Category Archives: Aviation

SAUDIA Airlines resumes direct flights to Mauritius 3 times a week. With the resumption of flights Saudis are now able to travel again into this magnificent destination, and enjoy what this paradise island has to offer. From the start Saudis visiting Mauritius will instantly feel welcome, they are treated to a warm attitude by locals, the Mauritian hospitality, rooting from an extraordinary mix of cultures, religion and ethnicities. All the communities live in harmony by nurturing their own culture and heritage, and sharing them with visiting guests. Mauritius has plenty to offer to the Saudi travelers be it families, couples, adventure travelers, or Saudis who wish to see this paradise island and all it has to offer. Here are some of the most unforgettable experiences you will have on your stay in Mauritius. The island is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches and cliffs that offer, together with the blue lagoon, an extraordinary scene that varies according to the seasons and the time of the day. The coastal landscapes also change according to the region, they are nothing alike. A sight to behold for sure! Mauritius is an island, and water sports is a must. Whatever the age or fitness level, you will surely find an activity that will suit you. Activities such as pedalo, kayak, stand-up paddle, and glass-bottom boat, there are also operators for specific outings such as dolphin viewing or big-game fishing, Submarine ride, the undersea walk, the underwater scooter and the parasailing for those looking for more thrilling activities. Aside from the water activities, Mauritius also has plenty to offer adventurous travelers in both air and land, trekking, quad biking, Safari, horse riding, double zip lines …

flydubai announced that it will resume operations to Ha’il and Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, which will bring the number of destinations served by the carrier in the Kingdom to ten. Flights to Ha’il and Tabuk will commence on 09 May with five weekly flights.  flydubai has built a network of more than 95 unique destinations in 50 countries served by a young fleet of 63 Boeing 737 aircraft. With the resumption of flights to Hail and Tabuk, flydubai’s network in Saudi Arabia has now grown to ten destinations including AlUla, Dammam, Gassim, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu. Flights to Ha’il Airport (HAS) and Tabuk Airport (TUU) will operate five times a week from Dubai World Central (DWC). Following the completion of the northern runway refurbishment project which is scheduled to take place in Dubai International (DXB) from 09 May to 22 June 2022, flights to Ha’il and Tabuk will resume from Terminal 2 from 23 June. Return Business Class fares from DXB to HAS start from AED 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 1,375. Return Business Class fares from HAS to DXB start from SAR 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from SAR 1,425. Return Business Class fares from DXB to TUU start from AED 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 1,500. Return Business Class fares from TUU to DXB start from SAR 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from SAR 1,330.

Air Arabia announced the resumption of its direct flights between Sharjah and four cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Taif, Al Jouf, Gassim, and Hail, starting April 28, 2022. Passengers will enjoy flying directly from Sharjah International Airport to these cities, where frequencies will increase during summer. Schedule to Taif, effective April 28, 2022 (all times local): Schedule to Taif, effective April 28, 2022 (all times local):   Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency  G9 1187 Sharjah 12:30 Taif 14:10 Airbus A320 Mon/Thu G9 1188 Taif 15:10 Sharjah 18:50 Airbus A320 Mon/Thu   Schedule to Al Jouf, effective April 28, 2022 (all times local):   Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency  G9 1221 Sharjah 14:25 Al Jouf 16:00 Airbus A320 Mon/Thu G9 1222 Al Jouf 17:00 Sharjah 20:30 Airbus A320 Mon/Thu   Schedule to Gassim, effective April 28, 2022 (all times local):   Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency  G9 1181 Sharjah 15:30 Gassim 16:30 Airbus A320 Mon/Tue/Thu /Fri/Sun G9 1182 Gassim 17:30 Sharjah 20:20 Airbus A320 Mon/Tue/Thu /Fri/Sun   Schedule to Hail, effective April 28, 2022 (all times local):   Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency  G9 1197 Sharjah 11:15 Hail 12:30 Airbus A320 Thursday G9 1198 Hail 13:30 Sharjah 16:40 Airbus A320 Thursday   Customers can now book their direct flights from Sharjah to the four cities in Saudi Arabia by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies.

flydubai announced that flights to Gassim in Saudi Arabia will commence on 01 May with a daily service. This brings the number of destinations served by the carrier in the Kingdom to eight. flydubai has built a network of more than 95 destination in 50 countries served by a young fleet of 63 Boeing 737 aircraft. With the resumption of daily flights to Gassim, flydubai’s network in Saudi Arabia has now grown to eight destinations including AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu. Flights to Gassim International Airport (ELQ) will operate daily from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) between 01 May and 09 May. These flights will temporarily operate from Dubai World Central (DWC) during the northern runway refurbishment project announced by Dubai Airports which is scheduled to take place from 09 May to 22 June 2022.  Flights to Gassim will resume from Dubai International (DXB) from 23 June. Return Business Class fares from DXB to ELQ start from AED 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 1,450. Return Business Class fares from ELQ to DXB start from SAR 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from SAR 1,390.  

Air Arabia Egypt, has announced the introduction of a new service to Dammam in Saudi Arabia with direct flights from Cairo International Airport to King Fahd International Airport, commencing on April 26, 2022. Schedule to Dammam, effective April 26, 2022 (all times local):   Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency E5 1315 Cairo 22:30 Dammam 02:10+1 Airbus A320 Tuesday, Friday E5 1316 Dammam 03:10 Cairo 05:15 Airbus A320 Wednesday, Saturday   Dammam, the capital of the breathtaking Eastern Province, has several landmarks and a wonderful tourist infrastructure with an abundance of activities as well as cultural sites to visit. This beautiful coastal city is the home to a huge sea and known for its wonderful beaches with exceptional fishing spots and it is considered the eighth route that Air Arabia Egypt flies to after Riyadh, Jeddah, Tabuk, Taif, Al Jouf, Hail and Gassim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Customers can now book their direct flights between Cairo and Dammam by visiting Air Arabia’s website, calling the call centre or through travel agencies.    

Kuwait Airways announces the launch of its scheduled flights to Nice in the French Republic, commencing from 15th June, with two flights per week, on Sundays and Wednesdays. Kuwait Airways Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Maen Razouqi stated that Nice is one of the new destinations that Kuwait Airways is including to its network of routes around the world, pointing out this particular destination is among the important and preferred destinations for the passengers of the Blue Bird, due to its attractive touristic locations, especially as it is located on the Mediterranean coast and is considered as a major tourist center, which is famous for its beautiful and picturesque beaches. Razouqi mentioned that Kuwait Airways’ selection of Nice as a destination came after comprehensive research of the feasibility of this destination with its multiple advantages for tourism, especially during the extended summer season. He noted that Nice is an excellent addition to the National Carrier’s schedule of operations and its upcoming plans to diversify its destinations, as well as venture into new markets with positive economic feasibility. In addition, Chief Executive Officer, Maen Razouqi, received the Ambassador of the Republic of France to the State of Kuwait, HE Claire Le Flecher, where the two parties discussed methods to enhance joint cooperation in areas related to the commercial aviation sector and means to develop them for the benefit of both sides, in addition to achieving the desired objectives and aspirations. Razouqi added, “We are honored and delighted by the visit of the Ambassador Claire Le Flecher to the Kuwait Airways’ headquarters, where the Ambassador was briefed on the history of the Blue Bird with its achievements and accomplishments, spanning over 68 years …

Emirates will soon launch NFTs and exciting experiences in the metaverse for its customers and employees.  The airline, which has earned a reputation for its innovative products and customer-centric services, today unveiled its plans to build signature brand experiences in the metaverse, alongside both collectible and utility-based NFTs. The first projects are already underway, with launch anticipated in the coming months. Emirates also announced that its Emirates Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site will be repurposed into a centre for innovation, bringing talent from all over the globe to bring to life the airline’s future-focused projects including those relating to the metaverse, NFTs and Web3. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group said: “Dubai and the UAE are blazing the way in the digital economy, having a clear vision supported by practical policies and regulatory frameworks in areas such as virtual assets, artificial intelligence, and data protection. “Emirates has always embraced advanced technologies to improve our business processes, enhance our customer offering, and enrich our employees’ skills and experiences. We are excited about the opportunities in the digital space of the future and are committing a significant investment in financial and resourcing terms, to develop products and services using advanced technologies that will deliver on revenue, brand experience, and business efficiencies. “It is fitting that our future-themed Emirates Pavilion at Expo is being repurposed as a hub to develop cutting-edge future experiences aligned with the UAE’s vision for the digital economy.” Emirates continues to engage with industry partners on its Web3 strategy, and recruit talent for its pipeline projects. No stranger to delivering experiences and engaging with customers in the digital world, …

Emirates has launched Dubai Experience, its powerful and intuitive platform for customers to easily browse, create and book their own customised itineraries including flights, hotel stay, visits to key attractions, and other dining and leisure experiences in Dubai and the UAE. Customers can choose from pre-curated itineraries if they are first-time visitors, or if they have specific interests in sports, culture, adventure, or entertainment and the arts. They can also have fun creating their own unique itineraries from scratch, pulling from an extensive list of recommended activities and dining options, or mix and match, using pre-curated itineraries as a starting point. Whether it is one of the many popular free attractions across the UAE, or one that requires pre-booking and payment, the easy-to-use itinerary planner provides details such as estimated duration, location map and cost, allowing customers to confidently plan and maximise their Dubai and UAE visit. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “We are proud to promote the very best that Dubai and the UAE have to offer on Dubai Experience, which is fully integrated with emirates.com. This powerful platform offers our customers the ability to plan their Dubai journeys and stopovers, and benefit from exclusive rates and expertly curated recommendations. “Through the Dubai Experience platform, Emirates aims to add value to our customers and enrich their journeys, and ultimately drive more people to visit our beautiful home and hub in the UAE. We will continue to add more exciting content on Dubai Experience, and look at opportunities to launch it to customers in more markets.” Today, Emirates’ customers in 19 countries* can build rich and customised itineraries from a selection of over 100 hotels and 200 activities …

flydubai announced that flights to Taif in Saudi Arabia will commence on 15 April with a daily service. This brings the number of destinations served by the carrier in the Kingdom to seven. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are pleased to see our network grow to offer more than 95 unique destinations. The network expansion has been supported by our growing fleet as we continue to take delivery of more aircraft over the next few months. We look forward to welcoming passengers back on our flights to Taif and thank the authorities for their continuous support.” Taif is located less than 100 kilometres east of Mecca in a valley on the eastern side of the Hejaz mountains. The millennia-old city is a favourite summer destination for those looking for the pleasant weather offered by the altitude. Due to its cooler climate and fertile land, the region earned its title of “Garden of the Hejaz”. Known as the City of Roses, more than 900 rose farms produce over 300 million flowers every spring. flydubai has built a network of more than 95 destination in 50 countries served by a young fleet of 63 Boeing 737 aircraft. With the resumption of daily flights to Taif, flydubai’s network in Saudi Arabia has now grown to seven destinations including AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh and Yanbu. flydubai’s passenger experience has been redesigned to enable travel in a safe environment that minimises crew and passenger contact and offers passengers confidence to travel at every step of their journey. Passengers are required to make sure that they are up to date with the regulations from the IATA Travel Centre and the …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit will take place 19-21 June 2022 in Doha, Qatar, hosted by Qatar Airways. This will be the second time that the global gathering of aviation’s top leaders will be held in Qatar; the first being in 2014. Originally, the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit were planned for the same dates in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, hosted by China Eastern Airlines. The decision to change the venue reflects continuing COVID-19 related restrictions on travel to China. “It is deeply disappointing that we are not able to meet in Shanghai as planned. In the meantime, we are pleased to be returning to the dynamic aviation hub of Doha and the warm hospitality for which Qatar Airways, our host airline, has become famous. This year’s AGM will be an important opportunity for aviation’s leaders to reflect on the shifting political, economic, and technological realities facing air travel as the industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic gathers pace,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.