Demand for 'Travel Now, Pay Later' Surges 2.5x, Led by Youth

Demand for 'Travel Now, Pay Later' Surges 2.5x, Led by Youth

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 23, 2024

A recent study by Fibe, India’s leading fintech company, in collaboration with travel fintech firm SanKash, has revealed a remarkable 2.5x increase in demand for the ‘Travel Now, Pay Later’ (TNPL) offering over the past year. The surge in TNPL demand is largely driven by individuals aged 26-45 from cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune.

The study highlights a significant preference among Indians for short-haul international destinations and pilgrimage sites, as well as an uptick in domestic travel. Popular short-haul international destinations such as the UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, and Vietnam have seen a 33 per cent increase in demand compared to last year. Pilgrimage sites like Ayodhya, Tirupati, and She same period.

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Domestic traveirdi have also experienced a rise in bookings, with an 11 per cent increase over thl has witnessed a 13 per cent increase, with destinations like Goa, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala, Manali, Ooty, Darjeeling, Coorg, Visakhapatnam, Pondicherry, Srinagar, Amritsar, Gangtok, and Rishikesh attracting more travelers. Notably, queries for Lakshadweep have risen by 15 per cent, while the Maldives remains a favorite among beach enthusiasts.

The surge in TNPL demand is largely driven by individuals aged 26-45 from cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune. Interestingly, solo travelers have shown a significant preference for TNPL, highlighting the flexibility and convenience it offers.

Over the past 12 months, the average ticket size for TNPL has increased by 60 per cent. Most individuals opting for TNPL prefer to repay the total amount within six months, indicating a trend towards responsible borrowing and financial planning.

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Balakrishnan Narayanan, Fibe’s Head of Product & Analytics, commented, "We are witnessing an increased demand for TNPL, especially among the youth and tech-savvy individuals. At Fibe, we provide financial solutions for every need of customers and with TNPL, we want to add flexibility to their travel plans. Besides, it also adds convenience and affordability to the travel plans of individuals, allowing them to explore their dream destinations without any financial worries."

Akash Dahiya, Co-founder & CEO, SanKash, added, "We're thrilled to see the surge in demand for travel this year, especially with the increasing popularity of TNPL. SanKash is committed to providing seamless and affordable travel financing solutions, and we're proud to partner with Fibe to make travel dreams a reality for more people."


IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on January 3, 2026

IndiGo has outlined a cautious yet forward-looking approach as it prepares for the next phase of growth, placing strong emphasis on “operational reliability” while planning a limited set of international route additions. The airline said its immediate focus is to “stabilise operations” as it continues to strengthen capacity and network resilience.

As part of its international plans, IndiGo has announced the launch of non-stop services to Athens. This route will also mark the international debut of India’s first Airbus A321XLR, a new aircraft type expected to support the airline’s entry into fresh overseas markets as it gradually expands beyond short-haul operations.

Beyond Athens, the airline has not shared details of additional international destinations or capacity increases. IndiGo stated that it will continue to grow its international footprint while further densifying its domestic network, without outlining the pace or scale of expansion.

On the domestic front, the airline is also preparing to begin operations from Noida International Airport at Jewar, strengthening its presence in the National Capital Region once services commence.

Addressing recent operational challenges, IndiGo said it had swiftly restored normal operations following a temporary network disruption. The airline also confirmed that it is “fully collaborating and providing requested information to the regulator's committee” as part of an ongoing review by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

While IndiGo reiterated its long-term ambitions, including plans related to widebody aircraft and sustained growth, its near-term outlook remains measured. The airline said its renewed focus on stability will help drive future scale, innovation, and impact as it carefully explores new frontiers.


Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has made an impressive start, handling a total of 26,021 passengers in its first five days of operations. This includes 12,431 arrivals and 13,590 departures, showing strong demand right from day one.

Weekend traffic was particularly high, with 5,548 travellers on Saturday and 5,614 on Sunday, reflecting growing confidence among passengers. During this initial period, the airport managed 162 flight movements, 81 arrivals and 81 departures, while keeping on-time performance smooth for both airlines and ground services.

Currently, NMIA connects 13 major domestic destinations, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa (MOPA), Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangalore, Nagpur, Vadodara. These connections cover key business and leisure hubs, giving travellers more options and conveand nience in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Looking ahead, the airport plans to expand its network with additional destinations and increased flight frequencies in coordination with partner airlines. With strong early passenger response and ready infrastructure, NMIA is set to become a modern, seamless travel hub in Western India


Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Air India has strengthened its partnership with airBaltic, the flag carrier of Latvia, by entering into a new codeshare agreement, making travel between India and the Baltic region easier and more seamless for its customers. This move builds on the interline partnership established between the two carriers in June 2025.

Under the codeshare, Air India has begun adding its ‘AI’ designator code on airBaltic-operated flights between Riga and Air India’s European gateways including Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Milan Malpensa, Vienna, Zurich, and London Gatwick. This allows passengers to travel between India and Riga with a single Air India ticket, covering connecting flights under the same booking.

Additionally, Air India’s interline agreement with airBaltic allows travellers to reach Tallinn, Estonia, and Vilnius, Lithuania via select European gateways, further expanding access to the Baltic region.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said, "This expanded partnership with airBaltic reflects Air India’s commitment to providing seamless global connectivity to our customers. Latvia and the wider Baltic region are growing travel markets, and this codeshare makes the journey more convenient than ever."

Air India currently operates multiple non-stop flights connecting India with Europe:

  • Delhi: Amsterdam (7x weekly), Paris (14x weekly), Frankfurt (12x weekly), Copenhagen (4x weekly), Milan (6x weekly), Vienna (4x weekly), Zurich (4x weekly)

  • Mumbai: Frankfurt (5x weekly)

  • Amritsar & Ahmedabad: London Gatwick (3x weekly each)

Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has expanded its global alliance network to include 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements, offering passengers access to over 800 destinations worldwide.

The new codeshare flights are now available for booking through both airlines’ official channels and travel partners.

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