Cruising Heights Magazine - May 2025

In this issue

May 2025

STARTING AN AIRLINE

There is something about aviation that seems to tickle people in South Asia ever so often.

2 mins

FROZEN SKIES FOR AVIATION

The closure of airspace between India and Pakistan represents one of the most disruptive consequences of the post-Pahalgam geopolitics in the region. What began as a temporary security measure during moments of crisis has evolved into a prolonged aviation deadlock with economic costs for both nations. For India, it will be an economic hit for the airlines, longer travel time, fewer non-stop flights, but for a bankrupt Pakistan, it will mean loss of millions of dollars in overflight fees

10+ mins

EBACE 2025 DITCHES THE TARMAC FOR THE THINK TANK

EBACE 2025 is shaping up to be a watershed moment in the evolution of one of Europe’s most prestigious business aviation events. Held annually in Geneva, the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) has long been synonymous with cutting-edge aircraft displays and top-tier networking. But this year, everything is changing.

6 mins

BUSINESS AVIATION DRIVERS IN EMERGING MARKETS

India's business aviation sector is on the cusp of rapid growth, driven by new ownership models, rising private air travel demand, and emerging technologies, despite infrastructure and regulatory hurdles, highlights RASHEED KAPPAN

8 mins

BASE EFFECT

There is a growing need for FBOs to drive growth of business and private aviation in India. As business aviation expands in India, Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) are emerging as vital infrastructure, promising faster operations and a premium experience for private jet users, highlights ATUL CHANDRA

4 mins

THE FUTURE OF PILOT TRAINING: WHY INDIA NEEDS ITS SIMULATORS

India is at the cusp of an aviation boom. But the availability of trained pilots is still a key issue confronting the sector. KHUSHBEG JATTANA, General Manager for Simaero India, articulates the need for training pilots in India, to save foreign currency, save costs, prevent inordinate delays and avoid the inconvenience faced by airlines training pilots abroad.

4 mins

WILL DHOLERA POSITION INDIA AS A LOGISTICS POWERHOUSE?

The Dholera Airport, rising from the arid landscape approximately 80 kilometres south of Ahmedabad, isn’t just another infrastructure project. It’s the cornerstone of what could become India’s most audacious urban experiment—the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), a $30 billion smart city dreamed up as the crown jewel of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). NIDHI SHARMA reports.

8 mins

Transforming In-flight Connectivity

Intelsat is driving a new era of inflight connectivity with its multi-orbit satellite networks, delivering high-speed, reliable Wi-Fi across North America, Asia, and India.

7 mins

TRANSFORMATION IN THE MAKING

Hybrid-electric propulsion is set to reshape general aviation, with key technologies matur- ing through global test programmes and prototypes. Hybrid propulsion for general aviation aeroplanes could be a reality, sooner than we think, writes ATUL CHANDRA

7 mins

UNTAPPED SKIES OF INDIA

Beyond the bustling metros, India's hidden private airfields and surging charter demand could rewrite the future of aviation — if policy, infrastructure, and innovation take flight together, highlights RASHEED KAPPAN

8 mins

BLUE SKY EXPERIENCE

Cutting-edge in-flight entertainment and connectivity upgrades—from Starlink to smart cabin systems—are redefining the luxury and productivity of business jet travel, writes MIKE RAJKUMAR

6 mins

100 million by 2027 !

Delhi Airport aims to achieve its place as a global aviation gateway.

2 mins

Air India daily flights to Tokyo Haneda

Air India announced the expansion of its non-stop service Abe increasing flights to daily flights, starting 15 June 2025.

1 min

Air India receives GDP certification for cargo business

Air India, has been awarded the Good Distribution Practices (GDP) certification for its Cargo business, reinforcing its commitment to delivering world-class logistics solutions for pharmaceutical products.

1 min

Air Cargo Demand Grows 4.4 per cent in March

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for March 2025 global air cargo markets, showing:

1 min

Star Air Accelerates Growth with Fleet

Star Air, India's most consistent regional airline, announced a Smaj Embraer E175 jet, into its growing fleet.

1 min

FLY91 to purchase two ATR aircraft simultaneously

FLY91, a pure play regional airline, currently operates 100+ flights and looks to scale up its operations to 150 weekly flights to cater to the busy rush during the summer schedule.

1 min

EFW and Confity Capital Partners Sign Conversion Agreement

Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), Even Airbus freighter conversions, today announced it has signed an agreement with Confity Capital Partners (Confity), a UAE-based growth equity and investment firm, on a multiaircraft order for its Airbus A330 (P2F) Passenger-to-Freighter programme.

2 mins

Mumbai to Host Inter Passenger Terminal Show 2025

The upcoming Inter Passenger Terminal Show 2025 (IPTS 2025) has signed on key partners including Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIAL) as the Airport Partner.

2 mins

Air India SATS inaugurates worldclass Logistics Park at BIAL

Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS), announced the launch of the AISATS BLR Logistics Park at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport).

3 mins

IndiGo Names Michael Whitaker as Independent Director

IndiGo announced that Michael Whitaker will join as an Independent Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. agency in charge of air safety, efficiency, and the operation of the national air traffic system in the U.S.A. He resigned from the FAA in January of this year.

1 min

Eating on the floor!

Sticking to one’s roots is highly commendable and appreciated, but when done appropriately, however, a Gujarati man has taken the traditional way of Indian eating much more seriously than can be appreciated.

1 min

Read all stories from Cruising Heights

Cruising Heights Magazine Description:

CRUISING HEIGHTS is India's best known monthly aviation magazine with equal interests in air cargo, travel and tourism. In its four years of existence, Cruising Heights has received accolades from the Minister of Civil Aviation, Aviation CEOs, Airport Developers, Travel Agents Associations and others for its path-breaking stories.One of the first true aviation magazines of the country, Cruising Heights was started with the idea of supporting professionals in the airline business to make informed choices on a variety of subjects from ground handling to cargo to airport development-all of which are transforming the Indian aviation scene in mind-boggling ways. Later, due to the interest it generated and in response to demands from the travel and tourism industry stakeholders we have targeted the general reader-the educated Indian who is keen to be an informed Indian-to know what's happening in the business.