Category Archives: Aviation

Starting 27 October, ITA Airways will be operating direct flights from Dubai to Italy with the state of the art A321neo, the new-generation aircraft that combines efficiency and style to make your travel experience truly unforgettable advised Mr. Mohamed Jassim Al Rais, Executive Director, APG Gulf, the General Sales Agent of ITA Airways in the UAE. He added that ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, is committed to providing exceptional service and connectivity as with a modern fleet and a focus on sustainability, ITA is well-equipped to offer travelers a comfortable and memorable journey between Dubai and Rome and on its vast network beyond. ITA will operate a daily service on DXB-FCO-DXB routes offering highly attractive fares (both in business and economy class) to Rome and beyond sectors, including points in UK/Europe and USA. ITA would operate to Dubai with A321 Neo with a 3 class figuration offering Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy, thereby offering full service product with aggressive fares. Schedule: Rome Fiumicino to Dubai: Starting October 27th, departing at 10:40 a.m. (local time) and arriving in Dubai at 7:50 p.m. (local time). Dubai to Rome Fiumicino: Starting October 28th, departing at 1:50 a.m. (local time) and arriving in Rome at 6:00 a.m. (local time). Mr. Mohamed Al Rais, expressed his enthusiasm about this new venture, “We are proud to partner with ITA Airways to bring this exciting route to Dubai. This collaboration not only enhances our portfolio but also enriches travel options for our customers. We look forward to providing outstanding service and showcasing the best of Italy to travellers in the UAE. We invite everyone to explore the beauty of Italy with ITA Airways. Stay tuned for …

 Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airways are taking a significant step towards creating a more supportive travel experience with the launch of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme at Zayed International Airport (AUH) and onboard Etihad Airways flights. This initiative underscores both organisations’ commitment to supporting all passengers, particularly those with non-visible disabilities. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, a globally recognised symbol for non-visible disabilities, is now available at Zayed International Airport (AUH). This programme provides a discreet way for passengers with conditions like autism, chronic pain, or anxiety to signal to staff that they may require additional assistance or compassion. Passengers can pick up their complimentary Sunflower lanyards at the two dedicated Special Assistance desks located in the pre-check-in area of AUH, allowing them to discreetly communicate their needs and fostering a more supportive environment for all. “At Abu Dhabi Airports, we are dedicated to providing a seamless and inclusive travel experience for every passenger,” said Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports. “The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme is a natural extension of this commitment, empowering passengers with non-visible disabilities to discreetly communicate their needs and receive the support they deserve throughout their journey at Zayed International Airport. It’s about recognising that the kindest gestures are the ones that acknowledge unseen challenges. This means our staff are now even better equipped to assist passengers who may require a little extra time, understanding, or assistance, ensuring a smoother and more positive experience for everyone.” To ensure the programme’s success, both AUH and Etihad Airways have implemented comprehensive staff training. Frontline teams from the airport, its stakeholders and business partners have undergone specialised training to better understand the …

Emirates opened the doors to its new lounge at London Stansted Airport. The airline has invested more than GBP 4 million to design a spacious 900-square-metre lounge that can accommodate up to 125 guests, including First and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards members. The new lounge is Emirates’ sixth dedicated lounge in the UK, complementing the airline’s world-class facilities available in London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester. All London airports served by Emirates now provide access to premium on-ground experiences for customers to unwind and enjoy elevated dining experiences ahead of their journeys. Emirates is one of few airlines who have invested in its on-ground experiences including its own network of 40 dedicated lounges around the world and complimentary chauffeur drive services for premium customers. Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services at Emirates said: “Emirates has been serving London Stansted since 2018, and the airport remains a very important gateway for our customers across the southern region of the UK. The new lounge is a testament to our brand promise of always flying customers better – in the air and on-ground. And it also marks a major milestone for us as we now proudly offer dedicated lounge facilities across six airports in the UK – underscoring our ongoing commitment to one of the most important markets in our network. We look forward to taking the premium travel experience to new heights and to offering customers a chance to unwind and dine with Emirates’ renowned signature hospitality.” Gareth Powell, Managing Director at Stansted Airport, said: “The opening of Emirates’ new world-class lounge is fantastic news for London Stansted and passengers using Emirates services to Dubai …

Airnguru announced a multi-year agreement with Royal Brunei Airlines. The new partnership will significantly enhance the airline’s operational efficiency, increase automation, and bolster its competitive stance as it continues to expand its footprint in the global aviation market. Royal Brunei Airlines is now the tenth carrier to leverage Airnguru’s cutting-edge solutions, highlighting the technology provider’s strong market fit and superior customer service. Airnguru’s ability to quickly gain traction across four continents underscores its commitment to delivering value and driving success for its airline partners. Javier Jiménez, COO and Co-Founder of Airnguru, said: “Partnering with Royal Brunei Airlines at this crucial stage of their global expansion means we can directly address the challenges they face in today’s competitive landscape. Our solutions are designed to enhance their operational capabilities and market responsiveness, and so we look forward to seeing the tangible impact this collaboration will have on their growth and efficiency.” Joshua Kok Hwa Law, Chief Commercial Officer at Royal Brunei Airlines, added: “In our quest to enhance commercial excellence and stay ahead in the competitive airline industry, partnering with Airnguru was a strategic decision. We believe that Airnguru’s expertise in pricing technology will be pivotal in our ongoing efforts to optimize pricing strategies and deliver even greater value to our guests.” “We are delighted to partner with Airnguru as a strategic partner on our path to digitalize some of our processes to ensure we are working for our customers efficiently and be able to respond quickly to market demands. This partnership will ensure we are taking advantage of technological advancements in the airline business, especially in AI. RB will continue to invest in technology to further increase our efficiency and market competitiveness.” added …

AlFursan and Carwah announced a partnership agreement that allows AlFursan members to earn extra Miles for every car rental booked through Carwah. The partnership offers AlFursan members a seamless way to maximize their travel benefits. By choosing Carwah for their car rental needs, members can accumulate Miles for future flights, upgrades, and other valuable rewards. The agreement was signed by Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan loyalty at Saudia, and Faisal Hamad AlQahtani, the Chief Executive Officer of Carwah. Members can benefit from a lucrative reward structure, earning one Mile through AlFursan Rewards program for every three SAR spent with Carwah. Essam Akhonbay said: “This partnership aligns with AlFursan’s commitment to enhancing members’ experiences by offering them a range of exclusive opportunities to earn Miles and other distinctive benefits. Today, we are excited to combine the advantages of AlFursan’s extensive rewards program with Carwah’s comprehensive car rental network, aiming to elevate our offerings and add value to Saudia’s guests.” Faisal Hamad AlQahtani stated, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with AlFursan, providing members with an exceptional and rewarding car rental experience through Carwah. With over 80,000 cars registered on our platform and 1,200 branches across 44 cities and airports in the Kingdom, AlFursan members can now earn Miles with every Carwah rental. This makes their travels—whether by car or air—even more rewarding. Together, we are enhancing the way you travel, one Mile at a time!” Al Fursan has expanded its partner network to include more than 20 global partners in the past two years, offering members a wider range of rewards and benefits with banks, hotels, car rental companies, telecommunications, retail, and insurance, as part of the program’s global partnerships. Members also …

Qatar Airways  is growing its operations in Amsterdam from 10 weekly flights to 14 with the launch of four additional weekly flights from Amsterdam starting 12 November 2024 until 29 March 2025. These 14 weekly flights will enable 40,000 additional passengers to travel between Amsterdam and Doha through its hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH). Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to witness and serve the growing travel demand in the Dutch capital, which is an integral destination in our European network. We look forward to offering our world-class product and seamless service to travellers from Amsterdam seeking to experience the world through Qatar Airways’ extensive network of more than 170 global destinations.” With the additional flights, travellers will have more opportunities to soak up the winter sun at their favourite destinations including Bali (Denpasar), Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City. Amsterdam, also known as the city of historic canals, is one of the leading destinations for passengers travelling from Asia and Australia.   Qatar Airways flights to Amsterdam (AMS) New winter schedule, starting 12 November 2024 The flights will depart every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday: ·       Doha (DOH) to Amsterdam (AMS) – Flight QR275: Departure 07:55; Arrival 13:00 ·       Amsterdam (AMS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR276: Departure 15:20; Arrival 23:30   Existing winter schedule, starting 27 October 2024   The flights will depart daily as follows: Doha (DOH) to Amsterdam (AMS) – Flight QR273: Departure 08:15; Arrival 13:20 Amsterdam (AMS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR274: Departure 15:05; Arrival 23:15 Departing every Monday, Friday, and Sunday: Doha (DOH) to Amsterdam (AMS) – Flight QR275: Departure 06:10; Arrival 11:15 Amsterdam (AMS) to Doha (DOH) – …

Etihad Airways announced that they will be boosting services between Abu Dhabi and European destinations such as Paris, Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid with double daily flights for Summer 2025 schedule. The newly enhanced schedule, now open for booking, offers increased flight frequencies and convenient 2pm departures to many European destinations, further boosting tourism to Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways is significantly boosting its services to popular European destinations, offering year-round double-daily flights between Abu Dhabi and major cities such as Paris, Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid. Additionally, seasonal flights to Malaga will increase to five times per week, giving travellers even more flexibility for their summer plans. The new daily European flights are conveniently timed for morning and evening departures and arrivals, offering travellers the flexibility to choose the schedule that suits them. There are also more flights to key destinations across the airline’s growing global network, including daily flights to Bali for the summer season, and Sydney rising to 10 flights a week. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “We are delivering on our strategic promise to serve more key destinations twice daily as fast as we can, and our summer schedule underscores our commitment to growth and further supporting tourism in Abu Dhabi. By aligning our schedule to offer 2pm departures from Abu Dhabi, we provide guests with convenient check-out times from their hotels, allowing them to make the most of their stay in our beautiful city. “Morning arrivals offer tourists the benefit of early hotel check-ins and extra time to explore the city’s attractions, and evening arrivals are ideal for those who prefer a seamless …

Emirates and the Museum of the Future will host the first Aviation Future Week, taking place from 15-17 October 2024 in Dubai. UAE ministers, senior government officials, industry leaders from across the aviation and aerospace, airfreight, Maintenance, Overhaul & Repair (MRO) and logistics ecosystem, will converge in Dubai for the inaugural event. The event presents a platform for unparalleled insights and discussion opportunities around the passenger journey and future traffic demand, airfreight and logistics, as well as the latest developments in AI and XR. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “It is fitting that Dubai is setting the stage for visionary global leaders and decision makers in aviation and aerospace to gather for key discussions and powerful collaborations to help redefine what the future could look like for the industry at Aviation Future Week. Dubai’s strategic commitment to leveraging technology and innovation and embracing the digital revolution is fertile ground to pioneer new approaches and push the boundaries of what is possible for more efficient and sustainable operations, and reshaping the passenger journey and experience as the industry forges ahead.” Aviation Future Week will include key notes, panels and workshops over three days. The first day includes a packed programme led by speakers and industry experts who will address air travel demand and airport infrastructure and how airports, airlines, aerospace manufacturers and other stakeholders can deliver an enhanced passenger experience using technology. The second day will be dedicated to developments within airfreight and logistics, while the second half of the day with focus on MRO development within the region. The third and final day will navigate the boundary-breaking potential …

flydubai inaugurated its operations to Kish Island and Kerman marking the start of the carrier’s direct services to these destinations in Iran from Dubai International (DXB). Senior airport officials and local dignitaries welcomed both inaugural flights with traditional water cannon salutes at Kish International Airport (KIH) and Kerman International Airport (KER). flydubai will operate a four-weekly service to Kish Island and a twice-weekly service to Kerman, enhancing connectivity between these cities and Dubai. The new routes add to flydubai’s extensive network and strengthen connections between Dubai and Iran, providing greater opportunities for customers whether they are travelling for business, leisure or to visit relatives and friends. Commenting on the start of operations, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “we are delighted to expand our network in Iran where we now serve eight destinations across the country, reinforcing our commitment to providing our passengers with more options to travel, more conveniently and more often. This expansion also significantly contributes to the growth of trade and tourism through Dubai’s aviation hub, enhancing global connectivity.” “At flydubai, we are committed to exploring new growth opportunities, removing barriers to travel, and opening up markets and destinations that were previously underserved. By offering direct flights to these destinations, we are enhancing connectivity between different cultures, all while providing convenient travel options to passengers across our expanding network,” added Obaidalla. With the launch of flights to Kish Island and Kerman, flydubai has strengthened its position as one of the key operators in the Iranian market, now serving eight destinations with 61 flights a week. The airline began its services to Iran on 10 August 2014 with flights to Mashhad and its network has since expanded …

IndiGo has reached an agreement with travel technology leader Amadeus to provide travel sellers around the world with access to the airline’s NDC content via the Amadeus Travel Platform. IndiGo has decided to rely on Amadeus for its unique and robust offering, which combines state-of-the-art airline and distribution technology with an unmatched market reach. The airline, which will carry more than 110 million passengers in 2024 and has growth ambitions backed by one of the largest aircraft order books in the industry, will strengthen its competitive edge through access to new markets and customer segments, thanks to Amadeus’ 96% global market coverage of NDC-ready travel sellers across the globe. NDC technology, with its standardized messaging is a game changer in the distribution landscape. It opens up new opportunities for airlines to distribute their content to travel sellers even more efficiently and elevate their retailing to the next level. For corporate clients and travel agencies, NDC simplifies the booking process by providing direct access to IndiGo’s full range of products. This not only streamlines operations but also delivers the ability to offer exclusive deals and promotions tailored to individual traveler profiles. With the Amadeus NDC capabilities and the seamless integration with the airline’s IT systems powered by Navitaire, IndiGo is able to build dynamically price-tailored offers and expose them to customers – boosting ancillary sales and optimizing the customer experience, regardless of which sales channel they choose quickly and efficiently. Indigo is already live with NDC booking and servicing capabilities in UAE and Singapore with other markets to follow. IndiGo’s commitment to embracing NDC technology reflects its dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction. By providing greater access and reach of its products …