Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the civil aviation ministry has asked airlines to carry out their own risk assessment on international flight operations. Air India, Vistara, IndiGo and various international airlines have opted for alternative flight paths to the West and are avoiding the Iranian airspace against the backdrop of tensions flaring up between Iran and Israel.
Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam on Tuesday told PTI that airlines have been asked to make their own risk assessment with respect to their flight operations.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is handholding and interacting with the airlines, and also in touch with the external affairs ministry, he added.
The secretary was responding to a query on whether there is an advisory by the ministry or the DGCA to airlines amid the crisis in the Middle East.
Air India is operating some of its international flights on alternative flight paths to and from India, and Vistara has also made changes to flight paths for some of its flights due to the Middle East situation.
Also, Air India has temporarily suspended its flights to Tel Aviv.
Air India, Vistara, IndiGo e inte and some international airlines are avoiding Iranian airspace and have opted for alternative paths for their flights to the West. With the revised flight paths chosen after taking safety and security into consideration, the duration of some flights has increased by around half an hour.
The alternative flight paths have increased the duration of some of the international flights by around half an hour. About the Middle East crisis, Suprio Banerjee, Vice President & Sector Head, Corporate Ratings at ICRA, said commercial airlines may have to take a longer route in order to comply with no-fly regulations, leading to higher fuel expenses.
“This will also impact international air travel to the directly affected and potentially affected nearby geographies during the upcoming summer holiday season if the issue persists,” Banerjee said.
Manan Bajoria, Group VP Growth at travel portal ixigo, said re-routing of flights due to the current geopolitical tensions can result in longer routes and higher expenses for airlines that run flights to and from Europe, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
“Lengthy diversions will add to airline fuel costs and may lead to an increase in airfares across these routes,” Bajoria said.
Banerjee also said the ongoing geopolitical developments in the Middle East region will continue to exert pressure on crude oil prices and, in turn, on ATF prices, which have been on an elevated level compared to the pre-Covid era.
During the weekend, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel in a retaliatory attack. On Monday, Israel said it will respond to Iran’s weekend attack.
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India on Friday advised its citizens against travelling to Iran and Israel until further notice in view of the “prevailing situation in the region”. The advisory from the foreign ministry came amid Iran’s threats to retaliate against a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy in Syria this month.
Countries including the US and Russia have issued similar travel advisories for their staff and citizens in the region.
In an advisory, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also urged the Indians residing in Iran and Israel to exercise utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to minimum.
“In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” the MEA said.
“The north is empty of visitors these days,” Safi Maklada, the Negev and Galilee Authority’s Druze and Circassian tourism coordinator, told The Press Service of Israel. “You won’t find anyone around except for the soldiers doing their duty, guarding the border and the communities, and their families dropping by for a visit.”
“All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves. They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” it added. It is feared that retaliation by Iran can widen the six-month old conflict between Iran-backed Hamas militants and Israel in Gaza.
The US has reached out to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Iraq, asking them to urge Iran to lower tensions with Israel, as part of its efforts to contain the conflict.
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India‘s civil aviation ministry said on Tuesday it was monitoring a surge in flight cancellations by Vistara as the airline grapples with a shortage of pilots, while the aviation regulator has sought daily information on flight disruptions.
Vistara, owned by the Tata group and Singapore Airlines , cancelled over 50 flights on Monday, with around 160 delayed, news channel NDTV reported. It is likely to cancel up to 70 flights on Tuesday, according to local media reports.
The airline operates more than 300 flights a day, according to its website.
Airlines have to comply with the norms of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Indian aviation regulator, to ensure passenger facilitation in case of cancellations or delay of flights, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a post on X.
The DGCA has asked the airline to submit daily information and details on flights that are being cancelled and delayed.
Vistara did not comment when asked for details on flight disruptions.
Further, the airline has deployed larger aircraft like B787-9 Dreamliner and A321neo on select domestic routes to combine flights or accommodate more number of customers, wherever possible. One of the sources said first officers reporting sick have forced the airline to cancel flights as their salaries have been reduced significantly. The source claimed that some components of the salary have been reduced while incentives linked to flying hours have been raised.
The airline had said on Monday that it was forced to cut a number of flights due to the pilot shortage and was using some of its larger aircraft to “accommodate more passengers.” An increasing number of Vistara pilots have reported sick, protesting a revised salary structure ahead of the full-service carrier’s merger with Tata-owned Air India, as per local media.
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The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has initiated its training program in Odisha as well. This initiative, termed the Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme, reached a pivotal juncture on January 5, 2024, with the launch of its fourth training module aimed at empowering local communities, boat owners, and Forest department officials of Bhitarkanika National Park.
The initiative encompasses two distinct training programs: the Alternative Livelihood Program (ALP) and the Paryatan Navik Certificate (PNC), both spanning a duration of 15 days each. The collaborative effort between the Odisha State Wetlands Authority (OSWA) and the Mangrove Forest Division, Rajnagar, identified and selected a cohort of 60 participants (30 for each course) from the local communities in and around Bhitarkanika.
Several new developments in the pipeline will make Punjab a strong player globally, said Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary Tourism & Cultural Affairs, in conversation with ETTravelWorld. In 2024, Punjab’s tourism strategies will be characterised by a blend of sustainability, technology integration, and a focus on local experiences, besides developing tourist sites in PPP along the state’s major rivers to push adventure and water tourism activities.
The primary objective of this endeavor is to equip and certify these individuals as proficient nature-guides. This strategic move aligns with the overarching mission of the Amrit Dharohar Initiative led by the MoEF&CC, aiming to bolster livelihood prospects for local communities by harnessing the nature-tourism potential of Ramsar Sites nationwide.The program’s phased approach has already marked significant milestones. In the initial phase, five priority Ramsar sites were earmarked for focused attention, namely Sultanpur National Park, Sirpur Wetland, Yashwant Sagar, Bhitarkanika National Park, and Chilika Lake.
Notably, the successful completion of the first three training programs for Sultanpur National Park, Sirpur Wetland, and Yashwant Sagar was done in December 2023.
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There is no plan so far to make RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 mandatory at airports for travellers, Union health ministry sources said on Thursday, amid an uptick in coronavirus infections in India.
Even though the number of cases is rising and the JN.1 sub-variant has been detected in the country, there is no cause of immediate concern as 92 per cent of those infected are opting for home-based treatment, indicating mild illness, they said.
There is also no increase in hospitalisation rates and COVID-19 is an incidental finding in people hospitalised due to other medical conditions. In the last two weeks, 22 people have died due to COVID-19 in the country.
India on Thursday recorded 594 fresh COVID-19 infections while the number of active cases increased to 2,669 from 2,311 the previous day, according to Union health ministry data. The death toll has climbed to 5,33,327 with six more people — three from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one from Punjab — succumbing to the viral disease, the data updated at 8 am stated.
As many as 21 cases of the JN.1 variant had been detected across the country till Wednesday. NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul on Wednesday said that the scientific community in India is closely investigating the new variant as he emphasised the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen surveillance systems.
“There is no plan so far to make RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 mandatory at airports,” a source said.
In July, India had issued revised guidelines, dropping the requirement for RT-PCR based testing of a random 2 per cent of travellers entering India.
In view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the detection of the first case of the JN.1 variant in the country, the Centre has urged states and union territories to maintain constant vigil.
The Singapore government said is crucial for the public to exercise precaution and take personal and social responsibility. Practicing good personal hygiene, staying at home when unwell, wearing masks in crowded and poorly ventilated places, and following travel precautions are some of the key measures it suggested individuals should take.
In a letter to states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant on Monday underlined the critical COVID-19 control and management strategies considering the upcoming festive season and advised them to put in place requisite public health measures to minimise the risk of increase in transmission of the disease. States have been urged to ensure effective compliance of the detailed operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy for COVID-19 shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. They have asked to monitor and report district-wise cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) in all health facilities regularly for early detection of rising trend of cases.
It is not currently known whether the JN.1 infection produces symptoms different from other variants, the ministry had said.
In general, symptoms of COVID-19 tend to be similar across variants. There is also no indication of increased severity from JN.1
At this time, there is no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health compared to other currently circulating variants, according to the ministry. The existing treatment line for COVID-19 is expected to be effective against JN.1 infection and updated vaccines are expected to increase protection against the variant, the ministry had said.
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The Ministry of Civil Aviation is hiring. The ministry has announced an expansion of the workforce in its key aviation regulatory bodies, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
DGCA has initiated the establishment of 416 new positions. These positions, including qualified professionals such as aircraft and aeronautical engineers, pilots, and air traffic controllers, are crucial for ensuring the safety and integrity of the aviation sector.
Notably, 114 of these positions have already been filled, marking a substantial step towards enhancing the sector’s safety.
MoCA has also been actively involved in supporting AERA’s functions, an independent regulatory body tasked with overseeing economic regulations within the Indian aviation industry. To facilitate the efficient discharge of its duties, AERA has witnessed the creation of 10 new positions. Five of these positions have already been occupied, with the remainder set to be filled in the near future.
Addressing false concerns raised regarding staff shortages affecting license issuance, the DGCA clarified several points. It reported that the total number of CPLs issued in 2022 was the highest in the last decade, with this number already surpassed in September 2023. The DGCA has also recently issued Aerodrome licenses to Shivamogga Airport, Rajkot International Airport and Utkela Airport in the last six months.
Additionally, there were 27 existing vacancies, of which 24 have been filled, while the recruitment process for the remaining three is underway. According to the Aviation Ministry, AERA’s mission encompasses promoting fair competition among major airports, encouraging investment in airport infrastructure, and regulating tariffs for aeronautical services.AAI has also announced 796 additional positions for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) in two phases, with 340 posts established in May 2022 and an additional 456 in April 2023. Also, efforts are underway to fill these ATCO positions, aligning with AAI’s commitment to enhancing air travel safety and efficiency.
Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation officials inaugurated Udaan Bhawan, an Integrated Office Complex at Safdarjung Airport in Delhi, recognising the need for greater coordination among aviation regulatory authorities.
This office complex will house key regulatory bodies, including the DGCA, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and AERA, ensuring better collaboration and synergy among these agencies under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
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The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) have once again appealed to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, seeking the abolition of Tax Collection at Source (TCS) for Overseas Tour Packages. The appeal follows a series of communications between TAAI and TAFI and the concerned authorities, including the Ministry of Finance and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), regarding the challenges faced by the travel industry due to the proposed implementation of TCS.
Both the associations have not only requested a meeting with the ministry to discuss the matter of TCS but has also appealed for the postponement of the scheduled increase in TCS, which is set to take effect from October 1, 2023.
In a detailed letter addressed to the ministry, TAAI and TAFI highlighted the significant challenges posed by the TCS and its potential impact on the travel industry. According to the governemnt’s circular no 10 of 2023 dated June 30, 2023, the TCS rate is set at 5 per cent for overseas tour packages with a cost of up to INR7 lakh. Any additional amount beyond this threshold will be subject to a TCS rate of 20 per cent.
The travel industry, particularly travel agents and tour operators in India, is grappling with the repercussions of the TCS, which has reportedly led to a diversion of business to overseas tour operators operating from India. This shift has not only affected the revenues of the Indian government through income tax and GST but has also impacted the livelihoods of Indian tour operators involved in outbound tours.
Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the potential risks posed by overseas companies that may not deliver services as expected, raising questions about quality and sustainability. The absence of a mechanism to monitor the INR 7 lakh per traveler limit and uncertainties regarding payments made for such packages using overseas credit cards have added to the industry’s apprehensions.
While major metropolitan areas such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai are leading the surge in travel demand, tier-2 cities like Coimbatore, Jaipur, and Vizag are also witnessing a significant uptick in road travel. Additionally, the insights reveal a consistent trend of higher bookings from Thursday through Sunday, primarily due to the appeal of weekends.
TAAI said its previous representations on the matter have consistently called for the complete abolition of TCS on overseas tour packages. The association has emphasised the need for an effective monitoring mechanism that eliminates any loopholes, benefiting Indian citizens, tour operators, and the government alike.In its latest appeal, TAAI has urged the Ministry of Finance to postpone the implementation of TCS and engage in a consultative dialogue with the association, which has been a prominent representative of travel agents and tour operators in India since 1951. This, TAAI suggests, should remain deferred until the next financial year, allowing for further discussions and deliberations.
Whereas TAFI also requested the finance minster to take action on the matter and asked the government to roll back TCS on foreign tours and instead mandate a standard 2.5 per cent charge on all foreign spends by individuals who hold a valid PAN Card.
“It is our understanding that originally TCS on overseas tours was envisaged to track those who don’t pay taxes and yet spend money on overseas travel. This could effectively be achieved by levying a standard 2.5 per cent TCS on all foreign spends across all channels. This would also eliminate the need for complex monitoring systems to track spending across multiple channels and platforms. This will create a level playing field, eliminate the bias in favour of overseas tour operators and the travel industry of India will have a fair chance to compete on the global stage, ” TAFI President Ajay Prakash said in the letter to the Finance Minister.
Prakash added that they are anticipating positive response from the government at the earliest.”All we’ve got is a response saying it’s been forwarded to the the appropriate department,” he said.
With the implementation date of TCS just three days away, TAAI awaits a response from the ministry, emphasising the urgency of the matter and the need for a collaborative resolution that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders involved in the travel industry.
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