Skyscanner has named Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as ‘SKY’, as its first brand ambassador in India. This marks the company’s most significant consumer outreach initiative in the Indian market so far.

The partnership builds on the rising trend of sport-led travel in the country, with research showing that nearly half of Indian travellers are willing to travel specifically to watch live cricket. By joining hands with a cricketer of Yadav’s popularity and cultural influence, Skyscanner aims to strengthen its presence among Indian travellers and inspire them to explore new destinations with ease.

Known as ‘Mr. 360’ for his versatile cricketing style, Yadav will now extend his influence off the field by encouraging travellers to experience the joy of discovery with Skyscanner. The collaboration begins with a digital contest on Skyscanner India’s and Yadav’s social media channels, where fans can create personalised travel itineraries for the cricketer using Skyscanner’s features. Selected winners will get the chance to meet Yadav in person, offering unique engagement opportunities between the brand and its community.

Speaking about the partnership, Suryakumar Yadav said: “Travel has always been something that excites me as much as cricket,  whether it is exploring new places during tours or discovering hidden gems on break. Partnering with Skyscanner feels natural because it’s about making travel simple, smart, and full of possibilities. I’m looking forward to inspiring more fans to combine their love for cricket with the joy of discovering the world.”

Neel Ghose, Country Manager & General Manager, Travel Expert, Skyscanner, India, added: “We are really excited to welcome SKY to the Skyscanner family. His connection with people across India makes him the perfect partner to help us show travellers just how simple, affordable and joyful planning a trip with Skyscanner can be. With him alongside, we aim to make travel not just more accessible, but a source of inspiration and connection for every Indian traveller. Last year, we inaugurated our first office in India and today marks yet another special occasion with SKY as the face of our brand.”

Through this collaboration, Skyscanner hopes to encourage Indian travellers to see travel as both accessible and aspirational, combining their love for cricket with the excitement of exploring new places.

Zomato has raised its platform fee on food delivery orders to ₹12 from ₹10, as demand is set to surge during the festive season. The fee is charged per order and does not include goods and services tax (GST).

The hike comes shortly after rival Swiggy raised its platform fee to ₹14 (inclusive of GST) in select pin codes, citing growing order volumes. Both Zomato and Swiggy had introduced the platform fee in 2023 and have steadily increased it over time.

The move reflects growing financial pressures on the two food delivery giants as they continue to invest heavily in quick commerce, even as growth in their core food delivery business has moderated. For the April–June quarter, Zomato’s parent company reported a 16% year-on-year growth in gross order value at ₹10,769 crore, slower than the over 20% growth it had recorded until recent quarters.

Despite a 70% jump in revenue, Zomato posted a sharp 90% decline in consolidated net profit at ₹25 crore compared to ₹253 crore a year earlier. Swiggy, meanwhile, saw its quarterly losses widen to ₹1,197 crore, largely due to investments in its quick commerce vertical Instamart, even as its operating revenue rose 54% to ₹4,961 crore.

Industry experts believe platform fee hikes will continue to support profitability. “The strategy of raising platform fees ahead of the festive season and retaining the higher rate later has been in place since last year, when the fee was increased from ₹6 to ₹10. The platform fee has increased six times since its introduction on Zomato. For every rupee of platform fee added, Zomato’s take rates improve by 22 basis points,” said Karan Taurani, Executive Vice President at Elara Capital.

Meanwhile, new competition may test the duopoly of Zomato and Swiggy. Rapido has recently launched its food delivery service, Ownly, in Bengaluru, positioning itself as a lower-cost alternative with commissions ranging from 8–15% for restaurants, compared to the 16–30% charged by Zomato and Swiggy. Currently, Ownly is operational in Koramangala, HSR Layout, and BTM Layout.

With platform fees rising and competition heating up, India’s food delivery landscape is poised for a dynamic shift in the months ahead.

Ospree Duty Free has brought the joy of Kerala’s most cherished festival to the airport with its ‘Osam Onam’ celebrations at Thiruvananthapuram airport. Running through the festive season, the campaign aims to give travellers a true taste of Onam while turning their shopping journey into something special.

The store has been decked up with vibrant Kerala-inspired décor, highlighted by a striking installation of the legendary King Mahabali. Passengers are welcomed by staff dressed in traditional attire, setting the mood for a warm and authentic festive experience. A special photo corner featuring Mahabali allows shoppers to capture the spirit of Onam and carry home memories beyond their purchases.

The ‘Osam Onam’ celebrations extend beyond décor and experiences. Shoppers can explore a wide selection of categories from fragrances and cosmetics to food, Indian gourmet, electronics, sunglasses, and watches. Along with seasonal shopping, the campaign is packed with rewards, including the chance to win exciting prizes like an iPhone 15 Pro Max, one-gram gold coins, and even a Jawa Bike, all linked to threshold-based shopping offers.

Sharing more about the initiative, an Ospree Duty Free spokesperson said, “At Ospree, we focus on curating thoughtful, value-led selections that not only enhance the traveller's journey but also bring added joy to regional celebrations. With the Osam Onam campaign, we wanted to go a step further by celebrating Kerala's most important festival in a way that feels both festive and rewarding for our shoppers. From traditional touches to exclusive prizes, the campaign is designed to create memorable experiences for everyone passing through our Thiruvananthapuram store”.

Ospree Duty Free, formerly known as Mumbai Duty Free, is the flagship brand of Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited (MTRPL), India’s leading duty-free retail operator. With a presence in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram, Ospree Duty Free continues to be a trusted destination for travellers seeking luxury shopping and exclusive offers.