IATA’s 2023 Report: A Shift Towards Faster, Smoother Air Travel

IATA’s 2023 Report: A Shift Towards Faster, Smoother Air Travel

By Author

Published on November 2, 2023

In the world of air travel, passengers are the heart of the journey. Understanding what makes their hearts tick is crucial for the industry. This year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conducted its 2023 Global Passenger Survey (GPS), and the findings are eye-opening.

Passengers Embrace Technology for a Speedier Journey

The days of long, tedious booking processes and slow-moving airport lines might soon be a thing of the past. The survey revealed that travellers are all about speed and convenience. They're not just willing but eager to adopt new technologies like biometrics to make their journey smoother. Imagine walking through the airport without juggling multiple documents – that's the future passengers are asking for.

Booking Made Easy: Travelers' Preferences

When planning a trip, passengers prefer simplicity. They like to start their journey from an airport close to their home, prioritising convenience over ticket prices. Also, a majority prefer to deal directly with airlines for bookings. But that's not all. They crave transparency and easy access to optional products and services. Think of it like shopping online; passengers expect the same level of clarity and simplicity.

Payments: A Quest for Convenience

It turns out, when paying for tickets, convenience tops the list. While credit and debit cards are the most popular methods, there’s a rising trend in using digital wallets, especially in the Asia Pacific region. And, let’s not forget those who prefer direct bank transfers, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. IATA’s response? Introducing IATA Pay for a seamless bank account debiting system.

The Visa Challenge: Simplification Is Key

Complex visa requirements are a significant turn-off for travellers. The majority wish for a hassle-free online visa process and are willing to share their immigration information for faster airport procedures. This is a call for governments to streamline their visa processes, making travel more accessible and less intimidating.

Airport Processes: The Need for Speed

At the airport, every minute counts. Passengers want to breeze through the airport, especially when they're travelling light. The interest in off-airport processing, like immigration and baggage check-ins, is rising. There's also a strong inclination towards programs for trusted travellers to speed up security screenings.

Baggage Handling: Flexibility and Control

Passengers are looking for more options in baggage handling, like home pick-up and delivery services. They also want the ability to track their luggage, reflecting a growing interest in self-service and digital solutions.

The Rise of Biometric Identification

Confidence in biometric identification is soaring. Many passengers prefer it over traditional passports and boarding passes. There's a strong sentiment for securing personal data, but the overall trend is towards embracing biometrics for a more streamlined travel experience.

A Future of Streamlined Travel

IATA’s One ID initiative is at the forefront of this transformation. It’s about using biometrics to eliminate queues and make air travel a breeze. This initiative, combined with IATA’s efforts to digitise pre-travel authorizations, is setting the stage for a radically improved travel experience.

The survey paints a clear picture: passengers are yearning for a faster, more convenient, and technologically advanced air travel experience. The industry is listening and evolving, marking the beginning of a new era in air travel.


Nimbus Projects Gets Listed on NSE, Expands Capital Market Access

Nimbus Projects Gets Listed on NSE, Expands Capital Market Access

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 8, 2026

Nimbus Projects Limited, a publicly listed real estate developer, has announced its successful listing on the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, marking a significant step in its capital market journey. The company has already been listed on the BSE since 2000, highlighting its long-standing presence in India’s financial markets.

The listing on the NSE is expected to improve stock liquidity, enable better price discovery, and provide access to a wider base of institutional and retail investors. This move further strengthens the company’s position in India’s growing listed real estate space. On its listing day, the company’s stock opened at INR 199 on the NSE.

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Commenting on the development, Bipin Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, Nimbus Projects Limited, said: “The NSE listing represents a strategic step in strengthening our capital market footprint and engaging with a wider investor ecosystem. As we continue to scale our development pipeline, our focus remains on disciplined growth, prudent capital allocation, and delivering sustainable long-term value to all stakeholders.”

Nimbus Projects has been actively expanding its presence across the NCR, focusing on residential and mixed-use developments. The company has developed around 15 million square feet across 13 projects and has served more than 10,000 customers. It currently has close to 3 million square feet under development, continuing its focus on similar asset classes.

With over three decades of experience, the company has built a strong footprint across key micro-markets in Noida and Greater Noida, driven by a consistent and delivery-focused approach.

From a financial perspective, Nimbus Projects has a market capitalisation in the range of ₹350–365 crore, with shares trading close to book value. This reflects a stable valuation aligned with its fundamentals. The company also maintains a balanced capital structure, with its assets and borrowings aligned with its ongoing and planned developments.

Over the years, the company has shown steady balance sheet growth, supported by disciplined execution and a measured approach to expansion.

The NSE listing also highlights a broader trend in India’s real estate sector, where listed developers are gaining importance due to increased transparency, stronger governance, and improved access to institutional funding.

Going ahead, Nimbus Projects plans to expand its development portfolio across high-growth corridors in NCR while continuing to focus on financial discipline and execution excellence.

Nimbus Group, established in 1993, is a diversified real estate and infrastructure development company with a strong presence in the National Capital Region. Over the years, it has delivered several residential and commercial projects across Noida and Greater Noida, contributing to urban development in these emerging areas.


IndiGo Shares Rise as Airline Appoints Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer

IndiGo Shares Rise as Airline Appoints Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer

By Hariharan U

Published on March 25, 2026

Shares of IndiGo saw a strong uptick, rising up to 4% to Rs 4,097 on the BSE, after the airline announced the appointment of Aloke Singh as its chief strategy officer.

In his new role, Singh will lead the airline’s long-term planning, including key initiatives such as the induction of Airbus A350 aircraft and the development of hub airports. The planned addition of these aircraft is expected to open doors for long-haul international operations, marking an important step in IndiGo’s expansion journey.

Singh will report to Rahul Bhatia, who is currently overseeing operations as interim CEO following the resignation of Pieter Elbers.

The leadership change comes after a challenging phase for the airline, including operational disruptions that saw a large number of flight cancellations due to pilot shortages and revised duty time norms.

Speaking on the appointment, Bhatia said, “Aloke brings an exceptional blend of strategic vision and operational depth. His comprehensive understanding of the aviation ecosystem will be invaluable as we build a more agile, resilient and future-ready organisation, and accelerate our next phase of growth.”

With over three decades of experience in the aviation sector, Singh has held leadership roles across strategy, operations, and commercial functions. During his tenure at Air India Express, he played a key role in its transition under the Tata Group, including its merger with AirAsia India, fleet expansion, and brand transformation.

Meanwhile, global brokerage Goldman Sachs has maintained a positive outlook on IndiGo, retaining its ‘Buy’ rating while revising its target price to Rs 5,200 per share. The revision reflects near-term pressures such as rising fuel costs and softer demand in certain international markets, though the airline continues to show strong growth potential.

Analysts also highlighted IndiGo’s financial position and market opportunities, noting that industry consolidation could work in its favour as supply constraints continue. The airline’s strong balance sheet remains a key advantage in navigating the current environment.

Recently, IndiGo also introduced a fuel surcharge across domestic and international routes, citing increased jet fuel prices linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Overall, the leadership appointment and ongoing strategic initiatives signal IndiGo’s focus on strengthening its position and preparing for its next phase of growth.


Eternal Pumps Rs 450 Crore Into Blinkit as the Quick Commerce Race Gets More Intense

Eternal Pumps Rs 450 Crore Into Blinkit as the Quick Commerce Race Gets More Intense

By Hariharan U

Published on March 16, 2026

The quick commerce battle in India is moving fast, and Eternal is making sure Blinkit keeps pace. The Gurugram-based parent company has infused Rs 450 crore into its quick commerce arm Blinkit, according to a regulatory filing with the Registrar of Companies. This is Eternal's first capital injection into the business in 2026, following a total of Rs 2,600 crore pumped in across 2025.

To put the 2025 numbers in context, Eternal injected Rs 500 crore in January, Rs 1,500 crore in February, and another Rs 600 crore in November of last year. The latest infusion signals that the pace of investment isn't letting up as competition in the 10-minute delivery segment continues to intensify.

Blinkit has reasons to feel confident heading into this next phase. The company turned profitable in the December quarter, reporting an adjusted EBITDA profit of Rs 4 crore in Q3FY26 compared to a loss of Rs 103 crore in the same period the previous year. Revenue jumped to Rs 12,256 crore from Rs 1,399 crore a year earlier, and gross profit climbed to Rs 3,539 crore from Rs 1,300 crore. Those are significant numbers, and they reflect a business that has found its footing even as it continues to scale aggressively.

The capital will support Blinkit's ongoing dark store expansion, working capital requirements, and operating costs as it pushes towards its target of 3,000 micro-warehouses by March 2027. As of December 31st, the company had 2,027 stores operational.

The competitive landscape around Blinkit is getting busier. Swiggy raised Rs 10,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement in December 2025, just over a year after its IPO. Zepto has filed confidential draft papers with SEBI for its own IPO. And larger players including Amazon, Flipkart, and Reliance Industries are all stepping up their presence in quick commerce, making this one of the most actively contested spaces in India's consumer technology sector right now.

There's also been a notable leadership shift at Eternal. Founder Deepinder Goyal stepped down as Managing Director and CEO in February, with Blinkit founder and CEO Albinder Dhindsa taking over the top role. Dhindsa continues to lead Blinkit as well, consolidating leadership of the quick commerce business at a critical growth phase.

One more number worth noting: in terms of net order value, Blinkit has now overtaken Eternal's core food delivery business. That's a remarkable milestone for a segment that didn't exist in its current form just a few years ago.

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