Category Archives: Aviation

Travelport and Emirates announced that New Distribution Capability (NDC) content from Emirates and enhanced NDC servicing capabilities are now available in the Travelport+ platform. With this launch, Travelport’s agency customers will be able to easily view and compare more dynamic NDC offers and ancillaries from Emirates and create a more streamlined, personalized experience for travelers. Travelport’s complete NDC solution for Emirates also provides agents the ability to service NDC bookings, which includes modifications and cancellations. “Agencies using Travelport+ will now have access to better, more enriched content that is only available via the Emirates NDC channel,” said Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates. “The integration of our systems will strengthen the expansion of our reach across the global travel retail community and allow them to offer travelers more choice among our best-in-class products and services.” “We are leading the way in delivering Emirates’ NDC content to travel retailers and giving agents the ability to compare and book the best offers and ancillaries available from Emirates on Travelport+,” said Jason Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Travel Partners at Travelport. “This pivotal NDC milestone with Emirates proves Travelport is at the forefront of modern retailing with our ability to provide the best content and cutting-edge tools that agents require to create superior booking and servicing experiences for their customers.” Travelport’s NDC content and servicing solution for Emirates has first become available to all agency customers located in Australia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Access to Emirates NDC solution in Travelport+ will expand to agency customers located in additional countries in the coming weeks.

Etihad Airways celebrated the start of its flights to Al Qassim, marking the first flight ever connecting the UAE’s capital with Al Qassim in the central region of KSA. The new route becomes Etihad’s fourth destination to Saudi Arabia and offers guests four non-stop flights per week. This service will enhance connectivity between KSA and the rest of the world through Abu Dhabi. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “As we celebrate the newest addition to our growing global network, we also reaffirm our commitment to the Saudi market as we mark 20 years of connecting Abu Dhabi with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With the increasing demand for air travel to the promising business and tourism market in KSA, we are excited to launch flights to Al Qassim, a significant cultural and commercial centre. “By establishing this air link, we aim to meet the increasing demand and provide our guests with convenient access to Abu Dhabi and seamless connectivity to our extensive global network, while delivering a remarkable flying experience.” The flights will be operated with aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, offering Etihad’s award-winning service to guests in both Business and Economy cabins. Flights to and from Al Qassim can be booked on etihad.com, the mobile app, Etihad Airways Contact Centres, or through travel agents. Flight schedule for Abu Dhabi – Al Qassim service, effective 24 June 2024, all times local:

SalamAir announced the addition of Chennai, India, to its growing network of destinations. Starting July 11th, 2024, SalamAir will operate two weekly flights to Chennai every Thursday and Saturday, offering convenient connections and exceptional service between Muscat and this vibrant South Indian city. With Chennai’s addition, SalamAir has achieved another significant step in its mission to increase connectivity not only between India and Muscat but also throughout the region. It now joins the ranks of other recently launched destinations including Delhi, Cairo, Islamabad, and Lahore. We are thrilled to introduce our new service to Chennai, a significant milestone that enhances the connectivity of the South Indian community in Oman and the wider Gulf region, said Harish Kutty, Director of Revenue and Network Planning for SalamAir. With its rich cultural heritage and economic vitality, Chennai presents immense opportunities for residents, business and leisure travelers. Passengers can look forward to experiencing SalamAir’s renowned hospitality and modern fleet on flights to Chennai, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable journey.

Emirates hosted an exclusive tour of its upgraded four-class A380 aircraft at Osaka Kansai International Airport, this week, showcasing the highly popular Premium Economy product that was launched on the Osaka-Dubai route recently. The product launch in Osaka follows the introduction of the Premium Economy cabin on flights to Tokyo Narita in December 2023. The Emirates’ Premium Economy launch event was attended by Marwan Alnaqbi, Deputy Head of Mission, UAE Embassy and Hayato Shingu, Executive Officer Deputy Chief Commercial Office, Kansai Airport Authority as well as Emirates’ trade partners and the local media. The aircraft tour provided trade partners and media guests with an exclusive opportunity to experience Emirates’ newest product firsthand. All the guests also toured the airline’s upgraded First and Business Class cabins as well as refreshed interiors. The introduction of the enhanced four-class A380 aircraft underscores Emirates’ steadfast dedication to continuously expand its offerings for the Japanese market, and reaffirms the airline’s longstanding commitment to deliver an unparalleled travel experience for the Japanese travellers. “Since the introduction of the Premium Economy cabin on our Dubai/Narita route, we’ve seen overwhelmingly positive response from the Japanese travellers who experienced the product. The inclusion of Osaka in our Premium Economy network signifies our commitment to expanding the product offerings for Japanese customers. With more than 10,200 passengers having experienced our product since it was launched in Tokyo Narita in December 2023, we’re confident that Emirates’ Premium Economy will receive an equally positive response in Osaka as it sets a new benchmark in travel standards in Japan, redefining comfort and luxury with its meticulous design and unparalleled service quality.” said Satish Sethi, Emirates’ Country Manager for Japan. Within the four-class configuration of …

Türkiye’s national flag carrier has launched its 14th destination in the United States, bringing its passengers together with the unique beauty of Denver. Having started its operations to the Americas in 1988 with flights to New York, Turkish Airlines has expanded its flight network to include Denver as the 14th destination in the United States of America. Starting from last week Turkish Airlines schedules 3 flights a week to Denver, its 347th destination in 130 countries. From July 9, 2024, the frequency will increase to 4 flights a week, thereby contributing to the tourism and trade volumes between the two countries by transporting thousands of passengers annually on the Istanbul-Denver route. Commenting on the new route, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated: “We are delighted to add a new route to our expanding flight network. We began our operations to the Americas on August 26, 1988, with flights to New York via Brussels, and 6 years later, on July 16, 1994, we began direct flights to New York. Today, we are proud to fly directly to 14 destinations in the United States, including Denver. This new route will offer our passengers the opportunity to discover the historical and cultural richness of Istanbul and our country.” Denver, the capital and largest city of the state of Colorado, attracts many domestic and international travelers with its cultural attractions and as a host for various sports events. The flag carrier will operate flights between Istanbul Airport and Denver International Airport with special launch prices. With tickets purchased by July 3, 2024, Turkish Airlines passengers can benefit from prices starting at 787 USD, for travel dates between …

Etihad Airways celebrated the start of its flights to Jaipur, India offering guests four non-stop services a week, enhancing connectivity between one of India’s cultural treasures, and the rest of the world, via Abu Dhabi.Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “With the resurgence of outbound travel from India, we are thrilled to start four weekly flights to Jaipur, a significant cultural and commercial centre. By establishing this crucial air link with Rajasthan, we aim to meet the increasing demand from travellers in and around the region, providing them with convenient access to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and seamless connectivity to our extensive global network, while delivering a remarkable flying experience.” From exploring the historic forts and palaces to indulging in the vibrant culture and culinary delights, Jaipur offers visitors a wealth of unforgettable experiences. Travellers from Northwest India will benefit from the non-stop service with seamless access to Etihad’s expanding network and frequent connections through Abu Dhabi’s global links. The new route enables more visitors to explore the emirate’s rich history and vibrant culture. Moreover, passengers will experience the exceptional facilities at Zayed International Airport’s Terminal A, Etihad’s new home, which sets new standards for travel comfort and service excellence. Travellers flying from Jaipur to the United States can take advantage of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Abu Dhabi, streamlining the immigration process and ensuring a hassle-free journey. The start of the Jaipur service further underlines Etihad’s deepening commitment to the Indian market where the airline has increased its capacity by a third over the past 12 months. The flights will be operated with aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, offering Etihad’s award-winning service to …

Kuwait Airways launched its first scheduled summer flights to the city of Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman with three flights per week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. They shared that the company said that the selection of Salalah as a destination came after comprehensive research of the feasibility of this destination in general, and the extent of its demand, which is becoming increasingly popular among valued customers, especially during the summer season, due to the various attributes of Salalah, such as its moderate climate, touristic attractions, historical and cultural landmarks, as well as its greenery and picturesque nature. Kuwait Airways had previously announced its flight schedule for the 2024 summer travel season which includes the launch of new destinations such as Antalya with two flights per week, Bodrum with three flights per week, Trabzon with three flights per week, Sharm El Sheikh with two flights per week, Malaga with three flights per week, Nice with two flights per week and Sarajevo with three flights per week, bringing the operation of flights to 55 destinations and the average number of flights per day to 52 flights during the summer season. Kuwait Airways has perceived the necessity to increase the frequency of its flights, to operate additional flights to certain destinations, such as London, Amsterdam, Munich, Vienna, and Geneva, and to cater to the increasing demand for these European destinations and to other destinations witnessing extensive demand during the summer, such as Dubai, Riyadh, and Manchester. Furthermore, Kuwait Airways will operate its wide-body aircraft, consisting of the Boeing B777-300, to most of the European destinations, to enable its valued customers to benefit from the amenities of the Royal and Business class …

Emirates celebrates a successful year since the debut of its Premium Economy product in Singapore, having so far carried 26,000 passengers on nearly 730 four-class A380 flights between Singapore and Dubai from June 2023 to May 2024. The airline’s Premium Economy product was especially popular among families and solo travellers from Singapore, with top outbound destinations including London, Dubai, Paris, Barcelona, and New York JFK. Emirates’ Premium Economy can be experienced on flights EK 354 and EK 355 between Singapore and Dubai, which takes passenger comfort to new heights with an extensive suite of features that transforms the journey itself into a destination. The Premium Economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck with 56 seats laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. In the cabin, every inch of space anticipates customer needs with a generous seat pitch and width for working and relaxing, and customised features that offer function and convenience like in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table. The experience is rounded off with expertly curated in-flight amenities, an inventive menu, and extensive beverage options, including the Chandon Vintage Brut 2016, a global exclusive to Emirates Premium Economy passengers. Rashed Alfajeer, Emirates’ Manager for Singapore & Brunei, said: “We are delighted to commemorate the first anniversary of the launch of Emirates’ Premium Economy in Singapore which serves as the ideal middle ground between Economy Class and Business Class, offering travellers a more cost-effective choice for comfort and luxury in the sky. So far, customers from Singapore have loved the product and shown great interest in it. Demand and seat load are both highly positive. We are committed to offering our passengers the distinctive Emirates experience …

Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines have announced the next phase of their comprehensive partnership – which includes a codeshare agreement – with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance travel options and convenience for passengers. The MoU outlines a framework for the two airlines to boost their market presence and collaboration in the areas of cargo and frequent flyer programmes. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and China Southern Airlines President and CEO, Mr. Han Wensheng signed the MoU on behalf of their airlines. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “As part of our robust partnership with China Southern Airlines, Qatar Airways is building on the success of the new route from Doha to Guangzhou, which was launched in April this year, to offer more choice to both airline passengers. It is a proud milestone for us to serve the prominent Chinese market in collaboration with our key partner, and look forward to extending our award-winning offerings to travellers flying through China.” President and CEO of China Southern Air Holding Company Limited, Mr. Han Wensheng said: “China Southern Airlines launched a direct route from Guangzhou to Doha in April, which has strongly promoted the connectivity between China and countries and regions along the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. In the future, China Southern Airlines will deepen cooperation with Qatar Airways, strengthen complementary advantages, and work together to bring more comfortable and convenient travel experiences to our passengers.” Qatar Airways and China Southern will further collaborate to provide their respective Privilege Club and Sky Pearl Club members’ frequent flyer benefits. These include collecting and spending Avios/Miles on both Qatar Airways and China …

Oman Air has unveiled a significant enhancement to its distribution capabilities, ushering in a new era of convenience and choice partnering with Accelya. The airline has introduced cutting-edge functionality that will enable its trade partners to seamlessly manage their customers’ travel needs. Part of the airline’s ambitious retail transformation programme, it leverages the latest IATA New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology, representing a substantial advancement from the previous booking tools available to travel agents. “NDC stands as a pivotal tool, empowering us with enhanced flexibility and control over our distribution channels. Oman Air’s NDC journey has yielded significant growth in recent years and our partnership with Accelya marks an important milestone in this journey,” commented Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air. “Not only does the new upgrade support us to streamline our customer experience and enable us to scale up and provide more robust services, it also represents a significant reduction in our distribution costs, paving the way for more efficient operations and revenue diversification.” Sam Gilliland, Chief Executive Officer at Accelya, added “We are delighted that Oman Air has chosen Accelya to take control of their retailing future and help them on the journey to Offer & Order transformation. More and more airlines, covering a range of scale and operating models, are choosing Accelya’s FLX Platform due to our track record of delivering fast, impactful results. Our partnership with Oman Air is an example of how Accelya is leading the market in modern retail solutions and bringing the benefits of our technology to customers across the travel industry.” In addition to enhancing its distribution capabilities, Oman Air is bolstering its loyalty system, also powered by Accelya, with enriched …