Category Archives: Aviation

Etihad Airways is set to increase its frequency of flights to Maldives starting June 15, 2018. According to sources, four additional weekly flights will be added on the popular Abu Dhabi – Malé route, taking frequency to the Maldives to 11 services a week. The extra flights will operate year-round and provide more travel options with an early morning arrival enabling guests to maximise their stay in the Maldives. In addition to providing greater choice and flexibility for UAE and GCC residents, overall connectivity and timing options between the Maldives and key countries on Etihad Airways’ European network will be enhanced. These include the major markets of the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Russia. The expansion from the current daily operation will continue to see a two-class A320 aircraft on the route, offering 16 seats in Business Class and 120 in Economy.

Ahead of the International Civil Aviation Day on December 7, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group stated that smart services at airports and in air navigation reflect the UAE’s commitment to ensuring safe, secure and environment-friendly aviation network. “Through efficient implementation of ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices, Dubai and the UAE are ensuring safe and secured air travel for passengers around the world. I consider the theme for this year, ‘Working together to ensure no country is left behind’, highly important in the light of the increasing international air transportation between states.” Maktoum said. The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of states, and of the unique role of ICAO in helping states to cooperate and realise a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.

Air Arabia announced Asmara as its first destination in Eritrea, starting from December 10, 2017. The flight will operate once a week on Sundays, departing Sharjah International Airport at 22:00 hours and arriving at Asmara International Airport (ASM) at 01:00 hours local time. The return flight will depart Asmara on Mondays at 01:40, landing in Sharjah on the following day at 06:20 hours local time. Air Arabia currently operates flights to 133 routes across the globe from five hubs located in the Middle East and North Africa. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said “Eritrea is on the path to becoming an important market for the UAE. Through the launch of this route, we look to boost the trade and bilateral relations between the two countries, and expand our footprint in the African continent. We are excited to commence our operations to Asmara, which will provide affordable travel options to passengers travelling from Eritrea to destinations across our network and beyond.”

Ahead of the new year, flydubai launched two new routes to Europe. Flights to Krakow will start on April 8, 2018 and flights to Catania will begin on June 13, 2018. flydubai becomes the first UAE carrier to operate direct flights to these destinations, offering weekly flights. With the launch of these new European routes, the airline’s network grows to over 100 destinations in 47 countries. Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, “With the launch of flights to Krakow and Catania, flydubai is committed to open up new direct air links to Dubai. Our latest route launches are testament to that commitment which demonstrate our efforts in offering our passengers more options to explore our network.” Emirates will codeshare on both routes and as part of the Emirates-flydubai partnership, each airline’s passengers will have the opportunity to connect in Dubai to hundreds of destinations across the world. To offer passengers more comfort and an enhanced travel experience, the carrier will operate the new routes on its brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 unveiled at the Dubai Airshow in November.

flydubai launched two new seasonal destinations for next year- Dubrovnik, Croatia and Kutaisi, Georgia; the latest additions to the airline’s European network for the 2018 summer period. Flights to the Croatian coastal city will operate up to four times a week from April 10 until October 25, 2018. Along with Tbilisi and Batumi, Kutaisi will become flydubai’s third point in Georgia and will be served with three weekly flights between June 14 and September 22, 2018. “For the first time this year, we offered our passengers direct flights to popular summer destinations and based on the success of these routes, we decided to increase the options for next year,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai. Flights to Batumi, Georgia will resume from June 16 until September 30 next year with a daily flight, an increase from the three-weekly service operated last summer. Tivat on the other hand, will resume with up to three weekly flights from March 26 until October 26, replacing the existing service to Podgorica currently operating during the winter schedule.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA), welcomed the joining of the initial group of elite governmental entities and multinational companies from the aviation sector in Dubai to the Future Aviation Lounge (FAL), an initiative that was recently launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. FAL is a first-of-its-kind business social network based on artificial intelligence technology that foresees the future of the global aviation sector and related industries. The initiative promotes dialogue and close cooperation among individuals and entities involved in Dubai’s aviation industry. The platform targets government agencies, multinational companies, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academia and experts in the aviation sector. It also widens the role of enterprises and individuals in accelerating the growth of the sector and increases its share in Dubai’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

With a touch-down at Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), flydubai marked the start of a new daily service from its second point in Moscow. Starting January 1, 2018, flights to Sheremetyevo will be operated on the new Boeing 737 MAX 8. With operations to Vnukovo International Airport (VKO), flydubai now offers 14 weekly flights to the Russian capital. The airline will offer daily flights to SVO in addition to its service from VKO. The carrier marks new milestone for its operations to Russia with more than 50 weekly flights scheduled for the New Year holidays across 10 destinations in the country. The announcement sees flydubai expand its presence in Russia to 11 points in 10 cities. Earlier this autumn, the carrier launched flights to Makhachkala and Voronezh, resumed services to Ufa and increased capacity on its existing routes.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority signed a commercial agreement with Doug Emslie, Group Managing Director of Tarsus Group plc and Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director of Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East, extending the organisation and management of the Dubai Airshow up to 2027. The new agreement extends the existing arrangement beyond 2019 to cover four additional airshows in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027. Tarsus Group plc subsidiary Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East will continue to manage the events in close coordination with Dubai Airports. The 15th Dubai Airshow has set new heights for attendees, exhibitors and the number of aircraft on display.

Dubai International (DXB) welcomed 6.9 million passengers in October, as per a monthly traffic report issued by Dubai Airports. Passenger traffic at DXB reached 6,865,296 in October compared to 6,420,208 recorded in the corresponding month last year, an increase of 6.9 per cent. Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports said, “The third quarter has begun on a very positive note for DXB and with the hub on track to achieve our forecast of 89 million passengers for the year, our focus will be on continuing to maintain customer service quality and overall airport experience.” During the month under review, London was the top destination city out of Dubai with 327,400 passengers followed by Mumbai (219,512 passengers) and New Delhi (184,754 passengers). Flight movements in October totalled 33,257 compared to 35,314 flights operated at DXB during the same month last year, a contraction of 5.8 per cent.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, jointly with Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airways and General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs – Abu Dhabi, has launched a new visa counter to facilitate the visa application process and grant both transit and arriving passengers visas to Abu Dhabi within 15 to 30 minutes. The new service, located at the Terminal 3 transit area at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), includes activation of the new four-day, or 96-hour, transit visa for all nationalities travelling through Abu Dhabi International Airport. The launch of the new visa counter is part of the Life in Abu Dhabi initiative, in support of the Enriching Tourist Experience. Established in May 2017 as part of the Government Services Office at Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Life in Abu Dhabi is an annual gathering aimed at developing a number of public sector services for the government of Abu Dhabi. The new counter will issue several types of mission and tourist visas available to travellers who do not fall under the current visa upon arrival scheme. Passengers can now approach the visa counter in T3 to apply for, and obtain the relevant visa within a maximum 30 minutes. In addition, the visa counter is now issuing the new 96 hour transit visa, which is a key part of Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to attract more visitors to the capital. This project is being jointly implemented by several parties including Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Abu Dhabi Airports, General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs – Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways and Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi. The AED 300-visa can be used by passengers with planned trips from AUH, …