Route Development
India Extends Aircraft Leasing Tax Holiday to Boost Aviation Hub Status
India plans to extend the tax holiday for aircraft leasing in GIFT City to 15 years, enhancing its competitiveness and legal reforms to support global leasing growth.
India Targets Global Aviation Hub Status with Extended Tax Incentives
India is reportedly preparing to significantly enhance its fiscal appeal to the global Aviation finance sector. According to recent reports, the government plans to extend the tax holiday for Commercial-Aircraft leasing companies operating in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) from the current 10 years to 15 years. This strategic move is designed to position India as a formidable competitor to established leasing hubs like Ireland, which currently dominates the market.
The proposal, expected to be part of the Union Budget announcements in February 2026, aims to capture a larger share of the $187 billion global aircraft leasing market. By aligning tax incentives with the economic lifecycle of aviation assets, India seeks to encourage lessors to domicile their operations within the country long-term, rather than relying on offshore jurisdictions. This initiative represents a concerted effort to retain capital within the Indian economy and support the nation’s status as the world’s third-largest aviation market.
Currently, Indian carriers lease a vast majority of their fleets from entities based in Ireland or other tax-efficient locations. The proposed changes acknowledge that for India to become a self-reliant aviation hub, it must offer a fiscal and regulatory environment that rivals or exceeds global benchmarks. The extension of the tax holiday is seen as a critical step in addressing the specific profitability structures inherent to the aircraft leasing business model.
Aligning Fiscal Policy with Asset Lifecycles
The core rationale behind the proposed 15-year tax holiday lies in the unique financial structure of aircraft leasing. In the initial years of a lease, companies often incur high depreciation costs and interest expenses, which can result in lower taxable profits or even losses. Profitability typically peaks in the later years of an asset’s life, often between years 10 and 15, as depreciation charges decrease. Under the current regime, which offers a 100% exemption for 10 years within a 15-year block, lessors risk exhausting their tax benefits during low-profit years, leaving the highly profitable “tail” of the lease subject to taxation.
By extending the holiday to a flat 15 years, the government ensures that the most lucrative period of the lease remains tax-free. This adjustment is designed to make GIFT City a more attractive jurisdiction for high-value aviation assets compared to Ireland, which levies a standard corporate tax rate of 12.5%. For lessors, the difference between a 12.5% tax on peak profits and a 0% tax rate in India could be a deciding factor in where to domicile new special purpose vehicles (SPVs).
Industry experts suggest that this move corrects a structural mismatch in the previous policy. A source familiar with the matter noted that expanding the benefit covers the period when lessors typically realize the bulk of their profit, thereby incentivizing the migration of “sale-and-leaseback” transactions from Dublin to Gandhinagar.
“Expanding this benefit by five years will make GIFT City more attractive to lessors who typically make the bulk of the profit on an aircraft in the latter years when there’s little or no depreciation charge.”
Regulatory Reforms Strengthening Investor Confidence
Fiscal incentives are being supported by substantial legislative reforms aimed at reducing risk for international investors. In April 2025, the Indian Parliament passed the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, aligning national laws with the international Cape Town Convention. This legislation is pivotal as it ensures that lessors can swiftly repossess aircraft in the event of an Airlines default, addressing a long-standing concern regarding “country risk” in India.
Prior to this legislation, the difficulty of repossessing assets made foreign lessors hesitant to lease to Indian carriers without charging high risk premiums. The new legal framework is expected to reduce leasing costs for Indian airlines by approximately 8–10% by lowering these risk premiums. This legal safety net, combined with the proposed tax extensions, creates a comprehensive ecosystem that addresses the two primary barriers to entry: tax inefficiency and asset security.
Furthermore, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) amended its framework in February 2025 to allow GIFT City lessors to acquire assets from Indian Manufacturers and execute sale-and-leaseback (SLB) transactions with Indian residents. This regulatory change enables domestic giants like Air India and IndiGo to sell new aircraft to a GIFT City lessor and lease them back, keeping the entire financing ecosystem within India’s borders.
Competitive Landscape and Market Adoption
The global aircraft leasing market is currently heavily concentrated, with Ireland managing approximately 50-60% of the world’s leased aircraft. Ireland’s dominance is built on a stable legal regime, a vast network of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs), and a deep pool of aviation finance expertise. India’s strategy relies on leveraging its massive domestic demand, the third largest in the world, to shift the center of gravity. By offering a 0% tax rate versus Ireland’s 12.5%, India presents a compelling financial case for lessors focused on the Indian market.
Early adoption indicates that the strategy is gaining traction. Major domestic carriers have already established leasing units in GIFT City, including Air India (via AI Fleet Services IFSC Ltd) and IndiGo (via InterGlobe Aviation Financial Services IFSC Pvt). Additionally, global players such as subsidiaries of Rolls-Royce and Willis Lease Finance have established a presence. New entrants like Akasa Air are also reportedly applying for approvals to set up leasing entities, signaling broad industry interest.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain in building a comparable ecosystem of professional services, including legal, technical, and accounting expertise, which Dublin has cultivated over decades. However, the combination of the Cape Town Convention alignment and the extended tax holiday signals a long-term commitment from the Indian government to overcome these hurdles and localize the economic benefits of its booming aviation sector.
Concluding Section
The proposal to extend the tax holiday to 15 years represents a mature understanding of the aviation finance business model. If passed in the February 2026 budget, it will likely serve as a catalyst for shifting significant leasing volume to India. By systematically removing barriers related to taxation and asset repossession, India is laying the groundwork to retain billions of dollars in financial services revenue that currently flows overseas.
Looking ahead, the success of GIFT City as a global leasing hub will depend on the consistent implementation of these policies and the continued growth of the domestic aviation market. As Indian carriers continue to place record-breaking aircraft Orders, the ability to finance and lease these assets domestically could fundamentally alter the economics of the Indian aviation industry.
FAQ
Question: What is the proposed change to the tax holiday for aircraft leasing in GIFT City?
Answer: The government plans to extend the tax holiday on profits earned by aircraft leasing firms from the current 10 years to 15 years. This is expected to be announced in the February 2026 Union Budget.
Question: Why is the 15-year timeframe significant for aircraft leasing?
Answer: Aircraft leasing profits often peak in the later years of a lease (years 10–15) as depreciation costs drop. A 15-year holiday ensures that these high-profit years are tax-exempt, whereas a 10-year holiday might expire before peak profitability is reached.
Question: How does India’s proposed tax rate compare to Ireland’s?
Answer: India offers a 100% tax exemption (0% tax rate) for the duration of the holiday in GIFT City. In contrast, Ireland, the current global hub for aircraft leasing, has a standard corporate tax rate of 12.5%.
Question: What recent legal reforms support this tax incentive?
Answer: In April 2025, India passed the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, aligning with the Cape Town Convention to ease aircraft repossession. Additionally, IFSCA reforms in February 2025 allowed for broader sale-and-leaseback transactions with Indian entities.
Sources
Photo Credit: Air India
Route Development
FAA Announces $1.776 Billion Airport Infrastructure Grants
FAA and DOT award $1.776B in airport grants across 46 states for runway, taxiway, and safety upgrades.
On July 2, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced $1.776 billion in infrastructure grants distributed across 46 states to fund runway rehabilitations, taxiway construction, and safety upgrades.
The specific funding amount was selected to symbolically align with the United States Semiquincentennial, marking America’s 250th anniversary. According to an FAA press release, the investments are designed to modernize the travel experience and ensure the national airspace system is prepared for future demand.
“What better way to celebrate America than investing in its future. We’re ushering in the Golden Age of Transportation and rebuilding our airport infrastructure is critical to making that vision a reality. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are building an aviation system worthy of our country’s incredible history,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy stated in the release.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford noted that the agency is prioritizing rapid and efficient grant issuance. Bedford stated the funding “modernizes the travel experience for American families, ensuring our Airports are safe and ready for the future.”
Major airport allocations across the United States
The grant program directs substantial capital to several major hubs for pavement and lighting projects. Denver International Airport (DEN) received the largest single allocation highlighted in the announcement, securing $88.8 million for pavement projects. In the Pacific Northwest, Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field (BOI) was awarded $74 million to rehabilitate its runway, expand the apron, and upgrade visual guidance lights.
Other significant awards include $62.4 million for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to rehabilitate its runway and associated lighting systems, and $62.2 million for Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to support runway construction.
Additional funding targets infrastructure at coastal and tourist hubs. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) received $47.6 million for taxiway construction and the reconstruction of an aircraft rescue and firefighting building. Orlando International Airport (MCO) secured $36 million for terminal, taxiway, and lighting rehabilitation, while Oakland International Airport (OAK) was granted $28.1 million for taxiway rehabilitation.
Broader modernization initiatives
The July 2, 2026, grant announcement follows a series of recent infrastructure and regulatory actions by the DOT and FAA. Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford have prioritized public visibility into these upgrades. In May 2026, the agencies launched the “Modern Skies” website, a platform designed to provide transparency on more than 10,000 air traffic control modernization projects across the national airspace system.
The infrastructure funding also ties into the DOT’s broader commemorative efforts. In March 2026, Secretary Duffy introduced the “Freedom Moves You” campaign, an initiative bringing historical imagery to major transportation hubs, including JFK, in conjunction with the America 250th celebrations.
On the regulatory front, the FAA recently advanced new operational frameworks. On June 30, 2026, the agency proposed rules to establish noise-based certification standards for civil supersonic flight over the United States, aiming to facilitate the operation of next-generation aircraft without producing a sonic boom.
AirPro News analysis
We view the symbolic $1.776 billion figure as a clear messaging strategy from the DOT, linking routine but necessary infrastructure spending to the broader national narrative of the Semiquincentennial. While the dollar amount is stylized for the occasion, the underlying projects address critical deferred maintenance at major hubs like DEN and JFK. The focus on runway and taxiway rehabilitation reflects an ongoing necessity to maintain safety margins and operational efficiency as passenger volumes continue to test the limits of existing airport infrastructure.
Sources: Source Name, Source Name, Source Name, Source Name
Photo Credit: Stock Image
Route Development
AirAsia MOVE Adds Four Direct Airline Partners in Q2 2026
AirAsia MOVE expands its direct airline roster to 75 carriers with Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir, and Hainan Airlines.
AirAsia MOVE expanded its online travel agency (OTA) platform on June 29, 2026, integrating Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir, and Hainan Airlines as direct booking partners.
The integration increases the platform’s direct airline roster to 75 global carriers. According to a press release issued by Capital A, the move supports the company’s Strategy to scale its distribution capabilities across the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and China, transitioning the application further beyond its core AirAsia low-cost network.
Expanding global connectivity
The four new carriers represent a mix of full-service and low-cost operators. By establishing direct Partnerships, AirAsia MOVE bypasses third-party aggregators for these specific airlines. This direct technical link typically allows travel platforms to offer tighter integration of ancillary services, seat selection, and branded fare products.
AirAsia MOVE Chief Executive Officer Nadia Omer stated that expanding the network offering remains core to the platform’s mission as a flights-first OTA, noting that traveler demands across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region are evolving toward single-platform solutions.
“Securing the trust of major carriers like Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir, and Hainan Airlines, particularly amidst ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and volatility, is a powerful testament to the commercial strength of the MOVE ecosystem and the regional reach we deliver to our partners,” Omer said.
Beyond its 75 direct partners, the platform currently offers inventory from approximately 700 additional airlines through authorized third-party suppliers. The application also provides access to more than one million hotels globally.
Strategic ecosystem growth
The second-quarter airline additions follow a series of regional partnerships aimed at broadening the application’s utility and market penetration. On June 24, 2026, AirAsia MOVE signed a collaboration agreement with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The partnership is designed to support the country’s tourism growth initiatives through the OTA’s digital marketing and booking capabilities.
The company is also exploring alternative payment technologies to support its expansion into emerging markets. On May 25, 2026, AirAsia MOVE signed a letter of intent with Intebix and the Solana Foundation. The agreement focuses on exploring the integration of a Tenge-denominated stablecoin on the Solana blockchain, intended to expand digital payment options for users in Kazakhstan.
AirPro News analysis
We view AirAsia MOVE’s continued accumulation of direct airline partners as a necessary step in its transition from a captive airline application to a standalone OTA competitor. While offering 700 airlines via third-party suppliers provides necessary breadth, direct integrations yield better margins and allow the platform to merchandise partner flights more effectively. Securing full-service carriers like Oman Air and Hainan Airlines also helps diversify the platform’s user base, attracting demographics beyond the budget-conscious travelers traditionally associated with the core AirAsia brand.
Sources: Capital A Newsroom (Press Release)
Photo Credit: Capital A
Route Development
Portland Airport Completes $2 Billion Terminal Expansion
PDX completes its $2B, 1M sq ft terminal expansion, doubling capacity with a mass timber roof and all-electric heat pump system.
The Port of Portland and ZGF Architects LLP officially opened the second and final phase of the $2 billion main terminal expansion at Portland International Airports (PDX) on June 30, 2026. The completion of the one million-square-foot project doubles the passenger capacity of the airport and concludes five years of phased construction.
According to a press release issued by ZGF Architects, the expansion represents the largest public infrastructure project in Oregon’s history. The facility remained fully operational throughout the construction process, which was executed by a project team including the Hoffman Skanska Joint Venture, KPFF, Arup, PAE, and Swinerton.
Architectural and structural engineering features
A defining feature of the renovated terminal is a nine-acre prefabricated mass timber roof spanning the facility. The structure is engineered for high seismic resilience, specifically designed to withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake originating from the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
The terminal also establishes new environmental benchmarks for aviation infrastructure. The design incorporates an all-electric ground-source heat pump system, which the architects state will achieve a 50 percent reduction in energy use per square foot compared to previous operations.
Phase two enhancements and passenger experience
Following the opening of the project’s first phase in 2024, the newly completed second phase introduces a redesigned arrival sequence. The layout features new exit lanes on the north and south ends of the terminal to streamline connections between concourses. Additional upgrades include a new descent path to the baggage claim area, expanded post-security gathering spaces, skylit all-user restrooms, and an updated selection of local retail and dining options.
Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold highlighted the regional focus of the construction effort and the materials utilized throughout the terminal.
“Thousands of local workers brought our shared vision to life, using locally sourced materials and setting a new bar for how it should be done,” Robinhold said. “I couldn’t be prouder of this special place we built together.”
Sharron van der Meulen, managing partner at ZGF Architects, noted that the terminal is designed to adapt to future aviation demands while serving as a gateway to the Pacific Northwest.
Industry recognition and operational impact
Since the initial phase debuted in 2024, the PDX terminal design has garnered multiple international accolades. These include the Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airport award, Fast Company’s Best Design in North-America distinction, and recognition from the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction.
AirPro News analysis
We view the completion of the PDX terminal as a significant case study for mid-sized and large hub airports facing capacity constraints. Executing a $2 billion, one million-square-foot expansion while maintaining uninterrupted flight operations demonstrates a highly coordinated phasing strategy. The integration of a mass timber roof and an all-electric heat pump system aligns with the broader aviation industry’s push toward decarbonizing ground infrastructure, providing a viable template for future terminal modernization projects across North America.
Sources: ZGF Architects LLP via PR Newswire
Photo Credit: ZGF Architects LLP
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