Category Archives: Aviation

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) has expanded its route network and partnered with SpiceJet to connect its new services from New Delhi to Ras Al Khaimah effective December 2019. SpiceJet, India’s second-biggest airline will operate regular direct flights between Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Ras Al Khaimah. The route will be operated five times a week, targetted to gradually increase the frequency. H.E. Engr. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman, Board of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and Department of Civil Aviation Ras Al Khaimah, said, “We are pleased to welcome SpiceJet to our expanding network of international carriers at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and look forward to this long-term partnership with them. We are constantly working towards upgrading travellers experience and adding more routes to and from Ras Al Khaimah. Apart from the addition of a very vital route, this relationship will serve to be a very strategic one serving the wide Indian diaspora of residents and businesses in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah given the advantage of the extensive flight network of SpiceJet. We look forward to welcoming SpiceJet’s guests and hope they enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable experience at our airport.” Mr. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, “We are delighted to add Ras Al Khaimah as our 11th international destination. With more than 3400 Indian companies headquartered in Ras Al Khaimah, we see great potential in this route. Partnering with Ras Al Khaimah International Airport will help expand our operations and we see it as the way for SpiceJet to grow within the UAE, Europe and beyond.” Mr. Sanjay Khanna, CEO, Ras Al …

Etihad Airways, United Arab Emirates, and Saudia have marked the first anniversary of their commercial partnership by announcing 12 new codeshare routes to key destinations in Asia and Europe. Since signing their agreement in October 2018, the two airlines have placed their flight codes on each other’s services between Abu Dhabi and the Saudi Arabian cities of Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh and Medina. Saudia has also added its ‘SV’ code to Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and 12 more destinations – Ahmedabad, Belgrade, Brisbane, Chengdu, Chicago, Dusseldorf, Lagos, Melbourne, Moscow-Domodedovo, Rabat, Seychelles and Sydney. Etihad has placed its ‘EY’ code on Saudia flights to Peshawar, Multan, Port Sudan and Vienna. Under the deal announced today, Saudia will progressively add its code to Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and 11 more destinations in nine countries- Amsterdam, Baku, Brussels, Dublin, Hong Kong, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Phuket, Nagoya, Tokyo and Seoul, significantly extending Saudia’s reach. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said, “The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy strong economic, diplomatic and cultural links, and the partnership between our two national carriers is a natural and productive extension of these ties. The increased collaboration we have announced today will deliver even more growth to both airlines, provide greater choice for our passengers and freight customers, and further strengthen the ties between our nations.” Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Director General, Saudi Arabian Airlines, commented, “Network growth and increased access to destinations provides our guests with greater flexibility and convenience. We are pleased to further enhance our collaboration with Etihad Airways and continue to support the growth in services and routes.”

Emirates airline has announced key appointments and rotations in its global commercial operations, positioning it to better serve customers across its global network, and respond with agility to dynamic market opportunities. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said “The commercial organisation is responsible for delivering on our top-line results, which last year was close to AED 100 billion. It’s a testimony to the bench strength within the organisation. I am confident that the team is well placed to deliver the best possible support to our customers, and to deliver on our business strategy, targets, and future growth.” All the appointments are effective from 1 October 2019 and appointees will be reporting to Adnan Kazim. Salem Obaidalla, currently Senior VP Aeropolitical & Industry Affairs, will take over as Senior VP Commercial Operations Americas; Adil Al Ghaith, currently Senior VP Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East & Iran, will take on additional responsibility for UAE and Oman; Orhan Abbas, currently Senior VP Commercial Operations Africa, will take over as Senior VP Commercial Operations Far East; Badr Abbas, currently Senior VP Commercial Operations Far East, will take over as Senior VP Commercial Operations Africa; Thierry Aucoc, currently Senior VP Commercial Operations Europe & Russian Federation, will take on additional responsibility for Germany and UK; Ahmed Khoory, Senior VP Commercial Operations West Asia & Indian Ocean, retains his current portfolio. With this latest announcement, Emirates’ Commercial team now has 42 UAE nationals in key leadership roles. More than 75 per cent of them have been with the company for over 10 years, and most have gone through the Emirates Commercial Trainee programme for graduates and progressed their careers through various roles in the company.

Etihad Aviation Group, owner of the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, announced the signing of an agreement to launch ‘Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’, the capital’s first low-cost carrier. Etihad and Air Arabia will establish an independent joint venture company that will operate as a low-cost passenger airline with its hub in Abu Dhabi International Airport. The new carrier will complement Etihad Airways’ services from Abu Dhabi and will cater to the growing low-cost travel market segment in the region. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “With the emirate’s diverse attractions and hospitality offerings, travel and tourism plays a vital role in the economic growth of the capital and the UAE. By partnering with Air Arabia and launching Abu Dhabi’s first low-cost carrier, we are serving this long-term vision”. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said, “Home to the first low-cost carrier in the MENA region, the UAE has developed over the years to become a world-leading travel and tourism hub. We are thrilled to partner with Etihad to establish Air Arabia Abu Dhabi that will further serve the growing low-cost travel segment locally and regionally while capitalising on the expertise that Air Arabia and Etihad will be providing”.

In the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, Bryan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yao Yabo, President of Beijing Daxing International Airport (BDIA), establishing a framework for the sharing of best practices and the exploration of potential opportunities for future collaboration. Speaking after the signing, Thompson commented, “This agreement is the result of the close social and economic ties between the UAE and China, and we look forward to working with our Chinese colleagues to enhance our partnership at all levels. We are the first airport to sign an agreement with Beijing Daxing International Airport, highlighting Abu Dhabi International Airports status as a regional aviation hub and commitment to collaborating with partners from across the globe.” Yao Yabo commented, “On September 25, 2019, the Chinese President Xi Jinping officially announced the opening of Beijing Daxing International Airport. We believe on the basis of long-term and win-win cooperation with Abu Dhabi Airports, the two sides will jointly make more contributions to China’s civil aviation and the world’s civil aviation.”

Over 500 travel professionals from around the world met in Istanbul to celebrate this year’s theme ’10 years of Turkish Airlines Corporate Club’ as the airline enters a new era from its new home at Istanbul Airport, the world’s biggest airport terminal built from scratch. M. İlker Aycı, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Turkish Airlines, opened the conference on October 8, 2019 and the programme featured leading figures in the travel industry. M. İlker Aycı said, “Turkish Airlines continues to grow its operations and the products and services offered to its corporate passengers and eagerly embrace the opportunities that our new home at Istanbul Airport offers. We are committed to providing our guests an elevated travel experience and welcome them on our journey from the World’s Meeting Point.” Turkish Airlines Corporate Club is dedicated to serving the best of Turkish hospitality to its corporate customers and is committed to offer a range of advantages through its loyalty programme. Appreciating that time is of the utmost importance to its guests, the Turkish Airlines Corporate Club provides maximum flexibility of ticket booking, use of Istanbul Airport’s exclusive lounges and pre-boarding advantages such as a generous baggage allowance.  Once onboard, valued members are invited to enjoy excellent products and services. Business Class guests have exclusive use of flatbeds to stay refreshed, free WiFi to stay connected and Flying Chefs who serve top class catering.

Accor and Oman Air have announced a new partnership for members of their respective loyalty programmes, Le Club AccorHotels and Sindbad, with a range of benefits to make their travel experiences richer and more rewarding. This new partnership enables Le Club AccorHotels (LCAH) members to earn rewards points when flying with Oman Air by converting 1,500 Sindbad miles into 500 LCAH rewards points.  At the same time, it will enhance the experience of Le Club AccorHotels members as they will have the opportunity to redeem their rewards points into Sindbad miles to benefit from awards tickets and upgrades with Oman Air. Every 4,000 LCAH points equals to 1,500 Sindbad miles. This is an exciting partnership for frequent travellers who are members of both programmes because it allows them to purchase stays and discounts for their next trip at more than 3,500 hotels ranging from luxury to economy in joint destinations. They can also benefit from premium experiences and exclusive themed packages curated by Accor, which include access to live music concerts, food festivals and sporting venues such as Paris Saint-Germain VIP box and tickets. These assets will be available through the new Accor rebranded loyalty programme ALL – Accor Live Limitless to be launched in Q4 2019. The partnership allows elevated reward value for Accor’s loyalty customers throughout a network of more than 50 destinations serviced by Oman Air. Paul Starrs, Chief Commercial Officer at Oman Air, commented, “Our aim is to make Sindbad one of the most attractive and rewarding frequent flyer programmes. The addition of AccorHotels and Le Club AccorHotels will further enhance benefits offered to our members by allowing them even more options to earn and redeem miles …

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) continues to adopt initiatives with an aim to attract more tourists to the Kingdom of Bahrain and increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy. In light of this, BTEA welcomed passengers who arrived on the first charter flight of the new season from Moscow on October 7, 2019. The first flight commissioned by Coral Travel within the charter programme from Moscow to Bahrain took place in October 2018 with two flights scheduled per week. This will be increased to three weekly flights until May 2020, carrying 220 passengers that will be staying in 30 different hotels across Bahrain. “The BTEA has strengthened its presence, bilaterial relations and partnerships with travel and tourism organisations, tour operators, travel agents and airlines across the world through its representative offices located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), India, France, Germany, Russia, Kuwait and the United Kingdom. We will continue to work closely with all our representative offices to bring in tourist groups from around the world, further developing the tourism sector and increasing the contribution of non-oil based sectors of the national economy,” said Dr. Ali Follad, Tourism Advisor at BTEA. Receiving charter flights comes as part of the BTEA’s long term strategy to bring in large tourist groups, further developing the Kingdom’s tourism sector on a regional and international level under the slogan of ‘Ours.Yours.’, which contributes towards the Kingdom’s economy and the 2030 Economic Vision.

The latest project implemented by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) under the Federal Authority for identity and citizenship is the seamless passenger experience with the aid of biometrics via Emirates airline. Major Ghalib Abdulla Hassan Al Majed Al Marri – Director Business Management Department Smart Services, stated, “Our latest project from GDRFA is the passenger journey incorporation with Emirates airline. Three days prior to the passenger starting the journey, details about the passenger will be sent form the airline to the GDRFA for confirmation. Hence when the passenger arrives on the day of departure, all he or she should do is walk through the smart tunnel with no boarding pass, biometrics prior will obtain access not only through the gates but also to the lounge and the flight so that the customer has a much better passenger experience.” According to Major Al Marri, this will be introduced very soon for all the classes – Economy, Business and First Class. You will not need the boarding pass anymore to access the lounge or even the flight. Biometrics will be updated 72 hours prior to the departure of the traveller, which will enable the traveller to pass through or walk through a biometric tunnel with no documents in hand. Facial recognition will be the way forward, passing through customs, stay at the lounge; if you are not travelling in Business Class you can still enjoy the lounge by paying a nominal fee, at this point you can actually do so with no papers. 

As a result of its continuous efforts to deliver a smooth and seamless passenger experience, Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) will close its City Terminal, effective from 06:00 am GST time on October 3, 2019. The closure of the terminal falls in line with Abu Dhabi International Airport’s commitment to providing passengers with a streamlined and comfortable experience that allows passengers departing from the airport easy access to their flights and onward destinations. All passengers travelling from AUH are encouraged to depart directly from the airport, where they will be able to enjoy the full comfort and amenities offered to them by Abu Dhabi Airports’ staff, or to visit the conveniently located Abu Dhabi International Airport Expo Check-In, located at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), open seven days a week from 09:00 to 20:00 local time.