Tag Archives: Guwahati

Air India Express launches direct flights from Mumbai to Mangaluru and Kuwait

Air India Express showcased its rapid growth by launching operations on two new routes, from Mumbai to Mangaluru and Kuwait. This expansion significantly broadens its domestic and international network. With these additions, Air India Express now operates more than 112 weekly flights departing from Mumbai.

Air India Express now connects Mumbai to 14 destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Dammam, Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Kuwait, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Muscat, Ranchi, and Sharjah. Additionally, the airline offers convenient one-stop connectivity to 16 other domestic and international destinations such as Ayodhya, Bahrain, Bagdogra, Chennai, Dubai, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Ras Al Khaimah, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam.

With this expansion, Air India Express now provides direct flights to Kuwait from 7 destinations: Kozhikode, Kannur, Kochi, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Mangaluru, and Mumbai. The airline has 24 weekly departures from Kuwait. The airline also offers 12 one-stop itineraries connecting Kuwait to destinations such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, and Jaipur, among others.

Scheduled from 16 July, 2024
Departure Arrival Departure Time Arrival Time Frequency
Mumbai Mangaluru 12:30 14:05 Daily
Mangaluru Mumbai 14:45 16:25 Daily
Mumbai Kuwait 17:30 19:15 Daily
Kuwait Mumbai 20:15 02:55 Daily

Strengthening Mangaluru Connections

Air India Express now connects Mangaluru directly to 12 domestic and international destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Bengaluru, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Muscat, and Tiruchirappalli. The airline also provides access to 23 one-stop destinations from Mangaluru, including Bagdogra, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata, among others.

 

SpiceJet to operate wide-body A340 aircraft for Haj operations

SpiceJet has finalised a significant lease agreement to introduce two wide-body A340 aircraft into its fleet for the upcoming Haj operations.

The airline will deploy the wide-body aircraft from both Srinagar and Guwahati.

Last year, SpiceJet’s Haj operations generated substantial revenue of INR 337 crore. The airline aims to replicate this success in the current year’s operations.

With flights scheduled to operate from seven Indian cities, including Srinagar, Gaya, Guwahati, Bhopal, Indore, Aurangabad, and Vijayawada, SpiceJet is set to facilitate seamless travel experiences for pilgrims embarking on the sacred journey to Medina.

Chandan Sand, Head of Leasing and Legal, SpiceJet said, “We are happy to announce the finalisation of the lease agreement for the induction of two wide-body A340 aircraft into our fleet, further enhancing our capacity to serve the needs of our passengers, especially during the upcoming Haj operations. These A340s will not only elevate our service standards but also play a vital role in enhancing our revenue streams.”

“Furthermore, we are actively pursuing opportunities to expand our fleet through long-term lease agreements, which will not only bolster our existing fleet but also facilitate the expansion of our network, enabling us to better serve our passengers and strengthen our position in the aviation industry.”

The wide-body aircraft, each with a seating capacity of 324, will play a crucial role in SpiceJet’s Haj operations, which are scheduled to commence their first phase to Medina on May 9, 2024.

SpiceJet operated over 200 special Haj flights last year, carrying over 21,000 pilgrims.

 

Malaysia Airlines keen to increase frequency on India routes by 25%

Malaysia Airlines is gearing up for a substantial boost in its flight frequencies to India, anticipating a surge in international travel from the country.

With plans to increase capacity by over 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year, the airline’s Group MD, Captain Iham Ismail, revealed that load factors on India routes have consistently surpassed 80%.

In a recent interview, Captain Ismail disclosed that Malaysia Airlines aims to cater to around 2 million passengers from India in FY24. The airline strengthened its ties with the Indian market in Q4 2023 by introducing three new routes – Amritsar, Trivandrum, and Ahmedabad.

Presently operating 69 weekly flights from nine Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Amritsar, Trivandrum, and Ahmedabad, Malaysia Airlines is set to further expand its offerings. The frequency from Trivandrum will see a notable increase from two to four times weekly starting April 2024, bringing the total weekly flights to 71.

Captain Ismail outlined the airline’s future plans, indicating a gradual addition of new routes to meet rising travel demands. Prospective destinations include the northeast region with a focus on Guwahati and Kolkata, as well as potential routes to southern locations such as Trichy, Vizag, and Goa.

The airline has set ambitious targets for market share growth, aiming to double its 2023 performance by achieving a 40% improvement by 2025. Notably, Malaysia Airlines is actively working on establishing a deep codeshare with an Indian carrier, building on its existing interline agreement with Vistara. These strategic partnerships aim to enhance connectivity and provide travellers with more options.

 

Sonowal launches projects worth INR 308 crore for development of waterways in Northeast India

Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal yesterday launched projects worth INR 308 crore for the development of waterways in North East India.

According to an official statement, the Minister also laid the foundation stones for the construction of Custom Immigration Office in Dhubri, with an investment of INR 7.5 crore, and the construction of the compound wall for the IWAI Jogighopa terminal.

The statement said two electric catamarans at Guwahati will be deployed by August 2024. The electric catamarans, developed by Cochin Shipyard Limited for INR 36 crore, will enhance communication facilities for the people of Guwahati, it added.

Speaking at the event, Sonowal said the Dredging Corporation of India will commence dredging operations in the North East. Projects exceeding INR 1,000 crore have been initiated in the North East under the Sagarmala programme, with a particular focus on enhancing inland waterways in Assam, it said.

 

IHG Hotels & Resorts launches Holiday Inn, Guwahati

IHG Hotels & Resorts, announced a management agreement with Yuvaan Developers Private Limited for Holiday Inn Guwahati in India’s North-East region. Scheduled to open in January 2028, the new-build 150-key hotel signifies a significant stride towards IHG’s expansion strategy in secondary markets, in line with the growing demand for quality branded accommodation in the country.

Guwahati, a gateway destination to northeastern India, is now a thriving economic hub featuring burgeoning Special Economic Zones, established industrial manufacturing areas, healthcare, and education sectors. The city is also a popular tourist destination in the region, attracting domestic and international travellers who are looking to visit tea gardens, wildlife sanctuaries and ancient temples. The destination is a focal point for investment, commerce, and tourism contributing to the allure for guests across corporate and leisure segments.

Strategically located along Azara road, Holiday Inn Guwahati will offer ease of accessibility from the Guwahati Airport and the main city centre. In addition to featuring modern and well-appointed guest rooms, Holiday Inn Guwahati will offer three dining options, including an all-day dining, a bar, and a lobby lounge. For guests looking to unwind and relax, the hotel will have a dedicated fitness centre and a pool. Holiday Inn Guwahati will also feature four meeting rooms and a banquet hall, along with signature amenities catering to social gatherings and MICE opportunities.

With the excellent accessibility, facilities and True hospitality that the Holiday Inn brand is known for, the hotel will provide a great hospitality experience to a diverse set of guests visiting the city.
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said, “We are excited to bring the globally renowned Holiday Inn brand to the bustling city of Guwahati. Guwahati is one of the fastest-growing cities in the north- eastern part of the country and holds immense potential for trade, commerce and tourism. We are keen to leverage this growing demand and provide true hospitality to travellers visiting the city. He added, “The rapid expansion of IHG brands in the country is in line with increasing demand, and the growing potential of secondary markets. We are strategically introducing our brands to newer markets to fill the need gap of quality branded accommodation”.

Rahul Lohia, Director, Yuvaan Developers Private Limited, added, “We are thrilled to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the Holiday Inn brand to Guwahati. Our local insights, combined with IHG’s global expertise, will enable us to create a distinguished destination for travellers in this vibrant city. We are confident that Holiday Inn Guwahati will become a preferred choice for both business and leisure travellers visiting the region.”

SpiceJet Obtains Haj Flight Permissions from Seven Indian Cities, Strengthening Revenue Streams

 

SpiceJet announces the acquisition of flight rights for Haj operations from seven Indian cities, namely Srinagar, Gaya, Guwahati, Bhopal, Indore, Aurangabad, and Vijayawada.

Haj operations have proven to be a revenue source for SpiceJet, underscoring its dedication to serving diverse passenger segments. In the current fiscal year, SpiceJet generated INR 337 crore in revenue from Haj operations, operating flights from five Indian cities. The airline anticipates an even higher revenue projection for the ongoing fiscal year.

The first phase of Haj operations is set to commence on May 9, with flights to Medina. SpiceJet is preparing to ensure a seamless and comfortable travel experience for Haj pilgrims originating from the designated cities.

In the previous year, SpiceJet added three wide-body aircraft exclusively for Haj operations. This year, the airline plans to continue this strategy, with a particular focus on enhancing services for flights originating from Srinagar.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet, expressed delight, stating, “Securing flight rights for Haj operations from seven prominent Indian cities is a significant achievement. Haj has consistently been a crucial segment for SpiceJet, and we remain committed to delivering best-in-class services for the pilgrims. Our goal is to guarantee a smooth and hassle-free travel experience for all passengers. We eagerly anticipate serving the Haj pilgrims and contributing to their sacred journey.”