News

Indian Railways gears up for 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains

Indian Railways is stepping into the future of rail travel with the introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, a new generation of high-speed trains designed for long and medium-distance travel. Currently, 10 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are in the production phase, and the first prototype has already been created, which will soon undergo field trials. This marks a significant leap forward in the modernization of India’s railway network. Alongside the sleeper variants, the manufacturing of 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper rakes has been awarded to technology partners, ensuring a steady flow of these advanced trains in the coming years. The inaugural train has recently been sent from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) for loaded trial runs. These trials are scheduled to take place in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, under the supervision of the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO). The main goal of these trials is to assess critical factors such as the train’s stability, vibration levels, and overall dynamic performance when operating under different load conditions. This will ensure the train meets the necessary standards for safe and efficient passenger service.

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World’s steepest cable car opens in Switzerland

Can’t get enough of Switzerland? The country has a great way to bring you back to the land of unending adventures–the world's steepest cable car officially begins service in Switzerland. If reports are to go by, the cable car provides a direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren. This marks the completion of the first major phase of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project. The new cable car, with a record-breaking gradient of 159.4%, connects the valley floor to the car-free mountain village of Mürren in just four minutes. Covering a height of 775 meters over a span of nearly 1,194 meters, it is a feat of engineering. The two cable cars, manufactured by Carvatech in Austria, can transport up to 85 passengers or 6.8 tonnes of cargo per trip, with a maximum capacity of 800 people per hour. A standout feature is the 11-meter-long suspension arm, designed to handle the extreme incline. The system incorporates advanced technology, including the AURO (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) system, which uses cameras and sensors to enable driverless operation. A fully automated loading robot manages freight logistics, synchronizing luggage and cargo transport with passengers via an undercarriage container. Simultaneously, the first track of Switzerland's inaugural Funifor cable car was launched on the second section between Mürren and Birg. During the winter, both the old and new cableways will operate in tandem to ensure sufficient transport capacity for ski operations. The second Funifor track is scheduled to open in November 2025.

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Saudi Arabia Boosts Tourism Workforce to Over 9.5 Million Jobs in Q2 2024

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector employed a total of 959,175 workers in the second quarter of 2024, marking a 5.1% rise compared to the same period in 2023, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) report released on Wednesday. Out of the total workforce, Saudi nationals accounted for 245,905 employees, representing 25.6% of the total, while expatriates comprised 713,270 workers, making up 74.4% of the sector’s labor force. The report further highlighted that 831,076 males were engaged in tourism activities, constituting 86.6% of the total workforce, whereas female workers numbered 128,099, contributing 13.4% during the second quarter of 2024. The average daily room rate in hotels was reported at SR725.5 in Q2 2024, showing a slight decrease of 0.4% compared to Q2 2023. In contrast, serviced apartments and other hospitality options saw their average daily rate climb to SR254.3, a substantial 15.2% increase over the same period. GASTAT observed that employment in the tourism sector made up 5.7% of the nation’s overall workforce during the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a slight decline of 0.2% from the same period in 2023. Within the private sector, the proportion of tourism workers stood at 8.6%, down 0.5% from the corresponding quarter of the previous year. On the hospitality front, hotel room occupancy rates averaged 55.4% during Q2 2024, reflecting a 0.5% increase from Q2 2023. Meanwhile, occupancy rates for serviced apartments and similar facilities rose to 52.4%, an improvement of 1.5% year-on-year.

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New US Visa Rule to Cut Wait Times for Indian Travelers in 2025

Indian travellers planning to visit the United States will now have some good news to cheer up. As per the latest development, starting January 1, 2025, nonimmigrant US visa applicants will be allowed to reschedule their interview appointment once without incurring any additional fee. However, if an applicant misses the appointment or needs to reschedule a second time, they will be required to book a new appointment and repay the application fee, according to a statement from the US embassy. The embassy clarified that the purpose of this change is to reduce wait times and offer a fair visa application process. The purpose of visitor visas is to allow temporary entry into the United States. These consist of the B-1 for business travel, the B-2 for tourism, and a B-1/B-2 combo of the two. As per the records, current wait times for B1/B2 Visas as of December 19, at various US consulates across India are significantly long, such as: Hyderabad: 429 days Kolkata: 436 days Mumbai: 438 days Delhi: 441 days Chennai: 479 days Since postponing repeatedly can cause the process to drag on longer, the embassy advises candidates to carefully choose their appointment dates and show up on time. "Everyone will be able to schedule appointments more quickly and easily thanks to these developments. To maintain the system's effectiveness and equity for all, applicants are encouraged to show up for their appointments," the embassy continued.

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AirAsia Enhances Service with Santan’s Latest Tech Upgrade

AirAsia is taking the inflight experience to a whole new level, partnering with Santan and Soft Space to make dining and shopping onboard more seamless and personal. With an exciting upgrade to its Fasspos retail system, AirAsia is reimagining how passengers enjoy their time in the skies. Santan, the soul of AirAsia’s inflight dining, has always been about more than just food. Back in 2020, it led the way by introducing SoftPOS technology, making quick and secure contactless payments possible during flights. This innovation wasn’t just about efficiency—it gave cabin crew the tools they needed to serve passengers better, from managing inventory to ensuring every order was handled with care. Now, Fasspos has gotten even smarter. With the introduction of Zebra Technologies’ ET45 tablets, the system is faster and easier to use. These tablets come with larger, clearer screens and cutting-edge NFC technology, slashing transaction times by over 50%. For cabin crew, this means less time on processes and more time focusing on what really matters—connecting with passengers and delivering outstanding service. For travelers, it’s all about ease and enjoyment. Whether you’re indulging in Santan’s signature nasi lemak or sipping on a refreshing drink, the experience feels effortless and enjoyable. Shorter wait times and smoother service let you relax and focus on what you love about flying with AirAsia.

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Australia Introduces New Visa Policy to Limit International Student Arrivals

Australia has unveiled a new visa processing strategy to regulate the rising number of international student arrivals ahead of the upcoming election. Announced by Education Minister Jason Clare, the plan introduces a two-tier visa system to prioritise applications for institutions considered "sustainable." This initiative aims to manage migration numbers while ensuring fair distribution among educational providers. Under the system, education providers will receive high-priority visa approvals until they reach 80% of their international student allocation. Once this quota is met, visa processing will shift to a standard rate, slowing approvals. This measure follows a failed legislative attempt to cap international student numbers, which was blocked in parliament by the opposition. Despite supporting limits on student arrivals, the centre-right opposition voted against the proposal. The importance of this strategy was emphasised by Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who said it will assist balance the number of students and steer candidates towards smaller and regional universities. This occurs as pressure mounts on the Labour government to handle the post-pandemic spike in immigration levels. Given that an election is scheduled for May 17, the topic of migration has gained attention, especially as predictions of net overseas migration for the current fiscal year have increased from 260,000 to 340,000. Recent statistics reveal a 25% decline in student visa arrivals over the past year, dropping from 278,000 to 207,000 as of June 2024. Nevertheless, the opposition has criticised the government for inadequate migration management, blaming it for exacerbating the country’s housing crisis, which has driven up property prices and rents.

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