Upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar, UP has inked a significant concession agreement with Bird Group to manage ground-handling services at the airport. This strategic collaboration aims to streamline and enhance ground-handling operations. Bird Group, which is well known for its ground-handling capabilities, brings over five decades of expertise and a vast presence in aviation services across 21 airports in India.
The partnership involves Bird Group assuming a wide array of responsibilities for the ground-handling project. This encompasses a comprehensive range of services designed to elevate the traveller’s journey. From extending a warm welcome to passengers to ensuring smooth ramp operations and meticulous handling of baggage, the focus is on optimising efficiency and passenger satisfaction.
Aligned with Noida International Airport’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions, Bird Group will deploy electric-powered ground service equipment (GSE). This move is aimed at reducing the airport’s carbon footprint, paving the way for more sustainable and eco-friendly operations.
Commenting on the development, Christoph Schnellmann, Chief Executive Officer, Noida International Airport, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Bird Group, a leader in ground handling services. Their proven expertise and dedication to innovation will play a crucial role in our journey towards establishing a world-class airport. Ground handling is a pivotal aspect of airport operations, ensuring seamless functioning, and with this alliance, we aim to deliver an exceptional experience at every touchpoint for our customers.”
Red Sea International Airport (RSI), which has been servicing domestic flights since September 2023, is designed to provide seamless connectivity to The Red Sea. Luxury resorts like Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, and St. Regis Red Sea Resort are already operational, with more set to open this year, including the Nujuma Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Shebara, and Desert Rock.
Gaurav Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group, shared his pride in the collaboration, highlighting its significance as the first ground handling provider at the capital’s second airport. “We are proud to be a part of this historical moment! To be the first ground handling provider at the capital’s second airport is a very significant milestone in our journey. We are committed towards setting new benchmarks for service delivery and sustainability by introducing newer processes and technologies,” he added.The initial phase of the upcoming airport, featuring one runway and terminal, will have the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually. Upon completion of all four development phases, the airport’s capacity will expand to accommodate up to 70 million passengers per year, catering to the growing demands of air travel in the region. The airport is expected to start operations by end of this year.
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Red Sea Global (RSG) has achieved a significant milestone with the launch of its first direct international flights to Red Sea International Airport (RSI), connecting the destination to the world. The new twice-weekly service, operated by flydubai, will commence from Dubai International (DXB) to RSI on April 18.
John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global, expressed excitement about this development, highlighting RSI’s potential to serve millions of guests annually and make Saudi Arabia a premier global tourism destination.
RSI, which has been servicing domestic flights since September 2023, is designed to provide seamless connectivity to The Red Sea. Luxury resorts like Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, and St. Regis Red Sea Resort are already operational, with more set to open this year, including the Nujuma Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Shebara, and Desert Rock.
Abu Dhabi [UAE], His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved the new Tourism Strategy 2030 for the emirate. Spearheaded by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the ambitious blueprint signals a new era of expansion and strategic development in the travel and tourism sector.
Michael White, Chief Commercial Officer, Red Sea International Airport, emphasised RSI’s commitment to exceptional service and sustainability. The airport aims to become the first carbon-neutral airport in the Middle East, implementing innovative sustainability solutions across operations.Notably, RSI’s terminal design, set to open fully next year, features five ‘mini terminals’ to optimise energy use and reduce environmental impact. Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, flydubai, highlighted the significance of flydubai becoming the first carrier to operate to RSI from the UAE, enhancing connectivity to The Red Sea’s resorts.
Looking ahead, The Red Sea destination envisions 50 resorts, 8,000 hotel rooms, and sustainable infrastructure such as solar farms and battery storage facilities. The commitment to sustainability and world-class amenities positions The Red Sea as a model for responsible and luxurious tourism.
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The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai has unveiled its summer schedule, showcasing an 8 per cent increase in weekly flight movements compared to the previous year. The schedule, effective from March 31, 2024, until October 26, 2024, is planned to cater to the rising demand for both domestic and international travel, offering improved connectivity and convenience to passengers.
CSMIA will facilitate a total of 951 daily movements, up from approximately 882 in the previous summer schedule of 2023. With over 6,657 movements weekly, there will be a notable 8 per cent surge in weekly flight operations compared to the previous year, benefiting travellers from Mumbai and nearby cities.
The airport has enhanced its connectivity with additional flight frequencies to various domestic and international destinations. Notably, IndiGo will account for 1,255 weekly departures, while Air India and Vistara will contribute 539 and 519 weekly departures, respectively. The summer schedule introduces increased services to international destinations such as Paris, Doha, Hanoi, and the newly introduced route to Tashkent.
The introduction of these codeshare connections enhances travel options for Indian tourists, as well as business and leisure travellers, especially during the upcoming summer season. IndiGo already provides travel options to Singapore, further complemented by seamless connectivity to Qantas’ flights between Singapore and Australia. Both airlines had signed a codeshare agreement in 2022.
Among the notable increases in flight frequencies, flights to Delhi will see a significant rise with 27 additional weekly flights. Other key destinations with notable frequency additions include Srinagar with 28 additional weekly flights, Ayodhya with 14, and Kolkata with 9.In a statement, CSMIA said that it is committed to meeting the growing demands of passenger traffic by offering 682 domestic movements and 269 international movements, including the newly introduced routes. Vistara will operate to Paris five times a week, Akasa Air to Doha four times weekly, and Uzbekistan Airways to Tashkent twice a week. Additionally, Vistara will operate daily flights to Hanoi, enhancing connectivity to these international destinations.
The airport said it has also implemented infrastructural enhancements to effectively manage the increasing passenger traffic demand and ensure a seamless experience for travellers.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone in India’s aviation sector by inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for new terminal buildings at 15 airports nationwide. The event, held in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, saw the Prime Minister dedicating multiple development initiatives valued at over INR 34,000 crores.
In a bid to enhance air connectivity and streamline travel, PM Modi inaugurated 12 new terminal buildings at Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Adampur airports. Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for three new terminal buildings at Kadapa, Hubballi, and Belagavi airports.
Highlighting the rapid pace of infrastructure development, PM Modi noted that the Gwalior terminal was completed in a remarkable 16 months. “This initiative will make air travel easier and accessible for the common citizens of the country,” he emphasized, debunking claims of these projects being mere election gimmicks.
The 12 new terminal buildings are poised to serve a combined total of 620 lakh passengers annually, while the three terminals under construction will further boost capacity to accommodate 95 lakh passengers per annum upon completion. These modern facilities boast state-of-the-art amenities and sustainable features like double-insulated roofing systems, energy-saving canopies, and LED lighting. Moreover, their designs draw inspiration from the heritage structures of their respective states and cities, showcasing local culture and heritage.
PM Modi underscored the significance of connectivity and infrastructure development, citing the inauguration and foundation laying ceremonies of several railway projects in Uttar Pradesh. These projects, including rail links to districts like Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Gazipur, and Prayagraj, aim to strengthen the region’s transportation network.
In addition to the airport initiatives, the Prime Minister inaugurated and dedicated multiple railway projects valued at around INR 8,200 crores, aimed at bolstering rail infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh. These include doubling and electrification of key rail sections, signaling the government’s commitment to advancing connectivity and accessibility across the nation.
Among the highlights were the inauguration of three PRASHAD Scheme projects in Hazratbal (Srinagar), Jogulamba (Telangana), and Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh), focusing on pilgrim facilitation centers, ghat development, and other amenities. Additionally, 14 projects aimed at developing pilgrimage and heritage sites across several states were launched, with an investment of INR 320.8 Crore.
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The cheapest option was from Delhi, with return fares on direct flights starting at Rs 10,000. For direct flights from Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad, the cheapest return ticket was priced at INR 20,000. Online travel portal, MakeMyTrip said its searches from across India for travel to Ayodhya increased by 1,806 per cent after the announcement of the temple’s inauguration.
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In an exclusive interview with ET TravelWorld, Edgar Vesga, MPR, CMI, Director of Air Service Development and Cargo Services at Philadelphia International Airport delved into the airport’s recent growth trends, connectivity with India, and sustainability measures, shedding light on the strategies driving Philadelphia‘s aviation landscape.
Vesga highlighted Philadelphia International Airport’s (PHL) robust performance in 2023, recording a total passenger volume of 28.1 million, marking a significant 12.6 per cent increase from the previous year. Looking ahead to 2024, Vesga expressed optimism about the addition of four new international destinations served by American Airlines and numerous domestic routes by various carriers, reflecting the airport’s ongoing growth trajectory.
Connectivity with India
Addressing the growing ties between India and Philadelphia, Vesga emphasised the airport’s connectivity with India, underscoring the significant influx of passengers between Philadelphia’s catchment area and India. He noted that while over 190,000 passengers travelled between the two regions in 2023, only 34 per cent utilised PHL’s services. Vesga attributed Philadelphia’s appeal to the Indian market to its prominence in education and medicine, attracting a substantial number of international students and visitors.
“Philadelphia is considered the city of education and medicine, attracting a large number of international students from India and other countries,” he said.
Strategies for enhanced connectivity
Despite the absence of direct flights between Philadelphia and key Indian cities, Vesga outlined the airport’s strategic approach to enhance connectivity. Leveraging major connecting points like Doha, London, and Frankfurt, PHL aims to facilitate seamless travel for passengers bound to Indian destinations. Additionally, Vesga highlighted the airport’s incentives program designed to encourage airlines to establish routes to unserved and underserved destinations, including India.
“India is Philadelphia’s 3rd largest market for direct visitor spending and has consistently ranked in the top five markets for spend since data tracking began in 2000. Visitation from India was expected to increase by 26.4 per cent over the next five years (pre-Covid estimate).
There were 66,422 Total Annual O&D passengers (or 91 passengers daily each way – PDEW) flying out of PHL to/from India for the year ending October 2023. Close to 70 per cent of these passengers originated in Philadelphia while the remaining 30 per cent originated their trip in India,” Vesga said while sharing the information.
Under this program, tourists can obtain a visa within two to five working days, allowing them to stay in Dubai for up to 90 days, extendable once for a similar period, with a maximum stay of 180 days within a year. This flexible visa option caters to both leisure and business travelers, offering unparalleled convenience and connectivity.
Future initiatives and sustainability measures
Looking ahead, Vesga discussed the projected timeline for initiatives aimed at developing the Indian market, emphasising proactive collaborations with Indian partners and local communities to gather insights and support additional routes.
On the sustainability front, he outlined Philadelphia Airport‘s commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050 and Zero Waste by 2035, detailing various initiatives such as emissions tracking, electrification of ground support equipment, and sustainable design requirements for capital projects.
Marketing campaigns and trade incentives
Regarding marketing campaigns tailored to Indian travellers, Vesga highlighted the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau‘s efforts to welcome media outlets and influencers to Philadelphia, aiming to position the city as a top destination. Furthermore, he discussed PHL’s Air Service Incentive Program, which offers waivers on landing fees and inclusion in destination marketing efforts to encourage new market development and expansion.
“We are also leveraging our incentives to encourage airlines to help us connect Philadelphians to the world. This program does support efforts to develop routes to unserved and underserved destinations at the domestic and international level like India,” he stated.
Philadelphia International Airport’s commitment to fostering growth, enhancing connectivity, and prioritising sustainability, underscoring the airport’s pivotal role in facilitating seamless travel experiences and promoting economic development in the region.
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India emerged at the top spot for the highest number of passengers flying through the Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, with traffic totalling 11.9 million guests, the airport announced on Monday. According to a statement, the Dubai airport, known as DXB, surpassed not only its own yearly forecast but also pre-pandemic levels of traffic.
In 2023, DXB witnessed a surge in passenger numbers, reaching 86.9 million passengers (86,994,365), an impressive year-on-year increase of 31.7 per cent.
It was just under a per cent higher than the passenger numbers recorded in 2019 (86.4 million), the numbers were driven by robust growth in the second half of the year during which the airport recorded a total of 45.4 million guests.
With 7.8 million guests, December was the busiest month in the fourth quarter during which the airport welcomed a total of 22.4 million guests, a year-on-year growth of 13.8 per cent compared to Q4 of last year. Q3 remained the quarter with the highest traffic since 2019 with 23 million guests while August, with 7.9 million guests, was the month with the highest traffic.
DXB is currently connected to 262 destinations across 104 countries through 102 international carriers, according to data for 2023.
India claimed the top spot among destination countries with traffic totalling 11.9 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia with 6.7 million guests and the UK with 5.9 million guests. Other country markets of note include Pakistan (4.2 million), the US (3.6 million), Russia (2.5 million), and Germany (2.5 million).
DXB processed a total of 77.5 million bags in 2023, making it the highest volume of bags managed during a calendar year at the airport. Despite 24.6 per cent year-on-year increase in baggage volume, DXB maintained its unmatched success rate of 99.8 per cent, with only 2.4 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers.
The national airline of the United Arab Emirates welcomed more than 1.4 million guests onboard and saw its load factor average out at 86.04 per cent across the month. As its network and frequencies continue to expand, Etihad looks at introducing more of the world to both the new airport and the onboard Etihad experience throughout 2024.
More than 95 per cent of guests experienced less than seven minutes of waiting time at the departure passport control while the average waiting time at security check-in departures was less than four minutes for 97.5 per cent of guests. According to the ACI World’s globally recognised Airport Service Quality (ASQ) programme, DXB scored 4.5, the highest result achieved by the airport to date.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, said the “remarkable performance marks the successful and ahead-of-time completion of the airport’s recovery journey”.
London retained its position as DXB’s top destination with 3.7 million guests, followed by Riyadh with 2.6 million guests, and Mumbai with 2.5 million guests.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said 2023 was an exceptional year and is a testament to DXB’s commitment to “operational excellence, efficiency, innovation and delivering exemplary guest experience”.
Initial forecasts indicate that in 2024, DXB is anticipated to receive 88.8 million guests, putting the hub within striking distance of its previous all-time high record of 89.1 million guests set in 2018.
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India was ranked fifth among the top five largest passenger markets for Singapore‘s Changi Airport, which handled 328,000 flights and 58.9 million passengers in 2023, rebounding to 83 per cent of traffic levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to official data released on Wednesday. Indonesia topped the airport’s passenger market in 2023, followed by Malaysia, Australia, Thailand and India, as per the latest figures released by the Changi Airport Group (CAG).
India was the sixth travel traffic generator for the Changi Airport in 2019. Before the pandemic hit in 2019, the airport had registered 68.3 million passenger movements.
The 2023 traffic passing through Changi airport was also an 83 per cent increase from the 32.2 million passengers the airport handled in 2022.
About 328,000 flights took off from or landed at Changi Airport in 2023, the data stated, as against 382,000 flights it handled in 2019.
Between October and December 2023, the airport recorded 16.1 million passenger movements, surpassing 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
December was the busiest month of the year, with 5.8 million passengers moving through the airport. This was 91 per cent of traffic levels in December 2019.
The airport recorded its busiest day of the year on Dec 22, the Friday before Christmas, with 203,000 passengers passing through its terminals.
In December, 30,400 flights landed at or departed from the airport.
Quoting CAG, The Straits Times newspaper reported that all the regions to which the airport is connected are recording healthy recovery in passenger traffic from pre-pandemic levels. North America was the region that recorded the greatest growth of more than 25 per cent, compared to 2019.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai witnessed an impressive 35 per cent surge in passenger traffic in the calendar year 2023, welcoming 51.58 million passengers compared to 38.33 million in the previous year. The airport also observed a 20 per cent growth in Air Traffic Movements (ATMs), making a total of 3,34,391 movements, which emphasizes CSMIA’s efficiency and excellence in aviation.
Meanwhile, Europe, the South-west Pacific (comprising Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands such as Fiji) and South Asia are near full recovery, rebounding to more than 90 per cent of passenger traffic levels in 2019, the report said. Compared to 2022, North-east Asia was Changi Airport’s leading region in 2023, with passenger traffic increasing more than four times that of the previous year. This was mostly due to a rise in travel between China and Singapore.
China had gradually loosened its Covid-19 controls from January 2023. Singapore later became one of the first countries China allowed its citizens to travel to in tour groups. Last July, China reinstated 15-day visa-free entry for Singaporeans.
Among the airport’s top 10 markets, China, Japan and South Korea were the fastest growing in 2023 compared to 2022.
The busiest routes to and from the airport throughout the year were Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Bangkok in Thailand, Jakarta in Indonesia, Denpasar in Bali, Indonesia, and Manila in the Philippines.
However, Changi Airport’s cargo flows dipped 6 per cent compared to 2022 amid global economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures, the report said.
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Even as India is looking to promote the Lakshadweep islands for tourism, India is now planning to develop a new airfield at the Minicoy Islands there that would be capable of operating military aircraft, including fighter jets, along with commercial ones.
“The plan is to have a joint airfield that would be capable of operating fighter jets, military transport planes and commercial aircraft,” government sources told ANI.
Even though the proposals have been moved to the government for developing this new airfield in the Minicoy Islands in the past too, this plan of having a joint-use defence airfield has been revived in recent times and is being actively progressed, they informed.
From the military point of view, the airfield would give India a strong capability as it can be used as a base to keep an eye on the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region.
The Indian Coast Guard was the first force under the Defence Ministry to suggest the development of an airstrip in the Minicoy Islands. As per the present proposal, the Indian Air Force would be in the lead to run the operations from Minicoy.
Government-led tourism activities, managed by SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports), include the iconic Paradise Island huts. A new proposal under the Smart City initiative aims to introduce a 90-room hotel. In the private sector, India’s first water villa project, initiated by an Indian group, stands out as a major endeavor.
The airport at Minicoy would also give the defence forces the capability to extend their area of surveillance in the Arabian Sea. The airport at Minicoy would also provide a boost to tourism in the region, as has been planned by the government. There is only one airstrip in the island territory at the moment, which is in Agatti and it can also limit the types of aircraft. The proposal for the development of a new airport and extending the present facilities has been revived recently.
The island territory has been the centre of discussion and attraction since the visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi there last week. Politicians in the Maldives‘ ruling party have been trying to criticise the Indian plans to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist attraction and have tweeted against India.
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In a momentous occasion, Air India Express marked the inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham by launching its maiden flight from Ayodhya to Delhi on December 30, 2023. The inaugural flight, IX 1769, took off at 17:23 hours, making Ayodhya the airline’s 45th destination and its third station in Uttar Pradesh, following Lucknow and Varanasi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Ayodhya International Airport, and Air India Express was an integral part of this historic day. Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, presented the first boarding pass of the flight to the guests at the Ayodhya airport, marking a significant milestone.
Singh expressed pride in directly connecting Ayodhya to major metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata right from the commencement of operations at the airport. These cities, being vital hubs on the airline’s network, offer convenient one-stop itineraries for pilgrims and tourists from the Northern, Southern, and Eastern parts of India to reach Ayodhya.
The Ayodhya to Delhi route will be served daily, while flights to Bengaluru and Kolkata will operate on a tri-weekly basis. Passengers can make bookings through the airline’s award-winning app and website, airindiaexpress.com, along with other major booking platforms.
his announcement follows the recent news of IndiGo’s inaugural operations from the soon-to-be-inaugurated Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya, starting from December 30, 2023, connecting Delhi. Additionally, commercial operations from Delhi to Ayodhya will commence from January 06, 2024, followed by flights from Ahmedabad to Ayodhya starting January 11, 2024.
Air India Express already operates both international and domestic services from Uttar Pradesh. The airline has a weekly schedule of 21 flights connecting the sacred city of Varanasi to Bengaluru and Sharjah. Furthermore, with 60 weekly flights from Lucknow, Air India Express links the capital city to Dubai and other prominent Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune.In a bid to enhance customer experience, Air India Express recently introduced the Vista VIP, a business class-like product featuring wider seats, increased legroom, Gourmair hot meals, additional baggage allowance, and Xpress ahead priority boarding services. Moreover, the airline made history by becoming the first to operate a direct flight from Surat to Dubai on the same day the Surat International Airport inaugurated its new international terminal.
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