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.


Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2025

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.

ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.

Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."

ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.


Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 10, 2025

Marriott International, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 67 cents per share on its common stock, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of August 21, 2025.

Alongside the dividend announcement, the hospitality giant also revealed an expansion of its share repurchase program. The board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 25 million shares of its Class A common stock. This comes in addition to the approximately 7.4 million shares that were still available under previous authorizations as of July 30, 2025.

Marriott has already bought back 6.4 million shares this year, amounting to $1.7 billion. These moves reflect the company’s continued confidence in its financial stability and long-term performance, aiming to strengthen shareholder value through strategic capital allocation.


Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

By Author

Published on August 4, 2025

In what was intended to be a smooth digital transformation, postal services across the Chennai Circle continue to remain disrupted even days after a scheduled upgrade to India Post's new IT 2.0 system. The software transition—part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s postal network—was implemented on August 2nd and 4th across Chennai North and South divisions. However, officials have now confirmed that technical issues still persist, leaving customers and businesses grappling with delayed or inaccessible services.

Key services such as Speed Post, registered mail, parcel bookings, and money orders have either been significantly slowed or paused altogether in many branches. Despite expectations that systems would normalize post-upgrade, the rollout of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system has proven more complex than anticipated.

“We are still working on stabilizing the system. There have been unforeseen glitches post-upgrade, and our teams are actively resolving them,” said a senior postal official who requested anonymity.

The disruption has raised concerns across industries—including the hospitality sector—where timely document dispatch, license renewals, vendor payments, and customer correspondence are crucial to daily operations.

Experts and industry stakeholders are now calling on India Post to introduce alternative operational strategies or backup mechanisms during such large-scale transitions.

“In a digital age where seamless service is non-negotiable, a complete blackout due to a software update is avoidable. A fallback process, whether manual or cloud-based, should be in place to ensure continuity,” said a Chennai-based hospitality consultant.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on postal services for legal documentation, international communication, and procurement logistics. The ongoing delays have caused bottlenecks not just in operations but also in customer experience delivery.

As authorities continue to work toward a resolution, the broader question remains: Should India’s essential public infrastructure be this vulnerable to a single system upgrade? The answer may lie in future-proofing core services with hybrid digital models that include disaster recovery plans and parallel systems.


Hospitalitynews.in will continue to track updates as the situation evolves.

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