MAM
Usha extends sponsorship deal with Mumbai Indians for IPL Season 8, 9
MUMBAI: Usha International has extended its association with the Mumbai Indians team for the eighth and ninth seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament as their official partners.
As a part of the collaboration, the Usha logo will be seen on the leading side of the caps and helmets of the players. Usha will also collaborate with Mumbai Indians to create exclusive marketing campaigns and is also entitled to have multiple players for consumer engagement.
Usha International events head Komal Mehra said, “This association is in continuation of Usha’s long-term commitment towards promoting sports and developing a sporting ecosystem in the country. Usha strives to instil a healthier lifestyle among consumers through the innovative product portfolio. We believe that IPL is a huge platform which allows us to reach out to a large number of cricket crazy fans.”
Usha has been actively involved in uplifting grass-root level sports talent in India. In the last four years, the company has been instrumental in popularizing the sport Ultimate Frisbee in India. For over 25 years, Usha has supported the Mawana Marathon and the Ladies, Amateur and Junior golf. In the inaugural season of Indian Super League Usha was seen as the principal sponsor of the FC Goa team.
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.
