News

Thailand Renews Contract With VFS Global For Processing Visa Applications Across India

Continuing its partnership with the Thailand government, VFS Global has re-won the contract to process visa applications for Thailand from India. The company will cater to travellers from India across visa categories through visa application centres and drop off centres as per the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Embassy in Delhi and Royal Thai Consulate General in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. VFS Global’s relationship with the Government of Thailand dates to nearly two decades. The company has processed more than 2.2 million Thai visa applications since 2005. As a part of the mandate, VFS Global will roll out drop box services in Tier-II cities such as Ranchi, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur, Nasik, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada, Currently the service is available at Agra, Amritsar, Dehradun, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Guwahati, Patna, Bihar, Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur, Siliguri and Visakhapatnam. The VFS Global newest visa application centre (VAC) in Lucknow (a drop box facility earlier) will also accept applications for Thailand visas. “The renewal of the Thai visa contract attests to VFS Global’s superior business performance, commitment to improving customer experience, and unshakable faith placed in us by the 70 sovereign governments we work with, including Thailand,’’ said Prabuddha Sen, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global.

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Is pilot shortage holding back Akasa Air and India's aviation sector from taking off?

Akasa Air, the latest addition to India’s list of airlines, had been flying high following its launch last year. Recently, however, it has hit some turbulence, as dozens of pilots walked out, leading to hundreds of cancelled flights and angry customers. Experts say the challenge Akasa is facing only highlights what is set to become a much bigger problem in India, as airlines expand rapidly to meet rising demand in one of the world's fastest growing aviation markets – but the availability of trained staff is failing to keep pace. “Most of the players in the sector have a huge expansion plan, which would require a large base of skilled people including pilots, cabin crew and other operating staff,” says Manish Chowdhury, head of research at broker StoxBox. “With the pace of supply of pilots lagging the demand in a big way, we expect this scramble for pilots to intensify.”

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Vande Bharat sleeper coach to be launched soon: Check features, other details

Vande Bharat Express, India's most popular train, is all set to get its sleep coach version by next year. According to officials, the new design of the sleeper coaches will be manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), reported news agency PTI. Here are five points on the Vande Bharat sleeper coach version: The Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be a significant addition to the Indian Railways fleet as they will allow passengers to travel long distances on the high-speed trains overnight. The indigenous semi-light-speed train aims to provide a new experience to the passengers. According to media reports, the train is said to have wider berths and a brighter interior than the current sleeper coaches in other trains. The train will also reportedly have spacious toilets. The three key areas that the Railways is looking at with the newer sleeper version are - speed, safety, and service. The ICF is also developing a new type of Vande Bharat train called the ‘Vande Metro’. It will be a 12-coach train, designed for short-distance travel. Meanwhile, the railways has introduced a ‘14-minute clean-up’ concept for the Vande Bharat trains from October 1 - exemplifying Japan’s bullet train model where the trains are cleaned in seven minutes. With this, every Vande Bharat train will be cleaned in 14 minutes as compared to the otherwise three hours, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Railways to launch semi-high speed Vande Bharat trains soon The Indian Railways is also expected to launch nine semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express trains on several routes soon on which the ICF is currently working, claimed media reports. Tentative routes for five out of the total nine Vande Bharat trains have been reportedly assigned - they include Indore - Jaipur Vande Bharat Express, Jaipur-Udaipur Vande Bharat Express, Puri - Rourkela Vande Bharat Express, Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express, and Jaipur-Chandigarh Vande Bharat Express.

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Air India announves non-stop flights between Kochi and Doha from 23 October

Air India is set to connect Kochi, the commercial hub of Kerala, with Doha, the Capital of Qatar, with a daily non-stop service from 23 rd October 2023. This new flight will fulfil the need of a convenient and comfortable direct connection between the two cities. AI953 will depart at 0130 local time to reach Doha at 0345 hrs. The return flight AI954 will take off from Doha at 0445 hrs to land at Kochi at 1135 hrs (All Local Time). The flight, operated with an A320neo aircraft, will offer 162 seats (150 in Economy and 12 in Business Class). The new launch is in line with Air India’s commitment to expand connectivity and enhance frequency on domestic and international sectors as it keeps augmenting its fleet with new aircraft. The service will further densify and strengthen our operations to the Middle East. Bookings for the flights have already opened on all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents (including online travel agents).

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Unlock the Wonders of India: Seamless Travel with India Visa Online

India, the land of mystique, diversity, and enchantment, has always been a coveted destination for travelers worldwide. From the breathtaking Taj Mahal to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, the country's charm knows no bounds. To facilitate an exceptional travel experience, India Visa Online proudly announces its range of visa services, making your journey to this incredible nation smoother than ever before. As the world reopens its doors to exploration, securing your visa is now more accessible and hassle-free than ever. India Visa Online offers a spectrum of visa options catering to different travel purposes. Whether you're planning a leisurely vacation, embarking on a business venture, or visiting friends and family, we have the perfect visa solution for you. Are you yearning to immerse yourself in India's rich cultural heritage? Our Tourist Visa for India is your key to discovering the country's historical marvels, vibrant traditions, and sumptuous cuisine. Explore the wonders of India with ease, and let your journey be filled with unforgettable memories. Dreaming of an exotic getaway to India? Our India Tourist Visa offers a hassle-free application process, ensuring that your adventure begins with a smooth start. Experience the vibrant colors, rich history, and warm hospitality of India like never before.

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Air India launches sale to offer special fares on India-US Routes

Air India has launched a limited-period, #FlyAirIndiaSale, to offer highly attractive fares on all India-U.S. routes in Economy Class and Premium Economy Class (available on select U.S. routes). All-inclusive Economy Class fares start from INR 42,999 (one-way) and INR 52,999 (return). All-inclusive Premium Economy fares start from INR 79,999 (one-way) and INR 1,09,999 (return). Air India’s Premium Economy class is currently available to guests travelling on select routes: Bengaluru-San Francisco, Mumbai-San Francisco, and Mumbai-New York. Bookings under the sale are open for only five days, from October 01 to October 05, 2023, for travel between October 01 and December 15, 2023. Air India operates 47 non-stop flights every week from Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai to five American cities: New York, Newark (New Jersey), Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco. The sale fares are also available from several other Indian cities for one-stop flights to the U.S. via Delhi, Bengaluru, or Mumbai. This enables travellers from cities across India, such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Kochi, and Kolkata, among others, to travel seamlessly to the U.S. at highly discounted fares. Bookings under the sale are open on all channels, including Air India’s website (www.airindia.com), iOS and Android mobile apps, and through authorised travel agents. The seats available on sale are limited and available on a first come, first-served basis. The fares may marginally vary in different cities, due to applicable rates of exchange and taxes.

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