British Airways | Business Upturn

Indian tax authorities probe international airlines for tax evasion

Matrika Shukla — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 14:07:35 +0000

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) in India has caused a stir in the aviation sector by issuing summons to the Indian branches of multiple international airlines. Allegations of tax evasion concerning the import of services have prompted this move, leading to heightened scrutiny for well-known carriers like International Consolidated Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, as well as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and others.

The DGGI is honing in on clarifications concerning the payment of crew salaries and staff expenses at the Indian branches of these international airlines. Although the exact details of the allegations are not revealed, summoning esteemed carriers suggests a notable escalation in enforcement measures targeting tax evasion within the aviation sector.

The report highlights a diverse range of airlines under scrutiny, encompassing major players such as British Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates, among others. This extensive investigation underscores the comprehensive strategy adopted by Indian authorities to address potential tax irregularities within the sector.

As of now, there is no official statement from the implicated airlines regarding the allegations or the summoning by the DGGI. However, it is expected that these carriers will collaborate with authorities and furnish the requisite clarifications to resolve the concerns raised.

How will this affect the Aviation Sector?

The summoning of international airlines by Indian tax authorities is poised to have profound implications for the aviation industry. Beyond the immediate financial impacts on the airlines implicated, this development could trigger heightened regulatory scrutiny and necessitate enhanced compliance measures throughout the sector.

The investigation conducted by the DGGI underscores the evolving legal and regulatory environment surrounding tax compliance within the aviation industry. With authorities growing more vigilant, airlines operating in India will need to prioritize meticulous adherence to tax laws and regulations to mitigate the risk of facing similar scrutiny in the future.

The summoning of international airlines by India’s Directorate General of GST Intelligence underscores a heightened focus on combating tax evasion within the aviation sector. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen how the implicated airlines will address these allegations and what implications this will have on the broader regulatory landscape governing the industry.

IndusInd Bank announces new partnership with Qatar Airways & British Airways

United News of India (UNI) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 13:13:48 +0000

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, IndusInd Bank, British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club on Thursday announced their partnership to introduce the unique multi-branded credit card, with two leading international airlines, powered by Visa.

The multi-branded credit card is slated to be launched and made available to consumers in the first quarter of the financial year 2023 – 2024. Through this proposition, members will soon be able to collect Avios, the rewards currency for British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club, by signing up and choosing their preferred loyalty programme, according to a media statement here.

This credit card will be available in the Infinite variant of Visa, and will offer best-in-class rewards and benefits to elevate the international travel experience of customers. Stacked with multiple attractive benefits suiting the requirements of frequent travellers, at the time of application this credit card will give customers the flexibility to choose their preferred airline loyalty programme and select their preferred travel destination to collect maximum Avios and enjoy a host of other benefits.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said, “Today Qatar Airways Privilege

Club takes another step forward in providing our members with the best offerings in the industry, introducing a first-of-its-kind Visa multi-branded credit card, in India with IndusInd Bank.

“When adopting Avios as our rewards currency, we promised members that new and exciting opportunities would come, this collaboration with oneworld® partner British Airways is another manifestation of this. We look forward to seeing our members in India availing the extensive

benefits of this new partnership, which is designed to enhance their future travels.”

Oliver Currell, Head of Financial Partnerships, IAG Loyalty, said, “We are delighted to launch the new British Airways and Qatar Airways credit card with IndusInd Bank; a unique multibrand credit card. The Avios currency will give Indian consumers great value rewards and opportunities to do more when it comes to global travel and experiences.”

Speaking on the occasion, Soumitra Sen, Head – Consumer Banking & Marketing, IndusInd Bank, said, “IndusInd Bank has always been a pioneer in bringing forth some of the most innovative propositions through its array of banking solutions and suite of credit cards. We are now delighted to collaborate with Qatar Airways and British Airways, to launch this multi-branded credit card, that aims to transform the way India travels. A credit card thoughtfully designed to meet the expectations of discerning travellers with a value proposition curated around travel and bespoke offerings. With this credit card, our aim is to shift the power of choice completely into the hands of the customers.”

Sujai Raina, Head – Business Development, India, Visa, said, “With air travel rebounding fast post-pandemic, consumers will seek new destinations to travel to and unwind. At Visa, a key priority for us, thus, is to ensure that together with our partners, we provide a suite of benefits that are aligned to the needs of today’s traveller. We are delighted to partner with Induslnd Bank, British Airways and Qatar Airways to power this unique multi-branded credit card and deliver a seamless and secure travel and payment experience.”

British Airways skips Afghan airspace as Taliban captures Kabul

News Desk — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 17:37:18 +0000

Since the Taliban insurgents entered the capital city Kabul and the security issues are a matter of concern British Airways took a call to not use the Afghanistan airspace amid security reasons. The airline decided on Sunday.

Britain Prime Minister Boris Johnson will also conduct further crisis talks on the Afghanistan panic situation, his office said on Sunday, as he simultaneously recalls the parliament from its summer break.

Earlier, the Air India flight AI244 carrying 129 passengers from Afghanistan’s capital Kabul landed in Delhi.

Government may extend suspension UK flights beyond 31 December

Devanshu Singla — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 14:50:22 +0000

The Indian government is likely to extend the temporary suspension of flights to and from the UK beyond 31 December. Last week on 23 December, Government announced a suspension for flights from the UK to prevent the spread of the new strain of the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri during a press conference said that “I foresee—I am not making an announcement—a slight extension of the temporary suspension. I don’t expect that extension to be long or indefinite.”

He also added, “Once we have the genome sequence completed, it will give us the full picture and confidence to open up flight services again.”

The statement is made after six Indians were found to be infected by the new strain of virus and all of them had returned to the UK.

The government is currently carrying out contact tracing of passengers who arrived from the UK during the past few weeks to prevent the spread of the new strain of the virus in India.

The suspension of flights has led to cancellations 37 one-way direct flights per week to the UK from India operated by four carriers – Air India, Vistara, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.