India’s aviation sector is buzzing with activity as the country prepares for a festive season marked by a surge in travel demand, new flight routes, and the resumption of long-awaited international connections. As October 2025 unfolds, airlines, regulators, and travelers are witnessing a flurry of developments that promise to reshape the travel landscape across India and beyond.
One of the most significant announcements comes from Air India Express, which is set to launch daily flights between Indore and Goa’s Dabolim International Airport starting October 26, 2025. According to Asian Aviation, this move not only strengthens connectivity between central India and the popular coastal destination but also underscores Air India Express’s expanding footprint. From Indore alone, the airline now operates more than 45 weekly flights, connecting directly to 36 domestic cities, including major hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, North Goa, and Pune, as well as internationally to Sharjah. Additionally, passengers can access 25 other domestic destinations and seven international cities—including Bahrain, Dammam, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait, Muscat, and Phuket—via one-stop connections.
Goa, too, is seeing increased air traffic, with Air India Express offering 40 weekly flights to six domestic locations and direct international service to Dubai. The airline’s robust network ensures that both leisure and business travelers have a wide array of options, whether flying within India or venturing abroad.
But it’s not just new routes that are making headlines. The ongoing expansion of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is prompting a significant reshuffle in terminal operations. Starting October 26, 2025, Air India will relocate 60 of its 180 daily domestic departures from Terminal 3 (T3) to the upgraded Terminal 2 (T2), while Air India Express will move all its domestic operations to the newly renovated Terminal 1 (T1). As Asian Aviation reports, all international flights for both carriers will continue from T3. To ease the transition, travelers with connecting flights will be offered inter-terminal transfers, and airlines will proactively notify affected passengers to minimize confusion.
Meanwhile, Akasa Air is carving out a larger presence in southern India. The airline has commenced daily direct flights from Kozhikode (Calicut) to Mumbai as of October 1, 2025, further integrating Kerala into its national and international network. Akasa Air now boasts 28 weekly departures from Kochi and Kozhikode, linking Kerala to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jeddah, and Abu Dhabi. Since its Kerala debut in 2022, Akasa has steadily expanded, supporting the state’s vital travel, tourism, and trade sectors.
International carriers are also adapting to changing times and traveler expectations. Emirates, for example, has implemented new regulations regarding power banks. Effective October 1, 2025, passengers may carry only one power bank under 100 Watt Hours, but its use is strictly prohibited onboard. Instead, Emirates encourages travelers to fully charge their devices before departure and utilize the in-seat charging facilities provided. This policy aims to enhance onboard safety while still accommodating the needs of tech-savvy passengers.
On the culinary front, China Airlines is making waves with its sustainability initiatives. Beginning October 1, 2025, the Taiwan-based carrier has partnered with Little Tree Food—a Michelin Green Star and Bib Gourmand restaurant—to introduce a new Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal menu on long-haul flights departing from Taoyuan. According to Asian Aviation, passengers in all cabin classes can now savor plant-based Western-style breakfasts, such as Truffle Scrambled Eggs and Salt-baked Sweet Potato in Premium Business, French Toast with creamy scrambled eggs in Premium Economy, and Mushroom Fajita Omelette in Economy. This collaboration marks a fresh chapter in in-flight dining, marrying health, flavor, and sustainability at 30,000 feet.
In terms of network expansion, STARLUX Airlines and Alaska Airlines have deepened their codeshare partnership, adding 12 new U.S. cities and bringing the total to 20 American destinations now linked to Taipei. The enhanced agreement streamlines booking and check-in processes for travelers, with seamless transfers through Alaska’s domestic network and STARLUX’s international gateways in San Francisco and Seattle. New codeshare cities include Minneapolis, Atlanta, Tampa, Anchorage, Raleigh-Durham, Orlando, Washington Dulles, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Spokane, Boise, and Newark—reflecting STARLUX’s ambitious North American strategy.
Amid these operational shifts, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is taking a proactive stance to protect consumers during the high-demand festive season. As reported by Asian Aviation and other sources, the DGCA has intensified its monitoring of airfares to prevent sharp price hikes and directed domestic airlines to ramp up capacity. The response has been swift: IndiGo will deploy approximately 730 additional flights across 42 sectors, Air India and Air India Express will add about 486 flights across 20 sectors, and SpiceJet plans around 546 additional flights across 38 sectors. In total, Indian carriers will operate more than 1,700 extra flights during the festive period to accommodate the expected surge in travelers. The DGCA has pledged to maintain “rigorous oversight” to ensure affordable fares and adequate capacity for all.
Economic factors are also fueling the travel boom. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) expects Diwali 2025 sales to surpass Rs 4.75 trillion, propelled by recent cuts in goods and services tax (GST) slabs and income tax rebates. The resulting boost in consumer spending is a welcome relief for both shoppers and retailers, further spurring travel and holiday activity across the nation.
Perhaps the most symbolic development of all is the resumption of direct flights between India and China after a five-year hiatus. According to multiple reports, including Asian Aviation, these flights will restart with the winter schedule later this month, connecting Kolkata directly to Beijing and Guangzhou. The move follows extensive diplomatic coordination and is expected to enhance travel convenience, boost tourism, and foster new business opportunities. Airlines will offer a range of services—economy, business, and premium—on these routes, catering to both leisure and corporate travelers. Tourism experts predict a surge in holiday travel from India to China’s iconic destinations, such as Beijing’s historic districts and Guangzhou’s bustling markets. The resumption of flights is being hailed as a symbol of renewed cooperation and mutual respect between the two nations, opening doors to deeper cultural and economic exchanges.
With new routes, expanded capacity, regulatory oversight, and international bridges being rebuilt, India’s aviation sector is soaring to new heights this October. For travelers, the journey has never looked more promising—or more connected.
