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News Update: Hyderabad to Phuket Flight Incident Raises Fresh Safety Questions and Tourism Concerns Across India and Thailand- Here’s All You Really Need To Know

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Sunday, July 20, 2025

As the sun rose over Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, passengers on board Air India Express Flight IX 110 strapped in with anticipation. Their destination? The tropical coastline of Phuket, in Thailand, a popular escape for Indians seeking island feel, pristine waters and cultural dynamism. But what became a fretful and uncertain ordeal was supposed to be a smooth ride. Just 17 minutes into the flight, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft had to turn back following a technical snarl — an episode that that is now rekindling new concerns over airline safety and its potential impact on tourism corridors connecting India with Southeast Asia.

The crash took place at 6:40 am IStandard Time (IST) on Saturday, July 19, 2025, moments after the plane departed. By 6:57 a.m., it was back safely in Hyderabad. While no one was injured and a replacement plane was sent by afternoon, the psychological effect on passengers-and its ricocheting blow to the tourism industry-are not insignificant.

A Flight Diverted, A Discussion Stirred

Data from independent aviation tracking website showed that the Flight IX 110 climbed to about 10,000 feet before starting to descend. Technical details were still under review, but airport officials acknowledged the problem and described the response as an airline crew putting safety first. ” #FlyWithIX #AirIndiaExpress #AIXCommuniqué,” it said in a formal statement. The budget airline regretted any inconvenience caused, reiterated safety as our top priority and said refreshments and re-booking were arranged for customers impacted by the incident.

The experience was harrowing for many passengers, however. Social media was flooded with messages of fear and confusion and concern. One traveler said the plane’s sudden about-face, with no explanation at first, had rattled passengers. Another called the incident “very scary,” illustrating the residual unease technical malfunctions can cause even when expertly managed.

The Bigger Picture: The Impact on Tourism of a Plane Disaster

Aviation regulators may describe such incidents as “routine technical responses,” but their affect on tourism, especially in fast-growing travel corridors, cannot be underestimated. The outbound travel market from India has been increasing quite rapidly and it is estimated that over 30 million Indians will travel overseas in 2025 and a large percentage of them to short-haul destinations such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the UAE, says India’s Ministry of Tourism.

Thailand, in fact, is one of the top destinations for Indian travelers. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) annual report, India is among the top five source markets and it targets to receive over 1.8m Indian visitors by 2025. Popular travel destinations include Bangkok, Chiang Mai and, especially, Phuket, a dreamy destination for surf, sun and soul mates.

Any time something happens, particularly with widely covered mechanical problems or types of aircraft, such as the modern Boeing 737 MAX 8, I think it puts a layer of fear into the public consciousness. Even if the issue is handled promptly and decisively, one bad experience can rattle the faith of travelers and lead to temporary decline in bookings – not just for that airline, but for regional tourism overall.

Air India Express and the MAX 8 Challenge

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 had a troubled history around the world. Though the aircraft had been subjected to an exhaustive series of regulatory revues and safety overhauls after previous global groundings, any operational hiccup — especially in a high-visibility market such as India — draws scrutiny of oversight of maintenance, pilot instruction and mechanical reliability.

India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has put the operations of all MAX 8 aircraft “in the country under surveillance”. In its last safety compliance bulletin, the DGCA had said all aircraft operating in the Indian registering had cleared the required airworthiness checks. Yet, the reintroduction of IX 110 could lead to another wave of checks or precautionary assessments, particularly given the psychological baggage the aircraft has in collective memory.

The adversity comes at a particularly fragile point for Air India Express, which has been substantially reorganised since its integration in the Tata Group’s aviation portfolio. The airline has been on an aggressive expansion pattern of routes, fleet and positioning itself as a major player in the increasingly lucrative Indian low-cost international travel market.

Phuket’s Role in Indo-Thai Tourism

Phuket Phuket is a popular tourist island in the South of Thailand. The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports has dedicated substantial efforts into developing the region after the pandemic with a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism, smart city development, and diverse travel experiences.

Direct flights to Phuket from Indian centres such as Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru have contributed in a big way and that too since the year 2025. There are now over 80 direct flights a week between India and Phuket, Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority said. These routes, which feed a local economy that is so reliant on tourism and hospitality and retail and transport that hundreds of thousands of jobs are at risk.

Even momentary disruptions, such as a flight being diverted or delayed, can create ripples that cascade down the line — from late hotel check-ins to scrapped excursions and logistical challenges for group travelers. Repeat occurrences might force tourists to look elsewhere, and not just in the short term, financially, but also to break that bond of loyalty.

Policy, Preparedness, and Passenger Rights

From a policy standpoint, incidents like these only underscore the need for strong air safety regulation and transparent passenger rights regimes. In its vision paper for 2024-2025, the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation stressed the simultaneous requirement for rapid aviation development and thorough safety oversight. Similarly, under AirSewa 2.0, consumer protection regulations emphasize on ascertained communication, refunded support, and passenger wellbeing during service disturbances.

Most have done nothing worse than Air India Express, which has done the right thing by securing a new aircraft, serving refreshments and, in the end, flying passengers to their destination. But, as per the thoughts of the industry experts, passenger confidence is a perception and response time quality. Better communication from the cockpit during flight and on the ground, when passengers sat terrified but awaiting information at the Hyderabad airport, could have relieved fears and frustration.

Final Thoughts: A Soft Landing, and a Rude Awakening

What started as a carefree trip to the white sands of Phuket became an angst-ridden layover for scores of passengers from the Indian city of Hyderabad. While the circumstances were fine, they’re a timely reminder of how tourism and aviation are co-dependent — and how precarious traveler confidence can be.

Erudite PRA Director Nikhil Agarwal commented : “With the Indian outbound industry growing and targets being set at unprecedented levels and Thailand consolidating its supremacy in the region, both the countries need to complement each other so as to ensure that while the operational aspect is taken care of there is a transparent and empathetic communication. After all, traveling isn’t just about getting to a place; it’s about the act of traveling. Every tiny thing counts, and in the skies, more than most places, details matter.

References:
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Tourism India Annual Tourism Report, Ministry of Civil Aviation India 2025 Vision Document, Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Airports Authority of India (AAI).



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Indian visitors to US in June dip over previous yr’s numbers for 1st time since 2001, except in Covid period | India News

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NEW DELHI: India’s peak outbound travel month of June saw a decline in the number of Indian visitors to the US in 2025 over the previous year for the first time this millennium, barring the Covid period.With 2.1 lakh Indians headed to America in June, the number was 8% lower than 2.3 lakh in same month last year, according to data from the US commerce deptartmen’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). The provisional figure for this July shows a 5.5% fall over the same month last year.

Overall, the US has been seeing a decline in international visitors – and not just from India – in recent months. NTTO says the total non-US resident international visitor volume to the US decreased 6.2% in June 2025 over June 2024, 7% in May, 8% in March, and 1.9% in Feb. This Jan saw a 4.7% increase over same period last year, and April was up 1.3%.India is the fourth-largest source market for international visitors for the US. Since the two biggest source markets – Mexico and Canada – share a land border, India is the second-biggest overseas source market, with the UK being the largest. “Combined, these top five source markets (Brazil being the fifth) accounted for 59.4% of total international arrivals” this June, says NTTO.While travel industry biggies here say it is too early to pin the blame for the fall in Indian visitor numbers on the stricter visa regime adopted by Donald Trump in his second presidency, the impact could be more pronounced going ahead if the same continues. The reason: the US mostly issues 10-year-validity multiple entry visitor and business visas (B1/B2) so people who already have them can keep travelling. But if new visas get impacted for reasons like long appointment times or stricter issuance norms, then with a time lag impact will be visible.“We are seeing a visible impact on the student segment this year due to delay in visa issuance even after people securing college admissions. Historically, the biggest categories of visitors headed from India to the US have been visiting friends and relatives, business and students. The US was never a top leisure destination for Indians. That space has been led by Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe. North America came after that. Right now, apart from students, we are not seeing a dramatic impact on the other segments. But if new visa issuances are affected, they will also be hit with a certain time lag,” said a travel agent.With Indian diaspora of over 50 lakh, the US sees great demand for travel from the US.





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Extended Diwali break sends Gujarati travel bookings soaring | Ahmedabad News

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Ahmedabad: After a summer travel season dampened by the Pahalgam terror attack and heightened Indo-Pak border tensions, Gujaratis are back in the holiday mood. With Diwali falling on Monday, Oct 20, this year’s calendar offers a rare bonus — an uninterrupted eight-day holiday window from Oct 19 to 26. Travel companies say this has sparked a surge in bookings, with families locking in both short domestic getaways and longer international itineraries.“The timing couldn’t be better,” said Manish Sharma, who runs a travel company in Ahmedabad. “The festive long break has given people the confidence to plan extended trips. Many who could not travel during the summer are now utilising the credit notes or refunds from their cancelled bookings to make fresh plans. This has boosted demand for destinations such as Kerala, Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Lakshadweep cruises, all of which are doing exceptionally well this season.Bookings to Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Kullu-Manali are quite limited this season, say travel operators. “The terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year followed by the recent spell of floods made travellers apprehensive, so these destinations are seeing isolated inquiries compared to previous years,” said a travel company operator.International travel is equally upbeat, with Indonesia, Dubai, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam topping the charts as perennial favourites. Travellers holding Schengen visas are also heading to Europe, making the most of the festive lull in business and schools.“Inquiries for Diwali travel have already begun, and what’s interesting this year is the mix,” said Ankit Bajaj, a travel industry expert. “It’s not just about long holidays; a good number of inquiries are for short domestic or international getaways, such as a 3N/4D trip to Goa. Southeast Asia remains a favourite among Gujaratis for its convenience and family-friendly appeal, while Europe is drawing those looking for longer, curated itineraries. A large chunk of demand comes from doctors, traders, and builders who prefer to travel during this festive window. Interestingly, we’re seeing very few inquiries for destinations like Azerbaijan or Turkey, which were once in demand.”The sustained rush is pushing airlines and hotels closer to peak-season pricing, with travel companies cautioning against last-minute plans. Gulf and Southeast Asian routes are running at near-full capacity, while domestic hotspots are already reporting limited availability for specific dates.





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Which Is The Top Credit Card With Best Offers, Like Free Airport Lounges, Rewards And Travel Benefits? News24 –

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India is seeing a steady rise in credit card usage, with banks rolling out new offers and features to attract fresh customers and persuade existing cardholders to switch. There are numerous websites and apps where customers can compare benefits, including the number of free airport lounges and travel offers, to choose the best credit card tailored to their needs. Here, we give you insight to the best credit cards that offer the most at lower fees. You can compare the benefits and choose the one. Is HDFC Regalia Gold the best?

HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card is one of the most sought-after premium credit cards in India, offering a strong combination of rewards, travel perks, and lifetime benefits. However, it faces competition from several other cards that challenge its position in the market. This article examines the HDFC Regalia Gold alongside its top three competitors: SBI Card PRIME, ICICI Bank Sapphiro, and Axis Bank SELECT.

HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

Annual Fees and Charges

  • The card has an initial and annual fee of ₹2,500 plus GST.
  • The renewal fee is waived if the cardholder spends ₹4 lakh or more in a calendar year.
  • The foreign currency markup is 2%, making it suitable for international transactions.

Rewards

  • For every ₹150 spent on retail purchases, the cardholder earns 4 reward points.
  • Purchases at partner merchants like Nykaa, Myntra, Marks & Spencer, and Reliance Digital earn 5 times the rewards (20 points per ₹150).

Airport Lounges And Other Benefits

  • ₹2,500 gift voucher to the new cardholders
  • ₹1 lakh spending in the initial 90 days of card issuance
  • Free Swiggy One and MMT Black Elite membership
  • 12 domestic airport lounge visits each year
  • 6 international lounge visits via the Priority Pass membership
  • ₹1,500 worth of vouchers on spending ₹1.5 lakh per quarter
  • ₹5,000 worth of flight vouchers on 5 lakh spending
  • Additional ₹5,000 flight vouchers on 7.5 lakh
  • The card comes with full insurance coverage
  • ₹1 crore air accident cover with purchase protection
  • No liability for a lost card if it is reported immediately

Axis Bank SELECT

The Axis Bank SELECT card is designed for people who spend on retail. It offers high benefits for shopping and dining.

Annual Fees and Charges

  • Joining fee of ₹3,000 and an equal annual fee.
  • Free for Burgundy customers.
  • Renewal fee is waived if annual spending reaches ₹8 lakh.
  • Foreign currency markup is 3.5%.

Rewards

  • Cardholders earn 10 EDGE points for every ₹200 spent.
  • They earn 20 EDGE points for every ₹200 spent on retail purchases, up to ₹20,000 per month.
  • Each EDGE point has a redemption value of approximately ₹0.20.

Airport Lounges And Other Benefits

  • The card offers 12 international lounge visits per year through Priority Pass membership
  • It also provides 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter
  • Lounge access is subject to a minimum quarterly spend of ₹50,000
  • New cardholders will earn 10,000 EDGE points of 2,000 in the first transaction
  • The card offers 6 free golf rounds per year.
  • It provides a 1% waiver on fuel surcharge for purchases between ₹400 and ₹4,000.
  • Cardholders receive dining discounts through the Axis Dining Delights program.

SBI Card PRIME

Premium lifestyle credit card offering extensive travel and dining perks.

Annual Fees and Charges

  • Joining fee: ₹2,999 + GST.
  • Annual fee: ₹2,999 + GST (waived if annual spending reaches ₹3 lakh).
  • Foreign currency markup: 3.5%.

Rewards

  • Earn 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent on regular purchases.
  • Earn 10 reward points for every ₹100 spent on dining, groceries, departmental stores, and movies.
  • On birthdays, earn 20 reward points for every ₹100 spent.

Airport Lounges And Other Benefits

  • 8 domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).
  • 4 international lounge visits via Priority Pass membership.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver, up to ₹250 per month.
  • 50% discount on golf games.
  • 25% discount on dining through the American Express Dining Platform.

ICICI Bank Sapphiro

The ICICI Bank Sapphiro targets high spenders on travel and lifestyle.

Annual Fees and Charges: 

  • Joining fee: ₹6,500 + GST.
  • Annual fee: ₹3,500 + GST.
  • Renewal fee is waived for annual spending of ₹6 lakh.
  • Foreign currency markup: 3.5%.

Rewards

  • Earn 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent on domestic transactions.
  • Earn 4 reward points for every ₹100 spent on international transactions.
  • Milestone program: earn 4,000 points on ₹4 lakh annual spending.
  • Earn 2,000 points for every additional ₹1 lakh spent after that.

Airport Lounges And Other Benefits

  • 16 domestic lounge visits per year.
  • 2 international lounge visits per year.
  • Domestic lounge access is generous, but international access is limited.
  • Welcome benefits: ₹13,000 worth of shopping and travel vouchers for new cardholders.
  • Additional benefits: Up to 4 complimentary golf rounds per month on retail spending of ₹50,000 in the previous month.

(Disclaimer: The information provided about credit cards, including benefits, fees, and offers, is for general informational purposes only and may change over time. Readers should verify all details directly with the respective banks or official sources before applying or making any financial decisions)




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