BLR Airport Triumphs at 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (BLR Airport) has once again soared to the zenith of airport excellence, clinching prestigious titles at the esteemed 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards. The accolades, bestowed upon BLR Airport by discerning passengers, reaffirm its unwavering dedication to delivering unparalleled services and innovative experiences.

Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia

At the heart of BLR Airport's triumph is its crowning as the "Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia". This accolade, based on an exhaustive customer satisfaction survey spanning over seven months and encompassing feedback from travelers of over 100 nationalities across 550 airports worldwide, underscores BLR Airport's commitment to exceeding passenger expectations.

Terminal 2: A Beacon of Excellence

Terminal 2 (T2) at BLR Airport has emerged as a beacon of excellence, securing the coveted second position as the "World's Best New Airport Terminal". Opened in 2023, Terminal 2 has swiftly garnered global acclaim for its architectural splendor, eco-friendly design, and seamless passenger experience. Notably, T2's accolades extend beyond the Skytrax awards, encompassing prestigious honors such as the UNESCO Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airport and LEED platinum certification.

Industry Recognition and Celebrations

The Skytrax awards ceremony, held amidst industry stalwarts at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Frankfurt, Germany, witnessed BLR Airport's triumph being celebrated on a global stage. Mr. Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited, expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing BLR Airport's relentless pursuit of excellence in passenger service.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, lauded BLR Airport's stellar performance, citing it as a testament to the airport's commitment to quality and innovation. He commended Terminal 2 as a landmark facility that has significantly elevated the customer experience in Bengaluru.

A Testament to Exceptional Services

The Skytrax World Airport Awards are globally recognized as a benchmark for airport excellence, with BLR Airport's triumph underscoring its unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional services across various touchpoints. From seamless check-in procedures to immersive shopping experiences and streamlined immigration processes, BLR Airport continues to redefine the standards of passenger satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

As BLR Airport basks in the glow of its latest accolades, the journey towards excellence continues unabated. The recognition serves not only as a testament to past achievements but also as a catalyst for future innovations aimed at further enhancing the passenger experience. With a steadfast commitment to quality and a relentless pursuit of innovation, BLR Airport remains poised to elevate the standards of airport excellence for years to come.

In conclusion, BLR Airport's triumph at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards is a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. As a beacon of airport excellence in the region, BLR Airport continues to set new benchmarks for customer satisfaction and service quality, reaffirming its status as a global leader in the aviation industry.

In recent years, the concept of Aerotropolises has been gaining momentum worldwide, reshaping traditional notions of urban development. With airports at their core, these metropolitan subregions are redefining the dynamics of connectivity, commerce, and community. Now, as India emerges as a burgeoning aviation powerhouse, the spotlight turns to the potential of Aerotropolises to drive economic growth, infrastructural development, and sustainability in the country.

The Rise of Aerotropolises: A Global Perspective

From Amsterdam's Schiphol to South Korea's Incheon and Memphis International Airport in the United States, Aerotropolises have demonstrated their capacity to catalyze economic development on a grand scale. By seamlessly integrating airports with surrounding commercial, residential, and recreational infrastructure, these models have become exemplars of holistic urban planning.

Aerotropolises Take Flight in India

In 2023, plans were unveiled for an Aerotropolis in the vicinity of Noida International Airport, spanning a sprawling 6,500 acres. This ambitious project promises to offer a diverse range of amenities, including commercial and residential spaces, business parks, and recreational facilities. Similarly, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has embarked on developing a 5,500-acre Aerotropolis, poised to complement the region's international airport and burgeoning townships.

Visionary Perspectives: Jaideep Mirchandani's Insights

Jaideep Mirchandani, Chairman of UAE-based aviation conglomerate Sky One, heralds India's embrace of the Aerotropolis model as a visionary step towards integrated urban development. Mirchandani emphasizes the transformative potential of Aerotropolises to enhance connectivity, stimulate economic activity, and foster social cohesion. Moreover, he underscores the imperative of blending technological innovation with sustainability goals to ensure the long-term viability of these mega-projects.

The Intersection of Technology and Sustainability

As Aerotropolises evolve into multifaceted logistical hubs, leveraging smart technologies becomes imperative to enhance operational efficiency. However, Mirchandani cautions that technological advancements must be accompanied by a commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. He advocates for the integration of renewable energy sources, water conservation measures, biodiversity preservation, and responsible waste management practices to safeguard the well-being of local populations and ecosystems.

Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Urbanization

Mirchandani contends that the success of Aerotropolises hinges on their ability to address the needs of diverse communities and bridge economic disparities. By prioritizing inclusivity, equitable access to opportunities, and environmental preservation, these mega-projects can serve as catalysts for positive social change. Moreover, by nurturing a culture of innovation and sustainability, Aerotropolises have the potential to yield significant economic dividends while safeguarding the planet for future generations.

Looking Ahead

As India embarks on its journey towards multimodal urban development, Aerotropolises emerge as beacons of progress, innovation, and sustainability. With projects underway in Delhi, Noida, Mohali, and beyond, the country is poised to redefine the concept of 'Global Business Districts' by seamlessly integrating technology with sustainability principles. As Jaideep Mirchandani aptly concludes, the Aerotropolis model holds the promise of a brighter, more interconnected future for India's cities, where economic prosperity harmonizes with environmental stewardship and social equity.

Conclusion

In the ever-changing landscape of urban development, Aerotropolises stand out as bold experiments in reimagining the relationship between airports and cities. As India forges ahead with its ambitious plans for Aerotropolis projects, the nation has an unprecedented opportunity to pioneer a new paradigm of sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced urbanization. By embracing the principles of connectivity, innovation, and social responsibility, India's Aerotropolises can soar to new heights, charting a course towards a brighter, more resilient future for all.

Akasa has been ranked 8th in LinkedIn’s inaugural list of Top Companies in the midsize category (companies with fewer than 5,000 employees) in India.

The list is a data-backed ranking of 15 leading workplaces in India to grow one’s career, paving the way in setting professionals up for long-term career success. Akasa Air is the only airline to be featured in this category for 2024, the firm said in a statement.

Akasa Air's Remarkable Achievement

Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO at Akasa Air said, “I am extremely pleased to see Akasa featured in LinkedIn’s list of top mid-sized companies for career development in India. What makes this recognition even more satisfying is that we have achieved this milestone while being the fastest growing and most reliable airline in India, within just two years of starting our operations. People are our biggest asset, and we continue to invest in building a culture of employee centricity and happy workplace. We are really grateful to all our colleagues for their trust in Akasa and powering the unprecedented growth of the airline. We will continue to strive to be a workplace that they can grow and take pride in.”

Employee-Centric Culture

Ritu Sinha, Head of Human Resources at Akasa Air also shared, “At Akasa Air, we have endeavoured to build a culture of employee-centricity and to be a workplace that employees feel proud to be a part of. We have made several conscious efforts in that direction. Our policies, from compensation and benefits to learning and development initiatives, are crafted to meet the diverse needs and expectations of our employees. Our approach to learning and development is rooted in developing a future-ready workforce that will gain a competitive advantage in the dynamic aviation landscape. Moreover, we want all our employees to have fun at work and we make every effort to infuse this in our daily lives at Akasa.”

LinkedIn uses data to rank companies based on eight pillars that have been shown to lead to career progression, namely ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity, educational background, and employee presence in the country.

Since its launch in August 2022, Akasa Air has served over 8 million passengers and connects with 22 cities, namely Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala, Pune, Lucknow, Goa, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Port Blair, Ayodhya, Gwalior, Srinagar, Prayagraj and Doha (Qatar).

The airline took to the skies on 07 August 2022 and commenced international operations on 28 March 2024, offering non-stop flights from Mumbai to Doha. It has placed a firm order of 226 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, powered by CFM fuel-efficient, LEAP-1B engines and currently operates 24 737 MAX aircraft.

In the run-up to its 19th anniversary on 29th April, Air India Express has unveiled its #VoteAsYouAre initiative and campaign to empower and mobilize the youth of India to exercise their voting rights in the 18th Lok Sabha elections, the airline said in a statement.

Empowering Youth Through Travel

The airline is offering 19% off across its domestic and international network for first-time voters, between the ages of 18 and 22, flying to cast their votes. Bookings can be made on the airline’s mobile app and website, airindiaexpress.com for travel to the airport nearest to the respective constituency of the voter, between 18th April and 1st June 2024.

Significance of #VoteAsYouAre

#VoteAsYouAre is designed to recognize the importance of voting, especially among those eligible to vote for the first time in this election, the world’s biggest democratic exercise ever, with nearly 1 billion people eligible to vote, more than the population of the United States, the European Union and Russia combined. This initiative encourages the youth of India to exercise their franchise, make their voice heard and participate in shaping the future of the nation, the airline said in a statement.

Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express said, "Air India Express has always served as a catalyst for change - uniting people, places, and cultures across borders. As we gear up for our 19th anniversary, #VoteAsYouAre symbolizes our commitment to empowering and galvanizing the youth in shaping the future of our nation while fostering a culture of active citizenship and democratic participation. With this initiative, we want to make it easier for first-time voters to exercise their right to vote while also expressing our gratitude for their engagement in shaping the future of our country."

Air India Express flies to 31 destinations across states in India, including Amritsar (Punjab), Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) Bagdogra (West Bengal), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Bhubaneswar (Odisha),  Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Delhi, Goa (Goa), Guwahati (Assam), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Hyderabad (Telangana), Imphal (Manipur), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Kannur (Kerala), Kochi (Kerala), Kozhikode (Kerala), Kolkata (West Bengal), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Mangalore (Karnataka), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Pune (Maharashtra), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Surat (Gujarat), Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).

First-time voters can avail of this offer across the fare family of Air India Express that includes four fare products – Xpress Lite (cabin baggage only fares), Xpress Value (15 kg check-in bag fares), Xpress Flex (unlimited changes with no change fees) and Xpress Biz (Business Class seating with complimentary Gourmair meals & priority services).

Regional startup Fly91 flagged off its maiden flights to Agatti and Jalgaon on Thursday, offering direct connectivity from Goa’s Manohar International Airport.

Connecting Pristine Islands: Goa to Agatti

The first flight to Agatti departed ahead of schedule at 7:10 am and reached Agatti Island Airport at 8:50am. The return flight departed at 9:20am and landed at the airport at Mopa, Goa at 11:10am.

With fares starting at Rs 4391, Fly91’s Goa-Agatti flights have made the pristine islands accessible to the mainland and increased connectivity to and from the Lakshadweep archipelago, the airline said in a statement.

To mark the milestone, a cake cutting ceremony was held at Agatti with staff and passengers joining in the celebrations.

The Goa based carrier commenced operations between Goa-Agatti-Goa, Goa-Jalgaon-Goa and Hyderabad-Jalgaon-Hyderabad on Thursday. The regional carrier will fly to Agatti on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. However, from May 1, the flights from Goa-Agatti-Goa will operate seven days of the week.

Enhanced Accessibility: Jalgaon Beckons

Fly91 will operate the Goa - Jalgaon - Goa and Hyderabad-Jalgaon-Hyderabad flights on Monday, Thursday and Saturday with fares starting at Rs 1991 onwards.

Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO at Fly91 said, "The new routes reflect FLY91's commitment to affordable and convenient air travel, opening doors to explore the untouched beauty of destinations across the country. We are committed to enhance last mile connectivity in India by constantly adding new cities and routes which provide easier and faster access to people to commute’’

The addition of Agatti and Jalgaon as domestic sectors in FLY91’s network coincides with the domestic summer holiday season. Agatti Island, one of Lakshadweep's most sought-after destinations, boasts a 6 km stretch of stunning land blessed with diverse marine life. Agatti attracts enthusiasts of deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, sailing, water skiing, kayaking and is an ideal starting point for exploring the tranquil islands in the region.

Jalgaon, which is the gateway to the historic Ajanta and Ellora caves, is located a short drive away from Jalgaon airport.

The airline currently operates flights into Goa, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Sindhudurg.

Fly91 plans to enhance last mile air connectivity and connect over 50 cities across India in the next five years with 30 ATR aircraft.

Boeing, a global leader in aerospace innovation, has made waves with its recent announcement of the largest-ever purchase of blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This significant move underscores Boeing's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and accelerating sustainability efforts within the commercial aviation sector. Let's delve deeper into this groundbreaking initiative and its implications for the future of air travel.

Boeing's Record-Breaking SAF Purchase

In a bold step towards environmental stewardship, Boeing has committed to purchasing 9.4 million gallons (35.6 million liters) of blended SAF to support its 2024 US commercial operations. This marks a monumental increase of 60% compared to its total SAF purchases in 2023, showcasing Boeing's dedication to scaling up sustainable practices within the industry.

The Blend and Environmental Impact

The blended fuel consists of 30% SAF derived from waste by-products such as fats, oils, and greases, with the remaining 70% comprised of conventional aviation jet fuel. This strategic blend not only reduces carbon emissions but also demonstrates the feasibility of integrating sustainable alternatives into existing aviation infrastructure.

Unblended (or 'neat') SAF has the potential to slash carbon emissions by up to 85% over the fuel's life cycle, offering a promising solution to mitigate the environmental impact of air travel. By prioritizing SAF usage, Boeing aims to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to the industry's overarching goal of carbon neutrality.

Boeing's EcoDemonstrator Program

The recent SAF purchase will support Boeing's ecoDemonstrator program, which focuses on testing innovative technologies to enhance environmental performance and sustainability across commercial aircraft operations. Through this program, Boeing continues to lead by example in driving forward-thinking solutions for a greener future.

Challenges, Solutions, Partnerships and Procurement

Despite the undeniable benefits of SAF, the widespread adoption of sustainable aviation fuel faces challenges, notably the limited availability of manufacturing plants for production. However, Boeing remains undeterred, actively working to overcome these hurdles through collaboration, investment, research, and policy advocacy.

Boeing has inked new purchase agreements with two SAF suppliers, ensuring a steady supply of blended SAF for its operations. EPIC Fuels and Avfuel will provide a combined total of 4 million gallons directly to Boeing's fuel farms, while an additional 5.4 million gallons will be acquired through a book-and-claim process, facilitated by EPIC Fuels and World Fuel Services.

Looking Ahead

As Ryan Faucett, Boeing's vice president of environmental sustainability, aptly states, "Sustainable aviation fuel is essential to decarbonize aviation." Boeing's ambitious SAF procurement initiative sets a new standard for sustainability in the aerospace industry and paves the way for continued innovation and collaboration towards an eco-friendlier aviation sector.

Boeing's monumental commitment to purchasing blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel represents a significant milestone in the journey towards greener skies. By prioritizing sustainability, innovation, and collaboration, Boeing is driving positive change and inspiring others in the industry to follow suit. With continued efforts and investments, the vision of a carbon-neutral aviation industry is well within reach.