Saudi Arabia is making significant strides to tap into the Indian tourism market. Through collaborations, visa office openings, air route expansions, and the launch of a luxurious entertainment district, Saudi Arabia aims to position itself as the top choice for Indian travelers seeking leisure experiences.
Air India has announced the resumption of its nonstop Amritsar-Mumbai flight service, addressing the capacity deficit caused by the temporary cessation of operations by another airline. Passengers can now book flights for seamless travel and early morning arrivals, with convenient onward connectivity to key cities in southern and central India.
GBS Technology Services has teamed up with Global Visa Centre World to introduce spacious visa application centres in India for those planning to visit Greece. With state-of-the-art facilities and improved services, the centres aim to streamline the visa application process, boost tourism opportunities, and forge closer ties between India and Greece.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has launched the Premium Comfort Class in India, catering to the growing demand for elevated travel experiences. Passengers can enjoy wider and more comfortable seats, distinctive catering, sustainable amenities, and other benefits onboard the Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft servicing key routes.
The Indian government is set to introduce the "Trusted Traveller Programme," aiming to simplify and expedite immigration checks for Indian passport holders at international airports. The programme will commence as a pilot project at Delhi and Mumbai airports, gradually expanding to other airports in the country.
The US consulates in Bangkok and Frankfurt have reserved appointments for Indian B1/B2 visa applicants to process more visa applications. With over 150,000 student and exchange-visitor visas issued by the US embassy and consulates in India in the past year, Indian students and exchange visitors are the second-largest cohort of international students in the US.
Go First, the low-cost carrier, is planning to restart its flight services on May 24th, with a smaller operation. The airline has been granted protection under a moratorium by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) from recovery by lessors and lenders. This comes after Go First became the first Indian airline to voluntarily seek bankruptcy protection to renegotiate contracts and debt.
The airport is connected to 234 destinations in 99 different nations, with India being the most popular destination for travellers. Airfares are predicted to increase even further before the summer vacation to popular destinations like the UK, Egypt, and the Indian subcontinent.
The National Company Law Tribunal has granted Go First Airlines bankruptcy protection as the low-cost carrier attempts to revive itself. While this is positive news for Go First, foreign lessors looking to repossess their planes will face challenges. Pratt & Whitney, the engine maker, has denied Go First's claims about faulty engines without evidence.
As nearly every country lifted travel restrictions, many US embassies and consulates resumed certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. However, interview wait times are longer than before the pandemic, and visa services in some countries remain limited. Continue reading to learn about the current state of US visa services in your country as of May 2023.