Noida International Airport (NIA) will be inaugurated on 30 October, revealed KR Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister, GoI. Passenger operations are expected to begin within 45 days of the launch. In its first phase, the airport will connect around 10 cities, largely metros. International operations will start later. He said, “Major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata will be among the first to be linked. Apart from passenger operations, there is also significant potential for cargo flights.”

Hoi, India’s pioneering travel-tech platform revolutionising airport experiences, has announced a strategic partnership with EaseMyTrip, one of the leading online travel-tech platforms, to launch India’s first-of-its-kind Smart Kiosk Rewards Program. This innovative initiative transforms routine airport dining into a value-driven travel experience, addressing the dual challenges of airport wait times and travel cost optimisation. The program leverages Hoi’s cutting-edge contactless food-ordering kiosks across Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, and Goa’s Manohar International Airport, enabling passengers to bypass traditional queues while earning instant travel rewards. Every kiosk order generates an immediate ₹500 EaseMyTrip coupon delivered directly to the passenger’s WhatsApp, while a monthly draw awards one fortunate traveller a ₹5,000 EaseMyTrip voucher creating anticipation and engagement throughout the journey. Running for a period of three months, the program has already transformed the travel experience for over 5,000 passengers, demonstrating significant traction and passenger adoption across Hoi’s airport network. The initiative represents a paradigm shift in airport monetisation, moving beyond traditional transactional relationships to create an integrated ecosystem where dining, technology, and future travel planning converge seamlessly. Commenting on this partnership, Dhruv Godara, Deputy CEO of Hoi said, “This collaboration with EaseMyTrip represents our vision of airports as dynamic ecosystems rather than mere transit points. By integrating real-time rewards with our contactless dining solutions, we’re fundamentally reimagining how passengers interact with airport services. Every meal becomes an investment in their next journey, creating a continuous cycle of value that extends far beyond the current trip. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to transform airports into intelligent, rewarding environments that anticipate and enhance every aspect of the passenger experience.” On this collaboration, Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip …

Air India, India’s leading global airline, announced a new interline partnership with Uganda Airlines, the national carrier of the Republic of Uganda. The agreement seamlessly connects the networks of both airlines, offering passengers enhanced travel options between India, Africa and beyond. Through this partnership, Air India guests can now enjoy smooth, single-ticket connections from across India and other parts of Asia to Entebbe, the main gateway to Uganda. Air India guests can either use Uganda Airlines’ direct service from Mumbai to Entebbe or connect to Uganda via Air India’s Dubai gateway. From Entebbe, Air India guests can also take onward connections to destinations across Africa, including South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and other key destinations, gaining easy access to the continent’s growing business centres and world-renowned tourism attractions. Uganda Airlines’ guests from Entebbe will now be able to access Air India’s extensive domestic network, connecting seamlessly to more than 25 cities across India on a single ticket. These include India’s largest metropolitan centres such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, which are major hubs for commerce, technology and culture. In addition to strengthening connectivity within India, the interline partnership also extends Uganda Airlines’ reach to key international destinations served by Air India. Guests can conveniently travel from Entebbe via Mumbai to global hubs such as Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka and Singapore, gaining access to some of Asia’s most dynamic economies as well as Europe’s leading capital city. “We are happy to partner with Uganda Airlines, enhancing connectivity between India and Africa”, said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India. “This partnership not only provides our customers with seamless access to Uganda and an extended network across Africa but …

The 5th edition of the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) has reinforced its stature as a leading platform for tourism promotion in the state. Kuldeep Singh Chandela, President, Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR), highlighted the growing appeal of the event, which this year attracted nearly 300 hosted buyers, over 800 non-hosted buyers, and showcased more than 600 properties. Chandela credited the success of RDTM to the strong support of the Department of Tourism and the Government of Rajasthan, adding that the state is steadily positioning itself on the global tourism map. He also lauded the achievements of the Rising Rajasthan initiative, where ₹1.37 trillion worth of MOUs were signed to boost tourism, paving the way for new projects in the coming years and strengthening Rajasthan’s tourism profile worldwide.

In a strategic initiative to boost tourism exchange and deepen ties with one of its most vital source markets, the Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) successfully organised a series of impactful networking events across Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata. These high-profile events served as a dynamic platform to highlight Ajman’s stature as a premier travel destination while fostering deeper cooperation with India’s travel and trade ecosystem. The roadshows, held in three key metropolitan cities on 15, 17 and 19 September 2025, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of leading travel agents, tour operators, media professionals, and key industry stakeholders. The delegation, led by H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General, ADTD, Abdulaziz AlMahri, Director of Legal Affairs Office, and Abdalla Gohar, Project Management and Development Advisor as well as Amr Aly Morsy, Tourism Development and Marketing Expert, ADTD showcased Ajman’s unique tourism offerings—from its pristine beaches and cultural landmarks to its luxurious hospitality infrastructure and growing appeal as a family-friendly, safe, and affordable destination. H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi stated: “Over the years, India has remained one of Ajman’s top source markets, with Indian arrivals playing a significant role in our tourism growth. Moreover, Indian travellers visit Ajman to experience its warm hospitality, peaceful beaches, and rich cultural heritage, supported by easy access from the UAE’s major entry points. These roadshows gave us a chance to strengthen our relations with Indian travel partners, hear their insights firsthand, and showcase how Ajman is evolving to meet the needs of today’s travellers. We look forward to welcoming even more Indian visitors, ensuring they experience the very best our Emirate has to offer.” Neeti Sharma, Director, Intrepid Marketing and Communications, added: “We are truly delighted to bring …

The Skål International India National Congress 2025, held recently in Mumbai, brought together more than 200 delegates from across India and abroad. The roadmap for Vision 2025-2030 was also unveiled at the event, outlining strategies to expand Skål’s footprint across India, strengthen member engagement, and deepen global linkages. India’s leadership in the Skål movement was reaffirmed during the congress as the country officially became the largest Skål nation in the world by membership, surpassing the USA. Mukesh Batra, President, Skål International Mumbai South, said, “This congress is not just about numbers; it is about values, vision, and vitality.”

Indian carriers, including IndiGo Airlines, are expanding their networks in Southeast Asia to capture a larger share of outbound travellers and transit traffic. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows carriers are scheduled to operate 270 daily two-way flights between India and Southeast Asia in September, which is 12% higher than last year. IndiGo is planning new flights to Bali from Mumbai and Delhi, adding to its existing service from Bengaluru. Flights from Mumbai will be operated with a technical halt in Chennai. The airline has sought regulatory approvals and slots for the additional flights, it is learnt.

Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, was honoured with the DDP Trailblazer Award. Since joining in 2020, he has led the airline’s recovery post-Covid, driving growth and profitability. Under his leadership, Air India Express, operating over 500 daily flights across 58 airports with a fleet of 115 aircraft, successfully merged with AIX Connect in 2024. With over three decades of aviation experience, including leadership roles at Air India and a Gulf-based carrier, Singh has strengthened India’s aviation landscape. His academic credentials span Panjab University, BIT Ranchi, and the London School of Economics under the Chevening Fellowship programme.

Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir, said that major tourist destinations in the Union Territory have been reopened following security reviews. The destinations were closed after the Pahalgam terror attack. “Security reviews have been completed, and strict protocols are now in place to make travel safe and comfortable,” he said, and urged families and filmmakers from the southern region to rediscover Kashmir.

Disney Cruise Line has postponed the launch of its new ship, the Disney Adventure, from December 2025 to March 2026, citing “unexpected delays in the shipbuilding process. The Disney Adventure is Disney’s first ship designed specifically for the Asian market, with a capacity of 6,700 passengers, and represents a major step in the company’s expansion into the region. Disney Cruise Line has confirmed it is contacting all affected guests and travel agents directly to manage rebooking and refunds. “As we work on the final touches to bring the Disney Adventure to our guests, we’ve encountered unexpected delays in the shipbuilding process,” said Joe Schott, President of Disney Signature Experiences. “To ensure the experience we deliver reflects our commitment to excellence, we’ve made the decision to adjust our timeline. We know this may be disappointing to our guests, and we’re working directly with them to offer flexible rebooking options and uphold the trust they place in us.”