India Expected To Announce Visa on Arrival for More Nations

Authorities in India have decided to roll out a red carpet for foreign tourists who are planning to board India bound flights. There is a very strong possibility that the Govt. of India will extend visa on arrival (VoA) facility to tourists from 40 countries, including the UK and the USA. Once the idea takes form, it will not only treat those who are already looking to book tickets for flying into India but will also persuade undecided tourists to spend on air tickets and jump aboard India bound flights. 

Britons, among other nationals, will be delighted with news. VoA will allow them to book air tickets and board flights for a travel to India without worrying about the visa procedures for the country. Apart from the UK and the USA, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Israel, Mauritius, Oman and Argentina are some other nations which are likely to be benefited by this scheme in future. 

At present, citizens of around 11 countries including Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam enjoy VoA. 

It is also agreed to extend VoA to foreign travellers above 60 years of age from all countries as well as cut back on the time taken to issue visas to groups that are eager to attend conventions. Further, there are reports that the facility would be extended to more airports in India like in Goa, Amritsar, Chandigarh, etc.  These airports handle significant traffic of foreigners who book flights tickets for the country. Currently, VoA is available at international airports of Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

Article Source

Singapore Airlines, Tata Come Together To Start an Airline in India

Singapore Airlines and India’s Tata Sons have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and have sought the approval of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to set up a new airline in India. The development has brought cheer to the Indian aviation industry as it is believed that the new venture will increase demand for air travel and encourage more people to seek air tickets on flights.

Subject to mandatory regulatory approvals, the carrier will be based in India’s capital, New Delhi and will operate flights under the full-service model. Tata Sons will own 51% and Singapore Airlines will own 49% in the project. 

The move is seen as a big boost to the loss-making aviation business in India. It is hoped that more people in India as well as Singapore will seek air tickets to fly between the two countries. Experts are hoping that that the new venture will push the traffic flow between Singapore and India, by offering more opportunities to book flights tickets. 

India and Singapore are hugely popular holiday destinations, with each attracting millions of travellers every year. While it is given that the new airline will offer more option for locals who wish to travel between the two countries, even foreign travellers will be keen to book flights tickets with the an airline has major promoters backing it. 

It is estimated that 75 per cent of Indian travellers book air tickets to Singapore for leisure, whereas 25 per cent hop aboard flights for business concerns.

Article Source

Varkala – Kerala’s Best Kept Beachside Secret

The beachside paradise of Varkala unfolds as a rejuvenating break from the hustle and bustle of other more popular beach towns in South India, all thanks to its tranquil and placid ambiance.

The costal destination impresses with its unspoilt golden sandy stretches, palm fringes and deep blue waters. Quite naturally, for many beachgoers who invest on tickets aboard direct/indirect flights for South India holidays, Varkala remains the destination of choice! 

With deep blue ocean and surging waves bordered by soft-powdery sandy stretches and mist-cloaked hills, beaches at the coastal city make for the best place to lounge languidly basking in the sun, sipping in an exotic cocktail and beholding the dramatic scenes of surging waves crashing against the shores.

But beaches are not the only attraction that this resort town has on offer! Those who have grown blasé of the usual trinity of sun, sand and surf may head out to explore the magnificent memorabilia of attractions or indulge in a cornucopia of things to do. Visitors spending on tickets aboard flights arriving in this part of Southern India may take a walk down the memory lanes at the Anjengo Fort or take a leisurely stroll along the Kappil Lake. 

And that’s still not all! It is also a place soaked in spiritual mystique, where 2,000 year-old temples tempt devotees and pilgrims in hordes. Thousands book tickets on direct/indirect flights every year with a belief that their sins will be washed off at the holy waters of this sea side paradise in Kerala.

Article Source

Malaysia Airlines Expands India Network

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has decided to amp up its flights service to India. From September 1, 2013, the Malaysian carrier will run daily flights to Kochi, India from Kuala Lumpur, offering added options to travellers seeking tickets on the route. 

MAS’ newly announced route will be sixth to India. Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai are other destinations that are being served by the carrier. Currently, the airline operates 54 weekly flights from India to Malaysia.   

Kochi is a significant gateway to Kerala, which is unarguably one of India’s top tourist destinations. The destination is hugely popular with foreign vacationers, with its charms like backwaters, beaches and Ayurvedic treatments propelling demand for air tickets aboard India bound flights. 

Kochi- Kuala Lumpur route will be operated by the Malaysian carrier using the 160-seater B737-800. 

MAS’ Regional Senior Vice President, South Asia & Middle East, Azahar Bin Hamid was quoted in media reports explaining the need for new flights. He said it was the growing competition and rising demand for travel tickets in the market that has encouraged the carrier to include new destinations and increase frequencies. Mr. Hamid also made it clear that Kochi is a strong market and a very valuable addition to the airline’s network of flights. 

MAS has also announced promotional fares for fliers booking economy class and business class tickets. The move is expected to do good to travellers who search for relatively cheap deals for their flight tickets.

Article Source

Amritsar’s Cultural Gems That Have Their Weight Worth in Gold

Amritsar packs in an exciting ragbag of historical landmarks, cultural charmers and devout temples. No wonder, the city ranks high on the popularity charts amongst keen visitors seeking tickets on long-haul flights bound for India. 

Amritsar promises to take its rovers on a pleasing trip back in the times of British Era in India with its superb memorabilia of historical and cultural landmarks! From the Martyr’s Gallery of Jallianwala Bagh to the incredible royal artefacts of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, the region has enough charms to make culture buffs go ga ga over their decision to book tickets aboard India bound flights to the city.

If you are looking for a big slice of country’s chequered past, make your way to the Jallianwala Bagh. The memento of India’s biggest tragedy, Jallianwala Bagh is the place that says the story of the grisly massacre of peaceful revolutionists carried out by British troops in the year 1919. The attraction has long been a hot-favourite amongst history lovers and sets many on a quest for air tickets onboard cheap flights to the country, every year. 

Western history buffs booking tickets on flights to explore the country’s motleyed past must also make a point visiting the impressive Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum. The museum packs in a treasure-trove of interesting royal artefacts including arms, armours, beautiful paintings, century’s old coins and manuscripts. 

The Golden Temple is perhaps city’s most revered landmark that makes tickets on direct/indirect flights bound for North India popular amongst culture vultures. Spiritually stimulating, Golden Temple impresses with its fascinating architecture and devout spiritual buzz.    

But that’s not all! Wagah Border, Gobindgarh Fort and Bathinda Fort are some other charms that make keen visitors gloat over their decision to book tickets on India bound flights!

News Reference

Foreign Tourists Visiting India Doubles the World Average

In spite of not all the positive press India has got during the last few years, the number of foreigners booking tickets aboard India flights is going up. As per figures released by government, foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) to India increased by around 4.5% from 6.30 million in 2011 to 6.57 million in 2012. 

The rise may not be very ideal for India tourism industry but it is still double the world average, something shared by a top official of Indian tourism ministry.

In 2012, most vacationers came to India from the USA. As per figures, one million tourists booked tickets on flights landing in India from the United States. In comparison, lesser number of vacationers invested on tickets aboard India flights from United Kingdom, Sri Lanka and Malaysia in 2012. During the year, 0.78 million Britons grabbed flights and landed in India. Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, and Australia are the top 10 source countries from where most number of vacationers visit India. 

Even with this boost in the number of foreigners buying airline tickets for India travel, the country’s share of international arrivals continues to be stumpy in the global arena. The prospects, however, are better with many believing that recent changes in tourist visa regulations are expected to improve growth and are likely to tempt more holidaymakers to jump aboard India bound flights.

The Indian government’s plans to include more number of nations in the visa-on-arrival programme for those booking flights tickets for travelling to the country for medical treatment.

News Reference

Two Unique Experiences to Have on India Holidays

India is a land of soul stirring experiences! Westerners from all over the globe remain on a mad scramble for holidays and packages that make for the keys to unlock the golden prerogatives. Some of the quintessential experiences are!

Delve into History’s Aeons

With hoarded wealth of historical gems strewn at every nook and cranny, India is second to none destination for walking down the memory lane. There are umpteen forts, palaces, temples and jewels in the crown of the nation where you explore the unexplored and extremely intriguing facets of bygone era. Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho Temples and Ajanta and Ellora Caves are some of the treasure troves that push enquires of holidays and travel packages to India.

Enjoy the Best of Yoga & Ayurveda

India is blessed with two miraculous practices - Yoga and Ayurveda! It is the very land where myriads of centres are mushrooming to offer courses on different postures and legions of ayurvedic treatments. Sivananda Vedanta Centre, Trivandrum is one of the well-known spots that attract hordes of tourists who buy packages and take holidays in India. Devaaya in Goa and Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand are among the popular stamping grounds that provide packages and deals for taking delights at soothing massages and treatments.

News Reference

India’s Imphal Airport to Have International Standards

Global holiday makers who are looking to travel to India will soon be able reserve tickets on flights to the Imphal airport in Manipur, which at present handles only domestic flights of Indian airlines. A senior government official said that the airport would be notified as an international one pretty soon. In addition, Agartala airport in Tripura would also have international standards by 2015. 

The move to make north-eastern gateways global is a part of India's “Look East” policy. The initiative is likely to boost the region's connectivity and trade with other countries in Southeast Asia. These gateways can be developed as hubs for fliers who look for tickets for connecting flights out of India to other countries in the region. 

Presently, Guwahati Airport is the only one in the north-eastern region that handles international flights. 

North East India is a gorgeous expanse that has massive potential as tourism hub. Along with acting as stopover for those seeking tickets on flights for onward journey out of India, the region’s tourism sector can also reap benefits from better connections of flights and improved services. The place has already beginning to interest foreign tourists who look for newer opportunities after making investment on tickets aboard India flights. 

As per media reports, private Indian carriers like IndiGo and Spice Jet are interested in running flights and offering tickets from Agartala to Bangladesh.

News Reference

Lonely Planet Award for Delhi

Delhi, the star attraction of India, has been presented as the ‘Best Destination for Food & Drink’ award by Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards, 2013. The capital, already renowned for its horded wealth of cultural as well as historical trappings, is now going to turn heads for eclectic food scene. It will attract tourists to book tickets aboard flights for immersing into its rich culinary culture of India.

Manish Chatrath, chairman of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) received the laurels at gala ceremony held at Mumbai last week. 

According to the Delhi Tourism, the ‘Best Destination for Food & Drink’ award is a prestigious honour and it will further strengthen the tourism potential of the city, thereby increasing the demand for tickets and deals for flights and holiday deals.

The well-known magazine invited the nation’s best travellers to decide about the much-loved destinations and most preferred travel experiences. The honours were shortlisted by a board of industry experts and professionals.

Delhi is inundated with a gamut of gastronomic restaurants and boasts stimulating culinary scene at places like Chandni Chowk. Most of the epicureans who spend on tickets aboard flights and holiday packages make it a point to bask in the marvellous eating scene of the city. 

Travel experts are hoping that this honour will further boost the capital’s position as one of the most excellent gourmet destinations in not only India but all over the world. It is expected that more epicureans would now be fascinated to grab cheap deals for tickets on flights arriving here.

News Reference

Top 3 Natural Destinations in India Drawing Tourists in Hordes

Let’s face it! If flights tickets to India are so highly in-demand, half of the credit goes to the irresistible natural grandeur here. The country, over the years, has been alluring naturists in hordes, thanks to the innumerable natural facets available in all its corners. From scintillating beaches to enthralling wildlife and vanquish mountains to calm and peaceful waterways – it seems that the Mother Nature has settled down here with all its precious nuggets. We take you to India’s 3 most naturally rich destinations, where a holiday must be an unforgettable treat for the eyes and senses.

Kashmir: Book tickets for flights heading to Kashmir, and you shall be basking in glory of super-splendid Himalaya. Full of rolling hills, green plantations, flowery vales, orchards and glaciers, Kashmir is a place of poetic charm. What else? You will be left hypnotized by the serenity and pacificism that this so-called ‘heaven on earth’ has to offer! Truly, you’ll feel as if the time has paused for eternity.

Kerala: Think of Kerala and fascinating envisions of tranquil lagoons, swaying palms, dense forests and swarms of elephants pop-up in mind. Literally, if you want to fall in love with nature, book flights tickets to Kerala with no delay! With loads of natural sites which are amazingly beautiful, Kerala has become an authentic epitome of serenity and solace. Munnar, Kumarkoram, Alleppey and Cochin are some must-visit locales for those taking tickets for Kerala bound flights.

Himachal Pradesh: One of the hottest destinations in India among nature geeks and adventure freaks is the hill state of Himachal Pradesh. Of course, the USP of the state is its cluster of magnetic hill stations such as the quant Shimla and quiet Manali. Though, one will also be greeted by serene rivers, lovely greenery and an exquisite range of flora & fauna here. The icing on the cake is the fact that Himachal is well connected with key international gateways to India via domestic flights which have copious availability of cheap tickets!

News Reference

Jet Airways to Offer Daily Services on Kochi-Kuwait Route

One of the largest carriers in India, Jet Airways is all set to introduce daily flights between southern Indian city of Kochi and Kuwait via Abu Dhabi from May 16, 2013, offering seamless connectivity, flexibility and added options to fliers seeking tickets for flights operating on the routes. 

The carrier is going to deploy high tech Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft. The operator hopes to provide the finest of in-flight services, first-rate in-flight entertainment and regional meals to fliers booking tickets for Premiere and Economy class. 

The daily flights will complement airline’s current daily operations from several cities in India to various Gulf destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Muscat, Sharjah, Jeddah and Riyadh. 

Jet Airways believes that the new service would prove beneficial to travellers contemplating to book tickets with the airline.  It will also contribute to superb connections between the three destinations and spell more choices to both business as well as leisure travellers who remain on a constant lookout for tickets aboard flights. The increase in services might also do some good for budget travellers seeking cheap deals on tickets for travelling from India. 

According to the schedule released on airline’s website, flight 9W 576 will depart Kochi, India at 17:55 hrs LT (Local Time), arrive Abu Dhabi 20:30, depart at 2120 and arrive Kuwait at 22:05. While the return flights 9W 575 will depart Kuwait at 23:05 hrs; arrive Abu Dhabi at 01:50; depart at 02:40 hrs and arrive in Kochi, India at 08:10, the following day.

News Reference

Singapore Airlines Likely to Boost India Flights

Business and leisure vacationers who regularly seek air tickets for travelling between India and Singapore will be delighted to know of the strong possibility of rise in the number of flights operating between the two Asian destinations. Singapore Airlines and its subsidiaries are hoping to enhance the frequency of flights to Indian destinations. There will be more alternatives for those seeking tickets on India-Singapore route, once SIA amps up its services to India. Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai are three cities for where flights will be boosted by the carrier. All this will happen, once Singaporean government works out allotment of India seats.

As of now, SIA operates three flights from India’s capital Delhi and two each from Hyderabad and Chennai per week. The services are expected to be augmented and more number of seats will be available for travellers looking to buy tickets to Indian cities. However, there will be no increase in the number of flight services to Mumbai as the airline is “already utilising maximum permitted seats from the city.”

SIA together with its subsidiary SilkAir and low-cost affiliate Tiger Airways use more than 70 per cent of capacity between India and Singapore. Together, the three operators offer tickets for about 29,000 one-way weekly seats to India. In contrast, Indian carriers are providing air tickets for about 11,000 one-way weekly seats to Singapore.

SIA and SilkAir sell tickets for 98 weekly flights to 11 destinations in India. Tiger Airways, partially owned by SIA, offers tickets for 39 weekly flights to six destinations in India. 

News Reference

World Sufi Spirit Festival 2013 to Begin in Jodhpur

Jodhpur, the popular tourist destination among travellers taking flights to jaunt India, is all set to host the sixth edition of World Sufi Spirit Festival 2013 from February 22. 

Celebrating the vast range of Sufi melodies from musicians across the world, it will begin at renowned Mehrangarh Fort and end on Feb 27 at Ahichhatragarh Fort in Nagaur.

International travellers buying tickets for cheap flights landing in the country during the event can look forward to visit the glorious celebrations and witness the performances of singers and musicians from Indian states like Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and other countries including Turkey, France, Egypt, Paris, Mongolia and Afghanistan.

The gala event is open to all and its tickets can be obtained at the Fort.

WSSF in Jodhpur is a great opportunity to behold the blend of musical tradition of India and other legendary countries of Africa. The enriching melodious experience awaits the foreign travellers who make tickets reservations for flights landing in India. 

February is a peak month to visit Jodhpur. With pleasant weather and WSSF, tourists will have plenty of opportunities to make the most of their money spent on visiting India. However, netting cheap flights tickets during the period can be bit hard and it is best to book in advance.

View More Indian Holiday Attractions Video:

http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/flights/india/

News Reference

Air India introduces online check-in option

Air India has launched a new service that will allow passengers taking flights to India to check-in online.

The carrier will open check-in 48 hours before departure for domestic and international flights originating from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, reported Express Buzz.

Passengers will be able to print out their own boarding pass and once at the airport will be able to go directly to security checks rather than check-in.

News Reference

Added Attraction for Tourists Taking Flights to India

If things go according to the plan, tourists landing up in India after booking airline tickets could very well experience the thrill of a night time safari!

Yes, India is all set to do a Singapore by planning to set up a night safari park very soon. It will be India’s first night safari park and is surely going to regale wildlife enthusiasts with yet another added attraction after they book airline tickets on flights to India. Vacationers who are planning to a travel to India sometime in near future can definitely take advantage of the opportunity!

Media reports suggest that India’s first night safari park is likely to come up at Gautam Budh Nagar University in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, a northern state in India. Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has given in principle approval for the project, reports say.

It will be a 120-hectare park that will be built through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The proposed night safari park will also include an endangered species breeding centre.

Times of India, top English daily, published a report that gave out the finer details of the proposed project. The safari will remain operational between 4pm and midnight all round the year. The park will have a total of 71 species of animals and 841 specimens, including 58 species of mammals, eight species of birds, three species of reptiles and two species of fish. So, enough distractions for holiday makers planning to book cheap flights to India for a hearty wildlife tour!

The report further said 40% animals will be from the Indian sub-continent and the rest will be imported from foreign shores.

Reference

Chandigarh Airport Awaits International Flights to India

Frustration of the people waiting for Chandigarh Airport to start international flights is at a peak. Even after making many repetitive announcements of international flights starting soon, they are still an unfulfilled dream for Chandigarh Airport.

Indian Ministry of Defence has not granted the permission to the Chandigarh Airport to operate international flights even when the airport has been awarded with the status of 'customs airport' and upgraded its infrastructure.

Chandigarh Airport invested around INR 80 crores (INR 800 million) to modernize its new terminal building which opened on April 14 last year and introduced many other facilities to decoy international airlines to begin their operations from here.

Apart from this, the airport also showed its worth by operating more than 300 flights in 72 hours efficiently, counting international flights to India for those holiday makers who visited the country for the India-Pakistan Cricket World Cup semi-final match at Mohali last year. Yet, it has not been given the clearance to host international flights to India. 

The low-cost international airline Air Arabia showed interest to begin Sharjah-Chandigarh flight, but as the runway and the air traffic control of the Chandigarh airport are managed by the Indian Air Force, the international airlines are obliged to take consent from the ministry of defence. Certainly, a great loss for budget travellers seeking tickets on cheap flights to India!

The Director of Chandigarh airport Captain H S Toor says that even through Chandigarh airport satisfies all the conditions required for international operations, ministry of defence has still not passed its appeal to operate international flights for six months.

Reference

Southall Travel - Delivering Better Than the Best Experiences

Southall Travel, one of the leading travel agencies based in the UK, helps millions of travellers every year with endless options. The agency is an ATOL licence holder, an ABTA member and an IATA certified agency.

Southall Travel is a one stop shop for travellers looking for cheap deals on airfares, hotels, all-inclusive packages, travel insurance and car rentals! With different divisions like The Holiday Team and Applehouse Travel that offers corporate deals, Southall Travel aims to offer excellent services to the UK travellers departing to world-wide destinations.

The agency has business tie-ups with almost all the major airlines that operate flights to India from the United Kingdom. No wonder, thousands of holiday makers, business travellers and students looking to net tickets on cheap flights to India contact Southall Travel.

Jet Airways’ Best Consolidator Award Winner

Jet Airways, one of the most popular airlines offering flights to India, has awarded Southall Travel with the prestigious ‘best over-all agent’ award for four successive years starting 2007-2008 to 2010-2011. With lucrative airfare deals, guaranteed price match offers and cheap flights to India with Jet Airways and other reputed carriers, this agency remains one of the best consolidators for arranging Indian holidays.

Apart from offering innumerable deals on Jet airways’ flights to India’s most preferred gateways like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, Southall Travel also offers lucrative deals on car rentals, hotels, travel insurance, etc for those planning holidays in India.

Budget tourists can net cheap tickets to thriving Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad starting from as low as £515, £533, £527, £531 and £533, respectively. Those willing to grab some of the best airline deals would do well to visit Southall Travel’s website, www.southalltravel.co.uk.

With a wealth of information about different destinations and no dearth of cheap deals on airfares, accommodations and all-inclusive packages to dazzling Indian cities, Southall Travel’s website remains one of the most surfed travel portals in the United Kingdom. Furthermore this website is securitymetrics certified site and also uses the services of VeriSign to protect the interest of its users, which gives greater transparency and control to its users!

How to search, compare and book cheap flights with southalltravel.co.uk

Searching for the best available India flight? Benefit from the travel expertise of Southall Travel; the preferred travel partner of individuals and corporates in Great Britain. You’re sure to save big money on your next trip.

Getting the best deal for your India flight can be a challenge especially during the peak season from October to March. You would require the help of a travel agent to book air tickets, hotels, car rentals and make the necessary visa arrangements to ensure a smooth and hassle-free vacation during this season. Always choose package deals as they will help you save upto 40% on your travel costs. If the deals offered by your travel agent do not excite you then don’t despair. Simply log on to the website of Southall Travel [http://www.southalltravel.co.uk/] and select the fares that suit you the most.

Here, you will not only find plenty of cheap flights to India but also some great deals on hotel rooms and car rentals.

Scroll down the screen and browse through the fares offered; once you have picked the fare of your choice; call up customer care at 0844-855-8001 and talk to any of their travel planners to confirm the availability of seats for your chosen date of travel. These highly trained and experienced travel planners will be eager to assist you with holiday planning and booking. They will detail out the interesting offers available on all flights to India offered by major air carriers. If you need accommodation for your stay in India, you will be assisted with that too.

Travel planners at Southall Travel have exclusive access to Global Distribution Systems like Amadeus, World Span, Sabre that provide real-time information about the availability of flights  and hotel rooms for any particular  instance of time. Not only will you be offered the best price for all non-stop flights to your destination but information about all connecting flights will also be provided. Connecting flights, you would agree, will prove be a lot cheaper and help you cut down on your travel costs significantly.

Although rarely, you may find, that the fares offered on the phone are slightly higher than what you found on the web. This is because the airline fares are highly volatile and continue to change on an ongoing basis with respect to the availability of seats.

The deals which the website offers while you are simply browsing through may not be available the next minute when you are ready to book them. This typical character of the airline fares is a testament that reveals the importance of booking the seats as soon as you find a price that suits your pocket and not waiting for a further cheaper price. The numerous package holidays displayed on the southalltravel.co.uk, which include the flights plus hotel, also work on the same principle. Just remember that air fares and prices of the hotels are bound to get expensive as the travel date draws nearer. The discounts you would find weeks before your travel may not be available on last minute booking.

If you choose Southall Travel for all your travel needs; you can benefit from its impressive network of travel partners that the agency boasts all across the globe. The high degree of customer orientation displayed by the travel consultants of this awarded agency has made it the preferred travel partner of millions of individual and corporate customers all over the globe.

Wait no more, call Southall travel and grab the best deals before they are snapped up by anyone else.

Good luck in your search!

Kingfisher Airlines to Become a Part of Oneworld

India’s Kingfisher Airlines is all ready to become the subcontinent’s first airline to be a part of any global airline alliance. Kingfisher will be a member of oneworld, premier airline consortium, from Feb 10, 2012.

Kingfisher Airlines is all set to become a full-time member of oneworld. The airline said on Monday it will be joining one of the world’s premier airline alliances from Feb 10, 2012.

Once Kingfisher Airlines joins oneworld, it will become the Indian subcontinent’s first carrier to become a part of any international airline group and the first of the three carriers to join the consortium in its biggest membership expansion drive in years. Germany’s airberlin is scheduled to join it shortly afterwards and Malaysia Airlines will be the third to join the alliance in the year.

Kingfisher Airlines expects the move to boost the carrier financially.

“It will strengthen us financially, through revenues from passengers transferring to our network from our oneworld partners and the cost reduction opportunities the alliance offers,” Kingfisher Airlines’ Chairman Vijay Mallya said in a statement.

“We will be flying as part of the world's leading quality airline alliance - and the first carrier from the subcontinent to be accepted into any of the global airline groups,” he said.

India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a blooming aviation market. And the fact that India remains one of the world’s leading holiday destinations doesn’t hurt either. India based passengers as well as international travellers who are on constant lookout for cheap flight tickets to India will surely be pleased with the news. With Kingfisher joining the alliance, there will be better connection on offer, which in turn might assist travellers in landing up with cheap flight tickets.

In addition, the membership with oneworld will allow the Indian airline’s frequent flyers club members to redeem their travel miles in other carriers of the group as well.

Formed in 1999, oneworld is an alliance of a number of carriers, including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Finnair, among others. The addition of the Kingfisher will enable the group to serve 800 airports in approximately 150 countries. The airline consortium has a combined fleet of more than 2,250 aircraft, serving more than 300 million passengers a year.

Kingfisher to Boost oneworld’s network

Kingfisher’s inclusion in the group will allow oneworld to offer better connections on flights to India from different parts of the world.

Bruce Ashby, CEO oneworld was quoted as saying: “Kingfisher Airlines will expand oneworld’s network substantially in a key region of growing travel demand, with a carrier that matches our demanding requirements, while enabling Kingfisher Airlines to offer its customers a truly global network on quality partners. We are looking forward to welcoming them to the oneworld alliance in February.”

Currently, seven of oneworld’s airlines – American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanian – operate flights to India.

Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad are the five Indian gateways that are served by the airlines presently.

Air India Aims to buy 27 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

The flag carrier of India, Air India has planned to purchase 27 Boeing 787s. The airline is intending to go for a sale-and-leaseback agreement in order to fix the financial burden this would implicate. Read below to get the wider picture of the news.

Air India, the flag carrier of India is heading to purchase 27 Boeing 787 aircraft. The airline initially decided to obtain it in the year 2006.

Air India is a renowned carrier and perhaps the first preferred airline for booking tickets for flights to India. Behind Jet Airways, Kingfisher and IndiGo, Air India has the fourth largest contribution in India's domestic air travel market. However, from the past sometime, the airline has been in the red.

As per the conference held on Tuesday, the cash-strapped airline’s board members have decided that rather than going for outright purchase, the airline would opt for a sale-and-leaseback arrangement that would help it to handle the financial burden this deal will include.

Moreover, the airline also has plans to lease out some of its new and old planes to reduce its thumping debts of Rs 43,777 crore.

To bring down its material consumption, Air India is considering the proposals of substituting the full meals with a snack for onboard flights of less than 90 minutes and ceasing the service of hot meals completely on flights of less than one hour.

The carrier intends to lease out its surplus capacity of two Boeing 747-400 planes and some Boeing 777-200 long-range planes as soon it will get the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

World’s best fuel-efficient airliner, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is possibly a boon for budget travellers looking for cheap flight to India. However, cheap flight tickets due to higher fuel efficiency is not the only plus point of the airliner. Boeing 787 also features amazing interiors for more stress-free medium and long-haul flights to and from India.

Tussle Between Indian Airlines and Air India to Fly the Dreamliner

Since the time Air India has planned to purchase the Boeing 787 aircraft, the pilot associations of the integrated Indian Airlines and Air India have been going under a big tussle over the right to fly it.

However, Air India put forward a policy of 1:1 which states one pilot each from Indian Airlines and Air India will be assigned the flight duty on the Boeing 787 aircraft. Even though, Air India and ICPA (representing the IA pilots) have favoured this policy, IPG (representing AI pilots) have contradicted it. IPG feels that its pilots have elite right and seniority to fly the 787s. Consequently, IPG has challenged the carrier’s step in the court.

Now it is to be seen how Air India will handle the situation emerged due to conflicts between the IPG and Indian Commercial Pilots Association over the airline’s intended policy of 1:1.