The Nagaland government has announced Air India Express as the official travel partner for the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival, one of India’s most prominent celebrations of tribal heritage, music, art, and traditions.
As part of the partnership, the airline will feature a Tsungkotepsu-themed livery on one of its new Boeing 737 8 aircraft.
Tsungkotepsu is the revered warrior shawl of the Ao Naga tribe and represents bravery, identity, and artistic finesse.
A Nagaland Tourism Department official confirmed that Air India Express will highlight the spirit of Nagaland through the special livery as part of its broader ‘Tales of India’ initiative.
The airline also announced a 15 per cent discount on flights to and from Dimapur during the festival, which will run from 1 to 10 December.
Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), and Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, jointly announced the partnership in Gurugram.
Senior Nagaland officials, including Theja Meru, Chairman of the Task Force for Music and Arts, and Ababe Ezung of the Transport Department, were also present.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio welcomed the collaboration, describing it as an important step in strengthening connectivity and promoting cultural exchange.
He said the partnership would enhance tourism, provide economic opportunities, and help showcase Nagaland’s unique heritage to India and the world.
Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh said the airline was proud to partner with Nagaland for the festival.
He noted that the Tsungkotepsu livery pays tribute to the state’s artistic legacy and marks the first aircraft in the airline’s fleet to feature its newly retrofitted cabin.
Singh emphasised that the Hornbill Festival captures the colours, energy, and cultural richness of Nagaland like few other events.
The specially painted aircraft, VT-BWD, will arrive at Dimapur Airport on 22 November and will be received by the Chief Minister.
The airline will also support travel arrangements for artists and organisers and set up a dedicated Hornbill experience kiosk at Dimapur Airport.
To strengthen accessibility, 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, for travel from 20 November to 15 December, using the promo code HORNbill.
The airline currently operates daily flights connecting Dimapur to Guwahati, with seamless onward links to Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Patna.
Across the North East, it operates 182 weekly flights to key cities, thereby significantly improving mobility in the region.
Air India Express continues to incorporate India’s festivals into its guest experience through initiatives such as Navratri Sattvik meals, Diwali menus, Onam Sadya, and festive onboard gestures.
Under its ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’ campaign, the airline aims to encourage travellers to experience India’s diversity—both in the air and on the ground.
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