News

Domestic Airline Zooom Makes A Comeback After Almost 4 Years

It has been a few years since the domestic airline put a pause on its regular flight operations. Gladly, Zooom restarted its services after almost 4 years. It revived flight services and operated the first flight on Wednesday. After resuming, the first plane took off to Ayodhya from the Delhi airport on Wednesday. Zooom is currently taking passengers to the destination, Ayodhya, on a Bombardier CRJ200ER flight. Right now, the airline has a fleet of 5 Bombardier CRJ 200ER aircraft. According to a report by Telegraph India, each of these planes has 50 seats. As of now, the domestic airline is operating the Delhi-Ayodhya flight 3 times a week, Atul Gambhir, the Director and CEO of Zooom, shared. Slowly, the airline will commence flights connecting more domestic places. Mr. Gambhir also added how there has been a major rise in domestic air travel passengers in India. Some of the factors boosting this growth are better customer experiences, flexible schedules, and low-cost flight tickets, according to a report by Tribune India. Zoom plans to focus on these growth elements by improving quality and making travel experiences more appealing for everyone. The journey of Zooom began back in 2017. The domestic airline operated its first flight in February 2017. Its journey did not continue for long and came to a stop afterward. It was back in July 2018 when the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended the airline’s air operator certificate. Then, DGCA approved the airline to relaunch its services in August 2023.

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US announces new selection criteria for H-1B visa; know what it means for Indians

In an effort to bolster the integrity of the H-1B registration process and minimise the risks of fraud, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a final rule for the fiscal year 2025 (FY 2025) H-1B visa. The primary focus of this rule is to implement a beneficiary-centric selection process, thereby ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for all beneficiaries, irrespective of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf. Under the new rule, registrations will be chosen based on unique beneficiaries, a significant shift aimed at reducing the potential for fraud and providing an equal chance of selection for all. Commencing with the FY 2025 initial registration period, the USCIS will require registrants to furnish valid passport information or valid travel document information for each beneficiary. Additionally, the final rule offers clarity on the requirements related to the requested employment start date for specific petitions falling under the H-1B cap. It allows filings with requested start dates occurring after October 1 of the relevant fiscal year. Furthermore, the rule formalises the USCIS' authority to deny or revoke H-1B petitions if the registration contains false attestation or is deemed invalid. In line with these regulatory changes, the USCIS has announced a Fee Schedule final rule, which will come into effect after the initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap. The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap is set to open on March 6, 2024, and will run through March 22, 2024. To facilitate collaboration on H-1B registrations, petitions, and associated forms, USCIS will introduce organisational accounts on February 28, 2024. Simultaneously, the online filing of Form I-129 and Form I-907 for non-cap H-1B petitions will commence on the same date. While petitioners can still opt for the traditional paper filing of Form I-129 H-1B petitions, the USCIS will make online filing options available from April 1, 2024. USCIS Director Ur M Jaddou added that these improvements aim to render H-1B selections more equitable for both petitioners and beneficiaries, ultimately allowing for a fully electronic H-1B process from registration to the final decision. These reforms collectively strive to augment the H-1B program's overall transparency, efficiency, and resilience against fraudulent activities.

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Union Budget 2024: Travel and tourism highlights

After the unveiling of the Union Budget 2024, the tourism sector finds itself in an interesting spot. In a significant move aimed at revolutionising India's railway infrastructure and promoting tourism, Finance Minister Sitharaman announced a series of transformative initiatives in the interim budget. The centrepiece of the announcements is the conversion of 40,000 regular train bogies into Vande Bharat coaches, marking a substantial leap forward in passenger safety, convenience, and comfort. Vande Bharat trains, known for their cutting-edge technology and superior amenities, have garnered praise for their efficiency and reliability. By expanding the fleet of Vande Bharat coaches, the government aims to reduce travel time, enhance passenger experience, and accelerate tourism growth throughout the nation. Along with Vande Bharat, we can also expect to see more NAMO trains and metro rail services in more cities. These initiatives not only address the growing demand for efficient and sustainable mobility solutions but also contribute to decongesting urban areas, reducing travel time and promoting regional connectivity. The government has also introduced a bold initiative to promote tourist centres by offering long-term interest-free loans to states. This particular investment will enable development projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure, amenities, and branding of iconic tourist destinations. States can elevate their tourism offerings to global standards, attracting domestic and international visitors while creating employment opportunities for local communities. Measures such as long-term loans to states play a vital role in ensuring sustained development. This allows for the implementation of large-scale projects that benefit both tourists and local communities. The budget also allocates resources for tourism projects in the islands, including Lakshadweep. By enhancing connectivity, infrastructure, and amenities in these pristine locales, the government seeks to unlock the untapped tourism potential of India's islands. The announcements made in the interim budget reflect the government's proactive approach towards revitalising India's railway and tourism sectors. By investing in modernisation, connectivity, and infrastructure development, the government aims to unleash the full potential of these sectors, driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing the overall quality of life for citizens across the country.

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Travel advisory issued for Jamaica as Americans plan holidays

You may want to reconsider visiting Jamaica. That’s the warning from the State Department, which is flagging crime and health concerns in the popular Caribbean destination. In a travel advisory issued last week, the State Department said: “Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts. (And) local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.” In the event of an emergency, the State Department also warned “high level or specialized” health care may not be available across the island nation, and patients may be required to pay for medical care up front. Travelers are advised to be aware of their surroundings, to keep a low profile and to avoid public buses, walking or driving at night, secluded situations and resisting attempts at robbery in Jamaica. Americans are further encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and to prepare contingency plans for emergencies. Additionally, in bold font, the advisory adds, “We strongly encourage you to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica,” as many health care providers overseas won’t accept U.S. health insurance, and neither Medicare nor Medicaid benefits apply abroad.

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FlixBus is now India! Rs 99 inaugural intercity travel fares

India will be the 43rd country where FlixBus launches its operations in collaboration with local bus operators. FlixBus, a global leader in travel technology renowned for its expansive bus network spanning 42 countries, has made a significant announcement: its official launch in India. With India being the second-largest bus market globally, FlixBus aims to transform intercity passenger transportation by offering convenient travel options at competitive prices alongside top-tier safety standards. The introduction of FlixBus in India heralds a new era of comfortable, safe, and reliable travel choices for countless Indians. The network will seamlessly connect major cities and routes across New Delhi, Himachal, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, and UP. Starting from today, February 1st, tickets for FlixBus India will be available, with the inaugural routes commencing from February 6th at a special launch price of just INR 99. These routes will link Delhi with key destinations such as Ayodhya, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Manali, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ajmer, Katra, Dehradun, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Jodhpur, Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Amritsar. The comprehensive network will feature 59 stops and over 200 connections in total. In strategic partnerships with local bus operators, FlixBus will leverage its proprietary technology platform to empower partners, enhancing their business operations. This collaboration will focus on network planning, revenue management, and yield optimization, ensuring a seamless travel experience for both passengers and operators while prioritizing quality, safety, and consistency. Additionally, FlixBus will exclusively operate premium bus models equipped with BS6 engines, adhering to stringent emission norms and championing environmental sustainability. Dr. Philipp Ackermann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to India & Bhutan, hailed FlixBus's entry into India as a remarkable opportunity for both nations. “Both governments cooperate under the umbrella of a Green and Sustainable Development Partnership to modernize the Indian energy sector and to help reduce CO2 emissions in many other sectors, including transportation. Having a private company providing sustainable transportation as a business model and having the reduction of CO2 emissions as part of the company’s DNA is very encouraging. Strengthening collective travel in order to reduce emissions of the transport sector is a global undertaking that requires significant efforts from both the German and Indian Governments, our societies and industries. Making bus travel more convenient and accessible is an important lever to increase the attractiveness of collective transport,” he said.

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India to start world’s first black tiger safari in Odisha

The Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has announced the establishment of a melanistic tiger safari – a groundbreaking initiative that will be the first of its kind globally. The safari is set to be located near Baripada in the Mayurbhanj district of the state, as per the official announcement made by Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on X, previously known as Twitter. Covering an expansive 200-hectare area adjacent to National Highway 18, the chosen site is approximately 15 km away from the Similipal Tiger Reserve, featuring a similar landscape. Notably, Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) stands as the sole habitat for melanistic tigers worldwide, as per the last All India Tiger Estimation Report released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2018. This move aims to provide tourists and visitors with a unique opportunity to witness the rare and majestic species found exclusively in Odisha. Around a couple of years ago, researchers, including scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru, identified a single gene mutation responsible for black stripes and a distinctive pattern in these tigers. The upcoming melanistic tiger safari is expected to house surplus tigers from Nandankanan Zoo and rescued/orphaned tigers unfit for the wild but suitable for display. The Forest Department emphasised that the safari is poised to elevate wildlife tourism in Odisha, anticipating a significant influx of visitors and establishing itself as an added attraction for those exploring the Similipal Tiger Reserve.

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