Qatar Airways to move Goa operations from Dabolim to North Goa airport from June 20

Effective June 20, 2024, Qatar Airways will cease operations at Dabolim Airport (GOI) and move its operations to North Goa’s Manohar International Airport (GOX), also known as MOPA. Qatar Airways’ last departure from Hamad International Airport (DOH) to GOI will be June 19, 2024.

1. Qatar Airways to move Goa operations from Dabolim to North Goa airport: Effective June 20, 2024, Qatar Airways will cease operations at Dabolim Airport (GOI) and move its operations to North Goa’s Manohar International Airport (GOX)

Effective June 20, 2024, Qatar Airways will cease operations at Dabolim Airport (GOI) and move its operations to North Goa’s Manohar International Airport (GOX), also known as MOPA. Qatar Airways’ last departure from Hamad International Airport (DOH) to GOI will be June 19, 2024 and its last departure from GOI to DOH being June 20, 2024.

This route will be served with the same schedule of a direct daily flight operated on a mix of Airbus 320 and Boeing 787.

Qatar Airways is joining a list of airlines ready to move to GOX, including strategic partners IndiGo and Oman Air. The transition from GOI and GOX heralds a superior airport experience for travellers on Qatar Airways’ network to over 170 destinations.

GOX’s expansive airport experience is designed to reflect the exuberant nature of the local culture with its blend of contemporary and Goan architecture. Its cargo facilities, comprising 25,000 metric tonnes of temperature-controlled handling capacity, has the potential to make GOX the ideal export hub in the region.

Qatar Airways first launched its operations in Goa in 2009, marking the start of the long-standing partnership between Doha and Goa. Currently, Qatar Airways flies to 13 destinations in India including: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Qantas airline has partnered with Great Barrier Reef Foundation to help accelerate the restoration of Australia’s reef systems, including investment in Coral IVF programs, corals with increased heat tolerance and world-first portable coral nurseries.

2. Qantas partners with Great Barrier Reef Foundation to save coral reefs: Qantas will invest $10 million over 10 years in the Reef Restoration Fund to support scientists, Traditional Owners and local tourism operators restoring corals across the Great Barrier Reef

Qantas airline has partnered with Great Barrier Reef Foundation to help accelerate the restoration of Australia’s reef systems, including investment in Coral IVF programs, corals with increased heat tolerance and world-first portable coral nurseries.

Building on a 15-year partnership with the Foundation, Qantas will invest $10 million over 10 years in the Reef Restoration Fund to support scientists, Traditional Owners and local tourism operators restoring corals across the Great Barrier Reef and other iconic Australian coral reefs.

The Fund will help expand restorative work happening today across the Great Barrier Reef as well as research that will regenerate corals in the future. In the first two years, the projects that will be funded include:

Boats4Corals: The Reef Restoration Fund will help expand the Boats4Corals program that trains local tourism operators, Traditional Owners and researchers in the novel coral restoration technique known as Coral IVF and launch it in new reef locations.

Coral Nurture Program: Through the Coral Nurture Program, researchers and reef tour operators work together to replenish reef sites. The Fund will strengthen tourism research partnerships in the Cairns region and support the transition to a sustainable model after three years.

Reef Restoration Adaptation Program (RRAP): RRAP is pioneering new solutions that will help coral reefs resist, adapt to, and recover from warming ocean temperatures.

Reef Seed: The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is developing world-first portable coral nurseries in shipping containers that can grow and plant 100,000 corals each year.

Helsinki Airport was ranked fifth best in the world.

3. Business travellers pick Helsinki as the best airport in Europe: Business travellers have chosen Helsinki Airport as the best airport in Europe. Helsinki Airport was ranked fifth best in the world and is the only European airport on the list, according to the list of the best airports in the world picked by business travellers which was published by BusinessFinancing.co.uk at the end of February.

In addition to Helsinki Airport, business travellers rated Noi Bai International Airport in Vietnam, Changi Airport in Singapore, Hong Kong International Airport in China, and Hamad International Airport in Qatar among the top five airports.

Helsinki Airport has a total of five popular lounges, three of which will be renovated in the summer of 2024.

Helsinki Airport has maintained its strong position in international rankings as one of the best and most appreciated airports in the world. In recent years, Helsinki Airport has been selected as the best airport in Northern Europe (2018, 2020, 2022) and the best airport in Europe in its size category (2018, 2019, 2022).

In 2023, a total of 15.3 million passengers flew via Helsinki Airport, about a quarter of whom were business travellers. Finavia’s historic Helsinki Airport Development Programme – where the airport’s Departures and Arrivals halls, parking, terminal facilities and services were revamped – was completed in the autumn of 2023.

“We want to provide all of our passengers with a smooth customer experience. We work every day to improve the customer experience and actively survey the needs of business travellers to make their experience at the airport as smooth as possible. According to surveys, business travellers appreciate the renovated terminal and the efficient check-in and security control processes. In addition, the smooth navigation through the gate area and the professionalism of our staff are something that business travellers appreciate,” Ulla Serlenius, Helsinki Airport Executive Director at Finavia, said.

VFS Global, a visa outsourcing company, has warned all United Arab Emirates (UAE) foreign residents of scammers who are offering help with Schengen visa in lieu of large amounts of money. VFS has advised all applicants to apply for the Schengen visa appointment on their own and not through agents.

4. VFS Global warns Schengen visa applicants of scammers: VFS Global has warned all United Arab Emirates (UAE) foreign residents of scammers who are offering help with Schengen visa in lieu of large amounts of money

VFS Global, a visa outsourcing company, has warned all United Arab Emirates (UAE) foreign residents of scammers who are offering help with Schengen visa in lieu of large amounts of money. VFS has advised all applicants to apply for the Schengen visa appointment on their own and not through agents.

Taking into account the high number of people who have already fallen victim to such scams in UAE, the VFS Global UAE Regional Head, Monaz Billimoria, advised everyone to make their appointments on their own. Foreign UAE residents have also been advised to make an appointment in advance to avoid last-minute inconveniences. VFS Global has said that the scammers promise to secure appointment slots, but in fact, they only accept the money, and then vanish.

VFS Global further emphasised that making an appointment for a Schengen visa is free of charge, and the company does not charge for it. Hence, charging a fee for getting an appointment is not permitted. Schengen visa applicants only have to pay the processing fee which is paid before applicants appear for the visa interview at the respective embassy or consulate.

It may be recalled that the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) had also recently warned applicants of offers of “too good to be true” jobs because most of these offers are employment scams. Hong Kong, too, had issued warning about scamsters posing as immigration officials and calling applicants.

British Airways has announced that it will fully refurbish all of its London Heathrow Airport lounges in the next five years. Work on the project is set to start in late 2024, with the Terminal 5 Arrivals Lounge being the first in line to receive a makeover.

5. British Airways is set to fully refurbish all of its London Heathrow Airport lounges in the next five years, starting with the Terminal 5 Arrivals Lounge: British Airways has announced that it will fully refurbish all of its London Heathrow Airport lounges in the next five years. Work on the project is set to start in late 2024, with the Terminal 5 Arrivals Lounge being the first in line to receive a makeover as part of the program.

The layout of certain lounges in Terminal 5, including the Concorde Room, First Class, and Galleries Club South, will be completely reworked to offer better access.

British Airways is focusing on quality over quantity with the Arrivals Lounge refurbishment - the carrier is reducing shower capacity in favour of bigger and better washing facilities.

It may be noted that the airline is set to open another brand-new lounge, this time in Dubai, which is relocating to a new larger space at Dubai Airport later this year. This lounge will be the first to feature British Airways’ new lounge design concept, followed by the opening of its Miami lounge in 2025. The new Dubai lounge will replace the existing lounge facility at the airport, offering more space and more features for customers.

The airline has also announced lounge refreshes in Lagos and Seattle, these follow recent lounge refurbishments at Heathrow Terminals 5 and 3, as well as Edinburgh.

As the only European carrier to offer First Class between the UK and US, British Airways is to introduce a brand-new and exclusive First suite. The airline expects the new seat to make its debut at the end of 2025 into early 2026 as part of its A380 aircraft.

6. Next time you enter the US through the Las Vegas airport, you may get to see TSA’s self-service screening in action: In mid-March, Las Vegas became the first airport to test TSA’s self-service screening, aiming to enhance passenger experience. Las Vegas’ Harry Ried International Airport (LAS) has become the first airport to test Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) self-service screening. The aim is for a sufficient passenger screening process to take place, where the Transportation Security Officer will then be redeployed to more elevated security concerns within the airport. However, they will remain on hand to provide pat-downs and assistance where necessary.

Based on trial results, the system will be deployed in other US airports.

Travellers passing through Harry Ried International Airport (LAS) will be some of the first to use TSA’s self-service screening system. Installed within the TSA's 'innovation checkpoint,' passengers will be able to test the new system that will ensure the same rigorous standards are upheld for those using the more traditional security methods.

While the trial period is in Vegas, TSA aims to collect feedback on system performance and design alongside other human factors and cybersecurity. The system hopes to understand and learn how passengers interact with the system and how it can be developed for future iterations.

At the TSA's Systems Integration Facility, the prototype has gone under thorough review to ensure passengers can abide by the step-by-step instructions to screen in their own time. Once passengers have been cleared safely for travel, automated doors open so they can continue their journey.

7. Emirates reopens refurbished lounge at Hong Kong International Airport: Emirates Airlines has opened its refurbished Emirates Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. The redesigned lounge is for premium travellers flying on the airline’s two daily direct flights from Hong Kong to Dubai and the third daily service via Bangkok.

Situated adjacent to Gate 40 on Level 7, the 643-square-metre Emirates Lounge incorporates a modern design that aligns seamlessly with the airline's 'Fly better' brand promise.

All of Emirates’ First Class and Business Class customers, as well as eligible Emirates Skywards members are entitled to complimentary access to the revamped facility. With an expanded seating capacity of 132 spread across the spacious lounge area, passengers can choose from a variety of seating options, ranging from plush chairs to cosy sofas. Complementing the stylish interiors are a host of deluxe amenities - from complimentary Wi-Fi and refreshing shower facilities to a dedicated prayer room.

Another highlight of the Emirates Lounge experience is the selection of culinary offerings. Passengers can indulge in a sumptuous buffet featuring local and Oriental cuisine specialties, complemented by classic Hong Kong desserts.

In addition to the enhanced lounge experience, Emirates recently expanded its complimentary Chauffeur-drive service to include Business Class passengers in Hong Kong. Combined with dedicated check-in counters and award-winning onboard service, Emirates' premium customers can now enjoy an even more seamless and comfortable journey from the moment they set foot in the airport until they arrive at their destination.

8. Virgin Australia is the first Australian airline to operate pet-friendly domestic flights. The service will have specific rules: limited to small cats and dogs on designated domestic routes, in approved carriers.

The airline hopes to launch the service within 12 months.

Before making the announcement, Virgin Australia researched how Australians felt about traveling with their pets. In a social media survey of the airline's Facebook followers in 2021, 85% of respondents voted in favour of Virgin Australia launching pets in the cabin flights. Since then, the airline has conducted more recent research with Australian pet owners, which showed that 70% of respondents advised they would travel with their pet in the cabin, while 57% said they would fly more regularly if the service was a reality.

"Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets, and we are now on a journey to make that a reality. It's something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well. Innovation has always been a hallmark of Virgin Australia, and we were the first airline in the country to offer online check-in. This year we were the first Australian airline to launch baggage tracking and a fully integrated self-service disruption management tool. It's this innovation and first-to-market drive that underpins who we are in the market,” Jayne Hrdlicka, Virgin Australia CEO, said.

Virgin Australia has also launched Australia’s first Pet Frequent Flyer program which is an extension of ‘Flying Paws’ available on international Virgin Atlantic  flights for departures from the UK, USA, Australia, South Africa, Dubai and Barbados.

Named Sama 2.0, the AI-generated cabin crew will answer questions in real time such as Qatar Airways FAQs, destinations, support tips and more.

9. Qatar Airways introduces its AI-generated cabin crew: Named Sama 2.0, the AI-generated cabin crew will answer questions in real time such as Qatar Airways FAQs, destinations, support tips and more

Qatar Airways launched its holographic virtual cabin crew at ITB, Berlin. Named Sama 2.0., the AI-generated cabin crew will answer questions in real time, such as Qatar Airways FAQs, destinations, support tips and more, and will be accessible through QVerse, Qatar Airways’ immersive digital platform, as well as through the Qatar Airways app.

Qatar Airways is the world’s first airline to develop the Artificial Intelligence powered digital human cabin crew to assist its passengers in designing curated travel experiences.

Sama (meaning ‘sky’ in Arabic) is enabled by industry-leading conversational AI and will continue to learn and develop over time to improve responses through passenger interactions. The one-of-a-kind cabin crew is also poised to create benchmarks for personalised and functional service interactions in air travel.

Sama is developed by Qatar Airways in partnership with UneeQ, a leader in AI digital human technology. This collaboration between Qatar Airways and UneeQ harnesses UneeQ’s innovative platform to enhance the digital travel experience and sets new standards in the aviation industry.

Qatar Airways recently also unveiled its Generative AI experience for hassle-free and personalised travel planning at the Web Summit Qatar. The experience utilises comprehensive visual interactions and an interactive 3D map to understand customers' travel preferences, thereby eliminating the need for manual searches. Customers can thus seamlessly receive suggestions for their dream journeys across Qatar Airways’ network of over 170 destinations.

“Sama 2.0 represents our relentless pursuit of innovation, and embodies Qatar Airways’ values of exceptional service and hospitality. This is a monumental point in spearheading the successful synergy between technology and human connection – not only for Qatar Airways, but also for the industry at large. Qatar Airways affirms its commitment to leading and collaborating with innovation experts to create pioneering products and services for its customers,”Babar Rahman, Vice President Marketing, Qatar Airways, said.

Uzbekistan Is My Second Home campaign: Indian nationals require a visa to enter Uzbekistan. Passengers with a Visa Confirmation (stamp) issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan can obtain a visa on arrival at Tashkent (TAS). All international visitors with stays longer than three days must register with the local police, within three working days of arrival.

10. Uzbekistan launches ‘Uzbekistan Is My Second Home’ visa system for international visitors: a tourist visa program, Uzbekistan Is My Second Home allows foreign visitors to stay in its north-western Khorezm region for up to a year without restrictions.

Uzbekistan is introducing a tourist visa program called Uzbekistan Is My Second Home, enabling foreign visitors to stay in its north-western Khorezm region for up to a year without restrictions.

It is important to note that this plan is valid only for the Khorezm region that has the highest density of tourist attractions, historical sites, and architectural artefacts in all of Uzbekistan. The area is home to 254 cultural heritage monuments, which span the Neolithic era and the 19th century.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has also unveiled a three-year plan for developing the region’s tourism industry, commenting that the sector is one of Khorezm’s primary economic drivers.

Though the new visa system has been announced, currently, the Khorezm region is ill-equipped to handle more tourists or long-stay residents. In the town of Khiva, in the western part of Khorezm, authorities are planning to open new 24-hour cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores. Major Uzbek cities, including Urgench just north of Khiva, are to receive around $2.4 million in subsidies in order to lower the cost of airline tickets. Loans at present are offered at an 18% interest rate for a period of seven years — with a two-year grace period — for the construction of hotels and resorts to increase the number of available tourist beds.

Indian nationals require a visa to enter Uzbekistan. Passengers with a Visa Confirmation (stamp) issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan can obtain a visa on arrival at Tashkent (TAS). All international visitors with stays longer than three days must register with the local police, within three working days of arrival. For visitors staying in a hotel, registration is done by the hotel. Registration is strictly checked when leaving Uzbekistan.

11. Saudi Arabia announces new educational visa programme for international students: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has announced a new educational visa programme for international students wishing to study in the Kingdom

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), which jointly unveiled the Study in Saudi Arabia visa initiative.

The student visa will be issued through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform, specifically designed for international students aspiring to enrol in Saudi universities.

The platform offers a wide range of study options, from short-term courses to comprehensive academic programs, catering to various academic interests and career aspirations. It enables international students to submit applications for admission to Saudi universities with ease and also provides short-term academic, training, and research programs, as well as long-term educational opportunities within a modern and distinguished educational environment.

The platform also promotes academic and cultural cooperation, fostering the Kingdom’s commitment to developing the education sector and attracting talent for Saudi Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia aims to become the fifth most sought-after destination for Indian students due to various factors, including attractive scholarships and robust financial aid tailored to international students.

The number of Indian students enrolled in studies abroad is expected to climb from roughly 1 million as of 2019 to as many as 2 million by 2025. Total student spending is expected to grow at a corresponding pace to reach as high as US$70 billion by 2025. Indian enrolment remains highly concentrated in the big four destinations of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, but greater numbers of students are also pursuing their studies in countries outside of those top four. Direct spending on study abroad by Indian students is projected to reach as high as US$70 billion by 2025, according to ICEF Monitor.

12. 2023 was one of the safest years to travel, according to IATA: 2023 was one of the safest years to travel with the lowest fatality risk and ‘all accident’ rate on record: IATA report.

2023 was one of the safest years to travel with the lowest fatality risk and ‘all accident’ rate on record, according to the latest 2023 Annual Safety Report released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

There were no hull losses or fatal accidents involving passenger jet aircraft in 2023. However, there was a single fatal accident involving a turboprop aircraft, resulting in 72 fatalities. There were 37 million aircraft movements in 2023 (jet and turboprop), an increase of 17% on the previous year.

The highlights of the report include:

The all-accident rate was 0.80 per million sectors in 2023 (one accident for every 1.26 million flights), an improvement from 1.30 in 2022 and the lowest rate in over a decade. This rate outperformed the five-year (2019-2023) rolling average of 1.19 (an average one accident for every 880,293 flights).

The fatality risk improved to 0.03 in 2023 from 0.11 in 2022 and 0.11 for the five years, 2019-2023. At this level of safety, on average a person would have to travel by air every day for 103,239 years to experience a fatal accident.

IATA member airlines and IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registered airlines experienced no fatal accidents in 2023.

A single fatal accident occurred in 2023, on a turboprop aircraft, resulting in 72 fatalities. This is reduced from five fatal accidents in 2022 and an improvement on the five-year average (2019-2023) which was five.

“2023 safety performance continues to demonstrate that flying is the safest mode of transport. Aviation places its highest priority on safety and that shows in the 2023 performance. Jet operations saw no hull losses or fatalities. A single fatal turboprop accident with 72 fatalities, however, reminds us that we can never take safety for granted. And two high profile accidents in the first month of 2024 show that, even if flying is among the safest activities a person can do, there is always room to improve. This is what we have done throughout our history. And we will continue to make flying ever safer,” Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said.

Persons involved in the misuse of commercial spyware will be subject to visa restrictions by authorities in the United States, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a February 2024 statement.

13. New US visa policy for those involved in misuse of spyware: The US has announced a new visa policy targeting individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware.

The US State Department has announced a new visa policy targeting individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware. Persons involved in the misuse of commercial spyware will be subject to visa restrictions by authorities in the United States, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

It may be recalled that last year, the Biden administration had signed an executive order banning federal agencies from using commercial spyware that poses risks to US national security or foreign policy interests.

The United States remains concerned with the growing misuse of commercial spyware around the world to facilitate repression, restrict the free flow of information, and enable human rights abuses.  The misuse of commercial spyware threatens privacy and freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.  Such targeting has been linked to arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in the most egregious of cases.  Additionally, the misuse of these tools presents a security and counterintelligence threat to U.S. personnel.  The United States stands on the side of human rights and fundamental freedoms and will continue to promote accountability for individuals involved in commercial spyware misuse, according to a statement released by the US Secretary of State.

The widespread use of commercial spyware has become a growing concern to the United States authorities. These technologies, created by companies such as NSO Group, Intellexa, and Cytrox, have been linked to human rights abuses around the world, according to a report from Cyberscoop.

14. American Express opened its largest lounge in Atlanta: American Express (AmEx) has opened its largest-ever Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the busiest airport in the world

American Express (AmEx) has opened its largest-ever Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the busiest airport in the world. At nearly 26,000 square feet, it is the largest lounge in the Centurion Lounge network and features a locally-inspired menu from Atlanta-based Chef Deborah VanTrece, numerous seating options for guests to relax or work before their flight, outdoor terraces with views of the airfield, and The Reserve by American Express, a bespoke whiskey bar serving signature cocktails designed by Jim Meehan, Centurion Mixologist, along with a selection of classic and new American whiskeys.

The new Centurion Lounge is located in Concourse E near gate E11.

“Atlanta has become such an interesting melting pot of cultures and cuisines. I’m thrilled to partner with American Express to bring food that celebrates these traditions, along with the best southern ingredients, to the Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,” said Chef Deborah VanTrece.

The design is inspired by Atlanta’s reputation as “the city in the forest” and its abundance of trees as well as our Card Members’ passion for wellness. The main seating area features a 50-year-old olive tree and a 3,850 square foot custom light sculpture that represents a forest canopy, creating a relaxing space for Card Members to unwind before their flights. Additionally, visitors can enjoy multiple outdoor terraces, a first for the Centurion Lounge network. These meticulously landscaped seating areas are equipped with heaters and fans for use year-round.

The lounge showcases commissioned artwork from local artists including a new, textural interpretation of the quintessential American Express watch dog by Lucha Rodríguez and a large-scale multimedia piece by Michi Meko that draws inspiration from Georgia’s landscape. Additionally, a 60-foot mural of abstracted leaf-like shapes, painted by Evan Blackwell Helgeson, stretches from the interior dining area to the exterior terrace.

15. New Zealand improves student visa processing: Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has improved the process for deciding student visa applications by giving their staff more efficient assessment tools and letter templates

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has improved the process for deciding student visa applications by giving their staff more efficient assessment tools and letter templates. This means that INZ can process student visa applications faster, and let applicants know the outcome of their application sooner.

New Zealand has seen a 20% increase in student visa applications compared to the peak period in 2022/2023, and are also anticipating high volumes of student visa applications up to March 2024, as students who are already in New Zealand apply for second or subsequent visas.

To address this, INZ has increased the number of staff processing these applications, and provided them with better tools and letter templates, leading to clearer and more consistent communication in decision letters.

While managing this higher volume, INZ has also seen an increase in complex applications needing more time.

INZ regularly updates student visa information sheets on the INZ website with information to support international students with their visa application.

In 2022, 8,810 Indian students had applied for New Zealand student visa of which 5,074 were approved, totalling 58% of the total applications. 3,823 (40% of the total) applications by Indian students were declined.

Every year approximately 90,000 international students go to New Zealand for further studies. Recent studies have shown a 28% growth in the number of Indian students enrolled in New Zealand. The students from India had the highest rate of transition to work (72%).

16. Air India to equip aircraft with Thales’s Avant Up inflight entertainment: Air India will equip 51 of its airliners with Thales’s Avant Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system

Air India has announced that it will equip 51 of its airliners with Thales’s Avant Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system. Under an agreement announced recently, 40 existing Boeing 777s and 787s, as well as 11 new-production 787s and Airbus A350s, will receive the new equipment in their cabins.

Avant Up features Thales’s Optiq QLED smart displays with cinematic 4K HDR picture quality and in-screen USB-A and USB-C high-speed charging ports for personal electronic devices. The Optiq system allows passengers to pair their wireless headphones to the system, which offers a pair of Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi.

The upgrades and retrofits to the in-service Air India aircraft will start this year. In 2025, Thales will provide the Avant Up IFE for the new airliners yet to be delivered by Boeing and Airbus.

Avant Up gives operators the option to integrate multiple services and applications, such as 3D maps and immersive route-based programs. According to Thales, it designed the user interface to make it easy for passengers to quickly navigate multiple entertainment options.

“Air India is committed to providing a world-class travel experience to its passengers. Partnering with Thales for its top-of-the-class AVANT Up inflight entertainment systems is a step in the direction of our transformation programme. This latest inflight entertainment technology will allow us to stay at the forefront of aviation technology and will help us provide our passengers with a unique onboard entertainment system,” Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India, said.

17. New way to complete your global entry interview at Washington Dulles International Airport: Washington Dulles International Airport now has a pre-departure interview facility

There’s a new way to complete your global entry interview if you’re traveling through Washington Dulles International Airport. The pre-departure interview facility is located near gate B41 in the airport’s B concourse and the office will be staffed daily from noon to 8 pm.

Global Entry allows participants to take advantage of expedited passport screening at participating airports around the country and pre-clearance facilities abroad. The program costs $100 for a five-year membership, and includes TSA Precheck as a benefit.

Global Entry interviews can be hard to get. Applicants with conditional approval routinely have to wait for months before finalising the process. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) which runs the expediting program, has long allowed international travelers to complete their interviews on arrival at select airports, but on Feb. 12, Dulles became the first airport to offer pre-departure interviews.

According to CBP, travellers must be flying out on an international flight to qualify for pre-departure Global Entry interviews. In addition to their passport, they’ll need to present proof of residence, like a driver’s license, bill or other document that shows their current address.

“Conditionally approved applicants to CBP’s trusted traveler programs can now complete their interviews before boarding a flight leaving the United States. This is great news for those trying to schedule interviews to complete their membership into this critically acclaimed trusted traveler program” Marc E. Calixte, Area Port Director for CBP’s Area Port of Washington, D.C., said in a statement.

18. Switzerland tops leaderboard of best education destinations for mobile HNW: Switzerland has topped the list of the best education destinations for young HNWs, according to Henley & Partners

Switzerland has topped Henley & Partners’ new global ‘Opportunity Index’, which ranks the best destinations for High Net Worth (HNW) in terms of accessing the best education in the world – and the ease at which HNW individuals can move there and gain citizenship.

An education in Switzerland, the US or Singapore — and relocating for the long term — could bring an ‘opportunity advantage’ to young HNWs, according to Henley & Partners new global ‘Opportunity Index’.

Young and internationally-mobile UHNWs can ‘maximise their career prospects’ through an education in Switzerland, the new report has found.

The Alpine education hub scored a chart-topping 85% on the index, which has ranked countries on their earning potential, career advancement opportunities, economic mobility and ‘liveability’ – in addition to the quality of education each destination delivers.

Switzerland’s schools, which are widely regarded as world-leading, often come with hefty price tags. Institute auf dem Rosenberg, for instance, has fees upwards of $150,000.

Meanwhile, the USA came in second place with a score of 82 per cent, followed by Singapore with an appraisal of 79 per cent.

Both Singapore and Switzerland scored a maximum 100% when it comes to earning potential, although the Asian city-state gained 55% when it comes to accessing a ‘premium education’, compared to 72% for Switzerland.

Anglophone countries performed well in the index, with Australia in fourth place, followed by Canada and the UK in fifth and sixth place.

19. University of Chicago's Center in Delhi marks a decade in India: Established in 2014 as a hub for teaching, research, and dialogue, the University of Chicago Center in Delhi has completed 10 years

The University of Chicago Center in Delhi has completed 10 years. Established in 2014 as a hub for teaching, research, and dialogue, the Center has played a pivotal role in fostering intellectual collaboration between UChicago and Indian institutions and serves as a platform for scholarly collaboration across India and South Asia across many diverse topics, from telecommunications systems to poetry.

The University of Chicago's ties with India trace back to the historic 1913 visit of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, marking the beginning of over a century of intellectual collaboration. The 10th-anniversary celebrations that began on February 16 will culminate  in September with a gala celebration.

The Center in Delhi will focus on advancing these:

The University of Chicago’s new science and technology partnership with IIT Bombay to promote cooperation in fields such as quantum information science, climate and energy, advanced microelectronics, artificial intelligence and data science.

Collaborations on battery technologies with institutions such as TCG CREST in Kolkata

Shared expertise, research and concern regarding climate and energy through new initiatives such as the University of Chicago’s new Climate and Energy Institute as well as through existing partnerships such as EPIC-India.

The International Innovation Corps (IIC), a social impact fellowship based at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy that embeds teams of young professionals into government and non-profit organizations to support their implementation capabilities and outcomes. IIC has worked in sectors such as urban development, education, energy & environment, healthcare, social innovation, and water & sanitation.

"The 10th anniversary of the UChicago Center in Delhi is a testament to the enduring partnership between the University of Chicago and India. Over the past decade, the Center has facilitated groundbreaking research, academic exchanges, and meaningful collaborations,” Supratik Guha, Faculty Director, UChicago Center in Delhi and Professor in the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, said.

20. South African Department of Home Affairs has approved the extension of the temporary concession of affected foreign nationals until June 30, 2024: Reeling under visa application backlog challenges, the South African Department of Home Affairs has approved the extension of the temporary concession of affected foreign nationals until June 30, 2024. This temporary concession allows foreign nationals who have pending long-term visas, waivers, and appeal applications to continue to reside and work in South Africa on their current visa conditions pending the decision of their applications.

However, applicants are not allowed to engage in any activity other than what their visa conditions provide for.  Applicants who wish to abandon their visa applications, should be allowed to exit at the port of entry on or before June 30, 2024, without being declared undesirable and those who need to travel but are still awaiting their outcome should be allowed to exit and re-enter up to and including June 30, 2024, without being declared undesirable.

Visa holders who have submitted long-term visa applications and pending as on November 30, 2023, must present their proof of submission receipt of their long-term visa applications from the Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Global office to the immigration officials upon their departure from the Republic of South Africa.

Non-visa-exempt applicants who travel out of the country will be required to apply for a port of entry visa.

Short-term visa holders issued visa for 90 days or less, up to and including November 30,  2023, who applied for a renewal but have not yet received their visa renewal outcome by February 23, 2024, must depart from South Africa on or before February 29, 2024.