News

Dunedin Airport in New Zealand introduces a 3-minute goodbye rule

In a bid to reduce traffic, Dunedin Airport in New Zealand has introduced a unique policy, which has a three-minute time limit for farewell hugs in its passenger drop-off zone. Sounds interesting, right? The policy aims to keep the flow of traffic smooth. The airport might be small but it serves over 135,000 residents on New Zealand’s South Island. The interesting details were shared by Dan De Bono, the airport’s CEO. He said that the decision was taken to avoid traffic that is because of prolonged farewells. The drop-off region now has a sign reading Max hug time three minutes. It also advises those who wish to spend more time saying goodbye to move their farewells to the parking zone. De Bono also said that the three-minute limit was seen as a more lighthearted alternative to stricter measures. In some airports in the United Kingdom, for instance, drivers must pay a fee even for brief drop-offs. Other airports have wheel clamping or issue fines for overstaying in drop-off zones. De Bono also said that three minutes is more than sufficient for most passengers to bid farewell to their loved ones.

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International travel from Jewar Airport to begin soon

The work on the Jewar International Airport near Greater Noida, close to Delhi, has progressed significantly, with flight services expected to commence soon. The first phase of flight calibration at the airport has been successfully completed. From October 15 to October 18, testing was conducted, including the calibration flight’s landing, during which the runway and landing systems were thoroughly inspected. The results of this testing were successful, and a report has been submitted to the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). Following the successful completion of the first phase, the second phase of testing will begin on November 15 and continue until December 15, during which regular flight trials will take place to ensure the systems are fully operational. Commercial operations at the Jewar International Airport are set to begin on April 17 next year. Initially, around 30 flights are expected to take off from the airport, with 25 domestic flights and 3 international flights planned. Additionally, 2 flights will be dedicated solely to cargo movement. The international flights are likely to connect to Singapore, Dubai, and Zurich. Meanwhile, domestic flights will operate to major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Dehradun, Hubli, and Hyderabad. Discussions regarding the exact routes are still ongoing, but the airport is expected to become a significant hub for both domestic and international travel soon. The calibration process for Jewar International Airport was conducted successfully between October 15 and 18, 2023. This process involved testing the runway and landing systems by conducting continuous calibration flights over four to five days. These tests were deemed successful, and the complete data has been submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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Discover Gonda's stunning bird sanctuary and forest retreat

Efforts are underway to attract domestic and international pilgrims visiting Ayodhya to bordering Gonda district by developing the Tikri forest and the Parvati Arga bird sanctuary as eco tourism destinations. Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, and local Lok Sabha MP, said developing this area could serve as an additional attraction for pilgrims visiting Ayodhya. "The Parvati Arga bird sanctuary, covering an area of 1,084 hectares, is part of the Ramsar project. This sanctuary provides refuge to Siberian birds and is bustling with over three dozen local species, along with migratory birds from Tibet, China, Europe, and Siberia during the winter season," he noted. Singh said foreign birds begin arriving in the second half of October and stay for nearly four months before returning home. Some of these birds travel over 5,000 km. Notable migratory species include Eurasian coots, mallards, greylag geese, northern pintails, northern shovelers, cotton teals, red-crested pochards, and gadwalls, he said.

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Kerala all set to get 10 new Namo Bharat Trains

In a bid to boost tourism, Kerala is all set to add to its transportation network with 10 new Namo Bharat rapid rail trains. These trains are noted for their speed and comfort and will improve connectivity within the state. These trains will make it easier for visitors to explore Kerala’s natural beauty and unexplored destinations. 10 important things to know about new Namo Bharat trains: Introduction of 10 new trains: Kerala will soon get 10 new Namo Bharat rapid rail which are also known as Vande Bharat Metro trains. These are known for changing short-distance travel in India. Electric trains: These electric trains are expected to add to the speed transportation within the state, offering more efficient travel options. Tourism boost: The introduction of these trains will significantly boost tourism in Kerala. By providing better connectivity to various destinations, the new services will attract tourists to explore lesser-known locations across the state, enriching their travel experience. Kollam-Starting Point: According to Onmanorama, two of the new trains will start from Kollam. One will run towards Tirunelveli, while the other will head north to Thrissur, with potential plans to extend this service further to the pilgrimage town of Guruvayur.

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Noida Airport to start flight operations from April 2025

Noida International Airport, also known as Jewar Airport, is set to commence commercial operations on April 17, 2025, with around 30 flights scheduled for both domestic and international routes. In the initial phase, 25 flights will connect key domestic destinations, while three flights will cater to international locations. Additionally, two flights will be dedicated to cargo services. Once completed, Jewar Airport is expected to become Asia's largest and the world's fourth-largest airport, significantly enhancing air travel capacity in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India. Early discussions suggest that the first international flights from Noida airport will be bound for Singapore, Dubai, and Zurich, with Zurich being notable as the headquarters of the airport's concessionaire. Domestically, the airport will connect to major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Dehradun, and Hubli. Consultations are currently underway between the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airline partners IndiGo and Akasa Air regarding the launch of domestic routes. The airport is being developed in four phases, with the initial phase focusing on establishing a passenger terminal complex spanning 101,590 sq m, a 3.9 km runway, and necessary support facilities. This first phase, covering 1,334 hectares in Jewar, is expected to accommodate up to 12 million passengers annually, manage 100,000 flights, and has an estimated investment of around $730.5 million. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2021, with commercial operations anticipated to commence by April 2025.

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National Geographic reveals its top destinations for 2025

The hottest revival trend in travel for 2025? That would be “fun,” according to National Geographic editor-in-chief Nathan Lump, who spoke exclusively to CNN ahead of the Tuesday reveal of Best of the World 2025, the brand’s annual list of the most thrilling and purposeful travel experiences for the year ahead. “This year, understanding the complexity of the times that we live in and some of the challenges that are present in so many places on the planet, we wanted to lean into things that we felt like were just really fun, that really kind of tapped into the joy of travel, the excitement of discovery,” says Lump. Guadalajara, Mexico, got a spot on the list thanks to its mariachi festival held for two weeks every August and September, when some 500 bands perform in the Teatro Degollado and public squares. “The streets come alive with music,” says Lump. “That’s going to bring a lot of joy.” Another culture-filled party destination is Boise, Idaho, home to the highest concentration of Basque people in the United States. After a 10-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, its Jaialdi festival returns in 2025, with the city’s Basque Block hosting daily street parties, dancing and music performances, as well as a Sports Night with wood-chopping and wagon-lifting competitions. At the other end of the scale, for what Lump calls “a very Zen kind of fun,” there are Italy’s 200 or so Cenobitic monasteries, which date back to the Middle Ages. All visitors are welcome here for a monastic stay, regardless of religious affiliation. It’s a chance, says Lump, for visitors to connect with themselves or with others “in a way that could be really soulful and meaningful.”

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