When you travel a lot – whether due to business or pleasure – it is always a good idea to stay updated. So, if you’re a frequent flyer and like to stay updated on all the new routes, news, and expansions, then you’ve landed in the right place. From bad weather diversions to strikes, here’s a list of seven important airline news that you need to know about. Scroll on to know about them all.
1. SpiceJet Airline Expansion Plans For Ayodhya & Lakshadweep
Looks like SpiceJet is on an expansion spree. The airline started eight non-stop flight services to Ayodhya last week. These include flights from cities like Darbhanga, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Now, they are working to add more direct flights to Ayodhya. Not just that, they have also shared plans to operate seaplanes in the near future. In a statement, they said that the airline is awaiting infrastructure development for water ports, with a special emphasis on Lakshadweep.
2. Etihad Airways Ordered To Refund ₹2.7 Lac For Flight Cancellation
Etihad Airways has been directed to refund the airfare to a Hyderabad man by a district consumer forum. The flight was cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayur M booked two flight tickets to New York via Etihad Airways in January 2020 for which he paid about ₹2.7 lakhs. The flights were cancelled due to the pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions. According to the man, the airline cancelled the flight without giving him any refund. The forum directed Etihad Airways to refund the flight ticket amount and pay an additional ₹50,000 as compensation.
3. Flights Affected Due To Bad Weather In Bengaluru
More than 25 flights were affected due to misty weather conditions in Bengaluru on February 6. Many airlines like Vistara and IndiGo took to X (formerly Twitter) to update the passengers about diversions and affected flight routes at the Kempegowda International Airport. These weather conditions are likely to persist till February 12 in the city as per the weather forecast.
Also Read: Bengaluru Airport Served 37.2 Million Passengers In 2023, 35.3% More Than 2022
4. 7,427 Flights Cancelled In 2023 Due To Various Reasons: VK Singh
Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh informed the parliament on February 5 that about 7,427 flights were cancelled in 2023. These cancellations occurred due to weather issues, technical problems, and several other reasons. As per the statistics, 3,210 flights were cancelled due to bad weather conditions and around 2,109 due to technical reasons.
5. Lufthansa’s Ground Staff To Go On One-Day Strike Over Pay Dispute
Lufthansa’s ground staff will go on a one-day strike on February 7 in Germany. This strike is being staged for better pay by the airline’s ground staff. This strike is likely to affect Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, and Düsseldorf airports. The ground staff is asking for a 12.5% pay increase or a minimum additional monthly amount of 500 euros for about 25,000 employees over a period of one year.
Also Read: Lufthansa To Begin First Direct Service To Seoul From Zurich In May! Details Inside
6. SpiceJet Airline Set To Operate Haj Flights From Seven Cities
The crisis-hit SpiceJet is trying to improve its revenue. The airline has now secured rights to operate Haj flights from seven cities in India recently. These cities include Bhopal, Indore, Srinagar, Gaya, Guwahati, Aurangabad, and Vijayawada. For this route to Medina, SpiceJet plans to take at least three wide-body planes on wet lease. The operation on these routes is scheduled from May 9.
Also Read: Grans Go Free: EasyJet Launches Unique Deal In UK That Offers Free Holiday Places For Grandparents
7. EasyJet’s Flight From Iceland Delayed For 24 Hrs Due To Snowstorm
EasyJet’s London-bound flight from Iceland was delayed for more than 24 hours due to a snowstorm in the region. The flight was scheduled for London Gatwick on February 2. In an official statement, EasyJet confirmed the delay “caused by adverse weather conditions in Keflavik” which in turn led to the “crew reaching their safety regulated operating hours.” Passengers described the whole experience as a ‘fiasco’.
Also Read: In Iceland Or Planning To Go To Iceland? How Safe Is It To Be There?
Have these updates been useful to you? Let us know in the comments!
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