Asia-Pacific (APAC) News

Air Data News

Lockheed offers C-130J upgrades as India weighs 60-aircraft transport competition

Lockheed Martin is offering to modernize the Indian Air Force’s existing C-130J-30 fleet as part of its campaign for India’s Medium Transport Aircraft competition. The contest calls for 60 new transport aircraft, tying a potential fleet upgrade to the broader procurement effort.

Skift

Navi Mumbai airport expands ground transport as airlines contest flight shifts from Mumbai

Navi Mumbai International Airport is adding buses, taxis and airport shuttles, with services connecting Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune ahead of the 2026-27 winter schedule. Separately, airlines are disputing flight reductions tied to Mumbai airport Terminal 1’s planned redevelopment from January 2027, objecting to the proposed shift of international operations to Navi Mumbai.

Space.com

High activity

SpaceX launches span rideshare, military and Starlink missions as ISS crew rotations continue

Launch coverage points to flights from SpaceX, South Korea and China, including a South Korean Earth-observation payload and a Chinese Long March 12 mission. Separately, SpaceX’s Transporter-18 carried Star Catcher’s orbital power-beaming prototype, while NASA and SpaceX targeted Crew-12’s return and NASA named the Crew-14 astronauts for a spring 2027 mission.

Economic Times

High activity

IndiGo raises fuel charges from Oct. 6 as jet fuel prices jump more than 13%

IndiGo will raise fuel charges on new domestic and international bookings from Oct. 6, 2026, after aviation turbine fuel prices rose more than 13% since the start of the month. The airline says it is its third increase this year, reflecting sustained pressure from higher fuel costs.

FlightGlobal

Air Astana plans first direct Japan flights, with JAL codeshare on Almaty–Tokyo Narita route

Air Astana plans to begin direct flights between Almaty and Tokyo Narita toward the end of the year, marking its first service to Japan. Japan Airlines will codeshare on the route, extending its reach through the new connection.

FlightGlobal

Manila condemns Chinese J-16 intercept of Philippine aircraft as unsafe

A Chinese military aircraft, identified as a Shenyang J-16, conducted what Manila described as a dangerous intercept of a Philippine aircraft, identified in the report’s headline as a Grand Caravan. The Philippines condemned the conduct of the Chinese aircrew; the article provides no further details on the encounter.

ch-aviation

China Eastern approves $507 million investment in Shanghai Pudong production support area

China Eastern Airlines’ board approved a CNY3.4 billion ($507 million) investment in a production support area at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The project is part of the airport’s Phase IV expansion, linking the carrier’s base development to a major airport infrastructure program.

ch-aviation

Xiamen Airlines appoints new general manager

Xiamen Airlines has appointed a new general manager, marking a leadership change at one of China’s major airline operators.