MAM
Nissan inks eight-year sponsorship deal with ICC through 2023
MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has roped in Nissan Motor Company in a long-term partnership deal through 2023.
Nissan will be the global sponsor of cricket’s international tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy and ICC World Twenty20, as well as Under 19 and Women’s Cricket and qualifying events. Nissan will have extensive in-venue activation, broadcast and digital rights at all ICC events.
The ICC partnership is an expansion of Nissan’s ongoing international sports sponsorship strategy.
“Innovation that excites is what Nissan does. As partners with the ICC we will introduce ways to enrich the experience of cricket fans through our rights with the global Trophy Tour, the International Flag Bearer Program and new live event experiences. We’re excited to be part of the global cricketing family and to be involved in some of the world’s most prestigious and popular tournaments. Our aim is to share with cricket fans around the world the excitement of the game and our cars. Both are created by people who have passion for what they do,” said Nissan corporate vice president and global head of marketing and brand strategy Roel de Vries.
International Cricket Council CEO David Richardson added, “The ICC is delighted to welcome Nissan on board as a global partner and we look forward to working together for the next eight years to deliver a strong partnership at all ICC global events.”
Nissan India operations president Guillaume Sicard said, “In India, cricket goes way beyond simply being a sport. It is practically a way of life for millions of people. I believe we have found a perfect partner for our brand. Our goal is to achieve five per cent market share in India by 2020 and we have already invested substantially to build one of our most advanced plants and established one of our three global R&D centres. Now, we are keen to repeat in India the sales success we already have in Europe, China, the US, Japan and elsewhere. We are thrilled to bring our passion and unique approach to cricket in India and around the world and are very much looking forward to the ICC World Twenty20 in India in 2016.”
Apart from this ICC partnership, Nissan is associated with other sport events such as the UEFA Champions League, the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympic Teams of Great Britain, Mexico and Brazil, the National Collegiate Athletics Association, the Heisman Trophy, City Football Group and GT-R ambassador Usain Bolt.
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.
