Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has reported significant growth in its operational performance for the third quarter of 2024, according to its latest performance report. The airline transported over nine million guests, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This achievement was aided by more than 49,500 flights, reflecting a 9% increase in flight operations. Additionally, Saudia logged 146,700 flight hours, representing an 11% increase over last year, with an impressive on-time performance rate of 87.8%. Internationally, Saudia carried over five million guests, reflecting a 9% growth, and on more than 21,900 flights,…
Author: Disha Ghosh
At the 2024 AGM of the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), elections for the national office-bearers and Managing Committee were undertaken. Largely peaceful in nature, the elections saw Ved Khanna of Tourwala Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., being elected as the new President, succeeding PP Khanna. All the six office-bearers were also elected unopposed. Rajat Sawhney from Rave Tours & Travels, and Aashish Sehgal from Hora Tourism & Consultancy Services will continue as Senior Vice President and Vice President, respectively. Dalip Gupta of DGS Travel House has taken charge as General Secretary position and Manoj Varshney of Tulsi Travels…
SriLankan Airlines is set to launch a daytime flight between Benglauru and Colombo starting October 31, 2024, bringing the total weekly operations between the two cities to 10 flights. The new flight timings are ideal for both Indian holidaymakers and business event attendees travelling to Sri Lanka for short weekend escapes. Flight UL 1174 will depart from Benglauru to Colombo at 09:40am every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, arriving in Colombo at 11:10 AM. The corresponding return flight, UL 1173, will leave Colombo at 07:20am, and reach Bengaluru at 08:40am, also every Thursday through Saturday. Travellers who are members of the…
Global travel app Skyscanner has released its “Travel Trends 2025 Report,” revealing that the upcoming year is all about collective travel experiences. From stargazing beneath the night skies to exploring immersive art galleries, Indians are increasingly drawn to adventures that offer a sense of community. Moreover, with 66% of Indians planning to travel more in 2025, global exploration is a top priority as they seek out destinations that offer enriching experiences. The report further offers insights into the pulse of Indian travellers in the coming year, their evolving travel preferences, and the top 10 trending and best-value destinations. Data from…
Meet Kapadia, Head, Travel Insurance, Policybazaar.com “Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets,” a celebrated quote by Oscar Wilde, the famed poet and playwright, aptly summarises the importance of travelling worry-free. In other words, do not forget to protect your travel plans against unexpected circumstances. Over the years, both international and domestic travel have surged in India, driven by the growing middle class with increasing disposable income. Especially after the pandemic, travelers are increasingly seeking experiences that include exploring exotic destinations, culinary adventures, wellness retreats and thrilling activities. This adventure often extends to not just one but multiple…
Amadeus has signed an enhanced distribution agreement with United Airlines. As part of the agreement, the Chicago-based carrier will offer a wide range of content through the Amadeus Travel Platform. The partnership includes both New Distribution Capability (NDC) and EDIFACT content, providing travel sellers the broadest selection of flights and fares in the United States and around the world, helping them to create the personalised trips travellers increasingly expect through NDC. “Amadeus has been a vital distribution partner in the deployment of NDC, and we are delighted to accelerate that journey today,” said Kurt Van Meir, Managing Director, Distribution, United…
Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organisation for Washington, DC, has expanded its training platform designed to equip travel agents, tour operators and local hospitality workers with the essential knowledge and tools to effectively promote and sell Washington, DC as a premier travel destination. The Washington, DC Special Agent Academy offers destination training that combines core city information with in-depth insights into DC’s vibrant neighborhoods, festivals and unique landmarks. By completing designated missions, participants will become certified “Special Agents,” gaining access to exclusive discounts, the opportunity to win exciting prizes and access to valuable support from Destination DC’s Tourism,…
OYO has rolled out a new B2B product, designed to meet corporate travel and event planning needs across India. Its Founder and CEO, Ritesh Agarwal made the announcement on social media platform X. Oravel Travel Solutions aims to streamline corporate travel management by offering dedicated support teams that handle check-ins, conference arrangements, and event logistics. “At OYO, we understand the need for seamless corporate travel and event planning. Whether it’s organising summits, off sites, or business events, our 500+ company-serviced accommodations across India offer special corporate rates—complete with comfortable stays, tailored meal plans, conference setups, and event support,” he said.…
The announcement by Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu of plans to establish more than 200 airports in India over the next 20 years reflects the country’s growing focus on strengthening its aviation infrastructure. This ambitious plan is part of a broader vision to accommodate rising passenger demand and enhance regional connectivity, building on the significant increase in the number of airports during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure—from 74 to over 150. Speaking at the Amaravati Drone Summit 2024, Naidu also emphasized Andhra Pradesh’s role as a leader in drone technology, particularly in disaster management, citing the use of…
Air India and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have agreed to significantly expand their code-share agreement, adding 11 Indian cities and another 40 international destinations to their network. This marks the first extensive expansion of code-share arrangements between the airlines since 2010, offering customers enhanced travel options between Singapore and India, as well as beyond. From October 27, 2024, Air India and SIA will code-share on each other’s flights between Singapore and the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Chennai, increasing their total weekly scheduled code-share services between the countries to 56 from 14. SIA will codeshare on Air India’s domestic flights between…
