Category Archives: Aviation

Qatar Airways begin trialling the innovative new IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app, in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), from March 2021. The trial will play an important role in the airline’s vision to have a more contactless, secure and seamless travel experience for its passengers. The first phase of trials of the ‘Digital Passport’ will be rolled out on the airline’s Doha to Istanbul route, enabling passengers to receive COVID-19 test results and verify they are eligible to undertake their journey. It will also allow travellers to safely and securely share their verified ‘OK to Travel’ status with the airline and other stakeholders, even before their arrival at the airport. His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group said, “The IATA Travel Pass effectively acts as a ‘digital passport’ for travellers and is the latest tool in our fight against the spread of COVID-19, enabling passengers to securely and effortlessly navigate their travel plans, safe in the knowledge that their verified travel credential is based on the latest COVID-19 information, the strictest data privacy regulations and entry rules for the destination they will travel to.” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA Director General and CEO, said, “The trial will help us build confidence among governments and travellers that IATA Travel Pass can securely and conveniently link traveller identities with their digital travel credentials. It will also help us prove that ICAO’s global standards for digital passports work. And it will highlight the need for governments to accelerate their work with industry to develop global standards for health certificates—a critical enabler to safely re-connecting the world.”

Qatar Airways expans its strategic partnerships signing an expanded codeshare agreement with Iberia. The agreement will enhance connectivity between the two airlines’ complementary networks and will offer additional travel options to our customers travelling between the Iberian Peninsula, Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East via the Best Airport in the Middle East, Hamad International Airport. Sales of the added destinations have commenced already with the additional codeshare flights starting from today. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Akbar Al Baker said, “Despite the challenges of 2020, it has been our priority to maintain reliable global connectivity for our passengers. This expansion of our strategic partnership with Iberia further strengthens connectivity between the hubs of Doha and Madrid ensuring more flexible travel options for our customers. Qatar Airways and Iberia have enjoyed the mutual benefits our partnership has brought us since its establishment in 2017, providing more choice and seamless global connectivity for our millions of passengers. As global travel recovers, we look forward to further expanding our commercial cooperation with Iberia and continuing to provide the unrivalled five-star service our passengers have come to expect.” Javier Sanchez-Prieto, CEO, Iberia Group said, “The extension of the codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways is very good news for us. At Iberia we work so that, when countries eliminate their restrictions, we can offer our clients the widest and most comprehensive network possible. The extension of this codeshare agreement with our oneworld partner, Qatar Airways, opens up new markets in Australia and Africa and improves the connectivity we offer between Spain and the rest of the world with a very high-quality service offered by our partner, Qatar Airways.”

Turkish Airlines with its extra guidelines for safe travel and comprehensive hygiene precautions due to pandemic, the flag carrier airline has been awarded the highest ‘Diamond’ status by APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying. Analyzed in three categories named Gold, Platinum and Diamond according to the hygiene precautions and preventative measures taken by airlines in the face of the ongoing pandemic, the online audit was conducted with 10 categories and 75 touchpoints in mind as the answers about the health and hygiene precautions were entered with concrete indicators by the participants. Reviewed alongside other airlines, Turkish Airlines achieved the Diamond status which symbolizes the highest health and safety level, thus maintaining its unparalleled service approach and quality in these extraordinary times.Meticulously implementing comprehensive precautions and newly developed changes since the start of the pandemic in order to continue providing a healthy and safe travel experience for its passengers, Turkish Airlines achieved the Diamond status with numerous criteria such as touch-free check-in process, implementation of social distancing, temperature measuring at entrances, Covid-19 test service at the airport, extra hygiene precautions, in-flight social distancing, hygiene expert cabin crews appointed in flights and hygiene kits offered to passengers. On the results, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. İlker Aycı stated, “We provided comfort and reassurance for our passengers with our Hygiene Expert cabin crews appointed in our flights and hygiene kits offered to all of our passengers, along with all the precautions taken in airports and in our aircrafts.” In his statement on the matter APEX CEO Dr. Joe Leader said, “Turkish Airlines consistently has provided incredible passengers experience now topped by Diamond level …

flydubai announced that Catania and Naples in Italy, Salzburg in Austria and Malta will be joining its European network from May 2021. The carrier has grown its network to more than 65 destinations as countries continue to gradually lift travel restrictions.With the addition of Catania, Malta, Naples and Salzburg the carrier will operate flights to 20 destinations in Europe including Belgrade, Bucharest, Helsinki, Istanbul, Krakow, Prague and Sofia.flydubai flights to Malta International Airport (MLA) and Catania International Airport (CTA) will begin on 12 May 2021 with four times weekly service, while flights to Naples International Airport (NAP) will resume from 13 May 2021 with a three times weekly service.The carrier becomes the first UAE-based carrier to offer direct flights between Dubai International (DXB) and Salzburg Airport (SZG) from May 13, 2021 with a four weekly flights service. Commenting on the announcement, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said, “Since commencing operations in 2009, we have been committed to opening up previously underserved markets and the launch of our latest routes in Europe demonstrates our continuous efforts to offer more people the opportunity to travel more often while creating free flows of travel, trade, and tourism.” Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, added, “Whether customers choose to travel in Business Class or Economy Class they can look forward to the convenience of direct connections as well as a comfortable onboard travel experience as they start their journey. We look forward to launching these flights in May.” H.E. Maria Camilleri Calleja, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to the United Arab Emirates, said, “Joined by the Malta Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Malta …

Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH)  has announced that private jets movements continued its growth in 2020 by 21 percent compared to 2019 driven by the high number of movements in Q4.The aerospace hub also recorded a steep 78 percent growth of private jets movements in Q4 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to the government’s measures in combating the spread of COVID-19. “It gives us immense pleasure to see the substantial increase in private jet travel across the VIP Terminal at MBRAH for the second consecutive quarter. This exceptional performance is due to, among many reasons, Dubai’s status as a preferred destination for tourists, associated with the launch of the ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign, and the UAE ranking among the top countries in the world in efficiently handling the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tahnoon Saif, CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, said. MBRAH offers global aerospace players high-level connectivity and is a free-zone destination for the world’s leading airlines, private jet companies, and associated industries. Located in and developed by Dubai South, MBRAH is also home to maintenance centres and training and education campuses as well as seeks to strengthen engineering industries.  

Etihad Airways is expanding its offset programme in collaboration with Shell. Separately, the airline is also setting up a guest programme to allow guests to purchase additional voluntary offsets.Through its participation in Shell’s carbon credit programme, Etihad will expand its offset programme beyond the original Makame Savannah REDD project in Tanzania to include Peru’s Cordillera Azul National Park and Indonesia’s KatinganMentaya Project, making Etihad’s efforts geographically diverse in the promotion of climate action. Tony Douglas, Etihad Aviation Group CEO, said, “Exactly one year ago, we committed to a sustainable future with the very real, tangible objective to be completely carbon neutral by 2050 and to reduce CO2 emissions to 50 percent of 2019 levels by 2035. Since then, the aviation industry has been completely transformed by the COVID-19 crisis, however our commitment to sustainability has never wavered. We have since introduced and led a number of industry-leading sustainability initiatives to further drive and promote carbon neutrality, of which today’s announcement is just the latest.” Anna Mascolo, President, Shell Aviation, said, “We are pleased to be helping Etihad Airways reduce their net carbon footprint, through the use of high-quality, nature-based carbon offsets. Until sustainable aviation fuel and technology solutions are developed and deployed at scale, offsetting is not a choice but a necessity if companies within the aviation sector are to meet net-zero emissions targets. This agreement is a great example of action that can be taken today to engage multiple parties in accelerating aviation’s pathway to net zero emissions, even in challenging circumstances.” “In spite of COVID and the vulnerability of the industry, Etihad is determined to pave the path for a green recovery and commit to environmental stewardship and …

Emirates is launching its much-awaited global sale to inspire and encourage travelers to reconnect with family and friends or explore new destinations in the New Year. With attractive offers to select destinations worldwide, Emirates customers can make up for lost time in 2021. All-inclusive Economy Class fares from Dubai start at AED 1,055 to Karachi; AED 1,605 to Istanbul; AED 1,695 to Cairo; AED 1,995 to Moscow and AED 4,995 to Los Angeles. Business Class fares start at AED 4,495 to Karachi; AED 5,995 to Cairo; AED 8,995 to Istanbul; AED 9,995 to Moscow and AED 23,995 to Los Angeles. Bookings have to be made between January 19 to February 2, 2021 for travel until June 15, 2021. Emirates customers can travel with peace of mind with the airline’s flexible booking options and multi-risk travel insurance including COVID-19 cover with every flight.

flydubai announced the resumption of flights to Qatar. A double daily service from Dubai International (DXB) to Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) will start from 26 January.Commenting on the announcement, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “with today’s announcement we see the flydubai network grow to 64 destinations.  Flights to Doha will start from 26 January and to meet expected demand we are pleased to launch operations with a double daily service.  We hope to be able to continue to grow the service.” Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said: “flydubai offers convenient and reliable travel services between both countries.  Passengers have the opportunity to choose how they would like to travel whether it is in the comfort of Business Class or a customised experience in Economy Class. Tickets are available to book today on flydubai.com.” Passengers will have the option to experience Business Class enjoying space and privacy in the cabin, a comfortable spacious seat, inflight entertainment with films and TV shows available to watch and a range of delicious snacks and complimentary hot and cold beverages.Passengers travelling in Economy Class will enjoy a Recaro designed seat offering optimal levels of space and comfort in the air. flydubai continues to roll-out WiFi across its fleet enabling passengers to stay connected during their flight and can browse the web, send emails, use social networks and get the latest news. Passengers are able to choose between bundled (Flex/Value) or unbundled (Lite) fares depending on their travel needs.

Etihad Airways will recommence passenger flights from Abu Dhabi from February 15 to Doha, Qatar, subject to the applicable government approvals. The service will operate daily using an Airbus A320 and a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “With ties between the UAE and Qatar restored, the restarting of passenger services between the two capitals will once again support the growth of trade and tourism between the two nations. “Adding a new destination to Etihad’s network during the COVID-19 pandemic is another step towards the gradual expansion of normal scheduled services to more cities across the airline’s global network.” To give guests peace of mind and to offer an extra level of reassurance to travel, Etihad is the only airline in the world requiring 100% of its passengers to show a negative PCR test before departure, and on arrival in Abu Dhabi. As the network continues to be built back up, Etihad ensures a secure and hygienic flying environment across the entire guest journey. Over the last few months, the airline has seized every opportunity to improve processes, including the introduction of free PCR testing for guests departing the UAE and free COVID-19 insurance for all passengers globally.

Royal Jordanian is implementing the new measures required by the Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission for inbound flights.Until further notice, all passengers traveling to Jordan are required to pay the PCR test fees prior to flight departure through airlines sales channels, except for children less than 5 years of age. In addition, passengers are to fill out a health declaration form and submit it to the check-in counter employee at the airport before boarding the plane. These measures will apply to travelers of all nationalities flying to Jordan. RJ passengers are urged to arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to their scheduled flights to avoid delays and allow more time for the implementation of the new procedures.