MAM
Kia India onboards MyungSik Sohn as chief sales officer
Mumbai: Auto major Kia India on Friday announced the onboarding of MyungSik Sohn as chief sales officer (CSO), with immediate effect.
Sohn has been associated with Kia Corp for 27 years, and during his last position, he served as general manager in China. Throughout his illustrious career with Kia Corp, he has held various leadership positions in China, Mexico, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Korea, and Europe.
In his new role, Sohn will oversee the planning and execution of sales strategies aimed at driving growth. He will also collaborate with Kia India’s current leadership to expand the brand’s reach in tier 3, 4, and upcountry markets, said the company in a statement.
“I am pleased to welcome MyungSik Sohn to the Kia India family. He joins the company at a very crucial juncture when the automobile industry is transforming with various technologies at interplay,” said Kia India MD and CEO Tae-Jin Park. “Since our inception, we have been achieving new milestones in the Indian market, and this momentum will only be heightened with Sohn taking charge. Backed by his extensive sales expertise from across continents and export expertise, we are excited to work with him to strengthen our brand’s market position and create new growth streams in the future.”
Sohn is an experienced global professional who brings vast experience in domestic and overseas sales along with other support functions. He has graduated in mechanical engineering from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), South Korea.
“I am delighted and honoured to be a part of the Kia India family at such an exciting yet challenging time,” stated MyungSik Sohn. “Aligned to the changing preferences of Indian customers, the brand has carved out a distinct niche in the competitive Indian auto industry in just under three years. The coming years of Kia India look promising, and with the team’s collaborative efforts, I aim to propel the brand’s growth to new heights. I am looking forward to beginning a new journey in my career with the Indian market.”
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.
