Javaphile Cafe has marked a new milestone with the launch of its flagship outlet in Worli, Mumbai, expanding into one of the city’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. The new location reflects the brand’s thoughtful approach to growth, entering an area known for its early mornings, long workdays and appreciation for quality coffee breaks.

Designed to balance comfort with understated elegance, the Worli outlet carries Javaphile’s signature warmth through cozy, unfussy interiors and welcoming spaces. The café is suited for a range of occasions, from quick solo visits and informal meetings to relaxed brunches and extended work sessions that carry through the day.

Founder Suren Joshi said the Worli opening felt like a natural progression for the brand. He shared that Javaphile has always focused on creating spaces where people can slow down, even briefly, over a cup of coffee. According to him, Worli is a neighbourhood that values quality, routine and good food, making it an ideal fit for the brand’s philosophy of familiarity and dependability.

Coffee craftsmanship remains central to the Javaphile experience at the new outlet. The café serves its full range of beverages, including classic espressos, cappuccinos and flat whites, along with its signature brews. The food menu has been curated to complement the coffee while also standing strong on its own, catering to guests throughout the day.

Blending seamlessly into its surroundings, the Worli café aims to feel familiar from the very first visit. With friendly service and an approachable yet premium menu, the space offers a refined experience without formality, positioning itself as an everyday luxury within the neighbourhood’s daily routine.

With the launch of its Worli flagship, Javaphile Cafe continues to strengthen its footprint across Mumbai, staying true to its core values of good coffee, honest food and inviting spaces, while becoming an integral part of the city’s evolving café culture.

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced its foray into Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, with the signing of a Ginger-branded hotel. The project will be developed as a greenfield property, further strengthening IHCL’s presence in high-growth destinations across South India.

Commenting on the development, Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said that Tuticorin is steadily emerging as a key economic hub, supported by a strong industrial base and fresh investments. She noted that the expansion of large-scale projects in the automobile and energy sectors has led to growing long-stay demand, making the city a suitable market for the Ginger brand. She added that the signing reflects IHCL’s focus on addressing evolving traveller needs in promising locations and expressed delight in partnering with Mr. R. Gajendran for the project.

Strategically located along the Tirunelveli–Tuticorin highway, the upcoming Ginger Tuticorin will feature 100 keys and offer easy access to the city’s industrial and commercial centres. The hotel will house Ginger’s signature Qmin restaurant, presenting curated dining experiences, along with a lively bar designed for social interactions. Business travellers will benefit from versatile meeting spaces, while a modern fitness centre will cater to guests seeking a balanced and active stay.

Mr. R. Gajendran, promoter of Thangam Real Estate & Thangam Plots & Farms Pvt. Ltd., said that the partnership with IHCL brings contemporary hospitality to Tuticorin and is well aligned with the needs of the city’s expanding business community.

Tuticorin, also known as Thoothukudi, is a prominent port city on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal. The city is well known for maritime trade, shipping activities, salt production and fishing, and is increasingly developing as an industrial and manufacturing hub.

With the addition of Ginger Tuticorin, IHCL’s portfolio in Tamil Nadu will grow to 28 hotels, including 10 properties currently under development, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to the state.

About the Owning Company

Mr. R. Gajendran is the promoter of Thangam Real Estate & Thangam Plots & Farms Pvt. Ltd. With over three decades of experience in the real estate sector, he has developed more than 400 acres into residential plots and holds a significant land bank across Tamil Nadu. His business interests also extend to allied sectors such as textile retail and electronic goods manufacturing.

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru has announced plans to expand its international connectivity, add capacity, and deepen airline partnerships in 2026 after closing calendar year 2025 with higher passenger volumes and steady cargo growth. The airport operator said the focus will remain on scaling both passenger and cargo operations while supporting wider network expansion.

Total passenger traffic at the airport reached 43.82 million in 2025, up from 40.73 million in 2024. During the year, the airport recorded its highest-ever single-day passenger movement of 1,37,317 travellers on 23 November 2025. Aircraft movements also remained strong, with daily movements peaking at 837 in October and averaging 765 across the year.

A key development in 2025 was the airport’s shift from third to second position nationally in terms of domestic flights operated during October. International traffic showed the strongest growth, with average daily international departures increasing from 38 in 2024 to 51 in 2025. This led to a 28.7% year-on-year rise in international passenger traffic.

Over the year, the airport added five new domestic and five new international routes. Domestically, new connections included Hindon, Bidar, Jaisalmer, Silchar and Navi Mumbai. On the international front, new routes were launched to Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, Krabi, Hanoi and Riyadh.

Commenting on the performance, Girish Nair, Chief Operating Officer, BIAL, said, “2025 was a demanding year for India’s aviation sector and BLR Airport was no exception. What distinguished the year for us was a disciplined and resilient response, maintaining operational stability, supporting our airline partners, and strengthening network connectivity. As the year progressed, we responsibly and strategically scaled both passenger and cargo operations, with a clear focus on future readiness. This growth reflects not only rising demand but also the trust and confidence airlines and travellers place in BLR Airport as the ‘New Gateway to India’, a critical hub enabling Bengaluru’s emergence as a leading global city.”

As of 31 December 2025, the airport was connected to 113 destinations, including 79 domestic and 34 international locations. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune were the top domestic destinations, while Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, London Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur emerged as the leading international routes.

Airlines continued to expand their presence at the airport through 2025. Air India Express increased operations, IndiGo added new international services, and Akasa Air launched flights to Phuket and Jeddah. VietJet and Vietnam Airlines entered the Bengaluru network, while Lufthansa, KLM, Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic increased frequencies on long-haul routes.

Cargo operations also posted growth during the year, with volumes reaching 520,985 metric tonnes, a 5% increase compared with 2024. The airport recorded its highest single-day cargo throughput of 2,207 metric tonnes on 7 August 2025. It is now connected to 37 cargo destinations served by 15 cargo airlines, with shipments led by agri-perishables, pharmaceuticals, auto parts, electronics and e-commerce goods.

To support this growth, additional cargo infrastructure became operational during the year, including a new domestic cargo terminal developed by Menzies Aviation and the AISATS BLR Logistics Park, which added fresh warehousing capacity.

Looking ahead to 2026, the airport operator said international traffic and cargo demand are expected to remain key growth drivers as new routes and increased frequencies are added. The planned expansion is aimed at reinforcing Kempegowda International Airport’s position as one of India’s leading aviation hubs.