India's Air Travel Landscape Transforms with Lufthansa's Hyderabad-Frankfurt Service

India's Air Travel Landscape Transforms with Lufthansa's Hyderabad-Frankfurt Service

By Author

Published on January 20, 2024

Lufthansa German Airlines has initiated direct flights from Hyderabad to Frankfurt, recognizing India as its fastest-growing major market post-pandemic. The airline introduces a state-of-the-art travel experience aboard the new 787 Dreamliner aircraft, connecting Hyderabad to Europe starting January 17, 2024.

Lufthansa's commitment to India is underscored by direct services from Hyderabad to Frankfurt, further expanding its global network. The Hyderabad-Frankfurt route is the latest addition, connecting Germany to five destinations in India. Notably, India stands out as Lufthansa's fastest-growing major market globally, surpassing pre-pandemic capacity levels.

Senior Director – South Asia, Lufthansa Group, George Ettiyil, highlights the significance of this new route: “With our new Hyderabad-Frankfurt service we now offer Indian passengers 64 weekly flights to our hubs in Europe and onward connections to the biggest network on the European continent. As we launch Hyderabad, our capacity to India has increased by 14% (relative to 2019), making it the fastest growing major market for Lufthansa. With Bangalore-Munich and now Hyderabad-Frankfurt services, we have launched 2 new routes in the past 3 months, recognizing South India’s growing relevance and demonstrating the strong overall importance of India to the Lufthansa Group.”

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With over 700 employees and a legacy of 60+ years in India, Lufthansa remains steadfast in playing a pivotal role in India’s continued growth story.

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) recently announced the commencement of direct flights to Frankfurt in partnership with Lufthansa Airlines. Operating five days a week, flight LH753 departs from Hyderabad at 01:55 hours, arriving in Frankfurt at 07:05 hours. The return flight, LH752, departs from Frankfurt at 10:55 hours, landing in Hyderabad at 23:55 hours.

CEO of GHIAL, Pradeep Panicker, emphasizes the benefits of this connectivity: “This connectivity will benefit travellers visiting Frankfurt as a transit point or for leisure trips and would open up multiple destinations in Europe, USA, Canada, and South America via Frankfurt.”

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The strategic timing of Lufthansa's flights aligns seamlessly with the surge in demand for European travel from India. The new route responds to the growing trend of travellers choosing European airports as transit hubs, offering efficient onward connections.

Between January and October 2023, nearly 400,000 passengers traveled from Hyderabad to Europe, marking a 39% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. India's strong desire for European travel, evident in over 6.70 lakh Schengen visa applications in 2022, emphasizes the relevance of this direct connection.

As a city with historical significance in trade and modern prominence in technology and pharma, Hyderabad has become India’s 4th largest city and a hub for innovation. Lufthansa, recognizing South India’s growing relevance, has launched two new routes in the past three months, solidifying India’s strong overall importance to the airline.


SpiceJet Announces Special Diwali Flights to Ayodhya from Key Indian Cities

SpiceJet Announces Special Diwali Flights to Ayodhya from Key Indian Cities

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

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 to Resume Non-Stop Delhi–Melbourne Flights Ahead of India–Australia T20

Qantas to Resume Non-Stop Delhi–Melbourne Flights Ahead of India–Australia T20

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 7, 2025

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.


Sri Lanka Launches Three-City Roadshow Across Southern India

Sri Lanka Launches Three-City Roadshow Across Southern India

By Hariharan U

Published on October 4, 2025

Sri Lanka Tourism is intensifying its efforts to attract Indian travellers with a three-city roadshow series across Southern India. Scheduled for Madurai, Coimbatore, and Chennai on October 6, 8, and 10, 2025 respectively, the initiative will highlight Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings and strengthen ties with the Indian travel industry.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), the roadshows will feature B2B sessions and networking evenings designed to showcase Sri Lanka as a year-round destination for all types of travellers. The events will introduce Indian travel agents and industry professionals to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, its vibrant attractions, and growing opportunities for leisure and MICE travel.

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“This initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening its position as a preferred destination for Indian travellers, offering a blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and world-class hospitality,” said the delegation led by Mr. Vijitha Herath, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, and Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism.

The delegation includes over 40 stakeholders from across Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, including destination management companies, hotels, resorts, tour operators, and service providers. Each city’s event will host over 200 participants, comprising Indian travel agents, industry leaders, and media representatives.

Adding a vibrant touch to the experience, a Sri Lankan cultural dance troupe will perform at each venue, offering guests a glimpse into the island’s rich heritage and traditions.

About SLTPB & SLCB

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is the government agency responsible for marketing and promoting Sri Lanka as a travel destination. Working closely with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, SLCB, and other stakeholders, SLTPB aims to position Sri Lanka as South Asia’s leading tourist destination.

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau focuses on promoting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel to Sri Lanka. With world-class venues and improved accessibility, SLCB facilitates event planning for international corporations, associations, and incentive houses. India remains a key market for the bureau’s promotional activities.

Both organisations operate under the Ministry of Foreign Employment, Foreign Affairs & Tourism of Sri Lanka, combining efforts to promote the country’s leisure and business tourism offerings.

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