges

Tsunami Warnings After 8.8 Russia Quake Force Flight Cancellations in Japan and Hawaii

DGCA Pulls Up Air India for Violating Pilot Rest, Training and Crew Deployment Rules

Germany May Reverse Aviation Tax Hike in 2026 Promising Cheaper Flights for Passengers

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