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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on February 2, 2026
Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, has marked a major milestone in India with the addition of five new partners, BOBCARD, The Postcard Hotel, Flipkart, Swiggy and Shoppers Stop India. The launch was celebrated at a grand event in Mumbai, attended by partners, media, and members of the Bollywood fraternity, underlining the importance of the Indian market for the airline.
India has emerged as the fastest-growing country for the Etihad Guest programme, which now has more than 13 million members worldwide. With over 250,000 new members joining every month and six new members added every minute, Etihad is strengthening value for Indian members by linking everyday lifestyle spending with travel rewards across shopping, dining and hospitality.
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “India is one of the most important markets for Etihad, with 185 flights per week to 11 gateways across the country. As a result, we’re investing our efforts into significantly enriching the Etihad Guest programme for the growing number of members across the country and for our members who choose to visit this vibrant nation - and we’re excited to be the first international airline to expand our presence in such a meaningful way.
“We are proud to be partnering with five prestigious and renowned brands across India, including leading credit card BOBCARD, luxury hotel group The Postcard Hotel, major e-commerce marketplace Flipkart, India’s pioneering food and quick commerce platform Swiggy, and department store and retailer Shoppers Stop India. Integrating the programme into our members’ everyday lives showcases the value of the Etihad Guest programme for Indian consumers and makes it even more richly rewarding.”
As part of the expansion, Etihad Guest has partnered with BOBCARD Limited, the credit card subsidiary of Bank of Baroda, to launch a new co-branded credit card for Indian travellers. To mark the launch, new BOBCARD Etihad Guest members joining before 28 February will receive double joining welcome miles. The card is designed to connect daily spending with travel rewards, offering added flexibility and premium travel benefits.
Luxury hospitality brand The Postcard Hotel has also joined the Etihad Guest family, marking a first for a Middle Eastern carrier. Through this partnership, members can earn Miles on stays at The Postcard Hotel properties across India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Members staying two or three nights will earn 2,000 Miles, while stays of four nights or more will be rewarded with 4,000 Miles and a complimentary night stay. As part of a launch offer, members staying before 28 February will earn double Miles.
Etihad has further teamed up with Flipkart, India’s leading homegrown e-commerce marketplace. Once live in the coming weeks, Flipkart users will be able to convert Supercoins into Etihad Guest Miles for flight redemptions, while Etihad Guest members can exchange Miles for Flipkart Supercoins to spend across the platform.
Adding everyday convenience to travel rewards, Swiggy has joined the programme, bringing benefits to Etihad Guest members across more than 700 cities in India. Existing members will receive six months of complimentary Swiggy One membership, with plans to soon allow members to earn Miles on all Swiggy spends.
In another first, Etihad has partnered with Shoppers Stop India, one of the country’s largest department store chains. As part of the launch, Etihad Guest members can opt in for one year of complimentary Platinum status in the Shoppers Stop First Citizen loyalty programme until 15 February. Members will also be able to earn Etihad Guest Miles on their shopping spends in the coming months.
These partnerships highlight Etihad Airways’ growing commitment to India, one of its most important and fastest-growing international markets. Alongside collaborations with Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai City FC, locally inspired cuisine, and Hindi-language digital experiences, the expanded Etihad Guest programme reinforces the airline’s focus on building deeper, value-driven relationships with Indian travellers.
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Published on November 13, 2026
Mangaluru International Airport has commenced work on expanding its integrated terminal to handle the growing number of air travellers. The project is expected to increase the airport's annual passenger handling capacity from 2.5 million to 5.2 million by the end of 2029, according to airport authorities.
The expansion will add 27,100 square metres of built-up area on the eastern side of the existing terminal, while the current 48,574-square-metre facility will also undergo modifications to accommodate the rising passenger traffic.
The airport handled a record 2.55 million passengers during the 2025-26 financial year, crossing its originally planned annual capacity of around two million passengers. Passenger traffic has increased by nearly 42% over the last three years, rising from 1.79 million in 2022-23. The airport authorities expect passenger numbers to grow at an annual compound rate of around 9%, crossing four million by 2030-31.
As part of the expansion, the airport will improve several passenger facilities, including check-in counters, security screening, immigration, baggage handling, and arrival and departure areas. These improvements are expected to make passenger movement smoother and improve the overall airport experience.
The development will also introduce a public viewing gallery, which visitors can access after security clearance. An open-air recreational area overlooking the airfield and the Gurupura River valley is also part of the plans.
In addition to the terminal expansion, a separate multifunctional building is proposed to accommodate more than 800 vehicles through a multi-level parking facility. The building will also include office spaces, passenger amenities, food and beverage outlets and recreational facilities. A dedicated pedestrian bridge connecting the building to the terminal will feature travelators and buggy services to make movement easier for passengers.
The airport authorities said the expansion is being taken up considering Mangaluru's growing importance as a commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare centre in the region, along with the increasing demand for air travel across coastal Karnataka.
Once completed, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to improve passenger processing, support airport operations and accommodate future travel demand. The terminal expansion is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2029.
By Hariharan U
Published on November 11, 2026
Palmonas has expanded its retail presence in Mumbai with the opening of a new store on Turner Road in Bandra West, bringing its jewellery collections closer to shoppers ahead of the festive season.
The new outlet arrives during a busy period for festive shopping, offering customers a convenient destination to explore jewellery for celebrations, family gatherings, gifting and everyday styling.
The store features Palmonas’ range of Demi-fine® jewellery, 9KT Gold jewellery and Fine Silver designs. With collections spanning different styles and occasions, shoppers can explore everyday accessories alongside pieces suited to festive dressing and special moments.
The opening reflects Palmonas’ continued focus on expanding its offline retail footprint across key urban markets. By establishing a presence in Bandra West, the brand aims to make its collections more accessible to customers who prefer exploring jewellery in a physical retail environment.
The festive season brings increased interest in occasion-ready accessories and gifting options. The new store adds another location for Mumbai shoppers to discover Palmonas’ offerings across its jewellery categories.
Brand: Palmonas
Address: Shop No. 3, Ground Floor, 36, Turner Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Pune Gas has opened its 10th Experience Centre in Mangaluru, expanding its presence in Karnataka and bringing its commercial and industrial gas solutions closer to businesses across Dakshina Kannada and coastal Karnataka. The new facility is the company's second centre in the state, following its Bengaluru location.
The Pune Gas Mangaluru Experience Centre was inaugurated by D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Mangaluru City South, and S. Mukund Kamath, CMD, Ideal Ice Cream Pvt. Ltd.
The inauguration was attended by representatives from the oil and gas industry, including Sandeep Kumar Raina, LPG Territory Manager, BPCL, Mangaluru; Darshit Malviya, Manager – Sales, BPCL, Mangaluru; and Lakshmi M, CRM, HPCL. The centre will be locally managed by franchise partners Vindya Pai and Nithyanand Pai, with technical and leadership support from Pune Gas.
Mangaluru and the wider Dakshina Kannada region have a diverse business base spanning hospitality, restaurants, seafood and marine products, cashew and food processing, chemicals, petrochemicals, fertilisers and manufacturing.
Industrial areas such as Baikampady, Yeyyadi, Ganjimutt and Karnad contribute to the region's commercial and manufacturing activity. Businesses across these sectors depend on reliable energy systems for commercial kitchens, process heating and other operational requirements.
The region's seafood and cashew industries also have export potential. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has identified these products under Dakshina Kannada's District Export Hub designation, while Karnataka Tourism highlights the Mangaluru–Udupi region's coastal cuisine and seafood traditions.
For businesses operating in these sectors, efficient LPG systems can help improve fuel utilisation, reduce wastage and manage operating expenses.
Speaking at the launch, Jesal Sampat, Executive Director and CEO, Pune Gas, said, “Improving energy efficiency is essential to helping businesses manage operating costs and enhance operational performance. Mangaluru and coastal Karnataka present an important opportunity for us to bring our engineering expertise closer to Dakshina Kannada's diverse and growing business community.”
He added that Pune Gas solutions were helping businesses save nearly ₹1,400 crore annually, according to the company's estimates, by addressing fuel inefficiencies. The new centre, he said, would make its technologies and technical expertise more accessible to businesses across the region.
Nithyanand Pai, Pune Gas Mangaluru Franchise Partner, highlighted the scale of commercial LPG consumption in Karnataka, estimating daily demand at approximately 850 metric tonnes, equivalent to around 44,000 commercial LPG cylinders. He said the franchise would focus on helping regional businesses optimise LPG consumption and reduce fuel wastage.
The new centre offers businesses an opportunity to explore Pune Gas's commercial and industrial gas systems through product demonstrations and technical guidance. Its portfolio includes:
Dry-Type LPG Vaporizer: The company's patented, Made-in-India technology converts liquid LPG into gas for commercial and industrial applications. System sizing is tailored to individual operational requirements.
LPGenius Smart LPG Systems: An integrated LPG solution designed to improve fuel utilisation and maintain consistent operations. It addresses issues such as cylinder freezing and sweating and works with LOT (Liquid Off-Take) 47.5 kg cylinders. Pune Gas states that the system can deliver 20–30% savings on LPG costs, depending on operating conditions.
FuelFusion: A dual-fuel system that enables compatible diesel generator sets to operate using diesel and LPG. According to the company, it can reduce diesel consumption by up to 70%, depending on system compatibility and operating conditions, while supporting lower-emission operations.
LeakCheck and Handheld Sniffer: Gas leak detection solutions designed to help identify potential leaks and support timely corrective action.
GasTrain Pressure Regulation Systems: Precision-engineered systems that regulate gas pressure according to equipment and process requirements, supporting controlled gas delivery.
Gas Parts and Consumables: Components for commercial and industrial LPG and natural gas infrastructure, supported by technical guidance.
Address: Vindhya Appliances, Shop No. FF 10, Lotus Atharva, Ashok Nagar, near Urwa Marigudi, Mangaluru – 575006.
With a history spanning more than 40 years, Pune Gas designs, develops and implements gas-based energy systems for commercial and industrial applications. The company operates across India and 20 international markets, serving sectors including manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality.
Its portfolio includes LPG and natural gas systems aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing operational costs and supporting the adoption of cleaner energy solutions.
For more information, visit Pune Gas.
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