Category Archives: Aviation

Emirates is gearing up for a busy travel period for Eid Al Fitr by deploying an additional 17 flights to destinations in the Middle East/GCC from 26 March to 6 April. This year, over 371,000 customers are expected to fly with the airline during the Eid Al Fitr break from around the region, with additional flights planned for Jeddah, Kuwait, Dammam and Amman. The expanded flight schedule offers customers travelling home or interested in exploring new destinations more opportunities to reunite, celebrate with their family and loved ones, or enjoy leisure getaways. Emirates will add six flights to/from Amman and another five flights between Dammam and Dubai. The airline will be layering on an extra four flights from Jeddah and the airline’s flight schedule from Kuwait will extend to another two services. The additional services provide more flexibility to venture to Dubai – a popular Eid destination – and beyond to popular destinations and leisure gateways in Thailand like Bangkok and Phuket, the UK, gateways across the US, South Africa and to visit family and friends in Mumbai, Karachi, and Cairo, among many other cities. Keeping with its heritage and Eid traditions, Emirates will be serving a special Eid menu across all travel classes on select flights to and from Dubai. The menu will be filled with delicacies including favourites like chicken madhbi, prawn matfi, chicken makloubeh, mixed grills like chicken shish taouk and lamb kofta, halwa brownie, and pistachio cake, among an array of other sweet and savoury dishes. Passengers traveling during Eid will also have access to a wide variety of entertainment options on ice, featuring more than 6,500 channels of on-demand content and over 2,000 international movies, including …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the expansion of its network with the launch of a new service between Zayed International Airport and Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport. Commencing on June 1st, 2025, the new route will operate 6 times a week, offering passengers seamless travel options to explore the rich cultural heritage of Armenia’s capital city. Schedule of flights, effective June 1st, 2025 (all times local), as follows: On Mondays and Wednesdays, flight 3L 441 will depart from Abu Dhabi at 14:05, arriving in Yerevan at 17:25. The return flight, 3L 442, will depart Yerevan at 18:15, landing in Abu Dhabi at 21:25. Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, flight 3L 441 will depart Abu Dhabi at 09:00, reaching Yerevan at 12:20. The return flight 3L 442 will depart Yerevan at 13:10, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 16:20. All flights will be operated using the Airbus A320 aircraft. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “The launch of our new service to Yerevan underscores Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and supporting the growth of the UAE capital’s travel and tourism sector. We remain dedicated to expanding our network with key international destinations directly from Abu Dhabi, while providing our customers with affordable and value-driven travel options” The new route to Yerevan marks the 29th destination in Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s growing network from Zayed International Airport, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to providing affordable and convenient travel solutions. The carrier currently serves key destinations directly from the capital Abu Dhabi including Ahmedabad, Alexandria, Amman, Baghdad, Bahrain, Baku, Beirut, Cairo, Chittagong, Chennai, Colombo, Dhaka, Faisalabad, Kathmandu, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Kuwait, Moscow, Multan, Muscat, Salalah, Sabiha, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Thiruvananthapuram, Trabzon …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) has officially unveiled its highly anticipated Concourses D and E, marking a major milestone in its expansion and increasing its capacity to over 65 million passengers annually. This development elevates traveller comfort and further establishes Doha as a key global aviation hub. The expansion project, which began in 2018, has now been completed with the opening of Concourse D and E, marking the culmination of the airport’s ambitious development plan. This milestone represents the final phase of a transformational journey initiated in 2022 with the unveiling of the ORCHARD, a 6,000-square-meter indoor tropical garden. The new concourses integrate seamlessly into the existing terminal, introducing cutting-edge technology and enhanced facilities to meet growing passenger demand. The terminal now spans 845,000 square meters—a 14% increase—while the addition of 17 new aircraft contact gates increases the total to 62, nearly 40% more than before, ensuring greater connectivity, streamlined operations, and significantly reducing bus transfers. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Hamad International Airport is more than a gateway; it is a vital pillar of Qatar’s growth and global connectivity. I am pleased to see this expansion project, with conclusion of both concourses going live, which I have personally been involved with since 2018. While many global airport expansions have faced delays, we are proud to have delivered this major development ahead of schedule. This achievement reflects our commitment to operational excellence and strategic planning. This is not just about increasing capacity—it is about strengthening the entire Qatar Airways network, enhancing operational resilience, and supporting Qatar’s economic growth in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. This development allows us to meet the evolving demands …

Sabre Corporation announced that SalamAir has extended its multi-year partnership with Sabre’s Radixx solutions to support its continued growth and operational efficiency. This renewal will see SalamAir continue using Radixx Res for its reservation system and Radixx Insight for reporting, further reflecting the airline’s confidence in Sabre’s Radixx solutions. This long-term agreement provides stability and positions SalamAir for continued growth and success in an increasingly competitive airline industry. “This renewal is an important step in our partnership with SalamAir,” said Darren Rickey, Senior Vice President of Airline Sales at Sabre. “As SalamAir continues to grow in the region, we look forward to supporting their journey with the tailored solutions Radixx offers. This extended collaboration reflects SalamAir’s trust in our ability to provide reliable, scalable technology that aligns with their operational needs and strategic goals, including the transition to Offers and Orders. We are proud to be part of their growth and success.” SalamAir, known for offering affordable fares without compromising on service quality, has quickly become an important player in the aviation industry. With both domestic and international flights, the airline makes air travel more accessible to a wide range of customers. SalamAir’s focus on efficiency, customer satisfaction, and network expansion has fueled its rapid growth and positioned it as a preferred choice for budget-conscious travelers across Oman and beyond. “We are pleased to continue our successful partnership with Sabre and their Radixx solutions,” said Steven Allen, Chief Commercial Officer of SalamAir. “The Radixx reservation system (Radixx Res) and data and insights platform (Radixx Insight) have been instrumental in supporting our growth, helping us innovate and deliver a seamless travel experience to our customers. This renewal reaffirms our confidence in Sabre’s …

Emirates anticipates busy weekends ahead of and during the Eid Al Fitr holiday with heavy traveller volumes departing from and arriving to Dubai. The busiest time for departures in Terminal 3 will be on the 28 and 29 March, and on the 5 and 6 April, with more than 80,000 daily customers making their way abroad for their spring break holidays. With expected traffic congestion around Terminal 3 entrances, Emirates urges customers departing from Dubai to build in extra time for their journeys to avoid potential delays. Passengers should arrive at the airport up to 3 hours before their flight and take note of their boarding times to ensure they reach the departure gate on time without delay. Customers can use the broad range of check-in options available to them including online check in on emirates.com or the Emirates App open 48 hours before their departure; Emirates City Check in and Travel Store in ICD Brookfield Place from 24 hours up to 4 hours before departure, except for customers travelling to the US; book a home check-in from their residence or hotel; use the airline’s convenient check-in kiosks and baggage drop facilities in Terminal 3 and mobile check-in ports located throughout the terminal. Customers travelling from the northern Emirates can check in at the Ajman Central Bus Terminal from 24 hours up to 4 hours before their flight. Customers can also drop off their luggage at the airport the night before travel at no charge or check in early and drop off their bags 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours before departure if flying to the US. This allows them to proceed directly to immigration or Smart Tunnel for seamless processing. …

Etihad and Ethiopian have joined forces in a landmark Joint Venture (JV) that will transform connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. As part of this collaboration, the airlines are launching new flights between Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa, strengthening ties between the two regions. Ethiopian Airlines will commence services from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Zayed International Airport (AUH) on 15 July, while Etihad Airways will introduce daily flights to Addis Ababa starting 1 October. Subject to regulatory approval, the Etihad – Ethiopian JV will enable both airlines to collaborate in developing and expanding routes between the UAE and Ethiopia, as well as enhancing connectivity across their respective networks. This partnership is designed to deliver greater value to passengers by strengthening links between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, resulting in a more seamless and comprehensive combined network. Signed at Ethiopian Airlines’ headquarters in Addis Ababa, this strategic partnership also includes a codeshare arrangement, unlocking greater travel opportunities for passengers across both networks. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways said: “This Joint Venture is great news for customers of both airlines. The start of flights between the two great cities of Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi connects our expanding networks, giving our customers seamless access to a growing list of destinations via our extensive hubs. It also paves the way for deeper discussions on working together across our respective regions on other cooperation, including frequent flyer programmes, training and cargo. “We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Ethiopian travelers visiting Abu Dhabi, where they can experience our renowned hospitality and immerse themselves in the rich culture of our city. From breathtaking beaches …

Emirates revealed the next seven cities to be served by its A350. The airline’s summer schedule will include A350 services to Tunis, Amman, Istanbul, Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, Baghdad and Oslo as the new seven cities. With the latest tranche of planned Emirates A350 deployments, the airline is expanding the list of its short to medium haul destinations served in the Middle East/GCC and Europe. For the first time, the Emirates A350 will make its debut in Africa and Southeast Asia. Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said: “Our strategic A350 expansion across diverse geographies in the Middle East/GCC, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia leverages the aircraft’s operational flexibility and efficiency, while offering more customers expanded premium travel options and the opportunity to experience our latest generation interiors like Business Class and Premium Economy along with plenty of thoughtful touches throughout every cabin, now available in more cities than ever before.” He added: “The introduction of this aircraft and layering it on existing route schedules also enables Emirates to maintain a compelling competitive position as the airline of choice for discerning travellers looking for a unique slate of connectivity options and elevated onboard experiences they can’t have with any other carrier.” The airline’s latest A350 fleet additions will start scheduled operations to the following destinations: Emirates will operate the A350 six times weekly (all days except for Tuesday) to Tunis on EK 747/748 from 1 June.* Amman’s EK 905/906 will be served daily by the Emirates A350 from 1 June.* Emirates’ A350 featuring the latest cabins will land in Istanbul for the first time to commence daily operations on EK 117/118 from 1 July.* The …

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is expanding its network with two new routes to Beirut, Lebanon and Gabala, Azerbaijan. Offering unbeatable fares and greater accessibility from June with three weekly flights each. Starting 4 June 2025, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will operate flights to Beirut three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays*, with fares starting as low as AED 359**. Starting 19 June 2025 Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will connect the UAE capital to Gabala three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with fares starting as low as AED 169**. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, available in the Arabic language. The national airline of the UAE celebrates this exciting news with a three-day promotion***, offering 20% off ticket fares starting today available to all customers. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the region. By establishing of an ultra-low-cost air connectivity with Lebanon as well as opening a new, previously unserved destination in Azerbaijan. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi continues its mission to grant access to affordable, reliable, and accessible travel for all passengers, making it easier than ever for everyone to connect and explore new destinations. Johan Eidhagen, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: “We are delighted to expand our ever-growing network with Beirut and Gabala, offering ultra-low fares to these exciting destinations for travellers exploring the Middle East and South Caucasus. Lebanon’s blend of history, culture, and modernity makes it appealing for business and leisure travel while Gabala, our second, and truly a hidden gem destination in Azerbaijan, is an ideal retreat for travellers seeking outdoor adventures, green plains, snowy hills and deep historical heritage. Wizz Air …

Etihad Airways is strengthening its presence in Russia with a significant capacity increase on its Abu Dhabi-Moscow route, providing enhanced travel options between the Middle East and Russia. From 1 October, Etihad is adding a third daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), increasing the service to 21 flights per week. The expanded service operates on an Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring 8 Business and 150 Economy seats. In addition to the Moscow frequency increase, Etihad continues to expand its network with new routes planned for 2025, including a new service to Sochi, Russia’s premier resort destination on the Black Sea coast, starting from 29 May. The increased Moscow service creates better connections for travellers from Russia to Etihad’s expanding global network, particularly to popular destinations across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The triple-daily flights are perfectly timed to facilitate both business travel and leisure trips, giving guests the option to choose departures throughout the day to suit their schedules. For those looking to extend their journey, Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme offers up to two complimentary nights at premium hotels, allowing travellers to experience the vibrant capital city’s attractions, from pristine beaches and cultural landmarks to thrilling theme parks and desert adventures.

Emirates announced plans to introduce newly retrofitted Boeing 777s on its second and third daily flights between Dubai and Riyadh, starting from 30 March and 7 May respectively. The airline aims to offer customers more opportunities to experience its latest generation Business Class seats, as well as highly acclaimed Premium Economy product, making it easier than ever to explore and connect to Dubai and beyond in style and comfort. The planned upgrades to the retrofitted Boeing 777s will make the Kingdom’s capital the first in the Middle East/GCC and among one of the few destinations in the airline’s network to be served exclusively with its latest retrofitted aircraft. Emirates’ enhanced Boeing 777s will operate as follows: EK815 and EK816 operate with a refurbished Emirates Boeing 777 starting 30 March 2025. * From 7 May 2025, Emirates will operate the refurbished Boeing 777 on its third service, EK 817 and EK 818, starting with six flights per week; and from 11 August 2025, the aircraft will be deployed daily. * The newly refurbished Emirates Boeing 777, featuring the airline’s best-in-class products, was first introduced to Riyadh in October 2024 on flights EK819 and EK820. Following positive customer feedback and demand, Emirates is expanding its Boeing 777 premium products for a better experience in the skies across every cabin class. The airline plans to increase its network of cities served by more of this fleet type in the coming weeks and months. The latest refurbished Emirates Boeing 777s include Premium Economy seats arranged in a 2-4-2 layout, offering enhanced comfort and space. The upgraded Business Class cabin features a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access, providing even more privacy and convenience. Emirates’ refurbished aircraft …