Airlines

Foreign travel for Indians will rise in expense starting on July 1

Booking international travel packages will cost extra for Indians as of July 1, 2023. Except for remittances for education and medical expenses, the government has raised the tax collection at source (TCS) rate for international transfers made under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) from 5% to 20%.

This means that you will be required to pay 20% TCS if you book an international tour package through a travel agent. Similarly to this, there will be a 20% TCS charge if you buy foreign currency on your own from an authorized dealer for your international travel.

Within 20 minutes, airport staff in Bengaluru helps a traveller in finding his lost watch.(Opens in a new browser tab)

It’s crucial to remember that the TCS only affects payments made by banks, meaning that any costs associated with international travel paid for through bank transfers will be affected. Payouts for group tours, for example, are among them. With this plan, it will be possible to track down high-net-worth individuals who send significant sums of money abroad and make sure they pay their taxes in a timely manner.

However, there are ways to control these higher prices. The hike in TCS is anticipated to make international travel more expensive for Indians. Instead of buying a comprehensive travel package, one option is to book individual tour components, such as hotel rooms and airline tickets, separately. As a result, you won’t create a group and be subject to the TCS levy.

Why Flying is So Expensive..!?(Opens in a new browser tab)

“It is mandatory for Indian travelers to consider this additional financial obligation when planning their international trips.” The installation of a 20% TCS is anticipated to increase individuals’ immediate total travel expenditure. However, their travel expenses will not change as they can claim them when completing their tax return.

Source:

Airlines

Qantas Engineers Stage Walkout Over Cost of Living Concerns

Tensions at Qantas reached new heights as base maintenance workers in Brisbane walked out of a hangar meeting hosted by the airline’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson.

The walkout was a clear display of displeasure and aimed to send a strong message to the company’s management about the growing frustrations within the workforce. The workers, represented by the Qantas Engineers Alliance, have been pushing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living.

In an open display of displeasure, Qantas Base maintenance workers walked out of a hangar meet hosted by the CEO Vanessa Hudson in Brisbane, also aimed to send a message to the management.

Qantas Engineers Alliance members have been demanding decent wage increases to match with… pic.twitter.com/y9EVjc46VM— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 14, 2024

Despite ongoing discussions, the employees feel that their concerns have been overlooked, leading to this public show of dissent. The hangar meeting, meant to foster dialogue and address employee concerns, instead became the stage for a visible demonstration of dissatisfaction as the workers exited in unison.

For some time, the engineers and maintenance staff have expressed frustration over wage stagnation amid increasing inflation and living costs. Their demand is simple: a decent and fair wage adjustment that keeps pace with economic realities. The walkout underscores the workers’ determination to stand firm on their request for better pay and fair treatment.

As Qantas navigates its recovery post-pandemic, this incident highlights the growing internal challenges the airline faces, especially concerning its workforce. The maintenance staff’s actions have put additional pressure on the company’s leadership to address the wage concerns and avoid further escalation.