A recent incident involved an IndiGo passenger falling victim to online fraud following a family vacation. Nishith Chaturvedi, residing in Noida, North India, and traveling with seven family members, had booked an IndiGo flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi on January 7. Initially, everything seemed routine as Chaturvedi proceeded with the web check-in for the flight. However, when confronted with an additional fee for seat selection, he reached out to IndiGo via X (formerly known as Twitter). Shortly after, he received a response from an individual claiming to be an IndiGo customer support executive, requesting his PNR (Passenger Name Record)…
Author: Nishtha Ganesh
Flights for both passengers and cargo to Madagascar The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) disclosed this information after a meeting with Madagascar Civil Aviation (ACM) in Antananarivo on Friday, January 26. Subsequent to productive discussions, both parties formalized their agreement by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a direct air connection between the two nations. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was officially executed by QCAA President Mohamed bin Faleh Al Hajri and ACM Director General Gervais Damasy. Under this agreement, Qatar Airways is authorised to conduct seven weekly passenger and cargo flights from Doha Hamad International Airport…
According to official data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, over 200,000 tourists, including visitors from India, Russia, Germany, the US, Britain, Australia, and China, arrived in the country in January this year. In 2024, the South Asian nation targets attracting two million tourists. Official data reveals that it experienced a 106.6% increase in tourist arrivals in 2023, reaching 1,487,303, making tourism a key contributor to the country’s foreign revenue. Source: IANS
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa enabling U.S. companies to engage foreign workers in specialized occupations demanding theoretical or technical expertise. It is crucial for technology firms, relying on it to recruit tens of thousands of employees annually, often from countries such as India and China. The US federal agency announced a significant overhaul of its annual lottery for the H-1B specialty occupation visa, revealing that the application submission process for fiscal year 2025 would commence on March 6. The H-1B visa, a non-immigrant category, permits U.S. companies to engage foreign workers in specialized roles demanding theoretical or…
The United States has declared a significant rise in fees for diverse non-immigrant visa categories, such as H-1B, L-1, and EB-5, with the latter being particularly popular among Indians. Starting April 1, the fee hike, the first since 2016, will be implemented. The H-1B visa, utilized by US companies to hire foreign workers with specialized skills, especially from countries like India and China, will see an increase in the application fee (form I-129) from USD 460 to USD 780. Additionally, the H-1B registration fee will rise from USD 10 to USD 215, effective from the following year. The EB-5…
The latest event, hosted by SKAL International Club of Bombay 144, marked the inaugural event of the year. Held at the newly opened Ginger Hotel near Mumbai Airport T1, the gathering welcomed over 80 Skalleagues and invitees. The evening featured brief updates from SKAL Club of Bombay 144 President Sk Burjis Mehta, followed by SKAL India National President Carl Vaz. The addresses were complemented by an enlightening product presentation/training session by the Saudi Tourism Authority and Saudia Airlines. The product training concluded with a quiz, where SK Sonal Swamy and Sk Alifiya Hafizi achieved perfect scores. The prize of a…
The newly implemented visa waiver programs in Malaysia and Thailand for Indian travelers are proving successful. Agoda’s search data indicates that the 30-day and 90-day tourist visas, respectively, have significantly boosted the demand for travel to these two Southeast Asian markets. Thailand, a favored holiday destination, has experienced a surge in popularity since the recent visa relaxation, witnessing a 44% increase in searches from India. Additionally, Agoda’s insights reveal a substantial increase in searches from India to Malaysia, with a 49% rise in January compared to October last year. Agoda has revealed that, following the visa relaxations, Bangkok, the capital…
Today, Uber declared the commencement of its services in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, starting with Srinagar as its initial destination. The platform introduced both its well-received UberGo and the reliable outstation product Intercity in the valley. This expansion aligns with Uber’s dedication to providing convenient, affordable, and safe mobility choices to an increasing number of riders nationwide. The initiation of operations in Srinagar signifies a strategic move in that direction. Uber’s introduction in Srinagar aligns with its broader expansion strategy in India, intending to grow its presence and diversify its product offerings in regional markets. Srinagar residents and…
Furama Ariyana Tourism Complex, a luxury resort in Danang, Vietnam, has partnered with Black Turtle, a hospitality representation company in India. This alliance aims to promote Furama Danang’s offerings, including its facilities, event spaces, and services to the Indian market. Furama Resort Danang is located directly on Danang Beach and within easy reach of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary, and the Complex of Huế Monuments. Prabhakar Singh (Parker), Director of Sales and Marketing, Furama Ariyana Tourism Complex, said, “Furama Danang’s 196 rooms, 67 villas, and Vietnam’s largest oceanfront space bring your…
Georgia’s revolutionary USD 200 million biorefinery takes flight with sustainable aviation fuel. Dignitaries witness LanzaJet’s historic launch, fueled by USD 100 million from tech giants. VIPs gather as LanzaJet unveils its revolutionary plant, a testament to public-private partnerships for climate solutions. “This plant is the starting point, but our ambitions soar globally with new sustainable fuel projects.” Jimmy Samartzis, LanzaJet’s CEO, said in a statement. U.S. Embraces SAF with Renewed Momentum. Biden’s SAF Tax Credits Spark Debate on Measuring Emission Reductions in US Skies. Freedom Pines Fuels offers a green runway for airlines to slash CO2, but choosing the…