Tag Archives: Mumbai

Saudi offers multiple types of visas for Indian nationals

Saudi beckons Indian travellers with an array of tourist visa options, introducing easier access to its diverse destinations.

With stopover visa, eVisa services and visa-on-arrival*, Saudi extends an invitation to explore Riyadh’s vibrant cityscape, Jeddah’s cultural richness, hidden treasures of the Red Sea, and the ancient marvels of AlUla.

The new guidelines and visa options cater to a variety of travel needs, encouraging more travellers to explore the multi-faceted country.
Currently, there are 10 visa facilitation centres in Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kolkata and Calicut with plans to add more dedicated centres in additional cities.

This is in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, with a goal to tap into India’s potential as the number 1 source market by aiming to welcome 7.5 million Indian travellers by 2030. By the end of 2024 Saudi is aiming to double visitor numbers to 2.2 million.

Stopover Visa
Indian travellers can now apply for a Stopover visa, which is valid for up to 96 hours and can be obtained 90 days in advance at the Saudia airline website for a nominal fee towards administration and insurance services.

eVisa
Indians holding a valid tourist or business visa from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, or any Schengen country, with stamped proof of entry are eligible for the eVisa. Permanent residents of these countries or individuals possessing a valid residence visa from a GCC country with a minimum validity of three months beyond the entry date into Saudi are also eligible. The eVisa can be obtained before departure through the official portal.

Visa on Arrival

Travellers meeting similar criteria of a valid tourist or business visa from the US, UK, or Schengen countries with entry stamps can avail a visa upon arrival at Saudi international airports as well. Those with permanent residency in these countries can also apply at self-service kiosks or passport control offices at Saudi airports
Those not eligible under the above-mentioned criteria can apply for the visa through Tasheer Centres across India. The process encompasses document preparation, appointment booking, application submission, biometric enrolment, and passport collection.

All of these visa options are valid for those wishing to perform Umrah.

IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Vijayawada flights from Aug 16

Low-cost carrier IndiGo has announced the launch of direct flights connecting Mumbai and Vijayawada from August 16. These daily flights aim to facilitate seamless travel between Mumbai and Vijayawada, according to an IndiGo statement.

With the induction of this flight, IndiGo will now operate 130 weekly flights from Vijayawada to eight cities in India.

These new flights will serve as a gateway connecting western India to Vijayawada, which is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, and provide access to international destinations for passengers from the East Coast, via Mumbai, the statement added.

VietJet cracks Forbes Vietnam’s elite list due to impressive growth

 

Vietjet has secured a prominent position in Forbes Vietnam magazine’s annual Top 50 listed companies in Vietnam, showcasing its leading position among diverse sectors on the country’s stock exchange.

According to Vietjet’s audited financial statements for 2023, the airline ranks fifth in revenue, amounting to VND 58.3 trillion (approximately USD 2.28 billion), reflecting a remarkable 45% year-on-year growth. This places Vietjet among the top ten companies listed, which include prominent names like Petrolimex, Hoa Phat, PV Gas, Vinamilk, and FPT.

The airline has exhibited a resilient post-pandemic recovery by strengthening its domestic flight network and expanding its international flight operations. In the previous year, the airline operated 133,000 flights and served 25.3 million passengers, marking a notable 183% year-on-year increase, including over 7.6 million passengers on international routes. Vietjet has focused on enhancing its eco-friendly fleet, emphasising sustainable development goals, fuel efficiency, and emission reduction initiatives.
In India, Vietjet has established several strategic expansions, operating a total of 29 weekly round-trip flights and creating direct connections between Vietnam and four key Indian cities – New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kochi. The airline’s footprint and connectivity between Vietnam and India are well established, expanding through modern fleets, dedicated crews, and attractive promotions specific to Indian customers.

Furthermore, Vietjet has attained a credit rating of VnBBB-, the highest rating among Vietnamese corporations, in accordance with the standards set by Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance.

Forbes Vietnam’s 2024 Top 50 listed companies recognition is another highlight following Vietjet’s numerous accolades and recognitions, including being named among the world’s 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations by Airfinance Journal. Additionally, Vietjet has been recognised as one of the 50 most valuable brands in Vietnam, one of the Top 50 best-performing companies, one of the Top 10 corporate governance companies on the Vietnam stock exchange, and among the top 20 listed companies with the highest sustainable development scores.

Akasa Air to add Abu Dhabi to its route network from Mumbai on July 11

Akasa Air is set to add Abu Dhabi as the fourth international destination to its growing network. Starting July 11, 2024, Akasa Air will operate daily direct flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Mumbai, catering to the growing travel demand between India and the UAE.

Bookings for flights are now open on Akasa Air’s website www.akasaair.com, Android and iOS app and through multiple leading OTAs.

Neelu Khatri, Co-Founder and SVP International, Akasa Air, said, “We are pleased to add Abu Dhabi as the fourth international destination to our network. With its distinct tourist attractions and promising trade prospects, Abu Dhabi has emerged as a destination of choice for Indian leisure and business travellers, and the demand for air travel between the two countries continues to flourish. The Abu Dhabi Government’s visionary roadmap under Tourism Strategy 2030 will further encourage tourism between India and UAE in the coming years.”

Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air, added, “We are delighted to expand our global footprint with the addition of Abu Dhabi to our network. Abu Dhabi is known for its one-of-a-kind travel experiences while being one of the fastest-growing markets for business. Our strategically designed network connecting Abu Dhabi with Mumbai with daily direct flights will cater to a wide range of Indian travellers, and enhanced connectivity between India and Abu Dhabi will also drive inbound leisure and business travel to the country. As we rapidly expand our footprint, we remain committed to our purpose of connecting people, places and cultures with reliable operations and affordable fares.”

Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, Akasa Air, stated, “We are excited to extend the signature Akasa Experience to Abu Dhabi, our fourth international destination, known for its larger-than-life hospitality and immersive travel experiences. At Akasa Air, we have progressively introduced multiple customer-friendly offerings to ensure an inclusive, warm, and efficient flying experience. Travellers on the route can look forward to a unique culinary experience with our onboard meal service Café Akasa and a fresh in-cabin experience that offers enhanced comfort and ample legroom, backed by the signature service delivered by our crew on board and on the ground”.

“Additionally, offerings like USB ports on most of our aircraft, Skyscore by Akasa and QuietFlights will further elevate the inflight experience of our passengers. Moreover, travelers can choose to plan their travel with Akasa Holidays which offers customisable and all-inclusive holiday packages at affordable prices. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do at Akasa Air, and all our service offerings are aligned to our philosophy of service excellence. We hope that passengers will appreciate the Akasa experience and we will emerge as the preferred carrier on the route.” Coutinho added.

 

Flight schedule:

Flt.

Number

 From Departure

Time

 To Arrival

Time

 Operating

Days

 Non-stop/

Through
Commences 11 July 2024
QP 0584 Mumbai 17:05hrs Abu Dhabi 18:50hrs Daily Non-stop
QP 0585 Abu Dhabi 20:05hrs Mumbai 01:00hrs Daily Non-stop

Air India to launch Aviation Academy for children at KidZania theme parks

 

Air India has announced the launch of the Air India Aviation Academy in partnership with KidZania, the globally acclaimed educational entertainment brand. The academy will be located at KidZania’s theme parks in Sector 38, Noida, and R City Mall, Ghatkopar, Mumbai.

Through this collaboration, Air India aims to cultivate a new generation of aviation enthusiasts by providing a platform for children to engage in realistic role-playing scenarios, such as piloting an aircraft and working as cabin crew. The Air India Aviation Academy is designed to offer young enthusiasts an opportunity to participate in activities that simulate real-life aviation tasks, helping them understand the nuances of careers as pilots and cabin crew in the aviation industry.

At the academy, children will have the chance to assume the roles of pilots and cabin crew aboard a model aircraft, featuring the airline’s new branding, colors, and livery. The experience is curated to help children develop psychomotor, cognitive, emotional, and social skills, while also fostering an understanding of the importance of safety and teamwork in the aviation industry.

Sunil Suresh, Head of Marketing, Air India, expressed the airline’s aim to create meaningful experiences for children and inspire upcoming generations. He stated that the Air India Aviation Academy will provide young enthusiasts with hands-on training in aviation skills, helping them to better understand the industry.

As part of the partnership, members of Air India’s frequent flyer programme, Flying Returns, will be able to earn seven Flying Returns points for every INR 100 spent on tickets to visit the Air India Aviation Academy at KidZania’s theme parks in Noida and Mumbai.

Rahul Dhamdhere, CMO, KidZania India, expressed excitement about the expansion of the partnership with Air India through the launch of the Air India Aviation Academy. He emphasised the goal of sparking an interest in aviation careers from an early age, and stated that the academy will provide an unparalleled experience that is both fun and educational.

In addition to the academy, the KidZania theme parks in Noida and Mumbai will feature a selfie point with an Air India aircraft, a section on the history of Air India, an Air India quiz, and insights into the airline’s new aircraft fleet and destinations. A live flight tracker display will also be available at the entrance, providing children with an insight into the real world of aviation.

This initiative highlights Air India’s commitment to nurturing future talent and KidZania’s dedication to immersive educational experiences, as well as inculcating values of responsibility, solidarity, sensitivity, harmony, courage, self-confidence, and professional ethics among children.

Chalo Expands Luxury AC Bus Service in Mumbai

 

Chalo, the operator of the luxury AC BEST Chalo Bus service, has witnessed a remarkable 50% growth in ridership over the last 3 months. The daily average ridership on a typical weekday has now reached 10,000 passengers. To cater to this increasing demand, Chalo is significantly expanding its fleet by 44%, adding new electric luxury AC buses. This will take the total network size to 144 buses.

This investment will mean more trips on popular routes like Belapur-Colaba (via MTHL-Atal Setu), Thane-Andheri, Thane-BKC, and Navi Mumbai-BKC. Commuters on these routes can expect a bump in daily trips, with increases ranging from 15% to 40%. The Belapur-Colaba (via MTHL) route, connecting Navi Mumbai to Colaba via the new MTHL-Atal Setu and Eastern Freeway, has seen explosive popularity. To address this, Chalo has added 50% more trips to this route.

With this fleet expansion, Chalo is also exploring new all-day and weekend routes, which would help cater to a wider audience across Mumbai. Chalo’s monthly travel plans are also popular amongst customers, as these plans offer convenience and flexibility, with options ranging from 10 trips to 45 trips. The 45-trip plan is the most popular choice, followed by the 25-trip plan. Chalo has also introduced route-specific passes based on public demand, which have been well-received.

Mohit Dubey, CEO, Chalo, expressed his excitement about the growing demand for Chalo Bus in Mumbai, stating, “With the introduction of new travel plans and fleet expansion, Chalo will be adding new all-day and weekend routes as well, which will provide a seamless and affordable public transport experience across Mumbai.”