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Hyderabad airport rolls out India’s first AI-powered operations centre

When it comes to adopting new technology, Indian airports are often in the news. Whether it’s using TaxiBots to save fuel for airlines or relying on solar or hydro projects to meet their energy needs, many big airports in the country have taken the lead. The latest example is Hyderabad Airport in South India, which now relies on artificial intelligence to make various aspects of its operations smoother and more efficient. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) in the South Indian city of Hyderabad now has an operations center that is powered by artificial intelligence technology. Calling it the Airport Predictive Operation Centre (APOC), it will integrate airside, landside, and terminal operations into a unified system, utilizing real-time data to optimize decision-making, minimize disruptions, and ensure seamless operations, according to the official statement released by the airport. According to the GMR Group, which manages several airports in India, including Hyderabad, this tech will also be rolled out at other locations in a phased manner. APOC, the digital twin platform, will help with the passenger experience as well as assist with airport operations. GMR Airport explains that passengers will benefit in the following ways:

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Centre Pushes For Speedy Completion Of Bengaluru Metro

The Centre is pushing for speedy completion of the Bengaluru Metro expansion in the IT city, aiming for completion of Phase-2 by 2026 and Phase-3, which has two elevated lines, by 2028. The total ‘Namma Metro’ network will be 220 kilometres by then. Top officials in Delhi told CNN-News18 that the project is under close monitoring and the process for construction of both corridors in Phase-3 has been initiated. “The detailed design consultancy for both phase-3 projects is on now," a senior official said. The first phase of the Bengaluru Metro project has been operational since 2017 but the second and third phase have struggled in pace in the city which desperately required a wide metro network. “The entire 220 km ‘Namma Metro’ network in Bengaluru will be complete by the deadline of 2028," the official said. The Bengaluru Metro Rail Project will redefine urban mobility in the heart of India’s Silicon Valley, and is a collaborative venture between the Centre and Karnataka.

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Uttar Pradesh to launch new Heritage Tourism policy

Uttar Pradesh is preparing for a comprehensive Heritage Tourism Policy to revitalise its historic forts, palaces, and mansions through adaptive reuse, promoting experiential tourism. This initiative, inspired by Rajasthan's success in leveraging heritage properties for tourism, aims to create sustainable models for preserving history while boosting the local economy. The Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), hosted a Heritage Tourism Conclave in Lucknow on 7 December. The event convened over 50 royal families, hotel groups, investors, and consultants to discuss the draft policy and gather feedback for finalisation before cabinet approval. During the conclave, Prateek Hira, Chairman of FICCI’s UP Tourism Committee, highlighted the growing demand for experiential travel, where visitors immerse themselves in the historic environment of heritage properties. Hira emphasised that Rajasthan’s approach to adaptive reuse has successfully preserved historic structures and fostered economic sustainability.

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Hornbill Festival 2024 in Nagaland Draws Over 1.73 Lakh Attendees

The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland this year has recorded an impressive turnout with more than 1.73 lakh attendees. Among these 2,375 were international visitors which is a remarkable feat! Held every year at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, the festival is one of the prime attractions of India which celebrated its 25th edition in 2024. This also marks a major hike from last year's attendance of 1,54,057. The colourful festival is organised every year from December 1 and attracts visitors from across the globe. The Hornbill Festival also is also showcases the traditions and ethnic diversity of Nagaland, offering a window into the lives of its 18 indigenous tribes. Through a variety of cultural performances, traditional games, and the distinct flavors of Naga cuisine, the festival creates a platform for the celebration of the state’s cultural richness. The event was inaugurated with much fanfare, featuring the symbolic beating of the Naga gong by Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, accompanied by representatives from partner countries such as the UK, Wales, Peru, the USA, Japan, and Indian state partners Telangana and Sikkim. The festival’s success is attributed to its cultural connect, as presented by the Department of Art and Culture, which brought together performances by all 18 Naga tribes. These performances not only highlight the state’s unique cultural practices but also promote a sense of unity and pride among the Naga people.

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Qatar Airways Introduces Starlink Technology on Executive Jets

Qatar Airways Group has unveiled a game-changing advancement with the integration of Starlink technology across its Qatar Executive Gulfstream G650ER fleet. This pioneering move underscores the airline group’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in aviation, setting a new standard for inflight connectivity in the private jet sector. Beginning 14 December 2024, Qatar Executive will operate its first Starlink-equipped Gulfstream G650ER, offering passengers Wi-Fi speeds of up to 350 megabits per second. This means guests can stream movies, watch live sports, and work seamlessly while cruising at 45,000 feet in the comfort and privacy of a luxury jet. By May 2025, Qatar Executive will equip the first five aircraft of its 15 G650ER fleet with Starlink, with plans to complete the rollout across its entire Gulfstream fleet within the next 18 months. This technological leap enhances Qatar Executive’s promise of world-class service, combining luxurious travel with the ultimate in connectivity, ensuring that passengers are always connected, no matter where their journey takes them. Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Qatar Executive continues to redefine the future of private aviation. The integration of Starlink technology represents our vision for seamless connectivity that meets the expectations of our global clientele. This innovation further enhances our position as a leading provider in the ultra-long-range business jet branded charter market, ensuring that every journey with Qatar Executive is exceptional.”

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Air India Takes Inflight Entertainment to New Heights

Air India, the flagship airline of India, has announced an exciting expansion of its cutting-edge wireless inflight entertainment service, Vista Stream. Initially launched in August 2024, Vista Stream has now been extended to the airline’s narrowbody fleet, ensuring that passengers across both domestic and international flights can enjoy uninterrupted entertainment at cruising altitude. Vista Stream, which was previously available on Air India’s wide-body aircraft (excluding the newly introduced Boeing 777 and Airbus A350), will now be available across a broader range of aircraft. This means travelers can enjoy their favorite movies, TV shows, music, and more, regardless of the aircraft type, making for a consistently superior entertainment experience on every journey. Designed to offer ultimate convenience, Vista Stream allows passengers to stream a vast library of content directly to their personal devices—smartphones, tablets, and laptops—ensuring an engaging and personalized experience throughout the flight. Whether you’re on a long-haul international flight or a short domestic leg, Air India’s Vista Stream service guarantees an immersive and distraction-free way to enjoy your travel time. As Air India continues to innovate, the expansion of Vista Stream is another step forward in enhancing the overall in-flight experience, aligning with the airline’s commitment to providing world-class services and entertainment to passengers worldwide. “As we continue to transform Air India into a world-class airline, we are happy to introduce Vista Stream that enables our guests to access digital entertainment content on their personal devices during their flight. With the introduction of Vista Stream across our narrowbody fleet, uninterrupted entertainment (BYOD) service will be available throughout the entire domestic and international network,” said Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India.

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