Cool Destination for Hotty Summer In India

Kerala

Kerala is popularly known as God's Own Country. It stretches for 550km along India's southwest coast, divided between the densely forested mountains of the Western Ghats inland and a lush, humid coastal plain. The state of Kerala is swamped with tourists throughout the year. Kerala is one of the hottest tourist destinations on the international map and also has been declared as one of the ten Paradise on Earth. The lustrous state is blessed with long stretches of golden beaches, unnerving backwater for houseboat cruising, romantic honeymoon destinations, fragrant spice and tea gardens and plethora of flora and fauna in the various wildlife parks. Kerala is one of the coolest places to visit in South India!

Goa

The golden sandy beaches of Goa are an ideal summer destination. A diverse tourist locale, Goa is celebrated the world over for its laidback culture, sun kissed beaches, gothic churches and rocking nightlife. From north to south, the Goa coastline is marked by a number of beach towns, with relaxed ambience, seafood and water sports such as wind surfing, water skiing, sailing, water-scooters, and dolphin spotting cruises. The beaches of Calangute and Baga are the most visited while other famous beaches include Arambol, Anjuna, Candolim, Colva and Palolem. Cheap air travel to Goas airport, Dabolim, from the rest of India has spawned a dramatic rise in the number of domestic visitors holidaying here in recent years. Goa is the best place to visit for party in summers in India.

Ooty

Ooty short for Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam is located in Tamil Nadu at a height of 2240m above sea level. It is one of South India's most popular hill stations and is also known as the  Queen of Hill Stations . Ooty draws a large number of tourists every year. It is nestled in the beautiful Blue Mountains or Nilgiris. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers. The sprawling tea and coffee plantations is a must watch in Ooty. In your stay in Ooty, you must visit the Botanical Gardens, the Government Museum, Rose Garden, Tiger Hill, Kalhatty Falls, Ooty Lake, Pykara and try some adventure sports as Trekking and Hang-Gliding.

Kashmir

Kashmir valley is a popular tourist destination for domestic (Indian) as well as foreign tourists. Among the popular tourist places in the valley are Gulmarg that has a ski resort, Dal Lake that has popular house boats, Pahalgam and Amarnath Temple. Let the white snow capped mountains, quaint shikaras, apple orchards, colorful flowers and simple people give you an amazing time. Also do not miss the chance of visiting the Ranbireshwar Temple, Lakshmi Narayan temple and Peer Baba Shrine at Satwari. Kashmir is rightfully said as the paradise on earth. With is amazing natural beauty and serene environment, this is one of the Most Popular Summer Destinations in India.

Manali

Manali is one of the main summer destination for backpackers, trekkers and honeymooners escaping the summer heat. Due to its scenic beauty, it is also known as the Switzerland of India. Lapped in the Kullu valley, it is surrounded by towering peaks offering a fine chance for the trekkers. The various Tibetan Monasteries, Naggar Castle, Roerich Museum, Arjun Gufa (Arjun Cave), Jagatsukh, Solang Valley etc. are the other places of interest in and around Manali. The place is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. It is one of the best hill stations to visit in North India.

Darjeeling

Located in the Eastern side of India, Darjeeling is a signature hill station with cloud covered valleys, wild streams, mesmerizing mountain views and something very unique-the world renowned Toy Trains. Don't skip the opportunity to jump in one of them as it moves in slow pace in the pristine forests on the hills to give you an experience that is hard to replace. Get up at dawn if you want to witness the sun rise from the Tiger Hills and shout out in excitement when the sun comes out from behind the hills and the first rays reflect upon the Kanchenjunga. Other major tourist sites are Batasia Loop, Botanical Gardens, Rock Garden, several monasteries, Chowrasta etc. One of the coolest hill stations in East India.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg is one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India located in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, also home to the world's highest green golf course. Gulmarg is also known as the "Meadow of Flowers" because of its scenic beauty. With the lush green slopes, flowers in different shades and the valleys, the backdrop is very much like a "dream fantasy" set of a movie. Owing to its pictorial charm, this is a famous honeymoon destination for couples.

Coorg

Nestled among the lush greeneries of the Western Ghats and exotic scenic environment, Coorg is one of the destinations that you should visit to beat the summer heat.Coorg offers you a fascinating past, captivating natural beauty, great cuisine and aromas of the coffee plantations, oranges and honey. Set amidst verdant valleys, imposing mountains and teak wood forests, this is one of the most beautiful hill stations you can visit. Madikeri Fort, Abbi Falls, Iruppu Falls, Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Padi Iggutappa Temple, Somwarpet, Little Tibet (Tibetan refugee's colony), etc. are the major tourist spots here. The major outdoor activities that one can indulge in this place are trekking, Angling, White Water Rafting and Golfing.

Srinagar

Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. Srinagar is set around the beautiful Dal Lake, where picturesque houseboats or shikharas carry tourists on boat rides around the lake. It is an ideal summer getaway. Srinagar basically has an alpine weather, as the summers are mild and winters are cold. The major tourist places are Shalimar Garden, Dachigam wildlife sanctuary, Nishat Garden, Shankaracharya Temple, Cheshma Shahi and Pari Mahal. One can even shop for indigenous crafts like hand-woven silks and embroidered shawls.

Shimla

Often referred as the 'Queen of Hills', Shimla is the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is perhaps one of the most popular tourist destinations. Loaded with natural beauty and scenic landscape, Shimla is an integral part of Indian history and heritage. The city of Shimla is blessed by the presence of seven different hills that houses some of the major tourist spots. Your stay in Shimla will be marked by visits to destinations like Christ Church, St Michael's Cathedral, Churdhar Sanctuary, Kufri, Gurkha Castles, Jakhu Hill etc. It is here where a traveller sees a happy co-existence of the modern facilities with the old world charm.

Leh-Ladakh

The sheer majesty and beauty of this ethereal place is evident from its location, that is graced by the commanding presence of the mighty Himalayas and the Karakoram range. Spread along the valleys where the altitude rises from 9000 feet to 25170 feet, Ladakh is a destination where time stands still and you won't want to come back again to the regular routine. Enjoy life to the fullest among the monasteries, valleys, lakes, glaciers, festivals and the simple locals. The main attractions of Leh-Ladakh are Zanskar, Sankar Gompa, Alchi, Baltoro Glacier, Lamayuru Gompa, Siachen Glacier, Hemis Festival and so on. The exquisite lakes of Pangong tso and Tso Morari are worth a visit as well as the almost surreal Nubra Valley with its sand dunes and wandering camels.

Mussoorie

Its proximity to the national capital New Delhi has made Mussoorie a famous and much more accessible holiday hub. Located in the amazing Himalayan range, at an astounding 2500 meter height from the sea level, Mussoorie offers a happy weekend outing with attractions that keeps the traveller engaged and pre-occupied. The major of them are as follow: Gun Hill trekking, Kempty falls and trekking and a bit of shopping as the markets are full of traditional stuff like the wooden decorative and gift items, brass statues, ceramic vases, Garhwali Dresses and the ethnic Ladakhi Shawls.

Nainital

Nainital is a hill station located in the foothills of Kumaon range of mountains in Uttarakhand. Dotted with lakes , Nainital has earned the epithet of 'Lake District' of India . Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake and is surrounded by mountains. The high mountains and the vast stretches of green across the horizon add to the pictorial beauty. The name of this famous hill station is believed to have been taken from the Goddess Naina and a temple dedicated to Goddess Naina is also there. The major tourist places are Tiffin Top, Naini Lake, Naina Peak, Land's End etc.

Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is a hilly retreat established by American missionaries in around 1845 in order to escape from the high temperatures of the plains. Kodaikanal, or Kodai owes its popularity to its hilltop position which is at an altitude of 2,195 m in Tamil Nadu. It offers breathtaking views over the blue-green reaches of the Vaigai plain. Raj-era bungalows and flower-filled gardens add atmosphere, while short walks out of the centre lead to rocky outcrops, waterfalls and dense shola forest. Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker's Walk, Green Valley View, Shenbaganur Museum of Natural History, Pillar Rocks, Guna caves, Silver Cascade, Dolphin's Nose and Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple are the major tourist attractions in and around Kodaikanal.

Munnar

Munnar is located in the Idduki district of Kerala state. Along with unique species of flora and fauna, the place also has an extensive stretch of tea plantations amidst the high mountains and unspoiled valleys, giving a pleasant feeling. The scented cool air is filled with the aroma of spices. The rising and falling terrain of Munnar is covered with forests and grasslands. Munnar is also paradise for bird watchers as rare species of birds are found in abundance. Anamudi Peak, Tata Tea Museum, Indo Swiss Dairy Farm, Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Lock Heart Gap etc. are the major tourist places in Munnar.

With the summer vacations round the corner and the mercury rising, airlines have come out with many offers. Book your tickets for the upcoming summer vacations with us at FareHawker. Travelling with lots of friends or a relatives ?  Fret not !!! FareHawker also deals in group bookings. We provide you the best fares and the convenience of having your tickets booked while sitting at home. Just give us a call and leave the rest to us.

New Face of Growing Airlines in Indian Sky

Vistara, a JV of Tata and Singapore Airlines and India’s fastest growing full service carrier, took its inaugural flight to Srinagar from New Delhi’s IGI Airport on the 8^th of April at 14.45 hours. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, is one of India’s top tourist destinations which make this an apt addition to Vistara’s route network. 

Travellers to Srinagar will now be able to enjoy Vistara’s seamless services with direct connectivity to the capital. Vistara recently announced that as a part of its summer schedule, the airline will also commence services to Jammu, Kochi and Chandigarh. 

The introduction of these new routes coincides with the airline’s next phase of expansion, where the focus is on scaling up operations and elevating the value proposition to suit the demands of the existing and potential customers in new regions.

Taking its customer centricity a notch higher, Vistara has also re-launched its menu blending traditional choices with unconventional options, with effect from March 1, 2016. Vistara has thoughtfully curated the new menu which features mouth-watering dishes which aptly reflect contemporary India dining at its best – traditional yet modern, local yet global, familiar yet different. 

The airline has come up with seasonal and festive delicacies such as Arabic Mezze, Norwegian Salmon, Corn & Soya Pulao, Amti, Fish & Prawn curry etc. using the choicest of ingredients providing a wide range of options to the passengers. The airline with the aim of transforming the flying experience and setting new service and customer experience standards, recently launched its signature lounge at the boarding gate level at Delhi international airport for its Business class and Club Vistara Gold members.  

Stop waiting and book your holiday tickets with Vistara. Contact FareHawker for all your travel needs. We also deal in group bookings. We will make sure that you travel hassle free.

Vistara, a JV of Tata and Singapore Airlines and India’s fastest growing full service carrier, took its inaugural flight to Srinagar from New Delhi’s IGI Airport on the 8^th of April at 14.45 hours. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, is one of India’s top tourist destinations which make this an apt addition to Vistara’s route network.

Travellers to Srinagar will now be able to enjoy Vistara’s seamless services with direct connectivity to the capital.

Vistara’s daily flight schedule on the Delhi-Srinagar-Delhi route is:

Speaking on the latest network expansion, PheeTeik Yeoh, CEO, Vistara said, “With growing market presence and phenomenal customer uptake, we are broadening our window of operations in order to operate more flights to cater to the increasing demand.”

He said Vistara has been keen to enhance regional connectivity and is committed to connect India better.

“Srinagar offers huge potential in terms of tourism and we are delighted to announce the expansion of our network with daily return flights to Srinagar from Delhi. We are confident that travelers on this route will appreciate the unique value proposition we offer at a competitive price.” Rising Kashmir

Unbelievable Trujet Summer Offer

Trujet offers amazing deals for its travellers this summer. Trujet is a regional airline based in Hyderabad. It operates flights to Nagpur, Aurangabad, Rajahmundry,Vijaywada, Goa, Kadapa, Tirupati, Chennai, Bengaluru. TruJet is offering one way direct flights tickets on all its sectors at an unbelievable fare of Rs 999/- (excluding taxes). Booking period 11th April-14th April, and travel dates between 16th April and 30th June. Book for your summer break well in advance, and enjoy the benefits.

TruJet Airlines is one of India’s most affordable airlines, dedicated to offering low-cost flights to travellers across the country. It commenced operation on 12th July 2015, and currently operates across 8 destinations with a fleet of 2 ATR 72-500 aircraft. To add to the great customer experience, the airline offers other facilities and services including web check-in, meals, and seat reservation.TruJet is the newest on the block and has started flight operations in July 2015. It is committed to offer low-fare flights to customers in different parts of the country. To add to the great customer experience, the airline offers facilities and services that are beneficial for its passengers.There are numerous other offers provided by the airline such as arranging a wheelchair if required and special assistance for unaccompanied minors. TruJet will also help you with information about flight status, schedule, booking and much more.

Rush now to book your tickets, contact FareHawker for your ticketing related needs. FareHawker also deals in group bookings on all regional, national and international airlines.

Amarnath Cave- Story and Significance

The Holy Trinity- Brahma-the creator of life, Vishnu-the perpetuator and Mahesh (Shiva)-the destroyer. Lord Shiva’s power were beyond imagination and were mightier than the other Gods.

Lord Shiva is the lord of all five elements, he wears a garland made of human heads, a snake around his neck, he holds the moon on His head and has the River Ganga flowing from his hair.

Behind the religious significance of Amarnath Yatra is an interesting story associated with Lord Shiva narrating the secret of his immortality to Ma Parvati.

Ma Parvati once asked Lord Shiva the reason why he wears a garland of human heads (Mund Mala), to which Lord Shiva replied that every time Ma Parvati dies and is born again he adds a new head to the garland.

On hearing this, Ma Parvati asked the reason behind Lord Shiva’s immortality, to which Lord Shiva said that to know the reason and become immortal, Ma PArvati will have to listen to the Amar Katha.

Ma Parvati consistently insisted on hearing the Amar Katha and after a long time Lord Shiva gave into Ma Parvati’s demand.

To narrate the story, Lord Shiva started searching for a place away from all living beings so that no living being could overhear the Amar Katha. He then chose the Amarnath cave. Lord Shiva started his ascent to the cave from Pahalgam, where he left his bull Nandi (the place came to be known as Bail Gaon), further down he released the moon from his hair at Chandanwari. At the banks of the Lake Sheshnag, he released his snake, then he left his son Lord Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill). Lord Shiva left the five elements which form the human beings at Panjtarni.

Shivji performed the Tandav Nritya with Ma Parvati before entering the cave and taking his Samadhi on the Deer Skin.

After leaving all the worldly beings behind, in order to make sure that Lord Shiva was alone with Ma Parvati, he created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to eliminate every living thing in and around the cave with fire.

Lord Shiva took his Samadhi and started narrating the Amar Katha to Ma Parvati, he requested Ma Parvati to keep making some noise in order to ensure Lord Shiva that she was listening. But as Ma Parvati’s fate was, she fell asleep during the narration.

It is believed that one egg considered non-living was lying under the deer skin remained undestroyed. A pair of pigeons hatched from this egg and became immortal having overheard the Amar Katha. It is also believed that the pair of pigeons is still present in the Amarnath Cave.

Inside the 130 ft high Amarnath cave, an ice Shiv Linga is formed. It is a stalagmite that is formed due to freezing of water drops that fall from the roof of the cave on to the floor and grows up vertically from the cave floor. It is considered to be a Shiva Linga by Hindus.

The Yatra coincides with the Hindu Holy month of Shraavana. The Amarnath Yatra starts on the day of the Massik Shivratri and concludes on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan). The Yatra can be made for about two months in a year.

Yatra Dates for 2016: 2^nd July 2016 to 18^th August 2016.

There are two routes which lead to the Amarnath Cave, one via Pahalgam and the other via Baltal.

The route via Pahalgam is a 46 km trek.

Pahalgam to Chandanwari (16km)

Chandanwari to Pissu Top (3km)

Pissu Top to Sheshnag (9km)

Panjtarni to Holy Cave (6km)

Although the route is longer, most of the pilgrims prefer this route because via this route you visit all the places that Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati did. It is the route used by the Gods themselves.

The route via Baltal is much shorter, it is a 14 km trek.

According to Hindu Mythology this route was used by the Asurs (the devils) in order to make it to the cave to overhear the Amar Katha.

Helicopter tickets are available on both the routes, the helipad is located at Panjtarni which is 6 kms from the holy cave.

The helipad is located in Panjtarni, it is a 6 km trek to the holy cave and has to be done either on foot of pilgrims can also hire ponies for the same.

FareHawker is your one stop for all your Amarnath Yatra travel related woes. We provide personalized, safe, comfortable charter services to Amarnath. You can now book your travel with us. The passengers will be picked up using a world class helicopter from Srinagar and will be dropped off at Panjtarni.

Amarnath Yatra is one of the holiest yatras, and we provide you group bookings for the same. We rid you of all the travel related tensions. You can also book your helicopter tickets with us. The helicopter will pick the passengers up from Srinagar and the drop off will be made at Baltal.

EgyptAir plane that was hijacked and forced to land in Cyprus.

An EgyptAir plane that took off from the coastal city of Alexandria for Cairo has been hijacked and forced to divert to Larnaca airport in Cyprus.

Flight MS181 had 55 passengers on board when it was seized, Egyptian authorities said. Everyone on board has been released except for the captain and co-pilot, a female crew member, a security officer and three passengers. Negotiations with the hijacker are ongoing.

Officials at Alexandria airport told Associated Press that the hijacker was a dual Egyptian-American citizen. Cypriot media said he demanded to speak with a Cypriot woman to whom he claims he was once married. She is now being brought to the airport to participate in the negotiations. There were also unconfirmed reports that he had demanded the release of prisoners in Egypt.

Egyptian authorities said the hijacker had threatened to detonate an explosive belt, but did not know whether the belt was real or fake.

Addressing reporters with the visiting European parliament president, Martin Schulz, the Cypriot leader, Nikos Anastasiades, ruled out terrorism, confirming instead that it had been instigated a man bent on reuniting with his former wife.

“It’s all to do with a woman,” said the Cypriot president. “We are doing everything to release the hostages.”

Cyprus police said the control tower was contacted at 8.30am (5.30am GMT) and the plane was given permission to land at 8.50am.

A statement from the Egyptian civil aviation ministry said foreign nationals on board included eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch, two Belgians, a French national, an Italian, two Greeks and one Syrian. Three other foreigners could not be identified. The nationalities of those who remained on the plane were not given.

The plane was hijacked 30 minutes into its flight, according to officials. Less than an hour later, local TV showed about 40 women and children being allowed to leave the aircraft. The freed passengers were then put on buses and taken to terminal buildings.

Cyprus, the nearest EU member state to the Middle East, immediately declared a state of emergency, with the ministers of defence, foreign affairs and transport all being dispatched to the airport within minutes of the plane making its forced landing.

Airport authorities said all scheduled flights into Cyprus were being diverted to the island’s second international airport at Paphos.

The hijacking is likely to bring to the fore again the question of security at Egyptian airports, five months after a Russian aircraft crashed over Egypt’s Sinai peninsula minutes after it took off from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. All 224 people on board were killed in the crash. Russia later said an explosive device brought down the aircraft and the extremist Islamic State group said it downed the plane.

#GoIndigo flight from #Chandigarh to #Dubai ready for take-off

Your more than six-month-long wait to catch an international flight from the new Chandigarh airport would end this summer. Private airline Indigo has obtained the necessary approval to launch Chandigarh-Dubai flight from Indian as well as Dubai authorities. The timing would be released in the summer schedule to commence from March 27. Highly-placed sources said an aircraft having a capacity of 180 seats would fly daily between the two cities.

Assistant solicitor general Chetan Mittal made a formal communication about the final clearance before the Punjab and Haryana high court through a status report on Monday. Mittal said Indigo currently has an unutilized allocation of seven flights/1,260 seats per week in each direction on Chandigarh-Dubai route and it would commence its operations in the forthcoming summer schedule of flights. The private airline confirmed about the commencement of international flight from Chandigarh to the ministry of civil aviation in its communication on March 18.

The proposal from Indigo was pending for past many years. Recently, the Dubaiairport authorities had allotted a slot to the private airline for operating a Dubai-Chandigarh flight. Regarding the offer of Fly Dubai and Bulgarian airlines to operate Chandigarh-Dubai and Chandigarh-Sofia flights, the assistant solicitor general told the high court that the ministry of civil aviation has no objection but these airlines have to seek permission from their governments. It was stated that their governments should initiate diplomatic talks for amendments in existing bilateral agreement regarding allocation seats to run foreign flights.

Brussels Airport attacked by terrorists

Brussels has been hit by three explosions, the terrorists attacked the airport and the metro. A suicide bomber struck the Brussels airport, fired shots and shouted words in Arabic brfore two blasts were heard near the American Airlines check in desk. This incident took place around 8 am local time. The passengers fled the scene for their lives, the airport is now on lockdown and all flights have been cancelled.

An hour later, an explosion was heard at a city centre metro station, which appears to be a separate attack. The attack has been made strategically four days after Salah Abdeslam was arrested in Brussels in relation to the November’s terror attack in Paris.

There are reports of multiple explosions at different metro stations, all public transport in Brussels has been shut down. Multiple fatalities have been reported with a higher number of injured people. Upto 23 people have been reported dead and a lot many injured.

The American Airlines has confirmed that all its staff are safe. The Belgian national team have cancelled a scheduled training session out of respect for the victims of the Brussels attacks today.

Belgium are set to play Portugal in an international friendly at Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium next week but the fixture is now in doubt following suspected terrorist bomb attacks.

to read more about airports pls visit- http://www.farehawker.com/airport/europe-rest-airports.php

Plane crashes in Russia, all 61 people on board killed

Russian officials said on Saturday that all 61 people on board a passenger jet flying from Dubai to southern Russia were killed when their plane crashed on its second attempt to land at Rostov-on-Don airport.

Russia's emergencies ministry said the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Dubai-based budget carrier Flydubai, crashed at 03:50 (0030 GMT) at the airport in Rostov-on-Don. Officials said there were 55 passengers and six crew on board the plane.

"Unfortunately, they all died," Viktor Yanutsenko, an emergencies ministry official helping coordinate the emergency response, was quoted as saying by Russia's RIA news agency.

Zhanna Terekohova, an advisor to the Russian transport minister, told state television possible causes of the crash included pilot error and poor weather conditions.

Local officials said at the time of the crash, there was strong, gusting wind in the Rostov area.

The aircraft had to abandon an initial attempt to land at Rostov, its scheduled destination, and came down while making a repeat attempt, according to an emergencies ministry statement.

The plane came down inside the airport's perimeter, about 250 meters (yards) short of the start of the runway.

Grainy pictures from a security camera pointing towards the airport, which were broadcast on Russian television, showed a large explosion at ground level, with flames and sparks leaping high into the air.

Most of the passengers on board were Russian, the regional governor said on television.

"Three foreigners were on the passenger list of the plane, but that information needs checking" an emergencies ministry official said on Rossiya-24 news channel.

Flydubai said in a statement: "We are doing all we can to gather information as quickly as possible. At this moment our thoughts and prayers are with our passengers and our crew who were on board the aircraft."

"We will do everything we can to help those who have been affected by this accident," said the carrier, which is owned by the Dubai government. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly, Noah Browning and Omar Fahmy; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Michael Perry)

info source : msn.com/en-in/news/world/plane-crashes-in-russia-all-61-people-on-board-killed/ar-BBqDTuo?ocid=spartandhp

Slashing Ticket prices and Increasing Cancellation Charges

Airlines in India are trying to lure in passengers during the off season by offering them discounts and good deals on the tickets. Last week IndiGo began IndiGo began offering air tickets starting from Rs 1,178. This was followed by discounts from other airlines too. GoAir, Vistara, AirAsia, Air India and SpiceJet have all huge discounts to get passengers on board. In the last week of March, GoAir announced fares starting from Rs 1,299 for passengers travelling between June 23 and October 31. This was the second discount offered in the week. The first offer had fares starting from Rs 999. Full service carrier Vistara too offered 20% discount on premium economy and business class, while state-run Air India also participated in the price cut. Even Jet Airways slashed fares up to 50 percent on domestic and international flights.

But on the other hand airlines have increased the cancellation charges by 50-100%. This means passengers now will be charged a higher fee who cancel their tickets 2-48 hours before departure. Cancellation charges of Rs 1,250 per passenger per segment will be charged if the cancellation is made 30 days prior to departure, whereas if you cancel your tickets 7-30 days prior to the departure a cancellation fee of Rs 1,500 will be charged. Cancellation made 48 hours to 7 days before departure will have to shell out Rs 2,000 while for 2-48 hours before departure, a cancellation charge of Rs 2,250 will be charges. (all these will be charge per segment)

Earlier the cancellation charges were Rs 1,500 per passenger on domestic routes.

The above fees will apply for bookings that are made on or after 1 April 2015 only. For any bookings made before this date, the old Fees (Rs 1,500 for Domestic and Rs 2,000 for International) will continue to apply.

Happy Women’s Day Girls & Ladies!!

Let me take this opportunity to wish all you wonderful women a great day ahead. 

I know.. I know we usually don’t make a big deal about women’s day and I’d say why should we ??
Why just celebrate Women’s Day once a year??
Celebrate it every day!!!

#Celebrate yourself, you #womanhood, your strengths, your weaknesses, your life and everything about you, because you my lovely ladies are the reason that society exists. What would men be without women??? Scarce, mighty scarce!!

Being a woman myself I’ve always worried about my appearance, been conscious about my looks, about what I eat, what I wear and a hundred other things. But today I am going to stop worrying about all of this. Eat that cake, it’s not going to kill you rather it will make you happy, but that dress, cry if you are sad, talk your mind out, travel alone and do stuff that makes you happy. Break the stereotypes!!
Travelling alone has always interested me!!

Being a woman my family was always against the idea of me travelling alone for obvious reasons like my safety and the “unpredictability” of people. 

But if done right travelling alone for a women can be liberating in so many ways. Plan your holiday to suit yourself, just you!!! No boyfriend, no spouse, no family needs to be catered to, just you!!!!! I don’t wanna sound like a loner, but all of us need some time off our families. I recently travelled alone to Thailand, it is one of the best places on the face of the earth. I shopped till I dropped, ate the local food, enjoyed booze and music at local bars, got massages at the beach, stayed at a reasonably good hotel in a good neighborhood, the only thing I did not do was to be careless. The most important thing to keep in mind is to be safe at all times. Carry a local guide, a map, a bottle of water and your passport with you at all times. Be wary of the people around you and be cautious. Have fun but be safe.  Keep your folks informed about your hotel and your plan for the day. Travelling alone is safe and no you will not feel lonely, rather you will appreciate that you took the trip.

Parting thought  “You can do almost anything you set your mind to… You can swim the deepest ocean and climb the highest peak… Be a doctor or fly a plane… You can face adversity and still walk tall. You are strong, beautiful, and compassionate and much more than words could ever say! Today is yours and so is every other day”

Happy Women’s Day

Planning to fly in Group? FareHawker is the answer !!!

If you are planning to fly in group on upcoming trip with your extended family, friends, colleagues, college mates or whomsoever and you are wondering whom to contact, which airlines will you best group discounted fare, on which airlines you can rely for avoiding last moment cancellation or delay, in case of over ten passengers, then FareHawker can play major role to the take all your headache.   

FareHawker.com (the Ultimate Travel Jockey) is just an email or call away where you can find answers to any queries regarding any airlines or helicopter or for charter plane. What acts as cherry on the cake is their Airlines Group Booking facility. 

As you know that no airline or travel portal provides booking facility for more than nine passengers, group booking becomes problem when the number crosses 10+. Than FareHawker is here for providing this facility to book more than 10 passengers in one go. Once you have provided them with all the necessary details like number of passengers, destination, journey dates, additional tour or sight-seeing services and so on, they negotiate with all the airlines possible to provide you with the most economical rates. As the airlines also know them for their airfare bulk booking it is easy to book through them. And what is interesting is that their services are free of cost and you just have to pay for your flight!

FareHawker is the best option for airlines group booking because they have a dedicated group of professionals who specialist in handing flight group booking which saves your time and money. As all the hard work is done by them, they keep you stress free and are also open to last minute changes as their services a very flexible. You don’t have to deposit any security money and you can always stay in touch with them through email, quick reply is a guarantee.  

The next time you travel a group trip, FareHawker it is! For more details visit page http://www.farehawker.com/group-booking.php 

NEERJA BHANOT- THE BRAVE HEART ANGEL

Most of us will never find ourselves in a high-pressure situation facing like Neerja did. She did not let fear get the best of her. We cannot even begin to imagine what must she be thinking or feeling during those 17 terrible hours, but what we know is that the 23 year old girl chose to take on the responsibility of safe guarding the lives of the 359 passengers on board the flight. She was the senior most team member on board the aircraft after the Captain, Co-pilot and the flight engineer abandoned the aircraft using the overhead hatch in the cockpit after learning about the terrorists and the hijacking.

After 17 hours, the hijackers opened fired and set off explosives, Neerja opened the emergency door to help passengers escape, Neerja could have been the first to leave the aircraft but she stayed on board and died shielding 3 unaccompanied children from a hail of bullets. There were 360 passengers on board the Pan Am flight, Neeraj set aside all concern for her own personal safety and well-being and saved 340 lives on her own, while losing hers just 25 hours before her 23^rd birthday.

For her actions, Neerja was awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest civilian award for bravery during peace time. She is the youngest recipient of the Ashok Chakra, also she became the first woman to receive this honor.

In a letter to her farther, a year before her ill-fated death Neerja said,”I will do you proud”, and indeed she did.

The youth of today must take inspiration from Neerja. She saved the lives of 340 people and ensured that the hijackers were caught by the Pakistani commando force. The hijackers wanted to harm the American passengers on-board, but Neerja did not let that happen, she did all that was in her power and more in the name of her duty.

She is the hero of our nation. The Government of Pakistan also awarded her with Tamgha-e-Insaniyat for her heroism and valour.

Let us all take inspiration from this young brave heart and the hero of the nation.

Courage, Commitment and Compassion is what we should learn from her.

NEERJA- the movie releases on 19^th of February’16. The movie pays a homage to the unsung hero. The script of the story was approved by Neerja Bhanot’s brothers, and it is said that the movie is an exact replica of how Neerja’s life was. The review of Neerja says it all, viewers are praising the movie, the direction and the work of #SonamKapoor, #ShabanaAzmi and Yogendar Tikku.

IndiGo is an official airline partner for Neerja, the movie. The air carrier had entered into an agreement with the production company, Fox Star Studios, to brand and market the film on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

Airlines these days take the training of the crew members very seriously, the cabin crew is trained to handle any and every situation that comes their way. The airlines today leave no margin for error and are not lax in terms of safety and security. This makes sure that no such event happens in today’s date. But God forbid it happens, the crew is well trained and equipped to handle such situations. One last lesson we can learn from Neerja is to remain calm and composed during high pressure situations. 

RESIDENCE CLASS ON-BOARD ETIHAD AIRWAYS-REDEFINING LUXURY

Etihad Airlines is one of the best airlines in the world. Etihad aims at providing the best on-board facilities to its passengers. Etihad has this time surpassed all parameters set for luxury air travel. Etihad has come up with the most luxurious cabin class on-board its A380 aircrafts. It offers a total area of 125 sq ft with a 3 room suite configuration, all this to just yourself.

Passengers enjoy a truly unique and one of its kind service in this class of travel. You will be surprised to see what all does Etihad have to offer. Passengers enjoy the same hospitality as they would in a 5 star or a 7 stra hotel, a luxury yatch or a private jet. The residence on Etihad has a VIP concierge and they will organize everything for you, from a limousine pick up, to private check in lounge and when you step on-borad the aircraft you will be greeted by your very own butler, YES !! YOUR VERY OWN BUTLER!!!! There is a chef on board to cater to your hunger pangs, he will cook up anything for you from the gourmet menu or anything else you want, its like sitting in the best of restaurants in mid air !! The cabin is designed by hospitality experst who understand what the luxury traveler of today need, The leather used in upholstering the seats is the same as that used in a Ferrari.

A living room to lounge in, dine in and enjoy your in-flight entertainment system. The living room has a luxurious leather double seat sofa and two dining tables. You can enjoy an intimate meal for two and watch your 32 inch TV.

The carpeted floors lead you down to the en-suite bathroom, your very own bathroom !! this just keeps getting exciting. Doesn’t it !!!? You can shower before you arrive at your destination. What more could you ask ??

But there’s more.

You get your very own bedroom, at the end of the hallway is a 6 foot 10 inch double bed with Egyptian bed sheets, you can take a nap, watch TV on your 27 inch flat screen TV and after your nap you can order for breakfast in bed.

The Residence Class is the epitome of luxury in air travel. A one way ticket from Abu Dhabi to London will cost you around $21,000 !!!

You will have to have extremely deep pockets to shell out this kind of money for a 7 hour flight.

AEROSVIT DECLARES BANKRUPTCY

Aerosvit was Ukraine’s private airline. Its head office was based on the Boryspil International Airport in Boryspil. Aerosvit had its primary hub at the Boryspil Airport. The airline was founded on 25^th March 1994 and commence operations in April 1994 with flights from Kyiv to Athens, Larnaca, Tel Aviv, Odesa and Thessaloniki in co-operation with Air Ukraine.

All was well and Aerosvit was constantly adding new aircrafts to its fleet and new destinations to its existing route map. Aerosvit operated flights to 72 destinations in Asia, Europe and North America until it filed for bankruptcy.

Boryspil International Airport suspended Aerosvit’s flights in March 2012 and a clash over a RUB 95 million debt indicated with Sheremetyevo International Airport in the year end indicated the financial troubles Aerosvit was in. By the end of 2012, Aerosvit was under a debt of US $534 million, which was thrice the value of the company assets. 

Finally on 29^th Decemb

er 2012 Aerosvit filed for bankruptcy but wanted to make reforms and continue operations. As soon as the bankruptcy was announced, all of Aerosvit’s aircrafts were detained at various airports. In 2012 the bankruptcy procedure was cancelled by the court. Aerosvit has since then ceased operations and is currently not operating any flights.

In mid-February 2013 Aerosvit announced that it would cut down 1800 jobs by March 2013.

The business court of Kyiv again initiated a case of bankruptcy of Aerosvit on March 4^th, 2015, this was done when the airline failed to pay its debts.

Aerosvit operated flights to Beijing in China, New Delhi and Goa in India, Bangkok in Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. In Western Asia Aerosvit operated flights to Yerevan, Baku, Ganja, Larnaca, Tbilisi, Batumi, Tel Aviv and Dubai. In Europe the airline flew to Minsk, Sofia, Prague, Copenhagen, Berlin, Hamburg, Duddeldorf, Stuttgart, Athens, Thessaloniki, Budapest, Milan, Naples, Vilinius, Chisinau, Krakow, Warsaw, Bucharest, Kaliningrad, Krasnodar, Moscow, Murmansk, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Stockholm, Istanbul, London, Toronto, New York City and various destinations in Ukraine.