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Air India Express cancels 74 budget flights on second day after sick leave strike

Indian airline will be forced to curtail its flight schedules

Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier abruptly cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. The airline was taken over by Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2022 after a government effort to privatise the heavily indebted carrier.

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Media reports linked the sudden mass sick leave by the airline's staff to simmering discontent over new policies on hiring and promotion imposed by its new ownership. Air India Express said in a statement that it had made "every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests" but had been forced to cancel 74 flights on Thursday.

The airline expressed its commitment to minimising inconvenience caused to passengers amidst the unexpected situation. The spokesperson assured that the airline would be operating 292 flights today, utilising all available resources, with additional support from Air India on 20 routes.

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"Air India Express is making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected situation. We have mobilised all resources," said the spokesperson.

"This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty and serve our guests with dedication and pride. I am thankful to all who are standing by the airline in this hour of crisis," Air India Express CEO, Aloke Singh said in a statement.

Singh invited staff for discussions to address any concerns they may have and assured that all communication channels are open.

The cancellations and delays prompted the Ministry of Civil Aviation to seek a detailed report from Air India Express. The ministry urged the airline to promptly resolve the issues and ensure that passengers are provided with facilities as per DGCA norms.

Full refund or rescheduling

Passengers affected by cancellations or delays beyond three hours are offered the option of a full refund or rescheduling to a later date without any additional fees. They can avail of these options through Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on airindiaexpress.com.

The spokesperson added, "However, 74 of our flights have been cancelled and we urge our guests booked to fly with us to check if their flight is affected by the disruption before heading to the airport. If their flight is cancelled, or delayed beyond 3 hours, they may opt for a full refund or reschedule to a later date without any fees on Tia on WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) or on airindiaexpress.com."

It added, "While we will continue to engage with our cabin crew colleagues with a commitment to address any concern, we are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests."

More than 90 other flights had been "disrupted" since Tuesday by the resulting staff shortages, the airline said in a separate statement on Wednesday, without clarifying whether they had been delayed or cancelled.

Chief executive Aloke Singh said Wednesday that the airline had been forced to curtail its flight schedules over the coming days.

"Since last evening, over 100 of our cabin crew colleagues have reported sick prior to their rostered flight duty, at the last minute, severely disrupting our operations," Singh said.

"This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty."

Crew members sacked

The airline has reportedly sent termination notices to approximately 25 cabin crew members who called in sick, according to airline sources on May 9. The number of job terminations is likely to increase.

According to sources within the airline, the management on Wednesday terminated cabin crew members who took sick leave between Tuesday and Wednesday due to their unprofessional behaviour, which resulted in inconvenience to thousands of passengers.

In the termination letters issued by the airline management, it stated, "In view of the above, the Company has decided to terminate your employment with immediate effect on and from the date of this letter...The terminated crew members are no longer considered employees of the company and are required to return all company property immediately."

The mass sick leave was considered a pre-meditated and concerted abstention from work without any justifiable reason, violating Air India Express Limited employee service rules.

The decision to terminate the employees was made as their actions violated the conditions outlined in their employment contracts, leading to their immediate termination.

Crew revolt over merger

Despite a meeting held on Wednesday between the management and unhappy crew members, the issues remain unresolved. The crew members have outlined seven demands, primarily focusing on rectifying mismanagement post-privatisation under Tata Group.

In response, Air India Express issued a statement apologizing to passengers for the disruptions, attributing the delays and cancellations to a section of the cabin crew reporting sick at the last minute. The airline assured guests affected by cancellations of a full refund or complimentary rescheduling.

"A section of our cabin crew reported sick at the last minute, starting last night, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. While we are engaging with the crew to understand the reasons behind these occurrences, our teams are actively addressing this issue to minimise any inconvenience caused to our guests as a result."

"We sincerely apologise to our guests for this unexpected disruption and emphasise that this situation does not reflect the standard of service we strive to provide. Guests impacted by cancellations will be offered a full refund or complimentary rescheduling to another date.

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Air India Express cancels flights for second day after crew stage mass sick leave

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Chris Kay in Bengaluru

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Air India’s budget airline was forced to cancel 85 more flights on Thursday after hundreds of cabin crew called in sick, marking the latest staffing crisis to hit the flag carrier bought by conglomerate Tata Sons in 2022.

The airline has cancelled a total of at least 172 flights since Wednesday after about 300 of the carrier’s roughly 2,600 cabin crew did not turn up to work, according to a person familiar with the matter.

“The airline didn’t have time to react,” the person said, adding that management was unable to contact the absent crew after they switched off their mobile phones. The airline has served termination letters to some of the absentee employees. “We have had to take decisive action,” said the person.

Air India Express said it “is making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests by this unexpected situation.”

The mass sick leave comes as staff call for better working conditions at Air India . The staffing turmoil is the latest blow to Tata’s attempts to consolidate its aviation business and turn around the lossmaking company after the conglomerate purchased the debt-laden national carrier back from the government.

Since then, Tata has announced plans to merge Vistara, its premium carrier co-owned by Singapore Airlines, with Air India and merge Air India Express with AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India. It is also purchasing new aircraft to overhaul its old fleet.

Last month pilots at Vistara called in sick, complaining of fatigue and poor pay. It caused the airline to scale back flights and prompted calls for solidarity from Air India colleagues who said Tata was underpaying and overworking its crew.

The Air India Express Employees Union did not respond to a request for comment.

Tata’s moves to bring in merit-based performance contracts have made many staff “very unhappy”, said New Delhi-based independent aviation analyst Neelam Mathews.

“They know Air India has this strike mentality,” she said. “It’s in their DNA . . . their mindset is totally different, so I think to a degree Tata is at fault. They should have really looked at this.”

Originally launched by Tata in 1932, Air India was nationalised more than 20 years later. It operated a domestic monopoly for decades until India liberalised its economy in the early 1990s, ushering in fierce competition that cut into Air India’s market share.

Since its return to the Tata stable, Air India’s chief executive Campbell Wilson is leading the effort to overhaul a carrier that had been bleeding $2.4mn a day. Wilson joined Air India after working for 26 years at Singapore Airlines. Wilson last year told the Financial Times that he hoped to return the airline to the “upper echelons” of global aviation, triple passenger numbers and challenge the Gulf hubs.

In one of the world’s biggest aviation purchases, Air India in 2023 placed an order for 470 planes from Airbus and Boeing to be delivered over the course of several years. The carrier continues to face passenger complaints about ageing aircraft and poor staff service.

The airline’s reputation was also tarnished in late 2022 after its slow handling of a mid-air incident in which a drunken passenger urinated on a 72-year-old woman in business class during a long-haul flight.

Mathews said Tata’s revamp would probably take at least seven years as it worked to consolidate its carriers and resolve labour issues.

“The problems it has inherited are too big,” she said. “Tata thought they would come, sit down and take over like they run their autos business. Aviation is not the auto business . . . this is complicated.”

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Air India Express issues Covid guidelines for UAE passengers

Passengers will have to take a test if they show covid-related symptoms upon arrival.

Air India Express has tightened anti-Covid procedures on its aircraft. The National

Passengers arriving in India from the UAE must be fully immunised and follow Covid-19 protocols on flights and all entry points, international budget carrier Air India Express said.

They will also have to undergo testing if they show Covid-related symptoms upon arrival or during a self-monitoring period.

They will also have to take precautions including, preferably, the use of masks.

Post-arrival random testing, however, will not be required for children under 12 years of age.

"All guests should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against Covid-19 in their country,” Air India Express said in a tweet.

#FlyWithIX : For the kind attention of guests traveling from UAE to #India 👇 pic.twitter.com/s4PXykMmDT — Air India Express (@FlyWithIX) December 27, 2022

On November 7, the UAE lifted nearly all Covid-19 restrictions in the country after a steady decline in cases.

Only a small number of measures remain in place, including masks to be worn inside health facilities and hospitals.

The country is among the most thoroughly-vaccinated in the world and has conducted about 25 million PCR tests nationwide since the emergence of the coronavirus.

The guidelines are the first issued by an airline in the country since restrictions were removed earlier this year. Authorities began random Covid testing at various airports in response to increasing case numbers globally, particularly in neighbouring China .

Air India Express , which has its headquarters in the city of Kochi in the southern state of Kerala, flies to countries in West Asia and South-East Asia.

It is run by a fully-owned division of Air India, which was bought by the Tata group this year.

India has also made rapid Covid tests mandator y for international passengers coming from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand as Covid case numbers continue to surge worldwide.

Those found to be symptomatic or test positive for Covid, will be put under quarantine.

A woman and her six-year-old daughter who returned from China via Colombo tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday. They had landed at Madurai airport in southern Tamil Nadu.

Their samples will be sent for genome sequencing.

India has reported at least four cases of the BF.7 sub-variant that has wreaked havoc in China, in at least two states.

The country reported a handful of Covid cases in recent weeks, with the health ministry on Wednesday reporting 157 cases and one death in the previous 24 hours.

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Air India Express to cancel 40 flights daily until May 13; check your ‘Flight Status’ for updates

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Created : May 9, 2024, 12:30 IST

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Now, reports add that the budget carrier will be cancelling 40 flights daily until May 13th. This reduction, prompted by a surge in sick reports from cabin crew, echoes similar disruptions experienced last month by Vistara during … Read more

Now, reports add that the budget carrier will be cancelling 40 flights daily until May 13th. This reduction, prompted by a surge in sick reports from cabin crew, echoes similar disruptions experienced last month by Vistara during its merger with Air India. Read less

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• 1 Air India Express to cancel 40 flights daily until May 13; check your ‘Flight Status’ for updates
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• 3 Over 90 Air India Express flights cancelled as cabin crew stage mass sick leave
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Now, reports add that the budget carrier will be cancelling 40 flights daily until May 13th. This reduction, prompted by a surge in sick reports from cabin crew, echoes similar disruptions experienced...

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Air India Express launches 'Time to Travel' offer: Fares starting at Rs1,177. Check details here

Air india express launched its new ‘time to travel’ offer after flights were delayed or cancelled due to employees reporting sick..

Air India Express launched its 'Time to Travel' offer that allows travellers to book air tickets starting at just ₹ 1,177 from May 29 until June 3.

Travellers can avail the offer on tickets for travel up to September 30, 2024. It is accessible through Air India Express ' website, app, and other booking platforms.

Travel agents can tap into fares starting at ₹ 1,198, while those booking directly on the airline’s website can enjoy lower Xpress Lite fares from ₹ 1,177. The exclusive rates are reserved for passengers travelling with cabin baggage only.

Also Read | AI Express union says reduced flights impacting cabin crew salaries

Travellers will be provided with the option to pre-book an extra 3 kg of cabin baggage at no charge and avail discounted rates for check-in baggage, starting at ₹ 1000 for domestic flights and ₹ 1,300 on international routes.

Registered members get an added 25% discount on the 'Gourmair' hot meals and preferred seating. Tata NeuPass Rewards Programme members can earn up to 8% NeuCoins, along with exclusive deals on meals, seating, baggage, and flexible change and cancellation policies.

The special fares can be availed by students, senior citizens, SMEs, dependents, and armed forces members.

Air India Express' domestic as well as international flights were delayed or cancelled on May 8 after a section of the staff reported sick at the last minute ahead of work due to alleged mismanagement by the Tata Group-owned airline, as reported by News 18.

Also Read | Woman couldn’t meet husband before death due to AI Express flight cancellations

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Air India Express launches 'Time to Travel' offer with fares starting at ₹1,177: Check details

The exclusive rates are reserved for passengers travelling with cabin baggage only. travellers will be provided with the option to pre-book an extra 3 kg of cabin baggage at no charge and avail discounted rates for check-in baggage..

Air India Express Review [2024]: Low-cost, but will you regret it?

Looking to travel around India and beyond without spending a fortune? There's no shortage of options when it comes to finding a low-cost carrier in India. But which one should you choose? Air India Express is one such budget airline. Discover if it's the right choice for you!

The sound of "low cost" and "airline" in the same sentence is often music to a budget traveler's ears. After all, airline travel is notorious for being expensive. So a carrier that offers decent rates without skimping on quality is definitely worth considering.

Air India Express ticks all the boxes. Similar to  Eurowings  and  Vueling Airlines , it's a low-cost airline. A subsidiary of the national carrier Air India, you can expect the same safety and service standards. If you're looking for a cheap way to get around India, Air India Express is definitely an option. 

To help you make an informed decision, we've put together an Air India Express review. I cover everything you need to know about the airline, including in-flight service and more. Whether you're looking for a cheap way to travel within India or for international flights, stay tuned!

What is Air India Express?

Air India Express is a low-cost airline based in India. It's a subsidiary of the national carrier Air India and was established in 2004. The airline flies to over 33 domestic and international destinations, including popular holiday spots like Singapore, Dubai, and Bahrain. 

What sets this airline apart from other low-cost carriers is that its part of a major airline group. You can expect the same standards without paying the higher prices that come with flying with a full-service airline. 

What Are Air India Express' Hubs?

Air India Express prices are kept low by flying to secondary airports. So do bear in mind that you may need to factor in extra travel time to and from the city center.

It has four main hubs:

• Calicut International Airport
• Cochin International Airport
• Trivandrum International Airport
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

The airline also has a base in Kochi, Kerala.

What Are Air India Express' In-Flight Services?

Air India Express offers a basic but efficient in-flight service. Frills and luxury are in short supply here, but you should get everything you need for a comfortable journey. 

What to expect when flying:

• As a low-cost carrier, the airline only offers Economy cabin class seats.
• Complimentary snack boxes and beverages are served on all flights.
• Additional Indian and international meals are available for purchase before and in-flight.
• Checked baggage allowance based on fare type and route. 
• Advanced seat selection service. A bonus if you want to ensure you're seated next to your besties. Or you're gunning for that window seat!
• Optional online visa to UAE.
• Buy excess baggage online.

Air India Express also offers " Deals & Rewards " for their regular flyers. Under this scheme, members can enjoy discounts on duty-free purchases, hotels, resorts, safari bookings, and more.

Where Does Air India Fly?

With numerous domestic flights daily, this airline covers all the major cities in India. Planning on traveling outside of India? You'll be happy to know that the airline also flies to 14 international destinations!

Below is a list of the countries you can fly to on Air India Express:

• Ras Al Khaima

How Safe is Air India Express?

Air India Express is part of the Air India Group, owned by the Government of India. The airline is, therefore, subject to the same high safety standards as its parent company.

A member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), it's been awarded an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification. The IOSA is an internationally-recognized safety assessment program for airlines. 

As with most airline carriers, Air India Express has had its share of controversies. Namely, the Air India Express Flight 812 and Flight 1344 crashes. However, both planes were Boeing 737 aircraft, which have  featured in crashes  across various airlines. So we can safely claim that the fault is probably not specifically with the Air India Express airline or crew.

Booking and Cancelling Flights

You can book your flights online through the airline's website or through a travel agent. The easiest way to manage a booking is on its website. Here, you can log in to your account and make any necessary changes.

To book a flight, click on the "Manage my Bookings" tab on the Air India Express website. Then enter your confirmation number and last name. From here, you can view your booking details, edit your itinerary, and add extras such as baggage or seat selection.

Changed your mind and decided to spend a few more days exploring India? The good news is that the airline also offers a  24-hour cancellation policy . Cancel your flight within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time to receive a full refund. 

Simply need to change your flight date or time? To do so, you'll also need to cancel your original booking and book a new one. Either way, select the "Cancel Booking" option and follow the instructions. 

Booked your flight through a travel agent? Remember that you'd need to contact them directly to make any changes to your booking.

Alternatively, some people use websites like Skyscanner to find Air India Express flights. By using comparison sites, travelers can make sure they're getting the best possible deal.

Customer Service

If you need to contact customer service, you can do so by phone or email. The airline's customer service team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. 

To speak to someone on the phone, call the Air India Express customer service number: 044-40013001 or 044-24301930.

For general inquiries, you can also email them at [email protected].

Web Check-In

Web check-in is offered for all passengers with a valid e-ticket. You can generally check in online 2 to 24 hours before your scheduled flight departure time.

To do so, click on the " Web Check-In " tab on the Air India Express website and enter your booking details. From here, you'll be able to select your seat, print your boarding pass, and check-in for your flight.

Remember that web check-in is unavailable for passengers with infants or those traveling on a group booking. You'll have to check in at the airport. 

Baggage Allowance

With Air India Express, your  baggage allowance  depends on your route and flight. Be sure to check your ticket before you purchase and after, especially for connection flights. 

Generally, you're allowed to bring one carry-on bag of up to 7 kg on board the aircraft. Plus, you're allowed to bring your laptop in a separate bag, purse, or sleeve. It won't count toward your cabin baggage weight, which is pretty handy.

Checked-in baggage rules apply:

• Checked luggage included  in your ticket varies from 20 to 40 kg, depending on the route.
• You can purchase additional luggage before your flight, which will be stowed in the cargo hold, subject to availability.
• Your checked luggage size should not exceed 62 inches in total (length*breadth*height).
• No single piece of checked baggage should weigh more than 32 kg.
• Infants traveling with their guardians get an additional 10 kg check baggage allowance for free.
• For overweight baggage at check-in, Air India Express may charge you an excess baggage fee.
• You can check in sports equipment such as bicycles, golf kits, and skiing gear.

Air India Express FAQs

Can you track air india express flights.

You can track all flights using the airline's flight tracker tool. Simply enter your flight number and departure date to view up-to-date information on your flight's status. 

Is Air India Express and Air India the same?

No, Air India Express is a low-cost subsidiary of Air India. The two airlines are separate entities with different business models and in-flight options. 

What are the routes of Air India Express?

Air India Express flies to the Gulf and South East Asia from various cities in India. The complete list of destinations is mentioned above.

Is Air India Express Worth it?

If you ask me if Air India Express is worth flying, then I say a big YES! However, if you ask if it's the best low-cost airline in India, then I would say that it depends. There are many low-cost carriers that fly from or through India.

It's an excellent airline if you're looking for low fares and good service. I flew Air India Express from Chennai to Dubai and was impressed with the service, food, and overall experience.

However, I have also read many negative reviews about the airline. There have been reports of poor quality service, food, and cabin cleanliness. So, it all comes down to what you're looking for in an airline.

If you're a solo traveler who loves exploring hostels instead of hotels, give it a try. I would say that Air India Express is an excellent option as they offer good deals for single travelers.

Our Ratings: 3.9/5

• Domestic and international routes
• Low-cost fares
• Comfortable seats and seat selection
• Reports of poor quality service and food
• Poor customer service query handling

Fasten Your Seat Belts!

With Air India Express or any other low-cost carrier, you're in for a budget-friendly and fun flying experience. Remember that we're here to help make your journey as comfortable as possible.

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Passenger vows to ‘never again’ fly Air India after dirty flight. Airline reacts

Aditya kondawar's bad experience with air india express began with a significant flight delay. scheduled to depart at 9.50 pm, the flight did not take off until after midnight..

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• Startup VP vows never to fly Air India Express again
• Flight from Bengaluru to Pune delayed over 2 hours
• Poor aircraft condition: dirty seats, bad smell

An unfortunate travel experience on an Air India Express flight has left a startup vice president and author, Aditya Kondawar, vowing never to fly with the airline again. Kondawar was travelling from Bengaluru to Pune and encountered several issues that prompted his strong reaction.

Kondawar's ordeal began with a significant flight delay. Scheduled to depart at 9.50 pm, the flight did not take off until after midnight. The delay was just the beginning of his troubles. He found the aircraft to be in poor condition, with dirty and stained seats, and an unpleasant smell inside the cabin. Frustrated by the experience, he expressed his dissatisfaction on X.

In a post directed at Air India, Kondawar wrote, "Thank you for teaching me a valuable lesson last night. I am never flying Air India or Air India Express again. I will pay extra for other airlines or even consider alternative transportation like a bullock cart."

Dear @AirIndiaX , Thank you for teaching me a very valuable lesson last night Never and I mean it with all seriousness - I am never flying Air India Express or Air India in my life again - I will pay 100% extra cost if needed but will take other airlines that are on time (onlyâ€æ — Aditya Kondawar (@aditya_kondawar) June 25, 2024

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Air India Express headquarters relocated to Gurugram, impacting over 25 jobs in Kochi

KOCHI: In a setback to Kochi’s ambition to emerge as a business hub for airline companies, the Air India Express headquarters has been relocated to Gurugram in Haryana, resulting in a loss of around 25 top 30 jobs in the city. According to sources, the relocation of administrative staff began in 2023, affecting approximately 30 employees who were moved from Kochi to the Vatika One-on-One complex in Gurugram.

“This relocation has caused inconvenience to many staff members, leading to several resignations,” a source said.

However, Air India Express will continue to maintain an office with skeletal staff in Elamkulam, Kochi.

A spokesperson for the airline termed the shift to Gurugram strategic. “This strategic move aims to enhance collaboration and synergies between Air India and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, both owned by the Tata Group."

Air India Express’s headquarters has been based in Kochi since January 1, 2013. This was aimed to cater to the large number of low-cost fliers to the GCC countries from Kerala, which has nearly 25 lakh expats living in the Gulf region.

Despite the shift in headquarters, the Kochi airport will continue to be the main hub of Air India Express’s operations, the spokesperson said.

“The senior staff were transferred to the new head office in 2023, with the remaining employees moving in March 2024. Currently, all Air India Express and AIX Connect employees are based in the Gurugram complex,” said the source.

Air India Express staff had been at loggerheads with its management in recent months, causing disruptions to its operations. In May, Air India Express faced turmoil when around 300 senior cabin crew members reported sick en masse, resulting in the cancellation of over 200 flights and leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The protest, attributed to alleged mismanagement at the airline, was resolved after four days of discussions at the Chief Labour Commissioner’s office in New Delhi.

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Riya Group and Air India Express Forge Strategic Alliance for Enhanced Visa Services

G lobal travel company Riya Group has announced a strategic alliance with Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India. This innovative collaboration integrates Riya’s comprehensive visa services directly onto the Air India Express website, allowing customers to access and apply for visas to any destination worldwide seamlessly.

Riya Group’s established vertical, Riya Visa Services, is designed to simplify the pre-travel booking journey for customers. The extensive suite of services includes worldwide visa applications, processing of all visa types, checklist updates, status checks, and more. According to an official company statement, by offering a one-stop approach, this progressive step aims to streamline the visa application process and enhance the overall booking experience on the Air India Express website. Passengers can now browse flights and apply for visas in one convenient location, eliminating the need to navigate multiple websites.

Nitin John, Vice Chairman of Riya Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Visa has been one of our most promising and fast-growing verticals. Even before Riya Group pioneered holistic solutions for travel partners, we offered extensive visa services to appease the growing demands in the 80s. Today, through this alliance with the esteemed Air India Express, we are excited to expand our reach and enhance travellers’ experience even before their trip begins. This strategic collaboration aims to curb the prevailing challenges a passenger undergoes in planning their journey. Hence, this integration of comprehensive visa services directly on the airline’s website is our progressive step towards easing a traveller’s visa processing experience.”

Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India Express, echoed this sentiment, saying, “At Air India Express, we are unwavering in our dedication to optimizing the travel experience for our valued guests. The introduction of our new Visa Services effectively eliminates the longstanding challenges associated with the often-arduous visa application process. By leveraging this innovative platform, travellers can now navigate a streamlined and efficient system, minimizing wait times and eliminating the need for physically visiting visa application centres.”

This mutually beneficial alliance is committed to operational excellence, promising a bright future for both partners and customers. Travelers can now leverage a holistic approach for their pre-travel needs, enhancing their overall travel experience from the very start.

Zoomcar partners with Air India Express to enhance travel experience for guests

Zoomcar Holdings announces its partnership with Air India Express. This collaboration aims to elevate the travel experience for Air India Express guests by offering them seamless access to self-drive car rentals for travel across multiple cities in India . With Zoomcar’s delivery option, guests can easily get a car of their choice delivered and picked up directly from the airport.

Through this partnership, Air India Express guests in Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kochi, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Madurai, Mumbai, Pune, Tiruchirappalli, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam can now enjoy the convenience of booking self-drive cars directly on Air India Express’s award-winning app and website,  airindiaexpress.com . Zoomcar’s extensive fleet boasts a wide range of top-rated self-drive cars hosted by locals, including SUVs, hatchbacks, sedans, and even EVs catering to diverse luggage requirements and travel preferences.

This partnership also caters to guests with varying requirements, leveraging the extensive fleet options and ensuring ample space for baggage carried through Air India Express’s convenient add-on packs like Carry-On-Xtra, International Connecting Baggage, and Special Equipment. This partnership with Zoomcar will further help guests with bespoke travel experiences to destinations from the nearest city airports with maximum ease and convenience like never before.

Talking about this partnership, Greg Moran, CEO and Co-founder of Zoomcar, shared, “We’re focused on providing improved and personalised travel experiences for our guests at Zoomcar, and our partnership with Air India Express is another stepping stone towards this goal. With our airport delivery feature, getting a self-drive car from arrival to departure is as easy as online food delivery and the freedom to explore new places at your own will.”

Ankur Garg, CCO, Air India Express, stated, “Air India Express is committed to providing a truly personalised travel experience. By offering an a-la-carte menu of products, fare types, and services that empower our guests to curate their journeys exactly as they desire, we are bringing convenience to yet another key touchpoint in the travel journey. With our collaboration with Zoomcar, our guests at airports across India will now have unmatched flexibility and control over their journeys.”

Eliminating the need for traditional paperwork, guests can activate their Zoomcar rental with just their driver’s license, national ID, and a quick selfie. The service caters to both short-term needs, with rentals starting from 8 hours, and extended journeys. Zoomcar’s keyless access technology empowers users to lock and unlock their chosen vehicle directly through the user-friendly mobile app, eliminating the need to meet with a representative at pick-up or drop-off.

Air India Express becomes the first airline to operate from two airports in NCR;…

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Air India Express refuses to pay compensation to Nambi Rajesh's family

Air India Express has refused to pay compensation to the family of Nambi Rajesh , who died in Muscat on May 13. The information was communicated to the family via e-mail. The Airline has also said that it was not responsible for the death of Rajesh.

The 40-year-old native of Karamana died in a Muscat hospital after collapsing at his workplace. His wife Amritha C was unable to be by his side in his final hours as her flight was cancelled due to the strike called by the cabin crew of Air India Express.

Amritha was unable to secure a ticket on the flight for two days. The family claimed that Air India Express refused to provide a refund which led to the cancellation of Amritha's trip.

In her letter to the Airline, Amritha had demanded compensation claiming Rajesh could have survived had she been by his side when he was hospitalised. They have two children, aged five and three.

"I am a student. How will I educate our children? I don't have money to pay the house rent. I couldn't support my husband in his time of need. The airline has a responsibility in the death of my husband. I will take legal measures against Air India Express," Amritha said.

Air India Express agrees to review compensation claim made by Nambi Rajesh's wife

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Indian Fintech Player Paytm Partners With Skyscanner, Google Flights, Wego – India Report

Bulbul Dhawan , Skift

June 25th, 2024 at 11:00 PM EDT

Paytm's move to expand its travel offerings comes after it recorded a successful quarter for flight bookings. Initially started as a financial services company, Paytm has been enhancing its offerings to increase its revenue streams.

Bulbul Dhawan

The Skift India Newsletter is your go-to platform for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.

India’s leading financial services company Paytm has partnered with travel aggregators Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Wego to enhance its travel segment offerings. 

In the January to March quarter this year, Paytm witnessed a 19% annual increase in flight bookings, while in April, its international ticket bookings increased by 15% year-on-year. 

Paytm’s Focus on Travel: Paytm has been focusing on enhancing its travel services recently, including adding features such as guaranteed seat assistance and tatkal bookings (emergency bookings) for its train booking segment. 

The company partnered with Samsung recently to offer flight and bus ticket bookings, among others, through the Samsung wallet. 

Last year, Paytm also integrated its new distribution capability (NDC) with travel technology solutions company Amadeus. The NCDx featured Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways initially, and the onboarded Eva Airways. “This integration offers artificial intelligence-powered capabilities, enhancing the booking experience by providing more tailored travel options and packages directly from the airlines,” Paytm said in a statement. 

The company’s travel division has brought on board 3 new airlines – Cambodia Angkor Air, SalamAir, and FlyDubai to its selection. 

“These advancements align with Paytm’s broader vision of leveraging advanced technology to enhance business operations and customer satisfaction across its service offerings,” the company spokesperson said. 

Ixigo Expands Partnership With PhonePe to Include Flight, Bus Bookings

Online travel company Ixigo has announced an expansion of its partnership with fintech platform PhonePe. With this expansion, in addition to train bookings, the PhonePe app will offer flight and bus bookings as well. 

Till now, the partnership included Ixigo’s brand ConfirmTkt to offer train bookings. The expansion will lead to integration of services from Ixigo Flights for flight bookings, and AbhiBus for bus bookings on PhonePe. 

In a joint statement, the two companies said that with this integration, PhonePe users will also be able to avail features and value-added services such as free cancellations and flexible bookings. 

Noida International Airport to be Delayed by 7 Months

The upcoming international airport in Noida is now expected to commence operations by the end of April 2025. In a statement, Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) said that the construction and development work at the airport is “at an advanced stage”. 

“Work on the runway, the passenger terminal and the control tower, is well advanced. In view of the current construction status, we expect to begin commercial operations by the end of April 2025,” the agency said. 

Before this, the project had a completion deadline of September 29, 2024. 

Uttar Pradesh to Market Buddhist Sites in Southeast Asian Nations

The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to market sites in its ‘Buddhist Circuit’ to Southeast Asian countries. The Buddhist sites located in Uttar Pradesh, Nepal, and Western Bihar witness significant demand from tourists hailing from Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. 

The north Indian state has several Buddhist sites including Sarnath, Kapilvastu, Kaushambi, Kushinagar, Shravasti, and Sankisa. 

Uttar Pradesh is investing INR 300 million ($3.6 million) to develop the infrastructure at Sankisa. As part of the development, the government will construct a boundary wall, install passenger sheds, water facilities, toilets, restrooms, and lighting at the Buddhist site. A Buddhist museum will also be constructed. 

Air India Express, Riya Group Collaborate for Visa Services

Budget airline Air India Express and travel conglomerate Riya Group have entered into a strategic alliance to integrate the travel company’s visa services on the airline’s website . The service is live on Air India Express.  

The move aims to allow the website customers of the airline to access and apply for visas to any destination. The integration will provide a one-stop solution for flight booking and visa application process, Riya Group said in a statement. 

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Tags: Air India Express , airlines , airports , amadeus , online , online booking , online booking tools , online bookings , online travel , online travel agencies , online travel companies , religious travel , tourism , Travel Trends , visa

Photo credit: In the January to March quarter this year, Paytm witnessed a 19% annual increase in flight bookings. Brett Sayles / Pexels