ATR expects that India will require 210 new turboprops by 2044 to meet the growing demand for routes under 400nm that are underserved by aviation. The manufacturer released a white paper at the Wings India air show in Hyderabad using its 'MobilityMonitor' platform, which finds that around 90% of intercity journeys in the country are of 400nm or less, with only 3% of those conducted by air. That puts it significantly behind more mature markets such as China and the United States. But with the planned development towards having 230 airports operating around India by 2030, there is potential for up to 900 new domestic routes, "of which 420 fall squarely into turboprop territory" due to more favourable fuel burn and right-sized capacity compared to regional jets. “With a need for affordable air travel, and fuel costs set to increase, turboprops are the only economically viable solution to scale regional connectivity profitably,” says ATR's senior vice president commercial Alexis Vidal. He adds that the tier II and III cities in the countries will drive the next phase of aviation growth in the country, largely by displacing other modes of transport. "It is demand that already exists, but is largely tapped today by road and rail," he says. "Our analysis shows that this growth cannot be sustainably unlocked without turboprops." Fleets data shows that there are 87 regional turboprops in commercial service and storage in India, with ATR accounting for 69 of those. There are only two more on order for regional carrier Fly91, which are to be leased from DAE Capital. IndiGo is the largest turboprop operator in the country with 46 ATR 72-600s in its fleet, followed by SpiceJet with 24 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s, government-owned Alliance Air with 20 ATRs and one Hindustan Aeronautics Do228 while Fly91 has three ATR 72s in service.

Air India has ordered another 30 Boeing 737 Max aircraft and converted 15 Airbus A321neo orders to the extra long-range variant. The new Boeing orders brings its total outstanding commitment to the US airframer to 198 jets. Air India says the new deal comprises 20 Max 8s and 10 Max 10s, the largest Max variant. It follows on from a 220-strong order for Boeing aircraft agreed in 2023, split between 190 737 Max jets, 20 787s and 10 777X aircraft. A total of 52 of these – 51 Max 8s and one 787-9 – have already been delivered, with the narrowbodies being allocated to the Air India Express low-cost subsidiary. "This additional order is part of our broader fleet strategy to position Air India firmly for the future," says chief executive Campbell Wilson. "It supports the steady deliveries and fleet upgrades planned over the next few years as we build the world-class global carrier that India deserves." Paul Righi, Boeing vice-president of commercial sales for India, says the order "underscores the strong performance of their existing 737-8 fleet as they continue to expand connectivity across India and the South Asia region". In terms of its Airbus commitment, the Indian flag carrier says the A321neo conversions to the A321XLR form part of its orders placed with the European airframer in the 2023-24 period, comprising a total of 50 A350s and 300 A320neo-family jets. The conversion to A321XLR applies to 15 of 210 A321neo aircraft ordered, while the remaining 90 A320neos continue as originally structured. Deliveries of the 15 A321XLRs are scheduled for the 2029-30 period. An earlier version of the story has been updated with information about the A321XLR order conversion

Solomon Airlines has announced that Matthew Findlay will take charge as its new chief executive from 16 February. He will replace interim chief executive Paul Abbott who has helmed the carrier since June 2025. Findlay joins the carrier from Ailevon Pacific Aviation Consulting where he was director of global markets for over six years, and prior to that held commercial roles at Northern Territory Airports and Newcastle airport. "Matthew's extensive experience and exposure to the challenges of Pacific aviation will enable Solomon Airlines under his leadership, to further solidify our operational aspirations and to realise enhanced growth opportunities," says the airline's chairman Frank Wickham. Findlay comments: "It's an exciting time for Solomon Airlines and for Solomon Islands as the company navigates current challenges in some markets, and explores vast potential in others, to support the nation in diversifying its economy." Cirium fleets data shows that the airline operates two Airbus A320ceos and three De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otters. It has another Twin Otter and a Dash 8-100 in storage.