MAM
Akshat Mishra takes over as Cleartrip’s head of business finance
Mumbai: Cleartrip, a Flipkart company, announced that Aditya Agarwal will be stepping down from his role as chief financial officer (CFO) owing to personal reasons. Aditya’s departure comes after nine years of dedicated service at Cleartrip, wherein he was instrumental in shaping its’ financial strategy and organisational growth.
Aditya has been a central part of the Cleartrip leadership team and played a role in strategy, business planning, and execution. During his tenure, he made significant contributions across multiple roles, serving as CFO since 2020 and previously as head of corporate strategy and M&A. He played a pivotal role during the successful merger and subsequent integration of Cleartrip into the Flipkart Group.
In light of Aditya’s departure, Cleartrip is pleased to announce that Akshat Mishra will take over as the new head of business finance. With two years of experience in the Cleartrip business finance team and eight years within the Flipkart Group, Akshat brings a deep understanding of both Cleartrip’s operations and the broader ecosystem in which it operates.
The transition reflects Cleartrip’s commitment to nurturing internal talent and ensuring continuity in its financial leadership. Aditya will remain with Cleartrip for a few months to facilitate a smooth transition. The company remains focused on driving innovation, and growth while delivering superior customer experience.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
