Category Archives: Aviation

Sabre announced the introduction of its new airline storefront, an industry-first capability that makes it easier to comparison-shop increasingly complex airline offers in the indirect channel.  Beginning today, the new airline storefront capabilities are available via Sabre’s shopping APIs, which travel retailers can leverage to build a bespoke storefront and enhance their customers’ experience. Sabre expects to launch the new capability for travel agencies via Sabre Red 360 in the coming weeks. Powered by Sabre’s shopping APIs, new airline storefront provides digital “shelves” that organize the breadth and depth of an airline’s offering in a side-by-side display to help travelers shop with confidence and make better buying decisions to meet their personal needs. For airlines, the new airline storefront supports differentiation and more merchandising opportunities in the indirect channel, with flight search results displaying several product offerings for an individual flight. For travel buyers, it allows for efficient comparison shopping across several flight options and helps travelers choose the offer that is right for them. “Airlines have invested in differentiating their brand in a number of ways. While this creates greater choice for travelers, it also presents a challenge – it’s easy to understand the cost, but harder to understand what the experience will be,” said Wade Jones, chief product officer for Sabre Travel Solutions. “Sabre’s new airline storefront not only empowers airlines to effectively market their unique product in the indirect channel, but it also helps travel buyers communicate the total offer value.” “Our customers demand choice paired with convenience and simplicity – this is not always the case with today’s airline shopping experience. Consumers want to compare products and offers quickly and efficiently, just as they do in …

Qatar Airways announced its summer schedule, maintaining its position as the leading international carrier providing reliable global connectivity. Having never stopped flying throughout the pandemic the airline has worked diligently to be the world’s leading airline for safety, innovation and customer experience. By the peak of the IATA Summer Season, the national carrier of the State of Qatar plans to operate over 1,200 weekly flights to more than 140 destinations. This has been recognised with multiples awards, including being the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax. This was in addition to Qatar Airway’s home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), being the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating in December 2020. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said, “We are proud to lead the recovery of international aviation, implementing the highest standards of bio-safety and hygiene and investing in the latest innovations to simplify travel and restore passenger confidence during the most challenging period in aviation’s history. Having never stopped flying throughout the pandemic, we have used our unrivalled experience and modern, fuel-efficient fleet to operate a sustainable and reliable network our passengers, trade partners and corporate customers can rely on. We also continue to offer the largest international network, including launching seven new destinations, to provide the connectivity our passengers and cargo customers need. As the global vaccine rollout begins to gather pace, we look forward to a gradual easing of entry restrictions throughout 2021 and welcoming back our millions of passengers onboard the World’s Best Airline.”

All flights of Emirates and Etihad have been moved from the Northern Gate to Terminal 1 at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah from Monday, March 29, 2021. The Kingdom’s aviation body said earlier this month that it will resume international travel and complete the opening of all airports from May 17, 2021. However, international flights coming in from the countries that the authority has suspended travel to and from due to Covid restrictions will not be allowed to fly into Saudi Arabia. In order to ease travel for passengers, the UAE airlines — including Emirates and Etihad — as well as other Gulf carriers are running trials of digital passports. The digital passport — a certification, verification and validation system — could be an advanced form of the UAE’s Al Hosn mobile app, with not just vaccination and Covid-19 test data, but also details like pre-travel eligibility requirements for the destination. It is expected to authenticate all country travel and health regulations, manage all documentation digitally and facilitate seamless travel.

Oman Air has resumed flights to Milan. The twice-weekly flights will operate on Sundays and Wednesdays as WY143 from Muscat (MCT) and WY144 from Milan (MXP). Flights from Muscat will depart at 14:35 and arrive in Milan at 19:45. Flights from Milan will depart at 22:05 and arrive in Muscat at 06:40. 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 onboard 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 measures have been implemented 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, caa.gov.om, to ensure they are prepared to comply with requirements to enter the Sultanate. Guests travelling to Milan should ensure they are aware of official requirements to enter or transit through the country. 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.

Qatar Airways is resuming its service to Mykonos, Greece for the summer season as the islands welcome visitors once again. The airline is planning to operate three flights a week using a modern A320 aircraft featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class. The news has been welcomed by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, who said, “We first started flying to Mykonos in May 2018 and the route proved very popular with our customers. Due to the global pandemic, we had to suspend services last summer so we are really delighted to be returning to help support Greece’s efforts to restart tourism. We know the authorities in Greece are taking precautions to ensure public safety and visitors will be required to adhere to public health measures put in place in view of the pandemic. Equally we will be maintaining our own very high standards. Qatar Airways was the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax. We look forward to continuing to provide the safest possible experience for travellers across the world, and expanding upon our role in assisting the recovery of the commercial aviation industry.” Harry Theoharis, Greek Minister for Tourism said, “I am proud to welcome Qatar Airways back to Mykonos. It is very pleasing for us to have our luxury destination included in the planning of the airline’s new summer programme. In this difficult time this development comes when all of our efforts have been put into the safe opening of Greek tourism. ‘All you want is Greece’ is our new motto and with this, we invite friends …

Emirates and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which aims to position Dubai as one of the first cities in the world to implement digital verification of traveller medical records related to COVID-19 testing and vaccination. The MoU was signed by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates’ Chairman and Chief Executive, and His Excellency Awadh Al Ketbi, Director General of Dubai Health Authority. Sheikh Ahmed said, “Dubai is a leading global air transport hub, as well as one of the world’s most progressive cities in the area of e-government services. It’s a natural step to combine our capabilities to implement digital verification of COVID-19 medical records, which will also enable contactless document verification at Dubai Airport. This will tremendously improve the traveller experience, as well as the reliability, efficiency and compliance with entry requirements imposed by destinations around the world.” He added, “Dubai will continue to lead the way in implementing effective and balanced approaches to contagion control while facilitating travel and air transport which are crucial to communities and economies.”

flydubai announced attractive fares to select destinations that are available to book from AED 755. In addition, holidays by flydubai packages to Africa, Central Asia, Europe, the Subcontinent and the Middle East can be booked from as little as AED 1,899 per person. Whether travelling to visit family and loved ones back home or getting ready to take a well-earned break and travel somewhere new, flydubai is offering passengers more affordable and convenient travel options. The special return fares in Business Class and Economy Class are available to book until 01 April 2021 for travel up to 30 September 2021. Terms and conditions apply and passengers are encouraged to book early and book online. The packages from holidays by flydubai include hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis and return Economy Class tickets. flydubai passengers looking for a getaway can book these special packages by 25 March 2021 for travel by 10 April 2021. Passengers can now take in the rich history, culture and natural beauty of Tbilisi and its stunning surroundings with packages starting from AED 1,899. For those opting for a beach getaway, they can spend their holiday on an exotic island bathed by the warm azure waters of Zanzibar with packages starting from AED 2,123, or fall in love with paradise while relaxing on a sandy Maldivian beach with packages starting from AED 4,149. Emirates Skywards is a shared loyalty programme for both Emirates and flydubai customers offering members greater convenience and simplicity with one loyalty currency and a single metric for earning and redeeming Miles. Passengers can instantly receive 2,000 bonus Skywards Miles by signing up to join the loyalty programme. New Skywards members can …

dnata continues to enhance its offering to ensure the safety and wellbeing of travellers and help airlines restore confidence in air travel. The company has partnered with the Disinfect Group and Ecas4 Australia to launch a safe, highly efficient and environment-friendly baggage disinfection service at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Passengers arriving at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 can take advantage of the innovative solution and have their baggage quickly and safely disinfected before leaving the airport. Disinfect Group’s advanced equipment creates an almost invisible mist that is 100% natural, non-toxic, bio-degradable and can effectively kill over 99,99% of bacteria and pathogens, such as coronavirus, on all types of baggage. Elvis Crook, Diversification Director for Asia Pacific, dnata, said: “We are delighted to launch an innovative service to further enhance safety and customer experience across the Asia Pacific region. Our partnership with Disinfect Group and Ecas4 Australia will enable dnata to engage new customers beyond the airport, supporting businesses that work towards reopening. We are confident that the innovative mist technology, which is harmless to humans but effective in killing viruses and bacteria, will help companies provide additional peace of mind to customers and employees in a post-COVID world.” Dieter Veulemans, the founder of Disinfect Group, said, “Our units add not only a layer of safety but also a level of reassurance to everyone on-site. Our product helps create a sense of safety, allowing customers to re-engage at various types of locations.” Tony Amorico, Director of Ecas4 Australia, said: “Ecas4 Australia has worked with its partners to provide technological solutions that utilise our Electrolysed Water solution to destroy pathogens and the coronavirus. We are keen to see this technology fast-tracked and provide …

Emirates and TAP Air Portugal has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the codeshare partnership currently in place between both airlines. The new agreement will see customers of both airlines benefit from seamless connectivity on many new routes across the Americas, North Africa and East Asia. Emirates and TAP Air Portugal will also explore ways to enhance the co-operation on their respective frequent flyer programmes including reciprocal earning and redemption opportunities and popular benefits such as lounge access. In addition, both airlines plan on supporting each other’s stopover programmes in Dubai and Lisbon, with Emirates also supporting TAP Air Portugal as it looks at potential expansion opportunities in the UAE. Subject to required regulatory approvals, the expanded agreement is expected to come into effect from 01 May 2021, will provide customers with seamless booking, ticketing and travel benefits across 70 destinations on both airlines’ networks. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said, “Emirates and TAP Air Portugal have enjoyed a mutually successful codeshare partnership for the past eight years. We are delighted to expand this relationship and look forward to delivering even more benefits to our customers.” Arik De, TAP Air Portugal’s Chief Revenue & Network Officer said: “TAP Air Portugal is pleased to enhance our Emirates partnership, allowing our guests greater geographic access. We look forward to taking Emirates customers to more cities within Portugal, to our destinations in the Americas and North Africa, and for them to benefit from our Stopover Portugal program.”

After Morocco’s recent addition to the ‘green list’, Etihad Airways is encouraging residents to enjoy quarantine-free travel on arrival back into Abu Dhabi with the launch of its Casablanca Sale.  Valid for only 24 hours at etihad.com, fly from Abu Dhabi to Casablanca in Economy for just AED 999 return. This fare is limited to 500 seats on a first-come-first-served basis. The sale starts at 11am on Monday, 15 March 2021 and ends at 11am on Tuesday, 16 March 2021, UAE time. Guests who book between 16 and 28 March 2021 will enjoy return fares starting from AED 1,995 in Economy, and Business fares from AED 9,995. Travellers can jet off anytime between 24 March – 30 June 2021. The service will operate with an initial twice-weekly flight using a three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.