Category Archives: Aviation

Sharing a broad strategy for next year, Anoop Tewari, Business & Commercial Strategy (Aviation and Travel Technology), ITQ, says “We are looking big, going by the tide and seeing the direction we are heading to invest as ITQ. Of course, Travelport is also investing a lot on technology as ITQ will be implementing a lot on tech solutions for travel agents to make their life easy, focusing on content, focusing on forward integration of solutions which help them handle their customers well and also help them scale up their business, make them bigger.”

The number of Indians wanting to fly business class has seen a sharp uptick this holiday season compared to last year. While the trend is more pronounced in international travel, travel agents and online platforms suggest that it is also emerging on many domestic routes. Data shared by MakeMyTrip showed that business class bookings from India across domestic as well as international routes have gone up by 50% this year compared to the same period last year. This is based on the analysis of search and booking data between December 16 and 31. For international bookings, there has been an 80% rise in business class bookings, and for domestic bookings, the jump is 27%.

Hoi, an innovative travel-tech platform revolutionising airport experiences for modern travellers, announced significant enhancements to its comprehensive airport services suite, setting new benchmarks in travel experience. The platform’s sophisticated integration with airport infrastructure systems enables unprecedented accuracy in real-time flight information delivery, transforming traditional airport processes into seamless digital experiences. Hoi has transformed the airport experience across major Indian airports including Delhi, Hyderabad, and New Goa (GOX) through its comprehensive platform. At the heart of Hoi’s innovation is its flagship ‘Time to Gate’ feature, which leverages advanced data analytics to guide travellers through optimal routes and shortest queues. Through direct integration with Airport Flight Status Display Systems and AODB, the platform delivers instant updates on flight statuses, gate changes, and scheduling modifications, ensuring travellers remain informed at every step of their journey. The platform’s 24/7 AI-powered Info Desk serves as a digital concierge, providing instant assistance for all airport-related queries, from baggage claims to facility updates. Hoi’s premium services suite includes VIP meet and greet assistance, priority check-in, porter services, and comprehensive lounge access across terminals, catering to diverse traveller preferences from business executives to families requiring specialised assistance. Commenting on the platform, Harshvardhan Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Hoi said, “The post-pandemic era has fundamentally transformed travel preferences, with passengers now demanding seamless digital experiences at airports. As India’s airports witness record passenger volumes and a growing preference for premium services, Hoi has evolved beyond flight information to become an integrated airport solution. Our platform unifies critical stakeholders – from airlines to retail partners – while delivering personalised services that modern travellers expect, from real-time navigation to premium concierge assistance. Through continuous innovation, we’re setting new benchmarks in how travellers experience airports, …

Willie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed confidence that India would ease bilateral flying rights, especially as Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo broadened their fleets with wide-body aircraft. He underlined the benefits of such agreements, highlighting that an increase in the rights will enable Indian airlines to offer more direct international connections.

Inaugural flight on 12th April 2025; New route will be served all year round Iceland, world’s largest vulcano island and known for its rugged nature with geysers, glaciers and waterfalls, becomes the latest addition to LOT Polish Airlines’ growing route network from 12th April 2025. Four times a week, the Polish airline, which is a member of Star Alliance for more than 20 years, will connect its global hub in Warsaw with Keflavik Airport on the outskirts of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik. The departure time is every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 21:35h with arrival in Reykjavik after a 4:20 hour flight at 23:55h local time. On Sundays, the flight departs Warsaw at 21:50h (arriving in Reykjavik at 0:10h). The new Iceland flights of LOT Polish Airlines in summer 2025: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Departure with LO 499 in Warsaw at 21:35h, arrival in Keflavik at 23:55h local time Departure with LO 500 in Keflavik at 0:45h, arrival in Warsaw at 6:45h local time Sunday Departure with LO 499 in Warsaw at 21:50h, arrival in Keflavik at 0:10h local time Departure with LO 500 in Keflavik at 1:00h, arrival in Warsaw at 7:00h local time Also in winter to Keflavik In the 2025/2026 winter season, LOT Polish Airlines will fly to Iceland three times a week: every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday with departure from Warsaw at 21:50h and arrival in Keflavik at 1:25h local time. On the flights to Iceland, LOT Polish Airlines will operate modern Boeing 737 aircraft with two service classes: LOT Business Class and LOT Economy Class. “Iceland is an up-and-coming destination with a good tourist infrastructure where visitors experience something truly unique. This small country in …

The SriLankan Airlines’ Mumbai team, in collaboration with the airline’s Maldives team and Canareef Resort, recently hosted a successful agents’ educational tour to the stunning Gan Island in the Maldives. Famed as a diver’s hotspot, Gan is rapidly transforming into a popular family holiday destination in the Maldives, celebrated for its eclectic mix of natural beauty, rich history, heritage and vibrant marine life – not to mention a lower departure tax than in the Male international airport. The tour welcomed tour operators from Mumbai and Pune, offering them an unforgettable stay in Canareef’s luxurious Premium Beach Villas. The itinerary included snorkelling in vibrant coral reefs, dolphin-spotting excursions, sunset cruises, rejuvenating spa treatments featuring traditional Balinese massages, yoga amidst lush greenery and the delightful flavours of Maldivian cuisine. This initiative is part of SriLankan Airlines’ strategy to boost tourism along the Mumbai–Gan Island route via Colombo. The tour’s success is expected to inspire renewed interest among Indian travellers in visiting the Maldives by choosing SriLankan Airlines’ seamless connections through Colombo. SriLankan conveniently connects Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram to Colombo with 90 weekly flights, offering immediate connections to the Maldives.  

Looking at the travel landscape in India, Mark Meehan, GVP & MD, Global Ops, Travelport, said, “Research indicates that Indian carriers will become increasingly relevant in the future, both in India and globally. Today, Indian airlines account for around 46% of international traffic in India. That’s up from around 35% from a pre-pandemic perspective.” He said, “Over 12.7 million international passengers travel in the April to June quarter. Indian airlines carry 8 million of those 12.7 million passengers. Growth drivers include fleet expansion by Air India and Indigo, with the latter looking at long-haul markets. Projections in India for 2028 is that international outbound travel will reach 39 million, nearly an 8% pay gap from 2024.”

Operations to commence on 10 January, 2025 IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, announced the addition of IndiGoStretch on its Delhi-Bengaluru route, with operations commencing on 10 January, 2025. A tailor-made business product for India’s busiest and business routes, by March 2025, IndiGoStretch will be available on all 15 daily flights between Delhi and Bengaluru. IndiGoStretch is already operational on the Delhi-Mumbai route. By early January 2025, all 20 daily flights between Delhi and Mumbai will be on an IndiGoStretch aircraft. Promising a relaxed and comfortable journey, IndiGoStretch customers can enjoy complimentary benefits like priority check-in, anytime boarding, advance seat selection, and zero convenience fee. They will also get additional baggage allowance starting from 30 kg (two bags) in check-in and one bag of 12 kg in the cabin. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said, “In line with our announcement to serve 12 Indian routes with our business class product, IndiGoStretch, we have added Delhi-Bengaluru as our second route. This follows the successful launch and positive customer feedback of IndiGoStretch on flights between Delhi and Mumbai. This initiative is another step towards our endeavour to provide greater comfort and accessibility to our customers. Soon, we will announce IndiGoStretch on flights between Delhi and Chennai.” IndiGoStretch is available for bookings on IndiGo’s direct channels as well as aggregator websites with tickets starting at ₹ 21000. It offers two-seat wide bay, specially curated healthy meal options by the Chefs at Oberoi Flight Services, and premium seats designed by RECARO. With a spacious pitch of 38 inches and a width of 21.3 inches, the seats feature a six-way adjustable headrest with neck support, a five inch deep recline for relaxation, electronic device holder, 60-watt …

ITQ, the official partner of Travelport in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bhutan hosted a customer meeting in Pullman Hotel, New Delhi, to showcase new capabilities offered by ITQ and Travelport. The event discussed the growing Indian market and business opportunities for travel partners in India and gave valuable insights into automation, NDC implementation and Travelport+. Talking from the India perspective, Anil Parashar, Executive Director, ITQ, said, “In the last few years, we have more than 20 airlines who have implemented NDC and many are on their way to join. We are committed to working together with our partners in our journey to making a better, more tech-friendly and modern world.” John Elieson, COO, Travelport thanked the customers and partners for their valued partnership and support in making Travelport successful. He said, “The growth for ITQ and Travelport has been fabulous as we will touch over 32 million this year. We continue to invest in the Indian market so that we can continue to lead and be first.”

Air India on Monday (9 December) confirmed that it has placed an order to purchase 100 more Airbus aircraft, comprising 10 widebody A350 and 90 narrowbody A320 family aircraft, including A321neo. These 100 new aircraft are in addition to the company’s orders of 470 aircraft that was placed with Airbus and Boeing last year.