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SpiceJet unveils ₹2,250-crore expansion plans; Lakshadweep flights soon

SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh on Wednesday (January 10) unveiled the airline's ambitious plans for growth and network expansion, propelled by a fund infusion of ₹2,250 crore. Addressing shareholders at the annual general meeting (AGM), Singh emphasised that a significant portion of the fund injection would be directed towards the expansion of the airline and its network, positioning SpiceJet as a stronger player. Excitingly, SpiceJet is set to launch new flight routes connecting Ayodhya with multiple cities across the country. Further, Singh announced exclusive rights under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) for Lakshadweep. The airline is gearing up to launch flights to Lakshadweep in the near future. Carlyle Aviation Partners, which is a major investor in the aviation sector, is keen on investing further in SpiceJet, as per the airline. Carlyle Aviation holds a 7% stake in SpiceJet. Ajay Singh has a substantial 57% stake in SpiceJet. Recently, the President of Carlyle Aviation and SpiceJet Chairman and MD Ajay Singh held talks on potential prospects and strategies for the airline and SpiceXpress, its cargo arm, as per reports. SpiceJet is also interested in the acquisition of the grounded domestic airline GoFirst under its strategic plan to create a combined entity with a market share of 25%. Shares of SpiceJet Ltd ended at ₹65.44, up by ₹3.24, or 5.21%, on the BSE.

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Turkish Airlines carried 6.1 million passengers with an increase of 10.1 per cent

Turkish Airlines announced passenger and cargo traffic results for December with 19.4% higher passenger capacity in terms of available seat kilometers compared to that of 2022. In December, number of passengers recorded as 6.1 million and total load factor realized as 79.8%. According to December 2023 Traffic Results; - The number of carried passengers increased by 10.1% compared to the same period of 2022 and reached 6.1 million. International load factor was 80% while domestic load factor was 78.5%. - Number of international to international passengers carried increased by 19% from 2.2 million in 2022 to 2.6 million in this period. - Available seat kilometers (ASK), increased by 19.4% to 19.8 billion during the period of December 2023 from 16.6 billion for the same period of 2022. - Cargo/Mail carried during the period of December 2023 increased by 15.8% to 159.7 thousand tons from 137.9 thousand tons in the same period of 2022. According to the January-December 2023 Traffic Results; - The total number of passengers increased by 16.1% to 83.4 million compared to the same period of 2022. - The number of international to international passengers carried increased by 27.1% to 29.8 million from 23.4 million in the same period of 2022. - Total load factor increased by 1.9 points to 82.6% compared to the same period of 2022. International load factor was 82.4% while domestic load factor was 84.3%. - Available seat kilometers (ASK) increased by 16.4% to 234.8 billion from 201.8 billion for the same period of 2022. - Cargo/Mail carried during this period decreased by 1.2% to 1.66 million tons from 1.68 million tons in the same period of 2022. - By the end of December 2023, the number of aircraft in the fleet was 440.

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Top 7 Places One Should Visit This Travel Season

Traveling through India’s many regions is like exploring a vibrant tapestry of history, culture, and scenic splendor. Every location presents a distinct chapter in the travelogue of India. Experience these lovely little nooks and locations, where history blends with modernity and nature welcomes you with open arms. AGUAD, GOA Located in Candolim, Goa, Aguad is at the base of Sinquerim Hill. The 400-year-old Aguad Port & Jail has experienced a spectacular metamorphosis into a vibrant historical and cultural hub in recent times. Reached through a distinctive shoreline and pier, the complex presents a fusion of modern and historical elements, with a recently opened state-of-the-art museum, the Aguad Interactive Museum (AIM), a unique showcase of Goa’s rich cultural heritage. The premises also play host to an array of historic and cultural exhibits. Bhanu Athaiya Retrospective, Tunes on the Tides, a musical performance, are some of the extravaganzas that have recently taken place, and help contribute to the vibrant ambience. There are unique heritage tours and regular screenings of documentaries on the liberation of Goa. Restaurants like Black Sheep Bistro, Motley Brew and D-Sailor with expansive views of Mandovi Bay and the Arabian Sea have also opened doors to welcome folks at the refurbished contemporary hub. Aguad provides the unique experience of tapping into history while giving us a cultural experience unlike any other. SNOW ACTIVITIES IN MANALI Enter Manali, a winter wonderland where snow-capped mountains create the perfect backdrop for an exciting trip. Manali offers it all, whether you choose to stay warm in a mountain retreat or are an avid skier. During the trip season, a breathtaking terrain is revealed, ideal for engaging in snow activities and taking in the tranquil splendor of the Himalayas. SKIING IN AULI Tucked away in the Garhwal Himalayas, Auli is a ski lover’s dream come true. Auli becomes a beautiful snowy wonderland throughout the travel season, beckoning thrill-seekers to savage through it. Encircled by forests of oak and fir, Auli provides not only exhilarating slopes but also amazing vistas of the Himalayan peaks. MONSOON IN CHERRAPUNJI Lover of rain greets you with open arms at Cherrapunji, the pinnacle of monsoon splendor. A dreamlike environment is created by misted hills, verdant landscapes, and cascading waterfalls during the tourism season. In this Meghalayan paradise, discover live root bridges, stroll through lush hills, and take in the abundance of nature. NILGIRI MOUNTAINS IN OOTY In the South Indian Nilgiri Hills, discover the tranquil forests of Ooty. Ooty Lake’s peace, beautiful flowers, and lush vegetation make it the ideal getaway throughout the tourist season. Enjoy a boat ride, a stroll around the botanical gardens, and a sensory boost from the Nilgiri breeze. NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES IN DOOARS Discover Dooars, which lies at the base of the Eastern Himalayas, and its immense stretches of splendor. Because Dooars is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, the trip season is perfect for those who enjoy wildlife. Experience tea gardens, go on safaris in national parks, and take in the wild beauty of this less-traveled location. GLISTENING SANDS IN JAISALMER Enter the golden hues of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, where visitors may witness imperial splendor set against the backdrop of the Thar Desert throughout the summer months. Take a tour of the magnificent Jaisalmer Fort, explore the exquisitely carved havelis, and discover the special allure of camel safaris across the golden sands. That concludes our exploration of India’s hotspots. India has it all, whether you’re like desert fantasies, monsoon wonders, beach moods, or alpine mountains. Every location has a unique tale to tell. We hope you’ve had a peek into the amazing tapestry that is this vibrant nation. Till the next time, continue to explore this amazing land of wonders, stay smiling, and continue to create memories. Enter the golden hues of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, where visitors may witness imperial splendor set against the backdrop of the Thar Desert throughout the summer months. Take a tour of the magnificent Jaisalmer Fort, explore the exquisitely carved havelis, and discover the special allure of camel safaris across the golden sands. That concludes our exploration of India’s hotspots. India has it all, whether you’re like desert fantasies, monsoon wonders, beach moods, or alpine mountains. Every location has a unique tale to tell. We hope you’ve had a peek into the amazing tapestry that is this vibrant nation. Till the next time, continue to explore this amazing land of wonders, stay smiling, and continue to create memories.

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"Never Seen Gulmarg So Dry In Winter": Omar Abdullah On No Snow Show

Visuals of a snow-less Gulmarg, the popular winter sports destination in Jammu and Kashmir, have gone viral this season. Now National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has posted about it, saying he has "never seen Gulmarg so dry in winters". In the post on his official X account, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister shared two images from previous years, taken on the same day. If it didn't snow soon, Mr Abdullah remarked, the summer was going to be "miserable". "I've never seen Gulmarg so dry in the winter. To put this in to perspective here are a couple of photographs from previous years, both taken on the 6th of Jan. If we don't get snow soon the summer is going to be miserable. Not to mention skiers like me who can't wait to get on the slopes but there's nothing to ski on", he wrote. Gulmarg, known for its snow-covered slopes, is a big draw for tourists and skiers from across the country. It received barely any snow this season, raising concerns over the effect of global warming on India's winters. On January 8, news agency ANI posted a video on X in which the town appears barren and dry with only sparse patches of snow visible on the ground. Not only Gulmarg, but Kashmir's Pahalgam along with hill states Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand also received below-average snowfall.

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Kenya: Backlash over new visa-free entry policy many describe as hectic

Kenya is facing a backlash over the visa-free entry policy introduced for all foreigners this month, with some terming it "hectic". President William Ruto announced the policy last month to advocate for a visa-free travel within the African continent. Kenyan authorities have since clarified that while the country grants visa-free entry, visitors need to apply for electronic travel authorisation (ETA) by submitting documentation and paying a $30 (£23) processing fee. The requirement also applies to countries whose citizens previously had unrestricted access to Kenya. By Sunday, Kenya had received more than 9,000 visa applications through the digital platform, authorities said. But some foreigners are now criticising the government, saying that the new policy has created confusion and made travel to Kenya tougher and costlier. "Dear Africans, Kenya is not telling the world the truth when it says that it is now visa free, it is not! It has in fact made travelling there more difficult for Africans who didn’t need a visa before," prominent Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin'ono said on X. "So until 24 hours ago, as a Malawian, I could just wake up, buy a ticket and fly to Kenya in the afternoon, visa free. Now Kenya has 'removed visa' for everyone visiting Kenya, but now everyone has to pay $30 travel authorization fee 72 hours before travel. What? Hectic," Malawian entrepreneur Jones Ntaukira shared on X. Some Kenyans have voiced fears that the tougher restrictions could trigger a boycott by some foreigners or that other countries could impose reciprocal restrictions.

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These 15 countries are ‘officially’ most safest places to travel in 2024; only one Asian nation makes the list

Canada has claimed the top spot in Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's 'Safest Places' report, thanks to its cold weather and low population density. This is a sharp five-spot rise from the 2023 report when it ranked sixth in the same list. The country also claimed the first position for safety in transportation, health measures, lack of violent criminal offences, women and LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. The annual ranking uses data from the Global Peace Index, State Department travel safety ratings, and GeoSure Global scores to identify secure destinations. This marks the company's ninth consecutive year compiling such data to determine the safest places for travellers. While defining a safe destination, the report cited, “A safe place was originally a place that's largely free from terrorist activity. Then it became a place that was safe from disease outbreaks. Now it's a place where all types of people can move about freely without discrimination or harassment." Carol Mueller, vice president at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, told USA TODAY, "In our most recent survey, travellers lean in on countries they believe as safe destinations they can move about freely without discrimination or harassment." Here are the 15 countries that found spot in the list: Canada Switzerland Norway Ireland Netherland United Kingdom Portugal Denmark Iceland Australia New Zealand Japan France Spain Brazil While these countries are considered to be overall safe for people to visit, the company noted that the report doesn't mean every part of the country is safe nor account for the possibility of natural disasters. And as always, don't let your guard down when it comes to petty theft against tourists, the report noted.

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