Air India Express on Monday started its direct flight operations from Dehradun to Bengaluru with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagging off the new air service at the Jolly Grant Airport.

The Chief Minister described it as a significant milestone in the overall development of the state and the expansion of air connectivity.

“The commencement of Air India Express services from Dehradun marks a significant achievement in civil aviation for our state. Better connectivity with Bengaluru will greatly boost tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in Uttarakhand,” he said.

Direct air service between Dehradun and Bengaluru by Air India Express would also be a great facility for the youth, entrepreneurs, IT professionals, students, and tourists of Uttarakhand, he said.

“Bengaluru is the tech capital of the country and thousands of youths from Uttarakhand are engaged there in education, services, and startups. Now, they will have a more convenient, timely, and safe travel option to visit their home state,” the Chief Minister said.

“It will also strengthen connectivity for students, professionals, and entrepreneurs with one of India’s most dynamic cities. We welcome Air India Express and look forward to the positive impact this connectivity will have on our people and economy,” Dhami said.

In recent years, the state government has taken several major decisions – from policy reforms to infrastructure development – to strengthen air connectivity, Dhami said.

“We are delighted to commence direct flight operations from Dehradun to our largest domestic hub, Bengaluru. This shows the rapid expansion of our network,” Air India Express MD Aloke Singh said.

“With over 115 aircraft now in our fleet, we are building a stronger and more accessible network that reflects the aspirations of modern India,” he said.

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India] September 15 (ANI): Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL), the flagship company of the Adani Group, on Monday said it has received a Letter of Award (LoA) from the National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML) to develop the ropeway project between Sonprayag and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand.

It will invest Rs 4,081 crore in the project, to be executed by AEL’s Roads, Metro, Rail and Water (RMRW) division. The 12.9 km ropeway is expected to transform one of India’s most challenging pilgrimages by reducing the journey time from the current 8 to 9-hour trek to just 36 minutes, the company said in a release.

Once completed, the ropeway will be capable of carrying 1,800 passengers per hour per direction, easing the arduous journey for lakhs of devotees visiting the Kedarnath shrine every year. Kedarnath attracts around 20 lakh pilgrims annually, and the new ropeway is projected to not only make the travel safer and faster but also improve the overall pilgrim experience.

The project falls under the Government of India’s National Ropeways Development Programme, ‘Parvatmala and will be developed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode on a revenue-share basis with NHLML. According to the company, construction is estimated to take six years, after which AEL will operate the ropeway for 29 years.

“The Kedarnath ropeway is more than an engineering project – it is a bridge between devotion and modern infrastructure,” said Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, as per the release.

The release further stated, “By making this sacred journey safer, faster and more accessible, we honour the faith of millions while creating new opportunities for Uttarakhand’s people through our partnership with NHLML and the Government of Uttarakhand. This prestigious project reflects our commitment to building infrastructure that not only serves the nation but also uplifts its people.”

Apart from providing improved connectivity, the project is expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities and significantly boost tourism in the region.

He further noted that the project reflects Adani Group’s commitment to building infrastructure that not only strengthens the nation but also uplifts communities.

Adani Enterprises, which entered the roads and highways sector in 2018, has steadily expanded its portfolio under the RMRW division. Currently, it has 14 projects across Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), and Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) modes, covering more than 5,000 lane kilometres.

The Kedarnath ropeway project is being viewed as a landmark step that will combine technological expertise with spiritual significance, providing pilgrims with a safer and more comfortable passage while opening up new economic avenues for the state of Uttarakhand. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Indians are spending big on travel. An survey by Thomas Cook (India) and group company SOTC Travel published earlier this year saw 85% of respondents mentioning their plan to travel more frequently in 2025, doubling or tripling the number of holidays they take. The survey also showed 84% tourists intending to increase their travel budget by 20–50%, with around 18% planning a significant rise. But it’s not just travel, but how they travel that’s also undergoing sea change. 

According to industry experts, Indian consumers are spending more on experiences than possessions. The narrative is no longer about luxury versus value – it is about luxury and value, coexisting, colliding, and reshaping the contours of India’s hospitality and aviation economy.

According to experts, India’s luxury hotel market touched an estimated ₹72,000 crore in 2024 and is projected to grow at a brisk 14% CAGR through 2030. At the same time, mid-market and independent accommodations still account for nearly 58% of the hospitality share, supported by a surging middle class and Gen Z road-trippers seeking “value-plus” experiences. “It’s not a binary choice between Oberoi and a budget lodge, it’s coexistence,” observes Sahil Pandita, CEO and Founder, Promiller Group.

Luxury As Lifestyle: Personalisation Beyond Price

Luxury travel is also witnessing a signficant change. The affluent traveller no longer equates luxury to chandeliers and marble lobbies; it is measured in time saved, privacy assured, and experiences tailored to the individual. “Luxury travel today is no longer just about opulence or extravagance; it’s about crafting experiences that are seamless, personal, and entirely tailored to the traveller’s lifestyle,” says Justinas Bulka, CEO of KlasJet. The appetite for curated indulgence, from private aviation with flexible schedules to hotels that anticipate needs before they are expressed, has created a market where “the ultimate indulgence is a journey that respects both comfort and efficiency.” 

Increasingly, travellers are refusing to accept a trade-off between indulgence and conscience. Sustainability, once a peripheral demand, has become central to the definition of “premium.” “We are observing that today’s traveller is no longer choosing between luxury and value, they want both in a meaningful way,” says Suprabhath Roy Chowdhury, General Manager, voco Jim Corbett.

Also Read: Travel Bucket List: 10 Incredible Places To Visit In India To Satisfy Your Wanderlust – In Pics

Value Travel: Key Factor Behind India’s Travel Boom

While luxury travel is getting redefined, value travel remains the core of India’s travel industry. According to Pandita, “Middle-class and Gen Z travellers are flying regionally, road-tripping, and choosing unique, independent stays, not just big brands.” In fact, independent hotels continue to dominate share even as chains expand, signalling that travellers still seek discovery, local flavour, and affordability. This is not about compromise; it’s about maximising value in ways that enrich the experience.