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By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 13, 2024
The Indian travel retail industry has emerged as one of the most dynamic and fast-paced sectors, driven by high tourism, a significant number of Indians traveling to international destinations, expanding airport infrastructures, a steady rise in disposable income due to increasing urbanization, the growth of leisure and business travel, and evolving consumer preferences favoring on-the-go shopping. Collaborative alliances between luxury and premium brands also present a promising opportunity within the travel retail sector. All these factors directly and indirectly influence the market's growth.
While we've seen a surge in the travel retail segment in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, cities like Lucknow and Ahmedabad are also experiencing significant growth. In addition, a number of stores have been launched in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, such as Guwahati and Jaipur, in recent months. These cities are also benefiting from the same factors driving growth in larger cities.
Moreover, the growth of e-commerce and digital platforms has integrated seamlessly with the travel retail sector, offering travelers a convenient way to shop for their favorite brands and products online and collect them at the airport. This omnichannel approach has further boosted the market, making it easier for consumers to engage in travel retail. The increasing number of international flights and improved airport facilities in these emerging cities are also contributing to the expansion of the travel retail sector in India.
To gain a deeper understanding of this dynamic sector, we reached out to industry leaders from AMRPL (April Moon Retail Pvt. Ltd) and MTRPL (Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited).
Gaurav Singh, CEO of AMRPL, shared his thoughts on the market's growth:
"At AMRPL, we are witnessing a remarkable shift in consumer behavior, with travelers increasingly seeking premium and exclusive products. Our concept stores, such as Vue De Luxe at Lucknow and Ahmedabad Airports, and Bon Voyage & Meridiem at Lucknow Airport, are designed to cater to these evolving preferences. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the potential of travel retail in both major and emerging cities."
Avishek Bambi Das, CEO of MTRPL, highlighted the collaborative strengths of their joint venture:
"MTRPL, a collaboration between Adani Airport Holdings Limited and Flemingo Travel Retail Private Limited, leverages the strengths of both parent organizations. Our extensive network and expertise in duty-free retail enable us to offer a unique shopping experience to travelers. The growth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is particularly exciting, as it opens up new opportunities for us to expand our footprint and serve a broader audience."
The Indian travel retail industry is poised for significant growth, with major investments in airport infrastructure and a focus on enhancing the traveler experience. The integration of digital platforms with traditional retail models is likely to play a crucial role in this evolution, offering convenience and accessibility to a wider range of consumers.
As the industry continues to evolve, collaborations between luxury brands and travel retail companies will be key to driving innovation and meeting the demands of discerning travelers. The insights from leaders at AMRPL and MTRPL underscore the importance of staying ahead of consumer trends and leveraging strategic partnerships to succeed in this competitive market.
The future of travel retail in India looks promising, with sustained growth expected in both major metropolitan areas and emerging cities. As the sector expands, it will continue to contribute significantly to the country's economy, offering travelers an unparalleled shopping experience.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on October 12, 2025
Air India has announced an expansion of its services to the United Kingdom for the Northern Winter 2025 schedule, introducing a fourth daily flight between Delhi and London Heathrow starting 26 October 2025. With this addition, the airline will now operate 28 weekly flights on the route, increasing capacity by 1,196 seats each way per week.
All flights on the Delhi–London route will be operated by Air India’s Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, both featuring three-class configurations: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. Travellers can look forward to complimentary WiFi connectivity and over 3,000 hours of inflight entertainment, including one of the largest Indian content libraries available onboard.
Air India remains the largest carrier between India and the UK, operating 61 weekly flights and offering 18,066 seats per week in one direction, translating to nearly 1.7 million seats annually. The airline currently connects Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Amritsar to London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Birmingham.
“With this addition, we are further strengthening our UK operations, ensuring travellers have more flexibility and access to Air India’s upgraded widebody experience,” an Air India spokesperson said.
Premium travellers and eligible Maharaja Club members will continue to enjoy complimentary lounge access globally, including at London Heathrow’s Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Lufthansa Business Lounge, Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, and United Club Lounge. Business Class and Premium Economy guests can also enjoy upgraded amenities, luxury bedding, and fine dining featuring Indian and international cuisine.
As part of its broader UK network optimisation, Air India is also restoring daily services on the Bengaluru–London Heathrow route and resuming thrice-weekly flights on Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, Amritsar–London Gatwick, and Delhi–Birmingham routes. The Mumbai–London Heathrow double daily service will remain unchanged.
This latest expansion underscores Air India’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and passenger experience, reflecting its ongoing transformation and growing international footprint.
Published on October 7, 2025
SpiceJet has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights connecting Ayodhya with Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad starting October 8, 2025. The initiative coincides with the Diwali festive season, making travel to the Shri Ram Temple easier for devotees and tourists while reinforcing SpiceJet’s commitment to affordable and accessible travel.
The new services will be introduced in a phased manner to ensure seamless connectivity and reliable operations. SpiceJet also revealed that flights from Mumbai to Ayodhya are under consideration to meet the growing travel demand during the festive and winter seasons.
Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, said, “There could be no better occasion than Diwali to visit Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram. We are delighted to make travel to the holy city easier and more convenient for devotees and tourists alike. Our new daily flights from key metros will ensure smooth and affordable access to Ayodhya during Diwali, allowing passengers to celebrate the festival in its most divine setting.”
The special Diwali flight services are expected to cater to increased passenger traffic, offering greater flexibility for travellers from major Indian cities. This network expansion strengthens SpiceJet’s domestic reach while supporting religious and seasonal tourism.
SpiceJet, an IATA-IOSA certified airline, operates a fleet of Boeing 737s and Q-400s and continues to be among India’s largest regional carriers under the UDAN scheme. The airline remains focused on expanding its network to meet cultural and regional travel needs across the country.
Qantas, Australia’s largest airline and national carrier, has announced the return of its non-stop flights between Delhi and Melbourne, set to begin on 27 October 2025. Operating three times a week until 28 March 2026, the service re-establishes a key route in the airline’s India–Australia network ahead of the busy travel and cricket season.
The reinstated connection offers Indian travellers direct access to Melbourne, one of Australia’s most popular cities known for its cultural diversity, culinary appeal, and proximity to iconic attractions such as the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley, and Phillip Island.
The timing of the relaunch coincides with major cricket fixtures, including the India–Australia T20 match scheduled for 31 October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The first Qantas flight on this route will land in Melbourne on 28 October, giving fans convenient access to the event and the city’s vibrant summer sporting calendar, which also features the Ashes and Big Bash League tournaments.
Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas International, said, “We’re delighted to bring back our non-stop connection between Delhi and Melbourne, just in time for the busy travel season. Flying direct significantly reduces travel time to Australia, and these new flights are perfectly suited for Indian fans attending cricket events in Melbourne, including the T20 series in late October, the Ashes and Big Bash League later in the year.”
He added, “To help support our growing presence in India, we have opened new offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to service our Indian customers, and promote our non-stop flights to Sydney and Melbourne.”
The flights will be operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft, featuring 26 lie-flat Business Class suites and 204 Economy seats. Across three weekly return services, Qantas will offer over 1,300 seats per week between Delhi and Melbourne, adding more than 30,000 seats during the peak travel season.
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