Category: Travel

Air India announces direct flights from Delhi to Zurich; details here

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Air India has announced a non-stop flight between Delhi and Zurich starting June 16. This will mark the Tata Group-owned carrier’s entry in Switzerland and takes its total number of cities served in mainland Europe to seven.

Air India will use its two-class configured Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to fly on the new European route for four days every week. These include Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

This new service is expected to provide people in Switzerland, along with those in southern Germany and western Austria a non-stop option to travel to Delhi, besides further connecting to other destinations across Air India’s rising route network, particularly in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia, a statement read.

As per the schedule shared by the airline, its flight AI151 will depart from Delhi at 1405 hrs and arrive in Zurich at 1915 hrs. Besides that, AI152 will depart Zurich at 2050 hrs and land in Delhi at 0805 hrs the next day.

This schedule allows travellers to conveniently connect to the company’s flights from the national capital to various popular destinations like Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Melbourne, Phuket, Singapore, and Sydney, among others.

“This new route strengthens the ties between India and Switzerland, which are not only major trading partners but also boast a vibrant exchange of people. With over 250 Swiss companies operating in India, hundreds of Indian companies in Switzerland, and a growing Indian diaspora of nearly 18,000, these flights will cater to a strong demand for business and leisure travel in both directions,” Air India’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson said.

Wilson further stated that Switzerland, which has been a consistently top-ranking European destination for tourists in India, “will now be even more accessible, with these flights further solidifying the economic and cultural bridges between the two nations.”

At present, Air India operates 60 weekly flights to and from six cities in mainland Europe. These include Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Vienna.

“The scenic landscapes of Switzerland await you this summer. Set your for this vibrant city, where the eternal Zurich Lake meets the majestic Alps. Discover Zurich with 4x weekly non-stop connectivity from Delhi, starting 16th June,” Air India wrote on social media site X.

The scenic landscapes of Switzerland await you this summer. Set your for this vibrant city, where the eternal Zurich Lake meets the majestic Alps.

Discover Zurich with 4x weekly non-stop connectivity from Delhi, starting 16th June.

Bookings are now open. Head over to the Air… pic.twitter.com/sp7Rzc6RxI

— Air India (@airindia) May 3, 2024

It further said that bookings for direct flights to Zurich are being opened across different channels, including the Air India website, its mobile app as well as via travel agents and online travel agents.

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India denies involvement of any company in unauthorised visa processing at Sri Lanka’s Colombo airport

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has dismissed local media reports claiming that aprivate company from India was involved in unauthorised visa issuance at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport. The High Commission of India clarified that no Indian firms were involved in the providing visa on arrival services at the airport.

It addressed concerns raised on social media and emphasised that the companies mentioned in the reports were neither based in India nor were of Indian origin.

Sri Lanka’s Immigration authorities claimed that they had regained control of the Visa on Arrival counters at Colombo International Airport after an alleged incident involving the Indian company. However, senior immigration department official Jayasinghe Bandara told PTI that the company faced challenges in executing smooth operations as no trial runs were performed, which left passengers dissatisfied with the service.

Also read: ITC enters international market with ultra-luxury Ratnadipa in Sri Lanka

In October 2024, the Sri Lankan Cabinet had approved the policy to issue free tourist visas to travellers from India and six other countries. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said on October 24, 2023, that efforts were being made to rebuild the debt-trapped island nation’s tourism sector. He added that under the pilot project, free visas will be applicable until March 31, 2024.

Meanwhile, in an unverified video that went viral on social media, a Sri Lankan was reportedly seen confronting company officials over alleged refusal of entry visa for his foreign national wife. CNBC-TV18 could not independently verify the report or the alleged video.

Also read: Sri Lanka looks to thank Indian tourists by extending visa exemption beyond March 2024

The Sri Lankan national, then consulted with authorities and alleged that an Indian was denying rights to Sri Lankan citizens to enter the country. PTI reported that Sri Lankan authorities resumed operations at the counters and said that protocols were in place and only the prescribed visa will be levied on tourists, eliminating additional charges allegedly imposed by the Indian firm on tourists from various countries, including those eligible for free visas under Sri Lanka’s tourism promotion initiative.

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Booking says room reservations to slow amid Middle-East conflict

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Booking Holdings Inc., owner of travel brands Kayak and Priceline, said it expects room-night reservations to slow in the current quarter as tensions in the Middle East curb regional tourism.

The company said it expects growth of 4% to 6% in room-night bookings, less than the 7.4% increase analysts were expecting. Gross travel bookings which includes taxes and fees, should rise 3% to 5%, the company said, also missing Wall Street’s estimates for 7.9% growth.

“As we look ahead to the second quarter, room night growth compared to last year will benefit from the shift in Easter timing,” said Chief Executive Officer Glenn Fogel. “However, we expect that this will be offset by less expansion of the booking window and an increased impact from the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. We believe this will result in some deceleration in room night growth” compared with the first quarter.

Norwalk, Connecticut-based Booking has greater exposure in Europe and the Middle East than rivals such as Expedia Group Inc. The vast majority of Booking’s total revenue — 89% — is from non-US travel, with the Middle East, including Turkey and Egypt, making up about 7% of global room nights. Israel alone represented about 1% prior to the war, the company has said.

Following several blockbuster quarters reflecting a post-pandemic travel boom, online travel companies like Booking, Expedia and Airbnb Inc have cautioned that it will be difficult to top the strong performance during the comparable early 2023 travel season.

Thursday’s results from Booking are a bellwether for global travel more generally, because it owns properties across the industry from flight aggregator Kayak to rentalcars.com and restaurant reservation site OpenTable. Its results offer clues as to whether demand is still fundamentally strong or is indeed tapering off ahead of the peak summer season.

Otherwise Rosy

The outlook overshadowed an otherwise positive first-quarter report that showed healthy demand in Europe and less-than-expected impact from the Israel-Hamas war, Chief Financial Officer Ewout Steenbergen said on the call.

Booking reported room nights booked for the three months ended March 31 grew 8.5% to 297 million. That surpassed the average analyst expectation for a 6.2% increase and 290.9 million room nights sold. Gross travel bookings were $43.5 billion, compared with average analyst projections of $42.2 billion.

The company’s adjusted earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization were $898 million. Wall Street was expecting $718.6 million. Adjusted earnings per share were $20.39, compared with analysts’ estimate of $13.94.

The board also declared a cash dividend of $8.75 per share payable on June 28.

The shares initially rose 7.3% in late trading before giving up most of those gains after Fogel gave the outlook on a call with analysts. The stock has risen about 26% in the past 12 months, outpacing the S&P 500 Index.

The global travel recovery has been uneven. Growth in the US has stagnated while demand in Europe and Asia Pacific markets has been more enduring, according to analysts at Jefferies.

Expedia Misses

Expedia, which also reported results Thursday afternoon, posted first-quarter gross bookings of $30.2 billion, missing analysts’ average estimate of $30.5 billion. The company cited  a “slower than anticipated” recovery in its vacation rental business Vrbo. That, combined with slower-than-expected growth in the rest of its consumer business so far, led the company to lower its full-year sales guidance to “a range of mid to high single digit top line growth with margins relatively in line versus last year,” it said in a statement. Room night growth and revenue were otherwise in-line with estimates. Shares slid 8.7% in post-market.

“Vrbo’s recovery following the recent re-platforming has been slower than anticipated, which has put pressure on gross bookings,” said Expedia CEO Peter Kern. “As we enter the second quarter, we are seeing some acceleration in the rest of our B2C business and expect it to continue throughout the year.”

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Air India deploys its first Airbus A350 aircraft on Delhi-Dubai route

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Tata Group-owned Air India launched its A350 aircraft service on international routes, marking its debut with the first Delhi-Dubai flight on May 1. The airline plans to expand the deployment of its wide-body plane on additional overseas routes in the coming months.

Presently, the carrier operates a daily service connecting Delhi and Dubai, featuring a three-class cabin configuration, accommodating 316 seats.

According to a statement released on Thursday, Air India commenced flights on the Delhi-Dubai route with the A350-900 plane, making it the sole airline to deploy this aircraft between India and Dubai. According to reports, the airline will extend A350 operations on the London route by November.

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In future, the airline intends to introduce the A350 aircraft on more international routes, augmenting its fleet capacity. With the induction of A350 planes into its fleet this year, Air India signaled its enhancing both domestic and international flight services. Currently, the airline operates 72 weekly flights to Dubai from five Indian cities, including 32 flights originating from Delhi.

Recently, Air India extended the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 15 amid tensions in the Middle East. On April 19, the airline said Tel Aviv flights will remain suspended until April 30. It operates four weekly flights between Delhi and Israeli capital.

In view of the ongoing situation in parts of the Middle East, Air India said it has extended the temporary suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv to May 15. “We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers who have confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period, with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges,” the airline said.

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India widens spices crackdown with nationwide checks on all manufacturers

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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India’s food safety regulator said on Thursday, May 2, it had ordered nationwide testing and inspections at all companies making spice mixes, widening a crackdown on the sector as global regulators investigate contamination issues with two popular local brands.

In April, Hong Kong suspended sales of three spice blends made by India’s MDH and an Everest spice mix for fish curry. Singapore ordered a recall of the same Everest mix as well, flagging high levels of ethylene oxide, which is unfit for human consumption and a cancer risk with long exposure.

MDH and Everest products are hugely popular in India and also sold in Europe, Asia and North America, and the companies have said they are safe. Still, US and Australian food authorities said they are gathering more information on the matter, and India had already ordered testing of the two brands’ products.

The Indian regulator has now ordered officials to conduct “extensive inspections, sampling and testing at all the manufacturing units” for powdered spices, with a focus on those making curry powders and mixed spice blends for local and foreign sales.

“Each of the product sampled will be analysed for the compliance with quality and safety parameters,” the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India said in a statement.

The agency added checks would also be made for any presence of ethylene oxide, whose use is banned in India, and “appropriate actions will be initiated as fit” after testing was completed.

India is the world’s biggest exporter, producer and consumer of spices, and its domestic market for the products was valued at $10.44 billion in 2022, according to Zion Market Research.

Beyond MDH and Everest, other major manufacturers include Madhusudan Masala, NHC Foods and consumer giants Tata Consumer Products and ITC.

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Avatara: World’s only one Michelin-star pure veg restaurant from Dubai opens branch in Mumbai

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The world’s first One-Michelin Star vegetarian fine dine restaurant Avatara from Dubai has opened its first branch in Mumbai. Part of Passion F&B’s portfolio, Avatara aims to deliver a unique culinary journey for Indian diners and its 14-course vegetarian tasting menu (bite-size dishes) breaks away from conventional offerings.

The restaurant has omitted staples like paneer, mushroom, onions and garlic from its menu and instead its 14-course vegetarian tasting menu showcases innovative dishes crafted from underappreciated vegetables like their bitter gourd tikki and turnip galouti kebab.

Avatara, was recently awarded a Michelin Star in Dubai, according to chef Rahul Rana. He highlighted that the restaurant in Mumbai, transforms local vegetables often disregarded or taken for granted into some culinary delights. Bitter gourd is reimagined into a tikki (patty), infused with ghee-roast masala, complemented by a creamy gelato crafted from mango sambar and served with dosa crisps for added texture.

The modest turnip takes on a new identity as a galouti kebab, accompanied by a creamy rajma and turnip curry inspired by Kashmir, along with katlam, a flaky Kashmiri bread.

“Being awarded our first star for the Dubai restaurant was a gratifying experience. Getting a Michelin star is a responsibility, expectations of guests increase, and maintaining the same expectations is extremely important. It is a reminder for us to never become complacent and to continuously strive for perfection in every dish we serve,” he said.

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Our first course commenced with a refreshing pineapple rasam infused with curry leaves, followed the by Naivedhya course, which is inspired by traditional offerings to deities. This course features homemade butter, popping sugar, and a bon-bon filled with panchamrit, serving as a delightful amuse-bouche.

Before delving into the main courses, a palate-cleansing burst of passion fruit, strawberry, and spiced guava water was served to us. Then followed signature courses like Shubhanjana and Vrihi, which draw inspiration from the culinary heritage of Bihar and Maharashtra, respectively. These dishes, like the drumstick chokha and sattu kachori, and the Kolhapur-inspired vrihi, tantalise with their bold flavours and inventive presentations.

Among the desserts, madhuram stands out, offering a nostalgic twist on Uttarakhand’s bal mithai, featuring milk chocolate fudge balanced by the tartness of buransh-flavoured homemade wine. Notably, Parna, a chocolate-coated shell infused with betel leaf extract, adds a final touch of sophistication to the meal.

Rahul Rana, Global Head Chef of Avatara told CNBC-TV18, “Avatara is a reincarnation of soulful Indian cuisine. Our menu includes seasonal ingredients, sourced locally to ensure both freshness and authenticity. With Avatara, our aim is to offer people an exploration into the diverse world of Indian vegetarian cuisine. We want to highlight the richness and versatility of these culinary traditions, demonstrating that there is a thriving market for such offerings. As we observe a significant shift in dietary preferences, with more people embracing vegetarian, vegan, and plant-based options, we believe Avatara is poised for great success. Our menu caters to the dietary requirements of various categories, while still delivering an explosion of remarkable flavours, without the use of garlic or onion.”

Sanket Joshi, Head Chef at Avatara Mumbai, highlighted the contrast between the Dubai and Mumbai menus. He said, “Vrihi,” inspired by the Maharashtrian Thali, pays homage to his Maharashtrian roots, while “Subhanjana” draws inspiration from the flavours of Bihar, featuring key ingredients like Sattu and chokha. Through Avatara, Joshi aims to showcase how Indian cuisine can be elevated to new heights and demonstrate the global journey of Maharashtrian culinary traditions.

While the restaurant passes on a clear message of, “never underestimate the potential of humble vegetables,” they do surprise even the most discerning palate with the taste of their unique dishes.

The 65-seater restaurant located in Santacruz West exudes a soothing ambiance with its white, blue, and sea-green décor.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Farmers’ rail roko stir: Over 80 trains cancelled, multiple industries affected

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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More than 200 trains are affected daily as farmers continue their Rail Roko protest in Punjab’s Patiala district. Around 81 trains to and from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu have been cancelled by the Railways for Thursday, according to reports.

These include routes like Delhi-Katra, Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Fazilka, New Delhi-Amritsar, Delhi-Shamli, Delhi-Jind, Bhiwani-Dhuri, Sirsa-Ludhiana, Hisar-Ludhiana, Ludhiana-Churu, Amritsar-Hisar, Sriganganagar-Rishikesh, among others.

Besides them, the Railways have also diverted and short-terminated routes of multiple other trains on this section. These include both express as well as passenger trains.

The Delhi-Katra train passes through Ghaziabad, Meerut, Deoband, Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur. Thousands of devotees travel through it to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu.

Many devotees plan to visit the holy shrine during the summer vacation of schools in May and June. However, the cancellation of the Delhi-Katra train has compelled them to either cancel their reserved tickets or reschedule their plans, reports said.

Moreover, the cancellation and diversion of trains is adversely impacting several businesses.

All Industries and Trade Forum (AITF) president Badish Jindal told The Indian Express that Haryana is gaining out of this farmers’ protest in Punjab as clients are shifting to industries in the neighbouring state.

Under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) non-political, the farmers have been sitting on tracks of Shambhu railway station in Punjab, which lies close to the Haryana border. The ‘Rail Roko’ protest has been going on for the last few weeks as the protestors have made several demands, including a guarantee of MSP. Moreover, they have also asked for the release of three farmers arrested by the Haryana Police.

While Navdeep and Gurkirat were arrested by the police on March 28, Anish was taken into custody on February 13, reports said.

Lalit Shori, president of the Oil Mill Machinery Manufacturing Association has said that the farmers’ ‘Rail Roko’ agitation may lead to big losses to auto parts, hand tools, hosiery, bicycle, and garment industries in Punjab.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Airbnb launches Icons, a celebrity-hosted experience with Janhvi Kapoor, Kevin Hart, Doja Cat and more

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Airbnb has launched Icons, a new category of experiences hosted by renowned figures from various fields, on Thursday, May 2. Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor is among the first 11 Icons, offering an overnight stay at her family home in Chennai, where guests can learn her beauty secrets and taste her favourite South Indian dishes.

Brian Chesky, Co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, in a company statement, said, “Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination—until now. As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world. With Icons, we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on earth.”

Step into your imagination. Introducing Icons pic.twitter.com/KOpkZ91UbT

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) May 1, 2024

The other Icons include a stay in the home from the Disney movie ‘Up’, located in the scenic red rocks of Abiquiu, New Mexico, complete with more than 8,000 balloons. Guests can also spend the night at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, and take a lap with Scuderia Ferrari ambassador driver Marc Gené.

Another Icon is a stay in the Paris Art Museum’s iconic clock room, transformed into a luxurious bedroom by Mathieu Lehanneur, designer of the Paris 2024 Games torch and cauldron.

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Hollywood actor Kevin Hart offers an A-list evening at his members-only Coramino Live Lounge, while Grammy-winning artist Doja Cat will entertain with a living room music session.

In another attraction, guests can reside in the house featured in the American rock musical-drama film Purple Rain. The production’s lead actor and famous rock musician Prince had purchased the property in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The artist, once a part of the band ‘The Revolution,’ passed away in 2016 and the home has never been available to the public until now.

TikTok sensation Khaby Lame invites guests to his hometown in Milan, Italy, and reggaeton superstar Feid offers a week-long experience on his FERXXOCALIPSIS World Tour.

Icons are extraordinary experiences from the greatest names in music, film, sports, and more pic.twitter.com/6mKEu8HzQj

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) May 1, 2024

Icons will be featured as a category on the Airbnb homepage. Most Icons are free, and all are priced under $100 per guest. Guests can request to book through the app, and those selected will receive a digital golden ticket. More than 4,000 tickets will be available in 2024.

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Airbnb has also announced new features for group trips, as more than 80% of bookings on Airbnb are group trips. These features include shared wishlists, a new messages tab, AI-suggested quick replies for hosts, and trip invitations.

The company has also upgraded features for hosts, including an expanded earnings dashboard, an updated Listings tab, and a simple way to switch between the guest and host sides of the app.

These announcements come after Brian Chesky stated that the company is at an inflection point. “2024 marks the beginning of a new chapter for Airbnb, and I look forward to sharing more throughout the year,” he said.

In 2023, Airbnb reported revenue of $9.9 billion with a net income of $4.8 billion. The company has grown to more than 5 million hosts with over 7.7 million active listings since its inception in 2008, welcoming over 1.5 billion guests in over 220 countries and regions.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow