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By Author
Published on February 12, 2024
The government has revealed its plans to propel tourism development in Leh and Kargil, two picturesque destinations nestled in the Ladakh region. Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative, these areas have been earmarked for significant tourism enhancement projects, as disclosed in a parliamentary briefing by Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy.
Emphasizing the Ministry of Tourism's commitment to bolstering Ladakh's tourism sector, Minister Reddy outlined various initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable and responsible tourism practices. These efforts are part of the broader Swadesh Darshan Scheme, which seeks to transform select destinations into thriving tourist hubs.
Among the key projects highlighted by Minister Reddy is the comprehensive development of the Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh corridor. This endeavor, sanctioned in 2016-17 with a total project cost of Rs 77.33 crore, includes the creation of essential tourist infrastructure in Kargil and Leh, with an allocation of Rs 13.43 crore.
Additionally, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme encompasses the development of tourist facilities in Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Zanskar-Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam. This project, also sanctioned in 2016-17 with a total budget of Rs 86.39 crore, focuses on enhancing tourist amenities in Zanskar-Padum, allocating Rs 9.45 crore for the purpose.
The revamp of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme into Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) underscores a renewed emphasis on creating sustainable and responsible tourism destinations. Leh and Kargil have emerged as pivotal areas for development under SD 2.0, signaling the government's strategic vision for tourism growth in Ladakh.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism has been actively promoting Ladakh's diverse tourism offerings through various channels, including the Incredible India website and social media platforms. Ladakh's attractions have also been showcased at international travel fairs and exhibitions to attract a global audience.
Moreover, the administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has made significant strides in easing travel restrictions for domestic tourists, with the removal of permit requirements for most areas. However, certain restricted zones along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC) remain off-limits to both domestic and foreign visitors for security reasons.
In collaboration with security forces, the UT administration has established police checkpoints at strategic locations to ensure the safety and security of tourists. Additionally, regular advisories are issued to inform visitors about health precautions and safety measures.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on October 14, 2025
Etihad Airways is focusing on premium travel and customer segmentation to boost its business in India, one of its top three global markets, while operating at full capacity under a bilateral seat agreement with the country.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline has been upgrading its services with new aircraft and enhanced cabin experiences to attract high-value travellers. Since relaunching flights to Kolkata in March 2023, Etihad increased its weekly frequency from four to eight flights by 2025. Across India, the airline now operates 185 flights a week to 11 cities.
“We fly all the seats that the bilateral agreement allows us,” said Javier Alija, Etihad Airways Vice President for Global Sales and Distribution. The agreement caps 50,000 weekly seats for Abu Dhabi-based carriers, shared between Etihad and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi. Until the agreement changes, the airline cannot add more frequencies or destinations.
To overcome these capacity constraints, Etihad is building partnerships, including a tie-up with Akasa Air, connecting four Indian cities to Abu Dhabi. The airline is also enhancing the passenger experience for long-haul travellers, especially to the US, with Abu Dhabi’s new terminal and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance. This allows passengers to arrive in the US as domestic travellers, saving time at immigration.
Kolkata is the first Indian city to receive Etihad’s new A321 LR aircraft, featuring a redesigned cabin with just 160 seats, two first-class suites, 14 business, and 144 economy seats, offering a widebody-like experience in a narrow-body aircraft. “This reflects Kolkata’s strong premium travel potential,” Alija said.
Etihad’s focus on yield optimisation and operational efficiency has helped the airline achieve record financial results. For the current year, it expects 21–22% growth in seat capacity, 22–23% increase in revenue, and a 30% rise in absolute profit, supported by expansions in other markets. The airline plans to launch 13 new international routes by year-end, aiming to serve nearly 90 destinations worldwide.
Alija added, “Even if our frequencies and destinations remain static, these customer-focused and operational efforts ensure Etihad continues to be the preferred airline for Indian travellers. We are very conscious that our rapid growth should not compromise the financial gains we have achieved.”
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.
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