Category Archives: Aviation

Emirates has introduced self- check-in and bag drop kiosks for a more seamless airport experience at Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport. The service is now available to customers travelling to all destinations except to the US, Canada, China, India and Hong Kong due to additional requirements from these destinations.The 16 new self-service bag drop machines and 8 self-service kiosks complement the desks manned by Emirates check-in agents to reduce waiting time for customers during peak periods and improve the customer experience in Dubai. More self-services facilities are planned to be added in the coming months.The kiosks allow customers to check-in, receive their boarding pass, choose seats on board, and drop off their bags. While Emirates staff will be on hand for any assistance required, the facilities are fully self- service, allowing customers to breeze through the airport and proceed directly to immigration. The facilities are cleaned and disinfected regularly and hand sanitisers are also available for customers to use. The new offering is part of Emirates’ continued investment in product and service to provide an unmatched travel experience on ground and on board. The solution was developed in house at Emirates in collaboration with Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and Dubai Airports. The self check-in kiosks will be continually upgraded to offer new features in the future including going touchless, and allowing customers to make re-bookings on their own. Flexibility and assurance: Emirates’ booking policies offer customers flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers who purchase an Emirates ticket for travel on or before 31 March 2021, can enjoy generous rebooking terms and options, if they have to change their travel plans. Customers have options to change their travel dates, extend …

As part of Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) efforts to deliver an enriched experience to customers, a wider range of fares and personalised content will be provided to its travel trade partners in the UAE from February 2021. This comes via an expansion of SIA’s KrisConnect Programme, which leverages new distribution technology to make available improved content and functionality through partner platforms. In launching KrisConnect in 2018, SIA was one of the first airlines in Asia-Pacific to take advantage of this new technology. From 07 February 2021, SIA-appointed agents in the UAE that participate in the KrisConnect Programme will benefit from improved speed-to-market, access to the widest range of fare products including personalised content, and the ability to offer customised products to their customers, such as bundled packages and negotiated fare deals. This, in turn, elevates the booking experience for customers through increased levels of personalisation and acknowledgement of their KrisFlyer status. To ensure maximised accessibility of the KrisConnect Programme in the UAE, travel agencies and other external partners can take advantage of multiple ways to access the new content and functionalities. SIA will make content available through traditional Global Distribution System partners such as Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport, as well as new technology partners, including but not limited to Aaron Group, Duffel, HitchHiker, PKFARE, TPConnects, Travel Boutique Online, Travelfusion, TravelNDC and Verteil Technologies. In addition, SIA’s travel agent portal, AGENT360, will be launched in the UAE to allow travel agents direct access to content via the KrisConnect Programme. Singapore Airlines General Manager Gulf and Middle East, Christian Stenkewitz said the KrisConnect Programme was part of Singapore Airlines’ commitment to becoming the world’s leading digital airline. “We are pleased to launch the …

Etihad Airways from October 1 until 31 December 31, 2020 will offer PCR tests included in all air tickets booked by customers in the UAE for flights departing from Abu Dhabi International Airport, with the exception of services to China. The airline is collaborating with Life Medical Diagnostic Center (Life Dx) to offer convenient testing between 48 to 96 hours prior to departure, at its network of collection facilities in the UAE. Travellers flying First or Business will also have the option of selecting tests at their home. The quick and easy process can be booked directly with Life Dx. Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Etihad Aviation Group Vice President Medical Services, said, “This is a significant development which allows Etihad to provide greater ease of travel for those departing from Abu Dhabi, by removing as much inconvenience from the PCR testing process as possible. This follows on perfectly from the recent introduction of complimentary COVID-19 insurance cover on all Etihad Airways tickets. “We are confident this partnership will provide Etihad, and most importantly our guests, with Life Dx’s superior testing technologies so they can travel from the capital with greater peace of mind. This is one further step in the efforts being made by Etihad to provide a professional, secure and protected travel experience at every stage of their journey with us.” Hosam Fouad, Founder and CEO of Life Medical Diagnostic Center said, “We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with Etihad Airways to manage their passengers’ COVID-19 PCR testing requirements. “The solution’s main concept is to ramp-up the capacity of Life Dx’s central lab for up to 40,000 tests a day through fully automated state-of-the-art robotic systems and to …

Oman Air will return to scheduled service on October 1 with service to 18 cities in 12 countries including 2 flights per week connecting Muscat and Dubai. All flights will depart and arrive on Sundays and Thursdays. These schedules are valid from October 1-24, 2020. Oman Air will maintain its comprehensive safety program throughout all elements of the travel journey to ensure that guests fly confidently. Masks are required when guests are on board the aircraft and in Oman’s airports. Distancing is maintained while guests board and exit the aircraft, which are carefully cleaned after each flight and at the end of every day. Cabin crew all wear a full set of personal protective equipment, meal service has been modified to further ensure safety and a number of other steps have been taken to ensure that the airline’s guests and crew are safe at all times. Guests who are planning to travel to Muscat should visit the Civil Aviation Authority website, paca.gov.om, to ensure they are prepared to comply with requirements to enter the Sultanate.Guests travelling to Dubai or Doha should ensure they are aware of official requirements to enter or transit through those nations.Guests departing from Oman should also ensure that they are aware of all pre-departure requirements and requirements during their flights, which are provided at omanair.com.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts Abu Dhabi will be rebranded on October 1, 2020 following the signing of a management agreement between Hilton and H.H. Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan. The property will be known as Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers and be the first of Hilton’s luxury portfolio to operate in the UAE capital. Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, Hilton’s President for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, said, “Abu Dhabi is a world leading destination and remains a historic city for Hilton as a location where we began welcoming guests in the UAE almost 50 years ago. We are proud to be working with H.H. Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan to bring this iconic hotel to our portfolio and look forward to providing luxury Conrad service at Etihad Towers.” H.H. Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nayhan commented, “Etihad Towers is the embodiment of modern and sophisticated luxury and I am delighted to be partnering with Hilton to open Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. Abu Dhabi’s global reputation will be further enhanced with the presence of the luxury Conrad brand – a suitable addition to the world-class retail and dining options available at this landmark development.” Nils-Arne Schroeder, Global Head for Conrad Hotels & Resorts, said, “The debut of Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers in the capital of the UAE marks a significant milestone for the brand as we grow our portfolio in iconic locations around the world to better meet the needs of discerning travellers everywhere. This hotel is perfectly placed to offer guests a truly inspired stay with personalised connections to the local cultural and artistic experiences for which Abu Dhabi is known, all anchored by Conrad’s signature intuitive …

Emirates announced it will restart services to Entebbe, Uganda (October 1) and Muscat, Oman (October 2), bringing the total number of cities served by the airline to 94. Emirates is gradually resuming operations and rebuilding its network to provide more opportunities for travel, sparing no effort to ensure the highest standards of health and safety for its customers and employees at every travel touchpoint. Emirates will operate to Entebbe with three weekly flights on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. The addition of Entebbe expands Emirates’ African network to 20 destinations, enabling customers to safely and easily connect to destinations across Europe, the Far East, the Americas, the Middle East and West Asia with one convenient stop in Dubai. Emirates flight EK 729 will depart Dubai at 1030hrs, arriving in Entebbe at 1500hrs. The return flight, EK 730, will depart Entebbe at 1700hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2325hrs. Flights from Dubai to Muscat will operate twice a week on Sundays and Fridays. Emirates flight EK 866 will depart Dubai at 0215hrs, arriving in Muscat at 0330hrs. The return flight, EK 867, will depart Muscat at 0440hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0555hrs. Services to both cities will be operated by the Boeing 777- 300ER. Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates sales offices, via travel agents as well as online travel agents. Customers can stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for international business and leisure visitors. Ensuring the safety of travellers, visitors, and the community, COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming …

Global Aerospace Summit 2020 commenced in a virtual format and will end today September 29, where industry leaders from across the globe convened online to address the aviation, aerospace, space and defence sectors biggest challenges and opportunities. Hosted by Mubadala Investment Company and EDGE, the Summit will analyse how the aerospace and aviation industries can quickly recover, where efforts must be made to support the regeneration of those sectors and what new prospects are ascending from the new reality the world is facing. Badr Al-Olama, Chairman of the Global Aerospace Summit Advisory Board, and Head of Aerospace, Mubadala commented, “The Global Aerospace Summit is a timely reminder that our sector – more than most – is part of a wider, interconnected global industry built on partnership and collaboration. By sharing ideas and experiences we can overcome the challenges to realise the tremendous opportunities ahead. Mubadala and our Aerospace companies like Strata, Sanad and Yahsat are honoured to play our part in this conversation and share our vision for a dynamic sector built on continued investments in technology, disruptive business models and people.” Khalid Al Breiki, President – Mission Support, EDGE said, “EDGE is proud to host the fifth edition of the Global Aerospace Summit. The platform will enable us to leverage and strengthen our synergies and partnerships with some of the world’s leading aerospace and aviation players, as we seek to highlight the role that advanced technology plays, and will continue to play, in revolutionising the way the sector operates.” Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said “When markets reopen, adaptability will be key and Etihad will be ready. The Global Aerospace Summit is an excellent forum …

Emirates’ African network will expand to 15 destinations with the restart of Luanda, Angola from 1 October. The airline continues to gradually and safely restore its network, delivering on its health and safety promise as it responds to growth in passenger demand across the globe. Flights to Luanda will initially operate once a week on Thursdays. Emirates flight EK793 will depart Dubai at 0945hrs, arriving in Luanda at 1430hrs. EK794 will depart Luanda at 1825hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0510hrs the next day. Customers can stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for international business and leisure visitors. Ensuring the safety of travellers, visitors, and the community, COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from.

Unifree Duty Free has implemented state-of-the-art retail technologies at the New Istanbul Airport. These solutions – which rely on a cutting-edge network infrastructure from Swiss structured cabling specialist R&M – include three-dimensional holograms, enhanced digital signage systems, and touch-free digital shopping technologies.Offering an example of how its technology innovations strongly position Istanbul Grand Airport to ensure the safety and well-being of the ninety million travellers expected to visit the Duty Free zone annually, Osman Ayhan, Director of Information Technology at Unifree Duty Free said, “Enhanced digital signage systems give customers the opportunity to virtually try on luxury watches, jewellery and suits before they decide whether to buy or not.” This touch-free experience will be especially important to travellers in the post-COVID world. Ayhan explained that the decision to partner with R&M was based on a highly-positive recommendation from the airport’s IT department which has itself utilised 5,400 km of copper cablings and 3,270 km of fiber-optic cabling from R&M for connectivity of critical airport IT systems. “R&M is characterised by its quality, innovation, fast delivery times, expertise, flexibility and modular products. We also see the team spirit at R&M, the back-office support and the special training of installers on-site as a distinct advantage,” he said. “We are extremely proud to expand R&M’s footprint at the world’s largest airport. Unifree has demonstrated a commitment to pioneering the new digital shopping experiences that will be essential to travellers in the coming months and years. The technologies we have provided serve as a reliable platform on which the company can continue to innovate with confidence in the performance, security and reliability of the underlying systems,” said Nabil Khalil, Executive Vice-President of R&M Middle …

Saudi International Airshow 2021, to be held from February 16-18 in Riyadh announced the inaugural participation of the Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter (WAI-ME), a non-profit association dedicated to providing opportunities to women striving for careers in the aviation industry. Launched in the UAE, this Chapter shines a light on female role models in the Middle East to demonstrate the many opportunities for women in the aviation sector. It is fueled by the possibilities of supporting current and future generations of women to achieve their goals and ambitions as they work side by side with men in the industry. Saudi International Airshow forms part of the Vision 2030 program as the aviation sector continues to play an essential role in the diversification and expansion of the Saudi economy. Since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also included women’s rights in Vision 2030, exhibiting companies are supporting women and making more jobs available in aviation. WAI-ME aims to bring together women working in all areas of aviation across the Middle East to inspire and encourage future generations of women to consider a fulfilling career in aviation, and is committed to ensuring its vision, mission and goals are comprehensively realised. “We are delighted that the WAI-ME chapter will join us in February as it will help to cultivate a culture of understanding and appreciation for the Chapter’s vision within the local community, and the region as a whole. Women bring so much to aviation and WAI-ME is invaluable in supporting women at an extremely exciting time for Middle Eastern aviation,” commented Samantha Chastang, Executive Sales Manager for the event.