IndiGo, India’s leading airline, has entered a transformative partnership with Accor, a global leader in hospitality, aimed at revolutionizing the travel experience for Indian consumers. Through the integration of their loyalty programs—IndiGo’s BluChip and Accor’s ALL (Accor Live Limitless)—the two companies plan to offer travelers a unified platform that provides enhanced rewards across flights, hotel stays, and a wide range of travel experiences.

This collaboration is set to redefine loyalty programs by allowing members of both BluChip and ALL to seamlessly share and convert reward points. Travelers can now earn and redeem points across both IndiGo flights and Accor hotel stays, offering them unprecedented flexibility and value. By creating co-branded offerings, the partnership ensures that frequent travelers enjoy exclusive perks that blend air travel rewards with hospitality benefits, further enhancing their overall travel experience.

BluChip’s Expansive Growth and Vision for the Future

Launched in 2024, IndiGo’s BluChip program has quickly garnered significant attention, with over 2 million members joining within its first six months. This rapid success demonstrates the growing demand for loyalty programs that offer value across various facets of travel. The partnership with Accor will not only elevate BluChip’s value proposition within India but will also attract international travelers as IndiGo continues its global expansion. The airline’s goal is to forge new partnerships in sectors such as travel, retail, and lifestyle to bring even greater rewards to its members.

Accor’s Global Reach Aligns with India’s Growing Travel Demand

Accor’s ALL program offers a vast network of over 100 million members worldwide, with access to more than 45 hotel brands across 110 countries. This global presence complements IndiGo’s flight network, which connects key destinations across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. With this strategic collaboration, travelers will be able to enjoy the benefits of both loyalty programs, unlocking rewards and exclusive experiences across flights and accommodations. This integration is set to create a seamless and highly rewarding experience for members.

Capitalizing on India’s Booming Travel and Tourism Industry

India’s travel market is experiencing explosive growth, fueled by a rapidly expanding middle class, improved infrastructure, and increasing air connectivity. The country is on track to become the world’s fifth-largest outbound travel market and the third-largest domestic travel market by 2027. The timing of this partnership places IndiGo and Accor at the forefront of this growth, offering enhanced loyalty rewards and a broader range of services to cater to the needs of India’s growing number of travelers.

A Bold Future with Expansive Plans

The partnership between IndiGo and Accor is not just about immediate rewards but also about the long-term growth of both companies in India. Together, they plan to establish 300 Accor-branded hotels across the country by 2030, strengthening their presence and offering more accommodation options to travelers. By combining IndiGo’s extensive flight network with Accor’s global hospitality expertise, the two companies are set to offer an unmatched travel experience, seamlessly connecting air travel with high-quality hotel stays.

Shaping the Future of Travel and Hospitality in India

The alliance between IndiGo and Accor is poised to be a game-changer in India’s travel and hospitality sectors. By merging their loyalty programs, the two companies are setting new standards in customer engagement, offering Indian travelers a holistic travel experience that blends flights, accommodations, and unique experiences. This partnership speaks to the evolving needs of India’s middle class, providing innovative solutions to enhance the travel journey.

With the continued expansion of both companies, this collaboration promises to unlock even more rewards, ensuring a seamless, rewarding experience for Indian travelers—whether they are flying across the country or enjoying an unforgettable hotel stay. The partnership between IndiGo and Accor is a significant step toward shaping the future of travel in India.

IndiGo, India’s leading airline, has entered a transformative partnership with Accor, a global leader in hospitality, aimed at revolutionizing the travel experience for Indian consumers. Through the integration of their loyalty programs—IndiGo’s BluChip and Accor’s ALL (Accor Live Limitless)—the two companies plan to offer travelers a unified platform that provides enhanced rewards across flights, hotel stays, and a wide range of travel experiences.

Bridging Loyalty Programs for Seamless Travel Experiences

This collaboration is set to redefine loyalty programs by allowing members of both BluChip and ALL to seamlessly share and convert reward points. Travelers can now earn and redeem points across both IndiGo flights and Accor hotel stays, offering them unprecedented flexibility and value. By creating co-branded offerings, the partnership ensures that frequent travelers enjoy exclusive perks that blend air travel rewards with hospitality benefits, further enhancing their overall travel experience.

BluChip’s Expansive Growth and Vision for the Future

Launched in 2024, IndiGo’s BluChip program has quickly garnered significant attention, with over 2 million members joining within its first six months. This rapid success demonstrates the growing demand for loyalty programs that offer value across various facets of travel. The partnership with Accor will not only elevate BluChip’s value proposition within India but will also attract international travelers as IndiGo continues its global expansion. The airline’s goal is to forge new partnerships in sectors such as travel, retail, and lifestyle to bring even greater rewards to its members.

Accor’s Global Reach Aligns with India’s Growing Travel Demand

Accor’s ALL program offers a vast network of over 100 million members worldwide, with access to more than 45 hotel brands across 110 countries. This global presence complements IndiGo’s flight network, which connects key destinations across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. With this strategic collaboration, travelers will be able to enjoy the benefits of both loyalty programs, unlocking rewards and exclusive experiences across flights and accommodations. This integration is set to create a seamless and highly rewarding experience for members.

Capitalizing on India’s Booming Travel and Tourism Industry

India’s travel market is experiencing explosive growth, fuelled by a rapidly expanding middle class, improved infrastructure, and increasing air connectivity. The country is on track to become the world’s fifth-largest outbound travel market and the third-largest domestic travel market by 2027. The timing of this partnership places IndiGo and Accor at the forefront of this growth, offering enhanced loyalty rewards and a broader range of services to cater to the needs of India’s growing number of travelers.

A Bold Future with Expansive Plans

The partnership between IndiGo and Accor is not just about immediate rewards but also about the long-term growth of both companies in India. Together, they plan to establish 300 Accor-branded hotels across the country by 2030, strengthening their presence and offering more accommodation options to travelers. By combining IndiGo’s extensive flight network with Accor’s global hospitality expertise, the two companies are set to offer an unmatched travel experience, seamlessly connecting air travel with high-quality hotel stays.

Shaping the Future of Travel and Hospitality in India

The alliance between IndiGo and Accor is poised to be a game-changer in India’s travel and hospitality sectors. By merging their loyalty programs, the two companies are setting new standards in customer engagement, offering Indian travelers a holistic travel experience that blends flights, accommodations, and unique experiences. This partnership speaks to the evolving needs of India’s middle class, providing innovative solutions to enhance the travel journey.

With the continued expansion of both companies, this collaboration promises to unlock even more rewards, ensuring a seamless, rewarding experience for Indian travelers—whether they are flying across the country or enjoying an unforgettable hotel stay. The partnership between IndiGo and Accor is a significant step toward shaping the future of travel in India.

Source : Travel and tour world

Kenya Airways (KQ) has started deploying its New Distribution Capability (NDC-sourced) content to travel seller customers in Kenya via the Amadeus Travel Platform. This follows KQ’s decision to adopt Altéa NDC, which will enable the effective and consistent distribution and service of new content and fares across channels, thereby enhancing its retailing capabilities. The national carrier becomes first in Sub-Saharan Africa to distribute NDC Content through Amadeus Travel Platform.

The strong synergies between Altéa NDC and the Amadeus Travel Platform will enable faster and smoother implementation of the airline’s NDC offers, reducing time to market and bring enhanced productivity to travel sellers. Amadeus-connected travel sellers will therefore be among the first to gain access to NDC content from one of the most progressive carriers in the region.

NDC (New Distribution Capability) is an IATA-developed XML-based data transmission standard that aims to modernize how airlines distribute and sell their products, offering airlines greater flexibility and control over their content and distribution channels. When fully implemented, travel sellers worldwide will have access to the entire Kenya Airways NDC content offering, allowing agents to build new and exciting travel offers.

Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Kenya Airways noted, “This is a significant milestone for Kenya Airways as we continue to innovate and enhance our travel retailing capabilities. Amadeus has been at the forefront of driving NDC adoption across the global travel ecosystem and was therefore the natural choice for this step on our distribution journey. We are very happy to be able to offer our full range of NDC content through Amadeus’ leading technology and to its travel sellers’ network.”

Christophe Roux, SVP Airlines, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Amadeus, further added that, “Kenya Airways was among the first airlines in Africa to understand the value that NDC technology could offer for its customers, and it’s a pleasure to help that retailing ambition come to life. We are very proud that Kenya Airways has trusted Amadeus end to end to enable its modern retailing strategy. With Kenya Airways’ NDC content live on the Amadeus Travel Platform, the airline will benefit from significant reach throughout the global community of travel sellers, which again will have the ability to create the bespoke, personalized offers travelers of today expect.”

Hahnair has expanded its global reach with the addition of eight new partner airlines, further strengthening its position as a leading ticketing solutions provider. As part of its 25-year milestone, the company has integrated Air Rarotonga (Cook Islands), EuroAtlantic Airways (Portugal), Eurowings (Germany), My Freighter (Uzbekistan), Wideroe (Norway), BermudAir (Bermuda), Aero Dili (Timor Leste), and LIAT 20 (Antigua and Barbuda) into its network. These partnerships enhance travel consultants’ ability to offer a broader range of destinations through selected GDS platforms under their own IATA codes, as well as through Hahnair’s H1 and X1 codes.

Candy Kasonkomona, Regional VP for Africa, reaffirmed Hahnair’s commitment to equipping travel agents with innovative tools that simplify ticketing and expand business opportunities. “By continuously expanding our airline network and introducing new incentives, we reinforce our dedication to supporting travel agents with seamless solutions and rewarding partnerships,” she said. With over 350 partner carriers, Hahnair provides a robust network designed for flexibility and efficiency. Features such as the ‘Quick Check’ tool and 24/7 Service Desk streamline the booking and ticketing process.

In addition, Hahnair has introduced a 1% upfront commission on all HR-169 tickets issued through any GDS. This incentive applies to all partner airlines, including those under the X1-Air and H1-Air codes. Agents also benefit from Hahnair’s free insolvency protection (Securtix®), a 24/7 Service Desk, and a seamless refund process.

For more details, visit hahnair.com  or contact the Service Desk at service@hahnair.com

Flightlink has announced the launch of daily direct flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, starting July 1, 2025. This new service enhances air connectivity between Kenya and Tanzania, offering travelers greater convenience, affordability, and flexibility.

With fares starting at just USD 135, Flightlink aims to make travel between these key destinations more accessible for both business and leisure travelers. Whether exploring Zanzibar’s world-famous beaches or conducting business in Dar es Salaam, passengers can now enjoy a seamless travel experience with reliable daily departures.

This expansion strengthens trade and tourism ties between Kenya and Tanzania, providing more travel options for tourists, entrepreneurs, and corporate travelers alike. The addition of daily flights ensures that passengers can plan their trips with greater ease and efficiency, reducing travel time and offering direct access to two of Tanzania’s most vibrant destinations.

As one of East Africa’s leading regional airlines, Flightlink is known for its affordable fares, reliability, and commitment to customer satisfaction. With limited seats available, travelers are encouraged to book early to secure the best rates.

For flight schedules and booking details, visit https://flightlink.co.tz/ or contact your preferred travel agent.

Uganda Airlines is to launch a ground-breaking direct flight between Entebbe International Airport and London Gatwick, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion by re-establishing a route not directly accessible for almost a decade. Uganda Airlines’ first European line will cut the time to arrive in either destination to almost half what it was prior. The inaugural flight is set to take off May 18 2025, with tickets now available via the Uganda Airlines app.

Uganda Airlines’ ‘first foray into Europe’

The announcement came March 20 at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala by a contingent of Ugandan and British officials. Uganda Airlines CEO Jennifer Baratumaki emphasised the importance of trade, tourism, and interconnectivity to the newly-revived airline, stating “The direct flights will offer unparalleld convenience for travelers, catering to the growing demand for seamless travel between the two nations.” As UK airport traffic reaches all-time highs, Uganda Airlines hopes to increase ease of transport for the near 150,000 citizens living in the UK. This comes some months after the airline issued a statement committing the airline to IATA safety audits, fleet expansion, and regulatory approvals in preparation for the establishment of the direct line with London Gatwick.

Baratumaki added:

“Because of the potential they unlock, these air bridges are essential planks in the Ugandan National Development Plan and Uganda’s Vision 2040 strategy. Besides shortening travel times for our passengers, this route also provides a more efficient route of exporters of fresh products to the United Kingdom.”

Uganda’s national development goals

In 2023 (link), trade between the UK and Uganda reached at $556 million.  The speed and ease at which Ugandan goods such as coffee, bananas, tea, and minerals, can enter the UK market duty and quota free was a noted cause for excitement for the UK delegation. Additionally, Edward Katumba Walama, Ugandan Minister of Works and Transport, says this has been a long-requested route for produce traders.

“For some time, the people trading in fresh flowers have been knocking on our door, asking for direct flights to Europe. At least now, you can take your fresh flowers to london. The flower growers now know how to export their products to London”.

Furthermore, Minister Walama paid special tribute to former UK High Commisioner Ms. Katie Airey and Ugandan-born House of Lords member Lord Poppat for their crucial advocation for Uganda Airlines’ entry to the British market.

The service will utilise Uganda Airlines’ efficient fleet of Airbus A330-800neo, offering 257 spaces across a variety of seating options.

This route symbolises the growing scope and opportunity of Uganda Airlines as it celebrates its fifth anniversary. With ongoing talks with Boeing for freighters and more long-haul flights beyond Africa, the airline is poised to soar even higher and connect Uganda to the world like never before.

Source : Travel Radar

As part of its ongoing efforts to modernize and rejuvenate its fleet, Pan-African airline ASKY is proud to announce the arrival of a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as ET-BBB, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

According to a press release by the ASKY Management, this next-generation aircraft, fresh from the factory, offers a seating capacity of 8 passengers in Business Class and 177 in Economy Class. It replaces the Boeing 737-700 NG, registered as ET-ANH, which retired from the ASKY fleet after 15 years of dedicated service.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 sets a new standard in fuel efficiency, significantly reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. Its advanced engine design also minimizes cabin noise, ensuring enhanced comfort and a superior travel experience. The reduced noise footprint aligns with ASKY’s commitment to lowering environmental impact on local communities while providing a serene atmosphere onboard.

ASKY, The Pan-African Airline, is a 100% privately owned airline created by regional banking institutions in Africa that includes The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), The West African Development Bank (BOAD) and ECOBANK
Group (ETI) in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines.

ASKY is a commercial company under private law and is managed by experienced African aviation professionals, with Ethiopian airlines as its strategic partner.

ASKY currently operates a fleet of fourteen (14) aircraft, including nine (09) Boeing 737-800s and five (5) Boeing 737 MAX 8s, serving twenty-nine (29) cities across twenty-seven (27) African countries.

Kenya Airways will launch flights between Gatwick and Nairobi from the start of July.

The thrice-weekly evening service to and from the south London airport will complement the carrier’s existing flights from Heathrow.

Flight KQ108 will depart Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday at 2345, and Friday and Sunday at 2340, arriving into Gatwick at 0655 and 0650 the following day respectively.

The return leg KQ109 will depart Gatwick on Monday at 1210, Thursday at 1100, and Saturday at 1225, arriving into Nairobi at 2305, 2155 and 2320 respectively.

The group’s managing director and CEO Allan Kilavuka said that the new route was “just the beginning of our expansion plans for the UK market”.

“The United Kingdom is essential and strategic for Kenya Airways and Kenya, said Kilavuka.

“It provides a gateway for trade, tourism, education, business, leisure travel, and diaspora connections. We are excited to add Gatwick Airport to our expansive network as it means that KQ guests now have more options in and out of the UK and a convenient schedule that suits their travel preferences.”

Kenya Airways currently operates daily flights between Nairobi and Heathrow – it has previously operated a double daily service to the airport, and indeed in 2023 it was reported that the carrier was returning to two flights per day.

Back in 2016 Kenya Airways sold its Heathrow for a reported record sum of $75 million to Oman Air, meaning it now leases slots from other carriers for its Heathrow service.

Last year the carrier established a codeshare agreement with fellow SkyTeam member Virgin Atlantic, enabling Kenya Airways customers to connect via Heathrow onto a number of Caribbean destinations served by Virgin Atlantic including Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Source : Business Traveller