Latest news with #NeetanChopra
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
IndiGo and IDFC First Bank introduce co-branded credit card
IndiGo airline, and IDFC First Bank on Monday (August 18, 2025) announced the launch of the IndiGo IDFC First Credit Card that combines the benefits of both Mastercard and RuPay networks through a single application, ensuring wider acceptance and maximum payment flexibility. The card enhances travel experiences with lifestyle privileges, low forex markup, trip cancellation cover, and rewards on IndiGo flight bookings, milestone spends, and everyday purchases. Shirish Bhandari, Head — Credit Cards, Tolls & Transit and Loyalty, IDFC First Bank said, 'With this credit card, we are making premium travel accessible to all — not just a few. This is more than just a credit card; it's a bold step toward democratizing travel and financial empowerment by allowing every Indian — regardless of credit history — to own the same world-class product, through a flexible application journey that includes both traditional and Fixed Deposit-backed access.' 'Combined with a dual-network card pair, Mastercard and RuPay, the card ensures widest acceptance across India and globally, with the added convenience of UPI for everyday spends and a low forex markup of just 1.49% for international use. It's a truly inclusive, digital-first, and rewarding travel card for today's generation of flyers,' he added. Neetan Chopra, Chief Information & Digital Officer, IndiGo said, 'It is our endeavor to continuously enhance the value proposition of IndiGo BluChip for our loyal customers, making this relationship a rewarding experience for them. We are delighted to offer co-branded credit cards to our customers that enable them to convert their everyday expenses into BluChips and enjoy travel benefits on our ever-growing network.' Anubhav Gupta, Senior Vice President, Business Development, South Asia at Mastercard, said, 'Travel today is about more than just getting from one place to another — it's about comfort, convenience, and value throughout the journey. From easy bookings and rewarding spends to travel insurance and lifestyle perks, this card is designed to make travel simpler, more enjoyable, and financially smarter for consumers across segments.' Rajeeth Pillai, Chief Relationship Management, NPCI said, 'The card's UPI-enabled functionality allows users to link their RuPay credit card to a UPI ID, enabling seamless and secure transactions. It also works seamlessly across POS and e-commerce platforms, offering users flexibility and wider acceptance.'
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
IndiGo's VC arm to back early-stage startups, gain early innovation edge
MUMBAI: India's largest airline, IndiGo, is expanding far beyond flying through its corporate venture capital (CVC) arm, IndiGo Ventures. The new entity is zeroing in on aviation and allied startups to grow the airline's ecosystem and keep pace with emerging innovations. 'It gives us early visibility and foresight into the innovations startups are pursuing and, where possible, allows early deployment of those ideas into the IndiGo ecosystem," Neetan Chopra, founder and director of IndiGo Ventures, told Mint in an exclusive interaction. Established in August 2024, the ₹450 crore fund was designed to bridge the gap between the slower pace of large corporations and the agile, rapid funding cycles typical of startups, said Ankit Sharma, managing partner at IndiGo Ventures, who was also present at the interaction. IndiGo Airlines anchors the fund with a ₹300 crore commitment, while other group entities and founders have contributed ₹150 crore. Operating under a Category AIF licence, the fund can raise up to ₹600 crore in total, with the remaining ₹150 crore expected to be raised within two years, in line with Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) regulations. InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo's parent, reported a 20% drop in net profit to ₹2,176.3 crore in Q1FY26, from ₹2,728.8 crore a year earlier, while consolidated revenue grew 4.7% to ₹20,496.3 crore. According to its FY25 annual report, IndiGo also made a direct investment of ₹12 million into the VC arm. IndiGo Ventures targets early-stage companies, primarily pre-Series A to Series B rounds, aiming to hold 5-10% stake, Sharma said. While aviation is the core focus, the fund also explores adjacent sectors such as travel, cargo, logistics, and enterprise SaaS for airlines. The airline carried around 400,000 tonnes of cargo in FY25, reflecting the growing importance of this segment. Consumer startups are also a key focus, particularly those that improve the end-to-end passenger experience, said Sharma. This comes as the airline reported an 11.6% increase in passengers carried year-on-year, reaching 31 million in the first quarter of FY26. 'We're focused on three main areas for our startup funnel: aviation, travel and allied sectors, and consumer," Chopra said. 'Our goal is to ensure that IndiGo benefits as a consequence of these investments." Closing India's aerospace gap Aerospace manufacturing is another crucial area of interest. 'While India is one of the largest buyers of airplanes, it currently contributes less than 1% to aerospace component manufacturing," Sharma said. 'That gap has led to increased focus and activity in this sector over the last six to nine months." The fund's first investment in July, was in Jeh Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based startup with headquarters in Atlanta that specializes in high-precision, flight-critical engine components. The investment amount was not disclosed. Since then, Jeh Aerospace has secured $100 million in long-term contracts and raised an additional $11 million in a Series A round led by Elevation Capital and General Catalyst. The company produces components for tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers to major players like Airbus and Boeing. "Ultimately, this comes back to us in the form of an airplane," Sharma explained. This strategic investment positions IndiGo to 'influence product development, secure preferential pricing, and potentially share in Jeh's export-driven growth," said Pragya Priyadarshini, managing director at Primus Partners, a management consultancy firm in Delhi. Boosting maintenance capacity IndiGo is simultaneously investing ₹1,100 crore in a new MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, expected to be operational by early 2028. The airline currently has MRO facilities in Delhi and Bengaluru. The new facility is intended to boost in-house maintenance capacity and reduce reliance on external providers. 'MRO operations and startups like Jeh have the potential for strong synergies," Sharma noted. 'Companies like Jeh are still young startups, but by the time our manufacturing facilities are up and running, these companies will have scaled." Faster access to locally sourced components can reduce aircraft-on-ground (AOG) time, improving fleet utilization and revenue potential. Priyadarshini added that this investment could ensure a steady, lower-cost supply of critical spares, especially for the airline's large Airbus A320neo fleet, and mitigate supply chain disruptions.
Fashion Value Chain
23-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Elevate Your Travel Experience: The Postcard Hotel Partners with IndiGo to Reward BluChip Members
Luxury travel meets rewarding experiences as The Postcard Hotel and IndiGo come together to offer exclusive benefits to BluChip members. Through this partnership, IndiGo's BluChip members can earn up to 60,000 BluChips annually while enjoying the unparalleled luxury and hospitality of The Postcard Hotel's exquisite properties across India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. R to L: Mr. Kapil Chopra, Founder & CEO at The Postcard Hotel with Mr. Neetan Chopra, Chief Digital & Information Officer at IndiGo Synonymous with refined luxury, The Postcard Hotel redefines hospitality by crafting extraordinary guest experiences that surpass expectations. With each property designed to provide a seamless blend of comfort and authenticity, this partnership presents a perfect opportunity for BluChip members to enjoy exclusive benefits while experiencing The Postcard Hotel's distinctive offerings. 'The Postcard Hotel and IndiGo share a common vision – delivering exceptional experiences and seamless service to our customers,' says Kapil Chopra, Founder and CEO, The Postcard Hotel. 'Through this collaboration, we are bringing together two distinguished brands to offer unparalleled luxury and rewarding travel.' Renowned for its personalised service, exquisite design, and intimate luxury experiences, The Postcard Hotel carefully curates destinations that celebrate culture, heritage, and natural beauty. With its extensive network, IndiGo effortlessly connects these hidden holiday gems, making travel to these exclusive locations more accessible than ever. This partnership is a perfect synergy – IndiGo's connectivity seamlessly aligns with The Postcard Hotel's presence in unique and emerging holiday destinations, ensuring a smooth, hassle-free journey from take-off to checkout. Taking the comfort quotient even higher, IndiGo Stretch – which offers extra legroom and priority boarding – makes premium travel experiences more accessible. Whether it's a business trip or a leisure getaway, IndiGo Stretch enhances the in-flight experience, ensuring that the journey begins with comfort and style. When paired with the exceptional on-ground hospitality of The Postcard Hotel, this partnership delivers a truly elevated end-to-end luxury travel experience for discerning travellers. IndiGo is known for its vast reach, punctuality, and seamless travel experience. With multiple accolades, it continues to enhance efficiency and comfort for millions. The BluChip program rewards customers with points redeemable on flights, hotels, and lifestyle experiences, offering flexible benefits for modern travellers. The Postcard Hotel has been recognised as the Worlds Leading Boutique Hotel Brand and has earned numerous accolades, including an exceptional brand score of 9.6 in the Traveller Review Awards by the highest for a luxury hotel brand globally. This commitment to excellence continues to drive The Postcard Hotel's expansion, with properties spanning India's scenic landscapes, Bhutan's serene beauty, and Sri Lanka's coastal charm. About The Postcard Hotel Founded by Kapil Chopra and a team of seasoned luxury hoteliers, The Postcard Hotel launched in December 2018 with a vision to redefine luxury hospitality. The brand debuted in Goa and has since expanded with properties in Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and across India. Each Postcard Hotel offers a curated experience that embraces local culture, exquisite design, and impeccable service, setting new standards in experiential luxury. About IndiGo and BluChip BluChip, IndiGo's loyalty program, offers members the ability to earn and redeem points across flights, hotel stays, and lifestyle experiences. Designed to enhance the travel journey, BluChip provides flexible rewards that cater to the evolving needs of modern travellers. With IndiGo's expansive domestic and international network, members enjoy seamless access to a variety of travel benefits, making every journey more rewarding.
