News

India to host global airlines in 2025

India will host next year’s annual gathering of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents over 330 airlines worldwide. Next year’s AGM will be the third time that the world’s airline leaders gather in India. The country has hosted the AGM in 1983 and 1958. The IATA also announced that IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, has taken charge of the Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (BoG). His one-year term begins at the conclusion of the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 3 June. Mr. Elbers is the 82nd Chair of the IATA BoG. He served earlier on the BoG between 2016 and 2022 as KLM’s President and CEO and was reappointed to the Board in 2022 shortly after he became IndiGo’s CEO. He succeeds RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo who will continue to serve on the BoG. “Adhering to IATA’s legacy of aviation as a force for good, we will continue in our focus of highlighting the benefits of aviation in building connections, augmenting trade, tourism and mobility—benefits also so visible in India,” Mr. Elbers said.

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In Maldives, sailing into sunset with dolphins and seeking the elusive whale shark by moonlight

The crystal-clear waters of the Maldives act as a window to the life of the elusive whale shark, the largest fish in the sea. When the Vistara flight left the tarmac of Indira Gandhi International Airport this morning, Delhi was battling foggy delays, check-in fistfights, and was prepared for the worst. But luck smiled, and the plane took off. It was an unusually clear day. The destination was a gem in the Indian Ocean. Delhi dissolved into the in-flight gin and tonic. Four hours flew by. From the cockpit, the captain said it was time to land and a peek out of the window was rewarded with magic rising out of the ocean: the Maldives. The Airbus touched ground at the Velana International Airport in Male. Clearing the security was followed by a speedboat ride to Como Cocoa Island, a resort in the South Male atoll where the sand is white and the sea, surreal. In 40 minutes, we were on terra firma. Maldives, a series of atolls, is home to more than 1,200 luxury resorts. Exclusivity is of the utmost importance here. One resort usually has an entire island to itself; the bigger ones occupy more. Maldives boasts the seventh-largest coral reef in the world; an ecosystem that is struggling to cope with the threats of global warming as well as pollution. Maldives, on its part, is fighting this erosion of coral reefs with coral propagation programmes and what not. One of the highlights of the stay at COMO Cocoa was this: coral propagation. We met their in-house marine biologist, who took us by the hand, literally, to the Indian Ocean to plant a coral frame. What is it? A coral frame is an iron frame of varying sizes, which ocean warriors then embed back into the sea bed. The fragmentation technique that we took part in involves carefully breaking apart healthy coral colonies into smaller fragments or "coral frags". These frags are then attached to artificial structures, such as coral nurseries or underwater frames - which we had, where they are allowed to grow and develop into new colonies. The corals were fragmented using chisels and scissors and zip ties.

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Japan Airlines, IndiGo agree on Codeshare Partnership

The Codeshare enables JAL to expand reach to 14 IndiGo destinations in India Japan Airlines (JAL) and IndiGo announced that they have agreed on codeshare partnership which will greatly benefit the customers by providing more travel options between Japan and India. The cooperation will allow Japan Airlines to strengthen its connectivity into India initially, while enabling more travel options for IndiGo customers on JAL’s extensive domestic and international network in later phases. IndiGo airline and JAL will commence codeshare on India domestic routes which connect to JAL operated flights from/to Delhi and Bengaluru. Currently, JAL operates daily services between Tokyo Haneda – Delhi, and three times a week services between Tokyo Narita – Bengaluru, supporting the air travel demand between the two countries. Through this new partnership with IndiGo, JAL will be able to establish an extensive network throughout India, including major cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Kochi, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Pune, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Goa, that connect to JAL operated flights. In the ensuing period, the carriers will seek to further expand the cooperation with IndiGo code sharing on JAL operated flights. Abhijit DasGupta, Senior Vice President Network Planning & Revenue Management, IndiGo said, “Japan has been increasing in popularity amongst Indian travellers, as both countries are working to strengthen bilateral relationships and ease the visa norms. This phase of the partnership expands the choices available to Japan Airlines customers for journeys to/from Japan, using IndiGo’s extensive network in India. This step to provide seamless connectivity to support trade, commerce, and tourism between the two countries. Over time, we intend to expand the scope of geographic and reciprocal coverage of this relationship to further grow travel opportunities for customers of both airlines.” Ross Leggett, Managing Executive Officer, Senior Vice President Route Marketing, Japan Airlines, said, “With the extensive network, travelers to/from India and Japan will be able to book their flight on one ticket, and experience both IndiGo and JAL’s exceptional service. In recent years, India has achieved remarkable economic growth, and the air travel demand between Japan and India are increasing more than ever before. Both partners are delighted to enter in partnership and hope to contribute further to the market by providing customers with more options and a great customer experience.”

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Rainfall alert: IMD issues alert across India; heavy showers expected in several regions

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive weather forecast, predicting widespread rainfall and thunderstorms across various parts of the country for the first week of June 2024. Plan your travels accordingly. The IMD expects thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by lightning and breezes, over Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, West Bengal, and Sikkim until June 10. Specific forecasts include isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in Assam and Meghalaya from June 3 to June 5, followed by heavy rainfall on June 6 and 7. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are expected to see isolated heavy rainfall from June 3 to June 6, while Arunachal Pradesh may experience heavy rainfall on June 3 and 4. Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are also predicted to have isolated heavy rainfall on June 5 and 6. A wet spell with thunderstorms, lightning, and breezes is predicted over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana until June 8. Tamil Nadu is expected to receive heavy showers on June 5, with Karnataka experiencing heavy rainfall until June 6. Andhra Pradesh may have heavy showers on June 6, while Kerala, Telangana, and Karnataka could see heavy rainfall until June 7. Maharashtra is anticipated to witness heavy showers today, June 3. Isolated to scattered light rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph), is likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand over the next five days. Uttar Pradesh is expected to have light rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and breezes until June 5, while Punjab and Haryana will experience similar conditions until June 6. Rajasthan will see light rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and breezes over the next four days. Residents and authorities in the affected regions are advised to stay updated with the latest weather information from the IMD and take necessary precautions, especially in areas prone to flooding and landslides. Avoiding unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, and ensuring safety measures for lightning and strong winds, are crucial. The IMD continues to monitor the weather patterns closely and will provide updates as the situation evolves.

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From Sinthan Top to Kashid, escape the summer heat with these off-beat June destinations

With temperatures soaring across the country in June, now is the perfect time to plan a holiday to cooler regions to escape the scorching heat and humidity. But if you're tired of spending your summers in the same crowded tourist destinations, consider adding some of these to your upcoming itinerary. Each of these places has something unique to offer, including stunning scenery, wildlife, activities and more that can easily rival the popular tourist attractions. These places offer an opportunity to get away from it all and reconnect with nature without the distractions of large crowds. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bag, and let's go on vacation. Off-beat places to visit in June 1. Gurez Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Nestled deep in the northern Himalayas, Jammu & Kashmir's Gurez Valley is still largely unexplored and offers a tranquil haven for those seeking solitude. The valley is surrounded by snow-capped hills in June and dotted with lush green meadows. The tranquillity of the surroundings is enhanced by the Kishanganga River. Visitors can explore the old wooden dwellings, interact with the friendly locals and enjoy the unspoilt beauty of this undiscovered gem of North India while there aren't many other tourists around. 2. Gokarna, Karnataka One of the more off the beaten track of India's many bizarre beach towns, Gokarna is known for its pristine and unspoilt beaches. A temple town with a laid-back vibe, Gokarna is a popular summer resort in Karnataka, India. The charming town is lined with palm and coconut trees, the sea and fine sand. It lies on the coast of Karwar. Add Gokarna, a unique location in Karnataka, to your list of top Indian summer destinations. 3. Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh Araku is a small town in the Eastern Ghats, perched on three hills: Chitamogondi, Raktakonda and Galikonda. It has much to offer, including sprawling coffee plantations, protected forests, breathtaking waterfalls and a rich cultural heritage. The location boasts breathtaking mountains, lush vegetation and waterfalls. 4. Barot, Himachal Pradesh The Barot Valley in Mandi district is a trekker's dream come true. Its remarkable natural beauty is a result of its location in the magnificent valleys. This charming valley community is the gateway to the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary on the other side of the Uhl. It is also rich in biodiversity. The black bear, ghoral and monal all live in the sanctuary. 5. Sinthan Top, Kashmir One of the most unique locations in Kashmir, the Sinthan Valley rises 12,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, emerald valleys, orchards, whispering deodar and dense pine forests, rippling streams meandering through lush green meadows and vibrant wildflowers that create an unparalleled splendour. From the top of the mountain you can see two different valleys. 6. Majuli, Assam Just 20 miles from the city of Jorhat lies Majuli, a picturesque and verdant island in the Brahmaputra River. Covering an area of 1250 square kilometres, it is considered one of the largest river islands in the world. It is sometimes referred to as the birthplace of the Vaishnavite school of Hinduism. Due to severe soil erosion and flooding, the river island is disappearing. Experts predict that the island will be completely submerged by 2030. 7. Kashid, Maharashtra Located in the Konkan belt, this coastal town has one of the most enticing beaches with a varied landscape of cliffs, rocks and golden sand. The long, wide beach is lined with casuarina trees, snack stalls and hammocks. The sun-kissed, pristine sandy beach with crystal clear waters is a water lover's dream.

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Jammu administration bans sale and consumption of tobacco products in Katra

The Jammu administration has enacted a sweeping ban on the sale, possession, and consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products in Katra, the town that is home to the sacred Vaishno Devi temple. This initiative is aimed at preserving the sanctity and cleanliness of the religious site, which draws thousands of pilgrims each month. The ban, implemented under Section 144, covers the storage, sale, and consumption of all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes and gutka, from the Numai and Panthal check posts to the Bhawan via the Tara Court area. This prohibition extends the existing ban on the sale and consumption of meat and alcohol in Katra and its surrounding areas. The initiative is designed to keep the Katra base camp, pilgrimage route, and the entire region tobacco-free. The administration is set to conduct rigorous checks to ensure compliance and will take strict action against violators. Local shopkeepers and vendors have been informed of the new regulations and are expected to comply with immediate effect. Katra experiences a daily influx of 30,000 to 40,000 pilgrims, with numbers surging to millions during the Navratri festival. In light of this massive footfall, the administration’s decision to ban tobacco products is seen as a necessary step to cater to the health and sentiments of the visiting devotees. Previously, the sale of meat and alcohol had been banned to respect the religious sentiments of the pilgrims. Katra is a small town in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, best known as the base camp for pilgrims visiting the revered Vaishno Devi temple. Nestled in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, Katra serves as the starting point for the trek to the holy shrine, which attracts millions of devotees each year. The town is equipped with a range of facilities, including hotels, guesthouses, and eateries, to accommodate the influx of visitors.

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