News

IndiGo commences operations between Delhi and Tashkent

IndiGo today commenced flights to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the 31st international and 110th overall destination in the 6E network. This significant move into Central Asia with four weekly non-stop flights connecting Delhi and Tashkent reflects IndiGo’s proactive approach to expanding its global network. These new flights will help bolster trade relations and offer our customers enhanced connectivity to a large number of destinations. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, “We are delighted to commence direct flights between Delhi and Tashkent, the vibrant metropolitan capital of Uzbekistan. This new connection brings India closer to Central Asia, opening a new gateway for travelers to explore the country’s rich cultural landmarks and historical connections along the Silk Route. As we expand our international network, we’re committed to bringing people closer to their preferred destinations while fostering cultural and commercial ties across new horizons. We remain dedicated to providing our customers affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences across our unmatched network.”

Read more

Indian domestic airlines experience soaring passenger growth in 2023

The latest data shows that within the period of January-August this year, domestic airlines carried 1190.62 lakhs of passengers.The Indian domestic aviation sector has witnessed an impressive surge in passenger traffic during the first eight months of 2023. According to the latest data released, domestic airlines have carried a staggering 1190.62 lakhs of passengers from January to August 2023, marking an exceptional growth rate of 38.27per cent when compared to the same period in the previous year, read the Ministry of Civil Aviation press release. The month of August 2023 alone recorded remarkable growth, with a monthly rate of 23.13 per cent. In August, passenger numbers reached 148.27 lakhs, reflecting the industry's resilience and strong recovery from the challenges posed by the global pandemic. Notably, despite this substantial increase in passenger traffic, the overall cancellation rate for scheduled domestic airlines remained impressively low at just 0.65 per cent in August 2023. During the same month, a total of 288 passenger-related complaints were reported, resulting in a complaint rate of approximately 0.23 complaints per 10,000 passengers carried, read the press release. This low rate of complaints and cancellations underscores the industry's commitment to prioritizing customer satisfaction and delivering reliable and efficient services to passengers. Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, expressed his appreciation for the sector's growth. He highlighted that this consistent expansion is a testament to the combined efforts of airlines, airports, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation in cultivating a secure, efficient, and customer-centric aviation ecosystem, read the press release. Scindia said, “This consistent growth is a testament to the collective efforts of airlines, airports, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation in fostering a safe, efficient, and customer-centric aviation ecosystem. The aviation industry remains committed to ensuring passenger safety and comfort while adapting to evolving travel demands and regulations. As air travel continues to recover, domestic airlines are poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating economic growth and connectivity across India”.

Read more

Canada Visa Ban - FAQS and All You Need to Know

In this comprehensive FAQ, we address some of the most pressing questions concerning travel between India and Canada amid escalating tensions 1. Will Canadians, who are in Canada, be able to apply for new visas to India? No. India has halted all visa services for citizens of Canada, except those with existing visas. 2. Will Indians, who are in India, be able to travel to Canada? Yes. Canada has not, so far, imposed any curbs on Indians travelling to Canada. 3. Are people allowed to travel from Canada to India for work or business? Yes. If they already have an existing Indian visa. If they don't, they won't be allowed to travel as India's visa application curbs on Canadians extend across sectors. 4. Can people with valid Indian visas or the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card travel to India? Yes. Those who have valid visas and OCI are free to travel to India, the external affairs ministry clarified on Thursday. 5. Can a Canadian living abroad apply for an Indian visa? No. A Canadian citizen will not be able to apply for an Indian visa even if the person is living in any other country, MEA said on Thursday. 6. Will the visa suspension impact Canadians who are living in India? No. Their current visas remain valid. They can apply to renew their visa as per the rules governing their visa categories. 7. I am an Indian student who has been accepted into a Canadian university. Can I still travel? As of 10am on Friday, there are no restrictions on any Indians travelling to Canada. 8. I am an Indian citizen studying in Canada. Can I travel to India? Yes. The MEA has clarified that there are no curbs on Indian citizens, students or otherwise, travelling to India from Canada.

Read more

Bus lanes cut travel time, help tackle pollution in Bengaluru

The survey found that, over 28% of existing bus users reported an improvement in travel time since the implementation of the bus lane Bengaluru The bus lane, which ran along the Outer Ringer Road (ORR) on a stretch of about 18.5 kilometres, was launched in 2019, and discontinued in mid-2022 due to metro work. The bus lane, which ran along the Outer Ringer Road (ORR) on a stretch of about 18.5 kilometres, was launched in 2019, and discontinued in mid-2022 due to metro work. The latest Greenpeace India survey on Bus Priority Lanes (BPL) sheds light on the bus lane’s positive effects on travel time and potential solutions to Bengaluru’s air pollution crisis. Greenpeace India is the Indian branch of the global environmental group Greenpeace, a non-profit NGO. The report, “Relying on bus: Studying the impacts of Bengaluru’s bus lane on bus use”, is based on an on-board survey of 979 bus users. It was conducted between May and July 2022. The bus lane, which ran along the Outer Ringer Road (ORR) on a stretch of about 18.5 kilometres, was launched in 2019, and discontinued in mid-2022 due to metro work. The survey found that, over 28% of existing bus users reported an improvement in travel time since the implementation of the bus lane. This improvement was particularly significant for those travelling longer distances, with 54% of respondents experiencing a reduction in travel time from 60-90 minutes to 30-60 minutes. Additionally, 82% of respondents found the bus lanes to have a generally positive experience.

Read more

SalamAir to halt operations to India from October 1

Travel plans of hundreds of India-bound passengers were left in disarray after they received an email that their bookings on SalamAir for travel from October 1 will stand null and void. They have been told that they would receive their refund for the tickets booked. SalamAir is a low-cost airlines from the Sultanate of Oman and currently flies to four major cities across India. From Jaipur and Lucknow in North India to Calicut and Thiruvananthapuram in South India, the carrier provided good and cheaper options for thousands of expatriates in Oman. ADVERTISING Travel agencies confirmed that they have been notified on the halt of all operations to India by SalamAir. The email from SalamAir team read: Dear Trade Partners, We regret to inform you that we are discontinuing our flights to/from India from 01 October 2023. This decision was not made lightly, but due to the limitation of flight rights allocation to India. We understand that this news may cause you some inconvenience, and we apologise for any difficulties that this may cause. We have done our very best to ensure that our customers have been cared for throughout this process. Thus, we will fully refund all the passengers who have made reservations to these destinations. If you have any questions about the refund process, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We thank you for your understanding and support, and we will continue to work together to ensure that our customers are taken care of during this process." © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.

Read more

Star Air Introduces New Routes, Connects Nagpur, Hyderabad To Ajmer

Regional airline Star Air, on Friday announced expansion of its flight network with the introduction of a new routes connecting Nagpur and Hyderabad to Ajmer (Kishangarh). Sanjay Ghodawat, Chairman of Star Air said, "At Star Air, we are dedicated to connecting people to the places that matter most to them. We are thrilled to introduce this new route, providing more options for travellers to explore the incredible cities of Ajmer and Pushkar. With our commitment to safety, comfort, and exceptional service, passengers can expect a memorable journey with us." Powered By VDO.AI Commencing from September 30, Star Air will operate non-stop flights on its Embraer E175 aircraft, providing travellers with convenient and comfortable access to the enchanting city of Ajmer (Kishangarh), the company said in a statement. The new routes, part of 40 routes awarded to Star Air under the Government of India’s RCS-UDAN scheme, will provide convenient and seamless travel options for passengers visiting the beautiful cities of Ajmer and Pushkar. Star Air further aims to boost connectivity and cater to the growing demand for travel to Ajmer Sharif and Pushkar temples. Star Air also claims to be the first airline to offer a business class service between Nagpur-Kishangarh-Nagpur, Hyderabad-Kishangarh-Hyderabad and Hyderabad-Nagpur-Hyderabad. Furthermore, the jet aircraft covers the distance between Hyderabad & Nagpur in 1 hour 15 minutes and Nagpur & Hyderabad in 1 hour 30 minutes, the statement added.

Read more