Category Archives: Trade News

Air India to operate non-stop Delhi-Kuala Lumpur flights from Sept 15

Air India will start non-stop services between Delhi and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, starting September 15, 2024.

Using its two-class configured Airbus A320neo aircraft, Air India will operate daily on the new route.

The new route will further strengthen Air India’s network of destinations in Southeast Asia, offer a new flight option to an increasing number of travellers between India and Malaysia, and open new connections for Malaysian travellers to access Air India’s global route network.

“We are happy to support the fast-growing tourism and trade corridor between India and Malaysia with this new daily service,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer, Air India.

“Leveraging our robust global network, this route will not only serve travellers flying between the two nations, but also offer convenient one-stop connections for travellers from Europe and North America seeking to explore the wonders of Malaysia.”

The new services to Kuala Lumpur will enable convenient one-stop connections via Delhi for travellers from the U.S., Canada, UK, and Europe.

 

SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI AND KUALA LUMPUR

Effective 15 SEPTEMBER 2024
Flight # Sector Departure Arrival Days of Operation
AI384 Delhi-Kuala Lumpur 1300 Hrs 2100 Hrs Daily
AI385 Kuala Lumpur-Delhi 0830 Hrs 1125 Hrs Daily

Departure and arrival times are displayed in local times. The schedule of AI385 Kuala Lumpur-Delhi is effective 16 September 2024.

Departure and arrival times are displayed in local times. The schedule of AI385 Kuala Lumpur-Delhi is effective 16 September 2024.

Currently, Air India flies non-stop between India and five points in Southeast Asia, namely Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Yangon (Myanmar).

The new flights are being progressively opened for bookings on airindia.com, and through travel agents worldwide.

 

India’s UPI Launches at Galeries Lafayette, Aims for Paris Olympics Boost

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has expanded its footprint to the heart of Paris, with the flagship store of Galeries Lafayette on Haussmann Boulevard now accepting UPI payments.
This landmark move is a step further in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of globalising UPI, which is an Indian instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016.

“On July 3, 2024, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) became live at the flagship store of the world-renowned Galeries Lafayette in Haussmann, Paris. This expands the acceptance of UPI in Paris after a successful launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower,” read a press release by Indian Embassy in France.

Ambassador of India to France and Principality of Monaco Jawed Ashraf launched UPI by live use at the store in the presence of Nicolas Houze, CEO of Galeries Lafayette, and Alain Lacour, Chairman of Lyra Group.

Recalling the success of the UPI launch at the Eiffel Tower in January 2024 and the meeting hosted for potential merchants with NPCI International in February 2024, the Ambassador welcomed the quick conclusion of the agreement and arrangement between Lyra and NPCI for the launch of UPI at the world-famous Galeries Lafayette ahead of the Paris Olympics starting July 26, 2024, which is expected to draw large number of Indian visitors.

“Ambassador recalled the first international launch of UPI in Singapore in 2018 by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and expressed satisfaction at the international journey of UPI,” the release also said.

He hoped that, in addition to quick, safe and efficient means of cross-border digital payments, UPI will grow as a medium of cross-border remittances and eventually become the digital payment system in countries across the world, it added.
As Paris gears up for the 2024 Olympics, this initiative aims to facilitate seamless transactions for a growing number of Indian visitors and underscores UPI’s evolving role as a global digital payment solution. (Source: ANI)

UP Tourism commits INR 4,415.55cr to aid religious tourism

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has embarked on a significant INR 4,415.55 crore initiative to develop spiritual, mythological, and religious sites across the state.

Starting from the fiscal year 2017-18 to 2023-24, foundational amenities have been established at key tourist destinations, anticipating the growing influx of domestic and international visitors.

The development includes the enhancement of facilities at 1,620 religious tourism spots, incorporating 140 projects that involve ghats and pilgrimage routes. Proposals for these initiatives have been received from legislators, Members of Parliament, and other public representatives.

The projects are underway in various locations, including Ayodhya, Vindhyachal Mirzapur, Naimisharanya Sitapur, Prayagraj, Maa Shakumbhari Devi Saharanpur and Shukratal Muzaffarnagar, report The Statesman.

UP Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, mentioned the major tourism development projects undertaken over the last 7 years.

He said in Ayodhya district, tourism development projects underway include establishing tourist facilities along the Chaudah Kosi Marg at a cost of INR 12.10 crore. Additionally, restoration and tourism infrastructure development work amounting to INR 19.19 crore are being carried out at 14 religious tourism sites such as Rishabh Sarabh Panaas Temple, Siyaram Fort, Digambar Akhara, Tulsi Chowk Temple, Kausalya Ghat Temple, Kaleram Temple, Nepali Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Vishwakarma Temple, Chhoti Devkali Temple, Mayur Temple, Bharat Mahal Temple, Ram Gulela Temple and Hanuman Temple.

Moreover, tourism development and construction work worth Rs 17.72 crore is focused on the Kundas along the Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Marg, while similar efforts costing Rs 18.29 crore are targeted at tourism sites along the Chaudah Kosi Parikrama Marg.

Furthermore, pilgrimage centres (Ashrams) along these routes are undergoing tourism development and construction work totaling INR 17.56 crore along with work worth INR 18.76 crore for the Panchakosi Parikrama Marg. Restoration and tourism infrastructure development projects amounting to INR 34.10 crore are being undertaken at 16 pilgrimage sites such as Kartaliya Baba Temple, Tiwari Temple, Ved Temple, Singham Temple, Garapur Temple, Maniram Das Ki Chavni Temple, Bareli Temple, Rang Mahal Temple, Sitaram Mahal Temple, Motihari Temple, Tedhi Yati Mahadev Temple, Ram Pustakalay Temple, Vidya Devi Temple, Devikali Kund, Shri Sarovar Temple, and Dhanakshya Kund.

In Prayagraj district, tourism development at Maharshi Bhardwaj Ashram located at Balsan Chauraha is underway with a budget of INR 13.35 crore. The tourism development of Nishadaraj Park in Shringaverpur Dham, Prayagraj, is being undertaken at a cost of INR 42.51 crore. In Mirzapur district, the construction of the Vindhya Corridor is progressing at a cost of Rs 128.95 crore. Enhancement of pilgrim facilities and corridor construction worth INR 47.96 crores is taking place near Lalita Devi Temple in Naimisharanya, Sitapur.

Under the overall Tourism Development Plan, the Panchakosi Parikrama Yatra Path is being developed with INR 41.20 crore and an additional INR 24.32 crore is allocated for tourism development in Varanasi.

In Mathura, a sound and light show, along with seating arrangements for spectators, is being constructed at the Shri Krishna Janmasthan at a cost of INR 15.86 crore. Additionally, the development of the Barsana Parikrama Marg is also being undertaken at an expenditure of INR 18.73 crore. About INR 45.33 crore has been allocated for the construction and development of Vasudev Vatika in Mathura, while INR 18.89 crore has been allocated for the development and strengthening of Mathura Parikrama.

The strengthening of the pilgrimage route and tourism facilities at Maa Shakumbhari Devi Shaktipeeth worth INR 16 crore are being carried out in Saharanpur. Consequently, the construction of TFC worth INR 22.16 crore and parking facilities worth Rs 18 crore are also taking place. In Muzaffarnagar district, the elevation of Ganga Ghat at Shukratal Dham is being done with INR 19.90 crore, and the construction of TFC and parking is underway worth INR 21.24 crore.

In Hapur district, integrated tourism facilities are being created at Braj Ghat Gadhmukteshwar with an allocation of INR 13.15 crore, and tourism development of the VIP Ghat, which has been allocated INR 11.35 crore.

Additionally, the tourism development of the TFC multicultural hub is underway with an allocation of INR 22.53 crore. In Chitrakoot district, comprehensive tourism development of Tulsidas Ji’s birthplace in Rajapur is being carried out at the cost of INR 20.89 crore. Furthermore, cultural rejuvenation, widening, and beautification of Ramghat in Chitrakoot are underway with an allocation of INR 24.10 crore. (Source: The Statesman)

 

THSC leadership meets with Skill Development Minister

Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), along with CEO Rajan Bahadur and Vivek Shandilya met the Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (I/C), Government of India, Jayant Chaudhary at Kaushal Bhavan, New Delhi.

During the meeting, the Minister talked about various scope in the field of Tourism and Hospitality, and how skilling can help youth to find meaningful employment opportunities.

Mayal and Bahadur briefly explained the various initiatives like PMKVY, PMVK and RTD being taken by THSC under the purview of MSDE and in guidance of NCVET & NSDC. More skilling with states, especially North East and Tourism Ministry were discussed and to meet again soon to plan a way forward.

 

Sri Lanka transfers management of Mattala Airport to India-Russia consortium

Sri Lanka’s Aviation Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva, has announced that the Mattala International Airport in Hambantota will be handed over to a joint India-Russia venture within the next few weeks.

The Mattala International Airport, once dubbed the “world’s emptiest airport” due to its lack of flights, was awarded to the India-Russia joint venture in April. This USD 209 million facility, built during former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s rule, has been a financial burden due to heavy losses, reports Financial Experss.

The joint venture, comprising Shaurya Aeronautics (Pvt) Ltd of India and Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia, was chosen after the Sri Lankan Cabinet approved the calling of Expressions of Interest in January. Out of five proposals received, the Cabinet-appointed consultative committee awarded a 30-year management contract to the India-Russia consortium.

The handover of Mattala Airport to the India-Russia joint venture is seen as a strategic move to turn around the airport’s fortunes and improve regional connectivity and economic prospects. (Source: Financial Express)

 

DGCA seeks report from Air India over chartered flight sent to Barbados for Team India

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sought a report from Air India after it operated a scheduled flight to fly out India’s victorious T20 World Cup team from Barbados.

DGCA’s step came following reports that the airline pulled out its Boeing 777 originally scheduled to operate a regular flight from Newark to Delhi for the trip out of Barbados, causing difficulties for passengers.

At least two DGCA officials confirmed the move. “The regulator has asked Air India to provide a report to establish the facts,” one of the DGCA officials close to the matter said.

The Air India spokesperson remained unavailable for a comment.

An airline official in the know of the matter said, “The airline that was originally to fly the Indian cricket team had to cancel after which Air India was approached by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This is when B777 was identified for the task.”

He however clarified that no passengers were stranded at the Newark airport. “All the passengers booked in the Newark-Delhi flight were informed well in advance and even given an alternative, minimising the inconvenience caused.”

“Even after this, some passengers could not be informed about the flight cancellation as a result of which they turned up at the airport. They were, however, taken to New York by road and were accommodated in the New York-Delhi flight,” the official added.