Latest news with #Skift
Skift
11 hours ago
- Business
- Skift
Air India Trims Long-Haul Services by 15%: These Routes are Affected
Air India has said it will restore the full international schedule as soon as it's safe and stable to do so. For now, it's focusing on keeping safety front and center. Skift's coverage of the Air India crash is offered free to all readers. Air India on Thursday night announced the list of international routes that it will be temporarily suspending or reducing as part of a 15% cut in its widebody operations. The changes, effective from June 21 to at least mid-July, impact long-haul flights to North America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia. The airline will pause some routes entirely, while others will see fewer weekly flights. Delhi–Nairobi, Amritsar–London Gatwick, Goa (Mopa)–London Gatwick are the three routes that the airline has paused until at least July 15. A long list of long-haul routes will operate at reduced frequency. These include: Delhi–Toronto is down from 13 to 7 flights a week. Delhi–Chicago will now run only 3 times weekly instead of 7. Delhi–Melbourne and Delhi–Sydney will now operate 5 flights a week. Delhi-Vancouver is down from 7 flights a week to 5. Delhi-San Francisco will now run only 7 times a week instead of 10. Other affected routes include Bengaluru-London (Heathrow) and Amritsar-Birmingham. From Delhi the routes to Washington (Dulles), London (Heathrow), Birmingham, Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Vienna, Amsterdam, Tokyo (Haneda) and Seoul (Incheon) will also see changes. Why This Is Happening Announcing the temporary route curtailment on Wednesday, the airline said the move was necessary after a series of disruptions following the June 12 crash and mounting challenges in global airspace. These include safety checks on its fleet, night-time flying restrictions in parts of Europe and East Asia, and detours due to the Middle East conflict. There have been 83 flight cancellations in the past six days. The airline said the temporary cuts would help ensure it has enough aircraft on standby for emergencies or schedule changes. On June 12, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, went down shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad. Out of 242 passengers, only one survived. It was the first fatal crash involving a 787, an aircraft with an otherwise strong safety record. In the aftermath, Indian civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered enhanced safety inspections across Air India's 787 fleet. As of June 19, 26 of the 33 planes had been cleared. Checks on the rest are ongoing. On Tuesday night, DGCA said the surveillance of Air India's Boeing 787 fleet has not revealed "any major safety concerns" so far. The airline is also beginning extra safety checks on its Boeing 777 aircraft — another widebody model used on international routes. Middle East Airspace Closure Alongside safety checks, Air India is dealing with restricted airspace in parts of Europe and Asia. Tensions in the Middle East, especially the Israel-Iran conflict, have led to widespread rerouting. Pakistani airspace closure amid continuing diplomatic tensions between India and its neighbor has further complicated things. These disruptions are forcing longer flight paths. The airline also cited night curfew in the airspaces of many countries in Europe and East Asia, adding to the strain. Other carriers, including IndiGo, have warned of delays and potential cancellations. What Passengers Should Know Following the temporary route curtailment, Air India said it will notify impacted passengers and give them options to reschedule without paying extra. Passengers will also be able to cancel and receive a full refund Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson, in a message to frequent flyers on Thursday acknowledged the disruptions. In the letter to members of its loyalty program Maharaja Club Wilson also shared details about the crash and why the airline is making these changes. He confirmed that the aircraft involved in the crash was well maintained and the last major check was completed in June 2023 with the next check scheduled for December 2025. 'Its right engine was overhauled in March 2025, and the left engine was inspected in April 2025. Both the aircraft and engines were regularly monitored, showing no issues before the flight,' Campbell said in the letter. He also reassured customers that the airline is conducting safety inspections on all similar planes. And more broadly, he addressed why the airline is scaling back, 'As a confidence-building measure, we have elected to continue enhanced pre-flight safety checks… This will also allow us to have more backup aircraft ready to handle any unexpected issues.'
Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India can become a global leader in long-haul tourism with the right focus and sustained investment: FICCI-Skift Report
India has the potential to become a global leader in long-haul tourism, but must address key perception and infrastructure barriers to unlock its full potential, according to a new report by FICCI and Skift released at the 14th Great Indian Travel Bazaar 2025 in Jaipur. Titled How to Grow Inbound Tourism in India: Unlocking Long-Haul Opportunities, the report presents actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders to accelerate inbound tourism from high-value markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Drawing on original survey-based research of 1,600 travelers and non-travelers from the U.S. and UKtwo markets that accounted for over a quarter of Indias foreign tourist arrivals in 2023the report identifies key drivers and deterrents influencing Indias global tourism appeal. While India scores highly for its cultural heritage, spiritual experiences, natural beauty, and cuisine, it continues to face perception issues that hinder long-haul arrivals. Among non-travelers, 63% cited that India is not currently a top priority for their upcoming trips. Rather than signalling disinterest, this highlights an opportunity to elevate Indias visibility and relevance in global travel planning. Indias top tourism growth opportunities lie in cultural (59% interest), culinary (56%), and adventure (37%) tourism segments. These sectors also hold the highest revenue potential, with cultural tourism alone projected to generate $21.9 billion in spending. Emerging areas like wellness, luxury, and medical tourism offer strong per-visitor revenue, with luxury tourists spending an average of $4,041 per trip. To harness this opportunity, the report recommends a two-tier strategy: Short-term actions such as enhancing safety perception through traveler testimonials and dashboards, simplifying visa processes, and promoting destination cleanliness standards. Long-term reforms including investments in tourism infrastructure, curated cultural circuits, and targeted marketing campaigns inspired by global best practices. The report also highlights the importance of air connectivity, digital booking experiences, and diaspora engagement through initiatives like a "Return to Roots" campaign. The findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated action between government, industry stakeholders, and global partners. With the right focus and sustained investment, India can transform from an aspirational destination into a long-haul favorite for global travelers.
Skift
2 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Air India Scales Back International Flights After Fatal Crash and Rising Regional Tensions
Air India said it was reducing widebody international service for a variety of reasons including: enhanced safety checks following last week's deadly crash and growing conflict in the Middle East. Skift's coverage of the Air India crash is offered free to all readers. Air India said Wednesday that it would start reducing international flying on widebody aircraft by 15% until mid-July, a decision that comes nearly a week after the carrier experienced a fatal plane crash in Ahmedabad. The carrier said it was reducing international widebody service for a variety of reasons: enhanced safety inspections following the crash, airspace closures in parts of Europe and Asia, and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Air India has canceled 83 flights in the past six days. 'The curtailments are a painful measure to take, but are necessary following a devastating event which we are still working through and an unusual combination of external events,' Air India said in a statement. Air India said customers affected by the reductions will have the option to reschedule their flights without any additional cost or receive a full refund if they decide to cancel their trip. On June 12, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers crashed shortly after takeoff. Only one passenger survived. The cause of the crash is currently unclear. Since the crash, Indian aviation regulators have ordered safety checks on Air India's 787 fleet. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has one of the strongest safety records in the industry. Up until the incident, there had been no reported fatalities on a 787. India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation said Wednesday that inspections of Air India's 787 fleet did not reveal 'any major safety concerns.' Air India said it would also take 'enhanced safety measures' on its Boeing 777 fleet. Middle East Tensions Lead to Route Diversions Air India is also grappling with flight diversions due to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East. The carrier already had to divert several routes due to the closure of Pakistani airspace, which came in response to rising tensions between India and Pakistan following a terrorist attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir. 'Due to the emerging situation in Iran and parts of the Middle East, the subsequent closure of airspace, and in view of the safety of our passengers, some of our flights are operating on alternative extended routes,' Air India said in a post on X on June 13. Airlines around the world are diverting routes and canceling flights to the Middle East due to the conflict. IndiGo, another major carrier in India, said the airspace closures in the region could lead to more delays and cancellations. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Skift
3 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Skift IDEA Awards Deadline Extended to June 30 Due to Overwhelming Demand
The Skift IDEA Awards deadline has been extended to June 30 due to overwhelming demand and high interest from across the travel industry. This gives entrants two extra weeks to submit their most innovative work for recognition. Due to unprecedented interest and a surge in submissions, the deadline for the 2025 Skift IDEA Awards has officially been extended by two weeks. Entrants now have until June 30 to submit their work for consideration. The Skift IDEA Awards celebrate the most impactful and innovative design, experiences, and initiatives across the global travel industry. From trailblazing campaigns and transformative sustainability projects to cutting-edge digital experiences and creative hospitality concepts, the awards aim to spotlight the visionaries shaping the future of travel. New Deadline: Monday, June 30 The deadline extension comes in direct response to overwhelming demand from companies and creatives around the world requesting more time to finalize their entries. With submissions arriving from every corner of the travel landscape—airlines, hotels, tourism boards, experience providers, short-term rentals and more—this year is on track to be our most competitive and inspiring yet. If you've been considering submitting your work but needed more time to polish your presentation or gather final materials, this is your moment. The Skift editorial and judging teams are eager to see the innovation, imagination, and impact you've brought to the industry. Still unsure which category to apply for? Take our easy quiz to guide you to the best fit. We encourage all organizations, agencies, and individuals working in the travel ecosystem to take advantage of this additional window. This is your chance to gain global recognition and be celebrated as a changemaker at the forefront of travel's evolution. For submission guidelines, past winners, and judging criteria, visit:
Skift
3 days ago
- Business
- Skift
U.S. Travel Slump, Accor Taps Mbappé and Airbus' Orders
On today's pod we look at good tourism news everywhere but the U.S., Accor's bet on Mbappe's appeal, and Airbus' activity at the Paris Air Show. Skift Daily Briefing Podcast Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Skift Travel Podcasts Good morning from Skift. It's Tuesday, June 17. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today. Global travel showed modest growth in April, but the U.S.' struggles are weighing down the broader industry, writes Research Analyst Saniya Zanpure. The latest Skift Travel Health Index revealed that while global travel activity rose 1% from March, North America slumped 5%. That decline was partly due to weaker U.S. consumer sentiment and reduced travel spending. But Zanpure notes that 5 million Americans are expected to visit Europe this summer despite a weaker U.S. dollar making overseas travel costlier. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS Next, Accor is turning to French soccer star Kylian Mbappé to encourage travelers to book directly instead of via online travel agencies, writes Hospitality Reporter Luke Martin. Accor recently launched a new marketing campaign featuring Mbappé to promote its ALL loyalty program. But Martin writes the real goal of the campaign isn't to build brand awareness — it's about getting customers to bypass online travel agencies, which typically charge commissions of 15% to 25%. The Paris-based hotel group faces pressure from larger rivals Marriott and Hilton, both of which have built loyalty programs that are more than twice as large. Accor plans to measure the campaign's effectiveness through booking increases and repeat stays, not just brand awareness metrics. Finally, Airbus dominated a subdued first day of the Paris Air Show following last week's Air India crash, reports Airlines Editor Gordon Smith. Smith notes Boeing adopted a much lower profile and a Boeing source told Skift the planemaker is focused on supporting its customers instead of announcing orders. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled his visit to the event. Meanwhile, Airbus wrapped day one of the air show with a total of 132 firm orders and won deals over Boeing and Brazilian-based rival Embraer. Smith writes the big long-haul news from the first day was Riyadh Air ordering 25 Airbus jets, with options for up to 25 planes.
