The Indian government plans to invest INR 920 billion ($11 billion) in airport infrastructure to construct new airports and expand existing ones. The goal is to have 200 operational airports by 2025, with another 200 to be added in the next two decades. India currently has 157 airports and aims to create world-class facilities to make air travel more accessible to the common man. This surge in investment comes amid a growth in the aviation sector, with airlines increasing their capacity by 9% this year to a total of 240 million seats in domestic and international markets. India’s domestic air passenger traffic is expected to reach 300 million by 2030.
The investment in upgrading airport infrastructure is part of the overall expansion of India’s aviation market. The increasing demand has led to domestic airlines increasing their fleet size, with a 75% increase from less than 400 in 2014 to about 700 by July 2023. Former civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia projected this number to increase to about 1,200-1,400 by 2030. The airport infrastructure is being developed in tandem to increase airport capacity accordingly. Credit ratings agency ICRA has maintained a stable outlook on airport infrastructure, expecting airport operators to see revenue growth of 12-14% in the 2025 fiscal year, supported by improvements in passenger traffic and non-aeronautical revenues.
Oyo, a hospitality company, has announced five new additions to its top leadership team as it expands its international footprint. These appointments include heads of operations, technology, revenue, and listings businesses in various regions. Oyo recently raised $175 million in funding and acquired hotel brands in the U.S. and a rental management company in Paris, enhancing its presence globally. The company’s expansion comes at a time when the travel industry is experiencing a surge in bookings ahead of the festive season, particularly in Southeast Asian destinations and major Indian cities.
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) office in India has signed an agreement with the south zone of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to promote cross-cultural tourism. South Korea aims to position itself as a preferred destination among emerging source markets in South India, with the target of welcoming 200,000 tourists from India this year. Radisson Hotel Group has announced the opening of Svelte Delhi, a member of its Radisson Individuals brand, marking its debut in the national capital. Radisson has over 190 operational and developmental hotels in India across 9 brands, with plans to celebrate the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism in 2025 to enhance tourism cooperation in the region.
TreeHouse Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Avika, a mental health company, to launch Aura, a virtual reality wellness product focused on mindfulness and relaxation. This product will offer guests at the hotel chain an immersive wellness experience, personalized VR sessions to reduce stress and promote calm. The product will debut at the chain’s Goa property and eventually be extended to other hotels. The initiative is a part of TreeHouse’s commitment to providing innovative wellness experiences to its guests.
