MAM
IKEA India on boards Murali Iyer as chief financial officer
Mumbai: Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA has appointed Murali Iyer as its new chief financial officer for its India business. He will be part of the IKEA India leadership team reporting to the CEO and chief sustainability officer Susanne Pulverer.
Murali takes over from Preet Dhupar who has moved into a global role within Ingka group which is the parent company of IKEA.
In the new role of chief financial officer, Murali will lead IKEA India’s CFO function with purpose towards profit, leading the finance controlling, business navigation, legal, tax, customs, and business risk & compliance teams.
Murali brings with him over 22 years of successful track record in financial leadership, having worked with the Volvo Group in India and Sweden in multiple roles. With a keen business acumen and curiosity to learn, his experience across geographies and cultures has enabled businesses to overcome challenges for an inclusive growth.
Commenting on his appointment Murali Iyer, said, “I am excited to begin my journey in IKEA India and contribute to its ongoing growth journey. We are focusing on our priority markets and building a strong home furnishings foundation through our omnichannel expansion to be more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for the many people.”
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.
