Govt of Nagaland Names Air India as the Official Travel Partner of the Hornbill Festival

NATIONAL: 

The Government of Nagaland has named Air India Express, India’s first international value carrier, as the Official Travel Partner for the Hornbill Festival 2025, one of India’s most iconic celebrations of tribal heritage, music, food, and traditions. The announcement underscores the airline’s commitment to create meaningful connections rooted in people, places, and stories, and celebrate India’s rich cultural tapestry through its ‘Tales of India’ initiative.

The announcement was made jointly by Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, along with Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, at the airline’s headquarters in Gurugram, National Capital Region. The announcement was made in the presence of Government of Nagaland officials, including Theja Meru, Chairman, Task Force for Music and Arts, and Ababe Ezung, OSD, Transport Department, and senior leaders of the airline.

Welcoming Air India Express as the official Travel Partner, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, said, “Nagaland is pleased to welcome Air India Express as the Travel Partner for Nagaland Tourism and the Hornbill Festival. This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening connectivity, enhancing visitor experiences, and showcasing Nagaland to the rest of the country and the world. It is a welcome corporate partnership, and we look forward to the contributions of Air India Express towards our collective vision of nation building. Together, we aim to create greater opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange, and economic growth in the Land of Festivals.”

Speaking about the association, Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, “We are delighted to partner with the Government of Nagaland for this year’s Hornbill Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, music, and heritage. Under our overarching ‘Tales of India’ initiative, we celebrate the diverse cultural heritage and indigenous arts of our country. The Hornbill Festival reflects the spirit, artistry, and colours of the region like no other. The Tsüngkotepsü livery on our new Boeing 737-8 is a tribute to the rich artistic legacy of Nagaland, while also marking the first aircraft in our fleet to feature our newly retrofitted cabin. We look forward to welcoming guests to the Land of Festivals and supporting Nagaland’s growth as a cultural and tourism destination.”

As Nagaland prepares to welcome visitors from across India and around the world, Air India Express is bringing the celebrations closer with the arrival of its new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, VT BWD, featuring a striking livery inspired by the Tsüngkotepsü design, a powerful symbol of identity and heritage, worn as a marker of great honour in Ao tribe of Nagaland. The aircraft will be received by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, at Dimapur Airport on 22 November. The airline will also facilitate the travel of artists and organisers for the festival, along with a dedicated Hornbill experience kiosk at Dimapur Airport, to welcome travellers to the colours and character of Nagaland from the moment they arrive.

To enhance accessibility and drive tourism and footfalls, Air India Express is offering a flat 15% discount on direct and one-stop flights to Dimapur for bookings made between 20 and 30 November 2025, for travel from 20 November to 15 December 2025, using the promo code HORNBILL on the airline’s award winning website and mobile app.

Air India Express operates daily flights connecting Dimapur to Guwahati, with convenient one-stop onward connectivity from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Patna. The airline utilises the same aircraft from Dimapur to Guwahati and onward to Delhi, allowing guests to continue their journey to the national capital without a change of aircraft, ensuring a smoother and more seamless travel experience. Across the Northeast region, the airline connects Guwahati with 126 weekly flights, Agartala with 21 weekly flights, Imphal with 21 weekly flights, and Dibrugarh with 14 weekly flights, strengthening mobility and access in the region.

Air India Express celebrates India’s cultural and festive fabric through thoughtful, guest-centric initiatives that incorporate local traditions into the travel experience. From Sattvik meals during Navratri and festive menus for Diwali to Onam Sadya during Onam, and gestures such as distributing rakhis onboard for Raksha Bandhan, the airline brings the warmth of India’s celebrations to the skies. These experiences, with the airline’s new campaign ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’, encourage travellers to discover the country’s diversity and cultural depth, both on the ground and in the air.

As part of its ‘Tales of India’ initiative, Air India Express proudly showcases unique art and designs on its aircraft tails, representing the stories of India’s many regions. Alongside the Tsüngkotepsü design from Nagaland, the airline’s fleet features Akyobi, Moirang Phee, and Saphee Lanphee from Manipur, Gamosa and Jaapi from Assam, Idu Mishmi from Arunachal Pradesh, Khneng from Meghalaya, and Puanchei from Mizoram, honouring the artistic traditions of the Northeast and celebrating the spirit of India in flight.