Author Archives: TBM Staff - Mumbai

DGCA steps in amid Maha Kumbh airfare surge; allows 80+ flights to meet demand

Amid soaring airfares for flights to Prayagraj due to the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have taken decisive steps to regulate ticket prices and enhance connectivity.

The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, has driven unprecedented demand for air travel to Prayagraj. Reports indicate a sharp 21% increase in ticket prices for Delhi-Prayagraj flights, with fares spiking further around key ‘snan‘ (bathing) dates.

In response, the DGCA held a high-level meeting with airlines, instructing them to rationalise fares and expand capacity. Over 80 new flights have been approved to address the surge in demand, including 17 specifically added for the Kumbh season, increasing Prayagraj’s air connectivity from 8 to 15 destinations.

Enhanced Facilities for Travellers
Prayagraj Airport has been upgraded significantly for the event, including the launch of night services for the first time in 106 years. To improve last-mile connectivity, the airport has partnered with the Uttar Pradesh government to introduce city bus services for passengers.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu emphasised that airlines have been sensitized to ensure reasonable pricing. The DGCA has established a Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU) to oversee airfares on key domestic routes and prevent excessive charges.

“The government has been actively engaging with airlines and online ticketing agents to ensure fair pricing and prompt refunds for passengers,” the minister stated during the winter session of Parliament. He added that airfares in 2024 have moderated compared to 2023 due to continuous oversight.

With these measures, the government aims to provide affordable and convenient travel options for the millions of pilgrims attending the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.

Kailash Mansarovar is a religious pilgrimage for Indians.

India, China to resume Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra & direct flights

India and China have decided to resume the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights between the two countries, signaling efforts to rebuild bilateral ties. The agreement was reached during two days of foreign secretary-level talks in Beijing, where Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri participated in discussions with his Chinese counterparts.

The yatra, a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, has been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strained relations following the Galwan Valley clash. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, a mechanism will discuss the modalities of resuming the pilgrimage under existing agreements, with plans to restart it by summer.

Both sides also agreed in principle to resume direct air services. Technical teams from India and China will meet soon to negotiate an updated framework for these flights.

These developments are part of a broader effort to stabilize and strengthen ties, following an understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan last October. The focus remains on implementing people-centric measures to enhance bilateral relations.

The two nations also plan to convene an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss resuming hydrological data sharing and cooperation on trans-border rivers.

During his visit, Foreign Secretary Misri met with key Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Liu Jianchao.

 

Penang partners with EaseMyTrip

 

Penang has partnered with EaseMyTrip to enhance its presence in the Indian travel market, leveraging the company’s digital reach and market expertise. As part of this collaboration, EaseMyTrip will create a dedicated Penang page on its Malaysia microsite, showcasing the destination’s attractions, itineraries, and cultural highlights. Blogs, videos, and curated content will be tailored for diverse traveller groups, including families, honeymooners, and solo adventurers. Jointly funded marketing campaigns will further amplify Penang’s appeal, positioning it as a top destination for Indian tourists.

The partnership focuses on niche tourism markets like destination weddings, wellness tourism, and MICE travel, with EaseMyTrip crafting customised itineraries to target these segments. Additionally, data analytics will provide insights into Indian traveller preferences, seasonal trends, and high-demand periods, enabling the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) to refine marketing efforts and expand its reach in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Exclusive Penang offers will also be integrated into EaseMyTrip’s loyalty programs to encourage repeat visits.

This collaboration highlights Penang’s diverse attractions across demographics, from its rich cultural heritage to world-class modern facilities. EaseMyTrip’s expertise in customer engagement and PCEB’s commitment to sustainable tourism align to make Penang a go-to destination for Indian travellers. The initiative also supports innovative promotional strategies to bolster cultural and economic ties between India and Penang.

According to Nishant Pitti, Chairman of EaseMyTrip, this partnership will redefine travel experiences for Indian tourists. Similarly, YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang’s State Executive Councillor for Tourism, emphasised the importance of this collaboration in boosting India’s outbound travel market. The two-year partnership underscores a shared vision of driving sustainable tourism and delivering immersive travel experiences.

Travel & Hospitality Sector in India Projecting 8.2% Net Employment Change in HY2 FY2025: TeamLease Report

 

TeamLease Services has released its Employment Outlook Report for HY2 (October-March) FY2024-25, showcasing promising hiring trends in the travel and hospitality sector. The report highlights that 66% of surveyed companies plan to expand their workforce, with a Net Employment Change (NEC) of 8.2% projected for this period. This robust growth reflects the sector’s recovery and transformation, driven by smart tourism technologies, a resurgence of MICE activities, and a commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

India’s travel and tourism industry, contributing 9% to the GDP in 2024—equivalent to over USD 11 trillion—has seen a 12% year-on-year growth. Domestic travel is booming, fueled by religious tourism and the rise of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities as travel hubs. Government initiatives like the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD Schemes, along with investments in airport infrastructure and regional connectivity, are further accelerating the sector’s expansion. Internationally, Indian travellers are making their mark, driving demand for personalized and eco-friendly travel services, prompting companies to focus on recruiting talent skilled in sustainability and digital innovation.

Hiring demand is notably strong in tier-1 cities like Mumbai (58%), Hyderabad (54%), and Ahmedabad (49%), with emerging employment hubs in tier-2 and tier-3 cities such as Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, and Jaipur. New locations like Pune (18%), Visakhapatnam (15%), and Kochi (13%) are also gaining prominence. Sales roles dominate hiring intentions at 76%, followed by marketing (46%), office services (35%), and ICT positions (18%). Engineering and blue-collar jobs are also in demand, reflecting the sector’s operational and technological advancements.

Balasubramanian A, Senior VP and Business Head, TeamLease Services, emphasized, “The positive hiring intent by 66% of companies in the travel and hospitality sector highlights the industry’s evolution. Businesses are preparing to cater to eco-conscious, experience-driven travellers, with tier-2 and tier-3 cities emerging as key employment hubs alongside metros.” As the sector grows, its focus on sustainability and innovation ensures alignment with global trends, positioning it as a vital contributor to India’s economy and a dynamic generator of employment opportunities.

Air India Express to launch flights from Hindon Airport starting March 1

Air India Express will begin operations from Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad on March 1, 2025, making it the first airline in India to operate from two airports in the National Capital Region (NCR). The announcement was made on Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the low-cost carrier.

New Routes and Inaugural Fares
The airline will offer direct flights from Hindon to Bengaluru, Goa, and Kolkata, providing an alternative for NCR travelers. Bookings are now open, with inaugural fares set at:
• ₹4,400 for Hindon–Kolkata
• ₹4,900 for Hindon–Goa and Goa–Hindon
• ₹5,500 for Kolkata–Hindon
• ₹6,000 for Bengaluru–Hindon
• ₹6,200 for Hindon–Bengaluru

Flights will operate daily, except Saturdays, ensuring regular connectivity for passengers.

Expanding Access for Regional Travellers

Hindon Airport’s proximity to Delhi offers faster access to key areas in the NCR and makes air travel more accessible for residents of western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. An Air India Express spokesperson emphasized that this expansion aligns with the airline’s goal of reaching underserved markets and catering to aspiring travelers.

Hindon Airport’s Growing Role

The Hindon Civil Enclave, managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at Hindon Air Force Station, was established to handle domestic flights under the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). Currently, Star Air operates limited services to Kalaburagi and Hubli from Hindon.

Air India Express’ entry into Hindon is expected to boost the airport’s role as a key regional hub, offering expanded travel options for NCR and nearby regions.

 

Nok Air makes debut on GDS with Sabre platform

Sabre Corporation is adding content from Nok Air, one of Thailand’s prominent budget carriers, to its Global Distribution System (GDS).

By joining Sabre’s extensive travel marketplace, Nok Air will be able to enhance its visibility among travel agencies, corporate buyers, and travellers, driving bookings and revenue growth. The addition of Nok Air’s content reinforces Sabre’s commitment to delivering an extensive range of low-cost carrier options, empowering its travel agency partners to craft the most compelling offers for their customers.

“We’re thrilled to bring Nok Air’s extensive route network and service offerings to a wider audience through Sabre,” said Wutthiphum Jurangkool, CEO, Nok Air. “By making our content available via Sabre’s GDS, we’re broadening our global and market segment reach and ensuring both leisure and corporate travellers have more ways to discover and book our flights.”

Established in 2004, the airline operates an extensive network within Thailand and to key destinations in the region. Additionally, Nok Air offers connecting flights through code-share partnerships and fly-n-ferry services, providing travellers access to islands in Thailand that aren’t connected via air. Sabre’s multi-source content platform enables travel agencies to intuitively compare, shop, book, and service all types of content, including traditional EDIFACT offers, New Distribution Capability (NDC), and low-cost carrier.

“This is the first time that Nok Air has offered its content through a GDS which is testament to the value Sabre’s global marketplace brings for our airline and agency partners,” said Brett Thorstad, Vice President, Agency Sales and Airline Distribution, Asia Pacific, Sabre. “By adding Nok Air to our growing portfolio of budget carrier content, we’re expanding the range of options available through Sabre’s multi-source content platform and enabling the airline to connect with new audiences through our global travel marketplace.”