Category Archives: Aviation

flyadeal has taken another step to widen its distribution strategy by going live on the Amadeus booking platform giving travel agents access to the airline’s growing network of flights. Beginning with the domestic market – home to almost 4,000 travel agents accredited to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – flyadeal will implement a phased rollout of the reservation tool to the trade in more countries over the next few months. When agents search for a particular route, the Amadeus GDS now displays flyadeal among the operating airlines. As a digital first airline, connecting with a global distribution system (GDS) is a significant strategic move since flyadeal launched its first flight in September 2017. flyadeal now operates over 200 daily scheduled services from bases in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to more than 30 destinations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and South Asia with a fleet of 42 Airbus A320 aircraft. Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “Signing up with Amadeus is a historic step for flyadeal. GDS connection expands distribution of our inventory of flights and fares, and offers the wider travel agency community with instant access, convenience and booking capability through their desktop terminals. “Having scaled our operations over the years, building a strong domestic network of flights and increasingly moving into international operations, our business has evolved into more partnerships, including travel agencies which we see as a vital part of our growth story to complement our own direct booking channels.” Rogier van Enk, flyadeal Chief Commercial and Customer Experience Officer, added: “As we start off in our home market of Saudi Arabia, the Amadeus booking tool will be …

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, a PIF company, revealed two significant milestones as it announces a landmark on its journey towards its 2025 debut, firstly, the commencement of its first daily flights to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on 26 October designed to ensure unparalleled readiness and operational excellence as it creates world-class travel experiences. Riyadh Air also unveiled Sfeer, its groundbreaking loyalty offering, which will provide exclusive benefits to its early Founding Members and showcase the future direction for dynamic airline loyalty programs. Beginning 26 October  Riyadh Air will commence daily launch flights from Riyadh to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) aboard its designated Boeing 787-9 technical spare aircraft, “Jamila”. These carefully sequenced flights, initially on sale to select groups and Riyadh Air employees, are a critical phase in ensuring unparalleled operational readiness ahead of receiving the first aircraft deliveries from Boeing, while utilizing Riyadh Air’s recently awarded slot at London Heathrow (LHR). Flights will depart Riyadh at 0315 (RX401) with an early morning arrival time into London Heathrow at 0730, the return flights depart London at 0930 (RX402), arriving back to Riyadh at 1915 (all times local). This important phase of Pathway to Perfect will see flights to Dubai added soon after, transparently demonstrating Riyadh Air’s rigorous commitment to operational excellence. Through a thorough assessment program of these initial launch flights on Jamila, the airline is building operational strength for a smooth, reliable, and world-class premium travel experience, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s dedication to the highest standards of quality. Further exciting new routes are set to be announced in the coming weeks for winter 2025 and summer 2026. “This isn’t just a launch; it’s a tangible realization of a …

Emirates will add six weekly flights to its London Heathrow schedule from 26 October 2025. The boosted schedule for the winter season follows record growth and demand, providing more convenience and departure time choices for travellers journeying to and from London Heathrow, and is well-timed to serve the year-end travel peak. Emirates already flies six times a day to and from London Heathrow, and all flights are served by its flagship Airbus A380. The additional flights will operate on all days except for Fridays during the winter period with the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER, offering over 350 seats each way in a three-class configuration split between First, Business, and Economy. Strategically timed overnight departures from London Heathrow to Dubai provide convenient onward connections to destinations like Durban, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Jakarta. Flights to London Heathrow offer well-timed connectivity for travellers coming from cities across West Asia like Ahmedabad, Lahore, Maldives, Hyderabad and Chennai, Beijing and Shanghai in the Chinese mainland as well as several points within the Middle East including Bahrain, Dammam and Riyadh. Flight EK41 will depart Dubai on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 13:40hrs, arriving in London Heathrow at 17:40hrs*. The return flight, EK42, departs London Heathrow at 22:35hrs on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, arriving in Dubai at 09:35hrs the next day. The return flight, EK42, departs London Heathrow at 21:20hrs on Tuesday and Saturday, arriving in Dubai at 08:20hrs the next day. On Thursdays, EK41 will depart Dubai at 12:55hrs, arriving in London Heathrow at 16:55hrs. The return flight, EK42, departs from London Heathrow at 21:20hrs, arriving in Dubai at 08:20hrs the next day. All times are local. For more …

The Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub has been cleverly designed so that it can be seamlessly and swiftly updated with new information and improvements, as accessible travel requirements continue to evolve. In the design and build of the hub, Emirates utilised inclusive research methods including engaging a diverse range of users including those with disabilities, in the usability studies. Emirates new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on the flagship Emirates.com, is designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, featuring accessibility-friendly navigation that allows customers to find information easily and explore the many ways that Emirates can provide travel assistance and support. Emirates’ Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub will continue to evolve and grow to meet customer needs. Aiming to reduce anxiety before travelling, the Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub spent a year in development, resulting in a design that features a seamless visual style and thoughtful and user-friendly navigation options. To provide consistent, inclusive experiences, the website is built on a token-based architecture to enable seamless updates and simplified customization. Even the colour palette is rigorously tested for contrast compliance to support clarity and readability, and designs are tested with assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice control, and keyboard navigation. Customers can choose to view and explore sections by disability; including Mobility Assistance, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment and Hidden Disabilities. If preferred, customers can search by looking at specific parts of the journey, which have been clearly arranged – Before your flight, Departure from Dubai, Onboard your flight, Connecting in Dubai and Arriving in Dubai. A third option allows customers to browse by specific needs, including Book Special Assistance, Prepare for travel with …

From September, Almaty–Jeddah flights resumed twice weekly, while Shymkent–Jeddah services started to operate once a week. Late October will see the return of Almaty–Medina flights twice weekly and Shymkent–Medina once weekly. Air Astana is set to expand its international network this autumn, increasing connectivity to key destinations in the Middle East and Asia. The airline is resuming several flights and boosting frequencies to popular tourist and business hubs, responding to growing travel demand.  New services will also connect Aktau to Jeddah and Medina on alternating biweekly schedules, with Astana–Jeddah and Astana–Medina flights following the same pattern. In Asia, Air Astana will resume Almaty–Male flights to the Maldives three times a week, increasing to five weekly during peak holidays. Almaty–Phu Quoc flights in Vietnam will operate five times per week, becoming daily in December, while Astana–Phu Quoc services run three times weekly. The airline is also increasing flights to Dubai, from seven to 12 per week from Almaty and seven to 10 from Astana. Thailand-bound services are expanding as well, with Almaty–Bangkok and Almaty–Phuket flights both rising to seven per week. All flights will be operated using Airbus A320neo and A321LR aircraft, ensuring modern, comfortable travel.  

Etihad Airways launched direct flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Phnom Penh, Cambodia, marking a significant expansion of the airline’s global network. The new service aims to bring travellers closer to the rich cultural heritage and ancient history of Southeast Asia, offering a seamless and comfortable travel experience. The addition of Phnom Penh to Etihad’s route map reflects the airline’s commitment to connecting the UAE with emerging destinations across the region. Passengers can now enjoy direct access to Cambodia’s capital, a city known for its historic temples, vibrant markets, and thriving cultural scene. Etihad has emphasised that the new route has been designed with passenger comfort in mind, promising a smooth journey from departure to arrival. “We are thrilled to welcome travelers on board as we connect Abu Dhabi with Phnom Penh,” said an Etihad spokesperson. “This new route is part of our ongoing strategy to enhance connectivity and make travel easier and more enjoyable for our guests.” The launch comes as global air travel continues to rebound, and Etihad strengthens its position as a leading airline linking the Middle East to Asia. The service is expected to boost tourism and business ties between the UAE and Cambodia

flyadeal has launched its much-anticipated non-stop daily flights to the Syrian capital, Damascus. With the start of three flights a week from the Saudi port city of Jeddah from 1 October, followed 24 hours later by the first of four weekly services from the capital Riyadh, flyadeal now provides a new daily air bridge between the Kingdom and Syria. flyadeal has been working tirelessly to secure the new operations following the lifting of international sanctions on Syria, which has for years been devasted by civil war. flyadeal management led by Chief Executive Officer Steven Greenway joined airport executives at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah for the launch celebrations. In Damascus, inaugural flight F3 741 from Jeddah was welcomed to a traditional water salute, with celebrations attended by officials including His Excellency Abdullah Al- Horyes, Deputy Ambassador at the Saudi Embassy in Damascus, and Fadi Al-Junidi, Director of Air Transport at the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority. Greenway said: “It’s a momentous occasion to finally launch our Damascus flights from two gateway cities in the Kingdom, long needed to help the many Syrians to travel back to their homeland and reunite with family and friends. “With over two million Syrians living and working in the Kingdom, the restoration of air links provides great relief and will support the economic redevelopment of Syria as the country embarks on rebuilding its infrastructure attracting much-needed investment from the international community.” flyadeal currently operates a modern fleet of 42 A320s from bases in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to more than 30 seasonal and year-round destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and South Asia. By 2030, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, flyadeal expects …

Air Arabia  announced the launch of three weekly flights connecting Tangier to Rotterdam, starting 28 October 2025. The new service further strengthens Morocco’s connectivity with key European destinations and expands Air Arabia’s growing international network. The Tangier–Rotterdam route will provide added convenience for both leisure and business travellers, catering especially to the Moroccan diaspora in the Netherlands, while also supporting tourism and trade links between the two regions. Tangier, one of Morocco’s fastest-developing cities and a key Mediterranean gateway, will gain improved direct access to Europe’s economic hubs. Rotterdam, with its strong commercial profile, offers travellers new opportunities for cultural and business exchange. The launch underscores Air Arabia’s commitment to offering affordable, reliable, and value-driven air travel, while reinforcing Morocco’s position as a vital aviation hub linking North Africa with Europe.  

Oman Air has signed an agreement with H.E. Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam, to support the Musandam Winter Season 2025/26. The agreement was formalized yesterday by the company’s Deputy CEO, Hamood Al Alawi. The carrier will play a key role in promoting the season, aimed at highlighting Musandam’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and tourism potential. The collaboration underscores the company’s commitment to supporting Oman’s domestic tourism strategy and strengthening its global visibility as a destination of choice. The Musandam Winter Season 2025/26 is expected to draw both domestic and international visitors, showcasing the region’s unique attractions, from fjords and mountain landscapes to cultural experiences and adventure activities. Through this partnership, Oman Air seeks to reinforce its role in advancing Oman’s tourism ambitions and contributing to the success of one of the country’s most anticipated seasonal events.

Etihad Airways has launched its game-changing new A321LR aircraft on all flights to and from Kolkata, bringing a refined luxury experience to the popular Indian route. The sold-out inaugural flight, EY222, touched down at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport (CCU), Kolkata, India at 8.35pm on 24 September. All of Etihad’s eight return flights per week between Abu Dhabi and Kolkata will now be operated by the A321LR. The upgraded A321LR service reinforces Etihad’s commitment to the Indian market where it operates 183 flights per week to 11 destinations across India. The extensive network connects guests seamlessly between India and the Middle East, and conveniently onwards to Europe, Africa and North America. Kolkata, the capital and largest city of the West Bengal state, is an important gateway to India, with Etihad carrying more than 135k passengers annually between the city and Abu Dhabi. Kolkata holds the honour of being recognised as the cultural capital of India, welcoming visitors from around the world to explore the city’s rich heritage and artistic energy. As well as an increase in visitors travelling to India, Etihad is also catering to rising demand from corporate travellers as well as overseas students and those visiting friends and family. The state is also benefitting from an increase in investment in the IT and financial services sectors, which are also driving demand for corporate travel. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “India is an important market for Etihad and we’re incredibly proud to be in Kolkata to welcome our newest aircraft, the A321LR, on its inaugural flight to India. Whether choosing our luxurious First Suites, lie-flat Business seats with direct aisle access and a window-view, or our next-generation Economy …