TravTalk India Online Magazine
Salil Nath, Founder and CEO, Travesla, brings his extensive experience with Etihad Airways to the forefront by setting up the GSA enterprise with an aim to redefine the industry standards. He explains how his time at Etihad shaped his vision for Travesla and how the new venture is positioned to deliver true value to the aviation industry.
Janice Alyosius
Salil Nath, Founder and CEO, Travesla, who served Etihad Airways for 12 years managing the Indian subcontinent region, says that his extensive experience with the airline laid the foundation for a new approach in the GSA landscape. “While buying GSA services sitting on other side of the table, I noticed that the value being added was often minimal. Legacy issues, a lack of fresh talent, and a dearth of aviation professionals meant that GSAs were missing the mark,” he says, reflecting on his tenure at Etihad.
The industry, Nath observed, is accessible due to low capital barriers, but the challenge lies in genuinely adding value. “It’s about the true intent to make a difference, which is where my decision to launch Travesla began,” he explains. With Travesla, Nath is focused on offering a comprehensive approach to airline representation that extends beyond traditional sales. “True representation doesn’t mean just pushing sales numbers. It’s about becoming an extension of the airline itself within specific markets,” he emphasises.
According to Nath, premium revenue streams, such as corporate travel, business and first-class bookings, student travel, and high-quality leisure, are key drivers for airlines. “The price-sensitive bookings tend to come naturally, but it’s the premium revenue that requires focused expertise, and that is what we are committed to delivering at Travesla,” he explains.
Travesla aims to differentiate itself by building a 360-degree ecosystem to support airline clients. “We have an in-house marketing and PR team that amplifies our clients’ brands across the country, and this is included within our core service offering,” Nath says. Travesla also specialises in corporate travel, leveraging strong relationships with top corporate clients in the region. “If an airline has a GSA handling trade but lacks corporate expertise, we can take on that segment to bring high-value business into the fold,” he emphasises.
Beyond sales, Nath believes in the importance of regulatory or “aeropolitical” expertise. “Aviation is a highly regulated sector, and obtaining the right permissions and licences is critical for efficient and scalable operations. We bring significant experience in this area, which is indispensable to our clients,” he says.
Nath’s long-term vision for Travesla goes beyond providing traditional GSA services; he aims to elevate the GSA’s role in the market. “Today, a GSA is often seen as a lower-tier option if an airline doesn’t operate directly in a market. We want to change that perception and set a benchmark where airlines view GSAs as equally effective as having their own direct set-ups,” he says. “Our goal is for GSAs to be as trusted as an in-house team, bringing real presence and market insight,” he adds.
While Travesla is firmly grounded in the aviation sector, Nath is also keen to expand into non-air industries. “We see significant opportunities in supporting non-air clients—helping them establish partnerships with airlines and secure beneficial deals for niche markets,” he reveals. Travesla’s diverse client base has rapidly expanded to include sectors like fintech and telecom. “These are industries that need representation to scale, and we are in a position to support them on the trade and corporate sides,” he underlines.
