Air Travel

10 Travel Hacks To Make Your Airport Journey A Breeze!

AirWhizzSep 14, 2018 No Comments

10 Travel Hacks To Make Your Airport Journey A Breeze!

Travel Like a Pro

For frequent flyers travelling through an airport is easy, but for most of us getting through the airport can be a tricky business.

The long queues, boring waits or worst, lost luggage can ruin anybody’s holiday buzz.

But if you’re well prepared, there are plenty of tricks that can make your airport journey a bearable experience.

To have a stress free and seamless experience at the airport, here are 10 travel hacks that will make your journey from the airport entrance to the boarding gate a breeze.

1. Take Pictures Of Your Luggage

 

Losing your luggage at the airport can be frustrating, especially if the airline misplaces it.

Click a few pictures of your check-in luggage before you leave for the airport. This will make it easier for airport staff to locate it if it goes missing in transit.

Describing your bag to a member of staff at a foreign airport could prove tricky so its good to be prepared.

2.Pack An Empty Water Bottle In Your Carry-On Bag

Airports have a reputation for being notoriously expensive when it comes to purchasing food or water. Plus you aren’t allowed to carry liquids during security checks.

However, security staff will allow you to carry empty bottles.

Once your security check is done, you can go to any water dispenser located at the food court or the boarding area and fill up your bottle.

Stay hydrated and fly healthy!

3.Check-In Next To First/Business Class Line

With things becoming automated these days, airports have installed self check-in kiosks for the convenience of the passenger.

But, most passengers want to take the conventional route and collect their tickets form the check-in desks.

Many seasoned travellers suggest that you should join the check-in line near the first/business class counter.

This is because mostly these lines have fewer passengers and if the counter is free, the desk agent can help you check-in, even if you’re traveling in the economy class.

4. Make Use Of The Internet

If your flight gets delayed and aren’t sure what’s going on, avoid the sea of people crowding the desk agent and trying to get information.

Jump online and check your airline’s official website. They will update the status of your flight without fail.

It’s also worth contacting your airline on Twitter as their customer service representatives are prompt to reply with all the necessary information.

5. Go To The Left At Security Checkpoint

After you’ve checked in and collected your boarding pass, the next step is to go through a security check.

Since a majority of people are right-handed, they tend to select the security lane on the right when faced with a choice.

This means that there’ll be fewer people standing in the left side queue at airport security counter.

Going through security can be torturous, so speed up the process by turning left!

6. Prepare For Security In The Queue Itself

The security queue is always the longest, as nobody seems to be prepared for it despite the fact that the process is always the same.

Don’t wait until you get to the front of the line to take your phone, keys, loose change and other stuff.

Take care of it while waiting in the inevitable security line.

7. Check Out The Lost & Found Section

If you’ve forgotten to pack an everyday item like a phone charger or headphones, you should definitely go to the ‘Lost & Found’ desk at the airport.

Anything that has been in lost and found for up to 90 days is no longer the property of its owner.

So if they have the item, you’re looking for, that has been in their possession for over 90 days, they can hand it over to you.

8. Find An Empty Boarding Gate During Layovers Or Delays

If you have a few hours to spare and don’t want to visit an expensive airport lounge, opt for a boarding gate which is not being used.

You’ll have a peaceful and comfortable experience when you have seats, power outlets and Wi-Fi signals to yourself at an empty gate.

Just make sure that you sit at a place where you can hear the announcements related to your flight.

9. Be Careful When Wearing Headphones

Listening to music, streaming a podcast or watching a movie on your mobile device helps pass time when you are waiting for your flight.

But, it also puts you at the risk of missing important announcements like a change in the boarding gate or a boarding call.

Make sure that you’re alert at all times and keep the volume low.

10. Be Informed About Your Destination or Layover Airport

You’re probably pretty familiar with your home airport, but layover/destination airports can get confusing, especially if you’re in foreign lands.

Today there are apps that help you map the airport by providing you with information about different amenities available at each terminal.

This can save you time if you’re trying to find food or toiletries during a tight connection.

Also running around the airport looking for a gate number is hardly relaxing, so map out your route by using these apps.

If you’re wondering which app to use, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App to get all the information you need about your airport along with real-time flight updates, information about airline policies and many other air travel services on the move.

Breeze through the airport with these simple hacks and Fly Stress-Free!

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In-Flight Connectivity: Here’s What You May Have To Pay!

AirWhizzSep 12, 2018 No Comments

In-Flight Connectivity: Here’s What You May Have To Pay!

Aviation Insider

It will soon be possible for Indian travellers to use Wi-Fi and make calls while flying as the Department of Telecom(DoT) is set to allow In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) services from October.

As per the existing rules, no person can use any electronic device which intentionally transmits radio signals while aboard an aircraft. However, with the advancement in technology, it is not very difficult for Indian carriers to launch this facility after they get the licence.

How Much Will It Cost The Airline

According to experts, it would be a herculean task to provide IFC services since the cost of installation and the turnaround time to do so will be quite high.

It is estimated that the cost of installation will be around $100,000 per aircraft and turnaround time would be about eight days. However, this estimate depends on the aircraft type, fleet size, bandwidth, other technical specifications and regulatory requirements.

Estimates may vary, but the cost of providing IFC is certainly going to be high.

How Much Will You Have To Pay

Given the cost and turnaround time, it shouldn’t be a surprise if IFC services are expensive, at least in the initial stages.

Airlines across the world use different pricing strategies for connectivity services. The charges for net connection might range from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for 30 minutes to an hour as per international standards.

However, a lot would depend on the packaging of the IFC services being offered by the airlines. To differentiate their product experience from other airlines, they may offer special packages to frequent fliers and premium customers or may even base pricing on the time of the flight (early morning flights generally have more corporate travellers).

Aviation experts believe that within a couple of years of the launch, one can expect these services to become free.

Airlines such as  Emirates, JetBlue and Turkish Airlines already offer free IFC. In two-three years, we can expect IFC services in India to become free of cost like in hotels, restaurants and malls.

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Everything You Need To Know About Hyderabad Airport!

AirWhizzSep 10, 2018 No Comments

Everything You Need To Know About Hyderabad Airport!

Aviation Insider

Since its initiation back in 2008, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad has delivered world-class services making it one of the most sought-after airports in the world.

With its technological prowess and magnanimous infrastructure, it has served and wooed weary air travellers who travel to the beautiful city in Telangana.

Yet, many of us are unaware of the years of dedication and planning that has gone in making this modern marvel.

So, let’s take a look at this airport’s journey and what it has achieved over the years.

History

In the 1930’s Hyderabad had its first airport known as the Begumpet Airport. It was used by the Nizam of Hyderabad for international and domestic travel and later was opened to commercial operations.

With the rise in popularity of air travel in the late 1990’s, Begumpet Airport was unable to handle the rising passenger traffic. The state government considered converting the Air Force Base in Hakimpet for civilian use, but the defence forces refused.

However, the Ministry Of Defence suggested three locations south of the Begumpet Airport, which were Bongloor, Nadergul and Shamshabad.

Due to its convenient location near two highways (NH 44/NH 765) and a railway line, Shamshabad was selected in December 1998.

In November 2000, the State Government and Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) on the greenfield airport project, establishing it as a public-private partnership. The State and AAI together would hold a 26% stake in the project, while the remaining 74% would be allotted to private companies.

Through the bidding process, GMR group and  Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) were chosen as the holders of the 74% stake. In December 2002, Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (HIAL), later renamed GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), was created as a special purpose entity, into which the State, AAI and GMR–MAHB placed their stakes.

Construction of the new airport started on 16th March 2005 when Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone. Roughly three years after the foundation stone laying ceremony, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGAI) was inaugurated on 14th  March 2008 amid protests.

The ‘Telugu Desam Party’ wanted to change the name of the airport. In addition, on 12th and 13th  March, 20,000 AAI employees had conducted a strike against the closure of Begumpet Airport, as well as that of HAL Airport in Bangalore, fearing they would lose their jobs.

RGIA was originally scheduled to open for commercial operations on 16th  March 2008, however, the date was delayed due to protests from some airlines over the high ground handling rates at the airport. Once the rates were reduced, operations commenced on 23rd  March 2008.

Awards & Recognition

  1. It won the ‘CNBC Infrastructure Excellence Award’ for Airports in 2009.
  2. In 2009, it also bagged the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation’s (CAPA) award in the category, “Best Airport Environmental Performance of the Year”.
  3. Since 2010, RGIA has been in the Top 3 Rankings of Airports Council International’s (ACI), Airport Service Quality(ASQ) awards in the 5 to 15 Million Passengers Per Annum(MMPA) category. It has bagged the number 1 spot 4 times.
  4. RGIA was awarded the prestigious National Tourism Award in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 under the ‘Best Airport’ category.
  5. In 2011, GHIAL was awarded a ‘Certificate of Merit’ in the General Category Sector at the National Energy Conservation Awards, in recognition of the initiatives taken by them to conserve energy
  6. RGIA has been honoured with the ‘Best Cargo Airport & Best Cargo Terminal of the Year’ in 2012 & 2013, by the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI).
  7. In 2013, RGAI had been judged as the ‘Best Emerging Airport’ in Indian Sub-Continent at the ‘Emerging Airports Awards’.
  8. RGIA was given the title of ‘Favourite Indian Airport’ at the Condé Nast Traveller India Awards.
  9. GHIAL received the “Quality Excellence Award for Best Customer Service Result” at the National Quality Excellence Awards in 2013.
  10. RGAI received the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Award for “Excellent Energy Efficient Unit” in 2014 and 2018.

Interesting Facts About Hyderabad Airport

  • The GMR Aviation Academy & Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy are located inside the airport premises.
  • GHIAL has been awarded the 5-star rating for its Health and Safety Management System from the British Safety Council.
  • In fact, It was the first airport in the world to get a 5-star rating.
  • It was the first airport in Asia Pacific to become Carbon Neutral by getting a ‘Level 3+’ certification from the Airports Council Of India, in recognition of their efforts to manage and reduce CO2 emissions.
  • It’s the largest airport in India by the area covered. It is spread across 5459 acres.
  • RGIA was the 1st airport in India to introduce E-Boarding for all domestic passengers.

If you want to know about things to do at the Hyderabad Airport, look no further. Download the AirWhizz app and get information about different places to eat, shop & relax at RGIA along with real-time flight updates the next time you fly.

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10 Tips To Survive A Long-Haul Flight!

AirWhizzSep 07, 2018 No Comments

10 Tips To Survive A Long-Haul Flight!

Travel Like a Pro

With air travel becoming popular each day, airlines are looking at new routes to connect us to the world.

It is finally possible to fly to far off destinations about which you have dreamed about.

But before you reach your destination you’ll be sitting in a stuffy aircraft cabin for more than 8 hours ,which might sound like a nightmare to most.

However, a little preparation can make long-haul International flights a breeze!

To help you start your holiday refreshed and relaxed as soon as you airplane lands, here are 10 travel tips to survive a long haul flight.

1. Choose Your Seat Wisely

One of the most essential long-haul flight tips is to think ahead and choose a good seat on a flight which is scheduled to depart at a comfortable time.

Make sure that you check-in online and pre-book your seat. Whether you’re an aisle person( for ease of moving around) or a window person (for views and something to lean on), it’s essential to ensure you don’t spend your time for elbow room in the dreaded middle seat.

Also, try to book a seat in the emergency exit row if possible, so that you have extra legroom.

2.Book The Right Flight

The cheapest flight isn’t always the best!

Yes, if it’s a short journey you can survive the small seats and the lack of service. But when it comes to long-haul flights you have to think about what that flight is actually going to be like.

Many budget carriers have long layovers at terrible airports, so keep that in mind. It’s better to pay a few thousand rupees more to travel in comfort.

Also, try to book a flight that arrives at your destination in the morning. This way you can sleep through most of your journey and begin your holiday when the sun is up and the city is active.

In case, you have budget restrictions, read more about “Top 10 Budget Carriers That Fly Out Of India”.

3.Wear Comfortable Clothes For Your Trip

Dress for Comfort, not looks!

Wear an outfit that you will be comfortable in, even after 10 hours of flying.

Remember, sitting still and being blasted by an air-conditioning system can get chilly. Wear several loose layers to help you adjust to the temperatures inside the cabin.

Also, wear closed toed shoes rather than flip-flops. Make sure you don’t wear any footwear that’s too tight because your feet tend to swell up at high altitudes.

4. Prepare Yourself For Sleep

You’ll be on the airplane for quite some time, so it’s worth bringing a few long-haul flight essentials.

Start with a lightweight blanket and invest in a good travel pillow to make sleeping on an airplane more comfortable.

An eye mask and a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones can make you forget about the other 300 odd passengers sitting inside.

Read More About  “10 Travel Essentials You Should Bring On A Long-Haul Flight”

5.Don’t Stuff Your Carry-On Bag

Don’t pack too much in your cabin luggage. While a few little extras definitely help, keep things travel-sized and to a minimum.

There’s nothing more stressful than carrying around a big suitcase and trying to fit it in the overhead bin.

Try to carry a small suitcase that you can keep in the overhead bin and a handbag or back pack (depending on your airline’s hand baggage policy) to keep smaller essentials such as your headphones and tablet/laptop within your reach.

6.Pack Your Own Snacks

Of course, you’ll get meals on long-haul flights, but the timing of those meals might be an issue.

International flights travel through different time zones, which means you will end up with breakfast at dinner time and a heavy meal, first thing in the morning.

To avoid feeling hungry while you wait for the food trolley to come, pack some fruits, salads, nuts, protein bars or other healthy homemade snacks.

7. Stay Hydrated

Did you know? Our body sheds up to 1.5 liters of water during a three-hour flight!

The air inside the airplane is almost 15 % drier than the air that we breathe on the ground and the chances of becoming dehydrated are high.

Remember to regularly drink water during a flight. It will keep the oxygen levels in your body up and will help boost your energy. You will feel energetic and lively.

8. Move Around The Airplane

Not moving enough on the airplane is the biggest reason why you feel inactive after a flight.

Why not use the aisle instead?

Stretching and small muscle-friendly exercises will help you keep your energy up and your body active. Speaking of which, mind your posture as well! A simple shoulders-back-and-spine-straight stance will go a long way.

9. Make A Few Friends

Flights are a great opportunity to meet interesting people going your way.

One of the most fun ways to survive a long-haul flight is to strike up a conversation with your seat-mate.

Making small talk can be an exhausting task, but chatting with a fellow traveller keeps you alert when you’re flying. It keeps your mind active, engages you, and who knows, you may end up with a  new travelling companion by the time you step off the airplane.

10.Relax & Enjoy Your Ride

There is no better time to just forget about your worries and do nothing than when you’re flying. No mobile phone coverage, a dedicated crew to pamper you and someone else in the driving seat.

Use the time to catch up on that book you haven’t had the chance to read, the list of movies you didn’t get the time to watch or get excited about your destination by going through the guidebook.

See those eight, ten or twelve hours as bonus time and your long flight will immediately become a positive thing rather than a drag.

So, the next time you fly and are looking for travel accessories, headphones, sleeping gear or just a nice book to read, download the AirWhizz App. Avail exclusive discounts on Swiss Military accessories as an app user and get information about airport shops and their location on the move.

Have a comfortable flight and Fly Stress-Free!

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Budget Airlines In India Offer Heavy Discounts This Festive Season!

AirWhizzSep 04, 2018 No Comments

Budget Airlines In India Offer Heavy Discounts This Festive Season!

Aviation Insider

In a bid to attract customers in this competitive aviation market, several low-cost airlines in India are offering heavy discounts on airfares this festive season.

No frill airlines IndiGo, GoAir and AirAsia India on Monday launched several discount schemes.

Here are all the details about it-

IndiGo

  • The market leader in the Indian aviation sector, IndiGo, is offering discounts on 10 lakh seats across 59 destinations in its network, for all-inclusive one-way fares starting at Rs 999.
  • Bookings of flight tickets for the four-day “festive sale” offer started on Monday for travel between 18th September 2018 and 30th March 2019.
  • The airline has also offered a super cash amount of up to Rs 600 or 20% refund on booking the ticket through MobiKwik.

Air Asia India

  • The airline is offering tickets to over 120 domestic and international destinations starting at Rs 999 for domestic travel and Rs 1,399 for international travel.
  • Domestic destinations include Bengaluru, New Delhi, Kolkata, Kochi, Goa, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Pune, Guwahati, Imphal, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Srinagar, Bagdogra, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Nagpur, Indore, Surat, Amritsar and Chennai.
  • International destinations include Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Krabi, Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne, Singapore, Bali.
  • The offer, which will run for 8 days, is known as the ‘Big Sale’ and will be applicable on air travel between 19th February and 26th November 2019.

GoAir

  • The airline is offering tickets across its domestic network starting at Rs 1,099.
  • The discounts will be applicable on air travel between 3rd September 2018 and 31st March 2019.
  • The sale will go on for 3 days.

The various discounts come at a time when airlines in India have been hammered by higher jet fuel prices, a weaker rupee and intense competition, restricting their ability to raise airfares to cover higher costs.

However, this decision by these airlines will surely help them attract more customers and in the bargain, make air travel more reachable for the general public of India.

 

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10 Reasons Why Your Flight Gets Cancelled!

AirWhizzSep 03, 2018 No Comments

10 Reasons Why Your Flight Gets Cancelled!

Aviation Insider

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or have flown only a few times, we know how frustrating it can get for you when a flight gets cancelled.

Thousands of flights get cancelled everyday all over the world and the only thing we as passengers can do is sit and wait for the next flight.

Most of the times flights are cancelled for obvious reasons but some times the airline has no explanation and we are left irritated.

To make you aware flyers, here are 10 reasons why airlines can cancel your flight

1.Security Threat

Flights are cancelled rarely because of this reason but it’s a very serious issue and probably you also won’t like to board the flight in such a situation.

Many flights get cancelled if there is a security threat at the airport or to the airline you’re flying from.

When it comes to security, airlines take it very seriously, so even if it’s an alleged threat they will cancel the flights or ground them immediately.

2.Unfavourable Weather

Weather is one the most primary reasons why a flight gets cancelled!

Be it thunderstorms, extremely cold weather, snow storms or even when it’s too hot, your flight will be grounded as airplanes can’t function properly in such weather conditions.

So before you leave for the airport the next time you fly, just check the weather reports of your departure/arrival destinations and then your flight status

3.Software Glitch

The aviation industry is heavily dependent on its IT infrastructure to function smoothly.

Since flight schedules and routes are entirely scheduled based on computer algorithms, a computer or software glitch can lead to bigger problems.

So, a glitch such as a system failure, power outage, cyber-attack, or other IT issues can lead to a cancelled flight.

In such cases, flyers are generally provided with a compensation by the airlines, but it depends entirely on the loss that the passenger may have incurred and the airline itself.

4.Aircraft/Mechanical Issue

A mechanical issue with the aircraft is also another reason for a flight getting cancelled.

Issues such as oil leakages or faulty engines can cause this. For instance, in the recent past, many airlines in India grounded their Airbus A320 neo aircraft due to faulty engines. In fact, airlines such as IndiGo and GoAir cancelled almost 65 flights across India in one day due to this reason.

In such cases, since passengers safety is always a priority, the faulty parts are replaced before the take-off, thus resulting in delays and cancellations.

Airlines generally switch passengers to a new flight or give a refund in such a scenario.

5.Unavailability Of Airline Crew

Airlines like every other organization, fall short of staff members and this happens more often than anticipated.

For instance, when a large number of people call sick and there are no replacements, flights get cancelled.

Also, since the crew operates for specific hours, flight delays eat up their shift hours. By the time they get to the destination, they’ve run out of hours to make the flight back, leaving the airplane with no crew.

In such instances, it’s better to start searching for another flight on which you can travel rather than waiting for the airline. You can even ask the sales desk at the airport for help.

6.Delayed Flights

Sometimes a scheduled flight may end up reaching late to its next destination from another airport. In such cases, flights eventually get delayed or cancelled.

It may be because of a technical error or weather issues.

An airline generally asks passengers to take another flight for cash incentives or shift them onto another flight which is scheduled later in the day.

7. To Avoid Large Cancellations

You may think that airlines want to cancel their flights to save money, but that’s not true.

Most of the flights on a network are generally interconnected.

Therefore, if there are heavy delays at an airport, an airline may choose to cancel flights flying from there, so that the glitch doesn’t cause a widespread delay throughout the day.

8.Lack Of Passengers

Flying an airplane is expensive!

Aside from the fuel and maintenance of the aircraft, there are several fees and other payments that the airline has to make to use an airport.

While there have been cases of airplanes taking off with barely any passengers, flights get cancelled if it’s not economical to make the trip.

Those who were supposed to be on the flight get bumped off to other flights, usually with some form of compensation.

9.Lack Of Airplanes/Overbooking

It’s common for airlines to overbook flights in anticipation of last-minute passenger cancellations and flight changes.

However, when all passengers push through with their original plans, then flights get too overbooked and there’s simply no other airplane to fly the rest.

10.An Unfit Pilot

An Airplane’s pilot crew consists of a pilot, a first officer and sometimes a second officer.

All three need to be in good flying condition to ensure the safety of the passengers and the crew onboard.

When one of the pilots become “unfit to fly”, the flight won’t push through. There are reserve pilots on the ground, but if the airplane is flying out of a location without the airline head office, the reserve pilots are scarce.

If you want to know whether your flight has been delayed or cancelled, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App to get real-time flight and weather updates, along with all the airline and airport information you need on the move.

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Airports With A View:10 Most Scenic Airports In India!

AirWhizzAug 31, 2018 No Comments

Airports With A View:10 Most Scenic Airports In India!

Aviation Insider

Airports connect us to cities and towns across the world!

They are the perfect example of modern architecture endowed with amazing amenities which help kickstart a travellers journey on a good note.

Most airports have glistening floors, attractive book stores, posh lounges and amazing restaurants. But there are some who can woe any passenger by its beautiful surroundings and amazing views.

And if You’re wondering where they are, look no further. They are right here in India!

Here’s a list of the 10 most stunning airports in India that are sometimes even more beautiful than the destination themselves.

1.Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair

Located in the dreamy location of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Veer Savarkar International Airport is an airport with a stunning view.

With deep blue ocean and evergreen rainforest all around, this airport will charm you with its natural beauty.

The airport is also known as the Port Blair Airport  and is located around 2 Km south of the beautiful city. It used to be a customs only airport however, they recently started commercial operations.

2.Lengpui Airport, Mizoram

Surrounded by lush green mountains in North East India, Lengpui Airport is a domestic airport located in Aizawl in Mizoram.

Before Pakyong Airport in Sikkim, this was one of the major airports that connected northeast with the rest of India.

One more interesting fact about this scenic airport is that it is located 2500 meters above sea level. There are several mountain water streams running underneath the airport, which add to its beauty.

3.Gaggal Airport, Kangra

Also known as the Kangra Airport, this domestic airport is located in the beautiful city of Gaggal in Himachal Pradesh.

With Dharmshala and Kangra in the close proximity, Kangra airport is quite easy to reach.

Among the list of popular airports in India in the north, Gaggal is crucial. If you are considering a trip to the mountains in the Great Himalayas, this airport can come handy.

The airport is majorly operated by Indian Air Force and is connected with Delhi and Chandigarh. Passengers travelling to this airport often experience beautiful views in serenity surrounded by cool calming winds.

4.Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar

This beautiful airport looks over the spectacular surroundings of Srinagar and is located amidst the lush green mountains of the city.

The integrated terminal and runway, which is overlooked by the great Himalayan Mountain range, highlights the beauty of the airport.

It is co-owned by the Indian Air Force and Airports Authority Of India(AAI) and caters to the major airports in North India and Bangalore in South India.

5.Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh

At 3256 meters above sea level, the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is counted amongst the highest located airports in the world.

The airport is surrounded by majestic brown mountains and if your flight is landing or taking off from the airport, you can see snow covered mountains in the distance, which add to the beauty of the view.

All flights take off only in the morning to avoid the afternoon mountain winds. Regular flights operate from the airport to Delhi, Mumbai, J&K, Srinagar, and Chandigarh.

6.Shimla Airport, Shimla

Time will fly when you’re waiting for your flight at this airport. You can see regional airplanes land at the beautiful runway with Himalayan mountains in the backdrop of the view.

It is located in the Jubbarhatti district of Himachal Pradesh some 22 km from the capital city.

It was constructed by cutting the hilltop off and levelling the land . It is perched upon a hill at an altitude of 1546 meters and offers a breath-taking view of lush green valleys all around.

7.Agatti Aerodrome, Lakshadweep

Located on a very narrow strip of land surrounded by endless blue waters is the Agatti Aerodrome in Lakshadweep.

It is considered as one of the best airports in terms of scenic beauty.

It is a domestic airport owned by AAI and is connects Lakshadweep to Bangalore and Kochi. The airport is so small that its terminal building is capable of handling only 50 people during the peak hours.

8.Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati

Also known as Guwahati International Airport, the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is the busiest airport in Northeast India.

The airport, located 26 km from the city centre, is named after the freedom fighter Gopinath Bordoloi.

The airport also serves as the airbase to the Indian Air Force.

9.Dabolim Airport, Goa

Goa Airport, also known as Dabolim Airport, is the only airport in the state.

However, it is well designed and resembles a dreamy spectacle by the side of the Arabian Sea.

Due to the popularity of Goa, the airport sees 131 aircraft movement each day. The airport has an integrated terminal too for the convenience of the passengers.

10.Pakyong Airport, Sikkim

Located in Sikkim’s Capital, Gangtok, this airport recently became operational.

The airport is surrounded by green mountains and is located at a height of 4590 ft above sea level. In fact, this airport is considered one of the 5 highest altitude airports in India.

It is the first Greenfield Airport in Northeast India and is spread across 990 acres.

So, the next time you happen to travel to one of these airports, spare some time to explore the spot by using the AirWhizz App. Get all the information about things to do and places to visit at the airport along with airline information and real-time flight updates on the move.

Get mesmerized by the beauty of these airports and fly stress-free!

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Artificial Intelligence: The Future Of Air Travel!

AirWhizzAug 27, 2018 No Comments

Artificial Intelligence: The Future Of Air Travel!

Aviation Insider

Thanks to emerging technologies and growing knowledge of digital data collection, we’ve reached a tipping point in the evolution of aviation Information Technology (IT).

If this trend continues to grow over the next couple of decades we’ll see a radical change in the way we travel by air. And it will all be down to new types of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications.

With airports such as the Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore planning to use biometric scanners to improve security & airlines such as Vistara using humanoid robots to improve customer experience, we can clearly see that AI is here to stay.

But before we get into how AI has been implemented in the aviation industry and its uses, let us tell you a bit about what exactly Artificial Intelligence is.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a complex digital system which simulates human intelligence processes or in simple terms, human behaviour.

It uses machines and computer systems to acquire information, reach conclusions and solve problems in the way we as humans would do. AI uses technologies such as Big Data, Augmented reality and Virtual Reality to do this.

Although building machines that initiate common sense, reasoning and problem-solving is a difficult and tedious task, the aviation industry is actively exploring and introducing AI technologies in all its sectors.

Future Of AI In Aviation?

1.On-Time Performance

Flight disruptions, mainly due to weather, costed the air transportation industry almost $25 Billion last year.

That’s why airlines and airports are looking at technologies to enhance responsiveness during disruptions, improving performance and customer service.

It is predicted that over the next 3 years 80% of the airlines around the world will invest in major Research & Development programs for creating prediction & Warning Systems. These will heavily rely on AI.

2.Human Interaction

The Chatbot is another AI driven technology which is catching up with this industry. Globally, almost 14% of airlines and 9% of airports now use this program.

Aviation authorities all over the world want to embrace chatbots to help customers out. It is predicted that by 2020, 68% of airlines and 42% of airports plan to adopt AI-driven chatbot services.

Chatbots mimic human conversation, they can help with customer queries, perform check-ins and book flights. A machine taking your reservation via voice commands is on the brink of becoming a reality.

3.AI Driven Humanoid Robots

More AI applications will arrive as the popularity of air travel rises. It will help authorities challenge the significant growth in passenger traffic.

Throughout the airport, AI will manage humanoid robots for information and guidance, check-in, immigration, luggage transport duties and a whole lot more around airport operations and security.

Equipped with face recognition, they’ll understand spoken language, print or show information on screens, scan passports and boarding passes, process visas, and show people the way.

4. Automated Airport Operations

Augmented by robots, AI will evolve to support flight operations, facility management, baggage handling and cargo operations.

It will be working behind the scenes to transfer bags/equipment, reassign gates and coordinate with the ground crew to accommodate changes in schedule as well as service interruptions.

What Are The Challenges?

1.Data Management

A large amount of data will be in use as the aviation industry embraces AI. This will give rise to data confidentiality risks.

A recent incident happened with Emirates airline where the airline leaked customer data to third parties without authorization.

Customer details such as name, email, itinerary, phone number and even passport number were shared with third-party service providers like Google & Facebook.

2.Tracking Progress

Tracking progress is an enormous challenge that airlines will face.

The first thing they need to do is to develop analytics that will help them develop and process accurate data. However, that in itself is a challenge.

For example, customer satisfaction is going to be one of the most important factors in success. What kind of analytics will determine that airlines have been improving on customer satisfaction parameters?

3.Managing Investment

AI needs huge investments and probably the biggest risk in this is that smaller, especially budget airlines may miss out on reaping the benefits of AI fully.

Does that mean that the performance of the smaller carriers will be impacted? That might not be the case, because we might be moving toward more acquisitions and mergers.

Bigger airlines will have a massive appetite for acquiring smaller airlines with an eye on the market.

How Air Travel May Look In The Future?

  • Let’s say today is the first day of your vacation, and you’ll be flying somewhere new. AI will do everything for you from the moment you booked your flight. It will select the best flight time, your preferred seat /customized meals, and even get you checked in on your flight.

 

  • Once you arrive at the airport, your AI assistant will suggest you to go to the shortest queue, because it has predicted it is the shortest path with the least congestion. In future airports, there will be very little waiting in lines because AI will predict the movements of each passenger, will optimize the flow and will allocate queues accordingly. There will no longer be a need to arrive at the airport two hours prior.

 

  • At the security check you wont have to spend time waiting in the line. AI will recognize you and confirm your identity with biometric data and face recognition. Since AI will report that there is no suspicious object detected, you will finish your security process within minutes.

 

  • Before you get on the airplane, AI will finish the aircraft diagnosis, weather analysis, predict risk and plan the flight. The accurate scheduled time will be updated in real-time and shared with you directly.

 

  • The airplane will not need to wait on the taxiway for its turn to take off. AI will support individual flights and the entire navigation system. It will support the airplane traffic flow optimally to provide the best route toward your destination.

 

  • Potential risks will be identified and mitigated to avoid unexpected conflict. If a situation arises, it will flexibly be managed through AI to ensure a safe flight.

 

  • You’ll arrive on time and baggage claim, customs or immigration will be handled quickly and smoothly.

 

  • AI will capture data from the journey and the chat-bot from the airline will check in with you to ensure you had a pleasant flight. The AI will then use your response to improve its knowledge for better service.

It sounds a bit like science fiction, but it isn’t. We can’t be sure about all the ways in which AI will impact our lives but what we do know is that it will continue to evolve.

Modern technological innovations in air travel are slowly coming to India and we at AirWhizz are continuously trying to implement it and bring it to you as a passenger. From real-time flight updates to providing information about airports and airlines, we help you plan your air travel all the way.

Download the AirWhizz App NOW and Fly Stress-Free!

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