In a significant move to connect South India to Tokyo, Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced the commencement of non-stop daily flight between Tokyo (Narita) and Bengaluru from 2020. There are no direct flight to Tokyo from any south Indian city currently. The new flight will leave Tokyo at 6:25 pm and reach Bengaluru at 12:05 am (next day). The return flight will leave at 2:45 am from Bengaluru and reach Tokyo at 2:55 pm. “The IT industry is thriving in Bengaluru and is known as the Silicon Valley of India, where global corporations focusing in telecommunications, biotechnology, and automobiles are strategically based in this unique city. As direct flights are currently not in service from Japan, the launch of this route will provide customers from North America a new option when travelling to the southern region of India,” reports the Times of India citing statement from the airline. Welcoming the move, Takayuki Kitagawa, Consul-General, Japan in Bengaluru, in a statement, said, “Launch of non-stop flights from Bengaluru to Tokyo (Narita) will herald a new era of more strengthened economic relation between Karnataka and Japan. With this development not only will tourism flourish in Karnataka and Japan but also many new businesses will be established; thereby creating lots of new opportunities,” he said. Earlier this year, All Nippon Airways (ANA) also announced its plans to launch direct daily flight from Tokyo to Chennai from October 2019.

A new DMC – One Above – that offers Destination Marketing Services, opened its new office in Mumbai recently. Located in Andheri East, it is headed by BA Rahim, Director, along with co-directors Vishal Somaiya and Irshad Dadan. It already has 15 DMCs in its kitty in countries including Maldives, South Africa, Dubai, Russia, USA, Baku, Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

Vistara, the joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines, has got the approval to fly on international routes, making it the fifth Indian carrier to ply on international routes. Vistara reportedly was granted permission after a committee of ministers gave a go ahead for the same, and the decision was conveyed to the airline on March 8. Post the approval, Vistara has sought permission to start operating on Delhi and Colombo route seven days a week. It is believed that Vistara has sought bilateral rights to Sri Lanka and slots from Delhi Airport for the same. The aircraft used for the Delhi-Colombo route would be Airbus A320.

Becoming an emerging destination among Indian travellers, Indian footfall to the Czech Republic has grown by 12.5 per cent in 2018. The Central European destination welcomed 96,325 Indian visitors through the year and recorded a total number of 2, 36,145 nights spent by Indians last year, with the average length of stay being 3 .5 nights per visit. While Prague and its attractions remain popular among travellers, an increased interest has been recorded in newer experiences such as beer spa, glass–blowing and wine tasting, bringing Indian footfall to the newer parts, including the South Moravian region. Arzan Khambatta, – Head of Czech Tourist Authority, CzechTourism India said, “The theme of the Land of Stories this year is the happening cities of the Czech Republic like Prague and Brno, and cultural experiences of castles and chateaux where families can rejuvenate and relax amidst the nature.” Apart from targeting families, experiential travellers, business visitors, honeymooners and leisure travellers, one of the main focuses this year would be the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) segment. The Czech Republic has state-of-the-art infrastructure in place, with the capacity to host large corporate groups and events.

DGCA has decided to ground the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft after the Ethiopian Airline crash, which killed 157 people, including four Indians. According to an announcement by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the planes will stay grounded till appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations. MoCA on Twitter announced, “As always, passenger safety remains our top priority. We continue to consult closely with regulators around the world, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers to ensure passenger safety.” The decision by Indian Government came after a number of countries grounded the new model of the US aircraft manufacturer’s best-selling 737. SpiceJet has 13 jets of the model 8 variant in its 75-strong fleet while Jet Airways has five of these aircraft, and after the DGCA directive, both the airlines have suspended the operation of their 737 MAX 8 jets.

Tourism industry veteran and founder of Pacific Leisure Group (PLG) Alwin Zecha passed away after suffering a cardic arrest on March 12 in Bangkok. Born in Sukabumi West Java, Indonesia on April 4, 1936, Zecha contributed enormously to the ASEAN travel & tourism industry through his close involvement with PATA, and helping to bring numerous PATA events such as the PATA Travel Mart and Annual Conference to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. In his career spanning over 50 years, Zecha founded PLG in 1961 and bulit up network offices across the globe and quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading DMCs worldwide. Extending his tribute, Eckard Kremer, Group Managing Director. PLG said, “We lost a friend, mentor and our PLG father today. His legacy will live on.” Al Merschen, Managing Director, Myriad Travel Marketing said, “To a man with zest of life, and a life well lived. Rest in peace my fellow AL.” San Jeet, Honorary Vice Chairman, PATA India Chapter said, “A big loss for me personally and all of us here in India. The travel industry has lost an eminent statesman who guided us and more importantly held us all together. He will be missed, but his legacy of great work will stay in our hearts forever.” Vikram Madhok, Honorary Treasurer, PATA India Chapter commented, “Sorry to see a true industry leader go. Alwin was an inspiration to many of us and I have lost a friend of more than 20 years since I became involved with PATA. When he spoke, people stopped to listen, such was his charm and persona.” Narzalina Lim, Former Secretary, Department of Tourism (DoT) Philippines, said, “Alwin gave us …

Travel agents in Kashmir are requesting the Central Government to include Kashmir as a destination in the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN). This comes as a result of the increasing fares to the destination and the negative perception about the state after the Pulwama attacks. Zahoor Qari, Chairman, TAAI – J&K Chapter, says, “We are demanding that the Government extends the UDAN scheme to Kashmir as well. Currently, the perception of travellers towards Kashmir is negative after the recent attacks, and it is a difficult situation. However, the attack happened in a remote area which is far off from all the tourist attractions, where the situation is normal as usual. Also, if UDAN is extended to Kashmir, the state will have domestic connectivity, which would give a positive signal to the entire nation that tourism is normal in Kashmir and travellers should not hesitate in going there. Currently the situation is difficult, and the valley is suffering from a financial crunch, which can improve if domestic tourism develops in the state.”

The flag carrier airline, Turkish Airlines, is ready for the great change in Turkish aviation history. The great move to Istanbul Airport will begin on April 5 Friday night at 03:00. As the greatest airport project of the world, the first stage of the move towards Istanbul Airport was back on October 29th, 2018. Unique in the global aviation history, the moving operation will take 45 hours in total and it will be concluded on April 6 Saturday night at 23:59. In order to conclude the Great Move successfully according to prior plans, Atatürk Airport and Istanbul Airport will be closed for all scheduled passenger flights between 02:00 and 14:00 of April 6. Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. İlker Aycı, says, “The biggest move of the aviation history will take place. The combined size of the equipment we are going to transfer would cover 33 football pitches. After this great move, which will be watched by the entire world, we will wake up to a new morning. It will be a morning, which the sun shining on Turkish Aviation with the flights operated at Istanbul Airport. I convey my hopes that it will bring a great fortune to both our country and company.”

Continuing its acquisition spree, Ebix has now offered to acquire Yatra Online for around $336 million (around Rs 2,350 crore) in a cash-and-stock deal. The company has offered to pay for Yatra Online at its discretion either in cash or by issuing freely tradeable Ebix stock. US-headquartered Ebix said in a statement that it intends to merge Yatra Online, which operates travel portal Yatra.com, with its Indian EbixCash subsidiary, which offers remittance services. “We believe that Yatra Online’s products and services are complementary to EbixCash’s travel portfolio of Via and Mercury; and a combination of the two companies would lend itself to significant synergies and the creation of the India’s largest and most profitable travel services company. We see substantial synergies, economies of scale and expanded growth potential for the combined business. Our interest in making an offer for Yatra Online is also borne out of our firm belief that a combination of the two companies could be substantially and immediately accretive to Ebix’s EPS,” said Robin Raina, Chairman, President and CEO, Ebix. Meanwhile, Yatra has confirmed that it received a acquisition proposal from Ebix and said that the Company’s Board of Directors will review and consider the proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the Company and all of its shareholders. Ebix has given Yatra a week’s time to allow them to begin due diligence. It has stated that it could reduce the offer if it did not receive “a positive engagement response from the Yatra Online Board in a timely manner or if any subsequent steps are taken by the company that could have an adverse impact on its …

Marriott International has announced the launch of Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri. Comprising 130 rooms, meeting and conference facilities, and an mix of dining options, the Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri’s banquet hall has 4000 sqft of indoor and outdoor space. “The opening of the first Courtyard by Marriott in the East of India marks a great milestone for Marriott International”, said Gaurav Singh, General Manager, JW Marriott Kolkata & Cluster General Manager, Bangladesh “It was a matter of time before the Marriott Brand came to Siliguri, the Gateway to the North East of India. Marriott is globally renowned for its intuitive service and commitment to providing guests with truly enriching experiences. We believe this property will create a new atmosphere and be an integral part of this city’s growth story.”