Tag Archives: Alaska

India opens visa application centres in Seattle & Bellevue

The Indian Consulate in Seattle has inaugurated its new visa application centre which will offer full visa and passport services to applicants preparing for travel to India from the greater Seattle area.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, who attended the event alongside Port Commissioner Sam Cho and State Rep. Vandana Slatter, presented the first Indian passport and visa to applicants, marking a special moment for the community.
Mayor Harrell expressed admiration for the Indian community in Seattle, praising their contributions to enriching the bonds between India and the USA.

Prakash Gupta, Consul General of India in Seattle, said, “The opening of the Indian consulate in Seattle reflects the Indian government’s commitment to deepening relations with the Pacific Northwest states.

In addition to the Seattle location, a drop-off facility is now open at Bellevue, making it easier for Eastsiders to access these services.

These centres will streamline the visa process for Indian nationals and provide support for other consular needs.
Both the Seattle and Bellevue Indian Visa Application Centres (IVAC) are operated by VFS Global — the outsourced visa services partner of the Ministry of External Affairs.

These new centres in Seattle and Bellevue are designed to provide a more convenient experience for all consular applicants preparing for travel to India, Gupta said.

These services will benefit the large Indian diaspora community in the consular jurisdiction, covering nine Pacific Northwestern states — Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming. (Source: PTI)

Norwegian Cruise Line Awarded ‘International Cruise of the Year’ at SATTE 2024 Awards

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), a pioneering force in cruise travel boasting a distinguished history of over 57 years, recently clinched the International Cruise of the Year 2024 accolade at the esteemed SATTE (South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange) awards, celebrated at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida.

This prestigious award underscores NCL’s unwavering dedication to innovation, excellence, and providing guests with memorable travel experiences across the globe.

Since its inception in 1966, NCL has been at the forefront of transforming the cruise industry, continuously raising the bar in terms of quality, service, and onboard entertainment. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking approach to cruising, introducing the concept of freestyle cruising that allows passengers the liberty to tailor their vacation experiences on their own terms, without the constraints of fixed dining times, entertainment schedules, or formal attire requirements. Boasting top-tier entertainment, culinary delights, a range of accommodation options, and enriching excursions, NCL sets the benchmark for a modern cruising experience.

With a modern fleet of 19 ships navigating to 450 global destinations, NCL presents an expansive selection of journeys catering to various interests, including sought-after routes for Indian travellers to Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean.

“We are incredibly proud to be recognized by the Indian Travel and Tourism industry, represented by a prestigious platform like SATTE. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our amazing sales team for their dedication and hard work and to our valued travel agent partners for their ongoing support, both of which are truly instrumental in our success. This award is especially meaningful for us, considering the vital role the Indian market plays for NCL. We will continue to invest in India as we cater to the evolving needs and preferences of Indian travellers,” said Ben Angell, Vice President & Managing Director, Asia-Pacific.

“We are honoured to receive the prestigious ‘International Cruise of the Year’ award at SATTE. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. At NCL, we continuously strive to introduce Indian travellers to unique destinations and immersive experiences across some of the world’s most stunning destinations,” said Manoj Singh, Country Head India for NCL.

Air India enters Interline partnership with Alaska Airlines for 32 destinations in USA, Mexico, and Canada

Air India has entered an interline partnership with Alaska Airlines. The partnership, while strengthening Air India’s international network, will allow Air India guests to avail seamless connections from New York JFK, Newark-New Jersey, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Vancouver gateways to and from 32 destinations in the USA, Mexico, and Canada on Alaska Airline’s network.

The scope of agreement includes bilateral interlining which allows both the airlines to sell tickets on each other’s network. In addition, the two airlines have also entered a Special Prorate Agreement, which allows Air India to file ‘through fares’ on routes covering Alaska Airlines’ network. Passengers will also be able to enjoy Air India’s free baggage allowance on Alaska Airlines routes.

Commenting on this, Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer, Air India, said, “The tie-up with Alaska Air will expand our international footprint in the US and Canada and even extend our reach to Mexico boosting our network expansion plans. It will help us offer more choice to our guests and mark a significant step forward in our mission to enhance connectivity.”

Air India currently operates 47 non-stop flights every week from Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai to five American cities: New York, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco, and 14 non-stop flights every week from Delhi to Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.