Turkish Airlines Received Three Financing Awards From Airline Economics

 

Showcasing its industry leadership when it comes to aircraft financing, Turkish Airlines has been recognized with three prestigious awards at the Airline Economics Aviation 100 European & Sustainability Awards ceremony held in London on 17 September 2025.

 

Continuing to diversify its global financing network and implement innovative financing structures to mitigate currency risks and gain cost advantages, Turkish Airlines secured the “European Overall Deal of the Year” award through an Islamic finance lease in Swiss francs for one Airbus A350 aircraft, financed by Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB).

 

The flag carrier also received the “European Supported Finance Deal of the Year” award for the financing of two Airbus A350 aircraft, executed under a Balthazar-guaranteed JOLCO structure in Japanese yen with a consortium comprising Natixis and ORIX. This recognition highlights the airline’s steadily strengthening presence in the Japanese market since 2007.

 

In addition, Turkish Airlines was honored with the “Sustainability Aviation Overall Deal of the Year” award for its innovative sustainability-linked JOLCO financing of two Airbus A321neo aircraft in 2024, arranged by a Societe Generale-led consortium in Euro and Japanese yen—further combining the airline’s sustainability vision with its financing strategy.

Turkish Airlines Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee Associate Prof. Murat Şeker; “We are honored to be recognized once again on an international platform with three different awards this year. This achievement is a reflection of the Turkish Airlines family’s dedication, as well as the innovative financing structures developed by our finance team. It stands as a testament to the financial strength and strategic vision of our brand. We will continue to pursue our sustainable growth objectives with unwavering determination."

 

Turkish Airlines aircraft financing team achieves one of the lowest financing costs in the airline industry with its experienced staff who has a comprehensive knowledge on a large array of aircraft financing structures.

 

The national flag carrier has been deemed worthy of many financing awards by world-renowned organizations such as “Global Transport Finance,” “Airline Economics,” “Airfinance Journal,” and “Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Turkey” with its creative financing models, many of which have been implemented for the first time, since 2009. Turkish Airlines has crowned its success in this regard, as having won 30 international aircraft finance awards in the last ten years for its successful executions amounting to approximately 16 billion USD.

 

Previous Awards

1. 2025 Ishka – Sustainable Financing Pioneer Award

2. 2024 Global Banking and Markets - Leveraged Loan Deal of the Year

3. 2024 Airline Economics - Global Lease Deal of the Year Award

4. 2024 Airline Economics - JOLCO Deal of the Year

5. 2024 Airline Economics - Supported Finance Deal of the Year

6. 2023 Airline Economics - Asia-Pacific Lease of the Year

7. 2022 Airfinance Journal - Europe Deal of the Year

8. 2022 Airfinance Journal - Structured Lease Deal of the Year

9. 2022 Airline Economics - Global Lease Deal of the Year Award

10. 2022 Airline Economics - European Lease Deal of the Year

11. 2020 Airline Economics - Lease Deal of the Year (Europe)

12. 2020 Airline Economics - Supported Finance Deal of the Year (Europe)

13. 2019 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk - Transport Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)

14. 2019 Airline Economics - Supported Finance Deal of the Year

15. 2018 Airline Economics - Lease Deal of the Year

16. 2018 Global Transport Finance - Tax Lease Deal of the Year

17. 2018 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk - Transport Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)

18. 2017 Airfinance Journal - Tax Lease Deal of the Year

19. 2017 Global Transport Finance - Unique Deal of the Year

20. 2017 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk – Trade & Export Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)

21. 2017 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk - Transport Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)

22. 2017 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk - Structured Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)

23. 2015 Airfinance Journal - Capital Markets Deal of the Year

24. 2015 Airfinance Journal - Tax Lease Deal of the Year

25. 2015 Airline Economics - Editor’s Deal of the Year

26. 2015 Airline Economics - European Deal of the Year

27. 2015 Global Transport Finance - EETC Deal of the Year (Europe)

28. 2015 Bonds, Loans and Sukuk – Trade & Export Finance Deal of the Year (Middle East)

29. 2015 Airfinance Journal - Engine Deal of the Year

 

Innovations

• First airline to secure Chinese Yuan denominated aircraft financing outside of China (2024)

• The first ever Itasca Re Insurance Covered Finance Lease (2023)

• The first ever ACG Aircraft Financing Solutions (AFS) guaranteed Italian tax lease (2021)

• The first ever UKEF guaranteed French tax lease (2020)

• The first ever ACG Aircraft Financing Solutions (AFS) guaranteed finance lease (2019)

• The first ever BALTHAZAR guaranteed French tax Lease (2019)

• The first ever AFIC guaranteed Italian tax lease (2018)

• The first ever SACE guaranteed French tax lease (2018)

• The first ever AFIC guaranteed French tax lease (2017)

• The first ever JPY denominated EETC JOLCO (2015)

• The first ever US Ex-Im guaranteed French Tax Lease (2015)

• The first ever EECA guaranteed Italian tax lease (2014)

• The first ever Bond Convertible JPY Ex-Im guaranteed engine lease (2014)

• The first ever EECA guaranteed Italian Tax Lease in JPY denomination (2014)

• The first ever US Ex-Im guaranteed JPY denominated Convertible Bond (2013)

• The first ever EECA guaranteed JOLCO Lease (2011)

 

About Turkish Airlines:

Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 504 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 355 worldwide destinations as 302 international and 53 domestics in 131 countries. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.

 

 

About Star Alliance:

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey. The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers 17,837 daily flights to over 1,160 airports in 192 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines. Star Alliance Press Office: Tel: +65 8729 6691 Email: mediarelations@staralliance.com Visit our website or connect with us on social media: 

Zen Diamond Expands South India Presence With Two New Stores In Bengaluru

Zen Diamond, a globally renowned fine jewellery brand with a presence in over 450+ stores worldwide, is strengthening its footprint in India with the launch of two new stores in Bengaluru. Following its successful debut in Mumbai with stores in Bandra and Borivali, Zen Diamond now expands its presence to South India with openings at Phoenix Mall of Asia and Phoenix Marketcity.

The Phoenix Marketcity store and the Mall of Asia store both continue Zen Diamond’s signature aesthetic of refined grey palettes that highlight the brilliance of the jewellery, complemented by premium materials such as fluted panels and stucco textures.

Renowned for its expertise in crafting high-quality natural diamond jewellery, Zen Diamond blends timeless elegance with contemporary designs. With a rich legacy of craftsmanship and innovation, the brand caters to discerning customers seeking exclusive, finely crafted pieces that embody sophistication and modernity. Built on the pillars of affordability and trust, Zen Diamond continues to resonate with today’s value-conscious yet style-driven consumers. Along with fine jewellery, Zen Diamond also offers a curated selection of luxury accessories, including perfumes, ties, watches, pens, and gold coins, making it a one-stop destination for refined gifting and personal indulgence.

Speaking about the Bangalore stores, Neil Sonawala, Managing Director at Zen Diamond, said, “India has always been a significant market for the brand, and the overwhelming response to our Mumbai stores has been very encouraging. With the launch of our two new stores in Bengaluru, we are thrilled to bring Zen Diamond’s legacy of fine craftsmanship to South India. Our collections seamlessly blend tradition with contemporary design, making them the perfect choice for today’s jewellery connoisseurs.”

Adding to the announcement, Rituu Mehhta - Center Director Phoenix Mall of Asia & Director Marketing, South said, “We are delighted to partner with Zen Diamond for their Bengaluru expansion. At Phoenix Malls, we are committed to offering our patrons a premium shopping experience, and the addition of a globally renowned brand like Zen Diamond further enhances our retail portfolio. We look forward to customers discovering their exquisite jewellery collections at both our properties.”

With the opening of its Bengaluru stores, Zen Diamond reinforces its vision of redefining fine jewellery in India by offering a seamless fusion of global design trends and enduring sophistication. The brand is also among the very few in India to offer Natural Diamond Certification, further strengthening consumer confidence in the authenticity and superior quality of its jewellery

Bay Window Expands Footprint, Enters Bangalore With It’s Experience Center

Bay Window — Global Design for Modern India — is proud to announce the launch of its experience center located in the heart of the Horamavu–Banaswadi design district — one of the city’s fastest-growing creative hubs.

Founded on the belief that designer furniture should be both aspirational and accessible, Bay Window blends global aesthetics with Indian sensibilities to create furniture that’s elegant, enduring, and designed for real, everyday living. Every piece is a reflection of the brand’s commitment to luxury that’s attainable, without compromising on craftsmanship or character.

Backed by over three decades in the furniture industry, Bay Window stands on the pillars of quality, trust, and an insightful understanding of how Indian lifestyles are evolving

“Our vision has always been to bring global design to Indian homes — in a way that feels personal, livable, and beautifully within reach,” said Siddhant Anand, Co-founder of Bay Window. “Bangalore has always inspired us — it’s a city where design, culture, and community converge. This store is more than just a retail space; it’s an invitation to experience what furniture can truly be.”

The new Bangalore experience center showcases Bay Window’s signature offerings — including furniture, curated décor, and bespoke design services. From Modern Vogue and Scandi Minimalist to Ethnic Chic and Luxe Edit, every collection is thoughtfully curated for today’s diverse Indian home.

“We believe great design is not just about how a space looks, but how it makes you feel,” said Shivani Anand, Co-founder of Bay Window. “Every piece we create is rooted in storytelling and purpose. With this launch, we’re excited to connect with Bangalore’s discerning homeowners, architects, and designers who value originality and substance in their spaces.”

This milestone marks a significant step in Bay Window’s South India expansion vision. With three successful stores in Hyderabad, the brand is now extending its presence to a city that celebrates design-led thinking and modern living.

The brand also aims to deepen its engagement with the architectural and design community, offering a collaborative space for interior designers, architects, influencers, and HNIs to experience its collections firsthand — and explore partnership opportunities that go beyond just products.

Samsung Announces Exciting Festive Deals On A Range of Galaxy Wearables In India

 

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced never-before-seen prices on its latest Galaxy wearables, including the recently-launched Galaxy Watch8 series and Galaxy Buds3 FE. Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Ring are some of the other products to get massive discount ahead of the festive season. These special discounts provide customers with a fantastic opportunity to own Galaxy wearables at the most attractive prices since their launch.

 

Starting today, the Galaxy Watch8 series will be available at a massive discount of up to INR 15000, while the recently-launched Galaxy Buds3 FE will be offered with a discount of INR 4000. The Galaxy Watch Ultra will be available at a discount of INR 18000, and the Galaxy Ring will be offered with a discount of INR 15000.  The special prices can be availed either through an instant cashback or an upgrade bonus, available for a limited time period. Additionally, consumers seeking enhanced affordability can take advantage of no-cost EMI for up to 18 months.

 

Galaxy Watch8 Series

The Galaxy Watch8 series is the first smartwatch series to come out of the box with Gemini, Google’s AI assistant empowering the users to go hands-free using natural voice commands to get complex tasks done across multiple Galaxy Watch apps. For the first time, the Galaxy Watch8 series introduces an Antioxidant Index, giving you a real-time view of your cellular health.

 

Running on Wear OS 6 with One UI Watch 8, the Galaxy Watch8 series also debuts enhanced features like Multi-Info Tiles, a refreshed Now Bar, and streamlined notifications for at-a-glance convenience.  Built on the foundation of the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s cushion design, Galaxy Watch8 is just 8.6mm thin—offering a sleek profile and snug, all-day comfortable fit, thanks to its new Dynamic Lug System. The Galaxy Watch8 series features a dazzling Super AMOLED display with 3000 nits of peak brightness that ensures excellent visibility outdoors.

 

The Watch8 Classic adds elements of traditional elegance, with its ever-popular Rotating Bezel design and a new “Quick Button” for fast access to apps and routines.  It is available in a single 46 mm size with a premium stainless-steel case, sapphire crystal display, and upgraded brightness for clearer visibility outdoors. The Galaxy Watch8 series is Samsung’s most advanced lineup of wellness-focused smartwatches, combining refined design with powerful health tracking. Equipped with the upgraded BioActive Sensor, it delivers more accurate insights on sleep, including Bedtime Guidance to track circadian rhythm and recommend optimal sleep times, plus Vascular Load monitoring and Sleep Coaching to build better habits. The new AI-powered Energy Score gives a daily snapshot of physical and mental energy, while Running Coach provides personalized training plans with live guidance.

 

Galaxy Buds3 FE

Galaxy Buds3 FE come with an exciting fusion of Galaxy AI, enhanced audio tech and an iconic blade design – allowing users to step in to the Galaxy ecosystem and enjoy better living and wellness – all in a playful way. The device gets core innovations and enhancements, including advanced Active Noise Cancelation, while providing improved call quality, battery life and comfort. For translation, you can use Galaxy Buds3 FE with the Galaxy AI Interpreter app on your Galaxy smartphone to listen to a lecture in a foreign language or have a conversation with someone in another language. When phrases like “Hey Google” are used, Galaxy Buds3 FE can listen, understand, and respond without a screen or hands — just the user’s voice. You can also check your daily agenda or email without removing your phone from your pocket or bag. Additionally, AI features and the Galaxy Buds3 FE design ensure that queuing up the next playlist or translating a conversation from one language to another is always just a word or long press away.

 

Galaxy Ring 

Designed for 24/7 health monitoring, Galaxy Ring offers a simple approach to everyday wellness. Engineered with premium materials, including a titanium finish for enhanced durability, Galaxy Ring is IP68 water- and dust-resistant and can withstand depths of up to 100 meters with its 10ATM rating. This makes Galaxy Ring a sophisticated yet rugged accessory, perfect for all use cases. Galaxy Ring is ultra-lightweight, making it ideal for all-day wear and it offers up to 7 days of battery life encased in a specially designed charging case that features aesthetic LED lighting to indicate charging status.  Powered by Samsung’s proprietary “Health AI”, Galaxy Ring delivers real-time insights intuitively, so that users can simply wear it and let the AI-driven insights work in the background, providing personalized recommendations and wellness tips. All data and insights are integrated into Samsung Health for seamless access within one cohesive platform without any subscription fees. Galaxy Ring also supports everyday wellness monitoring, allowing users to stay informed about heart health with HR monitoring providing alerts for high/low heart rates.

 

Galaxy Ring is able to auto-detect workouts (walking and running) as well as provides inactive alerts to users keeping them motivated to achieve their goals. Galaxy Ring also features Samsung’s best-in-class sleep analysis and a powerful sleep AI algorithm. Along with Sleep Score and snoring analysis, new sleep metrics such as movement during sleep, sleep latency, heart and respiratory rate provide a detailed and accurate analysis of sleep quality.

Offer Details:

Product	Original Price	FESTIVE DEAL Price
Galaxy Buds3 FE	INR 12999	INR 8999
Galaxy Buds3 Pro	INR 19999	INR 13999
Galaxy Ring (all sizes)	INR 38999	INR 23999
Galaxy Watch Ultra	INR 59999	INR 41999
Galaxy Watch8 Series	Starting INR 32999	Starting INR 22999

Kisah Launches First Store In Bangalore—Celebrating Fearless Fashion And Individuality

Kisah, the men’s ethnic fashion brand celebrated for its bold colors and fearless designs, proudly announces the launch of its first Bangalore store today. This opening marks a significant milestone in Kisah’s retail expansion beyond Kolkata. The brand is already present across multiple cities in India and globally through its online D2C channel.

Kisah was founded with a bold mission to make vibrant, experimental ethnic wear accessible to a new generation unafraid to experiment and stand out. Designed for Gen Z and style-forward thinkers, Kisah celebrates fearless self-expression through fashion. After making its mark online and across three stores in Kolkata, "Kisah is here to ignite Bangalore’s creative youth to embrace their individuality — bold, proud, and unapologetic.

Commenting on the new store’s launch, Yash Sarawagi, Co-Founder, Kisah Apparels Pvt Ltd.  said “Opening our Indiranagar store is truly a special milestone for Kisah. Bangalore isn’t just another city for us it’s the city that has shown us the maximum love across all our online channels, with the majority of our top-selling pincodes coming from here. Its rich cultural mix and dynamic youth make it the perfect fit for Kisah’s fearless fashion.

We have crafted the store keeping the savvy young Bangalorean in mind -  it’s a self-guided store with an immersive experience. From layout to lighting, every detail is designed to spark curiosity and excitement, turning every visit into something memorable, inspiring, and worth coming back for,” he added.

Located at Shop No. 2012, Ground Floor, Shreyas Plaza, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, the new Kisah store invites shoppers to discover bold, versatile styles that celebrate self-expression and break away from the ordinary.

This expansion is more than a store opening, it’s Kisah’s promise to empower people to celebrate life’s special moments with boldness and creativity.

About Kisah

Kisah blends bespoke craftsmanship with bold, trend-setting designs to redefine men’s ethnic wear. Guided by a vision to challenge tradition and champion individuality, Kisah has grown from an online-first brand into a vibrant retail presence with stores in Kolkata and now Bangalore.

Ghaziabad Adopts Robotic Cleaning System: VA Tech Wabag Deploys ‘Bandicoot’ To Eliminate Manual Scavenging

Under the “One City, One Operator” initiative, Uttar Pradesh advances safe and technology-driven sanitation

 

VA Tech Wabag has deployed ‘Bandicoot,’ the world’s first manhole-cleaning robot, in Ghaziabad as part of efforts to modernize the city’s sanitation system. This initiative forms a core element of the “One City, One Operator” model, which gives Wabag the responsibility for managing and upgrading sanitation services with an emphasis on safety and efficiency.

 

The deployment in Ghaziabad extends Uttar Pradesh’s state-wide program for mechanized sewer maintenance. The model was first implemented in Agra, where within six months of its launch in February 2025, Bandicoot had cleaned more than 1,500 manholes. The program was further reinforced when the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, inaugurated the robot in Gorakhpur, highlighting the state’s commitment to ending manual scavenging. Operations are also beginning in Bulandshahr this month.

 

Introduced in 2018 by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Bandicoot has become an important part of India’s sanitation reform framework. It supports national programs such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Swachh Survekshan, and the Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge, which focus on safe and dignified sanitation practices.

 

Developed by Genrobotics Innovations, Bandicoot is built to eliminate the need for human entry into hazardous sewer spaces. The robot is equipped with a robotic arm, stabilizing legs, and an integrated bucket system that can enter manholes, remove hardened sludge and blockages, and restore flow while ensuring worker safety.

 

In addition to deploying technology, VA Tech Wabag is running training programs to help sanitation workers develop new skills and transition into certified robotic operators.

 

With operations now active in Ghaziabad and soon in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh is strengthening its role in advancing technology-based urban sanitation. This collaboration between government, industry, and technology aims to replace manual scavenging with safer, more efficient, and modern sanitation systems.

Tata Motors Launches Ace Gold+ Diesel Mini-Truck At Rs. 5.52 Lakh*

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, today announced the launch of the Ace Gold+—the most affordable diesel variant in its iconic Ace range. Priced at just ₹5.52 lakh* (ex-showroom), the Ace Gold+ is engineered to deliver exceptional performance while ensuring the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in its category, making it the ideal choice for today’s value conscious entrepreneurs. 

Equipped with advanced Lean NOx Trap (LNT) technology, the Ace Gold+ eliminates the need for Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), significantly reducing maintenance and operating costs. This innovation not only ensures compliance with stringent emission norms but also enhances profitability by lowering recurring expenses—helping customers earn more with every trip.

 

Launching the new model, Mr. Pinaki Haldar, Vice President & Business Head – SCVPU, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “Since its launch over two decades ago, the Tata Ace has consistently transformed last-mile mobility across India, empowering hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs to drive progress. With every upgrade, it has evolved to incorporate advanced technologies, versatile features, and broader applications. The launch of the Ace Gold+ continues this legacy—delivering a solution that simplifies business operations, enhances profitability, and reinforces our commitment to nurturing India’s entrepreneurial spirit.”

 

Powered by the turbocharged Dicor engine delivering 22PS of power and 55Nm of torque, the Ace Gold+ is built for reliability across diverse business applications. With a payload capacity of 900kg and multiple load deck configurations, it offers versatility and efficiency for a wide range of cargo needs.

 

Tata Motors’ small commercial vehicle and pickup portfolio—including the Ace Pro, Ace, Intra, and Yodha—caters to payloads from 750kg to 2-tonne and is available in a variety of powertrains: diesel, petrol, CNG, bi-fuel, and electric. Complementing this expansive range of robustly engineered vehicles is Sampoorna Seva 2.0, a comprehensive lifecycle support programme offering AMC packages, genuine spare parts, and 24x7 roadside assistance.

 

Backed by Tata Motors’ extensive nationwide spares and service network of 2,500 outlets and the Star Guru ecosystem of trained technicians, the Ace Gold+ is your ideal catalyst for entrepreneurial growth and seamless cargo mobility.

 

*Price as per new GST norms

 

About Tata Motors

Part of the USD 180 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570; NSE: TATAMOTORS), a USD 52 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups,  trucks, and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart, and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and ranks among the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

 

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that captivate the imagination of GenNext customers, fuelled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, the UK, the US, Italy, and South Korea. By focusing on engineering and tech- enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused on developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and suited to the evolving market and customer aspirations. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by developing a tailored product strategy, leveraging the synergy between Group companies and playing an active role in liaising with the Government of India in developing the policy framework.

With operations in India, UK, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2025, Tata Motors’ operations include 93 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, four joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.