In 2026, the global balance of air power continues to reflect both historic military dominance and rapid modernisation efforts, particularly across Asia.
Indian aviation
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) will return its third runway to service on September 20, almost seven months after Runway 11R/29L was closed for a major rehabilitation programme.
France plans to have at least 47 Rafale fighter jets in the new F5 configuration by 2035 as Paris accelerates the modernisation of its combat aviation and nuclear deterrence capabilities.
Airbus expects to deliver more than two aircraft to India every week over the next decade, underscoring the scale of the country’s rapidly expanding aviation market.
IndiGo (6E) is set to expand its international network with daily flights between Mumbai and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from November 2026.
India’s push to develop a homegrown fighter engine has intensified as Britain’s Rolls-Royce and France’s Safran compete to support the country’s next-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
India has expanded its electronic visa network by notifying 11 additional international entry points for eligible foreign nationals holding Indian e-Visas.
The Delhi Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has ruled that British Airways (BA) cannot claim tax treaty protection for income earned from providing ground handling and engineering services to other airlines in India.
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is preparing for a crucial safety oversight assessment by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in November.
Air India (AI) is accelerating its digital transformation strategy by deploying artificial intelligence across customer service, maintenance planning, crew management, and operational monitoring.