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Kohima, Nov 18 (IANS) To celebrate Nagaland’s famous Hornbill Festival, Air India Express will introduce Tsungkotepsu-themed livery on one of its new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, officials said on Monday.
A Nagaland Tourism Department official said the airline will showcase the spirit of Nagaland on one of its 50 new Boeing 737-8 aircraft and has announced a 15 per cent discount on flights to and from Nagaland during the 10-day Hornbill Festival from December 1 to 10.
Naga tribe is a tribe of Nagaland.
The Nagaland government has named Air India Express, India’s first international value carrier, as the official travel partner for the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival 2025, one of India’s most prestigious celebrations of tribal heritage, music, food and traditions, the official said.
The announcement underlines the airline’s commitment to creating meaningful connections rooted in people, places and stories and celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of India through its ‘Tales of India’ initiative.
The announcement was made jointly by Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Chairman of IDAN (Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland) and Alok Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, at the airline’s headquarters in Gurgaon on Monday.
The announcement was made in the presence of Nagaland government officials, including Theja Meru, Chairman of the Task Force for Music and Arts and Ababe Ezung, OSD of the Transport Department, and senior leaders of the airline.
Welcoming Air India Express as the official travel partner, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said, “Nagaland is delighted to welcome Air India Express as the travel partner for Nagaland Tourism and Hornbill Festival.”
He said that this collaboration is an important step towards strengthening connectivity, enhancing visitor experiences and showcasing Nagaland to the rest of the country and the world. This is a welcome corporate partnership, and we look forward to the contribution of Air India Express to our collective vision of nation building. The CM said, our aim is to create more opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange and economic development in the land of festivals.
Speaking about the association, Alok Singh, MD, 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. As part of our broader ‘Tales of India’ initiative, we celebrate our country’s diverse cultural heritage and indigenous arts.”
He said the Hornbill Festival reflects the spirit, artistry and colors of the region like no other. The Tsungkotepsu livery on the new Boeing 737-8 is a tribute to the rich artistic heritage of Nagaland, while also being the first aircraft in our fleet to feature our new retrofitted cabin. We look forward to welcoming guests to the land of festivals and supporting the development of Nagaland as a cultural and tourism destination, Singh said.
As Nagaland prepares to welcome visitors from India and across the world, Air India Express is bringing the celebrations closer with the arrival of its new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, VT-BWD, sporting a striking livery inspired by the Tsungkotepsu design, a powerful symbol of identity and heritage worn as a sign of great respect among the Ao tribe of Nagaland.
The aircraft will be welcomed by the Chief Minister at Dimapur airport on November 22. The airline will also facilitate travel of artists and organizers for the festival, as well as a dedicated Hornbill Experience kiosk at Dimapur Airport, so that passengers can be welcomed with the color and character of Nagaland from the moment of their arrival.
To expand reach and increase tourism and footfall, Air India Express is offering 15 per cent discount on direct and one-stop flights to Dimapur on bookings made between November 20 to 30 for travel from November 20 to December 15 by using 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 to Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata and Patna. The airline uses the same aircraft from Dimapur to Guwahati and onwards to Delhi, allowing guests to continue their journey to the national capital without changing 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, thereby strengthening mobility and accessibility in the Northeast region.
Air India Express celebrates the cultural and festive fabric of India through thoughtful, guest-centric initiatives that incorporate local traditions into the travel experience.
From sattvik food during Navratri and the festive menu of Diwali to Onam Sadya during Onam, and gestures like distributing rakhis onboard for Raksha Bandhan, the airline brings the warmth of India’s celebrations to the skies. These experiences, along with the airline’s new campaign ‘Explore More, Express More’, encourage passengers to discover the diversity and cultural depth of the country both on land and in the air, an airline official said.
–IANS
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