Tag Archives: Haryana

Malaysia Airlines enhances Kuala Lumpur-Amritsar frequency

In a boost to international connectivity of Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Malaysia Airlines has increased its flight frequency between Kuala Lumpur from four weekly flights to daily services, since August 1.

Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener, FlyAmritsar Initiative, and Yogesh Kamra, Convener for India, have lauded the airlines move. “The increased flights by Malaysia Airlines, along with the existing four weekly flights by Air Asia X and three weekly flights by Batik Air, have significantly boosted seat capacity between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar. In addition to travellers from Punjab, these 28 weekly flights will also cater to passengers from neighbouring states such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Haryana,” said Gumtala.

EaseMyTrip opens office in Gurugram

EaseMyTrip.com has opened its new office in Gurugram, Haryana. This strategic move highlights a key milestone in the brand’s expansion journey.

Located in the prime region of Institutional Area, Sector 32, Gurugram, the new office resonates with EaseMyTrip’s commitment to its customers for offering exceptional services. The new office will support the company’s integral operations.

Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, said, “We are thrilled to open doors to a new office in the Millennium City of India, Gurugram. This is an opportunity for us to expand our presence. We welcome talent from all walks of life to join our company and support us in our larger vision of transforming the travel and tourism industry with our high-end offerings and exceptional team.”

With offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Noida, EaseMyTrip has a strong presence across the country. The brand also has a significant overseas presence with offices (as subsidiary companies) in the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the USA, London, New Zealand, and the UAE. The new office in Gurugram is part of its larger vision to expand its footprints and bridge the market gaps with its travel booking services.

 

AI Express to operate 28 weekly flights from NCR’s Hindon airport from Aug 1

Air India Express will start operating flights from Ghaziabad’s Hindon Airport, which will make it the only carrier to operate from two airports in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The airline will operate a total of 28 direct flights between Hindon and Bengaluru, Goa, and Kolkata from August 1, the carrier said.

“Besides operating over 280 flights a week from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi, AIX (Air India Express) will be operating from Hindon Airport, ensuring enhanced connectivity to/from other cities in Western UP, Uttarakhand and Haryana,” the airline said.

Air India Express will operate two daily return flights from Bengaluru and a daily return flight each from Kolkata and Goa to the Hindon airport.

“Our network expansion is focussed on enhancing connectivity across the rapidly growing domestic and short-haul international market, particularly the new and underserved routes. The maturity and size of major metropolitan areas in India can support secondary airports, spreading the benefits of air connectivity and further stimulating growth…The new services will complement our operations from the primary airport serving Delhi NCR, providing convenient options,” said Aloke Singh, MD, Air India Express.

 

ATOAI, Hanifl & IMF conduct Adventure Guide Training Programme

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) in partnership with the Hanifl Centre and Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), has concluded its Adventure Guide Training Programme, an initiative aimed at empowering industry professionals with cutting-edge skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic world of adventure tourism.

The programme spanning four days was conducted in three batches at the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) from April 10 to April 21, 2024. The programme brought together adventure guides and industry stakeholders from various parts of the country; Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

The seasoned experts from the Hanifl Centre had prepared a comprehensive curriculum encompassing various aspects of adventure guiding such as Wilderness First aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Leave No Trace (LNT), Risk management, Leadership, sustainability and environmental conservation. They engaged in a combination of theoretical sessions, practical workshops and field exercises, gaining hands-on experience and exposure to real-world scenarios to hone their skills. Industry veterans and subject matter experts shared valuable insights, best practices and anecdotes, enhancing the learning journey and motivating participants to pursue excellence.

Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, expressed his delight at the overwhelming response and the caliber of participants in the programme. He remarked, “The Adventure Guide Training Programme serves as a cornerstone in our efforts to elevate the standards of adventure tourism in India. By providing guides with vital skills and cultivating a professional ethos, we are not just improving the safety of adventure tourists but also bolstering the sustainable advancement of the industry. ATOAI is grateful to Mr. Akshay Shah, Director Hanifl Centre and Col. Vijay Singh, VSM, President, Indian Mountaineering Foundation for their support.”

In addition to enhancing technical competencies, the programme emphasised the importance of responsible tourism practices, environmental stewardship, and cultural sensitivity. Participants were encouraged to uphold ethical standards, respect local communities, and minimize their ecological footprint, aligning with ATOAI’s commitment to promoting sustainable adventure tourism.

Participants were awarded 4 international certificates: Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EAI), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Leave No Trace (LNT) Awareness Certificate.

As the adventure tourism sector continues to thrive in India, ATOAI remains committed to its mission to nurture a skilled workforce capable of providing exceptional experiences, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism and sustainability.

ATOAI endeavors to conduct similar events in all adventure tourism hubs, commencing from July 2024.

InterGlobe partners with Archer Aviation for starting electric air taxis in India

InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company IndiGo, and US-based Archer Aviation will launch an all-electric air taxi service in India in 2026, that will carry passengers from Connaught Place in the national capital to Gurugram in Haryana in just 7 minutes.

Archer Aviation will supply 200 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can carry four passengers besides a pilot and operate just like helicopters but with lesser noise and better safety.

Besides Delhi, the joint venture between InterGlobe and Archer Aviation will launch similar services in Mumbai and Bengaluru to start with. The cost of the seven-minute flight operated with the company’s five-seater eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft from Connaught Place to Gurugram in Haryana could be around INR 2,000 to 3,000, according to Archer Aviation executives.

Archer Aviation Founder and CEO Founder & CEO Adam Goldstein said discussions are going on with the US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the certification process for its aircraft is at an advanced stage. The certification is expected next year and once that is in place, the process will be initiated for the certification by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

In an interview with PTI in the national capital, Goldstein said the company expects to start flights in India in 2026 and aims to have 200 of its Midnight planes for the operations. Initially, Archer Aviation will be focusing on Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. With its flight, the duration will be around 7 minutes from Connaught Place in Delhi to Gurugram and the cost could be INR 2,000 to 3,000.

In a car, for the 27-kilometre distance, it would take around 90 minutes and the cost would be about INR 1,500, according to Goldstein. The five-seater Midnight aircraft will be able to accommodate the pilot and four passengers. The plane, which will have six battery packs, will get fully charged in 30-40 minutes and one minute charge broadly translates to one minute of flight, its Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel said.

Archer Aviation will be having a joint venture with InterGlobe Enterprises and the final contours are being worked out. The US company is also in discussions with various municipalities with respect to infrastructure and other aspects of the flight operations. Goel said it will use the full strength of InterGlobe, which is a conglomerate, and the joint venture might choose partners for the eVTOL operations in India. Discussions are also going on with respect to the real estate space required for vertiports or the launchpads and other infrastructure for starting the flight operations.

Archer Aviation will be opening its manufacturing facility in the US this year and initially, it will have a capacity to produce up to 650 planes and the same will be enhanced to 2,000 planes. To a query on whether the company will be looking at manufacturing the planes in India in the future, Goldstein replied in the affirmative.

 

EaseMyTrip opens second Gurgaon franchise

 

EaseMyTrip.com unveiled its latest franchise outlet in Gurugram, Haryana, marking a stride in its nationwide expansion endeavor. Located at Shop No. 14, First Floor, M3M Tee Point, Sector 65, Gurugram, this establishment represents EaseMyTrip’s commitment to augmenting travel service accessibility through a blend of online and offline channels.

Nestled in the bustling sector 65, renowned for its commercial vibrancy and connectivity, the new franchise is poised to cater to the escalating travel requirements of Gurugram’s diverse populace. Embodying EaseMyTrip’s vibrant brand ethos, the store offers a welcoming ambiance for customers seeking expert travel guidance and personalised assistance.

The Gurugram franchise will offer a comprehensive array of travel solutions, encompassing flight and hotel bookings, bus and railway tickets, group travel arrangements, luxury getaways, cruises, charters, visa application aid, and other travel essentials, ensuring a seamless journey from inception to completion.

Reflecting on the inauguration, Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip, expressed, “Our foray into Gurugram with a second franchise at M3M Tee Point transcends merely opening another outlet; it’s about ingraining ourselves within the community and rendering top-notch travel planning accessible to all. We aim to demystify travel, extending our expertise and bespoke services right to your doorstep. This new outlet underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering unmatched travel experiences, epitomising our dedication to understanding and fulfilling our customers’ distinct travel requisites. We’re not merely selling travel; we’re crafting memories, one journey at a time.”

Having introduced its flagship brand, EaseMyTrip Franchise, early last year, EaseMyTrip has since inaugurated 12 offline outlets under its franchising model across India, the latest being in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. Launching stores via the franchising route aligns with the company’s strategic expansion blueprint.