Goa Signs Lease Agreement with IHCL to Boost Tourism Development

Goa Signs Lease Agreement with IHCL to Boost Tourism Development

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 20, 2024

The Department of Tourism in Goa has successfully signed the Taj Aguada Plateau Supplemental Lease Deed, a significant step in advancing the state’s tourism infrastructure. The signing ceremony, held on August 13 at Mantralaya in Porvorim, Goa, was attended by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte, and other senior officials from both the government and The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which operates the Taj Group of Hotels.

Under this agreement, IHCL will develop a wellness, Ayurveda, and yoga-centric cultural project on the Aguada Plateau, aiming to attract high-end tourists with international-standard facilities. This initiative reflects a strong commitment from both the Goa government and IHCL to enhance the region’s tourism landscape while preserving its natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is also the Chairman of the Goa Tourism Board, expressed his optimism about the project. He stated, “The Government of Goa has taken a big step with this Lease Deed with Indian Hotels Company Limited. All issues that were resurfaced have now been resolved and this agreement has been signed. Thi signing reaffirms the commitment to delivering exceptional experiences while preserving the unique charm of Goa like wellness, ayurveda, cultural and more of the Regenerative Tourism themes. We look forward to continuing this collaboration with the Indian Hotels Company Limited to further enrich the region’s new tourism offerings and contribute positively to its sustainable development.”

Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte also highlighted the importance of the agreement, saying, “The signing marks a new era for tourism in Goa. We are committed to creating a robust infrastructure that supports sustainable tourism while celebrating our state’s unique heritage. This agreement with the IHCL Taj Group will enhance Goa’s appeal as a global tourism hotspot, benefiting both our economy and local communities.”

Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director of Tourism and Managing Director of GTDC, emphasized the strategic importance of the project. He noted, “We are thrilled to reach this pivotal Lease Deed with The Indian Hotels Company Limited Taj Group. The signing for the Taj Aguada Plateau represents a major step forward in our vision to develop Goa as a premier global tourism destination. This partnership will not only enhance our infrastructure but also create lasting economic benefits for our local communities. Our focus is to promote wellness tourism, ayurveda and Regenerative Tourism and other facets of tourism which Goa has to offer to bring more quality tourists to the state.”

The Taj Aguada Plateau, known for its scenic views and historical significance, will continue to be a major draw for luxury travelers. The nearby Mopa Airport is expected to further facilitate tourist arrivals, enhancing the overall appeal of Goa as a top destination.


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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