The Government of Nagaland has appointed Air India Express as the Official Travel Partner for the Hornbill Festival 2025, one of India’s most celebrated showcases of tribal heritage, music, cuisine, and culture. The partnership reinforces the airline’s commitment to strengthening connections rooted in communities, traditions, and stories, aligned with its ‘Tales of India’ initiative.
The announcement was jointly made by Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, and Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, at the airline’s headquarters in Gurugram. Senior officials from the Government of Nagaland, including Theja Meru, Chairman, Task Force for Music and Arts, and Ababe Ezung, OSD, Transport Department, were also present, along with Air India Express leadership.
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 the Ao tribe of Nagaland. The aircraft will be received by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri 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 per cent 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 changing aircraft, ensuring a smoother, more seamless travel experience. Across the Northeast region, the airline connects Guwahati with 126 weekly flights, Agartala with 21, Imphal with 21, and Dibrugarh with 14, strengthening mobility and access.
