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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Ride-hailing company Ola on Tuesday said it has decided to shut down all of its existing global markets, namely the UK, Australia and New Zealand amid rising competition.
The company mentioned that it will be focusing on the Indian market as it sees an “immense opportunity for expansion” in the country.
“The future of mobility is electric — not just in personal mobility but also for the ride-hailing business, and there is immense opportunity for expansion in India,” an Ola spokesperson said in a statement.
“With this clear focus, we’ve reassessed our priorities and have decided to shut down our overseas ride-hailing business in its current form in the UK, Australia and New Zealand,” it added.
The company operates in hundreds of locations and provides several modes of transportation, including two-wheelers.
Meanwhile, Ola’s mobility business in the country has reported a profit of INR 250 crore in FY23 against a loss of INR 66 crore in FY22.
He added, “The electrification programme is not just about environmental benefits. It’s a catalyst for economic growth. It creates jobs during construction, reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, and positions Indian Railways as a modern and efficient engine of the nation’s economy.”
Its revenue rose 58 per cent to INR 2,135 crore in FY23 from INR 1,350 crore in FY22.”In FY23, we challenged ourselves — to not just grow and scale, but to do this profitably. While our revenue continued to grow at a strong clip of 58 per cent, we became EBITDA positive in the India mobility business,” the company said.
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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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Fly91, a new regional airline, took flight with th e inaugural flight being flagged off by Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia. The maiden journey departed from Manohar International Airport (MOPA), Goa, destined for Agatti Islands in Lakshadweep.
From Goa’s Manohar International Airport, the flag off for the first-Goa based airline was done by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in presence of Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, and Fly91 CEO Manoj Chako and others.
In his address, Scindia hailed the transformative growth of India’s aviation sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He emphasised the government’s commitment to expanding air connectivity to tier 2 and tier 3 cities through the UDAN scheme. The scheme aims to elevate domestic air traffic to 30 crores by 2030, a significant leap from 6 crores in 2014.
“Fly91 will primarily connect tier 2 and 3 cities, along with other destinations in India. The First Flight is directly connecting Goa to Agatti (Lakshadweep) following the vision of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji. The airline will give a great boost to Dekho Apna Desh and tourism in Goa. I wish all the best to Fly91 for a bright future,” Goa CM Sawant said.
Fly91 announced that scheduled flights will commence from March 18, 2024, connecting Manohar International Airport, Goa, with Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jalgaon, Agatti, Pune, and Nanded. Additional routes from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune to Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Nanded, and Goa will be introduced in a phased manner.These new connections are poised to meet the growing demand for enhanced connectivity across the nation, fostering tourism, trade, and commerce. Fly91 said it aims to deliver affordable, punctual, safe, and convenient travel experiences for passengers.
The event in Delhi was attended by Fly91 Chairman Harsha Raghavan, Asangba Chuba Ao, Joint Secretary MoCA, along with officials from AAI and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Fly91 is a pure play Regional Airline based in Goa, that will connect unserved and under served Tier II and III cities. Fly91 will operate a young fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft.
Goa plans to introduce co-working spaces on Morjim and Ashwem beaches, aiming to attract European and high-spending tourists for an all-around experience beyond the beaches. The state government aims to offer nomad visas, inviting people to work and enjoy the beaches. The tourism department focuses on regenerative tourism, involving locals, culture, cuisine, festivals, temples, and churches.
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Europe’s largest long-distance bus network Flix, has foayed into India, with FlixBus making its grand entry into the Indian market, marking its presence in the 43rd country worldwide. Offering intercity passenger transportation, FlixBus is set to commence bus travel operations across India with its extensive network spanning Delhi, Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, covering 46 destination cities.
In a bid to make travel accessible to all, FlixBus is launching its services with tickets priced as low as INR 99 as part of the launch offer. Starting from February 1, 2024, passengers can book their journeys, with the first routes scheduled to commence from February 6th. The initial routes will connect Delhi with key destinations such as Ayodhya, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Manali, and others, offering a total of 59 stops and over 200 connections.
Responding to the needs of Indian passengers, FlixBus introduces dedicated services such as gender seating, a 24×7 incident response team, a traffic control ward, and 2-point seat belts for all seats. Additionally, FlixBus ensures top-quality buses, all less than 3 years old and having travelled fewer than 500 km, equipped with ABS and ESC systems for enhanced safety.
FlixBus collaborates with local bus operators, leveraging its tech platform to optimise operations and deliver seamless travel experiences. The company’s commitment to quality, safety, and environmental sustainability is reflected in its exclusive use of premium buses equipped with BS6 engines, complying with stringent emission norms.
During the launch ceremony in Delhi, André Schwämmlein, CEO, Flix, expressed his excitement about FlixBus’ expansion into India, emphasising the company’s mission to provide sustainable, safe, and affordable travel options. “Entering the dynamic Indian market is a huge opportunity for us, filled with anticipation and the recognition of the significant potential to change the mobility landscape in India. Our mission is perfectly fitting what India strives for – sustainable, safe and affordable travel options for all. Acknowledging the growing demand for such services in India, we are committed to upholding consistent quality, safety, and delivering a seamless customer experience in every region we operate,” he said.
As FnP’s new medical tourism platform, MediJourney offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services, including expert consultations, medical visa assistance, Telemedicine, and post-treatment follow-up care. Headquartered in Delhi, MediJourney has expanded its footprint to Bangladesh and Dubai, extending its expertise globally. The company aims to become the treatment partner of choice for embassy officials and expatriates in India.
Surya Khurana, Managing Director, FlixBus, India, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the company’s focus on collaboration with local operators to optimise growth and efficiency while championing shared mobility to reduce congestion and emissions in cities. “We champion shared mobility to reduce congestion and emissions in cities. We’re anticipating a transformation in the Indian intercity travel space, we’re excited to lead the charge, setting a global standard for seamless, reliable, and affordable intercity transport.”
Dr Philipp Ackermann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to India & Bhutan, praised FlixBus’ entry into India, citing it as a significant step towards reducing CO2 emissions in the transportation sector. He emphasised the importance of collective efforts to promote sustainable transportation, aligning with both German and Indian government initiatives.
Flix has established itself as a global leader in long-distance travel, expanding its operations across Europe, the United States, Canada, Chile, and Brazil.
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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 development with far-reaching consequences for Indian travellers planning trips to Canada, the Canadian government has announced a reduction in visa and consular services in India. This move comes amid an ngoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has declared that visa and consular services in several key Indian cities will be affected due to a significant number of Canadian diplomats departing the country. This departure is a result of the Indian government’s call for parity in Canadian diplomatic presence in India. As a consequence, Indian travellers seeking Canadian visas may experience substantial delays in their applications and processing. The reduced diplomatic staff, now numbering only 21 diplomats after the recalibration, has led the Canadian government to impose a temporary halt on all in-person services at Canadian Consulates across India until further notice.
This pause will affect the overall visa processing, response to inquiries, and the issuance of visas and passports due to the diminished diplomatic workforce. Nonetheless, Canada will continue to accept and process visa applications from India.
VFS Global, the entity responsible for handling Canadian visa applications in India, has confirmed that Canada Visa Application Centres in ten Indian cities will continue to operate as per IRCC’s instructions. They assured that Canadian visa applicants can still receive administrative support and submit their biometrics at these centres.
The IRCC has stated that five of its staff members will remain in India to focus on tasks requiring an in-country presence. These include urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment, and the supervision of key partners such as visa application centres, panel physicians, and clinics conducting immigration medical exams. Other tasks and staff members will be reallocated across the IRCC’s global processing network.
Widespread panic among Indian travellers ensued when certain media reports suggested that Canada was suspending visa and consular services at Canadian Consulates in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chandigarh. However, it is crucial to note that only in-person operations are impacted, and visa applications will continue to be processed.
The High Commission of Canada in India has also confirmed this situation and clarified that “The Consulates General of Canada in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai are temporarily suspending in-person operations. You can obtain consular assistance and further information from the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi. Consular services in person remain available at the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi.”
The strategy to bag economical fares has backfired on passengers planning to fly from Canada to India this winter. Passengers who have booked international flights between Canada and India in advance are now facing issues due to the non-issuance of visas by both countries. Passengers with airline tickets but no valid visa or travel document cannot travel on the given date.
IRCC has revealed that 41 Canadian diplomats and their dependents were at risk of having their immunities revoked post-October 20. This is why the Canadian government facilitated their safe departure from India. Notably, India had requested Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country last month.
IRCC expressed its view that India’s call for diplomatic parity is “completely unreasonable and escalatory” and considered it a violation of the Vienna Convention. In response, Canada updated its travel advisory for India on October 19, urging its citizens to exercise increased caution while in the country.
Conversely, the Indian government strongly rejected allegations against it and refuted attempts to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms. The Ministry of External Affairs asserted that the state of bilateral relations, the notably higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued involvement in India’s internal affairs justified a parity in mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa.
In terms of visa applications, Canada witnessed a substantial surge of 55 per cent in comparison to 2019. Of particular note is the fact that Indians topped the list in all categories of Canadian visas, including those for students, tourists, business, work permits, and permanent residency applications. This suggests the robust demand among Indian travellers for Canadian visas, despite the current diplomatic challenges.
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Uganda Airlines has just announced its plans for India operations, starting from October 7. The airline is set to launch a brand-new direct service connecting Mumbai‘s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Entebbe International Airport in Uganda.
This service will operate three times a week and will be facilitated by Uganda Airlines’ Airbus A330-800 neo aircraft. Passengers can look forward to a three-class configuration, with options in Business (20 seats), Premium Economy (28 seats), and Economy (210 seats). With this new connection, a non-stop air link between India and Uganda will be reestablished after more than half a century.
This route extension also signifies Uganda Airlines’ commitment to expanding its services beyond the African continent. It joins the growing network of routes that provide travellers with connections to South, West, Central, and Eastern Africa. The direct flight will reduce travel time significantly, with approximately 5.5 hours in each direction.
“We are excited to introduce this (Entebbe-Mumbai flight), the latest addition to our network, which affirms Uganda Airlines expands travel options for our passengers. Besides convenience, we hope this route will add energy to the existing business and commercial relations between India and Uganda,” said Adedayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer at Uganda Airlines.
Inaugural services to Dusseldorf, Germany began on September 28, followed the next day by Copenhagen, Denmark and then Osaka, Japan on October 1. The airline has also announced the launch of nine new destinations in 2023, including Malaga, Mykonos, Lisbon, Kolkata, among others. The new routes to the Indian Subcontinent, with Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram are scheduled next year.
“Since 2017, I have relentlessly pursued the dream of a direct flight from Mumbai to Entebbe, believing it to be the catalyst for enhanced trade, commerce, and tourism between our two nations. I am elated to witness the realization of my vision,” said Madhusudan Agrawal, Hon. Consul of Uganda.The inaugural flight, UR 430, will take off from Entebbe on Saturday, October 7, while the return flight, UR 431, is scheduled to depart from Mumbai on Sunday, October 8. The flight schedule has been designed to connect with Uganda Airlines’ existing network, accommodating passengers who wish to continue their journeys beyond Uganda.
Flights can be booked through the Uganda Airlines App, available on both Google Play and Apple iStore.
Currently, Uganda Airlines operates flights to several destinations, including Dubai, Johannesburg, Bujumbura, Nairobi, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Kinshasa, and Mogadishu.
Additionally, flights to Lagos, Nigeria, are set to commence soon, the airline revealed.
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In its unwavering commitment to ensuring the utmost safety and security of air travel operations, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai has announced its scheduled comprehensive post-monsoon runway maintenance. As a result, both runways, RWY 09/27 and RWY 14/32, will temporarily cease operations on October 17, 2023, from 1100 hrs to 1700 hrs.
CSMIA, being one of the busiest airports in the country, said it takes immense pride in executing safe, secure, efficient, and seamless operations. To uphold these standards, it meticulously plans and executes runway maintenance works throughout the year.
The primary objective behind this scheduled temporary closure is to facilitate essential repair and maintenance activities vital for maintaining the airport’s infrastructure at the highest standards. This annual post-monsoon preventive maintenance plan ensures that CSMIA’s facilities are in optimal condition to serve passengers and airline operations.
The Mumbai airport had issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) six months in advance, thereby providing ample time for airlines and other stakeholders to plan their flight schedules accordingly. This proactive approach ensures that flight operations are not disrupted.
Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai emerged as the top domestic destinations for CSMIA in August 2023. In the international sector, Dubai, London, and Abu Dhabi remained the most preferred destinations. Moreover, the airport witnessed substantial growth in international sectors compared to the previous year. The Independence Day weekend in August saw a substantial surge in passenger numbers.
By conducting meticulous and timely maintenance like this post-monsoon runway inspection, the airport demonstrates its commitment to both safety and operational continuity.CSMIA has worked closely with all key stakeholders, including airlines, to effectively schedule flights, thereby ensuring a smooth execution of the maintenance activities. The airport authorities have expressed their gratitude for the cooperation and support of passengers during this essential maintenance period.
CSMIA said this comprehensive post-monsoon runway maintenance represents another step in safeguarding the airport’s operational integrity. “The temporary closure on October 17 is a crucial component of these efforts to ensure safe, efficient, and seamless air travel experiences for all passengers.”
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