Air India Express has expanded its rapidly growing network by adding Agartala, the capital city of Tripura, as its 32nd domestic destination. The airline launched daily direct flights from Agartala to Guwahati and Kolkata on Sunday, offering convenient one-stop connections to eight domestic destinations, including Delhi. Additionally, Air India Express inaugurated new routes from Hyderabad to Guwahati, Bengaluru to Vijayawada, and Bengaluru to Indore, all commencing on the same day. Agartala: Air India Express operates 14 weekly flights from Agartala, providing daily direct services to Guwahati and Kolkata. The airline also offers convenient one-stop connections to Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi,…
Author: Disha Ghosh
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for July 2024 global passenger demand with the following highlights: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 8.0% compared to July 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 7.4% year-on-year. The July load factor was 86.0% (+0.5ppt compared to July 2023). There was no significant negative demand impact from the CrowdStrike IT outage on 19 July. International demand rose 10.1% compared to July 2023. Capacity was up 10.5% year-on-year and the load factor fell to 85.9% (-0.3ppt compared to July 2023). Domestic demand rose 4.8%…
The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) recently hosted a series of networking events across four cities in India. The events held in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata were a part of STA’s ongoing commitment to strengthen partnerships with travel trade and showcase diverse offerings as a top travel destination. The events were strategically designed to cater to the unique interests of each city, providing tailored information, highlighting leisure activities, cultural heritage, corporate travel, and pilgrimage. The series of events kickstarted in Ahmedabad and concluded in Kolkata. In Mumbai, 55 leading travel agents and industry representatives participated, while 50 members of the…
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism and Culture emphasised the crucial role tourism will play in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bhaarat) by 2047. Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum on Saturday, he said, “By 2047 when India becomes developed, one of the big drivers of developed India (Viksit Bhaarat) will be the tourism sector.” Shekhawat emphasised India’s rapid progress over the past decade, attributing it to strategic reforms and advancements in infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shekhawat said, “The way India has developed its infrastructure, established new benchmarks across various sectors,…
The Government of Uttar Pradesh has launched the Chief Minister Tourism Fellowship Scheme, targeting graduates aged up to 40 years. Under this initiative, participants will receive a monthly stipend of INR 40,000 to support their travel and work in the tourism sector. The scheme is designed to boost tourism in the state and create job opportunities for young people. Graduates with a minimum of 60% marks are eligible to apply through the official tourism department website, uptourism.gov.in. According to UP Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, selected fellows will receive INR 40,000 per month for their involvement in work and field trips…
The first leg of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, extending from Akshardham up to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), is expected to be up and running for the public by November. This fresh 32-kilometer stretch, which comprises 19 kilometers of high-road, sets out to ease traffic between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The expressway has been thoughtfully designed with a six-lane service road for local activities, along with an elevated lane for streamlined long-route transit. “The traffic flow on the service road will also improve as the entire stretch is being improved by the NHAI as part of the project. Dividing the traffic…
Royal Brunei Airlines will re-enter Indian skies after a gap of two decades through a direct flight service between Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and Chennai from November 5. A direct connection to Kolkata from Bandar Seri Begawan was terminated in 2001. The airline, the flag carrier of the Sultanate of Brunei, was established in 1974 as an independent corporation wholly owned by the government. It provides scheduled services across Asia, the Middle East, Australia and the UK. “Chennai calls! Get ready to immerse yourself in a city full of rich history, vibrant culture, and mouth-watering flavours. The gateway to…
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), which operates Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and Amal by Malaysia Airlines, announced it will be cutting flights until the end of 2024 to address ongoing supply chain problems, manpower shortages, and technical issues. This decision follows multiple disruptions last week, including emergency landings and flight returns due to engine problems. Izham Ismail, MD, MAG, stated that the company is taking immediate steps to address the root causes of these operational difficulties. The group has also been impacted by delayed deliveries of new aircraft this year, leading to fewer available planes than planned. MAG is working closely with…
Singapore Airlines has received approval from the Government of India for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vistara , paying the way for its joint venture with Tata Group, into Air India, the airline said in a regulatory filing. Singapore’s flagship carrier announced a plan to merge the decade-old Vistara and Tata-owned Air India in November 2022, in a bid to create a dominant full-service airline in the domestic and international markets. Singapore Airlines said it expected the deal, which Indian and Singaporean antitrust regulators have cleared, to be completed by the end of 2024. Singapore Airlines, which is the only…
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has concluded its 3-city annual Hong Kong Travel Mission to India covering Mumbai, Chennai, and New Delhi, which took place from August 20 to August 23. This year’s mission featured a dynamic 36-seller delegation of key Hong Kong Trade Partners including iconic attractions, theme parks, leading hotels, destination management companies (DMCs), airlines, and cruise lines. The team engaged effectively with over 500 Indian trade partners including agents from satellite markets of three metro cities. The mission highlights the significant growth in tourism traffic from the Indian subcontinent to Hong Kong, a destination known for…
