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Malaysia Airlines' renewed focus on India: Captain Izham Ismail shares insights

In an exclusive interview with ETTravelWorld, Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, shed light on Malaysia Airlines' transformative journey, vision for growth in the Indian market, and its commitment to sustainability. Talking about the airline's attention to the Indian market, Ismail shared insights which underscored Malaysia Airlines strategic direction, emphasizing sustainable growth and partnership-building in the Indian market. In 2020, the airline successfully renegotiated its liabilities with creditors, significantly reducing its debt burden and enhancing financial resilience. Despite the global downturn, Malaysia Airlines maintained its workforce and focused on organizational cohesion, with senior management leading by example through pay cuts. Notably, Malaysia Airlines reduced its debt burden from 25.7 billion Ringgit to 9 billion Ringgit through strategic restructuring. Highlighting the potential, he informed that Malaysia Airlines has been reporting high load factors on its Indian routes, indicating strong market demand. "The demand has been especially strong on the new routes we announced last year. The load factors in India are exceeding 85 per cent, the new route we have launched have a load factor of more than 80 per cent." Ismail commented. The airline has recently announced the decision to double the frequency on the Amritsar and Trivandrum routes.

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Record crowd and donations flood Ram Mandir in Ayodhya: 25 lakh devotees visit in first 11 Days

In just 11 days since the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, 25 lakh devotees have sought darshan, while offerings totalling Rs 11 crore signify a remarkable display of faith and support. In a resplendent display of devotion and generosity, millions of devotees have flocked to the newly consecrated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, where the sacred murti of Ram Lalla has been seated since January 22. Over the course of just 11 days, an astonishing 25 lakh devotees have been blessed with the divine darshan of Ram Lalla, setting new records and reaffirming the unwavering faith of the masses. The unwavering support of devotees, coupled with efficient administration, has enabled the temple to uphold its sacred duties amidst challenging circumstances. Despite the ongoing forecast of dense fog and the possibility of rain in the region, the stream of pilgrims shows no signs of abating. reflecting a deep-seated devotion that transcends earthly concerns. In response to the overwhelming demand for darshan, the Mandir administration has adjusted its schedule to accommodate devotees. The adornment aarti of the idol of Ram Lalla now commences at 4:30 am. followed by morning prayers at 6:30 am, with the temple doors opening to devotees at 7 am. This revised timing ensures that pilgrims have ample opportunity to experience the divine presence of Ram Lalla, regardless of external conditions. As the spiritual epicentre of Ayodhya continues to attract record-breaking crowds and donations, it serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Sri Ram and the unyielding faith of his devotees. In the hallowed precincts of the Ram Mandir, the timeless saga of devotion and reverence unfolds. illuminating hearts and minds with the eternal light of divinity

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Snowstorm paralyses Tokyo: Train services halted, flights cancelled, travel warnings issued

Travel nightmare strands commuters and travellers in Tokyo as heavy snow causes mass disruptions with over 100 flights grounded and train services halted. Heavy snow hit the Tokyo area on Monday, disrupting trains and grounding more than 100 flights, with transport officials cautioning drivers to avoid nonessential travel. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the snowfall was expected to peak Monday night, with up to 55 centimeters (21 inches) predicted in mountainous areas north of Tokyo. The snowfall was much less in central Tokyo, where more than 1 centimeter (0.4 inch) was reported for the first time in two years, Kyodo News said. About 40 people received minor injuries from slipping in the snow, NHK public television reported. Some train services were limited in the Tokyo region and highways were partially closed, including the Tomei and Metropolitan Expressways. About 550 passengers on two Yurikamome automated trains that got stuck between stations had to walk to the next stop, NHK reported. More than 100 domestic and several international flights in and out of Tokyo’s Haneda airport were canceled as of Monday afternoon, according to the airport. More than 14,000 homes in Tokyo and five nearby prefectures were out of power, presumably due to the snow, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism urged drivers to avoid nonessential trips and use winter tires or tire chains.

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Kashmir: Roads closed, flights cancelled due to heavy snowfall; avalanche alert issued

Kashmir was undergoing a dry spell of winter this year, with snowfall for the longest time, raising concerns of global warming. However, now, as per the latest news reports, Kashmir woke up to a winter wonderland on Sunday. This snowfall has disrupted normal life, and has resulted in cancellation of flights at Srinagar airport, while traffic on the crucial Jammu-Srinagar national highway was stopped for nearly four hours following a landslide in Jammu's Ramban district. Heavy snowfall was also reported from the higher reaches of the valley, while the plains saw a moderate snowfall. The critical Jammu-Srinagar National Highway closing due to landslides, has effectively paralyzed transportation in the region. As snow clearance operations kicked off in the early hours of Sunday, efforts intensified to make roads traffic-worthy and restore connectivity. The challenges posed by the weather indicates the region's vulnerability to sudden weather changes, and indicates the need for resilient infrastructure that is capable of withstanding and recovering from such natural events.

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Sri Lanka witnesses an influx of Indian tourists post India-Maldives’ diplomatic row

In January 2024, a diplomatic dispute between India and the Maldives led to Indian tourists shifting their travel preferences towards Sri Lanka, resulting in Sri Lanka surpassing the Maldives in tourist arrivals for the month. The rift stemmed from critical remarks made by Maldivian ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India, prompting Indian tourists to initiate a ‘boycott Maldives’ movement. As a consequence, Sri Lanka experienced a significant surge in tourist arrivals, with Indian visitors leading the influx. Indian tourists are flocking to Sri Lanka for several reasons. Firstly, a diplomatic dispute between India and the Maldives prompted Indian travelers to seek alternative destinations, leading to a shift in preferences towards Sri Lanka. Additionally, Sri Lanka offers a diverse range of attractions, including stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, and scenic landscapes, making it an appealing destination for Indian tourists seeking leisure and exploration. Also, Sri Lanka's proximity to India and the ease of travel, coupled with improved connectivity through direct flights, have facilitated increased tourist arrivals from India. Sri Lanka's hospitality sector has also been actively promoting the country as a tourist-friendly destination, offering various packages and experiences tailored to Indian visitors' preferences, such as culinary tours, wellness retreats, and cultural festivals. India emerged as the leading source of tourists for Sri Lanka in January, while its position in the Maldives shifted from being the top tourist group to the fifth position. The top source countries for tourists visiting the Maldives in January were Russia, Italy, China, and the UK, with India slipping to the fifth position. Over the past three years, Indian tourist arrivals in the Maldives had consistently surpassed 2 lakh annually post-Covid but experienced a decline in recent weeks, with only 13,989 Indian tourists recorded in January 2024.

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Indian tourists visiting Eiffel Tower can now make UPI payments when booking tickets

In a groundbreaking move, Indians visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris can now seamlessly purchase tickets using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This was announced by NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) recently. This move will not only enhance the ease of online transactions for Indian tourists, but will also offer them a great opportunity for seamless travel. It will also open avenues for merchants in France and Europe, particularly those in the tourism and retail sectors. UPI agreement and Prime Minister's announcement The agreement to integrate the flagship instant payment system in France was established in July of the previous year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi making the groundbreaking announcement during his state visit. During the same visit, PM Modi emphasised the importance of UPI payments, and added that it will start in France from the Eiffel Tower, and transactions would be conducted in Indian rupees. UPI's impressive user base As of NIPL's latest statistics, the Unified Payments Interface has an extensive user base, exceeding 380 million (38 crore) users in India. In the preceding month alone, a staggering 12.2 billion (1220 crore) transactions were facilitated through this robust and widely embraced payment platform.

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