DELHI, 1 April 2026: Air India Express unveiled ‘The Flying Canvas’, a special art‑wrapped Boeing 737‑8 aeroplane (VT‑BWV), extending the airline’s long‑standing tradition of celebrating India’s cultural heritage through evocative aeroplane liveries.
At the heart of this latest creative milestone is internationally recognised contemporary artist Osheen Siva, known for her distinctive practice that blends heritage, identity and speculative futures.
The collaboration is a result of Air India Express’ multi-year partnership with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India’s first and largest international exhibition of contemporary art.
Wrapped in an original artwork created by Osheen Siva, whose work reimagines heritage as a living, evolving force, ‘The Flying Canvas’ transforms into the fastest-moving cultural installation.
The art livery features a Tamil figure carrying memory and heritage into the future, adorned with traditional motifs that symbolise lineage, identity and continuity. As India’s first full‑aircraft contemporary art wrap, this initiative brings a bold new dimension to Air India Express’ long‑standing commitment to celebrating India’s culture across the skies.
Air India Express Chief Marketing Officer Siddhartha Butalia commented on the concept and campaign: Art is one of the most powerful universal languages – it transcends borders, cultures, and geographies to connect people in ways few things can. With the Tales of India and its extension to The Flying Canvas project, we are literally taking that idea to the skies, transforming an aircraft into a moving expression of living cultural identity. This initiative reflects how we see travel – not just as a journey between destinations, but as an opportunity to experience, interpret, and connect with culture and communities in meaningful ways. As one of the most culturally engaged airlines globally, we are proud and delighted to create spaces where art, travel, and human connection come together.”
During the previous edition of the Biennale, Air India Express unveiled a bespoke tail art on one of its Boeing aircraft. This association laid the foundation for deeper engagement with India’s contemporary art ecosystem and continues with a fully aircraft-wrapped in art for the 2025–26 edition.
(Source: Air India Express)
