Madurai will be the 16th Indian city with direct connectivity to Abu Dhabi and comes days after the airline announced direct flights from Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam to the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The milestone was completed on May 16 from Bombardier’s  Aircraft Assembly Centre in Mississauga, Ont., and the aircraft executed a series of tests, part of the production flight test procedures during the flight.

The jet landed under the command of pilot Sandro Novelli, assisted by co-pilot Charlie Honey and flight engineer Bhargav Bhavsar. All flight controls were exercised on the aircraft, and the systems and aircraft performed as expected.

This marks the latest milestone for Bombardier’s Global 8000 programme. The Global 8000 flight test vehicle (FTV) has exceeded expectations in flight testing and the first production aircraft will soon travel to Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal where interior completions will take place ahead of its planned entry-into-service (EIS) in the second half of 2025.

“This first production flight marks yet another successful milestone for Bombardier’s Global 8000 program and we are very pleased with how the aircraft performed on its maiden journey,” said Stephen McCullough, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Product Development, Bombardier. “Having this first production aircraft take to the skies is another important step in this journey that will redefine the business aviation landscape. With its low cabin altitude, luxurious and healthy cabin, signature smooth ride and unparalleled performance capabilities, the Global 8000 is the clear choice for discerning owners and operators who prioritise convenience and flexibility.”  

“This is a very special accomplishment for our Global 8000 aircraft, the latest highlight for this transformational business jet,” said David Murray, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, IT and Bombardier Operational Excellence System. “This first flight is a reflection of the dedication and high skill level of our engineering, production and flight teams to follow through and execute with precision and mastery at all stages of the manufacturing and flight-testing process.”

The Global 8000 unlocks more routes than ever before including Dubai to Houston, as well as introducing a first ever ultra-high cruise speed of Mach 0.92. At this average cruise speed, the Global 8000 can have a range of up to 4,200 nautical miles, getting you to your destinations in less time.

Since its founding in 2000 in Dubai, UAS has built a reputation for supporting high-profile international clientele and setting the standard in business aviation.

UAS has expanded rapidly with regional headquarters in Houston, Johannesburg, and Hong Kong, regional offices in Beijing, Lagos, and Nairobi, and a ground presence in over 30 countries. The company has made a lasting impact on the BizAv industry by setting new benchmarks in trip support, flight planning, ground handling, fuel services, and luxury charter experiences.

In 2024 alone, UAS completed over 111,000 service set-ups and arranged 20,000 trips across six continents, achieving an impressive 95% client satisfaction rating—a testament to its consistent performance and trusted partnership in the ever-demanding world of business aviation.

“We set out to pioneer in business aviation. Our 25-year journey has been defined by innovation, trust, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence,” said Omar Hosari, Founder and CEO of UAS. “We are proud of our global footprint and the strength of our relationships with our partners and our clients who rely on us to deliver flawlessly, no matter the complexity or urgency.”

“Our clients demand excellence at every level, and we make it our mission to exceed those expectations,” added Mohammed Husary, Founder and Executive President. “Our success is grounded in our people, our technology, and our relentless focus on proactive, anticipatory service solutions.”

The expansion is part of IndiGo’s strategic global growth plan and further strengthens its presence in the Middle East. This marks IndiGo’s fifth destination with direct connectivity in the UAE after Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.

The newly launched direct flight from Fujairah to Mumbai and followed by Kannur, not only caters to the growing demand for travel from both business and leisure travellers but also comes at a favourable time, as Fujairah strengthens its position on the global adventure tourism map. In a recent development, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah are planning to launch UAE’s first cross-emirate adventure trial. This opens up new experiences for Indian travellers seeking immersive outdoor getaways.

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, 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.”

Developed with airlines, airports, and industry partners, the roadmap sets a clear path to improve both operational efficiency and traveller satisfaction.

“Baggage is important for travellers. When they check a bag, they expect it to arrive on time. And if it doesn’t, they want to know where it is. That is confirmed by recent IATA polling showing 81% of travellers want better tracking, 74% expect real-time updates on their mobile phones and 67% are willing to switch to electronic bag tags. The Global Baggage Roadmap will move us closer to the automated digital baggage services that travellers want,” said Monika Mejstrikova, IATA’s Director of Ground Operations.

The Roadmap is built around three pillars:

Baggage Information Exchange and Data Standardisation to align how baggage information is shared among airlines, airports, and partners. For passengers, replacing legacy systems like teletype with modern messaging standards will mean faster baggage reconciliation, fewer delays due to data errors, and more reliable service recovery when issues arise. Driving transformation towards this new API-driven baggage messaging standards will significantly reduce the airline industry's annual spending of USD 1 billion on teletype messaging.

Baggage Tracking and Automation to provide visibility throughout the journey. This includes the use of electronic baggage tags, GPS tracking, and robotics that will enable passengers to track their bags in real time and experience smoother transfers and arrivals.

Streamlining the baggage claim process, combating fraud, and enhancing the customer experience so airlines can resolve passenger’s claims faster and have better protections from baggage-related fraud.

“This Roadmap will consolidate the progress of previous initiatives to modernise baggage processes and take a holistic view of where we need to be in 10 years. With the buy-in of all stakeholders we are better placed than ever to improve traveler satisfaction by delivering the digital, automated, and customer-focused service that they get in many other sectors,” said Mejstrikova.

The Global Baggage Roadmap aligns with IATA’s broader efforts to modernise ground operations, enhance safety, and improve the passenger experience. IATA will work closely with stakeholders to develop implementation guidance, provide training, and monitor progress.

Shri Vipin Kumar, the Chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India and South Asia, have joined the line-up of executive speakers at the Summit.

“We are delighted to welcome two such important speakers to Aviation India 2025, which will bring stakeholders from across India and South Asia to Delhi for our second Summit,” said Mark Brown, managing director of Times Aerospace Events, the organiser of Aviation India.

Under the title Aviation India 2025: Shaping the pathway for Indian aviation, the summit will debate and examine how the industry is transforming at pace to unlock growth bringing together leaders from across India and South Asia.

AAI’s Kumar will address expanding and enhancing India’s ground and air infrastructure, capacity and capabilities - a key component of delivering the country’s ambitious air transport goals.

The AAI’s mission encompasses the delivery of an airport network to meet the Indian Government’s Vision 2047 roadmap. AAI is responsible for developing and managing the country’s airport system, as well as managing and operating more than 100 of them.

AAI recently celebrated its 30th anniversary on 2 April. “India’s civil aviation sector is experiencing rapid growth, becoming a significant engine for economic expansion, with increased passenger traffic, infrastructure development, establishing India as the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world and government initiatives driving this surge,” said Kumar in his message on AAI’s 30th Annual Day.

Boeing India’s Gupte will address how the US manufacturer is working at scale within India, across commercial and defence aerospace, MRO, training, manufacturing and IT, to further the country's desire for sustainable aviation growth.

Boeing has been a trusted partner of India’s aerospace sector for more than 80 years, both as the mainstay of India’s growing commercial aviation sector, and in the modernisation and mission readiness of the country’s defence forces.

Today, Boeing’s sourcing from India stands at $1.25 billion a year from a network of more than 300 suppliers. Boeing currently employs 7,000 people in India, and more than 13,000 people work with its supply chain partners.

The Aviation India 2025 event builds on the formula of the successful Times Aerospace Aviation Africa events, which began in 2015 and have been successfully hosted in UAE. Rwanda, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa.

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo: “We are pleased to announce direct flights from Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam to Abu Dhabi, further growing our international network.  With the additions of these flights, IndiGo now operates over 100 weekly flights to Abu Dhabi from 15 cities in India. This also increases our frequencies to the UAE to 275 flights a week from 18 cities in India. As demand for direct international travel grows, we're committed to connecting India with global economic centres, ensuring on-time, affordable, and seamless travel across our expanding network.”

The aircraft, the fifth and sixth in this partnership, are expected to start operations by early 2026, serving long haul routes out of India.

This agreement builds upon the existing partnership between IndiGo and Norse Atlantic Airways. Earlier this year, IndiGo signed firm agreements for the damp lease of one Boeing 787-9 aircraft, followed by another firm agreement in quick succession for three more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The total number of wide-body aircraft under this strategic collaboration now stands at six, one of which has already arrived and operating on IndiGo’s Delhi–Bangkok route from March 1, 2025.

Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo, said: “We are pleased to deepen our partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways by signing our third agreement for addition of two more Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This move reinforces our commitment to international growth and our customers, promising to introduce more options on long-haul routes. As we accelerate towards our vision of becoming a global airline by 2030, this partnership enables us to bolster our wide-body operations while staying rooted in our India-first approach.”

Friends Touristik Marketing GmbH & CoKG will manage reservations and ticketing, assist with marketing initiatives, and deliver extensive passenger sales support across the region for Air India, ensuring efficient and tailored service for travel agents and customers.

This partnership aims to boost passenger traffic connecting to Air India’s flights from and to Vienna, Zurich, and beyond.

“We are truly honoured to represent a prestigious airline like Air India in the markets of Switzerland and Austria. As one of the largest and most respected carriers in the world, Air India embodies excellence, heritage, and global connectivity. We are proud to be part of the Air India family and look forward to contributing to its continued growth and success in our region.” said Natalia Zaragoza, CEO of Friends Touristik Marketing GmbH & CoKG.

Vista Verve received the Gold Award for Business Class Meal Service ware at the TravelPlus Airline Awards, while the airline’s in-flight entertainment system, Vista, was named Best IFEC South Asia 2025 at the PAX Readership Awards.