Tag Archives: Southeast Asia

Air India appoints GSA in Philippines

 

Air India has announced the appointment of Airesources Incorporated as its General Sales Agent (GSA) for the passenger business in the Philippines. Airesources, Inc. will manage reservations, ticketing, marketing, and comprehensive passenger sales support on behalf of Air India. This collaboration aims to provide personalised and seamless service to travel agents and customers in the region, enhancing Air India’s accessibility and service quality.

The partnership is expected to boost passenger traffic from the Philippines to Air India’s extensive network across Southeast Asia and beyond. Ella Sanchez, President of Airesources, Inc., expressed commitment to strengthening Air India’s presence in the Philippines, leveraging their industry expertise and customer-centric approach to showcase Air India’s services effectively.

Air India currently operates non-stop flights between India and six Southeast Asian destinations, including Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur. These services also offer convenient one-stop connections to Europe, the United States, and Canada through its hubs in Delhi and Mumbai, catering to a wide range of passenger needs.

With its growing fleet and ongoing modernisation, Air India is transforming its onboard experience and expanding its global reach. The airline recently confirmed an order for 100 Airbus aircraft, adding to the 470 aircraft ordered in 2023, bringing the total to 570. This extensive fleet expansion reflects Air India’s commitment to providing world-class travel experiences to its passengers.

Air India is on an expansion spree, in India and abroad.

Air India to operate daily flights on Delhi-Prayagraj route for Maha Kumbh 2025

Air India will temporarily operate daily flights between Delhi and Prayagraj during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the world’s largest spiritual gathering.

To meet the high travel demand, Air India will operate the route from January 25 to February 28, 2025. With these flights, Air India brings the only full-service flying option between the two cities for customers, offering them the choice of premium cabins in addition to Economy Class.

With convenient daytime departures in both directions, the flights enable seamless connections via Delhi to customers travelling to/from various parts of India as well as North America, Europe, Australia, and several countries in Southeast Asia.

Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents.

 

SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI AND PRAYAGRAJ
Period Flight # Frequency Sector Departure Arrival
25 Jan – 31 Jan 2025 AI2843 Daily Delhi-Prayagraj 14:10 15:20
AI2844 Daily Prayagraj-Delhi 16:00 17:10
01 Feb – 28 Feb 2025 AI843 Daily Delhi-Prayagraj 13:00 14:10
AI844 Daily Prayagraj-Delhi 14:50 16:00

Air India Express to expand network with Phuket flights from Jan 31

 

A week after launching direct flights to Bangkok, Air India Express has further strengthened its presence in Southeast Asia by announcing direct flights to Phuket. The new service will connect Hyderabad to Phuket starting January 31, 2025, with operations three times a week on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. From February 15, the frequency will increase to six weekly flights, excluding Tuesday.

To celebrate the launch, the airline is offering special inaugural fares. Xpress Value fares start at INR 11,000, while Xpress Lite fares begin at INR 10,500, with additional discounts for loyalty members available through airindiaexpress.com and its mobile apps.

In addition to international expansion, Air India Express is enhancing its domestic network. The airline announced Dibrugarh in Assam as a new station, following its addition of Dimapur in Nagaland in November. Flights from Dibrugarh to Guwahati will continue to Delhi, ensuring seamless connectivity.

Highlighting these developments, Managing Director Aloke Singh stated, “This winter marks a milestone for Air India Express as we expand to over 50 destinations, supported by a rapidly growing fleet exceeding 90 aircraft, which will surpass 100 by early 2025.”

IndiGo launches Kolkata-Phuket flights

 

IndiGo Airlines has launched direct flights from Kolkata to Phuket, Thailand, marking its first connection between the eastern Indian city and the popular Thai destination. This new route aims to cater to the rising demand for travel between India and Southeast Asia. An official from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at Kolkata airport emphasised the significance of this initiative in enhancing connectivity and providing travellers with greater convenience.

The inaugural flight witnessed a celebratory ceremony where passengers received their boarding passes in the presence of officials from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and IndiGo. The Kolkata Airport announced the launch on its official X handle, stating, “Exciting news for travellers! IndiGo launches its daily flight from #KolkataAirport to the beautiful Phuket, Thailand.” The post also highlighted AAI’s pride in supporting this milestone with state-of-the-art infrastructure and stringent safety measures.

Flights from Kolkata to Phuket will operate six days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Mondays and Tuesdays, flight 6E 1901 departs Kolkata at 6 am IST, arriving in Phuket at 10.40 am local time. Wednesdays and Saturdays see a departure at 6.50 am, reaching Phuket by 11.35 am. On Fridays, flights leave at 7.15 am, arriving at 11.55 am, while Sundays have a 6.50 am departure with an arrival at 11.40 am local time.

This new route is expected to boost tourism and foster stronger ties between India and Southeast Asia. It reflects IndiGo’s commitment to expanding its international network and offering travellers more options to explore popular global destinations.

There is an increased demand for air charters in India.

Sirius India Airlines to raise USD 100mn for fleet expansion

Gurugram-based Sirius India Airlines, a private air charter service provider, plans to raise USD 100 million to fund its ambitious expansion strategy. The company, which launched its operations in August 2023 in partnership with Dubai-based Transworld Group, aims to capitalise on the surging demand for private air travel across corporate and lifestyle sectors.

Aggressive Fleet Expansion

Sirius India Airlines is targeting a fleet size of 50 private jets by the financial year 2027, up from its current fleet of three luxury jets. The planned acquisition will include small and medium-sized jets and group charter aircraft to serve a wider clientele. Ten new aircraft are set to join the fleet in the next fiscal year, marking the initial phase of its growth.

Global Market Ambitions
The airline plans to extend its reach beyond India to new markets in the Far East, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. Domestically, it is strengthening its presence in western and southern India to meet growing demand.

Arun Kashyap, Founder and Promoter of Sirius India Airlines, stated, “We are aiming to secure USD 100 million capital by this fiscal and have already started discussions with lenders and investors. These funds will enable us to acquire fleet and explore new overseas markets while bolstering our domestic operations.”

Strategic Partnerships and Vision
In April, Sirius announced a partnership with Airavat Aviation, a luxury private air travel brand with an extensive network in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. This collaboration is expected to enhance Sirius’s premium service offerings and network capabilities.
The company aims to establish itself as a leading player in the global private aviation sector by 2028, leveraging its robust fleet and strategic partnerships.

Market Trends and Outlook
Demand for private charters in India is growing rapidly, driven by corporate and lifestyle needs. With its customer-centric approach and ambitious expansion plans, Sirius India Airlines is poised to become a dominant force in the booming private aviation market.
The company plans to secure the USD 100 million by March 2024 and begin implementing its growth strategy by FY 2025-26, aligning with its long-term vision to redefine luxury charter travel.

 

Polaris Tourism expands portfolio with new DMC partnerships in 4 countries

Polaris Tourism has joined hands with RedFox Event Company Limited, a destination management company in Southeast Asia with its head office in Thailand and offices at Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

RedFox offers is a member of TICA (Thailand Incentive and Conference Association) & TCEB (Thailand Conference and Exhibition Bureau), empowering travel partners to grow and distribute the products and services via online and offline channels for FIT, groups & MICE.

With its own booking platform XConnect, RedFox aims to provide real-time availability, multi-currency options, packages, standalone products like hotels, sightseeing, and transport.

This partnership aligns with a commitment to growth from India’s western region and delivering the best experiences to the customers.

This alliance further adds to Polaris’s portfolio, which already includes CHR Travel (UK & Europe), Take Me 2 The World (New Zealand & Latin America) and Turtle Down Under (Australia).