Air India Ends Full-Service Flights at Imphal Airport

18 Jun 2025 CW Team

Air India officially ceased its full-service operations at Imphal International Airport on 16 June 2025, marking the end of an era that spanned decades. The decision follows a strategic shift in route optimisation across the airline’s network. While the national carrier departs, its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, will gradually assume operations on routes previously served by the full-service airline, subject to market demand.

Officials clarified that this move is unrelated to recent security incidents or technical faults affecting airlines. Instead, it forms part of a broader restructuring aimed at aligning capacity with evolving passenger needs—especially in regional and non-metro markets like Imphal, where affordable fares are increasingly important.

Despite this change, the transition has not proceeded without disruption. The region recently saw a significant delay of 18 hours due to a technical issue on a Kolkata-bound flight, as well as cancellations on the Guwahati–Hyderabad route, which led to passenger unrest. In response, Air India Express provided accommodation and meals to impacted travellers, managing the disruptions responsibly.

Imphal International Airport bid farewell to the national carrier with a heartfelt message, calling Air India the “Big Brother” and expressing confidence that Air India Express, the “younger brother”, will uphold the legacy of service in the region. The airport’s social media post featured emotional imagery: staff visibly moved, watching the departure of an aircraft with deep nostalgia.

As Air India Express begins phased operations, the focus shifts to maintaining seamless connectivity for residents of Manipur. This handover symbolises not just a change in airline operations, but a broader transformation in how air travel evolves to meet present-day demands.

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..