Air India Express on Saturday landed its newly inducted Boeing 737-8 aircraft at Dimapur Airport, featuring a special livery inspired by the Tsüngkotepsü warrior shawl of the Ao tribe. Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio received the aircraft upon its arrival.
Announces 15% Hornbill travel discount till December 15
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio on Saturday received Air India Express’ newly inducted Boeing 737-8 aircraft at Dimapur Airport, featuring a special livery inspired by the Tsüngkotepsü warrior shawl of the Ao tribe. The aircraft marks the airline’s partnership as the Official Travel Partner of the Hornbill Festival 2025.
Traditional Naga dancers welcomed the aircraft on arrival, highlighting the cultural spirit ahead of the annual Hornbill Festival, scheduled from December 1 to 10 at Kisama.
The Hornbill Festival, one of India’s premier cultural events, showcases the craftsmanship, folklore and traditions of Nagaland’s tribes and attracts visitors from across the country and abroad.
Welcoming the aircraft, Rio said the Hornbill Festival was a celebration of the State’s identity and unity.
“The Tsüngkotepsü livery is a meaningful gesture that honours the traditions of the Ao tribe and carries a part of Nagaland’s story across India,” he said. “This partnership strengthens efforts to welcome more visitors and deepen cultural understanding.”
Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said the airline was honoured to partner with Nagaland for the 2025 edition of the festival. “The spirit of Hornbill, vibrant, warm, expressive and rooted in culture, resonates with our Tales of India initiative. The Tsüngkotepsü-inspired livery on VT-BWD is our tribute to Nagaland’s artistic legacy,” he said.
To promote travel to Dimapur during the festival, the airline has announced a 15 per cent discount on bookings to and from the city made till December 10, for travel till December 15, using the promo code HORNBILL on its website and mobile app.
Air India Express has also created a Hornbill-themed photobooth for arriving passengers at Dimapur Airport and set up a community art canvas inspired by traditional motifs at the festival venue in Kisama.
The airline has launched a contest offering free flights. Participants can upload photographs taken at the AIX photobooth at Dimapur Airport or at the Kisama art canvas on Instagram, Facebook or X, tagging @airindiax and using #XploreMore. Multiple winners will be selected during the festival.
Air India Express operates daily flights connecting Dimapur to Guwahati, with one-stop connectivity to Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata and Patna. The Dimapur–Delhi service has a short layover at Guwahati with no aircraft change. Across the Northeast, the airline operates 126 weekly flights from Guwahati, 21 each from Agartala and Imphal, and 14 from Dibrugarh.
The airline, known for incorporating Indian cultural elements into its services, has introduced meals and initiatives themed around festivals such as Navratri, Diwali, Onam and Raksha Bandhan. It recently launched its brand campaign Xplore More, Xpress More and unveiled upgraded cabin interiors on its Boeing 737-8 fleet, featuring redesigned seats, USB charging ports, refreshed interiors, and Boeing Sky Interior lighting.
As part of its ‘Tales of India’ initiative, the airline displays region-inspired designs on its aircraft. Besides the Tsüngkotepsü motif, the fleet features designs such as Akyobi, Moirang Phee and Saphee Lanphee from Manipur; Gamosa and Jaapi from Assam; Idu Mishmi from Arunachal Pradesh; Khneng from Meghalaya; and Puanchei from Mizoram.
