Monday, August 27, 2012

India’s Jet Airways to Introduce Multi-Cuisine Menu on Flights

International travellers taking flights with India’s Jet Airways will soon be able to gratify their taste buds with a pleasing variety of cuisines in the flight.

Jet Airways, one of the leading private carriers of India, is planning to start multi-cuisine in-flight service for its passengers at a nominal cost. Italian, Chinese and Continental cuisines have been revealed to be part of the choice offered on the flights. Travellers will have the option to book their desired cuisine in advance.

While the new service will be a hit with the extravagant travellers taking flights with the airline, the budget conscious ones who do not wish to pay extra for food will still be able to enjoy the free meals served in the flights.

JetKonnect, a low cost unit of Jet Airways that offers cheap flights within India, already offers the option of paid in-flight meal. Now, the full-service parent company is opting for the service to augment its revenues without hurting the pockets of the economy class flyers who are not willing to pay extra for a meal.

Passengers taking domestic and international flights with the airline will be able to book pre-selected meals online. The system will be operational in the coming few months.

Apart from this, the operator is planning to amplify its revenue by charging for some other in-flight and on-ground facilities. Some of the privileges on the consideration list of the carrier are pre-selection of seats, special facilities at airports like faster check-ins and giving the access of business lounges to economy class flyers for a fee.

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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Kerala Shopping Festival to Entice Tourists to Take Flights

Tourists planning to take flights to India, connecting Kerala in December will get a chance to immerse in the incessant fun of shopping as the dates for the 6th edition of Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GSKF) have been announced. The festival is set to take place from December 1st, 2012 to January 15th, 2013.

With region's best offers from big brands and hotels, exciting prizes, fun full events and much more, one of Asia’s largest shopping carnivals is all set to lure increasingly higher number of tourists to look for flights to India landing in Kerala.

If the organizers are to be believed, the 6th GSKF would be better and bigger than the previous ones. Over 10,000 merchant establishments including some of the most prominent regional and local brands have shown interest in participation.

This year the event will be more focused on local products and handicrafts, which has for long been a hit with foreign souvenir hunters on flights to India. The raffle campaign to be held during the event will provide a chance to win 101 kg gold as the grand prize apart from other luxury items. International travellers on state bound flights to India can surely hope to net some of these prizes and gifts!

In addition to the extravagant shopping and grand prizes, hundreds of events await the visitors taking flights to India during this time. From cultural programs to musical events – GSKF 2012 is sure to become a hit with foreign visitors on flights to India during December-January.

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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Malaysia Airlines Adds More Flights to Kuala Lumpur from India

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) fans looking for more flight options between India and Kuala Lumpur have all the reasons to smile now as the airline is all set to enhance its flight frequency between India’s major cities and Kuala Lumpur.

Currently, MAS offers 40 weekly flights to India which includes 12 weekly flights to New Delhi and 7 weekly flights each to Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. However, from 01st September 2012, the airline is planning to introduce 10 additional day-time flights connecting Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai to Kuala Lumpur.

These additional day-time flights are sure to cater to the needs of corporate flyers who are often to be seen on a look out for day time flights to reach their intended destinations well in time to attend their business meetings, seminars or conferences.

India has long been one of the key markets for MAS and the airline is hopeful of at least 15% growth in passenger numbers on its flights from India in the current year as against 2011.

Recently, MAS also launched ‘Showcase Malaysia Dream Deal 2012’ to treat its passengers with complementary stays in Malaysia. Under the deal, travellers booking return flights to Malaysia or beyond from India will get two nights of free stay at select hotels located in popular Malaysian cities including Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia Airlines’ move to introduce additional daytime flight from Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore to Kuala Lumpur seems to be driven by its endeavour to tap India’s burgeoning market.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

South African Airways to Increase Flights to Mumbai

South African Airways has decided to amp up its flight services to India’s financial capital, Mumbai. The airline will be offering daily, non-stop flights to India connecting Mumbai with Johannesburg from 03 October 2012.

The seventh weekly flight between Mumbai and Johannesburg comes close on the heels of fifth weekly flight the airline launched on 16 June and the sixth frequency which is scheduled to be inaugurated from 21 August.

Theunis Potgieter, SAA’s General Manager Commercial said the seventh weekly flight is the result of the growing demand in the market for travel between South Africa and India. Mr Potgieter also feels that South Africa’s entry into the BRICS alliance has led to increased investment activities between the two countries, which in turn has resulted in heightened passenger movement.

The announcement is surely good news for travellers who seek convenient flights between South Africa and India. With more direct connections available, it might also result in cheap flights for the travellers. Additionally, British vacationers who opt for twin centre holidays in South Africa and India can smile as an added connection between the two regions is sure to offer flexibility to their travel itinerary.

After Jet Airways terminated its service on the route, South African Airways has now become the only carrier that offers non-stop flights between South Africa and India.

SAA operates on the route with an A330-200 Airbus, one of the most fuel efficient aircraft in the airline’s fleet. Aircraft configuration includes 36 business class seats and 186 economy class seats.

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