Indian Billionaire Plans to Launch Low-Cost Carrier in an Already Tough Market

Dhiraj Singh  / Bloomberg

An aircraft operated by IndiGo, a unit of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., prepares to land at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, on Monday, July 10, 2017. Indian billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala wants to launch a new low-cost carrier to compete with Indigo in India. Dhiraj Singh / Bloomberg

Skift Take: With the pandemic gutting India’s low-cost carrier market, which already includes IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoFirst and AirAsia India, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala thinks a fresh start, a capital infusion, and new planes could be a competitive advantage. Hope springs eternal, as they say.

— Dennis Schaal

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England Opens U.S. Travel and 11 Other Top Travel Stories This Week

Jeff Hitchcock  / Flickr

England will allow fully vaccinated tourists from U.S. and European Union to enter without quarantine. Heathrow airport pictured. Jeff Hitchcock / Flickr

Skift Take: In Skift’s top stories this week, England welcomes fully vaccinated tourists, hotels are focusing on conversions rather than mergers, and Brazil is setting itself up to become a travel tech hub in Latin America.

— Angel Adegbesan

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UAE to Lift Ban on Transit Flights Including From India and Pakistan From August 5

Charles  / Flickr

Airports in the UAE will soon be able to welcome transit flights Charles / Flickr

Skift Take: Major carriers in the UAE are thrilled with the decision to lift the ban on transit flights. Not only will they welcome large numbers of passengers from important markets, but they’ll also be in a better position for a quicker recovery.

— Rashaad Jorden

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UK Finance Minister Presses for Travel Rules Easing

Giuseppe Milo  / Flickr Commons

The gains of the UK’s successful vaccination program could be wasted if the country does not relax its strict restrictions, tourism and airline groups say. Giuseppe Milo / Flickr Commons

Skift Take: Britain’s airlines and tourism sector are increasingly concerned that the country will suffer grave economic damage if it does not relax its strict travel restrictions and runs the risk of squandering the benefits of the country’s successful vaccination program.

— Madhu Unnikrishnan

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Broadway Theater Vaccination and Mask Requirements Set Big Tourism Example

Richard Ricciardi  / Flickr

Broadway and New York City’s theater district (seen here in happier days) is looking to draw tourists back to the Big Apple this fall when shows reopen with vaccination and mask requirements. Richard Ricciardi / Flickr

Skift Take: The return of Broadway shows is a much-anticipated catalyst for New York City tourism’s rejuvenation in the fall. Now with a vaccine and mask requirement in place to see plays on the Great White Way, the Big Apple may serve as a model — yet again.

— Tom Lowry

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Fourth of July to Mark a Further Rebound for U.S. Domestic Tourism

Mary F. Calvert  / Reuters

Daniel Flanagan and Zhadyra Darbayeva enjoy the weather at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, U.S., July 3, 2021. Mary F. Calvert / Reuters

Skift Take: An estimated 43.6 million Americans were set to travel at least two hours’ for a trip this July Fourth weekend, or 5 percent more than a previous record set in 2019. Let’s hope travel’s back for good.

— Sean O’Neill

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