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Hundreds of flights canceled as Argentina’s air travel workers go on 24-hour strike

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Hundreds of flights were canceled and dozens of others rescheduled in Argentina on Wednesday as unionized air travel workers went on a 24-hour strike nationwide to demand better wages, in the latest sign of social unrest in the South American country. Most of the country’s more than 50 airports remained open but airlines had canceled hundreds of flights. At the country’s largest airport on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, the Ezeiza international airport, only the low-cost company Flybondi and American Airlines were operating Wednesday. The state-owned Aerolíneas Argentinas said in a statement that 331 flights were affected by the strike called by the Association of Aeronautical Personnel, the Argentinian Association of Airline Pilots and the Union of Senior and Professional of Aero Commercial Companies. The strike is expected to impact nearly 24,000 passengers of the state-owned airline alone, with an economic impact estimated at $2 million, according to Aerolíneas Argentinas. Union members blame the government for a breakdown in salary negotiations. The union conflict started last week when the Argentine government proposed a 12% increase in pay that was deemed insufficient by the three unions that bring together the staff of several airlines. The strike comes as inflation in Argentina has skyrocketed in recent months, largely as a result of a 50% devaluation of the local currency implemented by the government of President Javier Milei and the elimination of subsidies for public transportation and services such as electricity. In December and January, the accumulated increase in the cost of living was close to 46%, according to official figures.

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IndiGo Strengthens Its Domestic Connectivity with 6 New Routes

Today (Feb 29, 2024), India’s largest carrier in terms of fleet and passengers carried, IndiGo Airlines (6E), unveiled new domestic routes to cater to the surge in summer travel demand. These upcoming routes are scheduled to commence operations from March 31, 2024. The airline is set to operate non-stop flights connecting various cities, including Ahmedabad (AMD) to Rajkot (HSR) and Aurangabad (IXU), Bhopal (BHO) to Lucknow (LKO), and Indore (IDR) to Varanasi (VNS). Additionally, IndiGo has revealed plans for direct flights between Kolkata (CCU) and Srinagar (SXR), as well as Kolkata and Jammu (IXJ), starting from April 10, 2024, and April 21, 2024, respectively. Flights linking Kolkata and Jammu via Srinagar are also slated to commence operations from April 10, 2024.Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, expressed satisfaction in announcing new routes as part of the upcoming summer schedule in response to the rising demand for travel. As the vacation season approaches, the airline aims to provide additional options for exploring new destinations within India.

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Fly91: Malayali's airline company to start service soon

The first aircraft of the Fly91 Airlines company, led by Manoj Chacko, a native of Thrissur, recently completed its test flying successfully. 'This is the final stage before acquiring a permit for flying. The airline company has been named '91' after the telephone code of the country. Manoj, who had worked as the executive vice president of Kingfisher Airlines, has years of experience in the aviation industry. The company aims to run services as part of the Udaan project that connects the small towns via air. The authorities are considering starting services in various places including in Kerala, alongside the other tier 2 and tier 3 towns across India. The passenger airline will have a capacity between 72-78 seats per aircraft. In an earlier interview with us, Manoj said that he toyed with the idea of connecting all parts of India by air for a long time. "I have been thinking about its possibilities for more than 10 years. I had the desire ever since I joined (the now-defunct) Kingfisher Airlines. Kingfisher connected small Indian cities. Flights connecting small cities like Hubballi, Mysuru, Kolhapur, Sholapur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, etc., with each other are very few. The lack of connectivity between small cities has caused many difficulties. Bigger aircraft such as A320 and Boeing 737 cannot operate in such cities. Only international airports have the facility to handle such

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Vantara: the 3000-acre animal shelter launched by Anant Ambani in Jamnagar

Anant Ambani, the younger son of Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, has announced the launch of his ambitious wildlife preservation project, which is all set to become the world's largest zoo and rehabilitation center. Dubbed 'Vantara,' meaning 'Star Of The Forest,' this expansive initiative spans 3,000 acres within Reliance's Jamnagar Refinery Complex, often referred to as the Green Belt Of Gujarat. Vantara, a brainchild of Anant Ambani and supported by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, aims to be a haven for abused, injured, and endangered animals. The project is not merely a zoo but a comprehensive rehabilitation center, designed to recreate a natural and nurturing environment akin to the lush habitats from which the rescued animals hail. The broader Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre under Vantara's umbrella shelters various animals saved from exploitative conditions or the brink of death. With a staff of 2,100, the center has provided refuge to more than 2000 animals, spanning 43 different species. The facilities include an ICU, MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, dental scalers, lithotripsy, dialysis, and advanced technology for live video conferences during surgeries. Vantara's visionary leader, Anant Ambani, envisions the project not only as a monumental conservation effort, but also as a hope for global biodiversity initiatives. Rooted in the philosophy of 'jeev seva' or caring for animals, inspired by Swami Vivekananda, the initiative reflects a mission to protect critically endangered species native to India, restore vital habitats, and contribute significantly to global conservation. Anant Ambani's passion for wildlife conservation aligns with his commitment to sustainable energy generation, evident in his spearheading of Reliance's renewable energy project in Jamnagar. With a goal to make Reliance a Net Carbon Zero company by 2035, Ambani demonstrates a holistic approach to environmental stewardship. Vantara represents a pioneering venture that not only addresses the immediate needs of rescued animals, but also contributes to the broader conversation on wildlife conservation and the coexistence of humans and animals. As it unfolds, Vantara stands poised to be a transformative force, showcasing how forward-thinking institutions can lead global initiatives for biodiversity preservation.

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Ayodhya to soon have a beach of its own!

As per the latest development, Ayodhya is all set to have a beach of its own. If reports are to go by, the Uttar Pradesh Housing Department has given green light to the proposal put forth by the local development authority to establish a chowpatty at Ram Ki Paidi, along one of the banks of the Saryu River in Ayodhya. This initiative by the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) is all set to transform the riverside into a vibrant space, offering a variety of hygienically prepared food items. To materialise this vision, the ADA is diligently working on developing multiple temporary structures and designated zones for food carts at Ram Ki Paidi. A senior officer from the authority explained, "The idea is to create multiple temporary structures, zones for housing food carts and covered spots under canopies or pergolas at Ram Ki Paidi." The emphasis will be on hygiene and quality that is evident in the preparations being made. Reports further add that a tender has been floated to kickstart the construction at the site, whereas the chosen agency will have a six-month window to complete the civil works. Post this phase, the space will be allocated to food vendors, injecting life into the newly created chowpatty. Reports also add that the project has been allocated a budget of approximately INR 4.66 crore, which will be covering various aspects, such as basic infrastructure, sanitation, electrification, firefighting, water supply, parking zones, horticulture, and a paved entry route. With the Uttar Pradesh Housing Department's approval and the proactive steps taken by the ADA, the development of Ram Ki Paidi as a chowpatty is poised to become a vibrant addition to Ayodhya's landscape, offering both locals and visitors a delightful waterfront experience.

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Saudi Arabia is offering 96-hour stopover visa to Indian travellers

Saudi Arabia is offering a 96-hour free visa to Indian citizens, which is seen as a significant step in enhancing travel opportunities between the two nations. The announcement was made by Alhasan Aldabbagh, President – Asia Pacific, Saudi Tourism Authority, during a recent discussion. This strategic move reflects the acknowledgment of India's pivotal role as a key market for Saudi Arabia's burgeoning tourism sector. Reports add that the newly introduced visa has a validity of three months and is issued free of cost, enabling applicants to apply up to 90 days before their intended travel dates. This visa allows a stay of 96 hours or four days in Saudi Arabia, facilitating activities such as Umrah, visits to the Prophet's mosque, or participation in tourism events. To streamline the application process, Aldabbagh mentioned that the applications would be automatically transferred to the unified national visa platform at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), ensuring swift processing and issuance of the digital visa, which would be sent to the beneficiary via email.

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