MAM
Uber brings black back to India
Mumbai: Uber, a ridesharing app today announced the launch of its upscale Uber Black category, starting with Mumbai next week. This new addition is a step towards addressing the growing preference of Indian customers towards premium offerings and Uber’s ability to deliver a new standard of on-demand mobility in premium cars.
Uber Black offers a range of cushioned features designed to elevate the ride with unparalleled comfort, style and convenience.
● Brand new, higher-end cars to ensure consistent vehicle quality
● Top-rated drivers, trained by our fleet partners
● In-app experience while booking the ride to keep passenger comfort front & centre
● The magic of on-demand mobility for those who desire a well-appointed experience
Riders will get to enjoy in-car amenities and on-trip preferences, ensuring a consistently high-quality experience. Uber Black allows for a personalized ride with customizable features like quiet mode, temperature control, and help with luggage. So if you’re dialling into a conference call on the way to work, you can request a quiet trip – without any music or conversation with the driver – to maximise productivity. You can opt for cooling to be turned up or down before you even hop into the car. With extended wait times, riders benefit from an additional 5-minute pickup window without incurring a waiting fee, offering greater flexibility. These new features also take out the guesswork for drivers looking to give riders a 5-star ride.
Commenting on the launch, Uber India and South Asia president Prabhjeet Singh said, “We are thrilled to bring Uber Black back in an all-new avatar to meet the evolving aspirations of Indian customers and introduce the business class of back seats on Indian roads. As the largest on-demand mobility network with industry-leading matching, routing, and pricing tech and scaled fleet operations – we are bringing the magic of consistent high-quality service and premium comfort with Black. As India’s leading multimodal mobility service, Uber endeavours to cater to the full spectrum of riders, from those seeking affordable rides on two or three wheels to those who desire a truly well-appointed experience in premium vehicles.”
How to book an Uber Black Trip:
Open the Uber app and enter your destination in the ‘where to’ box
● Select Uber Black at the bottom of the screen
● Select your on-trip preferences
● Review the booking details including the price for the trip and tap Confirm Black
● Enjoy your ride
Brands
IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
