Category Archives: Aviation

Around 56 new airports will become functional in the next few years, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu said at the two-day Global Logistics Summit recently held in New Delhi. The minister further said that by bringing all the stakeholders together, it will create the right platform to improve logistics and connectivity which are vital for increasing intra-state and international trade flows. Indian logistics industry is estimated at around US $ 215 billion in 2019-20, growing at over 10% annually. In the last decade or so, significant improvements in railways, roads, highways, inland waterways, aviation, ports and coastal shipping have taken place. To support awareness building and develop better understanding on these issues, the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in partnership with FICCI and the World Bank Group, organised the Summit to discuss relevant issues among global experts, academics, government officials, private sector and industry representatives.

Air India has announced an assured flat incentive scheme for travel agents in BSP India, effective on sale starting April 5, 2018 till March 31, 2019. Under the scheme, every agent shall be entitled to 1 per cent normal commission and 1 per cent assured flat incentive on all 098 tickets sold by the agency. According to a statement by Air India, this incentive is not linked to achievement of any target and shall accrue on cut and pay basis without deal code. Therefore, there will be no time lag for receipt of incentive. The current year assured incentive is based on sales and not on flown revenue. This has been done to instantly reward the agency to promote Air India.

Singapore carrier Scoot will increase capacity of its Singapore to Gold Coast service to up to five times per week, generating a boost to the economy of up to $42.2 million. Kate Jones, Minister, Tourism Industry Development, welcomed the increase in service from April 2018. “It’s great to continue to build on this successful service through the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund in time for the pinnacle event of the year – the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games – as well as other upcoming events including the Gold Coast Marathon. We look forward to continuing to promote Queensland as a premier holiday destination in Singapore, while also opening up access from other key markets connecting through this important international hub including the UK, India and China,” she said. Marion Charlton, CEO, Gold Coast Airport, said the announcement was a welcome addition in time for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. She said, “The increase in services is really well timed in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games – providing more opportunity for tourists to travel to the Gold Coast for the major event. We look forward to working with Scoot to ensure continued growth of these services into the future.” Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter congratulated Scoot on adding the extra service, which would directly benefit the visitor economy of the Gold Coast.

Hahn Air is set to operate a weekly flight from Düsseldorf (DUS) to Palma de Mallorca (PMI) with one of its business jets, a Cessna Citation Sovereign starting May 2018. Flights to the new destination will be scheduled for 19:15 every Friday throughout the 2018 summer season, with the return flight at 16:45 on Sundays. “We’re proud to be adding another European destination with Palma de Mallorca and thereby, offering our passengers another attractive holiday destination,” says Daniel Rudas, General Manager & COO, Hahn Air Lines.  

SpiceJet is set to commence its New Delhi-Leh daily direct flight service from May 1, 2018. The flight service will be operated from Terminal 1D at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. “Leh is the 46th domestic destination to be added to SpiceJet’s pan India network,” the airline said in a statement. “To celebrate the launch, SpiceJet has announced a limited period special introductory all-inclusive one-way fare of Rs 3999 and return fare of Rs 7799 applicable for bookings made on a first-come-first-serve basis.” The airline said that it will deploy a Boeing 737-700 aircraft on the route. Source: IANS

Vivek Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has felicitated Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, who has also assumed the additional charge of Minister of Civil Aviation in a special ceremony organised recently at The Leela Palace New Delhi. Nair commented, “Civil aviation and tourism have to go hand in hand and only then can the industry grow. Now we have a new minister, who is known for his dynamism and we invite him to boost the synergies between the two sectors.” The ceremony saw in attendance the who’s who of the hospitality, tourism and services industry. The stakeholders of the industry put forth their views and suggestions to the minister for his consideration. Prabhu commented, “Today it is a trillion dollar economy knocking at our doors. We have to understand that one has to create concrete plans based upon the larger impact it will have on the common people. With one tourist in India, 15 jobs both direct and indirect can be created.”

In an effort to use sports as a communication tool to celebrate the spirit of partnership and healthy competition, Turkish Airlines brought eight travel agencies and 24 players together for its annual bowling tournament in Mumbai. In India, this is the sixth year of the tournament, but is the first ever edition to be held in Mumbai. In addition to Turkish Airlines’ passenger agencies in India, over 1000 agencies and 3000 players from all around the world will participate in the tournament. Ibrahim Hakki Guntay, General Manager – West and South India said, “I would like to thank all of our travel agency partners who made Turkish Airlines Bowling 2018 a huge success in Mumbai. Learning about team members and understanding team dynamics in an engaging manner can go a long way in improving productivity and building relationships beyond work.” This year’s Turkish Airlines Bowling Tournament saw participation from top travel agencies. The team from American Express Global Business Travel- Team GBT won the tournament and will stand a chance to represent India in the Turkish Airlines Bowling Grand Finale to be held in Istanbul. The Champion of the Grand Finale will win a flight ticket and a vacation in Antalya.

Garuda Indonesia will now serve Denpasar and Mumbai with direct flights starting April 23. This new route will offer a variety of connection flights to Indonesia for Indian tourists as the airline has served Jakarta–Mumbai route since 2016. Sigit Muhartono, Director of Cargo, Garuda Indonesia, who is also in charge for international routes said that the opening of Denpasar-Mumbai route is part of Garuda Indonesia’s international network development programme particularly in the South Asia region as the number of Indians visiting Indonesia is projected to grow to 500,000 in four years compared with 262,000 in 2015, according to Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism. “This new service is also facilitating the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism’s programme to increase the number of tourist visitors to Indonesia, especially India. To support the joint synergies of both countries, Indonesia and India, Garuda Indonesia continues to strive to maximise the base connectivity between the two countries that is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and India,” Muhartono said. The Denpasar-Mumbai route will be served twice a week from 23 April (Monday and Thursday) and will be increased to three times a week on June 2 (Monday, Thursday and Saturday). The flight will be served by GA 814, leaving Denpasar at 15.40 LT and arrive in Mumbai at 20.25 LT. On the return flight, GA 815 will depart from Mumbai at 21.50 LT and will be arrive the next morning at 07.55 LT in Denpasar.

Ethiopian Airlines has announced that effective March 25 and until October 26, 2018, it will increase capacity in its India operation by deploying the ultra-modern B777 aircraft on its twice daily operation to/from Mumbai and 767-200 aircraft on its twice daily operation to/from New Delhi. Both the B777 and 767-200 aircraft will have flat beds in business class. Tadesse Tilahun, Regional Director, India Subcontinent, Ethiopian Airlines, remarked, “As part of our strategy to expand in India, we have been increasing frequency and upgrading aircraft in the past few years to accommodate the growing demand to Africa. As a customer focused airline, we have the passenger’s comfort level in mind at all times with a view to continuously enhance our customers‘travel experience and meet their growing expectations.” Tilahun further added “India is a very strategic market for Ethiopian Airlines and we are on the final stage of preparation to launch one more entry point to South India. With our 47 years of service to India, the Ethiopian Airlines has played significant role in bringing India and Africa together in general and India and Ethiopia, in particular.”

Cathay Pacific and Air Astana have recently announced an agreement that will enhance travel options and offer greater choice to customers of both airlines through Hong Kong and Almaty. Cathay Pacific will place its ‘CX’ code on Air Astana’s non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, as well as on connecting services between Almaty and Astana, the Kazakh capital. Air Astana currently flies twice weekly between Hong Kong and Almaty, on Tuesdays and Fridays, but will be increasing frequency by adding a third service from March 25. Cathay Pacific will also codeshare on Air Astana’s five weekly services between Bangkok and Almaty, and four weekly services between Seoul and Almaty, giving customers additional options for travel between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. “We are delighted to join with Air Astana and provide our customers with links to one of the most fascinating countries in Central Asia. With its vibrant economy, which is set to grow as a result of its integral role in the Belt and Road Initiative, and beautiful natural landscapes, Kazakhstan has many attractions for both business and leisure travellers alike,” said Ronald Lam, Director – Commercial and Cargo, Cathay Pacific.