According to a report in The Hindustan Times, flying expenses could soar in this September quarter due to increased traveller interest during festival weekends. Airlines, already facing aircraft shortages, may struggle to meet demand. Additionally, fares are expected to escalate further during the December quarter, the peak holiday season in India. According to data from travel company Thomas Cook, advance travel fares for this quarter have surged by up to 20% compared to last year. Flights from Delhi to destinations such as Chandigarh and Bagdogra are up 10-20% from a year earlier, while from Mumbai, fares to Udaipur, Goa and…
Author: Prasenjit Chakraborty
SpiceJet Ltd. reported a sixfold surge in net profit to INR 119 Crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to INR 17 Crore in the same period last year. On an EBITDA basis, the profit for the reported quarter was INR 386 Crore, up from INR 344 Crore in Q4FY23. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, SpiceJet significantly reduced its losses by nearly 73%, reporting a post-tax loss of INR 409 Crore compared to a net loss of INR 1,503 Crore in FY2023. In January this year, SpiceJet received in-principle approval from BSE for a…
India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has expanded its footprint to the heart of Paris, with the flagship store of Galeries Lafayette on Haussmann Boulevard now accepting UPI payments. This landmark move is a step further in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of globalising UPI, which is an Indian instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016. “On July 3, 2024, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) became live at the flagship store of the world-renowned Galeries Lafayette in Haussmann, Paris. This expands the acceptance of UPI in Paris after a successful launch at the…
Star Alliance has been awarded the prestigious title of World’s Best Airline Alliance at this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards. Additionally, the Alliance’s newly opened lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport has won the title of World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge in its inaugural year. Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias accepted these honors at a ceremony held at the renowned Fairmont Windsor Park in the UK. Celebrating the occasion, Panagiotoulias said, “We are humbled to learn that millions of customers voted and made us the best yet again. Not only does this acknowledge the effort we dedicate to making…
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has made significant strides in promoting sustainable and safe seaplane operations by overhauling its regulatory framework. The updated provisions aim to streamline infrastructure procedures, enhance pilot training requirements, and improve regulatory compliance, facilitating seaplane services’ access to remote and inaccessible areas. “Initially established in 2008, the regulatory framework for seaplane operations was long due for a review. According to a DGCA Working Group recommending rationalization and revision of the said regulatory framework, revised regulations (CAR Section 3 Series C Part IX and CAR Section 7 Series B Part XVI) have been promulgated,” an…
According to a report by The Economic Times, Indian travellers are increasingly embracing adventure, from biking tours in Malaysia’s Penang and paragliding in Thailand’s Chiang Mai to treks and safaris within the country. Travel and hospitality companies are witnessing a significant surge, reporting up to a 30% year-on-year increase in demand for adventure trips. This trend includes CEOs and CXOs of India Inc, who are also joining in on the thrill-seeking experiences. Many travellers are expressing interest in seeking unique experiences in the Himalayas, said Vaibhav Kala, founder and director of Aquaterra Adventure, an adventure tour operator. “Outdoor activities like…
China is urging India to resume direct passenger flights after a hiatus of four years, but New Delhi is hesitant due to ongoing tensions stemming from a border dispute, officials revealed. Relations between India and China have been strained since a major military clash in June 2020 resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers, marking the most significant confrontation in decades along their disputed Himalayan border. Despite ongoing negotiations, both sides have maintained large troop deployments. Following the clash, India has imposed restrictions on Chinese investment, banned numerous popular apps, and suspended passenger flight…
Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a prominent software and technology provider for the global travel industry, and Spotnana, the pioneering Travel-as-a-Service platform revitalizing travel industry infrastructure, have announced a substantial enhancement of their current partnership. This includes the integration of Sabre’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) content. This extended collaboration empowers travel management companies (TMCs) and corporate travellers with a wider range of travel options, including personalized offers and bundled services. This not only simplifies the booking experience but also provides TMCs and corporate buyers with increased flexibility in choosing how to source and manage NDC content. The integration seamlessly blends NDC…
Finnair is further enhancing its customer experience with the upcoming launch of its new Finnair Lounge on July 9th. Situated on the Schengen side of Helsinki Airport, close to gate 21, the lounge aims to offer travellers unmatched comfort and convenience. “We are delighted to announce the opening of our new Schengen lounge, providing even more space and comfort before take-off. Responding to the feedback from Finnair Plus tier members, the lounge features also an exclusive Finnair Platinum Corner for Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members to enjoy,” said Ole Orvér, Chief Commercial Officer, Finnair. The new Finnair Business…
According to a report in The Economic Times, Air India is establishing a school in Amravati, Maharashtra, to address an anticipated pilot shortage by training approximately 180 pilots annually. The full-time school will welcome aspiring pilots without prior flying experience, offering a direct pathway to Air India’s cockpit upon completion of subsequent training stages. This move signifies a significant strategic shift, diverging from the practice of major carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet, which typically rely on branded training programs affiliated with independent flight schools both in India and abroad. IndiGo, for example, collaborates with seven flight schools, while Air India…