Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh has received all the necessary clearances from the DGCA to become the state’s third licensed international airport and the latest operational airport in the country. The DGCA issued the airport the aerodrome license for public use. This will boost tourism in the region and facilitate travel on Buddhist circuit by providing direct aviation connectivity to the city where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Spread over 590 acres, AAI’s Kushinagar International Airport is ready to welcome commercial flights after receiving a 4C VFR license for day operations from DGCA. The airport is licensed for operating B737-900 type or equivalent aircraft.      

The Globus family of brands has curated a selection of 6 programmes titled Monograms India Discoveries to help travellers discover India. Varesh Chopra – Regional Director – Globus family of brands, says, “In our continuous interactions with our trade partners through 2020, they exhibited immense confidence in the idea of us offering experiences in India for domestic travellers. So we designed some of the best experiences to destinations within India.”

Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Programme (Expedia TAAP) is conducting a webinar for the travel trade in India tomorrow, at 11:30 am. The virtual event will allow travel agents to learn about the benefits of using Expedia TAAP. Those who want to register can write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

TAFI’s national elections have been indefinitely postponed as its MP Chapter is yet to conduct its elections. Pradip Lulla, Acting President and VP, TAFI, says, “The MP chapter election has been delayed. It was to be held on Feb 3, however, now the matter is sub judice and the person who was disqualified has gone to court. The court hearing for is on Feb 25 in Indore.”

In its first-ever end-to-end rebrand, Travelport has launched a new visual identity already visible on its website and social media channels. Sandeep Dwivedi, COO, ITQ (distributor of Travelport), says, “Indeed, this is just the beginning of the bright future that awaits, in terms of futuristic technology, products & services that enhance travel trade and retailing at large.”

Spree Hotels has signed another new boutique hotel in Ilkal (Karnataka), Zip by Spree Hotels Ilkal. The hotel has well-equipped banquet halls and board rooms for meetings and events of all size, and a host of facilities for guests to unwind, including spa, bar, gymnasium and snooker room apart from comfortable, spacious rooms.

Both north and south runways at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) are expected to be operational from March 25 this year. The former had been closed for rehabilitation purposes. KIA is the only Indian airport to have two parallel runways that can be operated simultaneously.

Akbar Travels and Sabre Corporation have announced a new long-term, strategic partnership agreement. Under the extended and expanded agreement, Sabre will continue to be Akbar’s preferred GDS partner in India, ensuring that the firm can continue to access real-time, rich content from hundreds of thousands of airlines, hoteliers and other travel providers through Sabre’s intuitive Sabre Red 360 interface. Akbar and Sabre will also be working more closely together through the appointment of software company, Benzy Infotech – a 100% subsidiary of the Akbar Group.

FHRAI has written to the Finance Minister requesting to enhance the threshold limit for zero GST for hotel room tariffs from the present Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per room per day. As per the association, the move will boost stays in the lower budget segment, which in turn will encourage more domestic travellers to venture out.

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has unveiled The Leela Palace Jaipur which is its 1st hotel in the Capital city and 3rd overall in Rajasthan. The hotel has been branded after extensive refurbishment and enhancements both in the product as well as service offerings.