Category Archives: Aviation

Etihad Airways announces an enhancement to its European network. From 1 October 2025, the airline will offer daily services to both Dusseldorf, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark, further strengthening connections between the UAE and these European destinations. The Dusseldorf route will see a substantial increase from its current schedule to a daily service. This expansion represents an addition of four weekly flights, providing passengers with greater flexibility and connectivity. Additionally, Dusseldorf will now be served year-round, offering consistent travel options throughout all seasons. Similarly, the Copenhagen route will be enhanced from its present four-times-weekly schedule to daily operations. This change adds three more weekly flights to the Danish capital, further strengthening Etihad’s presence in Scandinavia. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, commented: “This move to daily flights for Dusseldorf and Copenhagen marks an exciting chapter in our European expansion. It reflects our commitment to providing unparalleled connectivity between Abu Dhabi and key European cities. These enhanced frequencies allow us to offer our guests greater flexibility and improved connection options across our global network. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to delivering our award-winning service and hospitality on these routes, ensuring every journey with Etihad is exceptional.” These enhancements reflect Etihad’s commitment to expanding its global network and providing guests with even more flexible and reliable travel options between Abu Dhabi and key European cities. Dusseldorf A perfect blend of modernity and tradition, Dusseldorf offers a unique European experience. Known for its fashion industry and art scene, the city’s Media Harbour showcases cutting-edge architecture. Visitors can enjoy luxury shopping along the famous Königsallee or explore the charming Altstadt (Old Town) for a taste of traditional German culture. Copenhagen …

According to Sojern’s latest findings, travel to the UAE and Saudi Arabia spikes ahead of major events and peak travel season. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on deck to host the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from 6 -8th December, and flight bookings from the past 30 days are up 9% overall during December, with regional bookings up 13% compared to 2023 and international travel up 4%. In addition, as Saudi Arabia (KSA) enters its peak travel season, regional and international travel are showing increased demand. Currently, international flight bookings are up 15% compared to 2023, but regional travel is the shining star with a 38% increase. Formula One (F1) events are known to draw large crowds. For example, the 2022 F1 Singapore Grand Prix spiked travel to the country by 63%.

flydubai launched its new Business Class check-in at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB). The dedicated space offers flydubai’s Business Class passengers a unique and smooth check-in experience with a personalised Meet and Assist service, seated check-in and a Fast Track service through passport control and security lanes. This is the carrier’s first dedicated check-in facility for Business Class passengers and it is located at the Departures area at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) near Entrance 3. The new space is designed to elevate the Business Class preflight experience and further underscores flydubai’s commitment to investing in enhancing the overall customer experience both on the ground and in the air. Commenting on the new Business Class check-in, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are excited to be extending to our Business Class customers the personalised service we offer them in our cabin on the ground as well. The new service will ensure our customers’ journey is efficient, hassle-free and enjoyable from the minute they arrive at Terminal 2 until they reach their destination. We continue to listen to our customers’ needs and invest in enhancing our products and services and we hope this is the first of many.” The new Business Class check-in area features design elements that draw inspiration from the serene and timeless beauty of desert dunes. The sweeping arches, warm tones and minimalist aesthetics reflect the undulating landscape of the desert, creating an inviting space for customers seeking efficiency and comfort. The new elevated experience starts prior to Business Class passengers arriving at the terminal with a dedicated Business Team available to assist with enquiries. A Dedicated Kerbside Drop-off Area and a separate Entrance …

Etihad Airways is rolling out Skypad, an innovative digital tool designed to enhance the inflight experience for passengers. Developed in-house by Etihad’s Digital Transformation and Innovation team, Skypad represents a significant step forward in personalised, efficient air travel service. Cabin crew serving in premium cabins have begun receiving tablets equipped with the SkyPad application and other key tools. These devices enable crew members to access real-time flight updates, ensuring each guest’s needs are anticipated and addressed promptly. “At Etihad, we’re committed to embracing technology that enhances our guests’ journey,” said Turky Alhammadi, Director of Product Development & Hospitality at Etihad Airways. “Skypad embodies our dedication to excellence, blending innovation with our world-renowned hospitality.” Skypad’s Meal Order Taking feature allows cabin crew to take and complete orders with minimal steps, ensuring a smoother dining experience for passengers. The system’s real-time inventory tracking enables precise management of onboard resources, reducing waste and improving sustainability efforts. “The introduction of Skypad marks a new chapter in our service evolution,” Alhammadi added. “We’re continuously working on new functionalities to make this tool even more effective, always with the goal of providing an unparalleled guest experience.” Etihad Airways is committed to ongoing development of Skypad. Future enhancements will focus on further personalising the guest experience and expanding the system’s capabilities. Looking further ahead, Etihad envisions a fully connected experience across all guest touchpoints – in the air and on the ground. This ambitious goal aims to create a seamless journey for passengers, from booking to arrival at their final destination. As Etihad continues to innovate in aviation technology, passengers can look forward to an ever-evolving, seamless travel experience that sets new standards in the industry.

Emirates announced plans to debut newly retrofitted Boeing 777s featuring its latest Business Class and Premium Economy cabins to Kuwait and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, as more aircraft sporting refreshed cabins roll out into scheduled service. The airline aims to offer customers traveling on short flights more opportunities to experience its latest-generation products, in addition to raising the bar for premium travel, with Kuwait and Dammam becoming the second and third cities in the GCC to be served by the refurbished Emirates Boeing 777s. Emirates’ enhanced Boeing 777s with the airline’s signature Premium Economy and next generation Business Class will operate as follows:Kuwait: The retrofitted Emirates Boeing 777 will operate on EK855 and 856 from 27 October. Dammam: The refurbished Emirates Boeing 777 will operate on the daily EK823 and EK824 as well as the EK 821 and EK 822 from 22 November*. Dammam becomes the second destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be served with the retrofitted Emirates Boeing 777. The Emirates Boeing 777 entered refurbishment in early July, and so far, six aircraft have fully rolled out into service, flying to Geneva, Zurich, Brussels, Haneda and Riyadh. The four-class configuration features 24 Premium Economy seats set in a 2-4-2 abreast layout. The 19.5-inch-wide cream leather seats consist of a 38-inch pitch, reclining 8 inches to stretch and relax, in addition to 6-way adjustable headrests. The new Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class is inspired by the fresh, open and contemporary design elements of Emirates’ iconic A380 experience, featuring soft leather cream seats accented with champagne trim, lighter wood panelling, a mini-bar, and other technology touches that deliver an elegant and engaging experience. Emirates will offer 38 seats in a 1-2-1 …

The inaugural Aviation Future Week (AFW), organised by Emirates Airline and the Museum of the Future, commenced bringing together global aviation leaders, industry experts, and innovators to discuss the future of the industry. The event provided a high-powered platform to explore how the future of aviation is being shaped around the passenger experience. It also spotlights innovative solutions to global operational challenges in the industry by leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking on the occasion of the event, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “Dubai has a thriving aviation and tech ecosystem, which creates the ideal environment to nurture innovation in aviation, particularly through emerging technologies like AI. Aviation Future Week addresses vital issues including the enormous impact of aviation on global mobility and prosperity, and the critical role of technology in mitigating industry challenges. The insightful discussions, diverse perspectives and viable use cases over the next three days will serve as a springboard for envisioning a better future for the industry.” The first day of the event was attended by prominent leaders in the aerospace industry. The gathering of the industry’s elite underscored the event’s role as a key platform for innovation and strategic partnerships. In a fireside chat on, ‘How Dubai is Setting Future Trends in Aviation and Logistics’, His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), emphasised Dubai’s pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation. HE Belhoul said Dubai has the knowledge, experience and innovation-first mindset to leverage advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to stay ahead of the wave of disruption coming to the aviation, cargo …

In a smart move, Emirates is now extending its immersive virtual training platform MIRA to the airline’s number one priority – safety. The airline’s nearly 23,000, and rapidly growing, cabin crew team, who are responsible for the safety of millions of travellers every year, will soon be able to complete their recurrent SEP (Safety & Emergency Procedures) training on MIRA. The self-guided virtual training has been designed to meet the requirements of GCAA and other regulatory bodies, while maintaining the integrity and quality of Emirates’ exceptional training programmes. The platform features photorealistic, high-fidelity, fully modelled cabin interiors of the Airbus A380, Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft, plus emergency slides, tarmac, airbridges and different views of water and land. It will be supported with hyper-realistic audio and images. Multi-player scenarios with avatars playing the part of backup crew members will ensure standard operating procedures are accurately replicated. While Emirates’ iconic cabin crew are renowned for offering the airline’s signature service, their core responsibility is ensuring onboard safety. SEP training on MIRA is designed to complement current methodology and will initially start with two modules – aircraft door operations and fire-fighting – key aspects of onboard safety. Arming and disarming heavy aircraft doors require hands-on skills and experience. If opened incorrectly, the emergency slide could inflate, potentially causing damage to aircraft and airbridges, or lead to injuries. This is why cabin crew are required to complete annual recurrent SEP training. Soon, Emirates cabin crew will be practising door drills virtually to demonstrate and be assessed for their competency in normal and emergency door operations, and standard operating procedures. Firefighting skills are also key in the cabin crew competency arsenal. MIRA will feature …

Travelport and Air India announced that they are accelerating the launch of NDC content and servicing for Travelport-connected agencies. Travelport is the leading distributor for Air India content globally, connecting the airline to its network of travel agencies around the world via the Travelport+ platform. Agencies using Travelport+ will be able to quickly and easily view and compare the airline’s NDC offers alongside traditional content in the fourth quarter of this year. “Globally, Travelport is the leading aggregator of Air India content for travel agencies,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport. “Our partnership is centered around our shared belief that agencies are an essential retailing channel to provide travelers with seamless, personalized experiences for every trip, even after booking. That is why Travelport’s end-to-end NDC solution will empower agencies to directly service Air India bookings, so they can manage changes across NDC and non-NDC content seamlessly.” Travelport’s latest enhancement to the Travelport+ platform, Content Curation Layer (CCL), simplifies the process of accessing retail-ready content and identifying the most relevant options from airlines like Air India. Travelport’s CCL uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) to filter through aggregated multi-source content to deliver accurate search results that are standardized, making offers easier to understand and compare. This ensures that agents can then book the best options for their travelers from any source of Air India’s content, based on their unique needs and preferences. “Travelport is one of our preferred technology providers,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer at Air India. “Together, we are looking to deliver a solution that makes it easy for agents to access, sell, and service Air India’s content and offers through …

Malaysia Airlines has appointed Almosafer as its exclusive general sales agent (GSA) for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership reaffirms Malaysia Airlines’ expanding presence in the region and strengthens its role in supporting the growing travel demand between the two nations. Through this collaboration, Almosafer will lead all sales and ticketing operations for Malaysia Airlines in Saudi Arabia, leveraging its on-ground expertise and unparalleled digital reach. The partnership will enhance connectivity for travellers, allowing them access to Malaysia Airlines’ world-class services and extensive flight network. In addition to sales, Malaysia Airlines will benefit from Almosafer’s comprehensive offerings, including its destination management company, Discover Saudi, and its Hajj and Umrah tour Operator, Mawasim, alongside Almosafer Business. This partnership aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to welcome 150 million visitors by the end of the decade, including the recent launch of enhanced Umrah+ packages tailored for Malaysian pilgrims. Almosafer’s role in advancing this vision, coupled with Malaysia Airlines’ premium travel experiences, promises to create a seamless journey for both inbound and outbound travellers. Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines Business from MAG, said: “Malaysia Airlines looks forward to a fruitful partnership with Almosafer as we embark on a journey to strengthen our presence in Saudi Arabia and serve travellers from Saudi Arabia and beyond. By leveraging Almosafer’s local expertise and rich legacy, we are confident that this partnership will enhance the travel experience for Saudi passengers. Our extensive connectivity and premium onboard services will open new opportunities and expand our reach to a broader audience.” Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Executive Officer of Almosafer, said: “At Almosafer, we constantly strive to offer best-in-class services to our valued customers through strategic …

flynas inaugurated its new lounge at the domestic terminal of King Fahad International Airport in Dammam with a new style, premium facilities, and expanded capacity, within its commitment to enhancing customer experience as well as increasing and diversifying the rewards offered to members of nasmiles, the loyalty program of flynas. Entrance to the new “flynas Lounge” will be free for the holders of the “Prime” membership in the loyalty program “Nasmiles,”. Representatives from flynas and Dammam Airports Company (DACO) attended the inauguration ceremony of the new lounge, which has been equipped with modern and comfortable furniture in a way that provides privacy for travelers before their flights and guarantees them calm and relaxation. The lounge will be available to passengers on flynas flights 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Guests can enjoy free wireless internet in the lounge, in addition to cold and hot food and drinks. The leading LCC is always keen to enhance the experience of its passengers by raising the quality of services and products provided to them. In addition to flynas lounges at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Nasmiles Prime members are able to access 18 more Hayyak lounges in different airports around the Kingdom. flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations, in line with the objectives of the Vision 2030.