Thursday, August 30, 2012

Colourful Onam Festivities Await Foreign Tourists in India

Summary – To boost the number of foreign travellers on flights to India, Kerala tourism authorities are orchestrating different events and festivals around Onam celebrations. Some of the key highlights are yacht racing competition and a theatre festival.

Colourful Onam Festivities Await Foreign Tourists in India Holidaymakers taking India flights connecting ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala would be able to enjoy a wide spectrum of festivals and events that mark the celebrations of popular Onam festival.

An initiative of the state’s tourism department, 'Kochi - Onam Regatta Jalotsavam 2012' is set to offer unique festive experiences to both domestic and foreign travellers on flights to India, revealed online sources.

This five-day yacht racing competition will witness competition between 80 yachts from across the country. Besides local teams, there is also representation from Sri Lanka and the UK in the regatta.

The department is hopeful that the yacht racing competition will lure vacationers into booking flights to the South Indian province.

Besides the yacht racing competition, the five-day Onam celebration at the Kumbalanghi model tourism village is also expected to boost the number of foreign tourists on flights to India.

Adding colour to celebrations, the festivities at the tourism village will offer tourists with a first-hand opportunity to prepare regional Indian cuisines.

Besides, tourists on Kerala-bound flights to India will also be able to enjoy six-day theatre festival. The festival will host 10 plays dealing with a wide spectrum of themes in the city of Kochi.

An initiative of state tourism department, the theatre fest has been organized in a bid to pass on unique stage entertainment to those on flights to India.

News Reference

SriLankan Airlines Adds More Weekly Flights to India

International travellers who are often to be seen in a look out for flights to popular Indian Ocean destination of Sri Lanka with a connection at India have all the reasons to smile.

SriLankan Airlines has introduced additional weekly flights to South India’s popular city of Trivandrum from Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s flag carrier, SriLankan Airlines has enhanced its weekly services between Trivandrum and Colombo from August 30, 2012. The carrier has added three additional flights between the two destinations.

Previously, the state-owned airline operated seven weekly flights between these destinations.

India has long been one of the key markets and top revenue contributors for SriLankan Airlines and the carrier is hopeful of growth in passenger numbers on its flights to and from India in the coming time.

Besides these new services to Trivandrum from Colombo, the carrier had increased its weekly flights twice daily to South India’s popular city of Kochi in the month of May 2012.

Presently, the airline operates 87 weekly flights to India, including the additional flights, connecting at popular Indian cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai, Trichy and Trivandrum.

The state owned carrier currently offers flights to 58 global destinations in 33 countries in Europe, North America, Canada, India, the Far East and Middle East. With the additional flights, the airline may soon become one of the best choices for travellers looking for flights to travel to India and beyond.

News Reference

Monday, August 27, 2012

Indian Carrier Starts Low Cost Flights on Dubai-India Route

India’s popular low cost carrier, IndiGo is all set to launch new daily and non-stop flights connecting Kochi and Chennai, South India’s popular destinations with Dubai from August 25, 2012. The flights are sure to please particularly the budget travellers from the UK and rest of Europe who seek cheap flights to India connecting at Dubai.

Keeping up with the nod from Indian authorities to operate international routes, airlines in India, especially the budget domestic carriers, will now be able to offer flights to numerous global destinations!

Since more Indian low cost carriers will be able to offer international flights, travellers will now have the opportunity to save more when booking flights on global routes leading to India.

Besides IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir, two other regional budget carriers from India also recently announced to launch budget flights connecting Indian cities with international destinations.

Recently, IndiGo had also introduced its second daily and non-stop flights connecting India’s capital city of Delhi to Dubai and Bangkok, apart from commencing flights connecting Hyderabad and Dubai.

Besides, the carrier also plans to introduce direct flights to India connecting Kochi to Muscat and Trivandrum to Dubai.

Kochi or Cochin has long been a popular destination with British travellers on flights to India connecting with South India’s popular state Kerala.

With its primary hub at Delhi’s IGI Airport, IndiGo is a no-frills airline that offers no business class or first class seats, instead ensures higher availability of economy seats.

News Reference

More Economy Class Seats on Jet Airways’ India-UK Flights

Britons seeking flights to India from the UK with Jet Airways will soon be able to take advantage of more economy class seats on the plane.

One of the most popular private airlines in India, Jet Airways has planned to squeeze in 34 more seats in its Boeing B777-300ER aircraft to accommodate increasing number of flyers taking flights on India-UK route. With increased economy-class seating, the carrier is sure to attract more budget conscious flyers looking for cheap tickets on its flights.

Jet Airways has been a leading name in the aviation sector of India. The Mumbai based airline has an impressive travel network and operates a good frequency of flights between India and destinations in the UK and rest of Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and North America.

The airline has carried out its plan of boosting the economy class seating by replacing the previous nine seats per row with ten narrower seats. However, Jet Airway’s B777-300ER aircraft will feature the same eight first class and 30 business class cabins as it does currently.

The airline has contrived plans of deploying this high-seat density B777-300ERs aircraft on flights operating on India-London route. The modified aircraft will be deployed on flights between New Delhi and London (Heathrow) starting from October 16 and on flights between Mumbai and London (Heathrow) beginning from November 1.

The aircraft with more seating arrangements will still carry the reliable and warm hospitality of Jet Airways and is sure to bring smiles on the faces of travellers who seek an affordable journey on flights between India and London.

News Reference

Monday, August 20, 2012

India’s Hyderabad Airport to Become a Major Aviation Hub

A prominent IT hub and a popular holiday destination among cultural buffs taking India bound flights, the city of Hyderabad has for long been on the radar of global airline operators looking to expand network in the country. However, it is only recently that concrete reports of major global players planning to start direct flights to India’s southern city have been trickling in.

Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) is one of the best airports in the world and it sure is a win-win situation for airlines and the city, in case the airport blossoms into a major aviation hub for international airlines. Foreign travellers, too, would be able to net easy and convenient options on flights to South India, apart from enjoying award-winning services of the Hyderabad airport.

Online media sources reveal that as many as three major global carriers are ready to kick off flight operations to the RGIA in the near future.

Apart from budget carriers Tiger Airways and Thai Smile, Kenya Airways too is hopeful of starting flights to India’s south city soon.

While Tiger Airways will become the second operator to offer direct flights between Singapore and Hyderabad from September 28, Thai Smile will start offering cheap flight alternatives on Thailand- Hyderabad route from September 16.

Kenya Airways also made it clear that the metropolis features in the airline’s future flights operations planning when it comes to expansion in India. Indonesia's Garuda, Ethiopian Airlines, Jetstar Asia and Myanmar Airways are other carriers that may start flights to India’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in near future.

Article Sources

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Travel in Style from Delhi to Jaipur on AC Double-Decker Train

Jaipur has been one of the most popular destinations for cultural enthusiasts taking flights to India connecting Delhi. Leisure travellers picking Jaipur as their next stop from the national capital would now be able to use an all-new, fully AC, and double-decker rail service between the two cities.

Scheduled to start from August 16, the service is expected to become highly popular among the domestic as well as foreign holidaymakers taking flights to India. Jaipur is also a part of India’s popular Golden Triangle circuit and attracts scores of cultural and history enthusiasts to explore its charming forts and palaces.

The rail journey between the national capital and the Pink City will be completed in five hours and will provide a cheaper and comfortable option to the budget travellers who are not so keen on taking a road trip or expensive flights between the two cities.

Railways are considered to be the lifeline of India and many holidaymakers plan to experience one of the most charming facets of India after taking flights – the rail travel! However, the experience of travelling via a double-decker air-conditioned coach is a novelty even for the locals as it’s a very new concept with only a single such train currently operational in the country.

Each AC coach will feature a seating capacity of 120 with only chair-car seating. Modern safety features of the train are sure to make foreign travellers taking flights to the country feel relaxed and free from any anxiety about their safety during the journey.

News Reference

Trivandrum International Airport to Grant Visa on Arrival

Holidaymakers taking flights to God’s Own Country, Kerala will certainly be a happy lot now as state’s popular international gateway, Trivandrum Airport may very soon offer visa on arrival (T-VoA). The facility is sure to lure the impulsive holidaymakers who often remain tentative about their travel plans.

The airport will offer visa on arrival with a maximum validity of 30 days to citizens of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia. Presently, citizens of France, Germany and Russia on India bound flights can only get visa on arrival.

The move is sure to boost the state’s tourism with growth in the number of foreign tourists on flights to India connecting Kerala.

Besides Trivandrum, Goa and Bangalore may also issue T-VoA very soon. Earlier, only Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata’s international airports provided this facility to foreign visitors on flights to India from select countries.

Though the facility will definitely offer a convenient travel option to foreign tourists on flights to India, there are certain rules and restrictions related to it that are expected to be followed to the dot. T-VoA will strictly be restricted for recreation, sightseeing or meeting friends or relatives in the country, excluding any other purpose or activity.

Furthermore, those on flights to India and applying for T-VoA must have a passport with minimum six-month validity. Applicants should also not have a residence or occupation registered in their names in India to qualify for tourist visa on arrival.

News Reference

Friday, August 17, 2012

Kerala to Promote Arippa Forests As Eco-Tourism Hub

God’s Own Country, Kerala has plans in place to tempt the green thumbs to take flights to India. The southern Indian state will promote its immensely beautiful Arippa forests as eco-tourism hub to lure tourists.

The state government will set up new facilities at the location to entice more number of tourists into booking India bound flights to explore the diverse wildlife and unique ecosystem of this picturesque site in the Western Ghats.

A press release of the Kerala Forests Development Corporation (KFDC) states that the department has set up a development plan at the location along the Senkottah highway to proffer improved facilities to the vacationers visiting the southern region of the country after taking flights to India.

As per the development plan, KFDC will establish new accommodation facilities to serve the tourists planning a stay amidst the warmth of Mother Nature. Moreover, the existing guesthouse of the corporation will be renovated and some night camps will be set up to let the travellers enjoy modern day facilities in the midst of untamed settings.

Some locals from the Kani tribe will be hired as guides by the department to assist the visitors in exploring the woods in specific locations.

Apart from Arippa, KFDC is also targeting many other locations like Thenmala and Mankayam to be promoted as key attractions. The regions are known for their extremely beautiful surroundings and are sure to prove instrumental in luring nature devotees to take flights to India to get a slice of its rustic natural exquisiteness.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Mysore’s Dasara Festival Expected to Tempt Tourists to India

Festival goers planning to book India-bound flights have reasons to smile yet again as Mysore Dasara 2012 is all set to take place from October 16 to 24. One of the most celebrated and pompous events of South India, Dasara lasts for 10 days every year, usually during late September or early October, in the Indian Royal city of Mysore.

State’s tourism authorities are looking forward to draw in more foreign tourists on flights to India to attend the festivities this year. And to make things easier for visitors, authorities have planned to launch special website specifically dedicated to Dasara 2012 festivities.

The website is likely to be further linked to related news portals and will be uniquely designed to catch the attention of tourists from destinations like Canada, Russia, United Kingdom, United States, the West Asian region and European Union countries tempting them to book flights to India.

Though the event will begin from 16th October, the countdown for the festival will start right from September 7th 2012 when a herd of elephants will commence trip to Mysore, the city of palaces, from the elephant camp at Veernahosahalli.

Visitors on flights to the country during the event will be able to enjoy numerous cultural programs, food fare, adventure sports, kite festival, flower show and scores of other interesting activities. With so much on offer, it is not surprising why the demand for flights to the country is surging up several weeks before the event.


Bollywood blockbuster hits the silver screens

One of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters of the year is set for global release today (August 15th) as the film industry goes from strength to strength.

It is a romantic thriller called Ek Tha Tiger - which, translated in to English means Once There Was a Tiger - and it brings together two of the India's biggest stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif

Estimates predict around 100 million people will buy tickets to see it as the genre becomes more mainstream.


Flights Frequency to India by Domestic Airlines May Go Up

Travellers desirous of extending their exposure to the rich Indian hospitality, starting even before arriving in India or after departure from the country can rejoice!

Indian authorities have been reported to have made plans to encourage more flights to India being operated by the country’s own carriers!

The domestic aviation companies have been asked to submit their schedules for operating overseas flights till March 2014.

At present, Indian carriers Air India, Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Kingfisher are permitted to operate overseas flights from India.

The statistics reveal that where foreign airlines operate 1,356 weekly flights to the country, domestic ones operate less than 1,000 global services.

There is a growing sentiment in the Indian civil aviation sector that if foreign players will continue operating more and more flights into India then how can local players grow and make their mark in the global industry.

While the move is sure to please Indian operators and their fans, it may lead to some disappointment for airlines from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman which were looking forward to expand their flights network in India and perhaps cause an equal disappointment for their patrons booking flights to India.

Indian authorities have stated that even if different international agreements cannot be reversed, efforts can be made to ensure local players are not suffering.

In a cascading effect, the move to encourage domestic airlines to operate more flights to and from India will also transform many Indian airports into global hubs. This has so far not been possible as international operators fly passengers from the country to their own hubs connecting them to different parts of the world through their seamless network of flights worldwide.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

India to Be Promoted as an 'All Season Destination'

Indian Government is all set to go all over the place to proclaim and advertise the ancient country as an all-season destination! The country’s Ministry of Tourism (MoT) will be working together with trade associations in order to promote tourism and to attract travellers to look for flights bound to India.

The ministry will organise several road shows all over the globe to propel the country’s tourism interests. Expos will be held in country’s both traditional and non-traditional markets.

In an effort to tempt travellers to grab flights to the nation, MoT will work with associations like Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

Road shows will be held in the US and Canada next month. These exhibitions are going to showcase India as an all-season destination and are set to tempt tourists to take flights to the Southeast Asian nation. The first road show in the US will be held in September 10 in Phoenix, Arizona and will gradually move to San Francisco and Seattle before covering Vancouver, Canada.

The expos and fairs are all aimed at portraying India as a destination for where flight tickets can be booked any time of the year.

Moreover, to promote India as a medical hub and to make people look at flights to cities like Mumbai and Delhi for their treatment, the ministry will be conducting medical tourism exhibitions in Kenya and Tanzania.

Roadshows will also be held in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand from October 1-4, 2012 to attract tourists from there to book flights.

News Sources

Monday, August 13, 2012

Indian Carriers Try to Woo Flyers With Discounted Flights

Indian airlines, in a bid to fight the gloom of the off tourist season, have started rolling out concessions and discounts on flights to the travellers. The discounts are offered not only on domestic sectors but also few popular international routes.

All major Indian airlines like Jet Airways, Air India, Kingfisher Airlines and Spice Jet have launched discounts on flights. Jet Airways, India’s largest airline, has launched packages for corporate flyers. The airline is offering two night group packages within the country for destinations including Goa, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Udaipur. When it comes to international flights, Jet is offering three night’s flight packages to Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong starting from Rs.32, 737 (GBP 380 approx.). Low-priced flight tickets on these international routes are not only going to help travellers bound to these destinations but also those who seek connecting flights to Europe from such stopovers.

On the other hand, Air India has plans to reward its frequent flyers. The state-run carrier is going to offer incentive to travellers who take flights between 20 July and 30 September with airline. The carrier will offer free tickets (taxes payable by the passenger) on international flights. The cabin class of these free flight tickets will be directly proportional to the amount of money spent on airfares during the said time period.

Monsoon is generally not considered a peak season for Indian tourism with not many foreign tourists willing to book flights to the country during the period. However, with such cheap flight offers available for the flyers, one might just give a thought to India holidays in monsoon!

News Sources

Friday, August 10, 2012

South Indian State of Kerala Launches Sightseeing Boat Service

Sightseeing on boat! This is the latest offering of India’s popular tourist destination, Kerala. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation have come together to launch a ‘sightseeing’ boat service that is sure to lure not only domestic travellers from all over the country but also foreign vacationers taking flights to India.

The ferry service, which is slated to start and end at the Ernakulam Boat Jetty, will link a number of tourist spots and heritage centres in the Fort Kochi and Mattancherry heritage tourism zones. Foreign tourists who vie hard to book flights to explore the cultural attractions, glorious heritage and traditions or the region will surely have their hands full.

The new service will also allow leisure vacationers to sample the much renowned Indian diversity. In Mattancherry, guests can visit the Jewish synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth countries, and the Dutch Palace, a sure to lure attraction with a fine portrait gallery of the former kings of Kochi. Offering a treat to the cultural buffs taking flights to South India, the Dutch Palace is a delightful place to explore India’s brilliant legacies.

Fort Kochi is again for those interested in looking at the country’s European inheritance after taking flights to India. St. Francis Church, the first church to be built in the country by Europeans, is a highlight of the place.

The first cruise was flagged off on Saturday by KSINC’s Managing Director Tom Jose and a double deck, Lake Palace will be used to operate the service, offering two schedules in a day for domestic and international tourists booking flights for the destination.

News ReferenceLink

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Himachal Pradesh – The Adventurous Of the Lot in India!

If you are an adventure enthusiast and have been mulling cheap flights to an inexpensive adventure destination, think no more! India’s northern state of Himachal Pradesh has bagged the ‘Best State for Adventure Tourism Destination’ by Safari India Magazine.

Most foreign travellers who make bookings on flights to India include this beautiful hill state in their travel itinerary. While the nature lovers are enthused by the region’s unsurpassed splendour, those with a slightly more ‘thrilling’ outlook find it hard to resist plentiful adventure activities here. These include mountaineering, rock climbing, camping, skiing, trekking, gliding, safaris and a number of water sports including river rafting, kayaking and fishing and much more.

Flanked by the Western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh surely offers perfect venues for a variety of adventure activities, inundating thrill seekers taking flights to the destination with options galore. Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie are few of the tourist towns that attract holiday makers who book state bound flights.

The Himachal Pradesh government is planning initiatives to diversify tourism in the state, adding newer and unexplored attractions to the region’s gamut of lures. Eco-tourism attractions like camping sites, eco huts and trek routes are being promoted by the state authorities and are likely to beguile tourists who book flights to India in hope of rousing adventures.

Bir-Billing in Himachal Pradesh is renowned for being one of the top paragliding sites in the world. From September to October, the place attracts streams of adventure enthusiasts on flights from all over the world to participate in many paragliding competitions.

Being relatively cheaper with numerous flights and accommodation options, Himachal Pradesh would sure be the choice of budget adventure holidaymaker.

News Reference

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Kerala Lovers may be Able to Book Flights on Air Kerala Soon!

Kerala, a south Indian state popular among tourists, is keen to launch its own airline, ‘Air Kerala’.

The new airline is being launched to propose more flight options to the South Indians working in the Gulf region who are currently dependent only on the national carrier and other squeezing international airlines to book their flights to India with a connection to the state.

Kerala is a much-popular destination among international travellers who net flights to India to relish the powers of nature and experience rustic image of the country. The state is known for its revitalising spas and offers amazing Ayurvedic treatments for ailments.

While making this announcement in the state assembly, Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala expressed though the state has already made initiatives directed towards launching this new airline, the efforts are still not yielding fruitful results as the norms of the country stipulate that an airline with a fleet of 20 aircrafts will only be permitted to operate international flights. Moreover, country’s aviation policy also says that an airline will be allowed to operate overseas flights only if it has completed five years of domestic operations.

According to Mr. Chandy, Kerala is the first Indian state that has come up with this idea and thus it should be given special consideration by the authorities.

The formal declaration of the launch of Air Kerala is likely to be made at the inaugural ‘Emerging Kerala’ investment meeting which is scheduled from September 12.

News Reference

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Take Flights to India and Revel in the Grace of Cochin

The spellbinding city of Cochin or Kochi in South-Indian state of Kerala, boasts the unparalleled wealth of nature and shines with incredible remnants of past. Holidays to Cochin are all about immersing in the grandeur of Mother Nature and revelling in the glory of bygone era. Fascinated by the magnificence of the city, most travel buffs seek out airlines and tour operators that offer cheap flight tickets and holiday deals for Cochin holidays.

Article Sources

Monday, August 6, 2012

Asean Airlines Could Offer Unlimited Flights to Indian Metros

Indian Government is likely to permit airlines from the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) to offer unlimited flights to Delhi, capital city of India, says a report that was published in The Hindu Business Line, an Indian financial daily.

Flights to Delhi will be offered from the capital cities of the member countries.

The report states eventually Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata will also be offered this exemption and unlimited flights will be offered to these Indian cities.

Once the proposal is approved by the Government of India, the 2003 India-Asean open sky agreement that permits airlines to run daily flights to various metros is set for an updation.

Carriers from the Asean region are also permitted to provide unlimited flights to several India tourist destinations like Kochi, Thiruvanathapuram, Kozhikode, Tiruchi, Port Blair and Visakhapatnam. Officials point out that India is now likely to pursue China’s example in liberalising its air services agreement with the Asean.

The report also makes it clear that such international accords work on the basis of reciprocity. This means Indian airlines will also be authorised to operate more flights to the Asean region.

UK and other international travellers who plan twin centre holidays in the Southeast region are likely to be benefited by the move as this allows them greater flexibility and much more alternatives in terms of flights between India and Asean destinations.

Asean, the 10-member regional bloc includes countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

News Sources

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Armavia Starts Connecting Flights to Amritsar from Birmingham

The national airline of Armenia, Armavia has started connecting flights from Birmingham to Amritsar, India via Yerevan. The airline launched its first direct flight to India connecting Amritsar and Yerevan on the 24th July 2012. The airline used its Boeing-737 aircraft to operate its first direct flight on the route and will be operating flights 2/3 times a week.

On the 2nd day, the flights will depart from Yerevan, Armenia at 20:00 hours and will arrive Amritsar by 01:55, the next day. The return flight will depart from Amritsar at 03:10 and will arrive at Yerevan at 06:35. (All times are local)

On the 3rd day, the flights will depart from Yerevan at 20:30 hrs and will arrive Amritsar by 02:25, the next day. The return flight will depart from Amritsar at 03:40 hrs and will arrive at Yerevan at 05:10 hrs. (All times are local)

In addition, Armavia has also started direct flights connecting Birmingham and Yerevan from 25th July 2012. The flights will be operated 3 days a week and will suitably connect Birmingham and Amritsar via Yerevan.

The Birmingham- Yerevan flight will depart from Yerevan at 08:00 hrs and will arrive at Birmingham by 10:25 hrs. The Yerevan- Birmingham flight will depart from Birmingham at 11:25 hrs and will arrive at Yerevan at 17:15 hrs.

The news of Armenia’s flag carrier, Armavia operating flights connecting Birmingham in the UK and Amritsar in India has certainly come as pleasant surprise to those who desire an easy connectivity between the two premier travel destinations.

Reference

Friday, August 3, 2012

Jet Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo to Increase International Flights

Three major private carriers of India - Jet Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo - have decided to enhance some of the major Gulf and Southeast Asian routes in their travel networks.

The decision has been made after the India’s Civil Aviation Ministry decided to scrap national carrier Air India's right of first refusal on overseas flights

While, IndiGo and SpiceJet are popular options among budget travellers looking for cheap flights on many domestic routes and few international ones, Jet Airways is a full-service airline offering inbound and outbound flights to India apart from domestic operations.

As per the India’s Civil Aviation Ministry, IndiGo has the approval for operating 63 new weekly international flights, including 28 flights to Dubai and 7 to Jeddah. SpiceJet has got the nod to operate 49 new overseas flights, including 7 to Dubai and 7 to Riyadh. Jet Airways will be operating 56 new weekly flights, including 14 to Kuwait.

These increased flight frequencies on the announced routes are likely to cater to the needs of those desirous of world class in-flight services as well as those seeking cheap flights on the routes.

Earlier, private airlines were allowed to choose international routes only if Air India refused to fly on them. However, now with the India ministry taking away this privilege from the national carrier, travellers will have to depend less on AI’s flight services to the Middle East. With more options available, flyers can also hope to net cheap flights.

News Sources

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Kashmir and Ladakh for a Cooler Indian Summer Holidays!

India is brimming with myriad of summer destinations that promise unforgettable holiday break for vacationers who book airline tickets on cheap flights for summer months. There are dozens of hill resorts that provide ample scope to beat the heat and have a ball!

Going for a tour on these summer destination will make you forget the scorches of heat and you will love the pleasant climate that transports you to a heaven of sorts. Read on and get acquainted with top summer destinations that are well worth the money spent on airline tickets for cheap flights to India.

Srinagar, Kashmir

The dulcet weather, awe-inspiring vistas of soaring mountains, glinting lakes and caressing air will flabbergast you in Srinagar. It is literally a kind of place where you’ll be left gloating over your decision of taking flights to India.

Srinagar remains a compelling step for most holidaymakers on India tour. Summer, stretching from March to August, is the best time to plan holiday breaks in Srinagar. Travel buffs taking flights to India and landing in Srinagar in summers will be awed by the grace of Dal Lake and unparalleled grandeur of Mughal Gardens.

Leh, Ladakh

In summers, Leh Ladakh transmutes into a heaven. Most budget conscious vacationers hopping on cheap flights to India make way to Leh Ladakh for revelling in its enchanting glory, all within budget.

Summer is an ideal time for Leh travel and to get the maximum bang for money spent on cheap flight tickets. One can indulge in a flurry of exciting activities like polo, mountain biking, safari & trekking, wildlife tours, river rafting.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Underserved India-Australia Flight Route Demands More Capacity

British holiday makers in India looking for a further travel to Australia will soon be able to pick a direct flight to the land of kangaroos. As of now, there is no direct, non-stop connection between India and Australia and travellers taking inbound flights to India are required to make a stopover at destinations like Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.

State-run carrier Air India, a popular option for inbound and outbound flights to India, has plans to initiate non-stop services to Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne by the end of October this year.

A Tourism Australia study has estimated that the mushrooming air traffic between India and Australia would require an extra 3, 45, 000 seats on flights operating between the two destinations by 2020. The report also states that Delhi and Mumbai airports would be on focus for developing the air traffic on the sector.

The report enunciates that Australia-India sector is under-served by the airlines. Tourism Australia emphasises that there are enough business opportunities for airlines on both sides in case they choose to ply direct flights on the route. It is also suggested that Tourism Australia will work with Indian airlines and other carriers to look for opportunities and partnership solutions.

India has blossomed as Australia’s one of most valuable inbound travel markets with Indian travellers AUD 867 million to the Australian economy in 2011.

Surely, with Australian authorities keen to serve the Indian travel market, travellers from India are likely be benefited from increased frequency of flights as and when convenient connections with Australia are offered.

News Sources