Latest News.

Indigo to start cargo business converted 2 passenger jets to a full freighter.

IndiGo Leaves Behind 37 Bags Of Passengers At Hyderabad Airport

National, April 21, 2021: Building on the success of the CarGo business in recent years, IndiGo – India’s
leading carrier – has initiated a freighter programme and is in the process of sourcing 4 A321ceo aircraft
each of which will be converted from passenger jets to a full freighter configuration. A Letter of Intent
has been signed with a lessor for two aircraft already, and IndiGo expects to reach agreement for the
next two shortly. The initiative will make best use of the natural synergies that IndiGo offers, using the
same pool of pilots and engineers that fly and service its current fleet.

India is about to sign a new multibillion-dollar deal with the US for P-8I sub-killers.

The A321P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter conversion) is the most efficient narrow-bodied freighter
available, offering 24 container positions and supporting a payload of up to 27 tonnes. These are being
converted through a programme involving ST Engineering and Airbus with their joint venture, Elbe
FlugzeugWerke (EFW).

IndiGo is expected to take the delivery of its first freighter in the first half of 2022, which will be used
for both domestic and regional missions. The remaining three aircraft in the initial commitment are
expected to arrive within a year or so from arrival of our first freighter, and further aircraft may be
sourced depending on market development.

Airbus introduces the A220-100 and A220-300

Mr. Ronojoy Dutta, Chief Executive Officer and Wholetime Director, IndiGo said, “CarGo has been a
success story over the last year, scaling new heights and creating new records, but our belief in the
cargo business goes beyond the special circumstances right now. IndiGo was already the largest carrier
of cargo in domestic India before Covid-19, and we expect the market to continue to grow after the
pandemic. Our investment in the Airbus Freighter Programme will help strengthen our product and
services in the segment, and not only help accelerate our own business recovery but also be a strong
engine of economic growth for the country.”

Africa

Qantas to deploy A380s to Africa for the first time

Qantas is making history today as its inaugural Airbus A380 flight takes off for Johannesburg, marking the first time the national carrier has operated the Superjumbo to Africa.

This monumental move means up to six flights per week, nearly doubling the capacity between Australia and Africa, adding an impressive 130,000 seats annually. The qantas A380 is capable of carrying 485 passengers across four luxurious cabins. This deployment marks the return of First Class on this route, a feature not seen since 2018.

Air India to Implement Fatigue Report Verification for Flight Crew

The First Class section offers 14 exclusive suites arranged in a spacious 1-1-1 configuration, each converting into a 212-centimeter bed. Additionally, Premium Economy seats are more than doubling, providing even more options for travelers.

Passengers in First and Business Class can enjoy the upper deck lounge, featuring booth-style seating for 10 people, a self-service bar, and an opportunity to order signature drinks and snacks.

Qantas’ history with South Africa dates back to 1948 when the airline first touched down in Johannesburg with a Lancastrian survey flight from Sydney. The journey evolved over the years, transitioning from 66-hour flights on the Lockheed Constellation L-749A—affectionately known as the “Wallaby Route“—to today’s nonstop journeys across the southern Indian Ocean. This is the first airbus a380 capacity flight operated by any airline over this route, a significant milestone for aviation.

Southwest Airlines Unveils 3-Year ‘Southwest. Even Better.’ Plan for Growth

Looking ahead, Qantas plans to relaunch direct flights from Perth to Johannesburg in mid-2025, pending border agency approvals. Alongside this expansion, Qantas has announced a new codeshare partnership with Johannesburg-based Airlink, which will dramatically extend its reach across South Africa.

This partnership allows seamless travel between Qantas flights to Johannesburg and nine other South African destinations, including Cape Town, Durban, and Hoedspruit, with plans to expand to more destinations in the near future.

Tickets for the A380 flights are now available on the Qantas website and via travel agents, with codeshare connections on Airlink ready for travel from late October 2024. All Qantas international fares come with checked baggage, meals, beverages, and qantas entertainment movie list ensuring a comfortable journey for every passenger.