US Visa Interview Wait in India Hits 346 Days as GAO Flags Staffing Crunch
Changing visa rules make travel agents indispensable for Indian outbound travellers
Delhi-Ulaanbaatar Direct Takes Off: Hunnu Air Gives India First Non-Stop Link to Mongolia
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Customs seize 10 military-grade drones smuggled through Delhi airport
Delhi customs officers on 29 September seized ten defence-grade drones—with thermal imaging and laser range-finders—carried in passenger baggage from Hong Kong, highlighting India’s tough import rules on dual-use technology. Mobility and project teams are advised to obtain DGCA clearances and use freight channels to avoid costly seizures and delays.
Atal Tunnel declared temporary ‘no-drone zone’ ahead of Presidential visit
Ahead of President Droupadi Murmu’s 7 October visit, Himachal Pradesh has declared the Atal Tunnel’s north portal a ‘no-drone zone’ and suspended tourism activities from 5–7 October. Operators must adjust itineraries and logistics plans, illustrating how VVIP security can abruptly restrict airspace and travel corridors.
India launches National Digital Tourism Stack, plugging directly into e-Visa and IVFRT systems
India has rolled out the National Digital Tourism Stack, a public-digital-infrastructure platform that links the e-Visa gateway, the IVFRT immigration system and private-sector booking platforms. By issuing verifiable digital credentials, the stack promises end-to-end, paper-free journeys and paves the way for reciprocal trusted-traveller corridors. Travel managers can expect faster immigration clearance, real-time visa-status feeds and greater compliance assurance.
DGCA launches probe after IndiGo A321 tail-strike at Bengaluru
An IndiGo Airbus A321 operating flight 6E 6542 suffered a tail-strike while aborting its first landing at Bengaluru on 27 September. India’s aviation regulator opened an investigation on 28 September, grounding the aircraft and signalling that further safety audits of IndiGo’s A321-neo fleet may follow. Potential schedule disruptions mean mobility programmes should track IndiGo operations and keep contingency options ready.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal heads to US as India–US trade deal enters final stretch, mobility chapter in focus
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Washington and Wisconsin from 29 September to 5 October to finalise an interim India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement. A dedicated mobility chapter is expected to create fast-track business-visitor rules, extend intracompany-transfer visas to seven years and pilot a quota for high-skill service suppliers, giving multinationals a more predictable pathway for short-term assignments.
Embassy of India in Riyadh invites bids to outsource visa, passport and OCI services
India’s embassy in Riyadh has issued a fresh RFP to outsource all visa, passport and OCI front-office services in Riyadh and Jeddah. The contract aims to double processing capacity, integrate with India’s digital immigration platforms and introduce optional premium services—promising faster, more predictable turnaround for the Kingdom’s 2.4 million-strong Indian community and for Saudi business travellers heading to India.
Char Dham Yatra restarts after weather suspension; officials urge staggered travel
Uttarakhand has reopened access to the Char Dham shrines after a weather-related suspension from 26–27 September. Staggered departures, partial trek-route closures and high accommodation demand will persist for several days. Travel managers should adjust itineraries and ensure pilgrims carry proof of online registration and adequate insurance.
Start-up carrier ‘Air Ayodhya’ wins civil-aviation NOC, targets tier-3 business links
Megamax Aviation’s new venture ‘Air Ayodhya’ received a No-Objection Certificate on 28 September, kicking off the AOC process for regional flights under the UDAN scheme. The carrier will connect underserved Uttar Pradesh cities with national hubs, easing mobility for expatriates, business travellers and religious tourists.