Kohima, Nov 18 (NationPress) In a move to honor Nagaland's renowned Hornbill Festival, Air India Express will unveil a Tsungkotepsu-themed livery on one of its latest Boeing 737-8 aircraft, officials announced on Monday.

A representative from the Nagaland Tourism Department shared that the airline will embody the essence of Nagaland on one of its 50 new Boeing 737-8 planes and has introduced a 15% discount on flights to and from Nagaland during the 10-day celebration of the Hornbill Festival, scheduled from December 1 to 10.

The Tsungkotepsu is a traditional warrior shawl of the Ao Naga tribe in Nagaland.

Officials revealed that the Nagaland government has officially designated Air India Express, recognized as India's first international value carrier, as the travel partner for the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival 2025, which stands as one of India's most celebrated festivities showcasing tribal heritage, music, culinary delights, and traditions.

This collaboration highlights the airline's dedication to fostering meaningful connections rooted in communities, cultures, and narratives, through its 'Tales of India' initiative.

The announcement was made in the presence of notable figures, including Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland, alongside Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, at the airline's headquarters in Gurugram.

Attending the announcement were various government officials from Nagaland, including Theja Meru, Chairman of the Task Force for Music and Arts, and Ababe Ezung, OSD of the Transport Department, along with senior airline executives.

Expressing enthusiasm over Air India Express's role as the official travel partner, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated, “Nagaland is excited to welcome Air India Express as our travel partner for both Nagaland Tourism and the Hornbill Festival.”

He emphasized that this partnership signifies a crucial advancement in improving connectivity, enriching visitor experiences, and presenting Nagaland to the rest of India and the world. It's a welcomed corporate alliance, and we anticipate Air India Express's contributions toward our shared vision of nation-building, aiming to enhance opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange, and economic progress in the Land of Festivals.

Discussing the partnership, Aloke Singh, MD of Air India Express, remarked, “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Government of Nagaland for this year’s Hornbill Festival—a vibrant celebration of culture, music, and heritage. Through our overarching 'Tales of India' initiative, we honor the diverse cultural heritage and indigenous arts of our nation.”

He added that the Hornbill Festival encapsulates the spirit, artistry, and vibrancy of the region in a unique way. The Tsungkotepsu livery on the new Boeing 737-8 serves as a tribute to Nagaland’s rich artistic heritage and marks the first aircraft in our fleet to showcase our newly upgraded cabin. We eagerly look forward to welcoming guests to the Land of Festivals and supporting Nagaland’s development as a cultural and tourism hub.

As Nagaland gears up to welcome guests from across the nation and the globe, Air India Express is drawing the festivities closer with the introduction of its new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, VT-BWD, adorned with a captivating livery inspired by the Tsungkotepsu design, a significant emblem of identity and culture, traditionally worn as a symbol of great honor by the Ao tribe of Nagaland.

The Chief Minister will receive the aircraft at Dimapur Airport on November 22. The airline will also support the travel needs of artists and organizers for the festival, alongside establishing a dedicated Hornbill experience kiosk at Dimapur Airport to warmly welcome travelers to Nagaland's vibrant culture upon their arrival.

To boost accessibility and promote tourism, Air India Express is offering a flat 15% discount on direct and one-stop flights to Dimapur for bookings made between November 20 and 30, for travel during the period from November 20 to December 15, utilizing the promo code Hornbill on the airline’s award-winning website and mobile app.

Air India Express operates daily flights linking Dimapur to Guwahati, with convenient one-stop onward connections from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Patna. The same aircraft operates from Dimapur to Guwahati and then to Delhi, ensuring a more seamless travel experience for passengers.

Throughout 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, thereby enhancing mobility and accessibility in the Northeast.

Air India Express celebrates India's cultural and festive landscape through carefully designed, guest-oriented initiatives that integrate local traditions into the travel experience.

From Sattvik meals during Navratri and festive menus for Diwali to Onam Sadya during Onam, and thoughtful gestures like distributing rakhis onboard for Raksha Bandhan, the airline encapsulates the warmth of India's festivities in the skies. These initiatives, along with the airline’s new campaign ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’, inspire travelers to delve into the country's rich diversity and cultural depth, both on the ground and in the air.