The partnership enables single-ticket itineraries combining Air India and WestJet flights, offering smoother journeys, coordinated baggage handling, and simplified journeys for travellers.

Through this partnership, Air India guests travelling to Toronto or Vancouver can take onward connections on WestJet to 17 Canadian cities and 14 U.S. cities, namely:

Canadian cities: Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Ottawa, Regina, Saskatoon, Kelowna, St. John’s, Prince George, Victoria, Fort St. John, Terrace, Cranbrook, Comox, Nanaimo

US cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa, Nashville, Las Vegas, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs, Santa Ana, Fort Myers.

Halifax, Calgary and St John’s are also accessible via Air India’s 

European gateways at Amsterdam (Schiphol), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), London (Heathrow), and London (Gatwick).

Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal commented: “Canada continues to be a key market for Air India, driven by strong people‑to‑people ties and increasing trade between our nations. By partnering with WestJet, we are making travel across North America more accessible and effortless for our guests, with coordinated baggage handling, single‑ticket convenience, and a far wider choice of destinations.”

Air India currently operates 17 weekly direct flights to Canada, including 10 weekly services to Toronto and daily services to Vancouver.

Through its European gateways, which provide connections on WestJet flights to Canada, Air India operates 75 weekly services, including 49 to London (Heathrow), five to London (Gatwick), 14 to Paris (Charles de Gaulle), and daily to Amsterdam (Schiphol).

Interline itineraries are available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app and through travel agents worldwide.

(Source: Air India)

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This strategic expansion underscores the company’s focus on deepening its regional footprint across high-potential Tier 1 and  2 markets.

Bareilly, an emerging market with rising disposable incomes and evolving travel aspirations, presents a compelling opportunity for SOTC to engage new and first-time holiday consumers. In contrast, Noida, a key hub in the NCR region, has a large base of affluent professionals, a strong corporate presence, and high outbound travel demand. Together, these locations highlight a strategic expansion, enabling the company to effectively cater to diverse, high-potential consumer segments across North India.

Both stores will offer a comprehensive portfolio of domestic and international holidays, group tours, personalised holidays and cruises, along with value-added services, including travel insurance.

Uttar Pradesh travel trends

Top domestic destinations: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Andaman & Sri Lanka.

International: Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, South Africa, Morocco, Europe.

Spiritual/Darshan portfolio: Strong interest in pilgrimage experiences, including the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Do Dham/Char Dham Yatra and Vaishnodevi Yatra, reflecting the region’s continued affinity for spiritual travel.

Regional product portfolio: Exclusive special tours designed specifically for our customers. These itineraries include local Indian language–speaking tour managers, Indian cuisine options, and culturally aligned experiences, ensuring greater comfort and familiarity for travellers.

Emerging Travel Preferences: Travellers from the state are increasingly seeking experiential and bucket-list holidays such as luxury multi-destination cruises, polar expeditions to Antarctica, Northern Lights experiences across Finland, Norway and Iceland, self-drive holidays and adventure-led itineraries.

Top customer segments: Multi-generational families, honeymooners and couples, working professionals, millennials and Gen Z. Average holiday duration: four to six days for domestic/short haul; 10 to 15 days for long haul.

SOTC Travel Limited Senior Vice President & Head – Holidays, Rakesh Bawa said: “North India continues to be a key growth engine for SOTC, with strong demand emerging from both metro and tier 2 markets. While Bareilly represents a fast-growing market with increasing travel aspirations, Noida offers access to a mature and well-travelled customer base within the National Capital Region (NCR).” 

(Source: SOTC)

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Fuel surcharge on domestic India routes

Following the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas’ and Ministry of Civil Aviation’s decision to cap domestic Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price hike at 25%, Air India group is reflecting this calibrated approach, transitioning from a flat domestic surcharge to a distance‑based grid as follows on Air India and Air India Express. 

FUEL SURCHARGE PER PASSENGER, PER SECTOR

Fuel Surcharge on International Routes

At the same time, in the absence of any such mitigations on international ATF prices, the Air India group will be implementing more significant changes to fuel surcharges as follows.

According to the latest data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global average jet fuel price rose to USD 195.19 per barrel for the week ending 27 March 2026, up from USD 99.40 at the end of February, representing a nearly 100% increase. ATF, produced by refining crude oil, has seen simultaneous increases in both its crude oil component as well as the refinery margin, known as ‘crack spread’, with the latter having nearly tripled within three weeks. It increased from USD 27.83 per barrel for the week ending 27 February to USD 81.44 for the week ending 27 March. This steep rise compounds the impact of rising crude oil prices, creating one of the most challenging fuel cost environments that airlines globally have faced in recent years.

The fuel surcharges on international routes do not compensate for the exponential increase in jet fuel prices. Air India continues to absorb a significant portion of this increased cost.

FUEL SURCHARGE PER PASSENGER, PER SECTOR – BY REGION

Revisions to fuel surcharge on flights to and from Bangladesh and Far East destinations, namely Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea, will be advised in due course, subject to the requisite regulatory approvals. 

Tickets issued before the above times will not incur the new surcharge unless customers request date or itinerary changes that require a fare recalculation.

The airline says it will review its surcharges periodically and make any necessary adjustments.

(Source: Air India)

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Beginning 15 May 2026, Air India will operate two daily flights between Delhi and Halwara using its A320 Family aircraft.

The flight schedule has been designed to offer same-day connectivity via Delhi to destinations across the UK and the rest of Europe. Passengers from Halwara/Ludhiana and surrounding areas can travel with Air India to Delhi and join onward flights from the same terminal, direct to London, Birmingham, Rome, Milan, and Paris – on a single ticket with baggage checked through to their final destinations.

Air India Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Aggarwal, said: “We are pleased to serve the people and communities in Ludhiana and neighbouring towns and cities with the convenience of travelling across continents via Delhi. With this addition to our network, we are making international travel simpler and more seamless for more customers across Punjab.”

Air India flights to Halwara are available for booking across all channels, including Air India’s official website, mobile app and through travel agents worldwide.

(Source: Air India)

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Effective 1 April, Chawla will report to Hyatt Group President Asia Pacific, David Udell.

“The creation of this new senior leadership role reflects both the scale of opportunity we see in India and our commitment to this market,” said Udell. “Over more than four decades, Hyatt has built a strong foundation in India. As we enter our next phase of growth, Vikas’ extensive experience and entrepreneurial leadership will bring the fresh knowledge, skills and abilities required at the top of our organisation in India. His deep understanding of the Indian consumer will be pivotal to drive our strategic growth in this critical market as we accelerate our brand-led expansion and unlock new avenues for success.”

A seasoned entrepreneur with over 30 years of global leadership experience in food and beverage and consulting, Chawla will lead Hyatt’s overall strategy, growth, and performance in India and Southwest Asia.

“I am incredibly excited to join Hyatt at such a dynamic moment in its growth journey in India,” said Chawla. “My ambition is to develop Hyatt’s portfolio further, making it the most preferred hospitality brand amongst discerning travellers in India, the best hospitality brand to work for in India, and to become a significant pillar of growth for Hyatt’s global portfolio.”

India represents one of the most dynamic growth opportunities for Hyatt in the Asia Pacific. Rising middle-class demand for premium travel, luxury experiences, and differentiated dining align closely with Hyatt’s strengths in luxury and lifestyle, experiential offerings and F&B. This has powered Hyatt’s growth in the region, with deals signed in 2025 contributing nearly 5,000 rooms to its India and Southwest Asia pipeline.

Building on its existing footprint of 55 hotels across nine brands across India and Southwest Asia, the first Destination by Hyatt property in Asia Pacific, Hari Bagh Jaipur, is set to debut in 2026. The Destination by Hyatt brand represents a diverse collection of independent hotels, resorts and residences that are individual at heart yet connected by a commitment to embody the true spirit of each location. The arrival of the Destination by Hyatt brand will mark Hyatt’s second collection brand in India, and Hari Bagh Jaipur will mark the third Hyatt hotel in Jaipur.

Looking ahead, Hyatt plans to continue strengthening its brand presence in key gateway markets, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad.

(Source: Hyatt Hotels Corporation)

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The collaboration comes as spiritual tourism continues to see strong momentum in India, with travellers increasingly seeking journeys that combine faith, culture and meaningful experiences.

Through this association, SOTC aims to deepen its engagement with devotees and inspire travellers to explore curated pilgrimage experiences across India and the Indian subcontinent.

SOTC’s Darshans portfolio offers thoughtfully designed spiritual journeys that combine seamless travel with meaningful devotional experiences. Packages include curated itineraries, ritual and Darshan assistance where available, comfortable stays, vegetarian meals and dedicated tour managers. The packages target senior citizen travellers, ensuring comfort and accessibility.

SOTC Travel President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SD Nandakumar said: “Spiritual tourism is witnessing strong momentum in India as travellers increasingly seek journeys that are meaningful and rooted in faith. With our Darshans portfolio, we aim to create pilgrimage experiences that combine devotion with comfort, seamless planning and thoughtful curation. Our focus is to simplify the travel experience so devotees can devote themselves entirely to their spiritual journey.

“Padma Shri Anuradha Paudwal has been synonymous with spiritual devotion for decades and resonates deeply with millions of Indian devotees. Our association with her for our Darshan’s portfolio beautifully blends the spirit of faith and devotion that defines these journeys, and we hope it inspires more travellers to embark on meaningful spiritual experiences.”

Sharing her thoughts on the collaboration, Padma Shri Anuradha Paudwal said: “Devotional music has always been a pathway for people to connect with faith and experience spiritual peace. Pilgrimage journeys carry that same spirit of devotion and reflection. I am delighted to associate with SOTC’s Darshans initiative, which enables devotees to experience sacred destinations with comfort and ease. Through these thoughtfully designed spiritual journeys, travellers can focus on the deeper purpose of pilgrimage while immersing themselves in the spiritual energy of these destinations. I believe this collaboration will encourage more people to undertake journeys that nurture faith and inner connection.”

(Source: SOTC)

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The new codeshare partnership provides Air India passengers with seamless access to Tashkent from major Indian gateways, with convenient onward domestic and international connections on Air India’s extensive route network processed on a single ticket. At the same time, baggage is checked through to the final destination.

Air India and Uzbekistan Airways also maintain an interline partnership, which further provides onward connections from Tashkent to Bukhara, Qarshi, Nukus, Urgench, Termez, Samarkand, Fergana, and Namangan.

Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal said: “We are delighted to partner with Uzbekistan Airways as we continue to expand Air India’s global footprint. Tashkent is an increasingly important destination for leisure, business, and cultural travel, and this partnership allows us to offer our guests more choice and convenience while strengthening India’s air links with Central Asia.”

The codeshare flights are open for bookings on all channels, including Air India’s official website, its mobile app, and through travel agents.

(Source: Air India)

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Located in the city’s heart, Himayath Nagar is a prominent commercial and retail hub with strong connectivity to Hyderabad’s key residential and business districts.

The area’s high consumer footfall, growing affluence and vibrant retail landscape make it an ideal location for SOTC’s continued expansion in the region.

The new store will serve travellers through SOTC’s integrated omnichannel model – offering a comprehensive portfolio of domestic and international holidays, group tours, personalised holidays and cruises, along with value-added services such as travel insurance, ensuring seamless end-to-end travel experiences.

Hyderabad/Telangana travel trends

Top Destinations:

· Domestic & Indian Subcontinent: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Kerala, Andaman, Bhutan, Nepal & Sri Lanka

· International: Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Dubai & Abu Dhabi, South Africa, Egypt, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Finland, Norway, Sweden

· Island Destinations: Maldives and Mauritius

· Emerging destinations: Morocco, Georgia, Philippines, Taiwan, Uzbekistan

· Spiritual/Darshan Portfolio: Strong interest in pilgrimage experiences, including the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Char Dham Yatra and Vaishnodevi Yatra, reflecting the region’s continued affinity for spiritual travel

· Regional Product Portfolio: Exclusive special tours from Hyderabad designed specifically for our Telangana customers. These itineraries include local Indian language–speaking tour managers, Indian cuisine options and culturally aligned experiences, ensuring greater comfort and familiarity for travellers

· Emerging Travel Preferences: Travellers from Hyderabad and Telangana state are increasingly seeking experiential and bucket-list holidays such as luxury multi-destination cruises, polar expeditions to Antarctica, Northern Lights experiences across Finland, Norway and Iceland, self-drive holidays and adventure-led itineraries.

· Top customer segments: Multi-generational families, honeymooners/couples, working professionals, millennials and GenZ

· Average holiday duration: 4–6 days for domestic/short haul; 10–15 days for long haul

SOTC Travel Limited Senior Vice President & Head – Holidays Rakesh Bawa commented: “Hyderabad continues to be a strong growth market for SOTC in South India and presents a significant opportunity to tap into the growing travel demand from regional India. The launch of our Himayath Nagar outlet reflects our strategic focus on strengthening our presence in the city. With this addition, our network now spans five outlets across Hyderabad, with the centrally located Himayath Nagar store offering customers expert guidance and seamless access to our comprehensive range of holiday experiences.”

(Source: SOTC)

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This launch builds on IndiGo’s recent expansion in China, which included the successful reinstatement of flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou and the subsequent start of operations from Delhi. 

The Kolkata-Shanghai route is being operated with IndiGo’s A320neo aircraft as the airline continues to address the growing demand for trade and tourism between two of the world’s most populous nations. 

Residents in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur and Bhubaneswar will be able to connect with the flight from Kolkata to Shanghai.

IndiGo Head of Global Sales Vinay Malhotra said: “We are pleased to commence our daily, direct flights between Kolkata and Shanghai, further strengthening connectivity between India and China.

In addition to our existing daily connectivity from Delhi and Kolkata to Guangzhou, we now operate 21 weekly flights to mainland China. Shanghai is one of the world’s leading financial and commercial centres, and an important gateway for global trade. 

(Source: IndiGo)

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At the heart of this latest creative milestone is internationally recognised contemporary artist Osheen Siva, known for her distinctive practice that blends heritage, identity and speculative futures. 

The collaboration is a result of Air India Express’ multi-year partnership with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India’s first and largest international exhibition of contemporary art. 

Wrapped in an original artwork created by Osheen Siva, whose work reimagines heritage as a living, evolving force, ‘The Flying Canvas’ transforms into the fastest-moving cultural installation. 

The art livery features a Tamil figure carrying memory and heritage into the future, adorned with traditional motifs that symbolise lineage, identity and continuity. As India’s first full‑aircraft contemporary art wrap, this initiative brings a bold new dimension to Air India Express’ long‑standing commitment to celebrating India’s culture across the skies.

Air India Express Chief Marketing Officer Siddhartha Butalia commented on the concept and campaign: Art is one of the most powerful universal languages – it transcends borders, cultures, and geographies to connect people in ways few things can. With the Tales of India and its extension to The Flying Canvas project, we are literally taking that idea to the skies, transforming an aircraft into a moving expression of living cultural identity. This initiative reflects how we see travel – not just as a journey between destinations, but as an opportunity to experience, interpret, and connect with culture and communities in meaningful ways. As one of the most culturally engaged airlines globally, we are proud and delighted to create spaces where art, travel, and human connection come together.”

During the previous edition of the Biennale, Air India Express unveiled a bespoke tail art on one of its Boeing aircraft. This association laid the foundation for deeper engagement with India’s contemporary art ecosystem and continues with a fully aircraft-wrapped in art for the 2025–26 edition.

(Source: Air India Express)

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