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India framing policy to make airports transit hubs for South Asia

New Delhi: India is framing a national policy to transform its airports into major international hubs that will offer single-point international connectivity to the South Asian region. The policy, which will need cabinet approval, aims to frame laws for easing security and immigration bottlenecks at airports, allocation of international flying rights and building necessary infrastructure so that airports like Delhi can become transit hubs competing with the likes of Dubai and Singapore’s Changi Airport, people involved in making of the policy said. Hubs aggregate passenger demand from the entire area and offer multiple direct flights to major cities across the world. In FY20, 69% of Indian passengers flying to Europe and North America travelled through hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha on foreign airlines. “This is a big leakage of revenue for airlines and airports and the Indian aviation ecosystem is not being able to take benefit of the growth in long-haul international traffic,” a government official said. “With Air India and IndiGo eyeing more international traffic, the government is looking to frame this policy.” A uniform policy, he said, will make it easier for multiple ministries to work in tandem and frame rules. “Reform of security rules and immigration are governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs while international flying rights are the domain of external affairs,” he said. “Building of infrastructure will be through the National Infrastructure Pipeline. Hence, the requirement of a single framework is necessary.” There are three aspects to a hub airport — favourable geographic location, the presence of a strong airline and the ability to connect quickly between international and domestic flights. “IndiGo and Air India are strong brands now. The policy will now target to simplify other areas,” the official said. The policy will seek to reform security rules for faster connections between flights, reducing immigration wait times and developing infrastructure linking multiple terminals of airports. Sources said that the government has identified certain bottlenecks such as the requirement of double security checks while transiting between domestic and international areas, requirement of immigration only from the city of departure and manpower crunch at immigration desks as reasons that impede smooth connectivity at airports. Delhi Airport currently has three terminals and the plan is to connect them through a train. Currently, passengers have to leave the airport and take a bus. “Every hub airport with more than 100 million passengers has a transport model where a passenger can transfer without leaving the secured area of the airport,” the official said. “As a part of the policy, we are deciding on the financial model as this will be a huge capital investment.” Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of Delhi Airport, said that the airport is well located to become a major transit hub of the region. “We are strategically located in the corridor of North America and Europe to South East Asia or East Africa to North East Asia,” he said. “However, other airports, due to their competitiveness have been able to take that traffic.” Building a hub is about coordination among airlines, airports and government policy. “That is what we are working on — so that the airport gets its rightful position and airlines benefit financially by offering direct flights,” he said. The airport has started working on harmonisation of airport slots so that IndiGo and Air India can align their domestic and international network in a way that a passenger can connect in minimum time. “We are working with both the airlines to create slot banks for European and North American flights so that they can schedule adequate domestic flights within two hours before departure of their Europe and North America flights,” Jaipuriar said.

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Autumn in Kashmir: Nature's magnificent display attracts tourists from distant places

Autumn in Kashmir, locally known as 'Harud,' transforms the valley into a vibrant canvas of red, orange, and yellow, attracting tourists to the Mughal gardens. Kashmir, the crown jewel of India, is basking in the enchanting glow of autumn, drawing tourists from far and wide to witness its mesmerizing beauty. The mesmerizing autumn season brings cheer to tourists in Kashmir. The valley's famed Mughal gardens, adorned with Chinar trees resplendent in their golden and brownish hues, have become a haven for nature lovers seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Tourists visit Kashmir Valley round the year in all seasons, but the autumn season has its own different charm that always attracts tourists. The autumn season, locally known as "Harud," transforms Kashmir into a canvas painted in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. The Chinar trees, with their long, slender branches reaching towards the sky, stand as majestic sentinels, their leaves shimmering like a thousand coins in the sunlight. Autumn is considered one of the most beautiful seasons, which makes the atmosphere so beautiful and increases the beauty of Chinese trees everywhere in the valley, including the Mughal gardens. During autumn, due to the golden and brownish colour of leaves, Chinar trees give off a very unique and extremely beautiful look that attracts everyone, especially tourists on a large scale. That's why during this autumn season, tourists from different places always prefer to visit Mughal gardens, including Nishat and Shalimar, where the brownish and dazzling leaves of long Chinese trees increase the beauty of the gardens. Presently, good numbers of tourists are coming and they are spending good time in Mughal gardens and making memorable albums under the shadows of long-heeled heritage Chinar trees. Autumn is called "Harud" in the local language and during this season, the maple leaves of majestic Chinar trees turn gold brown from green which always attracts nature lovers both locals and tourists. Tourists, captivated by the valley's breathtaking scenery, are flocking to the Mughal gardens, including Nishat and Shalimar, to capture the essence of this ephemeral beauty. The gardens, meticulously designed with fountains, pavilions, and pathways, provide a picturesque backdrop for unforgettable memories.

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'Just looking like a wow': Railway Ministry posts pics of Vande Bharat from Kerala

The Ministry of Railways frequently shares captivating images of railway stations across India on its social media platforms. In a recent post on X, the Railway Ministry showcased the Vande Bharat Express from Kerala and used the popular catchphrase "So beautiful, so elegant" to describe it. In this social media update, the Railways Ministry unveiled two images featuring Vande Bharat Express trains in blue and tangerine colours as they passed through Vellayil Station in the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod section of Kerala. ''Blue and Tangerine #VandeBharatExpress. So beautiful, so elegant, just looking like a wow! Location: Vellayil Station in Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod section of Kerala," read the post. The "Just Looking Like a Wow" meme transcended Instagram, spreading across various social media platforms. People, including celebrities, began using the phrase to describe a wide range of things, from their favourite attire to their everyday activities. Meanwhile, Vande Bharat Express is an indigenously manufactured, semi-high-speed, self-propelled train set. It offers state-of-the-art passenger amenities, ensuring a faster, more comfortable and convenient travel experience for passengers. These trains come equipped with world-class amenities and advanced safety features, including the innovative Kavach technology.

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Malaysian Airlines to start direct flight service between Thiruvananthapuram-Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian carrier Malaysian Airlines will launch a direct flight service between Thiruvananthapuram and Kuala Lumpur from November 9. Malaysian Airlines would be operating the Thiruvananthapuram-Kuala Lumpur flight with Boeing 737-800 aircraft with a capacity of 174 passengers including business class, a TIAL spokesperson said in a statement here on Tuesday. "The flight will be operated initially on Thursdays and Sundays from Thiruvananthapuram. The flight will arrive at 11 PM and depart at midnight," the statement said. This will be the first Malaysian Airlines service from Thiruvananthapuram, it added. Beyond Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines will provide good connectivity to Australia, New Zealand, North America, Japan, China, Hongkong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, etc, it said. Business class travel facility to East Asian countries has been a demand for a long time, including by IT companies. This service will boost the travel and tourism sectors of Kerala, the statement said, adding it will also benefit the students from Kerala who are studying in far east countries and expatriates from southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

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Go First resolution time extended by three months

Mumbai: Lenders to Go First airlines have extended the insolvency resolution timelines of the grounded carrier by another 90 days amid uncertainty whether the company, India's first commercial airline to voluntarily seek bankruptcy protection, will eventually have enough planes to fly. Lenders took the decision to extend the deadline, which ended Monday, even as the Delhi High Court decides whether aircraft lessors have the rights to impound planes of a carrier in administration. About ₹6,500 crore of creditor funds are stuck after Go First's services were grounded in May." "The extension was necessary given the current situation. Also, the lone bidder, Naveen Jindal, has to be given at least one month to do due diligence from October 22 when he was declared a legitimate bidder. All these factors have pushed back the resolution process deadline by three months," said a person familiar with the situation. Jindal Steel and Power promoter Naveen Jindal's expression of interest (EoI) is the only preliminary inquiry to make the cut as a bidder for Go First. Two other likely bidders could not meet the financial parameters set by lenders. However, bankers are less optimistic of a revival after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told the Dehi High Court in an affidavit that the recent order exempting aviation leases from bankruptcy moratorium should apply even to companies undergoing insolvency proceedings. That could allow lessors to impound the planes - the most crucial asset for an airline to resume flying. Subsequently, the resolution professional (RP) of the airline told the court that the October 3 government notification exempting transactions related to aircraft and engines from mandatory moratorium under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code will apply prospectively. Bankers and the RP have argued that the new government notification cannot apply to the airline, which was admitted into bankruptcy on May 5. Lessors have terminated leases of 54 aircraft and have filed petitions in court seeking to overturn the bankruptcy moratorium. This will allow them to take back the leased planes. The case by lessors in the Delhi High Court pleads that they can deregister planes since the leases were terminated prior to declaration of moratorium. The next date of hearing in the case is November 9. Bankers say if lessors are allowed to take possession of the plane, the airline's revival will be in jeopardy, resulting in a potential loss of more than ₹6,500 crore to creditors led by Bank of Baroda and Central Bank of India. Bankers are hoping that the high court will allow the moratorium to continue, which will give them a chance to negotiate with the only bidder or even look for alternatives.

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Vistara introduces complimentary Wi-Fi access on international flights

This offering includes unlimited data, primarily designed for popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and similar services. In addition, Platinum members and Business Class travellers will enjoy an additional 50MB of data, which can b utilised for web browsing, engaging on social media, and staying connected via messagi and email services. In a significant move to enhance the travel experience for flyers, Vistara, has unveiled a complimentaryWi-Fi service for passengers on international flights. This service sets Vistara apart as the first Indian airline to offer free unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi to all of its customers. The service is exclusively available for members of airline's loyalty program, Club Vistara. The complimentary internet connectivity is now available to all Club Vistara members, regardless of their membership tier, accumulated points, or tenure of membership. Notably, enrollment in Club Vistara is free of charge, making it accessible to a wide range of travellers. This offering includes unlimited data, primarily designed for popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and similar services. In addition, Platinum members and Business Class travellers will enjoy an additional 50MB of data, which can be utilised for web browsing, engaging on social media, and staying connected via messaging and email services. Platinum members should activate the 50MB surf package before enabling the unlimited messaging service to enjoy both benefits. Here's a breakdown of the services based on membership levels: Club Vistara Base: Unlimited messaging apps without attachments. Club Vistara Silver: Unlimited messaging apps without attachments. Club Vistara Gold: Unlimited messaging apps without attachments. Club Vistara Platinum: 50MB data package for browsing, social media, messaging, and email, along with unlimited messaging apps without attachments. Business Class (if not a Club Vistara member): 50MB data package for browsing, social media, messaging, and email, along with unlimited messaging apps without attachments. Commenting on the development, Deepak Rajawat, Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara, said, "At Vistara, we recognise that staying connected is an essential aspect of modern-day life. We are delighted to offer complimentaryWi-Fi to our loyal Club Vistara members on select international flights. This initiative also reiterates our unwavering commitment to continuously enhance the proposition of our loyalty program. We are confident that this will significantly add to the worldclass experience we offer onboard." To activate the complimentaryWi-Fi, members need to ensure that their contact numbers and email addresses are verified in their Club Vistara account. Furthermore, they should add their Club Vistara ID to their booking either during check-in or before boarding the flight. For members enrolling after booking or at the airport, providing their ticket number/PNR will associate the Club Vistara ID with their booking. It's important to note that this service can be accessed on a single device.

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