Air India Express has been named the official travel partner for the Hornbill Festival 2025, bringing a Tsüngkotepsü-themed Boeing 737-8 to ferry visitors to Nagaland with a 15% discount on flights.
The announcement, made jointly by Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, and Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, highlights the airline’s effort to enhance connectivity and tourism in the state. The event was attended by senior government officials, including Theja Meru, Chairman of the Task Force for Music and Arts, and Ababe Ezung, OSD, Transport Department.
Welcoming the partnership, Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio said, “Nagaland is pleased to have Air India Express as the travel partner for Hornbill Festival. This collaboration strengthens connectivity, enhances visitor experiences, and showcases Nagaland to the rest of India and the world.”
The specially painted Boeing 737-8, VT-BWD, features the Tsüngkotepsü design, a symbol of identity and honour in the Ao tribe. The aircraft will be received at Dimapur Airport by the Chief Minister on 22 November and will also transport festival artists and organisers. A dedicated Hornbill experience kiosk will welcome travellers at the airport.
Air India Express is offering a flat 15% discount on direct and one-stop flights to Dimapur for bookings made between 20–30 November 2025, for travel from 20 November to 15 December 2025, using the promo code HORNBILL. The airline operates daily flights connecting Dimapur with Guwahati and onward connectivity to Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Patna.
The airline’s ‘Tales of India’ initiative celebrates regional art and culture, with aircraft tails featuring designs from across the Northeast, including Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. The Tsüngkotepsü livery marks the first retrofitted aircraft in the fleet and pays tribute to Nagaland’s artistic heritage.