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.


Aircastle to Announce Third Quarter Financial Results

Aircastle to Announce Third Quarter Financial Results

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 2, 2026

Aircastle Limited has announced that it will release its third quarter financial results for the period ended November 2025. The results will be made public before market hours, offering investors and industry stakeholders insights into the company’s recent performance.

Alongside the announcement, Aircastle’s management will host a conference call to discuss the financial results and provide updates on business operations. The call will be open to all interested participants, including analysts, investors, and members of the public.

Participants will be able to join the live conference call by dialing the designated toll-free or international access numbers. Callers are advised to join a few minutes early and reference the company name, “Aircastle,” when prompted by the operator.

A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will also be made available on a listen-only basis through the company’s official website. Listeners are encouraged to visit the website in advance to ensure that any required software is installed for uninterrupted access.

For those unable to attend the live session, a replay of the webcast will be available on Aircastle’s website shortly after the conclusion of the conference call, allowing stakeholders to review the discussion at their convenience.


SKA Arcadia Strengthens Retail Mix with Bercos, The Barbeque Company & Domino’s at Wave City

SKA Arcadia Strengthens Retail Mix with Bercos, The Barbeque Company & Domino’s at Wave City

By Author

Published on December 28, 2025

SKA Group has announced the addition of three popular food and beverage brands—Bercos, The Barbeque Company, and Domino’s—to the retail portfolio of SKA Arcadia, its flagship commercial development in Wave City, Ghaziabad. The new brands will occupy a combined area of over 14,500 sq. ft., further enhancing the project’s appeal as a high-potential neighbourhood retail destination.

Strategically positioned at the main entrance of Wave City on NH-24, SKA Arcadia benefits from excellent connectivity to Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, and surrounding premium residential catchments. Its location, coupled with a thoughtfully curated tenant mix, continues to position it as one of the region’s most attractive emerging commercial hubs.

Commenting on the development, Sanjay Sharma, Director, SKA Group, said that SKA Arcadia has been envisioned as a neighbourhood centre offering everyday convenience, quality dining, and a strong sense of community. He added that the inclusion of Bercos, The Barbeque Company, and Domino’s reflects the group’s focus on curating brands aligned with evolving consumer lifestyles, while creating a vibrant ecosystem where both retailers and customers can thrive as Wave City continues to grow.

The newly signed brands join established anchor tenants such as Haldiram’s, which occupies over 11,000 sq. ft. at the development. With these additions, SKA Arcadia further strengthens its positioning as a modern, experience-driven commercial destination designed for high footfall, convenience, and long-term value creation.

Spread across 2 acres, SKA Arcadia is a signature high-street commercial development featuring five floors of retail and dining spaces. The project offers premium amenities including fine dining restaurants, a food court, escalators, elevators, multi-level mechanical parking, power backup, and high-speed Wi-Fi, and is registered under RERA number UPRERAPRJ228610/03/2025.


Wonderla Delivers Record Q2 Performance with Strong Revenue and Footfall Growth

Wonderla Delivers Record Q2 Performance with Strong Revenue and Footfall Growth

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 9, 2025

Wonderla Holidays Ltd. has announced its financial results for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2025, marking its best-ever Q2 performance in company history. The remarkable results highlight record revenues, strong footfall growth, and a sharp increase in profitability.

The company reported a 12% year-on-year rise in footfalls to 5.05 lakh visitors, with total income up 24% YoY at ₹88.52 crore and EBITDA soaring eightfold to ₹7.48 crore.

Parkwise, the company registered footfalls of 1.96 lakh in Bengaluru, 1.92 lakh in Kochi, 0.93 lakh in Hyderabad, and 0.24 lakh in Bhubaneswar, reflecting consistent performance across locations.

Commenting on the results, Arun Chittilappilly, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Wonderla Holidays Ltd., said,

“This quarter marks a defining moment in Wonderla’s journey, as we achieved our best-ever Q2 performance with record revenues, footfalls, and a sharp improvement in profitability. A 24 percent year-on-year growth in total income and an 8X jump in EBITDA highlight the resilience of our business model and the power of the Wonderla brand.”

He added that the strong results were driven by effective branding and footfall-driving campaigns, alongside enhanced digital sales strategies, which now contribute to half of total bookings. The company’s investments in technology, operational efficiency, and customer convenience have played a vital role in driving this growth.

Chittilappilly also noted that new offerings like “Isle by Wonderla” continue to strengthen guest engagement and diversify the company’s revenue base.

“Looking ahead, we remain excited about the next phase of expansion. Work on our Chennai Park is progressing rapidly, and we’re on track to announce the launch by December 2025. With strong fundamentals, expanding capacity, and a trusted brand, we’re confident of sustaining our momentum and delivering long-term value to both our guests and shareholders,” he said.

With this milestone quarter, Wonderla Holidays continues to reinforce its leadership in India’s amusement park sector through innovation, guest experience, and strategic expansion.

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