International, Defence and Summits · 1 October 2026

Singapore Airlines Takes Top Spot in Skytrax World Airline Awards 2026 as Air India Emerges as Leading Indian Carrier

Exam-focused facts from the 1 October 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Singapore Airlines was named the world's best airline for 2026 in Skytrax's World Airline Awards, moving up from second place in 2025, with Qatar Airways second and Cathay Pacific third.
  • Air India was the highest-ranked Indian airline, standing at 57th place globally, a 27-place improvement from its 2025 position.
  • IndiGo fell to 61st globally, down 22 places from last year, but remained the second-highest Indian carrier.
  • In Skytrax's regional ranking, Air India was first among airlines in India and South Asia, followed by IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express, SriLankan Airlines and SpiceJet.
  • The Skytrax 2026 survey ran from September 2025 to August 2026, covered more than 300 airlines, and received participation from customers of more than 100 nationalities.
  • The global top 10 comprised Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, ANA All Nippon Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Hainan Airlines, Japan Airlines and Korean Air.

View this story in the full daily briefing

Earlier coverage selected by topic similarity to help connect developments over time.

Abhinandan Varthaman joined Fly91 as Pilot

Abhinandan Varthaman, a former Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF), joined Goa-based regional carrier Fly91 as a commercial pilot. He took premature retirement from the IAF on March 31 and joined Fly91 in August.