The crisis in India’s civil aviation sector shows no signs of abating, with the slowdown in the economy continuing to impact the bottom lines of almost all carriers. But most recent trends show that the cargo sector offers more potential in lifting the sagging bottom lines as compared to passenger traffic. This is especially so if a revival in global trade pushed up merchandise flows on the air routes.

On the heels of Air India inviting global expressions of interest (EoIs) to lease out seven aircraft, the airline’s private counterpart, Jet Airways, has initiated discussions with foreign carriers to lease out two of its wide-body airplanes.

At Rs 1 lakh per day, Maharaja Express will be Asia’s costliest train and is set to be flagged off in January. Talks are on with a premium hotel chain to manage the two restaurants and a bar on board.

The hospitality sector is expected to get a leg up in the Capital in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games, with many hotels and bed and breakfast establishments coming up, the city is bracing itself to host the mega sporting extravaganza in 2010.

Officials traveling on Air India at a government expense will no longer be able to avail frequent flyer points individually. These points, now converted by AI into booklets, will now be a multi-user facility for officials.

That the Chinese Embassy here has started issuing visas in the form of separate stapled sheets to those from Jammu & Kashmir wanting to visit China is a move that has been clearly designed to provoke India further.

The Indian hotel industry will almost double the number of rooms from the current levels in 3-4 years by adding an estimated 55,000 rooms, according to a study by consulting firm HVS India. The addition of new rooms is going to be led by regional real estate players and hospitality firms as most large real estate developers have abandoned or scaled down their expansion plans.

The Indian hotel industry will almost double the number of rooms from the current levels in 3-4 years by adding an estimated 55,000 rooms, as per a study by consulting firm HVS India.

Ten Indian hotels have made it to this year’s annual global Expedia Insiders select list of the worlds favorite Indian hotels featured.Teh other Indian hotels on this year list include The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra .The Oberoi, Mumbai, Shangri-La hotel, New Delhi and Lemon Tree Amaranth Beach Resort, Goa, Chateau Beauvallon, near the town of Mont –Tremblant in Quebec, Canada was named the worlds favorite hotel. Now in its third year, the annual Expedia Insiders Select list represents the extensive range of hotel types offered by Expedia globally and those that have been recognized by Expedia travelers for consistently delivering excellent service, a great overall experience and providing notable value.

With pilot strike coming to an end. Air India has come out with discounted fares to win back customers. The national carrier, which is limping back to normalcy after a four-day strike, said there will be a maximum of 8% cut in fares for three to six months, in different categories. The airline has lost around Rs 8 crore in cancellations during the strike period.