Category Archives: Aviation

Consistently striving to increase the overall travel comfort of its passengers, the national flag carrier of Turkey now offers new travel kits specially designed by Versace, one of the leading representatives of fashion world, and Mandarina Duck specialised in travel products. Increasing its market share and number of passengers in the global aviation sector every year, Turkish Airlines has now started to welcome its Business Class passengers on intercontinental flights with the elegant and sophisticated designs of Versace sets as from July 2. Socks, earplug, sleep mask, warning stickers, Versace lip balm, hand lotion, facial mist and hairpin (in women’s sets only) are all placed within the sets in order to meet passenger’ needs in this respect during their travel. The other travel set offered for economy class passengers on intercontinental flights of the carrier as of July 3, is designed by Mandarina Duck, which is renowned for bringing innovative and functional solutions to travellers with its smart and unique designs. This set includes sleep mask, socks, earplug, lip balm, toothbrush and toothpaste. Attentive to present natural and high-quality dermocosmetic products to its passengers, Turkish Airlines also offers the products of Atelier Rebull, who has a deep rooted past dating back to 1895, in its new travel kits.

UAE residents can look forward to exciting holidays in the Philippines through Cebu Pacific’s seat sale on July 15 and 16, offering tickets for as low as AED 130. This offer enables UAE-based residents to enjoy summer and Yuletide holidays by booking tickets in advance and travel anytime between November 1, 2019, to April 15, 2020. Meanwhile, families eyeing the Philippines as a potential holiday destination have another reason to rejoice. Those travelling from Dubai to Manila with a pre-purchased baggage allowance of 40 kg can avail the additional 25 kg free baggage allowance. Passengers can avail baggage offer till November 30, 2019. Cebu Pacific is the only low-cost carrier (LCC) flying directly between the Philippines and the UAE, having seven flights weekly. In keeping with Cebu Pacific’s motto to always ensure a hassle-free travel experience, travellers flying with the Philippine’s largest carrier can process their payments for flight tickets at any branch of Al Ansari Exchange and UAE Exchange located across the UAE, thus, ensuring a seamless and convenient travel arrangement and payment solutions. UAE travellers who prefer to use cash as the mode of payment can pay through the over-the-counter facilities at any of the Al Ansari Exchange or UAE exchange, for reservations they have made through Cebu Pacific’s website or mobile app, and phone bookings, within 24 hours. Cebu Pacific currently offers flights to a total of 37 domestic and 27 international destinations, operating a widespread network across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and, the USA.

Upping the ante on enhancing the customer experience at Dubai International (DXB), operator Dubai Airports has launched a high-tech system that monitors airport operations in real-time and visualises traffic flows to support consistently smooth operations at the world’s busiest airport. realtimeDXB, a bespoke cloud-based platform, gathers data generated by more than 50 operational systems, including those of Dubai Airports and its many service partners. It uses this information to keep all operational teams involved aware of not only the current scenarios but also developing situations anywhere from airfield to kerbside to anticipate challenges more accurately, facilitate greater collaboration between service partners, and quick decision-making. “As a system that makes key operational information visible in real-time to all service partners involved in the day-to-day running of the airport, realtimeDXB is a major step forward in our journey to develop common situational awareness. This system will be instrumental in the implementation of new concepts of airport operations such as Airport Collaborative Decision Making (ACDM) and Total Airport Management,” said Damian Ellacott, Vice President of the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC), at Dubai Airports. “By increasing the flow of traffic, realtimeDXB system essentially adds capacity to a hub that’s located in the middle of the city and does not have the luxury to keep expanding its physical infrastructure,” said Lloyd Gozzett, Vice President of Customer Success at Dubai Airports. The use of real-time information and advanced smart gates is already helping enhance customer experience at DXB. In Q1 of 2019, the airport reduced customer wait-times by 30 per cent as a direct result of these systems.

Emirates has partnered with world-renowned hotel providers to offer its passengers travelling to and through Dubai attractive summer rates in some of the UAE’s most prestigious hotels. Customers who purchase an Emirates ticket and travel from now until September 30, 2019 can enjoy exclusive summer hotel rates in any of the properties within Accor, Armani Hotel Dubai, Emaar Hospitality Group and Marriot during their stay in the UAE. Visitors can take advantage of up to 30 per cent off on best available rates provided by Accor. Armani Hotel Dubai is offering Emirates passengers up to 35 per cent off on best available rates. Marriott is offering Emirates passengers up to 25 per cent off on selected best available rates at any of its properties across the UAE. Emaar Hospitality Group – which is home to brands including the Address Hotels and Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Rove Hotels, is offering Emirates customers up to 35 per cent off on best available rates. Customers who book in Address Downtown, Address Boulevard, Address Dubai Mall or Palace Downtown can also have complimentary access to Dubai Aquarium, Underwater Zoo and VR Park.  

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced the launch of the much awaited second edition of the Global Investment in Aviation Summit 2020, which will be held on 27-29 January under the theme “Enabling Global Aviation Growth through Fund Raising and Key Partnerships”. The mega event will bring together more than 200 investors and 1,200 delegates including the world’s top leaders in the aviation sector. It will also see participants from selected government officials, aviation organizations, finance & insurance companies, aviation asset owners, aircraft operators & logistic service providers and legal consultants. The summit presents the most crucial projects and investment opportunities in the international civil aviation sector, which are the perfect window for entrepreneurs and specialists to explore the main opportunities and investment strategies. The aviation sector within the UAE continues to achieve remarkable growth rates in passenger traffic, accompanied by development & growth in infrastructure, technical equipment and quality of services provided. HE Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said, “The aviation industry is one of the cornerstones of the country’s economic development. The national agenda for 2021 aims for UAE to be the world’s first in the quality of the air transport infrastructure, thus enhancing the position that the UAE occupies in this sector. It plays an important role in supporting and sustaining the national economy, and contributes to marketing investment opportunities and directing them towards the best possible way, as well as attracting the most important international companies to the local markets.”  

Turkish Airlines and Kuwait Airways announced a new strategic partnership, which saw Kuwait national carrier’s code added to Turkish Airlines flights, and Turkey’s national carrier’s code added to Kuwait Airways flights operated between Kuwait and Istanbul/Sabiha Gokcen Airports. The Bilateral Codeshare Partnership will commence from August 1, 2019. Turkish Airlines and Kuwait Airways’ cooperation is further strengthened by signing the renewed ‘Special Prorate Agreement’ in May 2019. The signing ceremony of this codeshare agreement took place on July 9, 2019 at Turkish Airlines Headquarters in Istanbul, and was attended by Bilal Ekşi, General Manager of Turkish Airlines, and Yousef Al-Jassem Al-Saqer, Chairman of Kuwait Airways, along with respective delegation from both airlines. Turkish Airlines General Manager, Bilal Ekşi, said he is pleased with the new codeshare agreement signed with Kuwait Airways and added that the agreement would not only contribute to the carrier’s existing commercial relations with Kuwait Airways but also offer alternative connections between Turkey and Kuwait for Turkish Airlines passengers. “Istanbul is the natural and historical connection point between Asia and Europe. With its brilliant performance over the last 16 years, Turkish Airlines holds the title of the airline that flies to the highest number of countries in the world with 124 countries. The opening of our new home base, Istanbul Airport will further contribute and create new opportunities for our airline and I firmly believe that this codeshare agreement will support promoting the cultural and commercial relations between Istanbul and Kuwait,” Ekşi added.  

The Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), Air Arabia, inaugurated its direct flight between Kuala Lumpur and Sharjah. The seven-hour flight between the two cities is the first direct flight by a low-cost carrier connecting Malaysia with the UAE and GCC. The inaugural flight landed at KL International Airport at 08:50am local time. Flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays depart Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 03:35 hours local time arriving Sharjah International Airport at 06:50 hours local time. The return flights depart Sharjah International Airport at 14:55 hours local time arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 02:25 hours local time. Flights operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays depart KLIA at 09:55 hours local time arriving at Sharjah International Airport at 13:10 hours local time. The return flights depart Sharjah International Airport at 21:20 hours local time arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 08:50 hours local time. Commenting on the inaugural launch of the route, Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said, “We are delighted to be the first low cost airline to connect Kuala Lumpur with the UAE and GCC. We are confident this new service linking the two cities will further strengthen the trade and tourism ties between both nations.” According to YB Datuk Mohamadin Ketapi, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia, “This year, our target is to have 337,100 tourists from West Asia region, and I believe that the establishment of Air Arabia’s Sharjah-Kuala Lumpur route will certainly help with increasing tourist arrivals from this region. The flight couldn’t have come at a better time as we are also aggressively promoting Malaysia in the run-up to our Visit …

dnata has opened a new airport lounge at Dubai International (DXB) to enhance young flyers’ travel experience. The newest dnata facility has been designed and launched exclusively for unaccompanied minors, whose safety, security and comfort are ensured by dnata’s specially trained team at the airport. In 2018 the dnata team assisted 8,000 unaccompanied minors at Dubai International (DXB), 27 per cent more, than five years ago. Located at Terminal 1, the lounge is tastefully decorated in vibrant colours. It is equipped with games and entertainment screens to keep the young guests occupied throughout the day. The lounge is open 24 hours and manned by experienced, multilingual staff. dnata employs over 70 dedicated agents who work closely with airline representatives to ensure unaccompanied minors are in safe hands, reach departure gates on time and receive priority boarding. dnata has seen these services become increasingly popular in the UAE in recent years. Steve Allen, Divisional Senior Vice President, UAE Airport Operations, dnata, said, “We have earned the trust of thousands of parents with our safe and reliable services for unaccompanied minors over the past years. We are delighted to add more value to our offering and further enhance young passengers’ travel experience by opening our new lounge, which has been specifically designed to meet the needs and taste of children of all ages.”

Emirates has launched its new four times weekly service to Porto, its second destination in Portugal. The new service provides travellers from across Emirates’ global network with a direct flight to the popular city in the north of the country. The inaugural flight, EK197, touched down at the city’s international airport on July 2,  marking the start of the airline’s first service to northern Portugal. The Emirates Boeing 777-200LR, in a two-class cabin configuration featuring Emirates’ newest Business Class and Economy Class seats and interiors, was welcomed by Porto Airport with a water cannon salute. Speaking at an event at the airport to celebrate the new service, Thierry Aucoc, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe, Russian Federation and Latin America, Emirates, said, “Travellers in northern Portugal will now have a convenient and direct flight option to our Dubai hub, from where they can seamlessly access Emirates’ global network, particularly to destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.” Also speaking at the event, José Luís Arnaut, Chairman of the Board, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, said, “Emirates’ investment in this route is the result of joint efforts between the airline, ANA as well as tourism and Northern Region stakeholder teams. We are therefore excited by this new service, as it shows the region’s development and attractiveness as both a business and leisure destination.” The flight will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and depart Dubai as EK197 at 09:15 hrs and arrive in Porto at 14:30 hrs. The return flight, EK198, will depart Porto at 17:35 hrs and land in Dubai at 04:15 hrs the next morning.

Etihad Airways celebrated the deployment of the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on its daily scheduled services to Shanghai by hosting a spectacular ‘Abu Dhabi Night’ reception. The occasion was attended by leading figures from the UAE and local government officials, diplomats, corporate partners, members of the travel industry and social influencers from the two countries. Robin Kamark, Etihad Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer, said, “Since the launch of our flights between Shanghai and Abu Dhabi in 2012, we have witnessed huge growth in China’s outbound tourism market and experienced strong demand from both business and leisure travellers. We are delighted to now deploy the larger 787-10 Dreamliner on this popular route, a decision which reflects the importance of Shanghai and China to Etihad Airways.” H.E. Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to China, said, “The aviation sector makes an invaluable contribution of 13 per cent of the UAE’s GDP and as such is one of the most valuable aspects of the UAE-China relationship. Our country has become an important strategic trading partner for China’s overseas investment, positioned as it is at the crossroads of continents. The UAE sits at a crucial pivot point of the international arc of the Belt and Road Initiative, and we are working with the Chinese government to capitalise on this geostrategic benefit, as the natural gateway to Africa and the wider Middle East.”