24 Apr 2025
#4 April 2025: India Aviation Newsletter
Air India Express Begins Operations from Goa’s Mopa Airport
Air India Express launched operations from Manohar International Airport (GOX) in North Goa on 15 April 2025, offering a mix of domestic and international routes. The airline now flies twice daily to Delhi, with daily (six days a week) flights to Bengaluru, Indore, and Chennai. Beginning 3 May, services to Hyderabad and Kuwait will be added, followed by Abu Dhabi on 5 May. With this launch, Air India Express now operates over 115 weekly flights from both Goa airports, positioning itself as a key player in the region.
FLY91 Partners with Paytm to Enhance Digital Booking Experience
Regional airline FLY91 has entered a strategic partnership with Paytm to boost its digital-first customer experience. Through this collaboration, travellers can book tickets via Paytm’s travel platform, which boasts a massive nationwide user base. FLY91, based out of Mopa Airport, serves underserved destinations like Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, and Agatti, connecting them with major cities including Goa, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. CEO Manoj Chacko highlighted the partnership as a natural fit with both companies focused on accessible regional air travel and convenient booking experiences.
IndiGo Expands Business Product IndiGoStretch to Bengaluru–Mumbai Route
IndiGo is expanding its IndiGoStretch business product to flights between Bengaluru and Mumbai starting 1 May 2025. Already available on routes such as Delhi–Mumbai, Delhi–Bengaluru, and Delhi–Bangkok, IndiGoStretch will be offered on select Airbus A321neo aircraft. The premium experience includes priority check-in, flexible boarding, curated meals from The Oberoi, and increased baggage allowance (30 kg check-in, 12 kg cabin). IndiGo plans to roll out IndiGoStretch on 45 aircraft covering 12 routes and over 260 daily flights by the end of the year.
Acumen’s Take
On Air India Express’ Expansion from Mopa Airport
Air India Express is making a strong regional and international push with its expansion at North Goa’s Mopa Airport, effectively turning Goa into a dual-airport hub. The combination of high-frequency domestic services and new Middle East routes showcases a strategic approach to network growth, especially in leisure-heavy and expatriate markets.
On FLY91’s Partnership with Paytm
This tie-up reflects a smart, tech-enabled strategy for FLY91 to reach Tier 2 and 3 travellers through a trusted platform. The integration with Paytm gives the regional carrier a strong digital footprint and complements its mission to connect remote destinations with major urban centres. Acumen sees this as a win-win for boosting visibility and regional connectivity.
On IndiGoStretch’s Expansion to Bengaluru–Mumbai
IndiGo is responding to increased demand for comfort in high-density business routes by expanding its IndiGoStretch service. The offering combines cost-effective luxury with operational scale, making it a distinctive value proposition in the domestic premium segment. Acumen believes this strengthens IndiGo’s competitive edge on India’s busiest city pairs.
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