e-commerce
www.goibibo.com becomes the first Indian OTA to partner with Google Flight Search
MUMBAI: www.goibibo.com, one of India’s top three online travel aggregators has become the first Indian portal to partner with Google for its Flight Search feature. The association reinforces Goibibo’s core value proposition of offering the FASTEST and most TRUSTED booking experience and will enable the portal to reach out with its services to a wider base of users.
“Goibibo.com is the first OTA in India to partner with Google for Flight Search .This is in line with our philosophy and core differentiation of delivering the fastest booking experience to our travellers”, said Ashish Kashyap, Founder & CEO of ibiboGroup (ibibo owns Goibibo.com and redbus.in).
Venkat Chandramoleshwar, Partnerships Manager, Travel, said: “Goibibo has grown in the past five years to become a leading online travel aggregator in India, and we are delighted they are joining the Google Flight Search family. Travellers can now easily find and compare the best flights on Flight Search and can book their flights on Goibibo, one of the blue partner book buttons featured on Google.“
On using Google Flight Search in India, travellers are offered the option to book the best flights available directly on the airline site or via Goibibo.com. The association, therefore, benefits the customers by allowing them to quickly find, compare and book flights from their mobile device, tablet or desktop in the most seamless way.
It is also a shot in the arm for Goibibo because not only does this validate its position as the quickest way to make travel bookings but also allows for greater penetration into the Indian online travel market, further bolstering its leadership position. Being the first Indian OTA to partner with Google Flight Search demonstrates the company’s commitment to enhancing the convenience of its customers through continued technological innovations and collaborations with other industry leaders.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
