Category Archives: Aviation

Sabre Corporation announced that BermudAir has successfully implemented Radixx®, Sabre’s low-cost carrier (LCC) passenger service system (PSS), to support its growing operations. As part of a multi-year agreement, BermudAir deployed Radixx Res®, Radixx Insight®, and Radixx EzyCommerce®, enabling BermudAir to optimize reservations, streamline operations, and enhance the traveler experience. The flexible, cloud-based solutions will support BermudAir’s rapid expansion by improving passenger processing, delivering data-driven insights, and enabling seamless digital retailing. “Radixx’s advanced retailing capabilities empower airlines to deliver personalized offers and smooth booking experiences, driving ancillary revenue and increasing customer satisfaction,” said Darren Rickey, Senior Vice President, Global Airline Sales and Account Management at Sabre. “We are excited to partner with BermudAir as they continue to grow and redefine air travel to and from Bermuda.” With Radixx’s next-generation technology, BermudAir can further refine its digital capabilities, providing a seamless, intuitive booking process, faster passenger handling, and greater operational efficiency. The partnership underscores Sabre’s commitment to powering airlines with intelligent, adaptable solutions that enable agility in a competitive market. “Delivering a consistent and efficient travel experience for our customers is our top priority, and having the right technology partner is essential to achieving that,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO at BermudAir. “Radixx offers the flexibility and scalability required to streamline our operations, enhance the booking experience, and drive efficiency. With a successful implementation, we are well-positioned for future expansion.” In addition, BermudAir recently integrated with Sabre’s Global Distribution System (GDS), broadening its reach within the travel trade sector and making its flights more accessible to travel agents and corporate bookers worldwide. Since launching in September 2023, BermudAir has established itself as a premier regional carrier, providing year-round connectivity between Bermuda and …

beOnd announced it will offer to customers in Munich and Dubai its award-winning beOnd service between the two cities. Since 2024, beOnd has flown guests in the airline’s signature luxury leisure cabin between Munich and the Maldives. Today’s news is an expansion of service connecting customers in Germany and the United Arab Emirates. “Linking Munich with Dubai aligns perfectly with our strategic vision, driven by significant customer demand. Munich residents seek Dubai’s luxurious resorts and vibrant tourism, while Dubai residents look forward to Munich’s cultural heritage and scenic beauty,” said Tero Taskila, CEO and Chairman of beOnd. beOnd offers all-lie-flat seating and private jet–inspired service curated for today’s discerning leisure traveller. This elevated experience reflects beOnd’s global brand campaign, Redefining Travel, which places wellness, design, and destination-inspired hospitality at the heart of the journey. Initially, the airline will operate twice-weekly flights from Munich Airport Franz Josef Strauss (MUC) to Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Additional destinations in Germany may follow in 2025. beOnd will operate the flights under “fifth freedom” rights. This approval—granted by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority and Germany’s Luftfahrt-Bundesamt—underscores the strong regulatory support beOnd continues to receive. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the MCAA and Luftfahrt-Bundesamt for their confidence in beOnd. We also thank Velana International Airport in Malé and Munich Airport for their collaboration,” Taskila said. This milestone follows beOnd’s recent approval to operate flights between Switzerland and Dubai, expanding its premium leisure network across key European markets.

flyadeal has expanded its portfolio of products and services with the introduction of travel insurance packages through Saudia Arabia’s leading insurer, Tawuniya. From as little as SAR12 for a single journey or SAR19 round trip, travellers can have the comfort of securing cover to protect against unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, missed flights, baggage loss, and personal accidents. The airline’s latest offering can be purchased as an additional service on flyadeal’s website, www.flyadeal.com, or Mobile App. Travel insurance is the latest in a series of product enhancements introduced by flyadeal in recent weeks. These include Hold Fare enabling customers to lock their ticket price for 24 hours to avoid potential fare fluctuations while still deciding whether to book; and the launch of Adeal Membership, an annual domestic travel initiative that offers fixed monthly ticket prices for an annual premium. Abdullah Adel Alahmadi, flyadeal Ancillary Product Manager, said: “Travel insurance is always a safety net in times of need, providing peace of mind, and both financial and emotional relief in the event travellers face issues which require immediate assistance. “There is the assumption that travel insurance is cost prohibitive. This is not the case. In partnering with leading insurance provider Tawuniya, we are able to provide value added cover to suit individual needs from as little as SAR12 for a single journey.” One of the fastest growing airlines in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East, flyadeal has already embarked on an aggressive expansion this year. New routes have launched connecting Dammam with Tabuk, Najran and Yanbu, alongwith services from Riyadh and Jeddah to the Jordanian capital, Amman, and Pakistan’s commercial hub of Karachi. Effective 19 June 2025, flyadeal will embark …

Etihad Airways has welcomed its sixth A350 to its growing fleet. The state-of-the-art aircraft arrived this weekend following a successful delivery flight from Toulouse, France, further strengthening Etihad’s position as one of the airlines with the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the sky. The A350 is a favourite with guests, boasting an unparalleled flying experience with award-winning Business Class, featuring privacy-focused sliding doors, wireless charging, and cutting-edge inflight entertainment systems, while Economy Class offers ergonomic seating, device holders, and Bluetooth connectivity with inflight entertainment. Renowned for its sustainability, the A350 stands out as one of the most efficient wide-body jets, with 25 per cent lower CO2 emissions and a 50 per cent smaller noise footprint compared to earlier-generation aircraft. The long-range of the A350-1000 makes it a versatile aircraft for Etihad’s fleet. This summer, Etihad will begin operating the A350 to Atlanta, its newest and sixth gateway into North America and one of 16 new routes Etihad is launching this year.

Emirates will be introducing its newest Airbus A380s fitted with its latest cabins, including Premium Economy, to Manchester and Milan. The latest retrofitted A380s will operate on EK017/018 to Manchester from 6 June, and on EK091/092 to Milan from 1 July. * With the introduction of Emirates’ newly retrofitted A380 to Manchester, the airline will expand its Premium Economy offering to nearly 5,000 weekly seats in and out of the UK from June. The enhanced service to Manchester complements the four daily retrofitted A380s currently serving the Dubai-London Heathrow route, the Emirates A350 operating to Edinburgh, and the soon-to-launch refurbished Boeing 777 scheduled to serve London Stansted from May. Milan will become Emirates’ second Italian gateway to offer the airline’s latest cabins and Premium Economy seats following the planned deployment of the airline’s A350 to Bologna later in June. These additions will expand Emirates’ network of retrofitted A380 destinations to 19 global points, underscoring the airline’s commitment to investing in the very best customer experience in the sky and adding more premium cabin options and choice across geographies. By July, travellers from Manchester and Milan will be able to experience Emirates’ latest cabin features onboard the four-class A380 on the full journey to key points across Australasia and Asia including Sydney, Singapore, Osaka, Mumbai, Bangalore, and more. On a four-class Emirates A380, the Premium Economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck with 56 seats laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. Each seat offers generous pitch and width for working and relaxing, as well as customised features like in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table. The onboard experience is rounded off with meticulously selected in-flight amenities, a curated menu, …

IndiGo is strengthening its global presence, expanding its international network from India to Fujairah as the fifth destination in UAE. Fujairah, IndiGo’s 41st international destination on its network, further solidifies its presence in the Middle East. The new daily flights from Mumbai and Kannur to Fujairah, with dedicated bus services to & from Dubai and Sharjah, complementing existing routes to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, will unlock new travel options for tourism and trade, catering to both leisure and business travelers. With an extensive domestic network spanning over 90 destinations in India, the airline now offers seamless connections to 132 destinations worldwide. The airline’s expanded footprint in the UAE will enhance regional connectivity, reinforcing its commitment to providing unparalleled travel experiences. The strategically planned flight timings with carefully coordinated bus arrival and departure times offer travellers a hassle-free journey, discovering Dubai’s iconic landmarks, Sharjah’s cultural attractions, or experiencing the best of the UAE. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “We are pleased to announce the launch of daily direct flights from Mumbai and Kannur to Fujairah, a hidden gem in the UAE that’s rich in natural beauty and economic potential. As our 41st international destination and fifth in the UAE (we already fly to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah & Sharjah), Fujairah offers a unique blend of mountainous landscapes and a thriving coastline on the Gulf of Oman. With its growing importance in trade, logistics, and tourism, we’re confident that these new flights will further enhance regional connectivity. At IndiGo, we’re committed to providing convenient, affordable, and seamless travel experiences that bring people and businesses closer together.” Fujairah, located along the eastern coast …

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hyatt hotels in Dubai to showcase the city to new global audiences. Through innovative marketing initiatives, exclusive events, and tailored visitor experiences, this collaboration aligns with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. Signed by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Fathi Khogaly, Area Vice President for the Hyatt hotels in Dubai, the agreement underscores both parties’ commitment to driving tourism growth and elevating the city’s profile on the world stage. Under the terms of the MoU, the Hyatt hotels in Dubai will actively participate in various DET-led initiatives, including hosting familiarisation (FAM) trips, study programmes, and high-profile events designed to attract international visitors. Additionally, they will support DET’s promotional campaigns, such as flash sales, exhibitions, and roadshows, while receiving reciprocal marketing assistance for upcoming projects such as the launch of the new Grand Hyatt Dubai Waterpark, which is set to open this year. Special emphasis will be placed on leveraging key opinion leaders (KOLs) and creating engaging content to amplify reach and impact. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “This collaboration with Hyatt Hotels Dubai aligns with the aspirations of our visionary leadership to position Dubai as the best city to visit, live and work in. Driving forward the ambitious D33 Agenda, with the support of all stakeholders and partners, it is also a testament to our shared vision of diversifying and …

Qatar Airways will be launching three additional flights to Manchester, UK, from 4 June 2025, to support increasing demand for the airline ahead of the summer season. The route will be served by carrier’s state-of-the-art fleet of Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 787-9s. The Best Airline in the World, as voted by Skytrax in 2024, began its operations in the northern England city in 2003. Manchester remains an integral city in Qatar Airways’ network of more than 170 destinations, served via the World’s Best Airport and Airport Shopping, Hamad International Airport, as voted by Skytrax. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways’ increase in flights to Manchester comes as part of enhancing connectivity from all over the world to the “Capital of the North”. Global passengers will soon have greater choice and comfort when traveling to Manchester with Qatar Airways through our award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH) – voted World’s Best Airport and World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax in 2024. “With these incremental flights to Manchester, we are also proud to facilitate connectivity and capacity between UK and Australia – two significant markets for global travel.” Manchester, a city studded with red-brick Victorian architecture, is not only home to the world-famous football teams, but is also the backdrop of historic industrial movements, genre-defining musical bands, and inspiring art scenes. Qatar Airways flights to Manchester (MAN) The flights will depart every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: • Doha (DOH) to Manchester (MAN) – Flight QR25: Departure 02:40; Arrival 08:00 • Manchester (MAN) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR26: Departure 09:30; Arrival 18:20 Qatar Airways, a benchmark for excellence in the industry, remains a prominent leader in global connectivity. …

Building upon its commitment to digital transformation and customer-first innovation, SalamAir announced the launch of its dedicated WhatsApp service. Passengers can now receive their tickets and boarding passes directly via WhatsApp, ensuring a smoother and more connected travel experience.​ This initiative follows a series of enhancements introduced in the last few months to provide travellers greater flexibility and personalization, which included the launch of the Express Bag and Priority services. These offerings reflect SalamAir’s dedication to reforming the airline experience by combining low fares with enhanced flexibility, allowing passengers to tailor their journeys to their needs.​ Steven Allen, Chief Commercial Officer of SalamAir, emphasized the airline’s vision:​”At SalamAir, we believe passengers should have the freedom to choose the services that matter to them. As part of our broader digital transformation strategy, we’re introducing smart, customer-focused tools, like our new WhatsApp service, to enhance flexibility and control. This is just the beginning; the WhatsApp platform will continue to evolve, offering even more features to make the travel experience seamless and personal.” ​The introduction of the WhatsApp service marks another milestone in SalamAir’s journey towards delivering seamless, tech-driven solutions that prioritize customer convenience and satisfaction.

Mabrian, the global travel intelligence platform, analysed seats availability data on flights scheduled in international, one-way, direct flights connecting to nine Middle East destinations (Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrein), that collectively account for 12% of the total global inbound air seats scheduled for the full year 2025. This study is part of a series of Middle East market insights Mabrian will release in the lead-up to Arabian Travel Market 2025, aiming at sparking discussions on key trends shaping the travel & tourism in the region. Ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2025, this edition addressing the connectivity role in tourism development, Mabrian analysed the international air connectivity evolution and forecasts for 9 top Middle East destinations, revealing their role and potential as global aviation hubs and travel destinations, as well as challenges for a sustainable growth for international air connectivity. Mabrian’s analysis of 2025 international air seat availability reveals key shifts in the Middle East’s aviation landscape, underscoring the need for strategic route development, airline partnerships, and network optimisation to strengthen the Middle East’s position as a global aviation hub. Key take outs of this study indicate that the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye maintain their positions as top global connectivity hubs; Saudi Arabia emerges as a fast-growing competitor; Qatar stabilises after sustained expansion; Egypt and Jordan are set to outpace global growth rates, and Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait face declining inbound connectivity. Saudi Air Connectivity Soars: A +38% Growth in Inbound Seats Since 2019. The United Arab Emirates (ranking in 7th position worldwide with 88.9 million seats available on international flights) and Türkiye (9th position, with 75.6 million seats) are among the top …