MAM
Akshay Mathur exits Tyroo after a decade of dealmaking and digital domination
MUMBAI: For a man who’s helped launch more platforms than most people can name, Akshay Mathur knows when it’s time to log out. After a 10-year ride at Tyroo (part of the Smile Group), the digital advertising heavyweight has officially stepped down, closing a chapter that helped define Asia’s adtech playbook.
Mathur has built a career few can rival, working across the digital trenches at marquee names like The Times Group, Yahoo! India, People Group, Komli Media, SVG Media, Dentsu, and most recently Tyroo. His name has become synonymous with unlocking monetisation potential, building revenue-first operations, and striking platform partnerships that actually scale.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with some of the most dynamic people, partners and platforms in the industry”, said Mathur. “Each chapter has been about building, learning, and growing – and I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum into what comes next.”
While his next move remains under wraps, the speculation machine is already humming. And for good reason. Mathur’s fingerprints are all over Asia’s digital economy. From go-to-market playbooks to cross-functional growth machines, he’s been the architect behind some of the region’s most strategic monetisation efforts.
In a 25-year career that reads like a roadmap of the region’s digital evolution, Mathur has played a starring role in scaling global platforms and adapting them to Asian nuances. Think enterprise sales, partner-led monetisation, and performance-brand hybrids—he’s been there, scaled that.
Widely viewed as a key force in the rise of platform-led adtech in Asia, Mathur departs Tyroo with his influence very much intact and his next move eagerly anticipated.
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.
