Akasa Air plans to be among the world’s 30 largest airlines by fleet size by 2030, said Vinay Dube, CEO, Akasa Air. The airline also aims to capture 15% of India’s domestic market share within the next 5 to 7 years. With an aggressive expansion strategy, Akasa is set to increase aircraft orders and enhance its network to compete with established Indian carriers.

Campbell Wilson, CEO, Air India, has indicated that the global aircraft shortage, caused by supply chain issues affecting manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, is expected to persist for another four to five years. This situation has impacted Air India’s expansion plans, leading to the operation of older aircraft and increased maintenance costs.

At 2970m above sea level, Schilthorn offers a stunning 360-view of the surrounding region. As of 15 March 2025, visitors can experience the world’s steepest cable car. On top, a plethora of experiences await, ‘Spy World’ and ‘Walk of Fame’ exhibits, as well as the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

With over 1.33 million Indian students studying overseas as of January 2025, their well-being is a growing concern for families and travel facilitators alike. Beyond securing flights and visas, ensuring uninterrupted education and financial stability is crucial. Asego’s Global Assistance & Travel Insurance provides a reliable safeguard, covering study interruption, sponsor protection, gadget security, out-of-campus risks, compassionate visits and travel contingencies. With seamless claims and 24/7 global assistance, it empowers travel agents to offer more than just a ticket abroad—helping students and their families navigate the unexpected with confidence.

InterGlobe Hotels and Accor welcome their latest address in Mumbai with the opening of ibis Mumbai BKC. The property embodies ibis’ vision of making travel more open and inclusive through smart design, seamless convenience, and a lively social environment. Strategically located in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), one of Mumbai’s most prominent business districts, the hotel provides seamless connectivity to key business hubs and the airport, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travellers. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a vibrant, multifunctional lobby that seamlessly integrates the lounge and bar areas, creating an inviting space to work, relax, or socialise. Reflecting the vibrancy of Mumbai, the hotel showcases curated contemporary art inspired by the city’s dynamic culture, displayed throughout public areas and guestrooms. The 206 guestrooms are designed for comfort, convenience, and functionality. Each room features the signature ‘Sweet Bed’ for a restful sleep, along with sleek furnishings, spacious wardrobes, and functional workspaces. Integrated technology, including digital menus and access to over-the-top (OTT) entertainment channels, further enhances the stay. For all-day dining, Spice It, the hotel’s signature multi-cuisine restaurant, serves a variety of local flavours and international favourites, complemented by a curated selection of beverages and bar bites. Fitness enthusiasts can make use of the state-of-the-art gym, while a dedicated indoor games area adds a lively touch for recreation. JB Singh, President & CEO, InterGlobe Hotels, commented, “We are delighted to announce the opening of ibis Mumbai BKC, marking another milestone in our growing portfolio in India. From thoughtfully designed public spaces to well-appointed rooms and curated dining, every aspect has been carefully crafted to enhance the guest experience. Designed to match the lifestyle needs and aspirations …

New partnership set to enhance travel from India to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Australia & Pacific DMC (APDMC), a premier Destination Management Company specialising in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region, has announced its strategic partnership with AirlinePros International for representation in India. Through its local presence, AirlinePros India will manage marketing, sales, operations & bookings support for APDMC, ensuring a seamless, end-to-end experience for travellers and trade partners alike. Founded by Rajesh Menon, Leon Ellas, and Ian D’Nazareth, three of the most respected names in the Australian inbound tourism, APDMC brings unmatched expertise in curating premium travel experiences. The company is committed to crafting bespoke itineraries for leisure groups and incentives, catering to the growing demand for experiential tourism in the Indian market. With this partnership, AirlinePros India will leverage its deep industry knowledge, global network, and market intelligence to position APDMC as the ideal choice for travel agents / tour operators and MICE Travel planners across India for their client bookings to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island nations. Equipped with dedicated resources and an experienced team, AirlinePros India will ensure smooth coordination for travel agents, tour operators, and direct customers. “India is a key market for us, and this partnership with AirlinePros International allows us to strengthen our reach and engagement in the region,” said Rajesh Menon, Managing Director,  Australia & Pacific DMC “With our collective expertise in destination management and AirlinePros’ proven success in airline and travel representation, we are well-positioned to provide Indian travellers with immersive, high-quality journeys.” Strength in Leadership: Experts in Destination Management The leadership team at Australia & Pacific DMC brings a wealth of experience in the travel …

Rail Europe hosted the Indian outbound travel trade in an exclusive webinar on the benefits of Eurail passes, how to use them and how to book passholder fares on their website. Attendees participated in a quiz for a chance to win Amazon vouchers. Winners from the webinar include: Pooja Surve, Executive, Outbound Tour, Zest Tours And Travels, Mumbai; Gopika C Dass,  Backend Executive, Osaka Group, Ernakulam; Vineeta Sharma, Director, Sunflight Travel India, New Delhi; Bhuvana, International Travel Consultant, Express Holidays, Coimbatore; Anupriti Ughade, Manager, Global E Travel Solutions, Mumbai; Aliasgar Mulla, Owner, Mak Holidays, Surat; Nilesh Jain, Director, Travelorr, Guwahati; Roopali Grover, Manager, Gitanjali travels, New Delhi; Shrushti Naik, Travel Consultant, Carving Journeys, Mumbai and Maanya Pandey, Customer Relationship Executive, Blueberry Travel India, Jaipur. Congrats to the 10 lucky participants who aced the Rail Europe webinar quiz about Eurail passes and are taking home Amazon vouchers!  

Sudhir Kumar, Senior Manager Data Science Engineer, Sabre Bengaluru GCC  The travel industry is intricate and multifaceted, and the process of ‘making travel happen’ involves multiple interconnected stakeholders. Each stakeholder aims to personalise the travel experience and has a vested interest in ancillary sales. Factors such as fluctuating prices, weather conditions, and socio-political events add more complexity to understanding and forecasting demand. The ability to predict demand accurately is crucial for travel operators, airlines, hotels, and other service providers to optimise pricing, capacity, and resource allocation. Predictive analytics, powered by machine learning (ML) models, has emerged as a powerful tool for addressing these complexities, offering data-driven insights that help businesses make more informed decisions. The rise of compute power and cheaper data storage With the rapid growth of digital platforms and the availability of large volumes of data, businesses are tasked with analysing this data effectively to forecast demand. This is where predictive analytics comes into play, enabling travel businesses to use historical data and advanced algorithms to make accurate demand predictions and stay competitive. How Predictive Analytics Helps in Travel Demand Forecasting Predictive analytics utilises statistical algorithms and machine learning techniques to analyse historical data and forecast future trends. By examining past travel patterns, customer behaviour, and external influences, these models can identify trends and predict demand fluctuations with a high degree of accuracy. For instance, airlines can predict passenger loads, hoteliers can forecast occupancy rates, and travel agencies can assess which destinations will experience high demand during specific periods. One of the main advantages of predictive analytics is its ability to factor in real-time data, such as changes in consumer sentiment, political events, or unexpected weather disruptions, allowing …

Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a global business hub, driven by advancements in infrastructure, technology, and tourism that continue to attract significant international investment. Its strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa enhances trade opportunities, while business-friendly reforms—including regulatory easing and foreign investment incentives—further boost its appeal. In 2025, the Kingdom’s prominence as a business destination will reach new heights with the full opening of Red Sea International Airport improving connectivity and the development of NEOM drawing increased global attention. As Saudi cities gain greater influence on the world stage and more airlines expand routes to the Kingdom, Saudia, the national flag carrier, stands out with a unique set of offerings that distinguish it from its competitors. Founded in 1945, Saudia has grown to become one of the Middle East’s largest airlines, offering a vast network of over 100 destinations from its primary hub in Jeddah. Renowned for its innovation and customer-centric approach, the below offerings showcase why Saudia is the preferred choice for business travellers to discover Saudia Arabia and beyond. Global Connectivity Saudia operates over 530 daily flights, connecting more than 100 destinations across four continents. In 2024, the airline significantly expanded its network, introducing new routes to Phuket, Thailand —while strengthening codeshare partnerships with leading carriers such as AEGEAN Airlines, Kenya Airways, Virgin Atlantic, ITA Airways, and Delta Airlines. These collaborations have enhanced access to major economic centres, including New York, Los Angeles, and Paris. This goes in addition to its already extensive network, with Saudia offering direct flights to the world’s top business hubs, including London, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Frankfurt, ensuring seamless travel for business professionals. Additionally, the Saudia visa …

Kazin DMC has entered the hospitality industry with the launch of Kazin Entertainment. The venture will kick-start with the opening of Jalsa, an upscale summer bar in Almaty, followed by a series of vibrant Indian-themed cafés in key tourist destinations across Kazakhstan. The move caters to the needs of both travellers & locals.