MAM
Chalo launches BEST Airport Express
Mumbai: The BEST Chalo Airport Express, Mumbai’s premium Airport bus service has officially been launched, keeping in mind the various challenges travellers face during their airport travel. These buses are set to change the way public mobility is seen and, in many ways, the quality of these services is at par with those that are found at airports in some of the prominent metros of the world.
With comfort being at the core of this service, the Airport Express stands to positively reduce traffic congestion. Chalo has been operating public trials of the service so far, and the response has been good. Based on public trials and feedback, the service is now being launched on four routes officially.
Fleet and frequency: The Airport Express currently operates 230 trips daily to and from the airport and is on its way to expanding the fleet in the near future. With 50 per cent buses already electric and the fleet going towards a 100 per cent electric buses by March 2024, it is a positive step in the direction of sustainable mobility for the city of Mumbai. The Airport Express service operates every day from Monday to Sunday. The buses are scheduled to run at approximately 30-minute intervals in both directions, starting at 6.30 am from the airport, with the last bus departing at 11.00 pm.
Booking: These buses offer guaranteed seating. ● Passengers can find the Airport Express counters outside both the airport terminals from where they can book their ticket ● They can also book confirmed seats via the BEST Chalo App ● Booking can also be done via the web portal chalo.com/airport-express
Faster travel: The Airport Express will only stop on the way if a passenger has made a reservation, ensuring faster travel with fewer stops.
Chalo CEO Mohit Dubey highlighted the transformative aspects of the service, “The Airport Express service aligns with what Chalo exists for – making bus travel better for everyone. This extends beyond a mere convenience; it is an effort to shape how we should travel in our cities. It has been built on the pillars of efficiency and positive ecological impact so that we not only have a better quality of life today but also for future generations”.
The Airport Express service transforms Mumbai’s airport commute, emphasizing both comfort and sustainability. The express route, tailored for value-conscious travellers, ensures swift connections between the airport and key city spots connecting the airport to all corners of Mumbai, including Colaba in the south, Borivali in the north, Thane in the northeastern suburbs, and Kharghar in Navi Mumbai.
How to reserve a seat on the Airport Express
Reserving a seat on the Airport Express is a seamless process with multiple options tailored to suit passengers’ preferences.
Counter bookings are available at Airport Express counters in both terminals. Arriving passengers can buy a ticket for the next available bus at the counter.
Bookings can also be done on a web portal by visiting chalo.com/airport-express or done through the BEST Chalo App. On both the web and the app, passengers can key in their destination, pick a convenient time slot and book a guaranteed seat by paying online.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
