Thomas Cook India Limited and its group company SOTC Travel have launched exclusive charter flights to Lakshadweep from Bengaluru and Bhutan from Mumbai for the year-end 2026 holiday season.

The move addresses connectivity gaps in high-demand destinations by offering premium, all-inclusive holiday experiences. The companies aim to provide seamless access to these sought-after locations during the peak travel period.

Charter Flight Details

Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel will operate five exclusive charter departures between Bengaluru and Agatti starting in December 2026. This service creates enhanced access to Lakshadweep during the peak year-end travel period.

The charter-led holiday is positioned as a premium, all-inclusive beach experience. It combines exclusive charter connectivity with premium accommodation, meals, and curated experiences for travellers seeking an immersive island holiday.

Destination Offerings

Travellers can access the islands of Thinnakara and Bangaram. Premium stay options include:

• Praveg's Atoll at Thinnakara
• Taj Coral Pearl Bangaram
• IHCL SeleQtions, Bangaram

Guests can choose from non-sea-view and sea-view room categories based on their preferred holiday experience.

Simultaneously, the companies are operating charter flights to Bhutan from Mumbai. The Avismarniya Bhutan Fly Direct offering provides four distinct holiday products designed around different accommodation choices and differentiated experiences.

Strategic Focus

The charter initiative reflects a broader focus on identifying opportunities where enhanced connectivity enables greater access to sought-after destinations. By bridging connectivity gaps, the companies aim to create more convenient access for travellers with strong interest in these specific routes.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, stated that Indian travellers increasingly seek holidays combining distinctive destinations, greater convenience, and meaningful experiences.

Mr. S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, noted that charter-led travel allows them to look beyond conventional connectivity. He emphasized that the approach reflects growing preferences for greater choice, convenience, and distinctive holiday formats.

About Thomas Cook (India) Limited

Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Limited is India's leading omnichannel travel services company. It offers Foreign Exchange, Corporate Travel, MICE, Leisure Travel, Value Added Services, and Visa Services.

The company operates leading B2C and B2B brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied TPro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Travel Circle International Limited, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging, Go Vacation, and Private Safaris East & South Africa.

Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, is the promoter of TCIL with a shareholding of 64.77% of its paid-up capital.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited has inaugurated a new travel services outlet in Manapakkam, Chennai, expanding its physical footprint in the southern market. The opening brings the company’s total number of locations in the city to 10, contributing to a broader network of 16 outlets across Tamil Nadu.

The expansion targets the emerging residential and IT hub of Manapakkam, which management identifies as a key catchment area for diverse traveller segments, including families, business travellers, and younger demographics.

Strategic Expansion

The new outlet offers end-to-end travel solutions, including international and domestic holidays, cruises, and value-added services such as travel insurance. Thomas Cook stated that the location will leverage its AI booking platform to assist customers in planning personalised vacations in real time.

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, noted that Chennai remains an important source market not just for Tamil Nadu but for wider South India. He highlighted strong year-round travel aspirations among customers seeking new destinations and diverse experiences.

Market Trends

The company cited several shifting consumer behaviours driving the expansion:

• Year-round travel: Increased use of public holidays and weekends for short breaks and mini-cations.
• Spiritual tourism: Growing demand for pilgrimage packages to destinations such as Kailash Mansarovar, Char Dham, Puri, Kashi, Ujjain, and Ayodhya.
• New destinations: Rising interest in emerging locations including the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Iceland, Antarctica, and Seychelles.
• Unique experiences: Preference for differentiated itineraries beyond conventional tourist spots.

Top international destinations listed include Switzerland, France, Austria, Italy, Spain, Scandinavian countries, Eastern Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Key domestic focuses remain Kashmir-Leh, Northeast India, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Kerala, Sri Lanka, and Andaman.

What the Numbers Show

The expansion to 10 outlets in Chennai represents a significant concentration of retail presence in a single metropolitan area, suggesting a strategy to deepen market penetration rather than broaden geographic reach across new cities immediately. With 16 total outlets in Tamil Nadu, nearly two-thirds of the state’s network is anchored in Chennai, highlighting the city’s role as the primary revenue driver within the region.

About Thomas Cook (India) Limited

Thomas Cook (India) Limited is an omnichannel travel services company offering foreign exchange, corporate travel, MICE, leisure travel, and visa services. It operates brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, and Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited. Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, through its subsidiary Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, holds a 64.77% stake in the company.