Tag Archives: Kochi

Vietjet to start four weekly direct flights on Ho Chi Minh City- Kochi routes from August 12

Vietjet has introduced a direct route between Ho Chi Minh City and Kochi which will start flying on August 12, 2023.

The first-ever direct route from Kerala to Vietnam marks an important milestone for the development of Kochi airport and the tourism industry of the two countries. When the route is commenced on August 12, 2023, Vietjet will be operating a total of 32 flights a week between India and Vietnam. It is expected to further promote tourism, economic and trade cooperation, and development of bilateral relations between Vietnam and India.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to India H.E. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai said, “The opening of the route connecting Kochi and Ho Chi Minh City by Vietjet is a breakthrough, creating a new impetus for economic – trade – tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and South India. With the favourable geographical location of Ho Chi Mich City in particular, and Vietnam in general, visitors will easily explore destinations across Vietnam as well as from Vietnam to other countries and regions around the world. Congratulate Vietjet, the airline operating the most air routes between our two countries, on pioneering in connecting the Indian Tier 2 cities with Viet Nam.”

“We are very happy to announce a direct flight service from Kochi airport to Ho Chi Minh City,” said S. Suhas IAS, Managing Director, Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL). “We are confident that the launch of this new air route between Kerala and Vietnam from CIAL will be a significant milestone in the tourism industry, providing travellers with a convenient and direct transportation option to meet their requirements. Also, the opening of a new air route marks a pivotal moment in the history of airport operations, which will help our company in opening up new avenues for economic growth and cultural exchange”, he added.

In its strategic plan to expand connectivity between India with Vietnam, the Kochi – HCMC route will be operated with a frequency of 4 flights/week on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The flights from Kochi will depart at 23:50 (local time) and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 06:40 (local time). The return flights will depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 19:20 (local time) and arrive in Kochi at 22:50 (local time). Additionally, Indians can fly to Vietnam on Vietjet flights from Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, respectively.

Speaking at the event, Jay L Lingeswara – Vietjet Vice President of Commerce said, “With this new route, Vietjet will fundamentally increase connectivity between Vietnam and India. We expect that Vietjet will make significant contributions to the tourism growth of Kerala, India and Vietnam via its wide range of products and services accompanied by competitive and reasonable fares.”

Etihad to add additional daily services to Kochi from 29 0ctober

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is set to increase its weekly flight frequency between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Kochi (COK) by introducing a new daily Airbus A320 service.

Starting 29 October, the additional daily service will boost Abu Dhabi–Kochi to 20 flights per week, offering leisure and business travellers greater flexibility and better connectivity to one of South India’s most vibrant cities.

“In response to strong travel demand, Etihad is thrilled to offer an additional service to Kochi that will bring our operation up to nearly three flights a day,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue Officer.

“This is a testament to the importance of the India market for Etihad Airways and the focus we are putting on growing our network to provide more convenience and choice to our guests,” De added.

Besides improving access to the UAE, the flights will also enhance connectivity between India and the United States via Abu Dhabi, where travellers can take advantage of a US Pre-clearance facility for a seamless arrival into the States.

The only one of its kind in the Middle East, the facility allows passengers bound for the United States to process all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi before they board their flight, avoiding immigration and queues on arrival.

In addition to boosting flights to Kochi, the airline’s winter flight schedule will see Etihad Airways flying to seven other destinations in India including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Tickets on the new flights to Kochi are now available to book via etihad.com or the Etihad Airways app.

VietJet to operate direct flights on Ho Chi Minh City-Kochi route from Aug 12

VietJet is set to operate direct flights connecting Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and Kochi (India) from August 12, 2023. The airline will operate with a frequency of four flights a week on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Flight from Kochi will depart at 23:50 (local time) and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 06:40 (local time). Return flight will depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 19:20 (local time) and arrive in Kochi at 22:50 (local time).

Additionally, the airline has also announced international route, connecting Hanoi (Vietnam) with Hiroshima (Japan).

Starting from July 19, 2022, the airline will launch a twice-weekly service between Hanoi and Hiroshima, with flights operating on Wednesdays and Sundays: With a flight time of approximately 4.5 hours, passengers will depart Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at 02:15 (local time) and land in Hiroshima International Airport at 08:45 (local time). The return flight will depart Hiroshima at 09:45 (local time) and arrive in Hanoi at 12:35 (local time).

 

PM to launch Kochi water metro tomorrow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the Kochi water metro, a first-of-its-kind public boat service integrated with a metro rail network, on April 25.

The inaugural event will be held in Thiruvananthapuram.

The INR 747-crore project is being implemented by Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRL). The project is implemented with assistance from German funding agency Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the Kochi Water Metro as a “dream project” of the state that would accelerate the growth and development of Kochi.

According to KMRL and Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML) managing director Loknath Behera, the water metro will start sailing with 8 electric-hybrid boats in two routes – High Court-Vypin and Vyttila-Kakkanad. Operations on the first route will begin on April 26 and on the second route on April 26.

Once the project is fully operational, the water metro, with 78 boats and 38 terminals, will cover 76 kms in Kochi backwaters, covering six panchayats and three municipalities. At present, only four terminals are ready for operation. (Source The Indian Express)

Kochi Water Metro services to start soon

According to a report in The Business Line, Kochi will soon have the distinction of being the first Indian city to roll out a water metro, the new innovative transport system combining water based transport with road and rail. The service, which is expected to start shortly, will utilise Kochi’s intricate network of backwaters to provide a modern and eco-friendly transport system for hassle-free commuting. The first service between High Court-Vypeen routes will start shortly where the work on the terminals has already been completed.

The Kochi Water Metro project involves the development of a network of waterways to offer a sustainable public transport over 76 route km connecting 38 terminals in 10 islands around the city. Expecting a daily rider-ship of 34,000 passengers in the initial phase, the INR 747 crore project with a financial assistance of 85 million euros from German financial agency KfW, will decongest the roads and reduce the carbon footprint of the city.

The authorities are also planning to introduce single ticketing by integrating water metro, metro rail and bus tickets for passengers. Cochin Shipyard has been entrusted with the construction of 23 boats of which seven has been handed over. The battery powered hybrid electric boats will reduce noise pollution and emissions. Loknath Benera, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, said that water metro is a unique concept of giving boost to sustainable water transport. “Kochi is the best place to implement it because the city is surrounded by the islands having a sizable population of islanders. The hybrid boats of 100 and 50 passenger capacity are unique and they use the most advanced technology. The water metro will improve the socio-economic condition of the islanders and also boost Kochi in the tourism map,” he said.

Water metro will be a first of its kind ferry service in the world with a fleet of advanced electric hybrid boats serving a city and connecting close to one lakh islanders. The waterways have served as a vital part of Kochi’s identity for centuries and the new metro system revitalises the age-old tradition in a modern and sustainable way.

Ayatana to expand footprint with 7 new hotels, most in South India

Ayatana is expected to launch 7 new properties by 2024, having completed five years of operations. Launched in 2017 as Plus Hotels, Ayatana decided to expand further and build on a chain of exquisite resorts known as Ayatana, Coorg.

Ayatana plans to develop luxury resorts and hotel chains in various South Indian states – Arakku Valley, Kabini, Chikmagalur, Vagamon, Kochi and Goa. The upcoming developments will each have a dedicated theme and will continue to represent Ayatana as a ‘sanctuary of senses’ while remaining true to its name.

With the Coorg project gaining massive popularity, Ayatana decided to extend its footprint across South India. The Ooty project is Ayatana’s latest launch while they gear up to soon enter Arakku Valley in Andhra Pradesh, later this year.

Until 2022, the company has seen drastic growth with Coorg and Azora which has resulted in average revenue of around INR 60 crores, and is aiming to increase it to INR 100 crores by the end of 2024. Started as an authorized brand partner with ITC Hotels, under the brand, WelcomHeritage, Ayatana’s MOU with ITC facilitated in the establishment of 5 resorts across Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The luxury resort and hotel chain have also witnessed a surge in footfall, employee engagement and hiring activities.

Commenting on Expansion, Vishal Tony, Founder, Ayatana, said, “Since opening its doors in 2018, Ayatana Coorg has symbolised a union between Indian heritage and the timeless beauty of nature. At Ayatana, our aim is for people to discover a captivating blend of traditional culture and luxury comfort spread over a hundred acres of endless lush, amidst waterfalls and mists. Here, people’s care becomes our responsibility and unexpressed wishes are fulfilled making each day more memorable than the last”.