The Indian AvGeek

Vishal Mehra
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  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

India's number one aviation podcast. Sharing perspectives on everything related to Indian aviation, from the business of flying to #PaxEx, industry voices, news, and deeper analysis. Every fortnight we cover airlines, airports, OEMs, and the industry at large.

  1. Inside CPH: How the Nordics’ No.1 Runs feat. Johan Laurberg (Sr Route Development Manager, Copenhagen Airports)

    FEB 8

    Inside CPH: How the Nordics’ No.1 Runs feat. Johan Laurberg (Sr Route Development Manager, Copenhagen Airports)

    Episode 60: What does it take to get a widebody jet from Mumbai to land in Copenhagen? It turns out it’s a mix of high-stakes matchmaking, "slot surgery", and sometimes even a twenty-year game of patience. In this landmark 60th episode, Vishal Mehra sits down with Johan Laurberg, Senior Route Development Manager at Copenhagen Airports (CPH). We go behind the scenes of one of Europe’s most fascinating "hub identity transplants" as SAS moves from Star Alliance to SkyTeam. Johan reveals the secrets of the "dual-nation gateway", explaining how CPH serves both Denmark and Southern Sweden and why that potentially makes the airport a goldmine. In this episode: The 20-year route: Two decades of conversation to launch the Ho Chi Minh City link with CPH. IndiGo’s northbound leap: How the Mumbai-CPH route overcame short lead times and visa hurdles to launch, and how did this route even happen? Legacy vs. LCA: The difference between pitching to Air India and a "hybrid" giant like IndiGo. The science of the bank: How CPH manages "slot surgery" between airlines and alliances. The next frontier: Is a direct Bengaluru-CPH flight on the horizon?  Johan also explains how CPH is reshaping its hub role after alliance shifts, the commercial logic behind IndiGo’s Mumbai service, how airports and airlines align on new routes, and what makes Copenhagen competitive versus Stockholm and Helsinki. The Indian AvGeek streams on all major podcast apps. Vishal on X

    40 min
  2. Inside BBJ's feat. Chris Shindle (Director of Marketing, Boeing Business Jets)

    JAN 25

    Inside BBJ's feat. Chris Shindle (Director of Marketing, Boeing Business Jets)

    In Episode 59 of The Indian AvGeek, Vishal Mehra sits down with Chris Shindle to explore the evolving world of business aviation through Boeing’s lens. From Honeywell’s forecast of 8,500 new biz jets in the next decade to India’s billionaire class weighing Gulfstreams against BBJs, this conversation dives deep into the trade-offs between speed, cabin volume, and prestige. Chris explains how a BBJ sale unfolds, current delivery timelines, and whether business jet customers get priority over airlines. We discuss India’s infrastructure expansion with Navi Mumbai and Noida International Airport, the lingering FBO bottleneck, and whether 2026 could be the year of the “Bizliner boom.” Other highlights include: * The halo effect of India’s VVIP Boeing 777-300ERs * The promise of the BBJ 777X for global conglomerates * Boeing’s BBJ Select modular interiors vs. bespoke luxury * SAF blending and future-proofing private widebodies * Unique Indian interior requests shifting from “gold & mahogany” to “Scandi-minimalist boardrooms” * The rise of fractional ownership and whether BBJ will ever embrace shared models * Boeing vs Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty: the decisive differentiator * Local presence politics: Dassault, Embraer, and Boeing’s aspirational edge The Indian AvGeek streams on all major podcast apps. Vishal on X

    58 min

  3. JAN 11

    Air Canada’s 2026 Flight Plan feat. Mark Nasr (EVP & COO, Air Canada)

    Episode 58:  We are kicking off 2026 with a high-altitude deep dive! In the season premiere, Vishal Mehra sits down with Mark Nasr, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada. Mark is the man the AvGeek community knows as the architect behind the revamped Aeroplan, but today, he’s steering the operational ship of Canada’s flag carrier. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore why India has become Air Canada’s most critical overseas market—surpassing even the UK and France in traffic volume—and the complex chess game of managing ultra-long-haul operations. Key highlights in this episode: The Transition: Moving from "selling the dream" at Aeroplan to "delivering the reality" as COO.Aeroplan’s Importance: Why loyalty programs are now profit centres shaping operational priorities.The India Powerhouse: Why Mark believes India is the most dynamic nation in the world, and how Air Canada is positioning itself, along with future expansion.The Fleet Shuffle: The truth behind the A321XLR payload performance issues on the Palma route and why the 787 swap happened.Alliance Evolution: Why the Star Alliance model needs modernization and the "intended" (or unintended) quirks of Aeroplan redemptions on Air India, partner airlines.Operational Resilience: Lessons learned from the 2025 flight attendant strike and the strategic separation of the mainline airline brand and Rouge. The Indian AvGeek streams on all major podcast apps. Vishal on X

    1 hr

  4. 12/28/2025

    Forecast for 2026 Skies feat. Ajay Awtaney (Founder & Editor, LiveFromALounge.com)

    Episode 57: The 2026 Flight Plan with Ajay Awtaney As 2025 draws to a close, the Indian skies look vastly different than it did twelve months ago. We’ve seen the "arrival" of India on the global stage at the IATA AGM in Delhi, but we’ve also grappled with the sombre reality of the AI171 tragedy and operational meltdowns at IndiGo that tested passenger loyalty to its limit. In this deep-dive season finale, Vishal sits down with LiveFromALounge’s founder and editor, Ajay Awtaney, to dissect a year of extreme highs and lows. We explore: The IndiGo Pivot: From "IndiGoStretch" to the "BluChip" loyalty program—is the LCC/hybrid giant successfully poaching corporate flyers, or just rewarding its own?The Air India Integration: Post-Vistara, has the "premium culture" survived the merger, or are passengers drifting toward foreign carriers?Infrastructure Wars: With Navi Mumbai finally open and Noida/Jewar facing more delays, what does the “dual airport" reality look like for Mumbai and Delhi NCR flyers?The 2026 Outlook: The XLR’s 8-hour marathon to Athens, Air India’s massive retrofit rollout, and the battle for the Indian credit card wallet.Loyalty wars—BluChip vs Maharaja Club, new credit card tie-ups, and Emirates eyeing India.Akasa’s quiet rise—targeting Singapore, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan while the big two are distracted. From alliances to loyalty programs, from Athens’ narrowbody long-haul to New Delhi’s triple-airport reality, Ajay and Vishal decode the future of Indian aviation in 2026. The Indian AvGeek streams on all major podcast apps. Rishad on X Vishal on X

    1h 7m

  5. 12/14/2025

    The Cheeky Challenger feat. Shivani Singh Deo (Country Manager - India, Virgin Atlantic)

    Episode 56 Virgin Atlantic isn’t just flying to India; they are painting the skies red with a staggering 350% growth since 2019. In this episode, Vishal sits down with Shivani Singh Deo, Country Manager – India for Virgin Atlantic, to decode how the "cheeky challenger" of aviation is aggressively expanding its footprint in one of the world's largest aviation markets. Transitioning from a marketing role to leading country operations, Shivani opens up about the strategy behind Virgin’s massive capacity boost—offering one million seats annually on India routes. We deep dive into the mechanics of their four-way partnership with IndiGo, Delta, and Air France-KLM, and how this alliance is reshaping the India-UK-US corridor. We also touch on the recent joint interview of AF-KLM & Lufthansa CEOs on their growing worries about Gulf-based airlines, as well as Turkish Airlines. Key discussion points: The 350% Surge: How Virgin Atlantic achieved massive growth and the strategy behind the new Bengaluru and double-daily Mumbai services.Strategic Alliances: Analysing the impact of the IndiGo and SkyTeam partners on Virgin’s competitive edge.Fleet & Product: Why the "youngest, cleanest fleet" matters, and the split between O&D vs. connecting traffic (60:40) to the US.Business of Cargo: Discussing the untold story of a 356% increase in cargo capacity.The Sky High Club: Inside the unique, India-only rewards program for travel agents.Women in Aviation: Shivani’s advice for aspiring female leaders in a male-dominated industry. Tune in for a masterclass on balancing profitability with personality in the skies. The Indian AvGeek streams on all major podcast apps. Vishal Mehra - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vis⁠hal1mehra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    54 min

  6. 11/30/2025

    The Last MD‑83 and the Next Frontier feat. Arun Kr Singh (President & CEO, TezJet)

    Episode 55 with Arun Kumar Singh, the CEO of Kyrgyzstan-based TezJet.  From the hyper-regulated regional skies of India’s UDAN scheme to the mountainous terrain of Central Asia, Arun’s journey is as unique as the fleet he operates. With TezJet launching its direct Bishkek-Delhi service this week, we dive deep into the operational reality of connecting India with Kyrgyzstan. But this isn't just a route launch conversation—it is a deep dive into fleet strategy, unit economics, and aviation history. In this episode, we discuss: The Return of the Mad Dog: Why TezJet operates the MD-83 (including the last one ever built!) and the Avro RJ85 in an era of A320neos and 737 MAXs.UDAN Reality Check: Having led IndiaOne Air, Arun gives a brutally honest take on why regional connectivity in India cannot survive without subsidies.Kingfisher Untold Stories: Arun shares shocking anecdotes from his time at Kingfisher Airlines, including the story of how Vijay Mallya ordered a fleet of Airbus A340s during a lunch at a London pub—a meal that cost $550 million.Old Jets, New Tech: How TezJet balances flying 28-year-old analog jets while using cutting-edge AI pricing tools like RateGain.Engine Woes: Why Arun is taking Pratt & Whitney’s recovery timeline with a "pinch of salt". Whether you are an aviation professional tracking CASK and yields or an enthusiast nostalgic for the MD-80 series, this episode is packed with unfiltered insights. Tune in now! The Indian AvGeek streams on all major podcast apps. Arun Kumar Singh - ⁠@AKS9955⁠ Vishal Mehra - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vis⁠hal1mehra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 25m

  7. 11/16/2025

    From Cockpit to Analytics feat. Courtney Miller, Founder & MD, Visual Approach Analytics)

    Episode 54 What happens when a pilot, an airline operator, and a strategist decide to reimagine aviation through the lens of data? In this episode, I sit down with Courtney Miller, the mind behind Visual Approach Analytics, to explore how storytelling, visualisation, and forecasting are reshaping the way airlines make decisions. What we discussed: •  Courtney’s journey into aviation: from the cockpit to Bombardier and DHL, and eventually into analytics. •  Why he believes the industry was “oddly slow” to recognize the value of aviation analytics. •  Lessons from DHL’s cargo forecasting (yes, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day were the most stressful!) and how they differ from passenger airline planning. •  The art of turning complex aviation data into accessible intelligence. •  Fleet planning quirks: Allegiant’s unique approach, Akasa’s Boeing delivery challenges, SpiceJet’s survival instincts, and what Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo should be doing differently. •  The profitability puzzle: India’s booming demand versus chronic losses—what data signals separate hype from traction. •  Are Indian airlines over-ordering? Courtney breaks down the metrics that reveal overcapacity, underutilization, and systemic risk. •  India’s ambition to be a global hub: should carriers double down on regional connectivity, long-haul expansion, or partnerships? •  Air India’s post-privatization struggles and what it could learn from South Korea’s model of global talent and best practices. •  Disruptive shifts in aviation—from AI and machine learning to evolving fleet strategies—and what’s hype versus reality. •  The next frontier for aviation analytics, misunderstood metrics like load factors and yields, and Courtney’s favorite airline innovation he’d copy worldwide. Along the way, expect witty detours (including a Ryanair comparison), sharp insights on pricing (“AI doesn’t always mean personalized pricing”), and a candid look at how data has evolved in aviation decision-making over the past five years. The Indian AvGeek streams on all major podcast apps.

    1h 16m

  8. 11/02/2025

    Defrastructure & Disruption: The ePlane Story feat. Prof Satya Chakravarthy (Founder, The ePlane Co)

    What does it take to reimagine flight for India’s cities — and make it affordable, scalable, and safe? In this episode of The Indian AvGeek, I sit down with Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Founder, CEO-CTO of The ePlane Company and long-time professor at IIT Madras, to explore how deep-tech innovation is reshaping the skies above us. From his early fascination with aerospace engineering to his bold leap from academia into ventures like ePlane and Agnikul Cosmos, Prof. Chakravarthy shares the sparks that drive him to tackle frontier problems. We dive into his concept of “defrastructure” — the invisible backbone of future mobility — and how it guides his work across aviation, space, and urban transport. Together, we unpack: •  🚁 The design philosophy behind ePlane’s compact eVTOLs and the balancing act of range, payload, and cost •  🛫 The regulatory gauntlet of securing DGCA’s Design Organisation Approval and lessons learned •  🔬 The breakthrough of “aerodynamic synergy” in the e200X and why 196+ design iterations were worth it •  🌆 The roadmap to commercial operations, early customer reactions, and how India’s cities might embrace air taxis •  🌍 India’s place in the global aerospace race — from UAM to rocketry, and even the possibility of a homegrown civilian airliner •  💡 Insights from global peers like Joby, Archer, and EHang, and what India can adapt for its own skies •  👩‍💻 His advice for young engineers and entrepreneurs daring to build at the edge of science and business Vishal Mehra - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vis⁠hal1mehra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 12m
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About

India's number one aviation podcast. Sharing perspectives on everything related to Indian aviation, from the business of flying to #PaxEx, industry voices, news, and deeper analysis. Every fortnight we cover airlines, airports, OEMs, and the industry at large.

Information

  • Creator
    Vishal Mehra
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Indian AvGeek

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