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CWT launches upgrade of airfare optimisation tool

CWT is rolling out an upgraded version of its airfare optimisation services, which is using AI to predict changes in air ticket prices. The travel management company said that the latest version of the platform extends the window during which prices can be optimised to help clients secure lower prices. The service, which is offered through a partnership with travel tech firm Wenrix, is integrated into all of CWT’s booking channels. When it identifies an opportunity to make savings on flights it automatically rebooks the existing reservation, taking into account any cancellation or change fees from the airline and ensuring compliance with fare rules. Erica Antony, CWT’s chief product officer, said: “Our price optimisation service is one of the simplest ways for our customers to save on their air spend. It’s a turnkey solution that has minimal set-up and maintenance requirements and doesn’t cause any disruption to travellers.” The TMC said it has been piloting the upgrade with selected customers in the US and Europe, with some of these clients seeing a doubling in their level of savings on flights compared with using the previous version of the tool. The enhanced platform is initially being made available to clients in 12 countries with plans to roll out to more markets in the next few months. CWT is set to be taken over by rival TMC American Express Global Business Travel later this year, subject to the acquisition being approved by competition authorities around the world.

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Delhi traffic advisory for Muharram processions

The Delhi Traffic Police has released a comprehensive traffic advisory ahead of the Tazia processions planned for July 16 and 17 in honour of Muharram. Starting Tuesday, a major procession will commence from Chhatta Shahzad, Kalan Mahal, at approximately 9:00 pm. This procession will navigate through Kamra Bangash, Chitli Qabar, Churi Walan, Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid, Chawri Bazar, and Hauz Qazi, before making its way back via the same route. The anticipated procession is expected to attract large crowds, leading to substantial traffic disruptions along these routes. Another procession will begin from Old Police Chowki, Ashok Basti. It will pass through Qutub Road, Khari Baoli, Lal Kuan, Hauz Kazi, Chawri Bazar, and Jama Masjid, before returning along the same path. Additionally, Tazias from regions such as Nizamuddin, Okhla, and Mehrauli will be transported to Karbala. Other districts hosting Tazia processions include East, Northeast, Shahdara, Northwest, Southeast, South, and West Delhi. On Wednesday at 11:00 am, the procession will reconvene, following the same route starting from Kalan Mahal and proceeding to Karbala, Jor Bagh. Routes to avoid The traffic police have advised commuters to avoid several key routes: - Mathura Road - Ma Anandmayee Marg - Mehrauli-Badarpur Road - Road No. 56 near Anand Vihar Terminal - Pankha Road - Najafgarh Road from Zakhira to Kishanganj Moreover, from 12:00 noon to 9:30 pm (Wednesday), traffic will be regulated on numerous roads, including Jama Masjid Road, Chawri Bazar Road, Ajmeri Gate Road, Asaf Ali Road, Panchkuian Road, the Outer Circle of Connaught Place, Rafi Marg, Krishna Menon Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Motilal Nehru Marg, Barakhamba Road, Janpath, Sansad Marg, Tughlak Road, Ashoka Road, K G Marg, Lodhi Road, and Jor Bagh Road. Bus route diversions - Buses heading to Ajmeri Gate via Desh Bandhu Gupta Road will be diverted at Aram Bagh, returning through Chitragupta Road-Paharganj. - Buses travelling to the New Delhi railway station will terminate at Aram Bagh. - Buses bound for Connaught Place and Central Secretariat will take alternative routes including Rani Jhansi Road, Mandir Marg, and Park Street, concluding their journeys at Udhyan Marg and returning via Kali Bari Marg. - Buses from East and Central districts to Connaught Place and Central Secretariat will be redirected via Sikandra Road, terminating at Mandi House, with return routes through Bhagwan Dass Road-Tilak Marg. The Delhi Traffic Police urges all residents and commuters to plan their travel in advance and avoid the affected routes where possible. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on traffic conditions through official channels and cooperate with traffic authorities to navigate this period smoothly.

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Tata Group to retain Air India's top management post-Vistara merger

The Tata Group is inclined to maintain continuity in Air India’s top management following its merger with Vistara, according to a report by The Economic Times. The report quoted sources as saying that all senior executives at Air India are expected to retain their positions post-merger. Campbell Wilson will continue as the chief executive officer, with Nipun Aggarwal and Sanjay Sharma remaining as the chief commercial and transformation officer, and chief financial officer, respectively, the report said. Meanwhile, Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan is expected to return to Singapore Airlines (SIA), his parent company. Kannan had been on secondment to Vistara since 2019, serving as the chief strategy officer for the Tata Sons-SIA joint venture. Under the joint venture agreement, SIA had the right to appoint the CEO at Vistara, while the Tata Group selected its finance chief. Vistara’s Chief Commercial Officer, Deepak Rajawat, is expected to join the merged entity. Although the majority of Vistara employees will transition to the merged company, some positions may be eliminated due to redundancies, as Air India has already staffed those roles. Air India has been actively recruiting, drawing talent from other Tata Group companies and startups to overhaul the airline. This effort comes after Air India, previously under government control, accumulated losses exceeding Rs 15,000 crore before being acquired by the conglomerate. Additionally, some Vistara employees have already been reassigned to Air India. The report quoted a source as saying, “Vistara has been a terrific brand. The team has done a wonderful job but there is a greater purpose to maintain continuity in a larger entity.” A team comprising senior executives from Air India, Vistara, and the Boston Consulting Group is collaborating on human resources integration. Legal and regulatory compliance matters are being handled by the law firm AZB Partners, the report said. During the human integration process, Vistara’s non-flying staff has undergone the Hogan Test, designed by the US-based Hogan firm. This test assesses normal personality traits essential for job suitability, particularly in leadership roles. The Tata Group aims to quickly consolidate its airline business, which incurred a loss of Rs 15,532 crore in the financial year 2023, to leverage synergies, enhance efficiencies, and minimise redundancies. Air India Express and AirAsia India have merged to form a budget airline as part of the restructuring. The unified entity of Air India and Vistara will compete in the full-service segment. The conglomerate is striving to complete the Air India-Vistara integration by the end of this year. However, Air India CEO Wilson has indicated that customer-facing aspects, including Vistara’s brand identity, will remain unchanged until 2025. The report stated that this merger is also significant for Singapore Airlines, as its 25.1 per cent stake in the combined Tata airline entity will bolster its position in the world’s third-largest aviation market.

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Ashok Leyland bags single largest order for Viking bus from MSRTC for ₹982 cr

Ashok Leyland has bagged a single largest fully built bus order for 2,104 units of Viking passenger bus from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) valued at ₹982 crore. “These modern, fully built buses will be fully compliant with the latest CMVR standards, will feature AIS 153 compliant body, have the proven iGEN6 BS VI OBD II technology with 197 HP H-Series Engine and rear air suspension, among other significant features, the leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles said in a statement. MSRTC is one of the largest state transport undertakings in the country with more than 15,000 buses. With this order, Ashok Leyland buses will dominate its fleet. Company officials said that the buses would be manufactured at ALL plants in Alwar and Ennore and deliveries would start from August 2024.

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Air India Express introduces Xpress Holidays in coordination with Make My Trip

PUNE: Air India Express has introduced ‘Xpress Holidays’, a convenient platform that empowers travellers to book their entire vacation, including flights, accommodation, transport and activities, in one place, airline officials said on Monday. Powered by MakeMyTrip, this service offers exclusive deals, through the airline’s website. Extended offerings of ‘Xpress Holidays’ include access to end-to-end holiday packages, including cab pick-ups, sightseeing tours and experiences. 'Xpress Holidays' can be accessed from the Product and Services section on the Air India Express website and features fab deals on specially curated packages. The partnership with MakeMyTrip enables a variety of attractive packages to cater to different travel preferences. At an all-inclusive price starting from ₹15,876 per person, the Goa package includes a delightful stay at a 4-star hotel, round-trip flights, sightseeing, airport transfers, and meals for 3 nights and 4 days. For those seeking international adventures, the 'Dubai Super Saver Holiday package' starting from Rs. 44,357 per person is available for a memorable 4-night, 5-day experience, inclusive of round-trip flights, visa, accommodation, sightseeing tours, and selected meals. Various other exciting offers are also available on the website for all popular destinations, including those in Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Kerala, Northeast, and Rajasthan. Speaking about Xpress Holidays, Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, said, “We are delighted to extend the services on our website and mobile app to be a one-stop solution for all travel needs. With the launch of the all-encompassing ‘Xpress Holidays’, powered by MakeMyTrip, we are also enabling exclusive curated offers on flights and accommodations across India and our key international destinations, including airport transfers and guided tours.” Speaking about the collaboration, Saujanya Shrivastava, Chief Operating Officer - Flights, Holidays & Gulf at MakeMyTrip, said, “This partnership with Air India Express combines our collective strengths to make every travel booking experience seamless and comprehensive. We are excited to bring our bouquet of holiday packages and exclusive deals for Air India Express patrons to personalise and book alongside their flight tickets, backed by the MakeMyTrip fulfilment promise.” As part of this collaboration, MakeMyTrip will also host ‘Xpress Holidays’ on the holidays package page on the MakeMyTrip website, displaying curated deals with Air India Express flights. With the introduction of this service, Air India Express reiterates its commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction, aligning with its proposition of 'Fly As You Are,' enabling a smarter and more personalised travel experience.

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Scoot Enhances Travel to Paris Olympics with Member Airlines Mandating New Routes for Easy Trips

Scoot does not offer direct flights to Paris for the Paris Olympics 2024. Their current network primarily serves destinations within Asia and Australia, along with some long-haul flights to cities like Berlin and Athens, but no direct service to Paris has been announced. Scoot is a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines and is part of the Singapore Airlines Group, which includes Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and SIA Cargo. Scoot, a low-cost airline owned by Singapore Airlines, operates flights to a wide range of international destinations. Founded in 2011, Scoot has rapidly expanded its network to include over 60 destinations across Asia, Australia, and Europe, focusing on providing affordable travel options without compromising on quality and safety. Scoot operates a modern fleet consisting mainly of Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul flights and Airbus A320 family aircraft for short to medium-haul routes. Key destinations in Asia include major cities such as Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, and Taipei, while in Australia, it serves Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. In Europe, Scoot flies to Berlin and Athens, connecting passengers to Paris through its partner airlines like Singapore Airlines. The airline benefits from its affiliation with the Singapore Airlines Group, offering seamless connections through Changi Airport and partnerships with other airlines for broader travel options. Despite being a low-cost carrier, Scoot enhances passenger experience with services like ScootPlus, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a variety of meal options. Scoot has been recognized for its safety measures, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the highest 5-star rating in the Skytrax COVID-19 Airline Safety Audit and Diamond status in the APEX Health Safety audit. Regular promotional fares and discounts make international travel more accessible, with recent sales offering significant savings to over 55 destinations. Additionally, Scoot has introduced new Embraer E190-E2 regional jets to its fleet to better serve short- to medium-haul routes and expand its network within Southeast Asia. Scoot offers flights to Paris through its member airline, Singapore Airlines, with connections from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). The typical routing involves flying from Singapore to European destinations like Frankfurt or Munich and then connecting to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).

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