News

American Airlines resumes New York-New Delhi direct flight

American Airlines’ inaugural New York-New Delhi flight landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on November 13, marking the resumption of the American carrier’s flights to the country. The flight operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be run daily throughout the year. American Airlines flight 292 took off New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at 7.27 pm local time on November 12 and landed at IGIA on Saturday night. The carrier was supposed to start operations in October, but it was deferred by a couple of weeks as the US announced the reopening of international travel on November 8. American Airlines’ Bengaluru-Seattle, that was supposed to start from January 4, 2022, stands deferred to March-end as corporate travel is yet to pick up and expected to revive till then. The Airline suspended its India flights in 2012 when it terminated its Chicago-New Delhi flight, which it started in 2007. American Airlines MD (sales) Tom Lattig told TOI, “There is a tremendous demand for travel between US and India thanks to a large diaspora and growing business ties between the two countries. People now want to fly direct instead of one-stop flights, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. We are looking at Mumbai closely. We will look at the two routes announced and then take a further call.” The American has deputed its 304-seater Boeing 777 on the Delhi route with four cabins, 52 in business and 8 in first. The airline recently entered into a code-sharing agreement with IndiGo for nationwide connectivity.

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Sabarimala Temple to reopen for devotees from today

The Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, dedicated to Lord Ayappa is all set to reopen from November 15, Monday, for devotees. The temple is going to reopen for the pilgrimage season, which is known as Mandala-Makaravilakku. The annual pilgrimage continues for two whole months, and is all set to begin this year on November 16. According to reports, the temple will permit 30000 devotees to visit the temple during this time, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also, children who are below the age of 10 have also been permitted to visit the temple. The temple authorities have also announced that all pilgrims must follow COVID 19 protocols. This means that a visitor either needs to show a negative covid certificate that is not older than 72 hours, or has a vaccination certificate showing double dosage. Only then will they be allowed to enter the temple premises. Along with this, devotees must also present a valid ID proof, such as a passport, Aashar, among others. The good news is that Sabarimala is also going to operate a COVID testing facility in Nilakkal, which will cost INR 500 for a test. Moreover, RT-PCR test facilities will also be available at railway stations in Chengannur, Thiruvalla, and Kottayam. It is being said that the test reports will be available in 3 hours time. In Nilakkal, 10 counters will be set up for spot booking in a virtual queue. However, during this time the temple has restricted devotees from camping at Sannidhanam, and Pampa.

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Parliamentary panel members suggest resuming international flights

Some members of a parliamentary panel on Friday expressed concern over high cost of international air travel and suggested to the Civil Aviation Ministry to consider resuming scheduled international passenger flights as the entire world is opening up after the Covid-19-induced closure, sources said. The members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture also questioned top officials of the ministry over rising prices of international flights, the sources said. The pandemic-induced suspension of scheduled international passenger flights, which started in March 23, has been extended till November 30. However, special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May 2020 and under bilateral "air bubble" arrangements with around 28 countries since July 2020. Civil Aviation, Secretary Rajiv Bansal, the Director General of Civil Aviation and the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) deposed before the parliamentary panel on Friday. Some panel members from different parties questioned them about high prices of international flights, and food and beverage not being served in domestic flights of a duration less than two hours, the sources said. Several MPs specifically suggested them to resume international flights as the world is opening up after increasing vaccination against Covid-19. The officials responded that they will look into the matter, sources said. The MPs also asked them on what basis the number of international flights to be allowed to one specific country is decided as the demand for international travel is on the rise, they said.

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Zoogu-Khairan, J&K's first ‘tourist village’, inaugurated in Budgam

The first tourist village ‘Zoogu-Khairan’ in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam was inaugurated on Saturday. District development commissioner (DDC) Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza inaugurated the village and said the area has vast potential to emerge as a new tourist destination. “This is a big occasion for Zoogu-Kharian Village and its adjacent habitations as this day mark the new beginning of socio-economic upliftment of this area,” he said. “The area has been brought on a tourism map, which shall go a long way in shaping the future of Zoogu-Kharian,” the development commissioner said, according to the department of information and public relations, Jammu and Kashmir. “Faith and efforts together made this day possible, the public of this area will see the difference in the near future,” he said. Speaker further, the DDC said, “To materialise this, cooperation, sincerity, attitude, hospitality, honesty, and strong commitment is very much required in changing the whole socio-economic dimension and diversity of this area.” He also urged the local youth to grab the golden chance and utilize this opportunity in boosting the footfall of tourists in the area. “Your responsibility will be to form and establish local youth clubs, the government is committed to supporting you,” Mirza said. “Each youth club will be given the support of ₹10 lakh, of which ₹5 lakh will be provided by the government,” the commissioner said. He explained that this money shall be used to create requisite infrastructure in chosen destinations where facilities are required for a tourist to stay for the night. Interested individuals, entrepreneurs can also be provided financial support under various government-sponsored schemes which aspiring youth need to give impetus to start any kind of entrepreneurship, he added. “Youth can play a vital role as tourist guide assignment, since being local they all are well versed of the area in every aspect and their engagement will prove highly beneficial for them in earning livelihood hood,” Mirza said. The DDC also visited Ringzabal, a far-flung area where he was welcomed by a huge gathering with thundering applause. During the interaction, the locals of the area individually as well as in deputations apprised the visiting authorities about their grievances, demands, and other issues that are presently required to be addressed. The issues included improvement of roads, improvement in water supply, implementation of welfare schemes under tribal sub-plan up-gradation of Middle School Ringzabal to the level of high school, and improvement in health infrastructure facilities. The departments shall initiate the process of early redressal. However, some big issues are there which may require some time and documentary process to address them also on a fast track basis, the DC said.

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Aramness Gir opens its doors

Situated on the fringe of the Sasan Gir National Park, where the last remaining Asiatic lions in the world coexist with the semi-nomadic Maldhari tribe, Aramness Gir, a new style luxe safari lodge, opened its doors this morning to its first guests. Located within the 18 square kilometre area that skirts the National Park, Aramness Gir sits within a rarely undeveloped natural paradise in a protected teak forest. This forest is home to abundant bird and animal species freely roaming between the park area and the lodge. The property is positioned as an offering to the uber-luxe traveller who not only has sophisticated taste but also seeks the finer details in cuisine, wildlife and has a penchant for the environment and conservation. Aramness Gir is the culmination of the owner and founder, Jimmy Patel’s vision, “Our entire team has a passion for wilderness and each of us are dedicated to conservation. Our love for Gujarat is reflected in the walls of the kothi’s at Aramness Gir, creating a world-class experience entrenched in local culture and designed with authenticity and luxury in equal measure, providing a wildlife experience that is reflective of world class African safaris right here in India. We are a haven for the luxury traveller, who seek meaning from their adventures.” Aramness Gir is a collaborative effort between internationally renowned Fox Browne Creative and Nicholas Plewman Architects to create a truly unique and immersive experience. The lodge design takes its inspiration from the characteristic local village, Haripur, with its central cobbled streets fringed with courtyard homes (kothis). Natural forest and meadow gardens have been revived on the property wherever possible and are experienced in and around the kothis and guest areas, merging the natural habitat of the area with the built-up space and paying homage to the original use of the land as farmland. The design expression of the lodge is reflected by the interiors, which draw on the honesty of materials and culturally relevant design coupled with local craftsmanship. All inventory has been sourced or made in Gujarat; from the pattern on the large sandstone and steel Jali screens (which is a replica of the perforations of the dried leaf of a sal tree) to the striking wall of Kutchi lipan plasterwork with its intricate inlaid mirrors handcrafted by local artisans. The vintage applique scatter cushions and hand-beaten brass tables add to the detailed layering. Each of the 18 sensitively appointed private village-style kothis take their cue from the charmingly informal arrangement of the local Gujarati village homes, whose buildings develop spontaneously with time. True to their name (Aramness – peaceful village), the understated yet utterly luxurious interiors have been designed to instill deep comfort and tranquility and have been constructed using natural materials and craft techniques native to Gujarat and India. Guests staying at Aramness Gir have several choices of how they wish to spend their day: Game drives into the park to view the Asiatic lion, jungle walks in the teak forest, visiting a Maldhari family in their home, sampling delicious Gujarati food, relaxing in the spa or, even better, doing as little as possible whilst soaking up the natural beauty of the park.

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Mauritius remains open to tourism despite growing Covid-19 cases

Since the reopening of Mauritius’ borders to fully-vaccinated visitors on October 1st, the country has successfully and safely welcomed over 80,000 holidaymakers. Bookings through to year end are looking “extremely promising,” a statement from local authorities said, with a targeted average growth of 25 per cent in arrivals. The Mauritian health authorities are continuing to implement a wide-ranging Covid-19 response, and are presently prioritising the rollout of booster doses for those who are already double vaccinated. The vaccination of 15-to-18-year-olds is also well underway. Close to 85 per cent of the adult population in Mauritius is already double vaccinated - one of the highest rates anywhere in the world. The country has seen a recent increase in infection rates, which authorities said is “unfortunately part of the new normal in most countries” where restrictions are removed. In order to contain the spread, the government recently took the measure to temporarily close schools, and introduced some further sanitary measures, mainly to limit large gatherings. On the tourism front, sanitary protocols throughout the hospitality industry remain at the “very highest standards,” ensuring that the local community and international guests are afforded maximum protection from the virus. Mauritius minister of tourism, Steven Obeegadoo, said: “In Mauritius, we continue to prioritise the health of our population, and our staggered reopening was part of this carefully planned policy. “Since the reopening of our borders in October, we have safely welcomed over 80,000 travellers to date, and look forward to welcoming many more to our home.”

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