Jet offers An Additional Daily Service on Kolkata-Bangkok route

Jet Airways is all set to offer yet another link between the top holiday destinations of Thailand and India.

A leading Indian airline, Jet Airways will start operating an additional flight on the Kolkata-Bangkok route, effective from May 10, 2012. The flight will be operated by the Boeing 737 aircraft.

The airline’s press release specifies that the new service between City of Joy and the Thai capital will be a day one. Keen travellers will know that currently the airline offers a night flight on the route.

Sudheer Raghavan, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways was hopeful of the success of the new flight launch. He said the increase in the tourist and business traffic to and from Bangkok will ensure that the new service remains in demand. Mr Raghavan also expressed faith that convenient connections from Kolkata into the airline’s network will offer onward connections on the airline network both within India and abroad.

As of now, Jet Airways offers three daily flights to Bangkok from Mumbai and a daily from Delhi. The availability of yet another flight on Thai-India route could perhaps ignite expectations of budget travellers who look for tickets on inbound and outbound cheap flights to India.

Flight 9W 72 will take off from Kolkata at 1100 hrs and will land at Bangkok airport at 1510 hrs. For return flights to India, 9W 71 will leave Bangkok at 1600 hrs and make a landing in Kolkata at 1705 hrs.

The upcoming holiday season is believed to be the reason behind the new flight launch.

Reference: http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/news/India/90402128/Jet-Airways-to-Increase-Kolkata-Bangkok-Flights.html

Green Signal for Parallel Taxi Track for Thiruvananthapuram

Fliers to India who are little short on patience will be delighted to known that South India’s prominent Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is all set to get a Parallel Taxi Track (PTT)!

Sources say that the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has given an in-principle nod for establishing a parallel taxi track (PTT) at the Thiruvananthapuram airport.

Thiruvananthapuram is a popular holiday destination and is visited by quite a fair number of foreign tourists every year. Smitten by this beautiful place, many vacationers look for tickets on cheap flights to India only to explore the fine set of charms this charming city of Kerala possess. Not surprisingly, the air traffic to the airport is getting heavy, something validated by a report in Times of India, India’s top English daily.

The report states that there has 20% hike in air travel traffic over the past three years at the airport.

The establishment of PTT is going to serve many purposes apart from saving time for international travellers on flights to India, connecting to Thiruvananthapuram. Apart from reducing congestion and saving fuel for the airlines, industry experts believe the move will allow the air traffic control to minimise the risk that springs up owing to the bunching of traffic by airlines.

An airport authority official elucidated that the cost estimation for setting up the PPT will be made in six months. He also said that it could take “anywhere between 16 to 18 months” to complete the project.


Reference: http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/news/India/90402125/Thiruvananthapuram-Airport-to-Get-Parallel-Taxi-Track.html

Hope for Indian Aviation As AI Posts Healthy Growth Revenue

When going gets tough, the tough get going! While it may be too early to celebrate Air India’s ‘toughness’, it sure is not too early to at least express hope!

India's flag carrier has posted some impressive revenue growth figures for the month of March as compared to same period last year. Sources in the airline say a healthy 46 per cent revenue growth has been achieved in the month in comparison to last year.

The growth basically rides on the airline’s better performance on the domestic travel sectors. The yields on domestic sector had noteworthy growth of 38.5 per cent in March vis-à-vis last year.

However, it is not to imply that Air India’s international operations fared badly. The airline has done reasonably well with 33 per cent growth in passenger revenue on international operations. It seems more people have chosen Air India to book their flights to India in March 2012 as compared to same month in 2011.

No doubt, these encouraging figures will offer some sort of hope to the ailing Indian aviation industry. A major global economy, the world would like to see Indian aviation more promising than it currently seems to be. India is also a popular holiday destination and the demand for air tickets on cheap flights to India especially seldom sees a slack, which again validates the need for a health aviation industry.

A week ago, the Indian Government approved the much-expected turnaround plan and a financial restructuring plan involving an Rs 30,000-crore equity infusion over the next eight years and a debt recast (CDR) of Rs 21,200 crore.

Reference

Air India Offers ‘Get up Front’ Scheme to Economy Travellers

Economy class travellers who wish to enjoy the services and facilities of executive class can do so on Air India’s domestic network!

India's national carrier, Air India has decided to extend the scheme ‘Get up Front’ (upgraded travel in executive class) on its domestic network to 45 airports from the existing 17. Travellers holding cheap flight tickets with Air India’s economy class can now experience and enjoy the services of the airline’s executive class by paying a nominal sum.

Making the announcement, an Air India spokesperson said that with the airline’s on-going airport up-grade deal ‘Get Up Front’, passengers with tickets in economy class can get upgrade, subject to availability of seats in executive class at the airport. A fixed amount of Rs 4,000 for travel distance upto 750 KM and Rs 6,000 for distance more than 750 KM has to be paid for the upgrade, said AI’s spokesman.

With popular holiday destinations like Jodhpur, Khajuraho, Leh, Srinagar and Udaipur part of the scheme, many are expected to take advantage of the airline’s offer. Even foreign travellers who book flights to India in a hope to unravel the country’s many mysteries in an affordable manner can take the benefit of the offer. Vacationers who have cheap domestic flights within the country, complementing their cheap flights to India will surely be delighted to enjoy executive services.

The airline has made it clear that even passengers holding frequent flyer award tickets can avail the facility by paying the upgrading amount. The scheme is valid till June 30.

Reference

SpiceJet Approved to Import Jet Fuel Directly

SpiceJet became the first airline to get the approval of Indian government to import aviation turbine fuel (ATF) directly. The approval was received on Wednesday.

The airline is highly popular for offering cheap airfares. It operates 270 flights to 32 Indian and two international destinations – Colombo and Khatmandu and has considerable market presence with countless holiday makers booking domestic travel as well as cheap flights to India with the airline.

Importing jet fuel directly will help the airline in trimming down its operational costs considerably. Low operational costs for the airline would eventually spell benefit for the travellers in the form of cheap flight tickets on domestic flights as well as flights to India on two international routes.

As per the news reports, SpiceJet will likely get jet fuel from the private oil-marketing major, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) which reportedly maintains jet fuel infrastructure at 20 of the country’s airports.

India pays off the second highest fuel tax at 24 per cent in the world following Bangladesh, where it is at 27 per cent.

Fuel costs cover 50 per cent of the total operating expenses of the Indian airlines which have jumped from 40 per cent in the past six months. Direct import of fuel will help the airlines in saving up to Rs. 13,000 on every tonne of airline turbine fuel as indicated by experts.

Following the footsteps of SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines and Air India are also showing interest in importing jet fuel directly.

Reference

India's First Airport Transit Hotel at New Delhi Airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport has opened a new UK-based Eaton Smart Hotel in its airport premises. Following the worldwide trend of transit hotels within the airports, Delhi has marked its status among few cities featuring transit hotels at their airports such as Dubai, London, Singapore and Amsterdam.

A much popular gateway for those taking flights to India, Delhi has always been coming up with pleasing surprises to provide better facilities and top-notch services to the passengers. This airport hotel is one another effort made to offer a pleasing stay for short stopovers for those on business tours as well as travel buffs taking tickets on cheap flights to India for relishing leisurely holiday breaks.

Eaton Smart has just started its operations at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. It is managed by the Langham Hospitality group and has been developed by Wadhwa Developers.

Hotel Features

Eaton Smart features 93 rooms and offers some great rejuvenating facilities to its guests such as ‘aqua pods’, or showers, which are charged at Rs 500 an hour. The tariffs of the hotel are based on the number of hours one stays here.

However, being the first airport hotel in the country, Eaton Smart has to clear many security and bureaucratic checks.

Raju Shahani, Executive Consultant (development and operations), India and Sri Lanka, Langham Hospitality expressed that though hotels inside the airport terminal give them little architectural control over the property, they have tried making it as close to what Eaton Smart globally is.


Reference: http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/news/India/90402114/Eaton-Smart,-Transit-Hotel-at-New-Delhi-Airport.html

JetKonnect’s Premiere Service will Add Up to its Popularity

JetKonnect has introduced Premiere service onboard its S2 coded flights to offer superior services to its guests. The new service will be provided on the set of six flights for now.

The new service has been applied on some of the routes including S2 4630 (Bengaluru-Mumbai), S2 4175 (Mumbai-Nagpur), S2 4176 (Nagpur-Mumbai), S2 4455 (Mumbai-Hyderabad) and S2 4456 (Hyderabad-Mumbai) and will offer easy onboard journey and reliability of the state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating on these routes.

The tickets for these flights will be put on sale from April 17, 2012 and will also be available as code share flights, using the 9W code.

The popular low cost Indian airline, JetKonnect stays on the preference list of many international holiday makers taking flights to India and looking for considerably cheap flight deals on domestic routes.

The airline will start Premiere service on JetKonnect S2 flights on several sectors including Mumbai-Delhi, Kolkata-Guwahati/Delhi/Agartala, Imphal-Guwahati, Mumbai-Aurangabad, Delhi-Bengaluru/Chandigarh, among others from April 18, 2012.

Budget travellers taking cheap flights to India and booking any of these flights to travel within the country will be able to enjoy better comfort and some high tech services including as extra-wide seats, extra legroom, warm service, and personalized, multi-course dining options.

Mr. Sudheer Raghavan, CCO, Jet Airways also expressed his happiness and said that the launch of the Premiere services to some of the JetKonnect S2 flights is a step towards product harmonization of the JetKonnect brand and is in keeping with the rising demand from their guests for premium services on select routes.

The move is sure to bring more customers to the airline and add up to its popularity among domestic and international travellers.


Reference

State of the Art Parking Facility at Delhi Airport

India tourism sector did pretty well in 2011. Figures for Foreign Tourist Arrival (FTA) and Foreign Exchange Earning (FEE) went up last year and are quite encouraging even for 2012.

More travellers taking flights to India is clearly an indication of Indian airports getting busier by the day. International cheap flights to India along with domestic airlines transporting millions of passengers annually test the airport passenger facilities to their limits.

Reference: http://www.delhiairports.in/

Hyderabad Airport Expects Lower Passenger Traffic This Year

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has something to celebrate but much to worry as the airport registered one of the India’s fastest growing passenger traffic in the year 2011-12. However, the airport foresees sluggish growth in the current fiscal year.

A 16 percent growth is achieved by the airport for the previous year, however things doesn’t look too rosy currently, due to the issues faced by the Indian aviation industry.

In 2011-12, airport handled 8.6 million passengers. This figure includes 1.9 million international passengers who took flights to India to land up in Hyderabad. Rajiv Gandhi International was the second airport after Delhi to register the fastest growth in terms of passenger traffic. The growth can be attributed to the fact that apart from being a popular business hub, Hyderabad is also a top holiday spot that attracts lot international leisure travel buffs who look for cheap flights to India.

However, with challenges in the Indian aviation sector, this year things may not be as pretty as the previous year, something articulated by the GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), the company operating the airport.

The company says it will be a “challenge” to sustain the growth in the current financial year. However, GHIAL clarified that it is not expecting negative growth either as demand will continue to grow.

While addressing the issue of not much growth in the international passenger traffic in 2011-12, the company’s CEO said the blame lies with the capacity problem. He has expressed hope that several airlines would launch new international flights in this year.

Turkish Airlines is said to be keen to start operations on the Hyderabad-Istanbul route.

Reference: http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/news/India/90402110/Hyderabad-Airport-Handled-8.6-Million-Passengers-in-2011-12.html

Flights to India to Experience Delhi’s Vivacious Nightlife

As the red evening sun gets lost in oblivion of time, night lovers head towards the many glittering stars that illuminate the face of Delhi that drench the revellers in the whirlpool of fun and frolic. Take a look at the most pulsating and stimulating nightlife clubs and bars that take the charm of the city to a surprisingly different dimension at night.

Dublin

Replete with all sorts of delights to pacify the senses of the visitors, Dublin is the most classy and swanky nightclub in Delhi. Marked for its exclusive Irish spirit, this106-foot long bar pleases every traveller planning holiday tour and booking tickets for flights to India. With terrific blend of spirits, drinks, food and a whiskey library radiating with the shades of gold, Dublin has been awarded as one of the world's 25 finest bars by ABTA Travelspirit.

F-Bar

A franchise of Fashion TV, F Bar is a vivacious nightclub where glamour and style blend together to arouse the senses. The bar is known for its happening elite crowd and thus lures millions of party animals from across the world to book tickets for flights to India to relish the most thrilling and mesmerizing facets of night.  F-Bar has a range of levels including the most fascinating Diamond Lounge for the cream of the crop. The services and ambience of the bar are fabulous and charm the soul of the travellers planning holiday deals and booking cheap flights to India.

Q'BA

Q'BA is a living dream of night owls taking cheap airline ticket to India.  Though the bar has an array of establishments across Delhi, the original Q'BA in Connaught Place always wins the limelight. The bar features two levels with open terraces that make a perfect setting to enjoy bewitching dining experience during the day. However, at twilight, the bar turns out to be a hot and happening party ground that tops the travel itinerary of almost every party lover booking cheap flights to India.

Agni

An ongoing choice of Delhi’s party buffs, Agni definitely possesses an element of bling. The bar has earned a range of awards including "Bar with the Best Dancing" by The Times Nightlife Guide. Though the dance floor of Agni situated at the end of a 35 foot long bar is not a big one, its thrilling and exciting music never let the party feel fade away.

Virgin Australia, SilkAir Codeshare to Offer Flights to India

Virgin Australia seems to be all set to roll out flights to India in code share alliance with SilkAir. SilkAir is a fully-owned and operated regional carrier of Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia wants to make the most of its business alliance with SQ.

India is a popular holiday destination in most parts of the world and it makes good business sense for Virgin Australia to offer flights to India. Moreover, the increasing clout of Indian economy makes the country a viable market for even business travellers.

If reports doing rounds in Australian media are to be paid heed to then a Virgin Australia’s spokesperson has substantiated the story that few SilkAir flights between Singapore and India have been earmarked for Virgin Australia code sharing, something that is confirmed by the listing in the global distribution system (GDS) used by tour and travel agents and reported by Airline Route.

Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram are the seven destinations that may see flights in code share with Virgin Australia and Silk Air. Almost each of these cities is a renowned holiday destination and beckons many around the world to seek cheap flights to India. Few like Hyderabad are also top business hubs and are sure to lure corporate executives.

Having hubs at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne airports, Virgin Australia already has a code share with SilkAir on the newly launched Singapore-Darwin service, which began operating in March, along with Singapore Airlines’ flights to Singapore, China and South Africa.

Reference: http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/news/India/90402107/VA-to-Offer-Flights-to-India-in-Codeshare-with-SilkAir.html

Tips for Those Taking Connecting Flights to India

Are you taking connecting flights to India and feeling insecure about various concerns related to it? Well, now with few easy measures you can make your travel with connecting flights pleasurable and hassle free. Read below to know how!

Due to long-haul journey between India and the UK, the necessity of changing flights partway has become a basic need of many Britons. However, with jam-packed airports, travelling stress and lack of knowledge about the rules and regulations, connecting flights often make travellers wretched and jaded. Have a look at some tips that can relieve you from the connecting flight issues and let you enjoy pleasing air travel.

Pre-check Gate Change Number

To avoid last minute rush and misunderstandings, you must check the gate number of the connecting airport beforehand. Many a times, airlines change the gate number at the very last moment, which creates a baffling situation for the flyers booking tickets for cheap flights to India.  Confirm it from the airport reception as soon as you reach the connecting airport.

Rule for Duty Free Items

If you have booked tickets for connecting flights to India, you are advised to pack duty free items including liquor, wine, perfume and body sprays, facial cleansers and creams, body or hand lotions, etc in your baggage if going under security checkpoints again - usually after customs. For instance, if you are travelling LHR – Dubai - India, you can put it in your checked luggage after customs in Dubai.

Bad Weather Conditions

Some times connecting flights are delayed or even cancelled due to severe weather issues. However, you must understand that weather syndrome is an uncontrollable issue and the airline with which you have booked your flights to India is usually not liable to cover your expanses for problems related to bad weather. However, if your connecting flight has been delayed by hours due to unpleasant weather, all you can do is to wait at the connecting airport and kill time.

Luggage Issues

Many a times, travellers taking cheap flights to India with several stopovers forget to ask the airport authority whether they need to pick up luggage while taking the connecting flight or not. This question can be asked at the time you check in your luggage for the first time to save time spent in clearing customs for your connecting flight.

Ask for Terminal

Many times people even miss their flights due to long distance between terminals and gates which leave their dream holiday tour to India in jeopardy. Confirm the terminal for your flight from the travel agent or the airline in advance. If in doubt, simply ask the airport help desk about the terminal and directions from where you have to board the connecting flight.

Reach the Gate Hassle Free

The sight of travellers jolting with their heavy luggage at the airports is very common.  Therefore, to reach the gate of your connecting flight faster and effortlessly, you must check-in as much luggage as you can to avoid being a beast of burden among the puzzling crowds of the airport.

Need a Stroller

Stroller is a ‘must have’ item that helps you in moving easily and comfortably around the airport premises.  So, if you are using a stroller, you must get it checked by the gate agent at the airport gate. The gate agent will give you a tag and a claim ticket for your stroller, which you need to submit later before boarding your connecting flight.  

Change of Airport

If you need to board your connecting flight from some other airport, do keep enough time on hand to reach the desired airport on time. Sometimes, you might also need to hire a cab to travel to other airport. So, book your cab well in advance to avoid wasting time and chances of missing your connecting flight.

Connecting flights, no doubt, add a stroke of twist to your travel experience. However, at times they become a complete nightmare for the flyers. So act smart and make your travel with connecting flight memorable and pleasant.

DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon Spells More Luxury and Convenience

The full-service hotel brand, Hilton Worldwide has rolled out a new DoubleTree by Hilton in India. The hotel is located in Gurgaon, a satellite city of national Capital, New Delhi.

The launch of the new hotel is a part of the Hilton’s expansion plans of developing its network in the country to cater more number of travellers booking tickets for flights to India for business tours and luxury holidays.

The close proximity of DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgoan with the major commercial organizations and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport would probably act as a big lure for corporate travellers booking tickets on flights to India.

DoubleTree by Hilton is located at a distance of 7 km from popular metro rail stations, which provide easy connections to all the major city centres in Delhi. Being a major economic hub, Delhi not only sees streams of budget travellers booking tickets with airlines offering cheap flights to India but also lures corporate travellers seeking business deals on their tours to the country.

Owned by the JMD Group and supervised by Hilton Worldwide, DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon features well equipped rooms categorized into Executive Rooms, Junior Suites and Terrace Suites.

Though the newest hotel might not be the best bet for the budget travellers who prefer taking airlines offering cheap flights to India as a part of their holiday package, it will surely be highly rewarding for luxury travel buffs seeking top-notch facilities.   

The DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon - New Delhi NCR has been contrived to provide high-class services, excellent amenities and contemporary technological solutions to the guests and offers an extensive list of facilities that justify its elevating status in hospitality sector.

Reference

Top 5 Advantages of Booking Red Eye Flights to India

Red eye flights are the ones that usually depart late in the evening and arrive early in the next day. Though they include the no-sleep factor, they have their own set of benefits over the daytime flights.

Having taken couple of red-eye flights to India in the last few years, I have realized the fact that they are extremely advantageous over the day flights and can enhance the air travel experience of the flyers.

Best to Grab Non-expensive Tickets

The biggest factor that excites me to book tickets for red eye flights to India is their cheap ticket fares. The prices of red-eye flights are considerably lower than the daytime airlines and hence they stay popular among countless budget travellers like me looking for tickets for cheap flights to India to relish economical holiday tour.

Faster Check-ins

Airports tend to be less hectic and crowded during late nights. Therefore, apart from getting cheap flights to India, travellers flying with red-eye flights will also be saved from jaunting to the airport gate and get over with the check-in procedures smoothly and quickly.

No Rush Hour Traffic

Facing huge traffic just before boarding the airline can give you a severe headache and may spoil your holiday mood. However, red-eye flights save you from this trauma and help in escaping the heavy morning and afternoon traffic hours.

A Boon for Business Travellers

Daytime flights always leave the travellers on business tours in guilt of losing a full day of work. A late night flight however, comes as a boon for them where they can maximize their productivity and minimize their lost working hours.

Amazing Add-on Benefits

The other additional benefit of red-eye flights that made my journey extremely pleasurable and gratifying is less distractions. Contrary to daytime flights, red-eye flights are much calmer and thus the flyers can easily enjoy a baby nap throughout their travel.  Moreover, many red eye flights fly with vacant seats. So if you are in some cramped seat, you may move to any other vacant seat to stretch and unwind.

Indian Tourism Boom – Millions Take Flights to India Every Year

The Indian Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) from tourism. These estimates are compiled on the basis of data received from major airports.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) 2011

It is reported foreign tourist taking flights to India (FTA) during 2011 were 6.29 million with a growth of 8.9%, as compared to the FTAs of 5.78 million with a growth of 11.8% during the year 2010 over 2009.

The estimates indicate that FTAs have seen a growth of 5.2% in December 2011 over December 2010 as compared to a growth of 10.4% registered in December 2010 over December 2009.

Foreign Exchange Earning From Tourism (FEE) 2011

FEE from tourism showed a growth of 16.7%, as compared to a growth of 24.6% during the year 2010 over 2009.

The growth rate in FEE in December 2011 over December 2010 was 8.3 %, as compared to the growth of 3.2% in December 2010 over December 2009.

Year 2012 January Performance

2012 is also considered as a booming time for the country. As per the press release on the website of the Indian Ministry of Tourism, FTAs during the Month of January, 2012 was 6,81,000 as compared to FTAs of 6,24,000 during the month of January, 2011.

The figures seem quite encouraging for the overall travel and tourism Industry and in particular the airline industry.

Tourism in India - Future

According to the industry experts, Indian tourism will soar above the sky level! It is decidedly an utterly versatile country that caters to the needs of almost every sort of traveller who books tickets on cheap flights to India.

With millions of holiday makers looking for airlines and travel agents offering cheap deals and tickets to India, it comes as no surprise that India is one of the leading tourist destinations in the world.

Most popular destinations among holiday makers booking tickets on cheap flights to India include cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Amritsar to name only a few. Kerala holidays and deals undoubtedly remain among the hot favourites.

States of Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are among the top holiday destinations visited by most travellers taking cheap flights to India.

The country boasts the state-of-the-art airports, cheap yet brilliant educational and medical tourism avenues, lavish as well as cheap budget hotels and convention centres and attracts a number of leisure as well as business tours.

Maximise your Compensation during Flight Cancellations

India remains a dream destination for many Britons! But what when the dream turns into a nightmare as traveller faces the annoying issue of flight cancellation!

Flight cancellation, though a common issue, can seriously spoil your holiday mood and ruin all the efforts you made in browsing cheap flights to India. However, having knowledge about the various compensation rules can help you in getting over the insurmountable travel inconvenience caused due to flight cancellation.

Go for Travel Insurance

To gain the maximum compensation on flight cancellation by the airlines, you should opt for travel insurance well in advance either with the airline or with some reliable travel agent. Travel insurance can ensure you full compensation for the cancellation of your flight to India due to various issues including weather conditions or some technical problems. For example, the comprehensive travel insurance offered by British Airways cover trip cancellation or delays, lost or delayed baggage, medical cover, repatriation, and 24 hour support to ensure peace of mind and safety to the travellers. BA is a popular choice for flights to India travellers can get a quote and book travel insurance on the airline’s website.

Stand For Yourself

If you do not have a travel insurance, you do not need to feel like a deprived passenger.   With travel insurance or without it, you are liable to get airline compensation for a cancelled flight. However to get the maximum compensation from the airline, the first thing you need to have is the correct ticket confirmation. Moreover, you must also book for the compensation as soon as possible to gain utmost benefits.  

Airline's Responsibility

Once you have completed all the formalities after your flight gets cancelled, the airline will definitely offer you compensation. However, compensation policies depends from airlines to airlines. For instance, holiday makers booking cheap flights to India with British Airways are liable to get rebooking of flights and may even ask for complete refund of the ticket fare if their flight is delayed for five hours or more. The airline also offers complementary meals, refreshments, accommodation option near the airport and means to contact two persons outside the airport premises.

However, if you do not get any such compensation from the airline you are flying with, you must go through the fine print in the airline's policy and ask for compensation by writing a formal letter, if needed.

Air India's New Offer Spells Big Savings on Flights to India

Air India is going all out to woo senior citizens who are travelling to India! India’s flag carrier has announced “Senior Citizen Companion Fare” that will allow two senior citizens who are travelling together to save some serious amount of money.

Travellers who are 62 years of age or older will now be able to save at least $1,300 each on published round trip Executive Class tickets on flights to India in case two senior passengers travel together. The offer is valid on AI’s non-stop flights to Delhi from John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport to Mumbai, or Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Delhi and return. Air India’s flights to India from North America are served by either Boeing 777-200LR or 777-300ER aircraft.

The state-run airline has even come up with special add-ons for connections to more than 50 other major cities in India for passengers who want to take advantage of the “Senior Citizen Companion Fare” but want to travel beyond Delhi or Mumbai.

Interested travellers must take care of certain points before booking their cheap flights to India under the scheme.

• The offer applies to transatlantic travel Monday through Thursday in both directions, with travel commencing on or before October 15, 2012.

• Travellers must book their cheap flights to India with the airline by September 30th.

• Minimum stay in India is 21 days and the maximum stay is 6 months for those travelling under this plan.

• Tickets are refundable, less a cancellation fee of $500 per passenger.

Tips For Snapping Up Last-Minute Airfare Deals to India

Booking tickets for a leisurely break to India well in advance can help you make enormous savings! However, if you are an impulsive, last-minute traveller, a little research and smart work can get you the real good last minute deals to enjoy those enchanting  holidays to enigmatic India without spending an arm and a leg!

So if you still haven’t booked your tickets to India in advance, don’t disappoint.  Use the following tips to snap up a lucrative last minute ticket deal on cheap flights to India.

Have a Flexible Approach

Being flexible with travel preferences helps a lot in netting last minute deals. Often airlines operating flights to India at odd hours come out with cheap last minute deals. Flexibility with choice of departure and arrival airport also increases chances of booking cheap last minute deal.

Go for Popular Websites

It has often been noticed that a search for lucrative last minute deals for cheap tickets on flights to India remains incomplete without browsing through prominent airfare listing and flight comparison websites. These websites offer loads of information on last minute deals available both with airlines and travel agencies. However, do check out airline and tour operators’ websites separately to compare the quoted airfares.

Contact Airline

Just because you have found the airfares on the website billed as last minute doesn’t mean it is the best possible discounts! To enhance your savings you need to know the original airfare. Contact airlines to find out which cheap flight to India has vacant seats and last minute tickets available on it. You might grab a better one!

Go For All-Inclusive Holiday Packages

Besides cheap airfares, one also requires affordable accommodation and car rental deals for a gratifying break. It is sensible to look for a last minute all-inclusive holiday package as it enhances savings and avoids individual expenditures made on airfares, accommodation and possibly a car rental from the airport. Furthermore, many tour operators offer deep discounts on all-inclusive holiday packages.

Don’t Forget Travel Consolidators and Ticket Auctions

Check with travel consolidators as they often sell air tickets for prices less than the airline's advertised prices. Airline ticket auction websites are also great places to snap up lucrative last minute flights’ tickets.

Financial Protection and Safety for Britons on Holidays

With the eagerness of planning a memorable and mesmerizing holiday tour to enthralling destinations, a number of crucial aspects are often forgotten. The financial protection with regard to the money spent on holiday as well as the safe and hassle-free return back home, if the travel company goes bust, are such aspects that are probably the last thing to pop in the minds of travellers.

Considering India for example, the country’s aviation industry has been facing tremendous challenges of late, with airlines reeling under enormous losses and debts running in billions of dollars.

Imagine booking flights to India and while you are on holidays you read about the travel company or the airline that you booked with going bankrupt. Though the Indian aviation has not been popular for airlines operating flights to India going bust, yet travellers who have already booked cheap flights to India or are planning to do so must remain careful.

The article discusses about the various organizations that have been established to protect and support the rights of the Britons who book flights and holidays to any destination in the world. Travellers must research these well before making bookings and ensure that the travel company is regulated by one or more of these.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is an independent specialist aviation regulator that controls activities such as financial regulation, airspace rule, safety regulation and customer protection and much more.

Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL)

Managed by CAA, ATOL is a sole protection plan for flights and air holidays sold by travel companies in the UK. ATOL provides financial protection to the Britons when their travel service provider goes out of business.

All the licensed tour operators in the UK have to lodge bonds with the CAA that offers benefits like repayments within 4 weeks and makes all the needed arrangements to let the Britons finish their holidays and fly back home contentedly.

In case the ATOL bond fails to work as per the requirements, a Government-backed fund, the Air Travel Trust (ATT) comes up to take the charge in hand.

The travellers may also check whether their tour operator is ATOL registered or not. For example, travellers planning holidays and booking cheap flights to India with a travel agent may simply go to the ATOL website and enter either the registration number or the company name to cross verify it.

Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)

Governing an array of tour operators and agencies, ABTA is a premier organisation of UK that works for the financial protection of the Britons. The association issues a code of conduct and seek strict compliance from the member travel agents. The detailed code of conduct can be read on the association’s website and can enlighten any holiday maker who is planning to book with travel agents.

Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO)

AITO is an organization that embraces over 140 independent expert tour operators who adhere to a Code of Business Practice and a code of conduct named as the Quality Charter. AITO tour operators ensure 100% consumer financial protection either by its own government sanctioned bonding scheme (AITO Trust) or by some other schemes like ATOL or ABTA.

Basic Tips to Stay Financially Protected

Read Booking Terms and Conditions Properly – Travellers must always read the small print and confirm all the terms and conditions included in their holiday deal before making the final bookings.

Pay by Credit Cards – As per the 1974 Consumer Credit Act, if a consumer does not get his goods he can obtain reimbursement for it from the credit card company. Therefore, if a traveller has made all the payments of the holiday package with credit card in one transaction, he can claim back the cost of his airline tickets, hotel, etc from the card issuer if his tour operator goes bust.

Beware of Split Contracts - Some travel companies also sell 'split contracts' to the travellers in which they provide all-inclusive holiday deals, but divide the invoice and charge for airline tickets, hotel and all other bookings separately. This leaves the flyers without any protection.

Take Travel Insurance – Travellers should always opt for a travel insurance that includes end supplier failure from the moment they book their holiday trip. This helps them in obtaining cancellation cover without any delay.

Luxury Tourist Trains Add To the Fame of Flights to India

With glamour and romance of exploring India's top tourist spots and an extravagant dose of magnanimity, luxury tourist trains lure thousands to travel to India! Luxury trains offer awing tour across Indian hotspots for enchanting leisurely breaks!

Indian luxury trains like Palace on Wheels, Maharajas Express, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey and Golden Chariot have crafted a niche in world travel circuits. No wonder, tourists often save by cheap tickets on flights to India to splurge on the luxury train deals to make their holidays an unforgettable affair! 

Palace on Wheels

The Palace on Wheels is one of the most popular luxury Indian trains! With its coaches embellished in rich traditional style, this train has been responsible for pushing enquiries on tickets on cheap flights to India! With swanky restaurants and chic lounge, a tour on this train is like reliving the days of royalty in some grand palace of the bygone era. Travel fanatics booking cheap flights to India often splurge on deals of Palace on Wheels to recapture the lavish ambience of an opulent past.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is often touted to be India's most luxurious train. The train features extravagance that can put even a world-class hotel to shame! Super deluxe suites, sumptuous cabins, lavish restaurants, heavenly spa, stunning interiors and beautifully rich colour schemes – package holiday deals for this train promise to take you back in time of unvanquished Rajasthan kings!

Deccan Odyssey

Yet another popular choice of luxury trains remains the Deccan Odyssey. The lure of breath-taking sights of alluring beaches, majestic forts and infinite attractions while savouring the five-star services of this train tempts thousands to buy cheap tickets on flights to India! The train eclectically offers a royal theme with staff dressed as royal attendants, regally decorated suites, spa and opulent dining.

The Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot is the latest addition to the luxury trains. The train is decorated on the theme of India’s richly history! A quick break on Golden Chariot is a wonderful ways to intoxicate self with royal splendors, colonial sophistications, fashionable facilities, flawless services and traditional hospitality weaving an unforgettable holiday tour.

The Maharajas Express

The Maharaja's Express is a fairy tale house of dreams that reopens the regal gates of becharming palaces and majestic royalty of the bygone era. This train features the erstwhile glory of the Indian royal era, the realm of Maharajas. Apart from lavish suites, there are two trendy restaurants, chic bar and an observation lounge.