According to digital travel platform Agoda, accommodation searches for mountain destinations such as Leh, Kasol and McLeod Ganj have risen significantly compared to last year, driven largely by travellers from metro cities.

Leh, set in the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, witnessed a 143% increase in searches. Home to high-altitude trekking routes, including the Markha Valley and Lasermo La, among others, Leh appeals to adventure seekers in search of challenging terrain and unique landscapes. Searches from New Delhi and Mumbai-based travellers grew by 140% and 158%, respectively, compared to last year, while searches from Hyderabad increased by 106%.

Kasol follows closely, seeing a 126% increase in searches from India compared to the previous year. The picturesque hotspot is known for its proximity to trails like Kheerganga and Tosh Valley, as well as its scenic location in the Parvati Valley. Key cities with increased travel interest include New Delhi, where accommodation searches increased by 129% year-on-year, and Chandigarh, which saw a 178% increase in searches.

Additionally, travellers are showing growing interest in McLeod Ganj and the surrounding areas, which offer trekking-focused experiences along scenic routes in the Dhauladhar range, including Triund, Kareri Lake, and Indrahar Pass.

This shift reflects a broader evolution in how travellers are approaching trip planning, with outdoor accessibility becoming a primary consideration rather than an afterthought. The rise of destinations with accessibility to popular trekking trails indicates that travellers are moving beyond traditional itineraries and seeking destinations that offer immediate access to nature-based activities.

Agoda Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Gaurav Malik said: “The decisions of Indian travellers today are increasingly shaped by experiences and not just the destination itself. Destinations like Leh, Kasol, and McLeod Ganj are emerging as strong choices because they offer both cooler climates and immersive outdoor experiences. At Agoda, we are making it easier for travellers to discover and plan these getaways with a wide range of accommodation options, great value deals and a seamless booking experience.”

(Source: Agoda)

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The temporary flight suspension includes Langkawi, Malaysia; Krabi, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Hong Kong and Shanghai, starting 1 July 2026; and Siem Reap, effective 3 July 2026, until 30 September 2026. 

IndiGo says it will resume bookings for all impacted services starting 1 October 2026, subject to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East becoming favourable.

The airline noted that it would be prepared to reinstate these services earlier than scheduled, given the appropriate lead time.

Notably, the airline has managed to retain the majority of its international operations — over 1,800 weekly flights — despite this realignment. 

These measured changes are designed to align capacity with current market conditions and demand trends, while ensuring the airline maintains reliability and network integrity across its global destinations. 

(Source: IndiGo)

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Customers can now access a vast array of global accommodations via a dedicated co-branded platform on the Air India website and mobile app, powered by Booking.com, along with exclusive benefits and loyalty rewards for Maharaja Club members.

The co-branded platform offers Air India customers access to Booking.com’s global inventory of over 31 million reported listings in 45 languages, including 8.6 million listings in homes, villas and other unique places to stay, backed by its 24/7 customer support.

Air India’s Maharaja Club members can earn five Maharaja Points for every INR 100 spent on stays booked through the dedicated platform. These points can be redeemed for award flights and cabin upgrades. Customers will also benefit from exclusive discounts of up to 15% on participating properties for a limited period, from 22 June to 21 July 2026.

“Our partnership with Booking.com is another step in our efforts to build a comprehensive travel ecosystem for our customers. By combining Air India’s growing global network with Booking.com’s vast portfolio, we are offering our guests greater convenience, choice and added value across journeys,” said Air India Divisional Vice President & Head of Revenue Management, Abhijit Menon.

Booking.com Managing Director and Vice President, Asia Pacific, Laura Houldsworth added: “As travellers increasingly seek integrated, digital-first travel experiences, we are excited to partner with Air India. This collaboration reflects our Connected Trip vision of making travel planning simpler and more seamless. By combining our diverse global accommodation inventory with Air India’s growing international network, we are helping to make it easier for travellers to book their flights and stay in one place. This partnership also reinforces our commitment to India, delivering greater value, rewarding loyalty and creating a more seamless, end-to-end travel experience.”

Industry data indicate that travellers increasingly prefer to plan multiple parts of their journey through a single platform. Research shows that leisure travellers opt for bundled travel offerings that combine flights, accommodation, and other services. The partnership reflects Air India’s and Booking.com’s continued focus on supporting this shift towards more seamless, end-to-end travel planning by offering integrated accommodation options.

(Source: Air India)

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The new route provides travellers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with a second gateway to the UAE, enhancing accessibility, convenience, and travel choice.

Flights will operate from 15 July 2026, with an initial frequency of two weekly services, scaling to three weekly flights from 29 July 2026. 

Bookings for these flights are now open on the airline’s website, airindiaexpress.com, mobile app, and other major booking channels.

With the addition of this route, Air India Express will operate 30 weekly flights from Navi Mumbai, connecting the airport directly to Abu Dhabi, Bengaluru, and Delhi.

Air India Express’ presence in Maharashtra continues to grow steadily, with over 95 weekly flights from Mumbai, more than 100 from Pune, and 14 from Nagpur.

The airline operates one of the largest networks between India and West Asia, connecting multiple Indian cities with destinations across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

(Source: Air India Express)

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With 20 years of experience at internationally renowned hospitality brands, Husain will bring a broad range of expertise to Otherland Galle in Sri Lanka.

Hailing from Lucknow, a city renowned for its culture and hospitality, he draws on his upbringing to shape his approach to leadership and guest experience. His command of international service standards, combined with hands-on fluency in restaurant operations, staff training, and general administration, positions him well to lead Otherland Galle’s operational vision from the ground up.

On helming Otherland Galle, Husain said: “I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence Otherland Hotels have placed in me. It is both an honour and a privilege to lead what I believe will become the benchmark for lifestyle hospitality in South Asia. Together with an exceptional team, I look forward to creating a destination defined by genuine warmth, memorable experiences, and uncompromising operational excellence. My commitment is to build a place that leaves a lasting impression on every guest.”

Situated in Galle, the 66-key oceanfront property is Otherland’s first international address and its most ambitious statement yet in the lifestyle hospitality category. The property is developed in collaboration with Emanuel Sidhartha, a co-founder recognised in Sri Lanka’s hospitality and cultural ecosystem.

Otherland Galle marks the first property in a broader pipeline of hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs planned by the lifestyle collective across South Asia.

About Otherland Hotels
Otherland Hotels is headquartered in Bengaluru, India, and partners with creatives, developers, and investors who believe in thoughtful, future-facing hospitality rooted in design, curation, and signature F&B.

(Source: Otherland Hotels)

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The airline played a critical role not only in maintaining regular travel but also in supporting evacuation and essential movement during the period, reaffirming its commitment to reliability, passenger confidence, and regional connectivity.

As global travel steadily regains momentum and traveller confidence returns, Royal Jordanian is positioning Jordan as a preferred gateway to the Middle East for Indian travellers seeking safe, seamless, and culturally rich experiences.

“During a period when uncertainty impacted travel sentiment across the region, Royal Jordanian remained operational and committed to serving passengers. Our continued operations reflect the resilience of both the airline and Jordan as a destination,” said a spokesperson from Royal Jordanian.

In recent months, Indian outbound travel has been shaped by heightened caution, with travellers closely monitoring developments in the region. While Jordan remained stable and operational throughout, broader regional perceptions led many travellers to postpone their plans temporarily. With the situation now easing, Royal Jordanian is seeing renewed interest from Indian travellers seeking destinations that offer reassurance and accessibility.

At the forefront of this effort is the airline’s continued focus on ExploRJordan, a dedicated platform showcasing Jordan’s diverse cultural, wellness, adventure, and lifestyle offerings. The initiative aligns strongly with evolving Indian traveller preferences, which are increasingly shifting towards immersive and experience-led journeys.

Royal Jordanian is also strengthening Amman’s position as a convenient and efficient hub, enabling Indian travellers to seamlessly connect onwards to the Levant and the wider Middle East through its extensive regional network. This reinforces Jordan’s role not only as a destination in itself but also as a strategic gateway to the region.

Royal Jordanian (RJ) is undertaking expansion in the Indian market to double its passenger traffic by 2028. 

Royal Jordanian re-established direct connectivity from its hub at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman to India’s two largest aviation hubs: Mumbai and New Delhi in 2025 after an 11-year gap. 

From its Amman hub, Mumbai (BOM) and New Delhi (DEL) are served by three weekly flights to each destination, operated with Airbus A320neo aircraft. Flights will increase to four weekly as of September 2026.

Under the bilateral aviation agreement between India and Jordan, the airline has the right to increase these operations to daily frequencies (14 flights per route per week) as passenger demand steadily increases.  

The strategy involves positioning Amman as a reliable gateway to route Indian travellers to Europe or North America. It also serves as a primary gateway to destinations such as Egypt and Lebanon and has resumed flights to Damascus, Syria.  

Experience-led tourism push

Partnering closely with the Jordan Tourism Board, the airline is heavily promoting its ExploRJordan campaign to Indian outbound travellers. To incentivise the market, they have introduced curated travel packages featuring free tourist visas for Indian travellers booking through specific partner travel agencies.  The airline aims to transport upwards of 40,000 to 80,000 Indian passengers annually as the routes mature, leaning into diverse segments ranging from family vacations, wellness/historical tourism, and adventure travel to enticing Bollywood production houses for destination film shoots. 

(Source: Linkin Reps)

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Air India’s new Easy Connect flights will commence from Varanasi on 25 June 2026. As the lead carrier spearheading the implementation of this transformative model, Air India will be driving a phased rollout of Easy Connect flights across multiple cities in the months ahead to operationalise seamless international connectivity from India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities at scale.

What hub-and-spoke flights mean for travellers

Under the hub-and-spoke model, ‘spoke’ cities such as Varanasi are connected to major ‘hub’ airports like Delhi, from where passengers can seamlessly access Air India’s extensive global network. This coordinated structure allows passengers from non-metro cities to connect efficiently to multiple international destinations through a single hub, with optimised schedules and a smooth transit experience.

At the heart of the model, designed and implemented by Air India in close coordination with industry stakeholders, is a significantly simplified and more intuitive international travel experience:

From check-in to final destination: Travellers from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, such as Varanasi, can check in at their home airport and continue all the way to their final international destination without needing to collect or recheck baggage at the hub airport (such as Delhi).

Immigration at origin: Travellers will complete international immigration formalities at their originating airport, avoiding queues and processing at the hub.

Seamless international transit via ‘hub’ airport: Passengers will transit through hub airports like Delhi as international travellers, making connections faster and more efficient.

Importantly, travellers also benefit from a familiar and comfortable transit environment within India, avoiding the complexity and unfamiliarity usually associated with transiting through foreign hub airports.

Easy Connect flights from Varanasi to the world

The designated Easy Connect flight from Varanasi to Delhi will operate daily as AI1111. Within four hours of arrival at Delhi, the flight is timed to provide seamless connections to 17 international destinations, including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Manila, Singapore, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, and Dubai, among others.

Subsequent Easy Connect flights with hub-and-spoke operations from other ‘spoke’ airports will be numbered in the ‘AI11XX’ series, creating a distinct network identity for these services.

The rollout will expand to several additional cities in phases over the coming months, as Air India continues to anchor and lead the implementation of this next-generation connectivity model.

Bookings for Air India’s Easy Connect flights under the new hub-and-spoke model are now open across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, contact centre, and travel agents.

(Source: Air India)

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The MoU was signed on 07 June 2026 on the sidelines of the ongoing IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Air India and THAI intend to enter into a codeshare agreement this year, subject to the requisite regulatory approvals, designed to expand travel options for travellers between India and Thailand and deliver enhanced customer value across their respective networks.

The two Star Alliance member carriers intend to place their respective designator codes (‘AI’ for Air India and ‘TG’ for THAI) on each other’s flights between India and Thailand as well as on select international routes from the two countries, providing their customers with convenient access to several destinations across Asia, North America, and Europe. The specific terms governing the proposed codeshare agreement will be announced in due course.

Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, said: “This MoU with THAI brings together two carriers with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to service excellence. It also supports Air India’s broader ambition to strengthen India’s connectivity with the world, offering our customers more choice and greater value.”

THAI Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri added: “The MoU with Air India marks a meaningful milestone in our strategy to strengthen the regional connectivity and better serve passengers travelling between Thailand, India and destinations beyond.”

(Source: Air India)

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The agreement will introduce Marriott’s premium hotel brands to key urban, economic and leisure destinations across Nepal and India.

Anticipated to open in 2031 and adding nearly 450 keys to the company’s portfolio, The Ritz-Carlton Kathmandu, The Westin Kathmandu and JW Marriott Hotel Siliguri are poised to become coveted addresses for discerning travellers and residents.

CG Hospitality Global is Nepal’s largest and most diversified multinational conglomerates, with interests spanning hospitality, FMCG, financial services, cement, electric vehicles, telecom, education, infrastructure and real estate, amongst others. 

Headquartered in Nepal CG Hospitality Global shares a strong and growing association with Marriott through multiple hospitality developments across the region, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding world-class hospitality experiences in South Asia.

The Ritz- Carlton, Kathmandu, Nepal

Marking the brand’s debut in Nepal, The Ritz-Carlton, Kathmandu will feature 150 rooms, including 30 suites. The hotel will be located just 5 km from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

The Westin Kathmandu, Nepal

Located just 7 km from Tribhuvan International Airport, the Westin Kathmandu will feature 150 rooms and suites. 

JW Marriott Hotel Siliguri, India

JW Marriott Hotel Siliguri will feature 150  rooms and suites, alongside wellness spaces and will be located just 10 km from Bagdogra Airport. 

The three-property signing is the latest in a series of milestones reflecting the growing association between Marriott and CG Hospitality Global, including the recent 75  signings and 50 open properties for Series by Marriott in under two years. 

Outside of India, CG Hospitality Global and Marriott also opened The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection in the Philippines, marking the debut of the Autograph Collection brand in the country, while CG Developers announced JW Marriott Residences at Dubai Islands, Central, Dubai’s first JW Marriott-branded residences.

(Source: JW Marriott)

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The MoU reflects the shared ambition of both full-service premium carriers to boost global connectivity for travellers flying between India, Saudi Arabia, and beyond, leveraging the geographical advantages of their hubs at Delhi, Mumbai, and Riyadh.

Subject to regulatory approvals, Air India and Riyadh Air intend to introduce interline and codeshare arrangements that will enable guests to travel seamlessly across each other’s networks with the convenience of a single booking and smoother onward connections via their respective hubs.

The two airlines will also explore collaboration to build reciprocal loyalty programme benefits, cargo services, operational support and digital and technology initiatives. The partnership supports growing demand for travel linked to business, tourism, and family visits, reflecting the deep economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between Saudi Arabia and India.

Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, said: “India and Saudi Arabia are two important growth markets in global aviation today, and the scale and momentum in both countries make this a natural partnership. 

“We look forward to working with Riyadh Air to bring together complementary strengths of the two airlines to unlock that opportunity with a focus on offering our guests more choice across our combined networks and elevating their travel experiences.”

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas stated: “India is one of the most important and dynamic aviation markets in the world, and this partnership with Air India marks a defining step in Riyadh Air’s mission to connect Saudi Arabia with key global destinations. Together, we will offer guests a seamless, world-class experience that reflects the deep cultural and economic bonds shared between our two nations.”

Since its privatisation in 2022, Air India has expanded its global alliance network. Today, the airline maintains 25 codeshare partnerships and nearly 120+ interline agreements with leading carriers worldwide, providing seamless access for Air India customers to over 1,000 destinations globally.

(Source: Air India)

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