In a significant move for the Indian aviation industry, Air India has become the first airline in the country to adopt the New Distribution Capability (NDC), a cutting-edge technology standard introduced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This move is set to revolutionise how the airline distributes its products and services, allowing for more personalised and transparent offers to customers across various sales channels. NDC is an XML-based data transmission standard that upgrades the way airline products are distributed, making it easier for airlines to offer real-time, customized deals to travel sellers and customers. The technology will enable Air…
Author: Disha Ghosh
ICRA has revised its forecast for Indian airlines’ cumulative net losses for FY25 and FY26, lowering the estimate by 25-33% due to improved pricing power and a stable cost environment. The new estimate is INR 2,000-3,000 crore, down from an earlier projection of INR 3,000-4,000 crore. Despite a downgrade in domestic air passenger growth expectations for FY25 (now pegged at 7-10%), Indian carriers are benefiting from a widening gap between revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) and cost per available seat kilometer (CASK), indicating stronger pricing control. ICRA forecasts domestic passenger traffic in FY25 to reach 164-170 million, while international…
EaseMyTrip.com has ventured into electric bus manufacturing market through its new subsidiary, Easy Green Mobility. Easy Green Mobility will manufacture EV buses, with YoloBus (another subsidiary of EaseMyTrip) serving as its operating arm. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the brand’s commitment of tapping a new segment offering eco-friendly and innovative travel solutions, navigating its journey toward sustainable mobility. EaseMyTrip is investing INR 200 crore for extensive R&D, Product Development, and setting up Manufacturing Plant over the span of 2-3 years. The Indian electric bus market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24% from 2024 to 2030.…
Philippine Airlines becomes first carrier to implement solution Recent regulations in many markets make it possible for merchants to accept payment from consumers using direct, account-to-account transfers. As airlines seek to best meet the needs of travellers and reduce the overall cost of payments, account-to-account payments are becoming very popular, and they represent a new option for travellers to pay for air tickets. As a result, IATA and Outpayce are partnering so airlines can now accept payments made with IATA Pay through Outpayce’s Xchange Payments Platform (XPP). IATA Pay is an alternative account-to-account form of payment for travellers to pay…
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has reported a total income of INR 1,014.21 crore for the 2023-24 financial year, reflecting a 31.6% increase from the INR 770.91 crore earned in the previous year. Cochin Airport is notable as the first greenfield airport established under the public-private partnership model. According to a CIAL press release on Wednesday (September 4, 2024), the airport operator’s profit before tax rose to INR 552.37 crore, up from INR 357.30 crore, marking a 54.6 per cent increase. Net profit after tax also saw significant growth, reaching INR 412.58 crore compared to INR 267.17 crore in the…
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched its 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report, which has revealed the U.S. as the world’s most powerful Travel & Tourism market, contributing a record-breaking USD 2.36 trillion to the nation’s economy last year. Despite the slow return of spending from international travellers, the U.S. keeps pole position, with almost double the economic contribution of its nearest rival. Following a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism, the sector continues to be the backbone to many country economies, while supporting millions of jobs globally. The latest report from the global tourism body reveals China…
TripJack hosted an exclusive Hotel Bonanza Event at The Lalit to recognise the outstanding achievements of travel agents from New Delhi who excelled in driving hotel bookings and meeting their campaign targets. The evening was marked by an awards ceremony, where exceptional agents were celebrated and rewarded with prizes that included gold coins, televisions, iPhones, and more. These rewards reflect TripJack’s deep appreciation and commitment to motivating and empowering our valued travel partners. As part of the event, TripJack showcased the Check-In Guarantee and the Best Rate Guarantee programmes. These programmes are designed to empower travel agents with tools that…
Saudi Arabia has announced the cancellation of fees for issuing commercial activity licences for hotels, hotel apartments, and residential resorts, the state news agency SPA reported today. The decision, effective immediately, is part of the kingdom’s ongoing Tourism Investment Enabler Programme, launched in March. This move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to position the country as a global tourism hub and reduce its dependence on oil revenues. The initiative is expected to attract more investment into the tourism sector, increasing its contribution to the kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP). Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has invested over…
The Nagaland District Administration has issued a travel advisory due to massive landslides in various locations, including Pherima, Tseipama/Piphema, and NH-29 (Pagala Pahar/New Chumoukedima). All vehicular traffic between Kohima and Dimapur on NH-29 is blocked, and alternate routes via Pimla-Mhainamtsi are not advised. Light motor vehicles can use the Niuland-Kohima via Zhadima road, but heavy vehicles are not allowed. An alternate route via Niuland-Zhadima (10th IR Camp)-10th Mile Junction is suggested for LMVs due to the highway blockage at NH-29 Pherima. The District Administration has clarified that there is no shortage of essential commodities and fuel due to the landslides.…
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reported a 25% reduction in air proximity incidents in 2023 compared to the previous two years. Air proximity incidents occur when two aircraft come dangerously close mid-air, posing a risk of collision. In its latest safety review, the DGCA highlighted significant safety improvements, including a 23% drop in unstabilized approaches, where aircraft deviate from the ideal speed, descent rate, or alignment during landing. This reduction minimizes the risk of runway excursions and unsafe landings. Additionally, alerts from the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), designed to prevent planes from crashing into the ground,…
