Air Travel In India

Aviation security body orders mandatory ladder-points checks for flights

Secondary ladder point checking for all flights has been made compulsory at airports as part of enhanced security measures following the blast in the national capital on Monday. Full search of aircraft and catering services of aircraft, strict monitoring of non-scheduled flight operations, including air ambulance, random checking of passengers' baggage are among the other security measures put in place by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). "In view of the recent blast in New Delhi and subsequent surcharged security scenario, it is necessary to enhance security measures at all the civil aviation installations like airports, airstrips, airfields, air force stations, helipads, flying schools, aviation training institutes etc...," the BCAS said in an advisory. The enhanced security measures are to ensure that there are no untoward incidents, it said in the advisory, dated November 10. According to the BCAS, Secondary Ladder Point Checking (SLPC) has been made compulsory for

Tirun Travel partners with Air India to launch integrated fly-cruise trips

Cruise aggregator TIRUN Travel Marketing on Monday said it has partnered with Air India to introduce integrated packages combining flights and cruises. This partnership, which commenced in November, will offer Indian travellers a seamless journey connecting Air India and Air India Express flights with cruise holidays from the TIRUN portfolio, the company said in a statement. Initially, under this partnership domestic and international flight connections will be integrated with cruise itineraries to destinations such as Singapore and Hong Kong, and it will later expand to Sydney, Los Angeles, and destinations across Europe, TIRUN Travels said. "The Fly-Cruise program bridges the gap between doorstep and deck by creating a single, seamless travel experience. With Air India's extensive connectivity and our world-class cruise portfolio, we're making travel planning simpler- a top priority on today's traveller's wish list. Together, we continue to add value to the way India travels and .

India's new travel anthem: Go where the music plays, and tourism thrives

Concert economy giving wings to micro-holidays, hotels stays

Icra cuts FY26 domestic air growth to 4-6%, August traffic stagnates

Icra lowered FY26 domestic air growth forecast to 4-6 per cent from 7-10 per cent, citing global tensions, accident-related hesitancy, and weak demand, as August passenger traffic stagnated

India and Kuwait ink deal to clear runway for more flights and flyers

India and Kuwait have signed a new aviation deal expanding seat capacity to 18,000 weekly, addressing high demand and easing operational constraints for airlines

Monsoon deals spark travel boom as tourists head back to Indian hotspots

Tourism sees strong revival as airlines, hotels and travel platforms roll out monsoon deals to tap into pent-up demand, with bookings rising sharply across key Indian destinations

DGCA launches comprehensive special audit plan to end siloed safety checks

DGCA's new special audit framework moves beyond siloed inspections to assess safety, compliance and operations across airlines, airports, MROs and other aviation entities

Off-season fades from India's travel scene amid flexible work, breaks

Long weekends, hybrid work flexibility driving this shift

Travel industry mourns Air India plane crash, sentiment turns sombre

Tourism bodies express grief over the tragic crash of AI Flight 171 in Ahmedabad that killed over 204 passengers; travel firms respond to airport closure and alerts

Events-related travel to, within India hit amid rising Indo-Pak tensions

Several upscale hotels in New Delhi reporting cancellation or postponing of business meetings, conferences

Budget 2025: Airlines see growth, accessible travel in modified UDAN scheme

Airlines on Saturday welcomed the proposal to modify UDAN scheme to provide regional air connectivity to 120 new destinations, saying the move will make air travel more accessible as well as help boost overall economic growth. Presenting the Union Budget for 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) has enabled 1.5 crore middle-class people to meet their aspirations for speedier travel. SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said the budget is forward-looking and middle class-friendly and aims to boost spending and stimulate development. "With the launch of a modified UDAN scheme that will introduce 120 new destinations and bring 4 crore additional passengers into the fold over the next decade, the aviation landscape in India is set for a transformative shift. This initiative will not only make air travel more accessible to remote regions but will also drive economic growth and tourism, further empowering local economies," he said i

Rs 200 samosas, Rs 500 thalis has airport users fuming in new survey

Passengers report paying up to 200% more for food and beverages at Indian airports, with samosas priced at Rs 200 and thalis at Rs 500, sparking calls for affordable options and pricing reforms

Indians flock to visa-free destinations, spend up to 70,000/person on trips

Increased disposable income, better airline connectivity, and simplified visa processes have made it easier for Indians to travel abroad

Airlines, hotels make up 70% of India's $53 billion travel market: Deloitte

In 2023, airlines and hotels made up 70% of India's $53 billion travel market, with corporate travel valued at $10.6 billion. By 2030, the Indian travel industry is expected to touch $97 billion

How Indians travel decoded: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Bhutan new favorites

There has been a 70% increase in the combined search volume for the top 10 emerging destinations. Almaty and Baku have seen phenomenal growth rates of 527% and 395%, respectively.

Rising airfares put a damper on Dussehra and Diwali travel plans this year

The cost of flights during Diwali week in 2024 has surged compared to the same period last year, even for bookings made three months in advance, according to media reports

Air travel demand normalises after Covid boom, customers back to basics

Ryanair reported earlier on Monday a bigger than expected drop in quarterly profit as fares plunged 15 per cent, with management saying that ticket prices were continuing to deteriorate

Airlines add 51 new passengers to no-fly list for unruly behaviour in 2024

The civil aviation ministry on Monday said 51 passengers have been placed under the no-fly list of airlines for unruly behaviour this year till July 1. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has norms in place for handling unruly/disruptive passengers, including procedures for placing unruly passengers on the no-fly list. A total of 300 passengers have been placed on the no-fly list in the last five years, including 51 people this year till July 1, according to data provided by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol to the Rajya Sabha. In 2023, as many as 110 passengers were placed on the no-fly list while the count stood at 63 and 66 in 2022 and 2021, respectively. As per the data, 10 passengers were placed on the list in 2020. Adequate regulatory frameworks are in place to ensure safety of the aircraft/ persons/ property/ good order and discipline on board the aircraft and to handle the unlawful/disruptive behaviour on-board the aircraft, the minister sai

India's monsoon travel surge: Bookings up 25% with discounts driving demand

Countries with short-haul international flights and visa-free or easily obtainable visa options, such as Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bali, and Malaysia are experiencing a 20% increase in demand annually

Summer travel rises 40% this year, travel sector see buoyant demand

As Indian travellers pack their bags to escape the scorching heat, there has been a 40 per cent on-year increase in summer travel this year, with hospitality and travel services providers noticing buoyant demand. Although the ongoing general elections have had a minor impact on corporate and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) business, hotels are finding increased retail business with beach destinations still fighting it out with hill stations for the favoured holiday site. "Those in the Northern part of the country head to the hills to escape the heat. There is also movement from the cities to nearby tourist or leisure destinations. Industry sources estimate a 30 to 40 per cent increase in the summer travel this year as compared to last year," Hotel Association of India, President and Radisson Hotel Group Chairman-South Asia, KB Kachru told PTI. MakeMyTrip Co-Founder & Group CEO Rajesh Magow said, "Summer is always one of the biggest quarters of the year in