The recent Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad has become a watershed moment for aviation safety in India, highlighting troubling gaps in maintenance, oversight, and fatigue management amid rapid sectoral growth. With international agencies now aiding the investigation, the tragedy has sparked nationwide concern over the integrity of India’s aviation framework. In a subsequent action, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has cracked down on Air India for breaching Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) on long-haul flights—disciplining senior officials and exposing systemic lapses in crew scheduling. Meanwhile, the country’s burgeoning helicopter sector is grappling with its own crisis. A spate of fatal accidents on pilgrimage routes, including Char Dham, has revealed a dangerous culture of operational complacency, where adherence to standard operating procedures is alarmingly inconsistent. Aviation analyst Swaati Ketkar argues these incidents must serve as a wake-up call, urging regulators and operators alike to view safety not as a bureaucratic checkbox but as the bedrock of all aviation activity. If India is to sustain its growth as a global aviation hub, it must institute urgent and enforceable reforms, restore accountability, and embed safety as a non-negotiable priority across all flight operations.

Once luxury symbols, ultra-long-haul business jets are now critical tools for global executives and institutions. Aircraft like the Gulfstream G700/G800, Dassault Falcon 10X, and Bombardier Global 7500/8000 offer non-stop intercontinental reach, cabin luxury, and cutting-edge avionics. With growing demand in Asia-Pacific and innovations focused on performance and sustainability, these jets are transforming business mobility and redefining airborne productivity and decision-making in a globalised world. In a report on the Ultra-Long-Haul Business Jets, Rohit Goel covers the most popular aircraft in the market today that offer the best in luxury and range in this category.

Navigating the complexities of business jet acquisition involves a detailed financial blueprint balancing aircraft suitability, operational costs, and financing structures. The article explores structured debt, finance and operating leases, and export credit options, while spotlighting India’s GIFT City as a rising hub for aviation finance. With incentives and regulatory reforms, India aims to reduce dependency on foreign lessors, though challenges remain in building global credibility. A comprehensive guide to Business Aircraft Leasing and Finance is included in this issue.

The 2025 edition of EBACE unveiled a refreshed format under EBAA’s leadership. With a new floor plan, themed networking pods, and sustainability-focused sessions, the event reflected a dynamic shift in industry priorities. The decision to drop the traditional static display in favour of immersive experiences underlined a commitment to innovation, while policy discussions focused on fleet trends and regulatory transitions such as ReFuelEU. A photo feature on the show provides you with a glimpse of the major attractions at the show.

India’s Ministry of Defence has launched a strategic overhaul of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 to align with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ vision. A high-powered committee will review processes, promote MSMEs, integrate emerging technologies, and streamline acquisition mechanisms. Manish Kumar Jha reports on this initiative that reflects the government’s resolve to create a future-ready defence ecosystem that is agile, transparent, and domestically anchored.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s Aviation. Welcome aboard and we wish you safe landings!