A Visionary Gone Too Soon
Ankur Bhatia took the Bird Group from strength to strength in aviation, tourism and hospitality
The aviation and travel industry in India was left bereft on June 4, 2021, when Ankur Bhatia, 48, executive director, Bird Group, passed away due to a cardiac arrest. His name was synonymous with travel, hospitality and IT solutions for the airline industry.
An alumnus of King’s College, University of London, Bhatia was the pioneer of automation of airline reservations in India. He brought the Amadeus brand to the sub-continent in 1994, and there was no looking back after that. Today, Amadeus provides travel technology for travel agents and airlines and celebrated 25 years of operations in India in 2019.
ENVIABLE LIST
Bhatia helped set up IT solutions for Reservation Data Maintenance (India), an It-enabled software development and service support company for managing back-end airline operations and inventory control. RDM was the first Indian BPO, and established in 1992. Today, it has an enviable list of airline clients in its portfolio.
Bhatia also set up Birdres, a B2B distribution channel that allows the travel industry to manage all aspects of their content and payment needs. He also opened an IT solutions and services company in Dubai, Bird Technologies FZ LLC.
Under his able leadership and acumen, the Bird Group grew from strength to strength in the hospitality sector and Bird Hospitality Services set new standards in world-class hospitality through Roseate Hotels & Resorts. Today, the Group owns and operates six uber luxury properties in India and the UK.
He is also credited with launching the country’s first natural and perennial indoor ice-skating rink and café – ISKATE, located in Ambience Mall, Gurugram.
ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS
Bhatia also saw the need for a cleaner and greener Delhi and with Bird Electric, he redefined the future of personal transportation. The Group was the first to have brought eco-friendly, zero-emissions and energy-efficient Segway PT to India and has been constantly adding new-age mobility vehicles to the product portfolio. In 2017, Bhatia established Birdapps for the travel, hospitality and lifestyle sectors.
Bhatia’s experience in the aviation and tourism industry saw him participating in various industry bodies. He was a member of CII’S National Committee on Aviation, Infrastructure and Luxury Retail. From 2006- 2007, he was the youngest elected chairman for the Delhi State Council for Confederation of Indian Industries. He was also an active member at the World Economic Forum in India. He and his business verticals have been felicitated with prestigious awards and accolades over the years.
Aside from business, Bhatia has also been associated with charitable organisation Sukarya which strives to improve the health and well-being of marginalised societies by providing free health services. He was also associated with charitable events at the Blind Relief Association, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Concern India Foundation, etc.
He will be sorely missed.