Category Archives: Aviation

Recently, Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, shared, “We have 3 times more direct aviation capacity on India-Australia route as compared to pre-COVID. So, from 8 flights per week from 2019 we have almost 28 flights per week between India and Australia with Qantas, Air India and Singapore Airlines.”

With FY2024 closing, CAPA India has released preliminary figures for actual full-year traffic. Domestic traffic reached an estimated 153.4mn pax, compared with our projection of 160mn at the start of the year, and 155mn in our mid-year update. International traffic reached an estimated 69.7mn pax, compared with our projection of 72-74mn at the start of the year, and 70mn in our mid-year update. Both domestic and international traffic volumes exceeded their pre-COVID highs (which were actually set in FY2019) for the first time.

In the FY 2023-24 so far, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has achieved a capital expenditure of ₹4,778 Crores, leading India’s civil aviation industry towards progress. AAI is earmarked to undertake a capital expenditure of Rs 25,000 crore for the period between 2019-20 to 2024-25.

Over the past decade, tourism has embraced sustainability as a strategic pillar. A WTTC report shows that 42% of leading tourism companies globally have set a climate target – either interim, long-term, or both. As sustainable business practices gain traction around the world, companies must increasingly consider the concerns of stakeholders – travellers seeking eco-friendly destinations, and communities concerned about their future.   Tour operators Emissions from tour operators vary across the sector, depending on how asset-light or asset-heavy they are. Some operators express concerns about limitations they encountered regarding infrastructure at destinations, while others are investing in sustainability initiatives. But the current infrastructure and technology at some destinations are not developed enough for those investments to yield results in the short term. For example, some tour operators want to invest in electric buses, but current EV coach battery life is inadequate for longer tours. Travel agencies and OTAs Travel agents — both brick-and-mortar and online — interact with a variety of industry players, from suppliers to destinations, and influence consumer choices. They are well-placed to help the industry achieve its sustainability goals, though these efforts are complicated by the new reporting frameworks. OTAs and travel tech companies more broadly are not easily classified, as they often fall in the software sector rather than tourism. As such, they also lack specific guidance on how to tackle sustainability issues relating to their travel operations. They will likely have to consult sector-based guides, such as for car rental and leasing, hotel and lodging, and airlines. Accommodation One complicating factor for hotel chains is the industry’s range of business models and ownership structures. Many operate under franchise agreements with multiple levels of control, …

Kanneganti Sameer, Manager Northern & Eastern India, Singapore Airlines, said, “We operate to 8 different cities, and we will operate to 5 more cities, making Singapore Airlines in 13 cities across India. We offer unparallel connectivity across India to meet the requirements of a lot of corporate partners.”

ITA Airways is expanding operations in the UK market in the summer season by launching a new nonstop flight between Rome–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and London City Airport (LCY) starting March 31st, 2024. The route will be served by the Airbus A220-100 with 12 weekly frequencies. LCY is London’s most central airport and known internationally for punctuality, speed of service and smooth customer experience. Passengers will benefit from the proximity of both hubs by flying to-and-from London’s and Rome’s most centrally located airports. In addition, travelers can enjoy seamless connecting flights from ITA Airways’ main hub of Rome Fiumicino to the domestic and intercontinental network, including Mediterranean destinations (in Italy, Spain and Greece) and those in South America including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Buenos Aires. Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer ITA Airways and CEO Volare, said: “We are proud to launch this new direct service between Rome Fiumicino and London City, which is an airport of reference for business traffic but also very interesting for leisure flows. The UK is confirmed as an increasingly strategic market for ITA Airways, offering travelers 100 weekly flights between the UK and Italy in the current summer season.” The new connection follows ITA Airways introducing a four-daily service between Milan Linate and London City earlier this year. The airline will soon add an extra daily service in April 2024, bringing the total number of weekly frequencies to 31 in the peak of the summer season. This rotation will also be operated with an Airbus A220-100. As a further confirmation of the strategic importance of the UK, starting June, operations to the British market from Rome Fiumicino will be completed with an additional connection …

In summer 2024, the Indian aviation industry will witness a higher number of domestic and international flights as per the Summer Schedule 2024 released by the DGCA. According to the schedule released by the civil aviation regulator, there will be 24,275 domestic departures to and from 125 airports. There is an increase of around 6% in comparison to the Summer Schedule 2023, which had 22,907 weekly departures per week from 119 airports.

Cyprus Airways tickets can now be issued in India by their Direct Sales Agent, Girisons Airways, located in Mumbai. In 2018, Cyprus Airways achieved a significant milestone by successfully passing the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Cyprus Airways continues to uphold its long-term goal—to be a catalyst for tourism growth in Cyprus and a beacon for local travellers, offering a world of possibilities. Our commitment to expanding horizons remains steadfast as we embark on this thrilling journey together. Based at the vibrant Larnaca International Airport, Cyprus Airways operates with a passionate team of over 150 professionals. Cyprus Airways flights are operated on Airbus combination of A320 and A220 aircraft, offering Economy Class seats and Business Class Seats ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable journey for every traveller to Europe, Middle East, and beyond. In our current summer 2024 schedule we operate flights from Larnaca to various European destinations such as Rome, Milan, Zurich, Paris, Barcelona, Brussels, Prague, Athens and various Greek islands such as Santorini, Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Thessaloniki etc. We have also started operations to DUBAI thrice weekly. Indian travellers can now visit Cyprus for 2 to 3 days during their European holidays. This add-on program can easily be adjusted because they can purchase a return Cyprus ticket which can start in one European city and end in another city- for example they can do Rome-Cyprus-Paris. In this way passengers can same time and money for the Rome to Paris sector.  

After launching its maiden overseas services to Doha this month, Akasa Air, CEO, Vinay Dube plans to start flights to Kuwait, Riyadh and Jeddah by the end of October this year. Stressing that Akasa Air is “financially solid,” Dube said the airline aims to be among the world’s top 30 by 2030. In the summer schedule that spans from March 31 to October 26 this year, the airline will increase its weekly domestic departures by 14.30 per cent to 903.

Speaking during the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Round Table Discussion, Subhash Goyal, Chairman, ICC Tourism Committee, said, “As Tier I cities are already well connected through aviation, India needs to promote other domestic hubs like spiritual circuits, wildlife parks, islands, and the locations that are famous for Medical Tourism, which is a 5 trillion-dollar industry. Hence, the Aviation Ministry needs to develop these routes for better connectivity and access as it can boost the inbound numbers in India.”