Author Archives: TBM Staff - Mumbai

Oman Air & SalamAir expand partnership for more travel choices

 

Oman Air and SalamAir leadership recently met to mark the launch of their latest codeshare partnership, enhancing travel options within Oman and beyond. The meeting focused on the airlines’ future prospects as national carriers and their shared commitment to supporting Oman’s tourism goals as part of the country’s 2040 Vision.

Con Korfiatis, CEO, Oman Air, expressed excitement about the expanded partnership, stating that it enables the airlines to jointly offer more travel choices and schedule options, benefiting customers and supporting the country’s tourism ambitions.

Adrian Hamilton-Manns CEO, SalamAir , echoed this sentiment, emphasising the airlines’ shared commitment to providing passengers with unparalleled travel options and superior service. He noted that the partnership aligns with the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology’s sentiments and the overarching vision of Oman 2040, reinforcing their commitment to driving excellence in the aviation sector and promoting Oman as a premier travel destination.

The first phase of the partnership, effective July 4, 2024, allows passengers to book travel on a selection of SalamAir’s routes connecting to Oman Air’s network, with additional destinations to be added following successful implementation.

PhonePe partners with PickMe facilitating cashless rides for Indian travellers in Sri Lanka

 

Indian digital payment giant PhonePe has teamed up with Sri Lankan ride-hailing platform PickMe. This partnership enables Indian tourists in Sri Lanka to pay for PickMe rides using PhonePe’s UPI payment system, promoting cashless transactions and enhancing travel convenience.

Background and Launch
The partnership comes on the heels of PhonePe’s recent launch in Sri Lanka, which was supported by Indian High Commissioner H.E. Santosh Jha. Jha advocated for collaboration between Sri Lankan and Indian companies to develop the UPI network.

This initiative is part of PhonePe’s broader strategy to extend its international reach and serve the increasing number of Indian tourists in Sri Lanka.

Enhanced Travel Experience
Jiffry Zulfer, CEO, PickMe, noted that PickMe is currently the only ride-hailing service in Sri Lanka offering UPI payments for Indian travelers. This feature aims to make transportation in Sri Lanka more convenient, safe, and cost-effective. By integrating QR payments, PickMe simplifies travel for tourists and creates additional revenue opportunities for drivers.

Strategic Benefits for PhonePe
Ritesh Pai, CEO, International Payments at PhonePe, highlighted the company’s dedication to providing secure and convenient payment solutions for Indian travelers. The partnership is expected to boost transaction volumes and user retention for PhonePe, aligning with its strategy to diversify product offerings and expand its international presence.

Recent Expansion Efforts
The collaboration with PickMe is part of a series of recent expansions by PhonePe. In April, PhonePe partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board to enable UPI payments for Indian visitors in Singapore. Domestically, PhonePe has ventured into secured lending and the merchant lending space, collaborating with banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and other fintech firms.

Financial Performance
In FY23, PhonePe’s operating revenue surged 77% year-on-year to INR 2,914 crore, while its net loss increased by 39% to INR 2,795.3 crore. Despite the losses, PhonePe maintains a dominant position in the UPI ecosystem in India, holding a 48.87% market share as of May.

Noida International Airport eyes Asia-Pacific transit hub status

 

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that the Noida International Airport is being developed based on the Zurich Airport model in Switzerland, aiming to enhance passenger and flight handling capabilities to world-class standards. The greenfield airport is being constructed in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddh Nagar district, approximately 75 kilometers from Delhi, and will be the second international airport in the National Capital Region, alongside Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The Noida International Airport at Jewar is being developed as the country’s first transit hub, with aspirations to develop it into an Asia Pacific transit hub, a first for India. The government has expedited the processes for issuing licenses, managing operations, and appointing staff and consultants at the airport through an e-tendering system.

Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), entirely owned by Zurich Airport International AG, is dedicated to developing the airport in accordance with the standards set by the Uttar Pradesh and central governments.

The Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) and local industrial development authorities are accelerating various projects, including completing the airport’s development and operations and building the basic infrastructure around the facility. Applications are being solicited for hiring personnel for electrical maintenance and canteen management, as well as for issuing licenses for the design, development, commissioning, financing, and operation of fuel stations at the airport. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) have been issued to expedite the licensing process for establishing electric vehicle charging stations.

Construction is ongoing for the first phase of airport development, covering an area of over 1,300 hectares. The entire airport is planned to be developed across 5,000 hectares in four phases. A detailed action plan has been swiftly implemented in line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision for the comprehensive development of the Jewar Airport.

Uttar Pradesh invests in rural tourism with new partnerships (MOUs)

 

In a significant step towards enhancing rural tourism and sustainable livelihoods in Uttar Pradesh, two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed at the UP Tourism Directorate in Lucknow. The MOUs were signed by Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Uttar Pradesh, Deepa Ranjan, Mission Director, UPSRLM, Eesha Priya, Special Secretary, Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, and other distinguished guests.

The first MOU was signed between the Directorate of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, and the State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM). This five-year agreement aims to promote tourism and develop tourism infrastructure while empowering rural communities through sustainable livelihood development and improved access to financial services.

Under the MOU, the Directorate of Tourism will focus on identifying and addressing infrastructure gaps in selected villages, developing tourism infrastructure, mobilising communities for tourism activities, organising capacity-building programs, and promoting homestays. UPSRLM, on the other hand, will identify potential Self-Help Groups (SHGs), mobilise communities, and build the capacity of SHG members through training programs.

The second MOU was signed between UPSRLM and Manyawar Kanshiram Institute of Tourism Management, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh. This partnership aims to develop a sustainable model for promoting food service enterprises in the state. UPSRLM will develop replicable models of sustainable food service enterprises with technical support from the Institute.

The initiatives aim to transform the state’s tourism landscape and create a vibrant tourism ecosystem that benefits both tourists and local communities. Promoting rural tourism will significantly boost local economies, provide diverse livelihood opportunities, and enhance infrastructure to host a variety of tourism experiences. To this end, 229 villages have already been identified for tourism development. These efforts will empower rural communities through skill development training and promoting their art, craft, culture, and cuisine.

Jaiveer Singh, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Uttar Pradesh, emphasised that these MOUs are a proof of the state’s commitment to elevating the entire tourism ecosystem. Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Uttar Pradesh, noted that the collaboration with UPSRLM and Manyawar Kanshiram Institute is a significant stride towards sustainable tourism and community empowerment. Deepa Ranjan, Mission Director, UPSRLM, added that the partnership will empower rural communities by integrating them into the tourism value chain, creating new opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development. Eesha Priya, Special Secretary, Tourism, stated that the synergy between tourism development and rural livelihood enhancement is crucial for the holistic growth of the state.

Mumbai Airport to Begin Work on Underground Tunnel Linking T1 and T2 After Monsoon

Mumbai Airport to Begin Work on Underground Tunnel Linking T1 and T2 After Monsoon

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai is set to begin the next phase of augmenting its physical infrastructure after the monsoon season. The operator, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), recently informed airlines that it will commence work on the underground tunnel to link the T1 and T2 airsides within the next three to six months, according to sources who attended a presentation made by MIAL.

The big wave of development at CSMIA will commence after the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) becomes operational by next March. At that time, many facilities, including hangars, cargo, and general aviation, will be shifted to NMIA. Several aircraft parking stands will be created in the vacated space at CSMIA, and Terminal 1 (T1) will be demolished to make way for a new terminal.

While the major phase of development will start after NMIA becomes operational, work to augment infrastructure at CSMIA is likely to begin before the new hub is ready. Airlines were informed that tunnel work will commence this year, depending on the severity of the monsoon season.

The proposed S-shaped underground tunnel under the runways has been postponed for many years, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic crippling air travel when MIAL, then backed by GVK, deferred capital expenditure of about INR 3,000 crore on many projects, including this tunnel. In 2021, the Adani Group took over MIAL, thereby gaining the right to build NMIA.

The focus is also on augmenting infrastructure at CSMIA, which is not a single campus but a disjointed one, where airside transfer of passengers between T1 and T2 is not currently possible. The capacity of T2 is also being expanded to accommodate the growing passenger traffic.

Madhya Pradesh tourism board launches PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Sewa scheme

 

In a significant move to boost tourism in the state, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is launching the PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Sewa scheme to connect important tourist destinations via air. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the service on June 13, offering a 50% discount for the first month.

The air connectivity will be improved through the PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Sewa, which will commence operations from June 13, connecting eight cities in Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Ujjain, Gwalior, Singrauli, and Khajuraho. The service will also start from Gwalior on June 15 and then from Ujjain on June 16.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the PM Shri air tourism service at Bhopal Airport, with the inaugural flight following the route Bhopal-Jabalpur-Rewa-Singrauli. To facilitate online ticket booking, the Flyola website has been developed and was launched by the chief minister on Tuesday. Booking counters have also been set up at the airports in Indore, Bhopal, and Jabalpur to make it convenient for tourists to book their tickets.

Principal Secretary (Tourism) Sheo Shekhar Shukla emphasised that the tourism department is constantly innovating to enhance connectivity between the state’s tourist destinations and improve tourism facilities. He stated, “PM Shri Tourism Air Service will prove to be a milestone for the tourism sector of the state. It is beneficial for the tourism sector as well as industry, trade, health, education, and the promotion of culture and art.”

Currently, the PM Shri Tourism Air Service connects eight cities in Madhya Pradesh, but there are plans to expand the service to more cities in the near future. This expansion will further improve connectivity and make it easier for tourists to explore the various attractions that Madhya Pradesh has to offer, including the rich cultural heritage of the state.