Nagaland names Air India Express as official travel partner for Hornbill Festival 2025

DIMAPUR — Nagaland government has named Air India Express as the official travel partner for Hornbill Festival 2025, marking a major step to strengthen connectivity and enhance visitor experience during the annual festival.

A DIPR update stated that the announcement was made on Monday at the airline’s headquarters in Gurugram by Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of IDAN, and Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, in the presence of senior government and airline officials.

As part of the partnership, the airline unveiled a special Tsüngkotepsü-themed livery on one of its new Boeing 737-8 aircraft—a homage to the Ao Naga warrior shawl and a symbol of honour in Naga tradition.

The aircraft will arrive in Dimapur on November 22, where it will be received by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

Rio welcomed the collaboration, calling it a “significant step toward strengthening connectivity, enhancing visitor experiences, and showcasing Nagaland to the rest of the country and the world.”

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He said that the partnership would support tourism, cultural exchange and economic opportunities in the state.

Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh said that the airline was proud to join Nagaland in celebrating the “spirit, artistry, and colours” of the Hornbill Festival.

He said that the new livery pays tribute to Nagaland’s artistic legacy and marks the first aircraft in the fleet to feature a newly retrofitted cabin.

To boost travel for the festival, the airline announced a 15% discount on all direct and one-stop flights to Dimapur for bookings made between November 20 and 30, for travel between November 20 and December 15, using the promo code HORNBILL.

“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,” it stated.

The airline will also facilitate travel for festival artists and organisers and set up a dedicated Hornbill experience kiosk at Dimapur Airport to welcome visitors.