MAM
Stellantis announces new brand heads for Citroën & Jeep in India
Mumbai: After the announcement of Roland Bouchara as CEO & managing director for Stellantis in India earlier in April, the automaker giant on Thursday announced key leadership appointments for its operations in India. Saurabh Vatsa and Nipun J Mahajan will now be responsible for its Citroën brand and Jeep Brand in India, respectively.
Vatsa and Mahajan will report directly to Roland Bouchara and the newly integrated organisation structure is already effective from 7 June, said the company in a statement.
Vatsa who is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, had joined PSA in 2018 as senior director – marketing & corporate communications. He has been instrumental in devising and implementing the unique strategy for the launch of Citroën brand and C5 Aircross SUV in India. In his new role, Vatsa will be responsible for sales, marketing, aftersales, product planning & PR functions for Citroën in India.
For the Jeep brand, Mahajan will be responsible for sales, marketing, aftersales, product planning & PR functions in India. He has over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry and has been with the Jeep brand for five years in the position of vice president, sales operations, and network development. Mahajan has been instrumental in launching the Jeep brand in India and achieving the 50,000 sales milestone for the Jeep Compass.
“I am pleased to welcome Saurabh and Nipun to our India leadership team. These appointments are a continuation of the seamless integration process that has been well underway since Stellantis was born,” said Bouchara. “Both Saurabh and Nipun bring to their position a series of stellar achievements and rich industry experience from which our customers, partners, and the group as a whole will benefit greatly.”
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.
