Author Archives: TBM Staff - Mumbai

Akasa Air starts daily flights to Prayagraj from Delhi & Mumbai

Akasa Air ramped up its connectivity to Prayagraj with special flights from four Indian cities in addition to its daily direct services from Mumbai and Delhi to cater to the increased travel demand during the Maha Kumbh 2025.

Between January 27th and February 28th, 2025, Akasa Air will operate daily flights connecting Prayagraj with Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru via Delhi.

Additionally, between January 28th, 2025, and February 26th, 2025, the airline will operate special direct flights connecting Ahmedabad and Bengaluru with Prayagraj, offering enhanced capacity and choices for travellers across the country. Bookings for special flights are now open on Akasa Air’s website www.akasaair.com, Android and iOS app and through multiple leading OTAs.

Commenting on the announcement Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air, said, “The Mahakumbh is one of the largest spiritual events in the world, and we understand the significance it holds for pilgrims. We are delighted to be able to support the movement of millions of devotees and bind the country together through enhanced, reliable and affordable travel options. The gathering will also provide boost to the local economy in Prayagraj and these additional flights will further provide impetus to this growth. We look forward to hosting travellers, and hope they enjoy the Akasa experience.”

 

 

Flight Schedule:

 

Flt.

Numb er

 From City (Airport) Departure Time Arrival Time Via Departure Time Arrival Time Flt.

Number

 To City (Airport) Frequency
27th January 2025- 28th February 2025 (Via Delhi)  
QP

1807

 Pune 07:30hrs 09:45hrs Delhi 10:50hrs 12:15hrs QP 1807 Prayagraj Daily
QP

1808

 Prayagraj 12:50hrs 14:20hrs Delhi 15:00hrs 17:15hrs QP 1808 Pune Daily
QP

1405

 Hyderabad 05:50hrs 08:10hrs Delhi 10:50hrs 12:15hrs QP 1807 Prayagraj Daily
QP

1808

 Prayagraj 12:50hrs 14:20hrs Delhi 20:50hrs 23:05hrs QP 1409 Hyderabad Daily
QP

1359

 Bengaluru 05:00hrs 07:50hrs Delhi 10:50hrs 12:15hrs QP 1807 Prayagraj Daily
QP

1145

 Ahmedabad 05:40hrs 07:20hrs Delhi 10:50hrs 12:15hrs QP 1807 Prayagraj Daily
QP

1808

 Prayagraj 12:50hrs 14:20hrs Delhi 18:40hrs 20:20hrs QP 1334 Ahmedabad Daily
QP

1808

 Prayagraj 12:50hrs 14:20hrs Delhi 19:45hrs 22:30hrs QP 1630 Goa Daily

 

Flt. Number From City

(Airport)

 Departure Time Arrival Time To City

(Airport)

 Frequency
28th January- 26th February 2025 (Direct)
QP 1852 Ahmedabad 10:50hrs 12:30hrs Prayagraj Tue, Wed
QP 1853 Prayagraj 13:10hrs 15:00hrs Ahmedabad Tue, Wed
QP 1852 Ahmedabad 10:35hrs 12:20hrs Prayagraj Tue, Wed
QP 1853 Prayagraj 12:55hrs 14:45hrs Ahmedabad Tue, Wed
15th February – 25th February 2025 (Direct)
QP 1494 Ahmedabad 14:50hrs 16:55hrs Prayagraj Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun
QP 1412 Bengaluru 08:40hrs 11:10hrs Prayagraj Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun
QP 1412 Bengaluru 14:30hrs 17:00hrs Prayagraj Wednesday
QP 1493 Prayagraj 11:50hrs 13:50hrs Ahmedabad Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun
QP 1413 Prayagraj 17:35hrs 20:05hrs Bengaluru Daily

Air India to resume Delhi-Tel Aviv flights from March 2

Delhi travellers can look forward to the restoration of direct Air India flights to Tel Aviv, with operations resuming on March 2, 2025. The announcement comes as international airlines gradually restore connectivity to Israel following a ceasefire in the region.

The ceasefire, which has held steady since November 27, 2024, marks a period of relative calm after 15 months of intense conflict involving Hezbollah in northern Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The resumption of Air India’s services is expected to strengthen ties and facilitate travel between India and Israel.

Global Airlines Reconnecting with Israel
Several international carriers have also announced plans to resume operations to Tel Aviv:
• Air France will restart daily Paris-Tel Aviv flights this Saturday, with increased frequency planned.
• Transavia France, Air France-KLM’s low-cost subsidiary, resumes flights on January 28.
• The Lufthansa Group will gradually restore flights to Tel Aviv starting February 1, 2025, through its airlines Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings.
• British Airways will resume daily London-Tel Aviv flights on April 5, 2025.
• Ryanair has confirmed a full summer schedule to Israel following its suspension of services in February 2024.

The return of these flights reflects growing stability and confidence in the region’s recovery, bolstered by recent ceasefires and truce agreements.

The resumption of Air India’s Delhi-Tel Aviv flights is seen as a significant step in reconnecting India and Israel, fostering travel and trade in the post-conflict period.

India to build 50 new airports, position Delhi as global aviation hub

In a significant move to transform the nation’s aviation landscape, India plans to build 50 new airports over the next five years and establish Delhi as a global aviation hub within two years.
The announcement was made by Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025, outlining the government’s strategy to meet the surging demand for air travel and enhance India’s position on the global aviation stage.

India’s aviation sector has experienced unprecedented growth, achieving an annual rate of over 10% in the past decade and becoming the third-largest domestic aviation market globally. Minister Naidu highlighted the country’s potential to attract global investors and stakeholders eager to tap into its burgeoning aviation ecosystem.

The government’s ambitious five-year plan includes not only increasing the number of airports but also upgrading passenger services through cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions.

Central to India’s aviation strategy is the transformation of Delhi into a major international aviation hub. Citing its strategic location as a gateway between East and West, Naidu revealed ongoing discussions with airlines and international partners to boost connectivity and establish Delhi as a pivotal player in global air travel.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of India’s aviation future. The government aims to achieve 1% blending of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in international flights by 2027, increasing to 5% by 2030. Plans to produce 5 million tonnes of SAF are underway, reflecting India’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and setting an example for the global aviation industry.

India’s aviation expansion also emphasises the hub-and-spoke model to improve connections between domestic and international destinations. Collaboration with other ministries and stakeholders is being prioritized to ensure seamless execution of these plans.

With growing interest from international players, India is actively seeking partnerships to introduce advanced aviation technologies and improve efficiency across the sector. Naidu expressed confidence in the nation’s ability to attract global investments, citing its strategic location and market potential as key drivers.

As India gears up to redefine its aviation sector, the next few years are expected to be transformative. With new infrastructure, a focus on sustainability, and Delhi’s emergence as a global aviation hub, India is poised to set the stage for the future of air travel.

Air India appoints GSA in Philippines

 

Air India has announced the appointment of Airesources Incorporated as its General Sales Agent (GSA) for the passenger business in the Philippines. Airesources, Inc. will manage reservations, ticketing, marketing, and comprehensive passenger sales support on behalf of Air India. This collaboration aims to provide personalised and seamless service to travel agents and customers in the region, enhancing Air India’s accessibility and service quality.

The partnership is expected to boost passenger traffic from the Philippines to Air India’s extensive network across Southeast Asia and beyond. Ella Sanchez, President of Airesources, Inc., expressed commitment to strengthening Air India’s presence in the Philippines, leveraging their industry expertise and customer-centric approach to showcase Air India’s services effectively.

Air India currently operates non-stop flights between India and six Southeast Asian destinations, including Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur. These services also offer convenient one-stop connections to Europe, the United States, and Canada through its hubs in Delhi and Mumbai, catering to a wide range of passenger needs.

With its growing fleet and ongoing modernisation, Air India is transforming its onboard experience and expanding its global reach. The airline recently confirmed an order for 100 Airbus aircraft, adding to the 470 aircraft ordered in 2023, bringing the total to 570. This extensive fleet expansion reflects Air India’s commitment to providing world-class travel experiences to its passengers.

Goa gears up for festivals

 

Goa is gearing up for its most awaited festivals—Shigmotsav, Carnaval, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti. Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte and GTDC officials conducted meetings to ensure the success of these events, focusing on logistics, coordination, and promotional strategies to attract locals and tourists.

The Carnaval will run from February 28 to March 4, 2025, with grand parades across Porvorim, Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa, and Morjim. The Shigmo Festival will follow from March 15 to March 29, showcasing colorful parades in 19 locations, starting in Ponda and culminating in Porvorim.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti will be celebrated on February 19, 2025, at multiple centers, with INR 5 lakh grants allocated to facilitate the celebrations. Additionally, prize funds for minor Shigmo centers were increased by INR 50,000.

These festivals highlight Goa’s cultural heritage, with vibrant music, dance, and artistic traditions, promising an unforgettable experience for all while boosting tourism.

JourneyLabel partners with Visit Utah

 

JourneyLabel, a curator of transformative travel experiences, announces its partnership with Visit Utah, featuring choreographer Salman Yusuff Khan and actor Abhinav Shukla. Together, they will uncover Utah’s hidden treasures through bespoke journeys designed to captivate travellers.

Since its inception in 2017, JourneyLabel has built a reputation for transforming destinations into personalised narratives, offering travellers experiences beyond the ordinary. Notable personalities from India’s entertainment industry, including Salman and Abhinav, have embraced the company’s vision for distinctive and extraordinary travel.

“Every journey reflects our commitment to the extraordinary,” says Yasmin Ikrami, Founder and CEO, JourneyLabel. “This partnership with Visit Utah highlights our dedication to creating meaningful travel experiences. From exclusive moments with local artisans to hidden Utah viewpoints, we curate journeys that resonate personally.”

With headquarters in Mumbai’s Breach Candy and offices in Andheri and Wyoming, USA, JourneyLabel’s team of explorers specialises in crafting rare, luxurious adventures. “Our passion for authenticity drives every journey we create,” explains Sufail Husain, Co-founder of JourneyLabel. “Through this partnership, we showcase how Utah can become a canvas for personal discovery.”

Salman Yusuff Khan and Abhinav Shukla’s journey through Utah exemplifies JourneyLabel’s expertise. “True luxury lies in the uniqueness of each experience,” shares Salman. “JourneyLabel turns destinations into personal narratives,” adds Abhinav, reflecting the essence of this collaboration.