News

UAE Aviation Sector Surges with 14.2% Growth in Passenger Traffic in first half of 2024

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed a significant rise in passenger traffic at its airports during the first half of 2024, with a remarkable 14.2% increase. During this period, the airports accommodated over 71.75 million passengers, a notable jump from 62.79 million in the same period the previous year. His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), credited this impressive growth to the UAE’s strategic vision and strong leadership. He emphasized that ongoing investments in infrastructure, regulatory enhancements, and the drive for digital transformation within civil aviation have played crucial roles in this success. Al Suwaidi pointed out that the strong performance and esteemed international reputation of UAE national carriers are clearly reflected in these positive growth figures. He expressed confidence in the future, noting that the UAE is actively implementing strategic initiatives to further develop and expand this vital sector. The nation remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and security while integrating innovative technologies to enhance the passenger experience, with the goal of positioning the UAE as a leading air transport hub in the region and a major player in the global aviation industry. Al Suwaidi emphasized that the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is actively working in collaboration with federal and local partners, as well as national airlines, to strengthen air transport relationships with existing markets and explore opportunities in new ones. He noted that the GCAA has successfully forged air transport agreements with over 90% of countries worldwide and continues to focus on initiatives that enhance the development and expansion of the UAE’s civil aviation sector, solidifying its competitive edge on the global stage. In the first half of 2024, UAE airports welcomed a total of 20,274,694 arriving passengers, while departures reached 21,090,750, and transit passengers accounted for 30,391,978. Air cargo traffic during this period amounted to 2,162,786 tons, comprising 528,430 tons of imports, 245,217 tons of exports, and 1,389,136 tons of transit cargo. National carriers played a significant role, handling 68% of the total air cargo traffic. Overall air traffic movements reached 499,789 in the first half of the year, marking an 11.8% growth compared to the same period last year. February stood out with the highest increase in air traffic movements, recording a 15% growth compared to the same month in the previous year.

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Adam Gilchrist promotes Western Australia in India

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist and his son Harry are the faces of a new campaign aimed at promoting day road trips from Perth to the growing Indian tourism market. The campaign showcases the former cricketer and his son exploring various attractions around Perth’s outskirts. Their adventures included four-wheel-driving and sandboarding in Lancelin, stargazing at the Pinnacles, visiting wineries in the Swan Valley, enjoying a dolphin boat cruise in Rockingham, and experiencing the thrilling Vertigo rooftop at Optus Stadium. These experiences have been captured in videos and photos, specifically tailored for Indian social media platforms and Cricbuzz, a leading cricket news app with over 50 million users and nearly 400 million monthly visits. The campaign will also be prominently featured on billboards in Mumbai and Delhi, directing prospective Indian tourists to accommodation, tourism experiences, and partner deals with Indian travel agencies like Thomas Cook and Skyscanner, which will offer exclusive packages to Perth. The timing of this campaign aligns perfectly with the highly anticipated West Test cricket match between Australia and India at Optus Stadium on November 22, 2024. This will be the first meeting of the two nations since the World Test Championship Final in June 2023, making it a significant event for cricket fans. India has become a priority market for Western Australia, with 34,000 visitors spending USD 128 million in the year ending March 2024. The rapid growth in Indian visitors, now Western Australia’s seventh-largest market, is driven by the large Indian community in the region, including around 9,600 international students. This India-specific campaign is part of the broader “Drive the Dream” global road trips initiative, launched in September 2023, which also features Perth-born Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo exploring Australia’s Coral Coast. Both versions of the campaign align with Western Australia’s acclaimed “Walking On A Dream” destination brand. These efforts, along with recent figures showing Western Australia leading in visitor spending across the country, are vital in revitalising the state’s tourism industry and positioning it as a top destination for global travellers.

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IndiGo Expands Network with New Delhi-Vijayawada Direct Flights

IndiGo, India’s leading airline, has launched a new direct route between New Delhi and Vijayawada, set to commence on September 14. These daily flights are designed to boost trade and business opportunities between the national capital and one of the country’s rapidly growing metropolitan areas. This new service will provide a seamless connection between Northern India and Vijayawada, further enhancing international travel options for East Coast explorers via New Delhi. Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, We are pleased to introduce our daily non-stop flights connecting New Delhi and Vijayawada. As Vijayawada ascends as a pivotal commercial and cultural epicenter in Andhra Pradesh, these flights are poised to offer enhanced connectivity and open doors towards furthering economic opportunities. With the introduction of these flights, IndiGo will operate 135 weekly flights from Vijayawada to 9 cities in India. As India’s preferred airline, we remain committed to deliver an affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experience to all our customers.” Vijayawada, located along the Krishna River, serves as Andhra Pradesh’s business hub and is celebrated for its rich historical and cultural heritage. The city is home to iconic landmarks such as the revered Kanaka Durga Temple, the scenic Bhavani Island, and the architectural marvel of the Prakasam Barrage. Vijayawada offers a unique blend of Indian traditions and modernity, making it an appealing destination for history enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, and food lovers alike. New Delhi, India’s capital, is a vibrant city that harmonizes historical grandeur with modern sophistication. Famous for its heritage sites like the Red Fort and Qutub Minar, the city also offers bustling markets, diverse cuisine, and a dynamic cultural scene, attracting both domestic and international tourists. Travelers can book tickets through IndiGo’s official website, mobile app, or WhatsApp. This new route will further strengthen the airline’s domestic network, providing more connectivity options across the country.

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Festival season airfare spike: Air travel costs increase for Diwali and Onam

In a recent update, airfares are going up sharply for the upcoming festival season, with average one-way ticket prices increasing by 10-15% for Diwali and 20-25% for flights to Kerala cities for Onam. The analysis report was shared by travel portal ixigo. For the period from October 30 to November 5, 2024, the average one-way fare for a non-stop flight on the Delhi-Chennai route is INR 7,618, marking a 25% increase compared to the same period last year. On the Mumbai-Hyderabad route, fares are 21% higher at INR 5,162, while on the Delhi-Goa and Delhi-Ahmedabad routes, prices have risen by 19% to INR 5,999 and 16% to INR 4,930, respectively. For other popular routes like Delhi-Chennai, Mumbai-Bengaluru, and Delhi-Hyderabad, one-way fares are now between INR 4,000 and INR 5,000, reflecting a 10-15% year-on-year rise. On the other hand, fares have dropped on certain routes. For example, the price for a Mumbai-Ahmedabad flight has fallen 27% to INR 2,508, while the Mumbai-Udaipur route has seen a 25% drop to INR 4,890. Bengaluru-Hyderabad flights are down by 23% to INR 3,383, and Mumbai-Jammu fares have decreased by 21% to INR 7,826. Analysis of flight prices for Onam festivities in Kerala indicates varying trends. Fares have increased by 1-30% on some routes, while others have seen reductions of 6-35%. For example, Hyderabad-Thiruvananthapuram flights have risen by 30% to INR 4,102, and Mumbai-Calicut flights are up 30% to INR 4,448. Rajnish Kumar attributed the higher prices to a surge in travel demand, with flight bookings and searches for travel to Kerala doubling in early September compared to last year. Concerns about high airfares, especially during peak and festival seasons, have prompted the Civil Aviation Minister, K Rammohan Naidu, to address these issues in Lok Sabha. The ministry plans to introduce an online mechanism for grievance redressal to prevent undue fare hikes. Currently, airfares are not regulated by the government following the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in 1994. Last month, airlines were advised to self-regulate and practice moderation in pricing.

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Underwater Bullet Train Tunnel Project in India: 10 facts that will leave you impressed

India is all set to leave a mark on the global engineering world with the construction of a 21 km underwater tunnel under the Arabian Sea for its first-ever bullet train service on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. This ambitious project is part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, a futuristic infrastructure initiative designed to change travel between two of India’s major cities. Let’s have a look at 10 interesting facts about this upcoming project that will leave you shocked: India’s first: India is set to build its first-ever underwater tunnel for a bullet train, a key part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. Impressive length: The tunnel will stretch 21 kilometers under the Arabian Sea, including a significant 7 kilometers beneath the Thane Creek, an ecologically sensitive intertidal zone. Deep dive: Construction will take place at depths ranging from 25 to 65 meters below the sea’s surface, navigating complex geological conditions. Huge machines: Unlike metro tunnels, which use smaller TBMs with cutter heads of 5-6 meters, this project requires massive Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) with 13.1-meter cutter heads. Dual approach: To excavate the tunnel, three TBMs will dig through 16 kilometers, while the remaining 5 kilometers will use the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). Travel time: Once completed, the tunnel will allow the bullet train to reach speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour, revolutionizing travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Innovative design: The tunnel will feature a single tube with two tracks, facilitating bi-directional travel for the bullet train. Strategic locations: Major construction will occur at three sites: Ghansoli, Shilphata, and Vikhroli. The first TBM will start excavation in Ghansoli, heading towards Thane Creek. Environmental protection: Building the tunnel underwater helps preserve the Flamingo Sanctuary and Mangrove Forest in Thane Creek, and also circumvents the challenges of land acquisition in densely populated Mumbai. Prior experience: India has previously constructed underwater tunnels, such as the Kolkata Metro tunnel beneath the Hooghly River and Mumbai’s underwater metro tunnel on Line 3 beneath the Mithi River. This ambitious project underscores India’s growing engineering prowess and commitment to advancing high-speed rail infrastructure while balancing environmental and logistical considerations.

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Japan removes Mount Fuji barrier after successfully managing overtourism

A barrier installed in Japan to block a popular view of Mount Fuji has been removed temporarily, after it successfully reduced the disruption caused by tourists. Fujikawaguchiko had installed a large screen back in the month of May following complaints from residents about crowds of mainly international visitors creating chaos while attempting to photograph the iconic volcano. The town decided to lower the screen on August 15 in anticipation of an approaching typhoon and has opted not to reinstall it for now. "We wanted to observe the effects of its removal," the town official told AFP. "While there are still some visitors at the site, we no longer see many people abruptly darting into traffic to cross the road," the official added. Photos taken from the narrow sidewalk outside a dentist's office became popular online, showcasing the snow-covered peak of Mount Fuji dramatically visible behind a convenience store. The town's efforts to manage the influx of disruptive tourists garnered international attention as record numbers of visitors flocked to Japan over the summer, leading to some local discontent. The official from Fujikawaguchiko mentioned that the barrier could be reinstated if the tourist influx resumes and begins to cause further issues. Apparently, back in May, Authorities in Japan had erected a barrier in front of a popular photo spot due to issues with tourism and littering. Visitors had traveled there to take pictures of a Japanese store, Lawson, with Mount Fuji visible in the background. Locals reported that litter was being left at the site, and tourists were overcrowding the pavement and even climbing on nearby buildings to get photos. This was not the first location to install a fence to curb the excessive photo-taking by tourists. Mount Fuji is Japan’s iconic volcano. It is noted for its majestic beauty and cultural significance. Standing at 3,776 meters (12,389 feet), it is the tallest peak in Japan and one of the nation's most recognizable landmarks. Its near-symmetrical, snow-capped cone shape has made it a symbol of Japan, featured prominently in art, literature, and folklore.

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