Air India reschedules flights and adds seat capacity

Air India sources said that Air India Express flights on the Kozhikode-Muscat-Kozhikode route, currently operating four times a week, will be made daily. Now, flights on the Kozhikode- Doha-Bahrain route will also operate daily, while the Kochi- Muscat-Kochi service will be increased to five times a week from twice a week. In addition, the company plans to introduce daily nonstop flights (A-319) between Chennai and Muscat. Meanwhile, Air India Express will increase its passenger capacity by introducing the all economy A-320 aircraft to Dubai, Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo from various cities in India. Also, the thrice-a-week A-330 service to Paris will be replaced by the B-777-200LR aircraft. The B-747-400 aircraft operating on the Mumbai-Riyadh and Delhi-Riyadh routes will be replaced by the B-777-200ER aircraft and the service will be increased to 11 flights.

MDLR Airlines aircrafts grounded for violating safety norms

Gurgaon-based MDLR Airlines Pvt. Ltd, which serves mostly north Indian destinations, has grounded operations amid regulatory findings that the carrier had flouted safety norms. The airline is "not shutting down", said Koustav M. Dhar, chief operating officer of MDLR, confirming that both its planes are grounded. "We will do some restructuring," he said. "We are going to be looking at being leaner and meaner." The notices of regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) were issued after several surveillance checks, part of an audit by the US aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration. DGCA issued a show-cause notice to the airline, owned by realtor Murli Dhar Lakh Ram Developers and Promoters Pvt. Ltd, in mid-September. The airline, which employs 264 people, is yet to comply with the regulator’s directions. MDLR also faces cancellation of its scheduled regional airline licence if it cannot comply with the guidelines, which mandate at least three operational aircraft within the first year of operations.

Air Asia to launch three new routes to India

AirAsia has announced that it will commence its daily direct flights to Kolkata, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November 2009 respectively. Following a successful launch from the South Indian city of Trichy last year, AirAsia now offers the people of Kolkata, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram the pleasure of flying to Kuala Lumpur for an unbeatable all-inclusive fare from as low as INR 1499 (RM 129) all in fares one way respectively for the booking period from 15th to 20th October, 2009 for the travel period from 12th November 2009 to 31st July 2010 for Kochi, from 16th November 2009 to 31st July 2010 for Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and from 19th November 2009 to 31st July 2010 for Kolkata. Promotional seats are limited and available on first-come, first-served basis and made exclusively available online via www.airasia.com and mobile.airasia.com.

AirAsia launched its first route to Trichy, India which is situated in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu on December 1, 2008, and is the first airline in South East Asia to fly direct to the city. The launch of the first frequency to the city recorded an overwhelming response with an average load factor of 85% which led the airline to increase its 2nd frequency to the city with AirAsia’s 2nd direct daily flight on 1st September, 2009. To date, AirAsia has carried over 100,000 guests to and from Trichy. AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said, "Today, AirAsia is reiterating its commitment to the Indian market with the launch of three new routes- Kolkata, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the first airline to launch 3 cities in India in one day. While most airlines are cutting back during these tough economic times, AirAsia is aggressively expanding its India route network as we believe there is robust demand in low fare travel."

"The three new India destinations are colourful cities with rich historical and cultural traditions. We believe our low fares and outstanding innovative services, will definitely open up new markets, stimulate new travel demand and enable more people to fly with us; thus promoting tourism which is beneficial for the economies of both countries." "It has been an ongoing and sustained effort for AirAsia to provide the best service with unbelievable low fares to our guests. With the introduction of the three new routes, connectivity to the three cities to and from Kuala Lumpur direct will bridge social ties and promote new connectivity via our hub in Kuala Lumpur as a gateway to over 130 routes in Asia, including the ones served by Airasia X, its long haul affiliate to Australia (Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne), China (Hangzhou, Tianjin, Chengdu), Taipei, London and Abu Dhabi, bringing the well known brand on to a global stage” concluded Kathleen.

It is now more convenient than ever to fly to Kuala Lumpur from Kolkata, located in the East Indian State of West Bengal and Kochi & Thiruvananthapuram, both located in the South Indian State of Kerala. Moreover as compared to other budget carriers, the route network offered by this award-winning airline is the most extensive in the region. This will translate into a low-cost yet efficient travel experience for guests who would benefit from using the LCC Terminal in Kuala Lumpur to connect to other regional ASEAN cities or long haul sectors serviced by AirAsia X. To add value, under GoHoliday at goholiday.airasia.com, guests may choose their holiday lodgings from over 50,000 hotels across Asia, Europe, India, Australia, Sri Lanka and China including ground transfer options and fantastic tour packages.

Jet Airways starts flights on Gaya-Varanasi-Bangkok route

Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, will connect the Thai capital of Bangkok with Gaya and Varanasi, two important Indian cities on the famed Buddhist circuit, with twice weekly flights, effective October 6, 2009. The airline will operate with twice weekly services on the sector, on Tuesdays and Fridays respectively. These flights will allow people from the South Asian region to visit the famed Buddhist pilgrimage sights. Effective October 6, 2009 to October 24, 2009, 9W 69 will depart Bangkok at 0845 hrs, arriving in Gaya at 1015 hrs. Flight 9W 69 will then depart Gaya at 1145 hrs, arriving in Varanasi at 1230 hrs. Flight 9W 70 will then depart Varanasi at 1400 hrs, returning to Bangkok at 1845 hrs.

However, effective October 25, 2009 to March 27, 2010, 9W 69 will depart Bangkok at 0830 hrs, arriving in Gaya at 1015 hrs. Flight 9W 69 will then depart Gaya at 1145 hrs, arriving in Varanasi at 1230 hrs. Flight 9W 70 will then depart Varanasi at 1400 hrs, arriving in Bangkok at 1835 hrs. While Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world, Gaya is home to the famed Mahabodhi temple, a UNESCO heritage site, and the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment, according to Buddhist traditions.

Air India is the official carrier for Commonwealth Games 2010

Air India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commonwealth Organising Committee for becoming the Official Partner Airline for the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Delhi in October 2010. The MoU was signed by Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman, Commonwealth Organising Committee and Arvind Jadhav, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India at a function held in New Delhi. Air India thus earned the distinction of being the first Indian and global sponsoring company for the Commonwealth Games.

Stargate theme park opens in Zabeel Park, Dubai

The Stargate theme park has opened in Zabeel Park, Dubai, after taking four years to build. The Dhs280m park features state-of-the-art interactive play with an element of education. Westech, a Swiss leisure services provider, supplied the project with all leisure equipment and the installation of rides and games. The park was due to open in November, but that date was brought forward because the park's Space Mall hit 70% occupancy.

Premier Inn opens at Dubai International airport

Premier Inn has announced it has opened a new hotel at Dubai's International airport. The new hotel at Dubai International Airport has 281 rooms, with en-suite bathrooms, and could accommodate a family of up to four. The hotel also offers a contemporary restaurant (Bedouinns), a bar (The Retreat), and a Costa Coffee outlet. The company has also recently inaugurated their hotel in Dubai Silicon Oasis, the company has said.