Air India has decided to reduce the frequency of its Kolkata-London flight from twice-a-week to now only once-a-week, owing to poor load factor. An AI official has reportedly revealed that after Navami, October 25, the flight will arrive in Kolkata and take off for London only on Sundays. The flight that operated on Thursdays has ben withdrawn as it isn’t sustainable to continue with the present load.

Offering a boost to domestic air travel, Maharashtra Government has suspended quarantine rules for arriving domestic passengers. According to the state’s unlock order, domestic passengers will be checked for COVID-19 symptoms. A symptom-free passenger can go back home without the indelible home quarantine stamp, which was a must earlier.

Malaysia Airlines might have to shut down if its lessors decide not to back its latest restructuring plan, said Izham Ismail, Group CEO, Malaysia Airlines. According to reports, a group of leasing companies have turned down the airline’s restructuring plan, which has brought the state carrier closer to a showdown over its future. Ismail said that the group would have “no choice but to shut it down” if lessors decide against backing the restructuring plan. “There are creditors who have agreed already. There are others still resisting, and another group still 50:50. I need to get the 50:50 ones (on board) with those who have agreed. I understand quite a sizeable amount of creditors have agreed.” He revealed that the plan was to restructure the airline’s balance sheet over five years, achieving break-even in 2023 on the assumption that demand in the domestic and Southeast Asian markets returns to 2019 levels by the second and third quarters of 2022. Under this plan, a fresh cash injection will be required from its major shareholder, the state fund Khazanah Nasional, which will be user to aid the airline for the next 18 months. According to a report, lessors who claim to represent 70% of the airplanes and engines leased to the group, have called the plan ‘inappropriate and fatally flawed’ and pledged to challenge it. Izham has revealed that the lessors will need to come to a decision by Sunday, so that the airline can decide whether to proceed with its restructuring plan or “execute Plan B”, which could involve shifting Malaysia Airlines’ Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to a new airline under a different name, or using the certificates of sister airlines …

IATO in association with TravTalk will be conducting a skill development program for online training of its members on Internet Marketing today from 11:30am to 1pm. Get ready for the masterclass featuring sessions on social media marketing, website marketing and development and effective email marketing. Register at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call on 9650196532.

The Pune airport will remain shut during night for a year due to recarpeting work of runway which starts from October 26 and will be on for around one year. Flight operations will remain suspended between 8 pm  and 8 am. All the night flight services, including take-offs as well as landings, have been spread out in the day time.

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts today have expanded their portfolio in Maharashtra and have signed a hotel in Aurangabad. Sarovar Portico upon completion will offer 68 well- appointed rooms and suites offering modern amenities and personalised service. The hotel aims to promote business and tourism in the area and offer high-quality service and stay options. The hotel is strategically located in Shendra MIDC and is close to the airport. Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd., said “We are glad to be setting our footprints in this rich heritage city and getaway to numerous exotic tourist destinations. With our immense focus on providing quality accommodation and services at the best rates, we hope to ensure a pleasant stay for all our guests travelling to this region.”

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) will develop a greenfield airport at Arunachal Pradesh’s Hollongi, near Itanagar. This airport is expected to be completed by November 2022. With an area of 4100 sqm and estimated cost of Rs 650 crore, the new domestic terminal building of the airport will be able to handle 200 passengers during peak hours. Equipped with eight check-in counters, the terminal building will have all modern passenger facilities. The terminal will be an energy-efficient building provisioned with a Rain Water Harvesting system and sustainable landscape.

Randhir Singh Vaghela, Chairman, Gujarat Chapter, IATO, is leading the #JanAndolan campaign that aims to spread awareness about the safety precautions that the industry needs to follow strictly. He says, “I request the travel industry stakeholders to join #JanAndolan for everyday preventive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We must strictly follow three things: wearing a mask at all times, sanitising hands on a regular basis and keep social distancing. For tourism to re-open safely we all have to adhere to this new normal.”

IATO in association with TravTalk is organising a skill development program for online training of its members on Internet Marketing. The masterclass featuring sessions on social media marketing, website marketing and development and effective email marketing starts from October 16. To ensure success post COVID-19, the virtual tour shop is followed by 9 weeks and 40 hours of training. For registration contact Jaspreet Kaur at 9650196532 or Jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

The Maharashtra Cabinet approved ease of doing business policy by bringing down the number of licenses required to start a venture in the hospitality sector from 70 to 10. HRAWI said, “Due to the continued efforts and liaisoning of Hrawi this is possible and is finally a dream come true. State Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray said in a tweet, ‘This was long overdue.’ He added that his dept is setting up a single-window system for one online application for permissions to facilitate faster approvals.