Air India has announced the launch of two new international routes as it continues to strengthen its presence across Asia. The airline will introduce non-stop flights between Delhi and Hanoi from 01 May 2026 and start direct services between Mumbai and Tokyo (Haneda) from 15 June 2026.

With the addition of Hanoi, Air India expands its footprint in Vietnam, making it the airline’s second destination in the country after Ho Chi Minh City. The Delhi - Hanoi route will operate five times a week and will complement the existing daily services to Ho Chi Minh City. This will give travellers greater flexibility, especially those planning open jaw itineraries, where they can enter Vietnam through Hanoi and depart from Ho Chi Minh City, or the other way around.

Air India will deploy its A320neo aircraft on the Delhi - Hanoi route. The aircraft offers cabin options across Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. The new route is expected to add around 7,028 seats every month between India and Vietnam. Passengers travelling on these flights will also benefit from convenient onward connections across Air India’s domestic network as well as international routes, including destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Strengthening connectivity with Japan, the airline will also launch non-stop flights between Mumbai and Tokyo (Haneda). The service will operate four times a week using Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The new Mumbai route will complement the airline’s existing Delhi - Tokyo (Haneda) flights.

Recently, Air India increased the frequency on the Delhi - Tokyo route from four weekly flights to daily services. From 14 February 2026, the airline also upgraded the route with its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, introducing Premium Economy for the first time along with enhanced cabin interiors and onboard experience.

Passengers travelling to Japan can now enjoy upgraded inflight entertainment systems, WiFi connectivity, and refreshed meal and beverage selections. Air India also maintains a codeshare partnership with fellow Star Alliance member airline All Nippon Airways (ANA), offering onward connections from Tokyo Haneda to cities such as Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, and Sapporo.

Speaking about the expansion, Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Since Air India’s privatisation, we have significantly grown our network across Southeast Asia and the Far East, having added several new routes, optimised flight schedules to enable convenient cross-continent connections, forged new partnerships with other carriers, and deploying upgraded cabin products progressively.”

He added: “Japan and Vietnam have both emerged as fast-growing destinations for Indian travellers, while India’s economic and commercial ties with both nations continue to deepen and present more opportunities for business and trade on both sides. The launch of these new routes supports this growth and strengthens our presence in the region.”

According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, more than 3,15,000 Indian travellers visited Japan in 2025, marking a 35% increase compared to 2024 and nearly 80% growth from pre-pandemic levels. Vietnam is also gaining popularity among leisure travellers and corporate groups, particularly for tourism and MICE activities, with the country welcoming over 20 million visitors in 2025.

The Delhi - Hanoi flights will begin from 01 May 2026 and the Mumbai - Tokyo (Haneda) services will start from 15 June 2026. Bookings will gradually open across all channels, including Air India’s official website, mobile app, and travel agents.

Emirates has begun gradually restoring its flight operations following the partial reopening of regional airspace. For now, the airline is running a reduced schedule while working towards bringing its entire network back to normal operations over the coming days, depending on airspace availability and operational requirements.

Safety remains the airline’s top priority as it continues to manage the situation while ensuring the wellbeing of passengers and staff. Despite the temporary adjustments, Emirates has maintained steady operations and connectivity across several international destinations.

On 6 March, the airline carried close to 30,000 passengers departing from Dubai. By 7 March, Emirates expects to operate 106 return flights daily to 83 destinations, which represents nearly 60 percent of its global route network.

The airline has also increased capacity in a few high-demand regions. In the United Kingdom, Emirates will run 11 daily flights across five airports by 7 March, reflecting strong travel demand between the UAE and the UK.

India remains a key market for the airline, with Emirates expanding its services to 22 daily flights by 7 March. These flights will connect all nine of its Indian gateways, helping maintain steady connectivity between India and Dubai.

In the United States, Emirates continues to operate flights to seven of its American gateways, ensuring that passengers travelling between the US and the UAE still have reliable options during this period.

Flights to these destinations are currently operating, and customers can check availability and make bookings through the airline’s official website. Emirates has also stated that passengers with earlier bookings will be given priority during this period. Customers are advised to travel to the airport only if they hold a confirmed booking.

The airline is closely monitoring developments and will continue to adjust its operations as required. Passengers are encouraged to regularly check emirates.com and the airline’s official social media channels for the latest updates.

Giorgio Servetto will bring a distinctive culinary experience to the Maldives this May as he collaborates with Atmosphere Core for a limited period takeover of two of the region’s renowned underwater restaurants. The exclusive collaboration will present a unique Garden to Sea Immersion concept beneath the waters of the Indian Ocean, combining Michelin level gastronomy with sustainable island sourcing.

The chef will host exclusive lunch and dinner experiences at Only BLU from 7th to 9th May 2026, followed by a second showcase at M6m (Minus Six Metres) from 12th to 14th May 2026. As part of the culinary showcase, a signature Crab Dinner Experience will also be presented at Hudhu Bay at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO.

Presented as a five course menu at both underwater venues, the dining experience will reflect Chef Servetto’s culinary philosophy rooted in circular cuisine and zero waste precision. Developed together with the Atmosphere Core culinary team, the menu will focus on island grown ingredients including hydroponic greens cultivated on Maadhoo Island, fresh vegetables sourced from local farms, and responsibly sourced seafood from the Indian Ocean. The approach highlights a transparent and measurable commitment to sustainable dining while celebrating the natural bounty of the islands.

“Creativity begins with listening, to the land, the sea, and what they give you,” says Chef Giorgio Servetto. “My cuisine is about simplifying. When you respect ingredients fully, every element finds its purpose and flavour becomes clearer. You are a guest in nature’s elegant dining room. It is especially exciting to bring this experience to the Maldives for the first time with Atmosphere Core, where serving food in this underwater realm makes the journey feel even more special.”

Born and professionally shaped in Liguria, Italy, Chef Servetto is recognised for a disciplined yet curious approach to cooking. His culinary philosophy combines research, cultural exchange, and continuous experimentation. The chef remains the only culinary professional in Liguria to hold both a Michelin Red Star and a Michelin Green Star and is also the only chef from the region to have received Red Stars at two different restaurants.

According to Anupam Banerjee, Vice President Food and Beverage at Atmosphere Core, the collaboration reflects the group’s long term commitment to responsible gastronomy. “This kind of culinary experience feels very natural to us. We are focused on bringing conscious dining into everything we do. Our approach to circular cuisine comes from working closely with what’s grown on our islands and what the sea provides responsibly. Collaborating with Chef Servetto has been inspiring. His way of thinking aligns instinctively with ours, and together we’ve designed something enriching, grounded and memorable, a new experience that our guests can genuinely enjoy and take with them.”

The underwater venues themselves are designed to elevate the sensory experience. Only BLU, one of the Maldives’ largest underwater restaurants, features a cobalt washed dining room surrounded by marine life, while M6m offers a more intimate dining experience six metres below the ocean surface with sweeping underwater views. In both settings, the ambience encourages guests to slow down and fully immerse themselves in the flavours and surroundings.

Located within convenient reach of Velana International Airport, OBLU SELECT Lobigili and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO provide accessible gateways for travellers seeking immersive luxury experiences. Through this collaboration, Atmosphere Core continues to position itself at the forefront of experiential gastronomy where sustainability, creativity, and a strong sense of place come together.

In a time when luxury dining is evolving toward more thoughtful and responsible experiences, this underwater culinary takeover highlights a refined vision of the future where fine dining becomes quieter, deeper, and more connected to nature.