Fixed DepartureExtension of E-Tourist Visa for 31 more countries
The E-Tourist Visa facility is being extended to 31 more countries from May 01, 2015. The new countries included in e-Tourist Visa scheme are Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominic an Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Georgia, Grenada, Haiti, HolySee (Vatican), Honduras, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Paraguay, St. Kitts & Nevis and Seychelles.
With the above addition, the total number of countries under the scheme will go up to 76. The scheme will be extended to more countries in a phased manner. The Government is committed to extend the scheme to 150 countries by the end of this financial year.
An update on Nepal Tourism
Nagarkot – Most hotels are shut down in absence of staff/short food supplies. Road to/fro is okay but much damage caused to local houses due the earthquake.
Lumbini – Life is normal as it seems not much impact caused in that area. Hotels/transport operating per normal.
Dhulikhel – Mirabel/Himalayan Horizon shut down due staff/food supplies issue. But Himalayan Horizon would open up in next 2 days’ time. Per staff at Dwarika’s/DMR they are open with very limited inventory/in-house services. Road traffic is operating as normal.
Pokhara – Life is normal as it seems not much impact caused in that area. Hotels/transport operating per normal.
Chitwan – Life is normal as it seems not much impact caused in that area. Hotels/transport operating per normal.
Maiden IndiGo flight takes off from Dimapur to Delhi
IndiGo has launched its maiden flight from Dimapur to Kolkata. The airline will offer daily flights from Dimapur to Kolkata and Dimapur to Delhi via Kolkata. These flights are planned to cater to business and leisure travellers who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options. These new services will further consolidate IndiGo’s position as the fastest growing low cost airline in India, with its 623 daily flights connecting 38 destinations across the network. The inaugural flight from Dimapur took off at 13:30 with 116 passengers on board.
Air Asia connect New Delhi to Bengaluru, Goa & Guwahati
AirAsia India further expands its wings by adding New Delhi to its network. Flights from New Delhi to Bengaluru, Goa and Guwahati and vice versa will be operational from May 21, 2015. It is offering an all-inclusive promotional fare of Rs 1700 from New Delhi to Bengaluru and Goa and Rs 1500 from New Delhi to Guwahati and vice versa. Guests will be able to start their booking from 00:30 hrs on April 21 to April 26 for the travel period from May 21 to May 31. Mittu Chandilya, CEO, AirAsia India, says the airline is excited about coming into New Delhi and setting it up as its North region hub.
Fly Colombo to Chennai daily on SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, announces increasing its flights to Chennai from Colombo by the addition of a fourth flight. This flight will operate daily from April 16. The addition of this flight brings the total frequency of flights between Sri Lanka and India to 86 flights per week. This announcement reinforces the significance of the Indian market and specifically Chennai for the airline. The daily flights will each feature an array of bespoke services, world-class in-flight entertainment including a combination of Tamil language programs and signature SriLankan Airlines hospitality services. The purpose of re-launching these flights is to increase frequency of the airline, providing passengers with added convenience.
Jet Airways-Bangkok Airways enter code-share
Jet Airways and Bangkok Airways have entered into a code-share agreement. Under this reciprocal code-share arrangement, Jet Airways will place its marketing code on Bangkok Airways’ flights between Mumbai (BOM) and Bangkok (BKK). Likewise, Bangkok Airways will place its marketing code on Jet Airways’ operations between Bangkok (BKK) and Mumbai (BOM).
The code-share will reinforce the international global network of both airlines and provide more choice for customers between India and Thailand, with seamless and convenient connections.
Air China to add capacity on Mumbai route
Air China has announced its expansion plans in India that will include increasing capacity with its non-stop Mumbai to Beijing flight effective October 2015. Xia Baohui, GM, Air China Mumbai, revealed, “Currently, we are operating Mumbai-Chengdu-Shanghai, which is a hop-on flight with a capacity of 117 passengers including business class. We will be amending this and taking the total capacity to 250 passengers by flying to Beijing directly.” .
Events and Festivals in June 2015
- Leh Sindhu Darshan, Leh—12/14.
- Saga Dawa, Sikkim—13.
- Kashmir Lavender Festival, Kashmir—24/30.
- Hemis Festival, Ladakh –26/27.
- Mango Festival, Delhi—30/02July.
