News
Cruising Heights
MIDDLE EAST CARGO VILLAGES: SILENT ECONOMIC POWERHOUSES
Dubai's Cargo Village owes its dominance to both its geographic position—midway between Asia, Europe, and Africa, letting half the world's population be reached in eight hours—and its sophisticated logistics strategy, integrating air, sea, and road networks with rapid turnaround times and advanced bonded facilities. Over the years, it evolved into a bustling hub of logistics companies, freight forwarders, and global carriers, setting new standards in speed and connectivity for Middle East trade.
9 min |
November 2025
Cruising Heights
QANTAS 'SUNRISE' TAKES FORM IN TOULOUSE
The race to conquer ultra-long-haul aviation has entered a pivotal phase as Qantas' first Project Sunrise aircraft moves from concept to reality. With engineering milestones now stacking up in Toulouse, the airline is edging closer to redefining global travel and challenging long-standing assumptions about the limits of commercial flight.
8 min |
November 2025
Cruising Heights
ANDHRA PRADESH'S LEAP INTO THE FUTURE OF AVIATION: THE SKY FACTORY AND BEYOND
The state of Andhra Pradesh has embarked on an ambitious journey to position itself at the forefront of India's aviation revolution.
7 min |
November 2025
Cruising Heights
IS ALLIANCE AIR A MILLSTONE AROUND THE GOVERNMENT'S NECK?SUBSIDIARIES DIVESTMENT
When Air India’s sale to the Tata Group marked the end of a long and costly public-sector chapter, one airline remained curiously behind, Alliance Air.
10+ min |
November 2025
Cruising Heights
NAVIGATING UNPRECEDENTED TURBULENCE IN 2024-2025
The airline industry's short story of recovery, rapid bounce back from the pandemic, demand outstripping constrained supply, and a bright path back to profitability — now reads more like a complicated novel of competing shocks. In the span of two years, the sector moved from desperate retrenchment to a hopeful rebound; now, in late 2025, the mood is decidedly mixed.
10+ min |
November 2025
Cruising Heights
Safety is Non-Negotiable
India's business aviation sector has a relatively low accident rate, but safety concerns persist due to regulatory gaps, pilot fatigue, and ageing aircraft in some fleets. Most incidents are minor, with few fatal accidents in recent years. Business aviation fleet—comprising charter jets, turboprops, and helicopters—has grown rapidly, but its safety record remains under scrutiny. Unlike commercial airlines, business aviation operates under less stringent oversight, which can lead to operational risks.
6 min |
October 2025
Cruising Heights
A BATTLE OVER CABIN BAGGAGE
EU says Spain's airline fines over cabin bag fees breach regulations and has sent a notice to the Spanish government.
1 min |
October 2025
Cruising Heights
DRAGON IN HANGAR
From global safety certification and engine self-reliance to geopolitical headwinds and market trust, COMAC faces daunting hurdles. Will it ultimately emerge as a global aviation brand or remain a regional player?
10 min |
October 2025
Cruising Heights
PERFORMING TO ITS POTENTIAL
Additive manufacturing or 3D printing is delivering on its promise of transforming aero engine design and production.
7 min |
October 2025
Cruising Heights
SILENT REVOLUTION
Automated baggage handling is delivering real benefits to airlines, airport operators and passengers alike.
7 min |
October 2025
Cruising Heights
Personalised Luxuries on Board Business Aircraft
Business aviation in India is still the exclusive domain of the uber-rich and corporate India, yet the luxury provided on board has developed and surpasses industry standards.
8 min |
October 2025
Cruising Heights
WHAT DOES NAVI MUMBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MEAN FOR INDIA'S AVIATION STORY?
Navi Mumbai International Airport opens as a catalyst for regional reinvention, a modern transport node designed to reshape trade, commuter patterns and urban growth across Maharashtra. More than an aviation facility, it is a test of India's capacity to knit infrastructure, technology and ecology into a functioning whole. Experts claim that its success will be judged by daily operations, equitable local benefits and seamless integration with the city's transport fabric
9 min |
October 2025
Cruising Heights
HOW THE A321XLR IS REDRAWING THE WORLD MAP
India's aviation giant IndiGo is deploying a new weapon for global domination: the Airbus A321XLR. Industry watchers claim this aircraft will unleash a wave of non-stop flights to Europe, featuring a brand-new business class and rewriting the rules of long-haul travel with stunning efficiency, unlocking previously unviable 'long-thin' routes with single-aisle economics. A special report
7 min |
October 2025
Cruising Heights
NEW WINGS FOR KERALA
Kochi-based travel giant Alhind Group is set to make a bold leap into operating aircraft, as its new venture, Alhind Air, prepares for take-off in late 2025 with an ATR fleet.
7 min |
October 2025
Cruising Heights
FROM 'FAIR SKIES' TO 'FAVOURABLE SKIES'?
The story of airline disruption refunds in the US reveals a dramatic policy reversal and a tug-of-war between passenger advocates and industry lobbyists.
1 min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
Entertained at Thirty Thousand Feet
Live in-flight TV: Despite challenges, the streaming battle is on
10+ min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
Blockchain in Air Cargo - Beyond the Buzzword
Blockchain is making serious waves in the air cargo industry as the ultimate trust-building tool in a world that thrives on speed, precision, and global coordination.
9 min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
Executive Efficiency
New-generation business jets are flying faster and further than ever before. ATUL CHANDRA outlines the developments
6 min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
HEATHROW'S GAMBIT FOR A £49BN RUNWAY TO THE FUTURE
Heathrow has submitted its planning application for a third runway.
2 min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
INDIGO AT 19
Almost two decades ago, IndiGo took off with a modest promise of punctual flights, no-frills service, and fares low enough to bring millions into the skies.
10+ min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
A Duty-free adventure
With passenger numbers soaring in India, the airport retail sector is deploying AI- driven personalisation, immersive experiences, and strategic layouts to captivate a new generation of travellers.
10+ min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
Why Hybrid Propulsion Matters for India
Hybrid engines are a vital step forward from conventional jet engine technology to future propulsion technologies for aviation.
6 min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
PITCHING FOR Global Equity
As Air India and IndiGo struggle to expand globally, New Delhi has taken up the case of slot allocation at major European hubs with ICAO. The outcome could well set the norms, giving developing-nation carriers a level playing field.
10 min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
Wings Level
Despite trade tensions in various parts of the world, OEMs are continuing to rack up aircraft order, reports,
10 min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
AIR INDIA AND IOC TAKE OFF WITH GREEN FUEL
India's aviation sector is entering a transformative phase with Air India and the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) inking an MOU for the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), marking the first such agreement in the country.
2 min |
September 2025
Cruising Heights
Boeing Plans Steady Ramp-Up of 737 MAX Output
American aerospace manufacturer Boeing is preparing to increase production of its 737 MAX aircraft from the current 38 units a month to 42, once it receives regulatory approval.
1 min |
August 2025
Cruising Heights
Why does India have no widebody freighters ?
The growth in air freight in India could result in an opportunity for the induction of larger freighter aircraft such as the B777-8 and A350F.
5 min |
August 2025
Cruising Heights
When Becoming Big and Dangerous Isn't Considered Unsafe
In the world of aviation, safety is sacrosanct. Every checklist, every simulator session, every pilot hour logged is underpinned by the singular pursuit of ensuring that aircraft operate within tightly controlled margins of safety. And yet, in some rare and paradoxical cases, an airline can reach a size where - even when its operations exhibit persistent safety lapses - it becomes virtually immune to the consequences that smaller entities would inevitably face. Air India is one such case. CAPTAIN AMIT SINGH dissects the trends at Air India
4 min |
August 2025
Cruising Heights
Why India's Business Jets are out of Reach for Most
Despite a growing operation and increased business movements, India's general aviation ecosystem remains predominantly controlled by the nation's wealthiest individuals. Regulatory bottlenecks and high costs still come in the way of the speedy growth of this industry.
6 min |
August 2025
Cruising Heights
Boeing continues to lead the charge in freighters
Earlier this month, Air Lease Corp cancelled its order with Airbus for seven A350F. Airbus’ monthly orders and delivery report on July 9 indicated seven fewer orders for the new widebody cargo aircraft. Chief Executive Officer John Plueger confirmed that Air Lease cancelled the Airbus, saying development delays and the proliferation of tariffs contributed to the decision.
3 min |