Skyscanner introduces Hindi option to cater to growing Indian demand
Skyscanner is launching a new Hindi language option across its products and services as part of its commitment to the Indian market. With Hindi being the third most widely spoken language worldwide and the increasing number of Hindi-speaking internet users, this localised experience aims to serve the growing demand for online travel booking in India. As the Indian travel market is expected to reach US$ 125 billion by FY27 and travel bookings continue to recover, Skyscanner’s move to offer a Hindi interface will benefit travellers and partners across metro cities as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Skyscanner has observed a substantial surge in travel searches in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, for both domestic and international destinations. Notable routes like Srinagar to Jammu, Hyderabad to Bengaluru, Mumbai to Dubai, New Delhi to Seoul, and Srinagar to New Delhi are trending. The VP of Strategic Relations, Hugh Aitken, emphasized the importance of the Indian travel market’s rapid growth and Skyscanner’s goal to connect millions of travelers with travel providers, while also enhancing support for partners in areas such as distribution, advertising, and data. Skyscanner is currently collaborating with prominent Indian partners like MakeMyTrip, Indigo, Goibibo and others.
Grab enjoys mobility revenue growth, loss reduction thanks to supply improvement
In the second quarter of 2023, Grab, the Singapore-based mobility and financial services super app, achieved a 77% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $567 million. Simultaneously, the company saw a 74% improvement in losses, reporting a loss of $148 million for the quarter. Mobility revenues, a key segment for Grab, witnessed a 29% surge to $208 million, attributed to enhanced supply and the expansion of its carpooling service to include Malaysia and Indonesia alongside existing destinations Singapore and the Philippines.
Co-founder and group chief executive, Anthony Tan, highlighted Grab’s growing user base and the company’s commitment to providing value to its driver and merchant partners by enhancing productivity and engagement tools. Tan expressed Grab’s focus on cultivating a thriving ecosystem to foster sustainable growth. The company’s strategic direction is underscored by its aim to achieve adjusted EBITDA breakeven in Q3, surpassing its previous target of Q4.
Dohop enables connectivity between Norse Atlantic Airways and Thai Vietjet
The travel industry’s focus on seamless journeys has led to a partnership between technology provider Dohop and airlines Norse Atlantic Airways and Thai Vietjet. The collaboration aims to address the demand for unified travel experiences amid the fragmented nature of the industry. Dohop’s API-based approach allows passengers flying with Norse Atlantic Airways to Bangkok to access destinations within Thailand operated by Thai Vietjet, bypassing traditional interline or codeshare constraints. This development builds on Norse Atlantic Airways’ new Oslo-Bangkok service, enabling passengers to efficiently connect to popular Thai destinations such as Phuket, Krabi, and Chiang Mai.
David Gunnarsson, CEO at Dohop, emphasised that this approach to alternative interlining enables airlines to look into untapped markets, serve a broader spectrum of customers, and explore new commercial opportunities. It also exemplifies a fresh way of partnering, free from the conventional limitations of interline or codeshare agreements.
Dohop’s technology employs dynamic algorithms to optimize flight options and fares, streamlining booking while ensuring connections even in the face of flight disruptions.
Study examines airline patents as a measure of industry innovation
A study conducted by Lufthansa Innovation Hub (LIH) delves into the patent filings of the top 50 airlines globally by revenue to assess the level of innovation in the air transport industry. The analysis reveals a fluctuating trend in patent filings, with around 19 patents filed annually from 2000 to 2012, followed by a spike in 2013. However, the years after 2016 saw a significant decline in patent submissions, with only two filed in 2021. Factors contributing to this slowdown include industry consolidation, financial constraints, and the outsourcing of innovation due to airlines’ focus on core operations. It’s noted that airlines might not always choose patents to protect innovations, favoring quicker alternatives such as trademarks.
Here’s some context: Apple had 62 patents awarded during one day in August, while one travel technology company had at least 10 granted in 2022 and at least four since May. Meanwhile, a major hotel company had two patents granted in 2022, so perhaps the reasons cited above apply across the wider travel industry.
The report highlights that the patent leadership since 2000 has been dominated by American Airlines, United, and IAG/British Airways. The United States-based carriers’ dominance is attributed to the litigious environment and the country’s economic strength. Interestingly, seat design emerged as the most common area of focus, accounting for 57% of patents, followed by 29% in booking and ticketing, 7% in revenue management, and 7% for operational improvements. The study also emphasises that citations of patents by other industry players can indicate technological leadership and foster further development in specific areas of innovation.
Source: Phocuswire
Korean Air to collect passenger weight for operational data
Korean Air has announced a temporary program that will involve weighing select passengers and their baggage before flights. This initiative, aimed at collecting precise weight data for operational purposes, is in line with global airline requirements. The discreet weight measurements are scheduled to take place at Gimpo International Airport (GMP) from August 28 to September 3 and at Incheon International Airport (ICA) from September 8 to 19. The collected data will be shared with South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Passengers will have the option to decline participation to ensure privacy.
Similar to Air New Zealand’s earlier initiative, the collected weight data will be treated as private, with no access granted to airline staff or others. This data is crucial for airlines to make informed operational decisions, including determining fuel needs and ensuring appropriate weight distribution on the aircraft, ultimately contributing to flight safety and efficiency.