Starting from 1 November 2023, Qatar Airways will operate daily flights to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, signifying a major boost to Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority’s (RAKTDA) strategy to enhance global connectivity to the Emirate. Announced as the industry prepares to come together at the Arab Aviation Summit (AAS), taking place at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre, the move will strengthen direct international travel to Ras Al Khaimah. The daily flights will offer greater choice, flexibility and opportunities for travellers looking to explore the nature Emirate, leveraging Qatar Airways’ expansive global network of over 150 destinations spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Asia Pacific, North America, and South America. His Excellency Engr. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of The Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah & Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, said: “Ras Al Khaimah is continuing to establish itself as a major aviation hub, driven by the success of an inspiring tourism strategy that is growing from strength to strength. Our latest partnership with Qatar Airways is primed to deliver significant progress against this roadmap, while strengthening our operational footprint. We are excited to explore a long and fruitful relationship together.”   “Our partnership with Qatar Airways and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is an important step in driving Ras Al Khaimah’s continued growth as a destination of the future,” commented Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “Unlocking joint capabilities with one of the world’s leading airlines will raise the overall competitiveness of our tourism ecosystem and meet the growing demand for travel to the Emirate. We look forward to working together to drive …

flynas announced launching two direct weekly flights between Dammam and Al Qaisumah every Sunday and Wednesday as of 19 April. Currently, flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations and targets to more than double the number through its strategic plan that comes in line with the objectives of the civil aviation strategy to reach 330 million passengers and increase the number of international destinations linked to the Kingdom to more than 250 destinations by 2030. In 2022, the company posted record growth in performance and operation compared to 2021, with an increase of 91% in the number of passengers to 8.7 million passengers, while the number of flights reached 66 thousand flights, an increase of 45%. Seat capacity grew by 46%. Moreover, more than 16 new destinations and 30 routes were launched in 2022.

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) and Boeing announced the order of 39 fuel-efficient 787s with options for 10 more airplanes. The national flag carrier will grow its long-haul fleet with the selection of up to 49 787 Dreamliners, utilizing the outstanding efficiency, range and flexibility of the Dreamliner to sustainably grow its global operation. His Excellency Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser said “The expansion in SAUDIA’s fleet supports the continuous growth witnessed by the aviation sector in the Kingdom. The agreement will also contribute to achieving the objectives of the National Transport and Logistic Strategy and the Saudi Aviation Strategy, as well as other national strategies in tourism and Hajj and Umrah. SAUDIA is committed to further strengthening its role by providing high-quality, advanced services in the aviation industry and connecting the world to the Kingdom, in alignment with the Vision 2030. His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, commented, “SAUDIA continues its expansion efforts in all aspects of the airline; whether it’s introducing new destinations or increasing the aircraft fleet. The agreement with Boeing delivers on this commitment and the newly added aircraft will further enable SAUDIA to fulfill its strategic objective of bringing the world to the Kingdom.” “The deal is in addition to the existing order of 38 new aircraft SAUDIA is expected to receive by 2026, which will increase the current fleet of 142”, he added. Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said, “The addition of 787 Dreamliners will enable SAUDIA to expand its long-haul service with outstanding range, capacity and efficiency. After more than 75 years of partnership, we are honored by SAUDIA’s confidence in Boeing products and will continue to support Saudi Arabia’s goal to expand …

At ITB Berlin 2023, Sharjah has showcased a captivating vision of the present and future of tourism. Led by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the emirate’s innovatively designed pavilion at the event powered by latest digital technologies was a popular hive of activity and business networking for three days, offering visitors a vivid experience of Sharjah’s leading tourist attractions spanning its stunning diverse natural and manmade landscapes. SCTDA led a delegation of 15 public and private entities, tourist office representatives and travel agencies from Sharjah, who presented emerging investment opportunities in tourism to visiting business professionals, industry leaders and potential partners, in a series of meetings. At the event’s various discussion forums, the Sharjah delegation representatives also turned the spotlight on the efforts and innovations in the sectors of sustainable tourism, eco-tourism, adventure and cultural tourism driven by their efforts. Over the years, Sharjah has emerged as one of the regional leaders in these sectors, which are playing a major role in promoting and preserving socio-economic history and our natural environment. Sharjah’s stunningly diverse natural beauty characterised by pristine beaches, rugged mountainous terrain – all enriched by the town’s unique cultural heritage come together to offer tourists and visitors several opportunities to explore. In recent years, these opportunities have expanded considerably through the hosting of cultural events, new adventure tourism and water sport activities, the opening of luxury hospitality destinations as well as heritage attractions, which all contributed to Khorfakkan winning the prestigious award – an acknowledgement of the coastal town’s dedication to promoting sustainable tourism options and providing exceptional experiences to residents, visitors and tourists. From experiential virtual tours of emerging touristic assets like the Sharjah …

Mastercard and Bahrain-based fintech Infinios Financial Services have announced a strategic partnership to advance the digitization of business-to-business travel payments between travel buyers and suppliers through the first Mastercard Wholesale Program launch in region. The collaboration will enhance liquidity for travel suppliers, such as travel agencies, through greater transaction flexibility, transparency, and security. Infinios will deploy the Mastercard Wholesale Program, a virtual card based B2B payment product, to its travel industry customers using its proprietary technologies to help them secure, streamline, and automate B2B travel transactions. The combined solution has been specifically designed for and with the travel industry, addressing the lack of visibility, control, and protection associated with manual payment methods that are still rife across the sector. Andrew Sims, co-founder and CEO of Infinios Financial Services, said: “We are excited to be continuing to develop our relationship with Mastercard in the B2B travel payments space in line with our commitment to support the overall financial ecosystem in the region. The combined strength of Infinios’s comprehensive technology capabilities and the pricing structures available through the Mastercard Wholesale Program will enable us to provide a further boost to the corporate travel industry as it continues to recover from the ill effects of the global pandemic.” Khalid Elgibali, Division President, Middle East and North Africa, Mastercard, said: “As consumers regain the confidence to seek out and book travel experiences, legacy B2B payment processes threaten to hold the industry back. It is now vital that organizations across the sector consider how their payment strategy can secure growth and improve liquidity. Innovation must play its part in ensuring that travel payments are not only simple and convenient but, even more importantly, flexible and …

Emirates has boosted operations by 31% (total ASKMs) since the start of its financial year and has further plans to ramp up seat capacity in its latest published northern summer schedule starting 26 March 2023. In the past months, the airline has planned and executed the rapid growth of its network operations – reintroducing services to 5 cities; launching flights to 1 new destination (Tel Aviv), adding 251 weekly flights onto existing routes; and continuing the roll-out of service enhancements in the air and on the ground. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “Emirates continues to expand its global network and deploy its capacity to meet travel demand across the world. Our financial year started relatively quietly as we held back our ramp up until the planned northern runway rehabilitation program at Dubai International airport was completed in June. From July 2022 onwards, it’s been non-stop expansion.” He added: “Customer demand has been very strong, and our forward bookings are also robust. Emirates is working hard on several fronts – to bring back operating capacity as quickly as the ecosystem can manage, while also upgrading our fleet and product to ensure our customers always enjoy the best possible Emirates experience. So far, 4 of our A380 aircraft have been completely refurbished with our new cabin interiors and Premium Economy seats, and more will enter service as our US$2 billion cabin and service enhancement program picks up pace.” In the coming months, established routes to Europe, Australia and Africa will be served with more Emirates flights, while in East Asia, more cities are seeing route restarts. Upcoming A380 deployments in Northern Summer 2023 season: Emirates continues to scale up its …

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the opening of its eighth hotel in Riyadh, Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center. This new addition forms an integral part of the Riyadh International Conference and Exhibition Center. Situated in the capital city of Saudi Arabia and within walking distance of the city center and its state-of the art Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center  is ideal for business and leisure travelers looking for a sophisticated atmosphere and a base from which to conduct their business and enjoying luxurious relaxation. Additional destination highlights include vast shopping malls, impressive skyscrapers, and cultural offerings, including the King ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Historical Centre, the National Museum, and the National Library. Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center features 223 rooms, all of which have been stylishly designed with spectacular views of Riyadh. The heart of the hotel is the double-volume lobby that welcomes guests as a tranquil oasis from the city’s fast-paced life. The design elements of the hotel, from the breathtaking entrance to the tasteful decor in the guest rooms, deliver a feeling of modern luxury. Guests staying in the Executive Rooms and Suites have complimentary access to the Business Lounge, which offers Tea, Coffee and snacks throughout the day. Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center offers two food and beverage venues. The Al Diriyah Restaurant and Lounge serves an international menu with some local touches and serves a variety of coffees from Camel Step, a local roastery. The Terrace restaurant is located on the second floor and is the perfect spot for those looking to enjoy a night out with gourmet …

Insightful discussions and debates on sustainability, the economic outlook, and key trends shaping the future of aviation will be in the spotlight as the milestone 10th edition of the Arab Aviation Summit (AAS) gets underway from March 14-16 at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Organised under the theme ‘Impactful sustainability in modern-day travel and tourism’, the three-day summit hosting a distinguished gathering of thought-leaders, innovators, and industry experts, will explore decarbonising pathways in aviation and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the industry with the continued rise of disruptive technologies. Leading regional and global players in the aviation and travel industry will headline inspiring keynote addresses and participate in interactive panel discussions that offer a deep dive into best practices, sustainable business models, regional trends in aviation and tourism, and more. Prominent speakers at the event include H.H. Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum, first lieutenant pilot of the Dubai Police Airwing; H.E Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA); H.E. Ilin Dimitrov, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Bulgaria, Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia and Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General, Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO). In a discussion with other industry experts, Ted O’Byrne Chief Executive at AviLease, and Mikail Houari, President, Africa and Middle East at Airbus, will explore the fundamentals of airline economics under the pillar of sustainability. Val Miftakhov Founder & CEO at ZeroAvia – a company developing the world’s first practical zero emission aviation powertrain, will discuss pathways to net zero in the aviation, travel and tourism industry while Andreas Slettvoll, CEO CHOOOSE, will be part of a discussion …

Oman Air applauded the efforts of Oman Golf Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Ministry of Commence, Industry and Investment Promotion for a first-of-its-kind golf diplomacy initiative between Oman and Italy, which concluded this week. As the event’s official airline sponsor, the national carrier brought in the qualifying players, who included some of Italy’s most prominent investors, into Oman for the final, held at Al Mouj Golf, Muscat. The event raised awareness about Oman’s tourism and investment potential in Italy and other key European target markets. Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “In line with our commitment to Oman’s 2040 Vision, Oman Air is a strong supporter of sports tourism, which is a key vehicle for promoting the country’s natural beauty and rich culture to visitors from all over the world. The Oman Golf Trophy was a huge success, leveraging golf as an ambassador to highlight Oman’s rich investment potential and strengthen diplomatic ties between Oman and Italy. We look forward to seeing more events like it in the future that showcase Oman to the world and provide opportunities for economic growth and job creation.” Oman Air’s efforts to promote investment and sports tourism in Oman are in line with the country’s vision to diversify its economy and create new opportunities for growth. The airline has been a major sponsor of numerous sporting events in Oman and internationally, including most recently the 44Cup, Oman Desert Marathon and Ironman 70.3.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi marked the inauguration of its first flight to Queen Alia International Airport. Before departure, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the presence of senior representatives from Air Arabia Group and Abu Dhabi Airports. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “We are excited to launch Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s first flight to Amman and we thank our partners who contributed to the success of this launch. Offering valuable products to passengers and contributing to their travelling experiences across our network lays at the forefront of our strategy. We are committed to serving both leisure and business customers and to enhancing the travel and tourism sector of both countries.” Commenting on the announcement, Maureen Bannerman, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports said, “We are proud to see the growth of travel routes and airline options, this time between Abu Dhabi and Amman with Air Arabia. We continue to expand our offering, providing more choice to guests travelling from our airports, positioning Abu Dhabi International Airport as the airport of choice”. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi continues to enhance global connectivity to and from the capital of the UAE, serving a total of 34 destinations directly from Abu Dhabi International Airport across the sub-continent, GCC, Russia, Africa, and Europe. The new direct flights will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport to Queen Alia International Airport with a frequency of three flights weekly. Air Arabia operates a fleet of 68 Airbus A320 and A321 neo-LR aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The aircrafts are also equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming service and an …