MAM
WPP shares surge on talk of Havas buyout bid
LONDON: WPP’s battered shares sprang to life on Monday as whispers of a takeover bid sent the stock soaring as much as 6.7 per cent in morning trading.
The advertising giant’s shares touched 307.50 pence before settling at 304.20 pence—a gain of 5.5 per cent from Friday’s close of 288.30 pence. The stock opened at 302 pence.
Market chatter suggests Havas, backed by private equity heavyweights KKR and Apollo, is eyeing a move for the London-listed agency network. Neither the suitors nor WPP would comment on the speculation.
The surge offers brief respite for shareholders who have endured months of pain. WPP traded at 879 pence as 2024 drew to a close. Since then, the shares have been in freefall after a string of disappointing results left investors nursing heavy losses.
Whether today’s rally marks a turning point or merely a dead cat bounce depends on whether the rumoured bidders are prepared to put their money where the market’s mouth is.
Updated at 22:10 pm: As the day progressed the WPP scrip had rocketed up to 325.10 pence and then retreated to 319.60 pence – a sharp increase of 10.86 per cent. The stock closed the days trading at 320.10 pence – a jump of 11.03 per cent. Clearly, the share traders believe there is some truth in all the chatter about the WPP takeover.
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.
