08 Oct 2026

#2 October 2026: India Aviation Newsletter

Air India and Singapore Airlines Expand Strategic Partnership

Air India and Singapore Airlines will introduce wider booking options from 15 October 2026 across 126 weekly flights connecting Singapore with eight Indian cities, allowing eligible standalone flights operated by either airline to be booked through the other carrier’s sales channels. The changes form the first phase of their Commercial Cooperation Framework Agreement, with enhanced reciprocal benefits for Maharaja Club and KrisFlyer members planned from the second quarter of 2027.

Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air Raise Fuel Surcharges

Air India and Air India Express will introduce revised fuel surcharges from 9 October 2026, ranging from ₹400 to ₹1,200 on domestic flights and US$ 55 to US$ 215 on international services as aviation turbine fuel costs rise. Akasa Air will apply domestic surcharges of ₹375 to ₹1,150 and a ₹2,500 one-way charge on selected international routes, following IndiGo’s fuel charge revisions earlier in the month.

Ministry Asks Mumbai Airport to Defer International Flight Transfers

India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has asked Mumbai International Airport Limited to defer plans to transfer 265 weekly international flights to Navi Mumbai International Airport by 25 October 2026, following airline concerns over flight allocation, operational readiness and passenger connections. The operator must consult airlines and other stakeholders to develop an agreed transition plan before seeking regulatory approvals.

Acumen’s Take

On Air India and Singapore Airlines’ Partnership

The leadership transition comes at an important stage in Air India’s transformation, where operational consistency and financial discipline remain closely linked. Clear execution across safety, fleet, network and cost management will be central to the next phase of the programme.

On Rising Fuel Surcharges

Higher surcharges may recover part of the additional fuel bill, but could also weaken demand on price-sensitive routes. For lessors and investors, the balance between cost recovery and passenger volumes will be relevant when assessing airline margins and cash flow.

On Mumbai’s Airport Transition

Moving international services between airports requires careful coordination of schedules, ground handling and connecting traffic. A jointly agreed transition plan should reduce disruption and give airlines greater certainty when planning aircraft deployment and utilisation.