TRAVEL
Flight bookings, travel spends for Diwali, Dussehra take off in 2024 as demand soars
Festive bookings during Dussehra and Diwali 2024 have so far surpassed those of 2023 by 20-25 percent
BUSINESS
IndiGo gears up for flight services to Bishkek, Langkawi, Penang in next few months
The new flights are part of IndiGo's plans to expand its international reach and enhance its cargo operations in the coming years as part of a broader strategy to position India’s largest airline as a leading global airline by 2030
BUSINESS
IndiGo's grounded aircraft to reduce to mid-40s by April 2025
IndiGo has high-60 aircraft grounded at the moment due to supply chain issues and engine powder metal issues with its Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines.
BUSINESS
IndiGo's grounded aircraft to reduce to mid-forties by April
IndiGo's Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers also said IndiGo had reached a peak of mid-70 AOG (Aircraft on Ground) in July-September quarter, but the situation has since then improved and AOGs are reducing.
BUSINESS
IndiGo airline swings into the red with Rs 987 crore loss, first in two years
The airline said overall expenses jumped 22%, outpacing a 13.6% rise in revenue
BUSINESS
MC Exclusive I Railways floats Rs 3,200-cr tender for LiDAR system to enhance track safety
Indian companies involved in LiDAR technology include Gurugram-based NeoGeoInfo, Bengaluru-based Intraspatial, and Hyderabad-based Geokno. Notably, the global LiDAR industry is dominated by Chinese companies which controlled twi third of the global market in 2022.
BUSINESS
Air India plans to launch one-click booking AI portal by December to boost direct sales
Currently, around 25 percent of Air India's ticket sales occur through direct channels, while approximately 75 percent are handled via indirect channels such as travel websites like Makemytrip and Ixigo, which charge significant commissions
BUSINESS
India tightens aviation security as bomb threats revive ghost of 1985 AI bombing
Government is exploring the possibility of placing individuals responsible for bomb threats on no-fly list. Air marshals are also expected to be deployed on more routes
BUSINESS
Domestic airlines plan to operate 8% more weekly flights in winter 2024
The winter schedule, which starts on October 27 and runs till March 30, has been approved for 124 airports.
TRAVEL
India-Canada row, geopolitical risks spell bad news for Indian students' study abroad plans
Indian students contributed $4.9 billion to the Canadian economy in 2021, and they constituted the largest international student group in Canada, accounting for 20 percent of all international students
BUSINESS
India, China make progress on starting direct flights
Travellers are facing higher costs and longer journeys due to the lack of direct flights between India and China. A round-trip between New Delhi and Beijing in 2019 took six hours and cost up to $550. Now, the fastest options involve a 10.5-hour flying time and a to-and-fro ticket costs over $1,200.
BUSINESS
Navi Mumbai airport runway test scheduled for Oct 11 as airport prepares to start operation from 2025
The runway test, which will help calibrate the ILS, and clear the way for further stress-testing by the Airports Authority of India, will mark a milestone in the development of the airport.
BUSINESS
Boeing 737 safety advisory: No flight disruptions, but Indian airlines may face plane delivery issues
Last month, the US National Transportation Safety Board stated that more than 40 foreign operators of Boeing 737 airplanes may be using 737 or 737 Next Generation planes with rudder components that could pose safety risks.
BUSINESS
MC Exclusive I Union Cabinet may consider Rs 14,425-crore additional funding for Polavaram irrigation project on October 9
The newly elected Andhra Pradesh government was asked to submit a report on inflation-adjusted costs to the Union Finance Ministry in June 2024, for Central assistance to resume development of the proposed state capital of Amaravati and the Polavaram irrigation project.
BUSINESS
Airlines face fuel price surge and longer routes amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict
Indian carriers brace for rising fuel costs and lengthy detours, threatening to push up airfares
BUSINESS
DGCA cracks down on Indian carriers seeking wet lease bargains in smaller markets
The proposed rules would double the maximum wet lease period to six months, with a potential six-month extension
BUSINESS
SpiceJet to use QIP proceeds for payment of statutory dues, outstanding liabilities, fleet expansion
Out of the total proceeds from the QIP, Rs 750 crore will be used for paying outstanding liabilities to creditors, including aircraft and engine lessors, engineering vendors, financiers, Rs 601.5 crore for paying statutory dues, and Rs 410 crore for ungrounding and maintaining its existing fleet and for purchasing new components, the company said.
BUSINESS
Afcons Infrastructure, Godavari Biorefineries, Shivalik Engineering get Sebi nod to float IPOs
Shapoorji Pallonji group’s flagship infrastructure engineering and construction company, Afcons Infrastructure, has received observation letter from the regulator on September 13, to mobilise Rs 7,000 crore through public issue.
BUSINESS
Indian Railways mulls panel to improve PSU coordination after CAG flags Rs 2,604-crore loss
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has flagged financial losses to the Indian Railways in 33 case studies of non-recovery of loans and GST, improper decision to generate non-fare revenues, ineligible grant of concession, and unfruitful expenditures.
BUSINESS
Govt plans to buy back NHAI bonds worth Rs 50,000 - 70,000 crore to pare co’s debt
The government's plan to buy back the bonds to cap the capital expenditure in the roads and highway segment. The govt is also keen to award projects above Rs 500 cr under the PPP mode as they have proved to be of better quality and are less expensive, compared to govt-funded projects, said an official.
BUSINESS
What will happen to Club Vistara points, vouchers after Air India merger? MC Explains
Due to the discontinuation of sale of flights on Vistara currently, Club Vistara members are not be able to redeem CV Points and vouchers for flights after 11 November 2024
BUSINESS
Govt to discuss increasing bilateral flying rights over next week, Minister Naidu says
The government will ensure that domestic airlines get the most out of bilateral flying rights
BUSINESS
Air India, IndiGo gain international market share at the cost Middle Eastern carriers
The Air India Group, which includes Air India, Vistara, and Air India Express, recorded a 46 percent increase in international passenger traffic compared to pre-pandemic levels, while IndiGo has more than doubled its international traffic since the pandemic.
BUSINESS
Govt’s ambitious Bharatmala project appears to be in slow lane
Cost overruns, lack of consensus are leading to delays. The ministry is hoping to get funding and approvals for one project at a time.
