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Indian Railways plans centrally heated sleeper train

Indian Railways eyes two special trains for Jammu & Kashmir! Indian Railways plans to introduce two new train services to enhance Kashmir connectivity in the coming month. A centrally heated sleeper train will operate between New Delhi and Srinagar, offering a 13-hour journey through snow-covered mountains and across the 359-m-high Chenab Bridge, which is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. The train will provide premium comfort but will not include second-class sleeper coaches, sources told ET. Previously it was being speculated that the Vande Bharat sleeper would debut on the Kashmir route, but that doesn’t appear to be the case now. Vande Bharat for Katra-Baramulla Route in Jammu & Kashmir - For the Katra-Baramulla route, an eight-coach Vande Bharat train with chair car seating will be introduced, a senior railway official told the financial daily. - The Vande Bharat Express for Jammu & Kashmir also incorporates specialised features including silicon heating pads for water tanks to prevent freezing, and toilets with warm air circulation through specially designed ducts.

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Rome's famous Trevi Fountain reopens for tourists after restoration

Rome's famous Trevi Fountain reopened Sunday following a three-month clean-up, but visitors will for now be limited to 400 to avoid the crowds of the past, said the city's mayor. Imposing the limit, which might later be modified, will "allow everyone to better enjoy the fountain, without crowds or confusion", Roberto Gualtieri told journalists in front of the famous landmark. Gualtieri also said the city authorities were considering charging a modest entry price to finance, among other things, the fountain's upkeep. The clean-up of the fountain and other key city sites, is aimed at "returning most of the monuments to the city in time for the start of the Jubilee" Claudio Parisi Presicce, Rome's superintendent for cultural heritage sites, told AFP-TV. The jubilee of the Catholic Church begins on December 24. The Trevi fountain, a baroque masterpiece, is one of the most visited sites in Rome. Featured in many films set in the city, it famously appears in a classic scene in Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita", when Anita Ekberg invites Marcello Mastroianni to join her in the fountain's basin.

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Saudia Soars to Victory, Named Cabin Crew of the Year at Aviation Business Awards 2024

Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, has achieved a significant milestone, securing the prestigious Cabin Crew of the Year award at the 18th edition of the Aviation Business Middle East Awards 2024. This accolade reflects Saudia’s relentless dedication to providing world-class service and redefining the global travel experience. The award recognizes the exceptional professionalism, commitment, and care exhibited by Saudia’s cabin crew, who set the standard for global hospitality. Blending local Saudi talent with a dynamic international team, Saudia’s crew delivers authentic Saudi warmth and generosity while ensuring guests enjoy a seamless and enriched journey. This achievement underscores Saudia’s role as an ambassador of the Kingdom’s values of respect and hospitality. Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Guest Experience Officer at Saudia, expressed his pride in the recognition, stating: “This recognition for our cabin crew is a testament to the passion, professionalism, and commitment of our team. At Saudia, enhancing the guest experience is our mission, and this award by one of the region’s most respected aviation publications highlights our leadership in delivering world-class service. Saudia’s cabin crew exemplify the essence of Saudi hospitality, combining warmth, generosity. We are honored to represent the Kingdom on the global stage and will continue striving to elevate the travel experience for our guests.”

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Air India Express's inaugural Surat-Bangkok flight sees record-breaking liquor sales

Air India Express' inaugural four-hour flight from Surat in Gujarat to Thailand capital Bangkok saw good sales of liquor onboard, with some passengers claiming the stock ran out. The flight, operated with a Boeing 737-8 aircraft on Friday, had 175 passengers and six crew members onboard. The passenger capacity of the plane is 176. Officials of the budget airline on Sunday said there were brisk sales of alcohol on the flight from Surat to Bangkok and the stock was not exhausted, as claimed by some on social media. Some passengers had taken to social media, saying the airline ran out of liquor. There was sufficient stock of liquor as well as food onboard, the officials added. There was no official statement from the Tata Group-owned Air India Express.

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Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line opens

Thousands of selfie-taking Ho Chi Minh City residents crammed into train carriages on Sunday as the traffic-clogged business hub celebrated the opening of its first-ever metro line after years of delays. Huge queues spilled out of every station along the $1.7bn line that runs almost 20km (12 miles) from the city centre – with women in traditional “ao dai” dress, soldiers in uniform and couples clutching young children waiting excitedly to board. “I know it (the project) is late, but I still feel so very honoured and proud to be among the first on this metro,” said office worker Nguyen Nhu Huyen after snatching a selfie in her jam-packed train car. “Our city is now on par with the other big cities of the world,” she added. It took 17 years for Vietnam’s commercial capital to reach this point. The project, funded largely by Japanese government loans, was first approved in 2007 and slated to cost just $668m. When construction began in 2012, authorities promised the line would be up and running in five years.

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IndiGo launches daily direct flights between Chennai and Penang in Malaysia

IndiGo has launched daily direct flights between Chennai and Penang in Malaysia on Saturday, becoming the 37th international destination for the private airliner. The new route caters to the growing demand for travel between the two cities, offering both business and leisure travellers a convenient and affordable option, IndiGo said in a statement on Saturday. "We are extremely pleased to further expand our network into Malaysia with the launch of direct flights from Chennai to Penang, our third destination in Malaysia, alongside Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi. With the inclusion of these flights to Penang, IndiGo will now operate 28 weekly flights to Malaysia from 2 cities in India" IndiGo Head of Global Sales Vinay Malhotra said in a statement. At the inaugural ceremony, Chennai Airport director C V Deepak handed over the boarding pass to the first passenger on Saturday. "Your gateway to Malaysia's crown jewel! The inaugural flight (6E1045) of IndiGo from Chennai to Penang was marked by a traditional lamp-lighting and cake-cutting ceremony led by Chennai Airport Director C V Deepak along with senior Airports Authority of India officials and airline representatives. Fly non-stop daily from Chennai to Penang with IndiGo, starting today," the Chennai Airport said in a social media post.

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