30 May 2025
#5 May 2025: India Aviation Newsletter
Air India Makes Historic First Delivery of Life-Saving Pharmaceuticals via Airport-to-Door Service
Air India has successfully delivered its first airport-to-door international cargo shipment of life-saving pharmaceuticals. The journey began in Delhi, where four lower-deck pallets were carefully loaded onto an Air India flight bound for Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Upon landing, the shipment was transferred to a temperature-controlled Road Feeder Service (RFS) truck, ensuring the life-saving drugs remained within the strict range of 15 to 25°C as they travelled through Europe to Brussels. Just 36 hours after departure, the pharmaceuticals—arranged by SUN Pharma, a leading provider of speciality generics—arrived safely at the consignee’s warehouse.
Air India Head of Cargo, Ramesh Mamidala, said, “With the GDP certification, we have now become India’s only carrier with trained staff to manage active pharmaceuticals. These first shipments of our new airport-to-door service are a step forward in progressively pivoting our cargo offering from ‘airport-to-airport’ to world-class ‘airport-to-door’ services, delivered to the highest standards. It’s not just about getting it there, it’s about getting it there right – with precision.”
IndiGo Adds Fujairah as 41st International Destination
IndiGo has launched daily direct flights connecting Mumbai and Kannur to Fujairah, located on the UAE’s eastern coast. This makes Fujairah IndiGo’s 41st international and fifth UAE destination, joining Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.
IndiGo Head of Global Sales, Mr. Vinay Malhotra, said, “We are pleased to commence daily direct operations between Mumbai as well as Kannur to Fujairah, UAE's hidden gem known for its natural beauty and growing economic significance. IndiGo already flies to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and now also to Fujairah in the UAE. As our 41st international destination and fifth in the UAE, Fujairah offers immense potential for trade, tourism, & business. With these flights, IndiGo connects 20 Indian cities to the UAE with over 280 weekly flights, furthering our goal of global connectivity while offering affordable, on-time, and seamless travel experiences to our customers.”
Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Unveils Wings India 2026 Event
Under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister Sh. Ram Mohan Naidu, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, hosted a curtain raiser event for Wings India 2026, Asia's largest civil aviation event, at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi. Organised in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), the upcoming event is scheduled to take place from January 28th to 31st, 2026, at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. It will bring together key global stakeholders, including airlines, manufacturers, state governments, investors, airport developers, cargo and logistics companies, MROs, skill development agencies, and financial institutions.
Hon’ble Minister Ram Mohan Naidu also announced the event theme—“Indian Aviation: Paving the Future - from Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability.” He reaffirmed India’s commitment to global aviation with skies full of opportunities, fair policies, and sincere partnerships, adding, “I am confident that Wings 2026 will build on its legacy, drawing even greater participation from industry partners and aviation enthusiasts from India and across the globe. I perceive Wings India 2026 as more than an event—it is a vision statement, a bold declaration of India’s ambition to not merely participate in global aviation but to lead it.”
Acumen’s Take
On Air India’s Airport-to-Door Pharmaceutical Shipment
This shipment marks a significant leap for Air India’s cargo division, moving it from conventional airport-to-airport freight to high-value, temperature-sensitive door-to-door logistics. The use of GDP-certified staff and a successful 36-hour international cold chain operation demonstrates operational maturity and market-readiness for pharma logistics. By collaborating with established pharmaceutical clients like SUN Pharma and showcasing seamless multimodal connectivity, Air India is signalling its intent to become a strategic player in integrated healthcare logistics—a growing and premium segment of air cargo.
On IndiGo’s Launch of the Fujairah Route
Fujairah’s addition to IndiGo’s network underscores the airline’s aggressive international expansion strategy, especially in the UAE, where it now serves five key cities. The route not only taps into emerging tourism and business potential but also reflects the growing decentralisation of Gulf aviation hubs. With over 280 weekly flights to the UAE, IndiGo is deepening its role in India–GCC connectivity and reinforcing its reputation as a dominant low-cost carrier bridging Tier-2 Indian cities with regional economic zones.
On the Launch of Wings India 2026
The curtain raiser for Wings India 2026 offers a timely reminder of India’s ambitions to be a global aviation powerhouse. With its declared theme linking design, manufacturing, safety, and sustainability, the event places India squarely at the intersection of innovation and infrastructure. For stakeholders, this is more than an airshow—it’s a platform to assess India’s trajectory as a leading OEM, MRO, and investment destination. The Minister’s emphasis on fair policy and partnerships signals a continued push to build a balanced, liberalised, and forward-looking aviation ecosystem.
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