Leading global travel app Skyscanner has launched ‘Hotline to SKY’, a travel helpline fronted by brand ambassador Suryakumar Yadav, offering cricket fans tips and hacks as they plan match-day journeys. The initiative combines cricket fandom with travel inspiration, inviting fans to call a dedicated number for practical guidance on planning trips around upcoming matches.
The hotline number first appeared on billboards across Delhi and Mumbai, creating curiosity and becoming a talking point. Once dialled, callers hear Yadav responding to common cricket-related travel queries through short, conversational voice notes—covering last-minute bookings, cost-effective options, and extended match-day itineraries, along with personal insights into his match-day mindset. The experience is powered by Skyscanner’s features, including Price Alerts and Calendar view search, aimed at helping users plan more efficiently.
The launch comes amid a spike in cricket-led travel demand. Following the announcement of the first phase of Indian Premier League fixtures on 11 March, Skyscanner recorded a surge in domestic flight searches through to 12 April. Searches for the weekend of 27–30 March rose 45% year-on-year ahead of the opening clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mumbai emerged as the top trending destination during this period, driven by the match between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Momentum continued into April, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru–Chennai Super Kings fixture in Bengaluru driving a 56% YoY increase in searches for the weekend of 3–6 April, indicating that fixture announcements are triggering spikes in travel demand among Indian fans.
Commenting on the campaign, Neel Ghose, Skyscanner Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, shared, “Cricket has always had an unmatched hold on Indian audiences, and following the game on the road is just as much a part of that passion. We're seeing fans plan entire trips around match schedules, navigating last-minute bookings, cross-city journeys, and peak travel windows. With 'Hotline to SKY,' Skyscanner is simplifying this process through its features, such as Price Alerts, Whole Month, and flexible search filters, helping users make more informed decisions with greater control. And with SKY lending his voice, we're bringing a perspective that cricket fans across India instinctively trust, combining real-time insights with guidance that's as familiar as it is useful, so travellers can stay one step ahead.”
Sharing his experience, Suryakumar Yadav, Skyscanner Brand Ambassador, said, “Being part of ‘Hotline to SKY’ has been special for me. As cricketers, we always feel the energy of fans in the stands, but this was a chance to be part of their journey in a different way, as they travel to support the teams they love. Recording these messages made me think through real travel situations fans face, and I’m proud to be able to share helpful tips via Skyscanner’s features, tools, and hacks, that make their experience smoother. I encourage everyone to pick up the phone and dial in to the hotline to not only get some travel planning tips but also hear some of my personal takes.”
The campaign builds on a broader shift in fan behaviour, where cricket trips are increasingly turning into extended getaways. Skyscanner’s earlier ‘Pitch Perfect Journeys’ campaign found that while 80% of fans were interested in travelling for their favourite IPL teams, more than half extended their trips to explore destinations. With ‘Hotline to SKY’, the platform continues to align its offerings with evolving traveller needs, focusing on simplifying travel planning around major sporting events.
