Paddle Your Own Kanoo
• Mateusz Maszczynski
Air India and Air India Express have suspended service to Riyadh and Dammam through Nov. 7 and to Jeddah through Oct. 31, while Akasa Air has extended its Saudi flight suspensions. Riyadh Air plans to restart limited operations from Al Qassim, about 400 km from Riyadh, with a complimentary 4.5-hour bus connection after attacks on Riyadh’s airport.
Air India
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Air India and Air India Express have suspended service to Riyadh and Dammam through Nov. 7 and to Jeddah through Oct. 31, while Akasa Air has extended its Saudi flight suspensions. Riyadh Air plans to restart limited operations from Al Qassim, about 400 km from Riyadh, with a complimentary 4.5-hour bus connection after attacks on Riyadh’s airport.
Air India is introducing restaurant-style dining, personalized service and new tableware in business class on select long-haul flights. The change brings a more tailored onboard dining experience to part of the carrier’s premium offering; the report does not specify which routes or when the rollout will expand.
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Air India has formed a dedicated team to identify savings across its operations and tightened spending approvals, according to an internal memo. CEO Tewolde Gebremariam cited airspace disruptions, the Middle East conflict and high jet fuel costs as pressures on the airline.
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Norse Atlantic has signed an ACMI agreement to operate two 787-9s for Pakistan International Airlines, with service on PIA’s UK routes expected to begin as early as next month. The deal gives Norse a place for aircraft after its IndiGo arrangement ended, while PIA’s new private owners weigh fleet options as roughly half its aircraft are inactive.
Air India and its low-cost affiliate are reportedly being considered for a merger of back-office operations. The available report does not specify which functions would be combined, the structure of the arrangement or a timeline, leaving the operational scope of the proposed consolidation unclear.
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The expanded partnership adds flight and booking options between India and Singapore, with the airlines set to offer 126 weekly flights from October 2026. The agreement also promises expanded connectivity and frequent-flyer benefits, strengthening the airlines’ commercial link across the two markets.
After four years of expansion, Air India’s CEO Tewolde Gebremariam is urging employees to focus on strengthening the airline’s operating performance. The priorities are safety, reliability and improved profitability, signaling a shift from growth alone toward more disciplined execution.
After four years of expansion, Air India CEO-designate Tewolde Gebremariam is shifting the focus toward execution: improving safety, on-time performance and baggage handling while rebuilding customer confidence and delivering sustainable profitability. The priorities mark an effort to turn a larger airline into a more dependable and financially stronger operation.
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