Air India Express, India’s first international value carrier, has commenced direct operations from Ahmedabad and Chandigarh to Bengaluru, further strengthening its domestic network. Services from Dehradun to Bengaluru are also set to begin on 15 September.

The airline will now operate twice daily from Chandigarh to Bengaluru and increase Ahmedabad–Bengaluru flights to twice daily from 16 September. These routes expand Bengaluru’s role as the carrier’s largest domestic hub, offering wider connectivity for both leisure and business travellers across India and select international destinations.

The inaugural flight from Chandigarh, operated by a new Boeing aircraft featuring a livery inspired by Punjab’s traditional Phulkari textile, departed at 16:40 and arrived in Bengaluru at 19:40. Earlier in the day, the first Ahmedabad–Bengaluru service took off at 11:00. To mark the occasion, a commemorative event was held at Chandigarh Airport, where the first guest was presented with a special boarding pass.

Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said: “Our new routes from Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and soon Dehradun to Bengaluru reflect our commitment to creating meaningful connections between state capitals and major metros. With thoughtfully curated fares including our cabin-bag only Xpress Lite fare, comfortable seats, hot meals onboard, and our unique ‘Tales of India’ aircraft liveries, we deliver a warm, distinctly Indian travel experience with every flight. This expansion is another step towards building our pan-India network serving leisure and business travellers with efficiency.”

The new flights also expand one-stop connections through Bengaluru. From Ahmedabad, travellers gain access to 26 domestic destinations and three international points, while passengers from Chandigarh can connect to 22 domestic destinations and Kathmandu. Bengaluru continues to remain the largest domestic hub for Air India Express, handling more than 405 weekly flights to 34 domestic destinations and three international cities.

The airline’s Tales of India initiative continues to celebrate India’s artistic heritage, with over 50 unique aircraft tail designs. Additionally, travellers booking on these routes can access “Xpress Holidays,” the airline’s platform offering curated travel packages with flights, accommodation, transport, and activities.

With these additions, Air India Express strengthens its network strategy of enhancing point-to-point travel while also supporting wider connectivity through its Bengaluru hub.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has completed 25 years of operations in Chennai, a key hub in its South India network. Since launching its first flight on 1 September 2000, the airline has carried more than 10.7 million passengers on over 38,000 flights between Dubai and Chennai.

The milestone celebration was joined by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, while Chennai International Airport commemorated the occasion with a water cannon salute for the arrival of EK544.

Mohammad Sarhan, Vice President, Emirates – India and Nepal, said, “We are delighted to celebrate 25 years of service to Chennai and connecting its people to our global network. We would like to thank M.K Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, for joining us in our celebration, marking an important partnership that has grown from strength to strength over the years. The unwavering support of the authorities and all local stakeholders has been invaluable to the success of our operations and we extend our sincere gratitude on the occasion.”

Over the past two and a half decades, Emirates has enhanced Chennai’s global connectivity by providing access to its network across six continents. The airline has enabled businesses to expand into new markets and supported demand from business travellers, leisure passengers, and the visiting friends and relatives segment. Popular destinations for passengers from Chennai include New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington D.C., Dallas, Boston, Seattle, Paris, London, Manchester, and Frankfurt.

Emirates also carries significant inbound traffic into Chennai, particularly from Kuwait and North America. On the cargo front, Emirates SkyCargo has played a vital role in trade, transporting high-value and time-sensitive commodities such as fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and engineering goods. In the last financial year alone, it uplifted 19,300 tonnes of cargo from Chennai, creating export opportunities for local farmers, manufacturers, and businesses.

Travellers continue to experience Emirates’ signature Fly Better service, featuring fully enclosed First Class suites, direct aisle access in Business Class, and award-winning inflight entertainment with over 6,500 channels. The airline also offers regionally inspired cuisine, including vegan options, paired with curated wine and beverage selections.

As Emirates celebrates 25 years in Chennai, it reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening global connectivity, supporting industries, and contributing to the city’s role as a vital gateway for South India.

SpiceJet has taken a pioneering step towards digital innovation and eco-friendly travel by becoming the first airline in India to roll out paperless boarding at Shillong Airport. Passengers checking in at the airport counter will now receive their boarding passes directly on WhatsApp, eliminating the need for printed copies.

This new feature aims to make the check-in process faster, greener, and more seamless. By reducing reliance on paper, the initiative also aligns with SpiceJet’s commitment to sustainability.

Despite the availability of web check-in and Digi Yatra, Indian airports still printed more than 9 million boarding passes in June 2025, resulting in nearly 6 tonnes of carbon emissions. SpiceJet’s move directly addresses this avoidable footprint, setting a new standard for environmentally conscious aviation practices.

The paperless boarding feature is powered by SpiceJet’s indigenously developed Web Departure Control System (WEBDCS)- a browser-based platform that enables airport staff to issue:

Digital boarding passes via WhatsApp or email

Baggage tags via SMS

This system works on tablets as well as standard airport computers, ensuring smooth operations while enhancing efficiency.

Speaking on the milestone, GP Gupta, Chief Strategy Officer, SpiceJet, said, “At SpiceJet, we are constantly working to enhance the travel experience for our passengers while embracing sustainability. The introduction of paperless boarding at Shillong Airport is a significant step in that direction. We look forward to expanding this convenience-driven initiative across more airports in the near future”.

SpiceJet has confirmed plans to extend the WhatsApp-based paperless boarding experience to other domestic airports in the coming months, furthering its position as a leader in sustainable and passenger-centric air travel.

About SpiceJet:

SpiceJet is India’s favourite airline, making flying affordable for millions of Indians. An IATA-IOSA certified carrier, it operates a fleet of Boeing 737s and Q-400s and is among the country’s largest regional players, operating multiple daily flights under UDAN – the Regional Connectivity Scheme. A majority of its fleet features SpiceMax, India’s most spacious economy-class seating.