Thomas Cook India and SOTC Launch Lakshadweep Charter Flights from Bengaluru for 2026 Holidays

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

See Full Bio

September 2, 2026 7:08 PM |

Image generated with Ai

Thomas Cook India and SOTC launch Lakshadweep charter flights from Bengaluru, while Bhutan gets Mumbai charters, opening easier year-end access to two sought-after destinations. Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel are opening a new route to year-end holidays with exclusive Lakshadweep charter flights from Bengaluru. Five departures are planned from December 2026, giving travellers a simpler way to reach Agatti during the busy festive season. At the same time, Bhutan charter flights from Mumbai expand the companies’ destination-led strategy. The move matters because connectivity can often shape where Indian travellers choose to holiday. Therefore, the operators are combining flights with accommodation, meals and curated experiences. Lakshadweep focuses on premium island stays, while Bhutan offers four holiday choices. Together, the programmes target convenience, choice and richer destination experiences.

Thomas Cook and SOTC launch five Bengaluru-Lakshadweep charters for December 2026 holidays.
The programme combines flights, premium stays, meals and curated island experiences.
Bhutan charters from Mumbai add four differentiated holiday products for year-end travellers.
The strategy targets connectivity gaps while giving Indian travellers more destination choice.
Together, the programmes blend easier access with curated experiences across two contrasting destinations.

Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel are expanding their charter-led holiday portfolio ahead of the 2026 year-end travel season, with exclusive Lakshadweep flights from Bengaluru and Bhutan operations from Mumbai.

The initiative targets travellers who want distinctive destinations without the complications that can accompany limited or indirect connectivity. Rather than selling transport alone, both companies are packaging flights with accommodation and destination experiences.

Five Lakshadweep Charters From Bengaluru

Five exclusive charter departures between Bengaluru and Agatti are scheduled from December 2026. The programme is designed to improve access to Lakshadweep during one of India’s busiest holiday periods.

The Lakshadweep offering is positioned as a premium, all-inclusive island holiday. Packages combine charter connectivity with accommodation, meals and curated activities, allowing travellers to organise more of their trip through a single holiday programme.

The itinerary also provides access to Thinnakara and Bangaram, two islands known for their clear waters, coral-rich surroundings and distinctive island environment.

Accommodation choices include Praveg’s Atoll at Thinnakara, Taj Coral Pearl Bangaram and IHCL SeleQtions, Bangaram. Travellers can also select between non-sea-view and sea-view room categories, giving the packages a degree of flexibility around both accommodation and budget.

For Bengaluru’s outbound leisure market, the direct charter proposition could be particularly relevant during the year-end period, when demand for beach destinations typically rises and convenient access becomes an important part of holiday planning.

Bhutan Charter Operations Continue From Mumbai

The companies are also operating charter flights to Bhutan from Mumbai during the same period.

Their Avismarniya Bhutan Fly Direct programme features four holiday products. Each option is built around different accommodation choices and destination experiences, allowing travellers to choose a package according to their preferred style of travel.

Bhutan offers a markedly different proposition from Lakshadweep. Its appeal lies in Himalayan scenery, monasteries, cultural traditions and immersive experiences rather than a conventional beach escape.

By presenting four differentiated products, Thomas Cook India and SOTC are seeking to give travellers more choice within the same charter-led destination programme.

Connectivity Becomes Part of the Holiday Product

The two initiatives highlight a wider development in India’s outbound and domestic leisure market: connectivity is increasingly being treated as part of the holiday proposition itself.

For destinations where scheduled access may be limited or less convenient, charter operations can allow travel companies to develop packages around specific demand periods. This approach also gives operators greater control over the journey, accommodation and overall holiday design.

Lakshadweep and Bhutan illustrate that strategy from different angles. Lakshadweep is being promoted as an upscale, all-inclusive island break, while Bhutan is being positioned around cultural discovery, landscapes and varied accommodation-led experiences.

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said the company sees growing demand for holidays combining distinctive destinations, convenience and meaningful experiences. He described the Lakshadweep charter as a premium beach proposition while noting the broader role of charter connectivity in improving destination access.

S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, said charter-led travel enables the company to create holiday opportunities around destinations where access can be enhanced through a curated model.

What This Means for Travellers

The programmes give Indian holidaymakers two contrasting choices for the 2026 year-end season. Bengaluru travellers can access Lakshadweep through five exclusive charter departures, while Mumbai travellers can consider Bhutan through a dedicated charter programme with four holiday formats.

The broader message is straightforward: Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel are using charter capacity not merely to move passengers, but to build complete destination experiences around convenience, accommodation and curated activities.

The key reason behind the new charter programmes is a combination of destination demand and connectivity. Lakshadweep and Bhutan offer very different holiday experiences, yet both can benefit when access is made simpler. The answer from Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel is to use dedicated charter operations and package the journey with accommodation and experiences. Five Bengaluru departures to Agatti will support Lakshadweep travel from December 2026, while Mumbai-based Bhutan charters provide another route into the Himalayan destination. Consequently, travellers gain greater convenience and choice, while the operators can respond more directly to changing preferences for curated, distinctive year-end holidays.

Anup Kumar Keshan — Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World

“Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel are responding to a clear evolution in Indian holiday demand: travellers increasingly want distinctive destinations without unnecessary complexity. The Lakshadweep charter from Bengaluru is especially significant because it connects a premium island proposition with a more convenient travel format during the crucial year-end season. At the same time, Bhutan receives a carefully structured charter offering from Mumbai, supported by four differentiated holiday products. This combination of access, accommodation and experiences demonstrates how travel companies can create stronger destination propositions. The approach should also encourage more Indian travellers to explore destinations beyond conventional holiday circuits.”

Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel are strengthening their year-end 2026 holiday offering through charter connectivity to Lakshadweep and Bhutan. Five exclusive Bengaluru-Agatti departures will support premium Lakshadweep packages featuring island stays, meals and curated experiences. Meanwhile, Bhutan charters from Mumbai will be supported by four holiday products with differentiated accommodation and experiences. The strategy reflects a broader shift towards combining transport with complete destination propositions rather than treating flights as a standalone service. For travellers, the programmes create easier access to two contrasting destinations. For the companies, they provide another way to address connectivity limitations while expanding choice in the Indian holiday market.