Category Archives: Aviation

Riyadh Air and Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), have signed a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market, that will enhance the travel experience for passengers to and from Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Air aims to fly to over 100 countries by 2030, and through this partnership, both entities will collaborate on various initiatives to enhance the level of service for tourists. STA CEO Fhad Hamidaddin said: “Increasing Saudi’s connectivity with the world is a key pillar of our tourism strategy and will ensure we sustain our rapid growth and meet our new ambitious target of 150 million visits by 2030. This exciting new partnership with Riyadh Air will support our goals and ensure more visitors can travel to experience the cool mountains, pristine waters and dynamic cities that make Saudi a great year-round destination.” “We are currently connected to over 180 destinations and are aiming to triple annual passenger traffic to 330 million by 2030 and this new agreement will help turbocharge these efforts.” Commenting on the partnership, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas added: “This is another momentous day in the history of Riyadh Air. Working alongside the STA to elevate the travel experience for our guests and those coming to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signifies what we’re all about. We are elevating standards across the board in aviation to previously unseen levels. We have a shared commitment to travel and tourism in the Kingdom along with our forward-thinking approach to innovation, sustainability, and the satisfaction of our guests.”

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Emirates signed a strategic partnership outlining joint initiatives to intensify international efforts and bolster Dubai’s mindshare as a hub for trade, tourism and investment. Building on both entities’ long-standing partnership and success in tourism promotion, this latest development underlines their respective commitment to achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and to further enhance the city’s status as a leading destination for business and leisure. The agreement was formalised on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The agreement was signed by His Excellency Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), and Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Driven by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, DET is committed to developing and leveraging partnerships that can contribute towards achieving the city’s ambitious D33 goals. DET and Emirates have already built a powerful collaborative relationship in recent years, and this new MoU further enhances our ability to reach, engage with, and attract business audiences around the world. A key driver of Dubai’s tourism and wider economic growth has been the city’s international connectivity, propelled by Emirates’ global network and reputation as a leading airline, and we look forward to continuing to work closely …

Saudia Holidays and Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea have announced a strategic partnership, marking a milestone in immersive travel, promising guests unparalleled adventures in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings. The partnership is set to redefine luxury travel in the region. By combining Six Senses’ world-renowned commitment to sustainable luxury and wellness with Saudia Holidays’ expertise in crafting unforgettable travel experiences, guests can look forward to bespoke packages that cater to discerning tastes and desires. Arved Von Zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer: “Saudia Holidays is excited to partner with Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, to create extraordinary travel experiences filled with discovery, heritage, wellness, and wonder. Together, we are set to offer our clients not just a holiday, but a collection of moments that will leave lasting memories, enhancing Saudia Holiday’s portfolio of world-class destinations.” While the collaboration encompasses various initiatives aimed at enhancing guest experiences, specific details on offerings and rates will remain curated to ensure personalized journeys for every traveler. Sherif Marei, Commercial Director at Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, said: “Joining forces with Saudia Holidays represents a pivotal chapter in our journey to bring the unique Six Senses experience closer to guests from across the globe. This partnership not only aligns with our vision of offering unforgettable and responsible travel experiences but also opens new avenues for guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Red Sea destination.” This partnership heralds a new era of travel where luxury meets wellness in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s majestic Southern Dunes. The alliance is a testament to both brands’ dedication to innovative hospitality, offering a gateway to explore …

The 31st edition of ATM 2024 kicks off in Dubai featuring over 2,300 exhibitors from more than 165 countries, new destinations, including China, Macao, Kenya, Guatemala, and Columbia and expects over 41,000 visitors. Held under the theme ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’, spotlighting a pivotal area for the travel and tourism industry. From startups to established brands, ATM 2024 will highlight how innovators are enhancing customer experiences, driving efficiencies and accelerating progress towards a net-zero future for the industry. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market added: “ATM 2024 is gearing up for an exciting lineup spread across two stages, with the Global Stage returning alongside the new Future Stage. The conference agenda will feature key industry speakers from around the world and address the emerging trends that are fueling the travel and tourism sector’s growth.” Curtis added: “An eagerly awaited addition to ATM 2024 is the new Entrepreneurship-focused summit, which will delve into the role of travel start-ups in the Middle East economy, spotlighting their pioneering approaches. As entrepreneurship and innovation take centre stage, the exciting ATM Start-Up Pitch Battle, in partnership with Emirates Group’s Intelak provides the perfect platform to celebrate the immense potential for innovators in the region and for brands to present their industry solutions.” The number of participating hotel brands for ATM 2024 has increased by 21% year-on-year, with a 58% rise in new Travel Technology products showcased. Several new destinations will be introduced at ATM 2024, including China, Macao, Kenya, Guatemala, and Columbia, while returning countries include Spain and France, among many others. Upticks across all key verticals with year-on-year growth across all regions participation including ME 28%, Asia and Europe 34%, and …

Air India commenced flights on the busy Delhi-Dubai route using its brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft in the airline’s bold new livery on 1st May 2024. With this, Air India’s flagship aircraft marked its international debut and Air India becomes the only carrier to operate the A350 between India and Dubai. Air India celebrated the occasion with pre-departure ceremonies, with guests at both airports presented with A350 memorabilia. At Dubai airport, Mr Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India, Dubai, Mr Jamal Al Hai, Deputy CEO, Dubai Airport and Mr Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority lit the ceremonial lamp the inaugurate the aircraft’s first departure from Dubai. Air India’s A350-900 aircraft features a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats: 28 private Business suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and other amenities, and 264 spacious Economy seats. All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens that offer more than 2,200 hours of entertainment content from around the world. Air India started inducting the A350s earlier this year as part of the 470 new aircraft order that Air India placed a year ago. Air India currently operates a total of 72 flights a week to Dubai from five Indian cities, of which 32 flights are from Delhi.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sharply criticized the increase in German aviation taxes, which will weaken the German economy and damage aviation’s ability to decarbonize. On 1 May, German taxes on flying increased by 19% to between EUR 15.53 and EUR 70.83 per passenger, depending on the route. The tax will make Germany less competitive in key economic areas such as exports, tourism, and jobs. It will further affect Germany’s air transport recovery from the pandemic, which is one of the slowest in the EU. Germany’s international passenger numbers, for example, are still 20% below pre-pandemic levels. “When Germany’s economic performance is anemic at best, denting its competitiveness with more taxes on aviation is policy madness. The government should be prioritizing measures to improve Germany’s competitive position and encouraging trade and travel. Instead, they have gone for a short-term cash-grab which can only damage the economy’s long-term growth,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. IATA also warned that the tax increase will hamper the industry’s efforts to decarbonize. Aviation has a goal of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are vital to this effort. The German government coalition agreement originally stated that revenues from aviation taxes would directly fund production of SAF, but this commitment has been broken. In addition, weakening the German air transport industry with this tax makes it harder for airlines to invest in SAF, in a more fuel-efficient fleet and other decarbonization efforts. Furthermore, the German government appears sympathetic to the European Taxation Directive which would add a tax on jet fuel. “The German government appears to have an unhealthy obsession with aviation taxes. On top of increasing the passenger tax, …

China Eastern Airlines has signed a milestone agreement with Amadeus for international NDC distribution. The deal sees the carrier become the first in the Mainland of China to sign for NDC distribution worldwide with Amadeus. Javier Laforgue, Executive Vice President, Travel Unit & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Amadeus, says: “China Eastern Airlines is an important and valued partner. The agreement signed today is a milestone for Amadeus, expanding our presence in the key Chinese airline market. The deal deepens our collaboration with China Eastern Airlines and will provide our global network of travel sellers with the ability to easily search, shop, and service product offerings from the airline.” With NDC technology, China Eastern Airlines will be able to provide richer, customizable content to travel sellers, supporting better upsell of its branded and ancillary products. With access to the full range of unique offers and product attributes, travel sellers across the globe will be able to grant travelers enhanced choice, provide best-in-class customer service, resulting in an improved traveler confidence. Travel sellers will, meanwhile, have further access to enriched China domestic airline content. Fu Jian, Vice President, Commercial Development, China Eastern Airlines says: “We want to provide our customers around the world with more choice and personalization when booking travel with us and NDC is one of the key enablers to do this. It is also an important initiative for China Eastern Airlines to accelerate the recovery of international traffic and enhance the expansion of its overseas sales channels. As an innovative leader in the travel technology space, Amadeus is a significant partner for China Eastern Airlines. We look forward to working with Amadeus to expand our reach around the world.” China …

SAUDIA has launched its innovative digital platform, the Travel Companion (TC), powered by advanced artificial intelligence. This move is part of a two-year plan to revolutionize the travel industry by embracing digital innovations. In collaboration with global professional services firm Accenture, Saudia’s Travel Companion is set to change how travelers interact with the airline and redefine the standards of digital travel. The Travel Companion offers personalized and tailored solutions to meet individual preferences and needs, providing search results from trusted and authenticated sources and utilizes image-supported responses. The platform is intended to be a comprehensive, one-stop solution that allows users to book concierge services such as hotels, transportation, restaurants, activities, and attractions, eliminating the need to switch between multiple platforms. Additionally, it establishes seamless connections with transportation platforms and various train companies, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted journey. In the next stages, Saudia will introduce additional features, such as voice command and digital payment solutions. Through an always-on Travel Companion accessible via a telecom e-SIM card enabled by Saudia, users can enjoy global access without relying on other internet providers. Furthermore, users can purchase data packages for additional applications, ensuring continuous access to the platform’s services. The ultimate goal of the Travel Companion is to become the top app for travelers, providing unparalleled travel information. With aspirations to become the go-to platform for various services beyond flight bookings, the Travel Companion will aim to distinguish itself in the airline industry. His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group said, “We are thrilled to introduce the Travel Companion, a game-changer in the airline industry that will revolutionize the digital travel experience. This platform, resulting from our ongoing collaboration with …

Victor announced the relocation of its headquarters to the iconic Erth Abu Dhabi: a beacon of Emirati hospitality in the heart of the capital. The move follows the recent acquisition of Victor by an investment group in Abu Dhabi and marks a significant milestone for business aviation in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE. Founded in 2011 in the UK, Victor has a legacy of innovation within the aircraft charter marketplace by providing a unique global platform with unprecedented transparency. Its HQ move to Abu Dhabi will provide the Emirate with its first on-demand jet charter platform, opening up the market to a greater selection of choices when chartering and offering Victor’s sophisticated, high-touch service to Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals, government and corporate private aviation flyers. Aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic target, Victor will contribute to the nation’s sustainability objectives through its climate action initiatives – namely its pioneering partnership with Neste, the world’s leading producer of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). With its backing by Abu Dhabi, Victor is perfectly positioned to achieve its ambition of becoming the number one choice for private jet flyers – not only in the MENA region, but worldwide. “We are thrilled to establish our headquarters in Abu Dhabi and embark on this exciting new chapter in Victor’s journey,” said James Farley, co-CEO of Victor. “Abu Dhabi’s strategic location, world-class infrastructure and supportive business environment make it the ideal base for expanding our operations and serving our customer base across MENA. The business aviation market is growing faster in the region than the rest of the world and Victor can uniquely service this market by offering more choice, transparency and best-in-class customer service.” …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) announces the commencement of four weekly flights from Guangzhou to Doha by China Southern Airlines, further enhancing connectivity between China and Qatar. Commenced on 22 April, 2024, the route was operated by a Boeing B787-9 aircraft with a capacity of 203 seats from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to Hamad International Airport (DOH). This new service by China Southern Airlines supplements Qatar Airways’ existing operations to seven major cities in China – Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xiamen, offering over 27,000 weekly seats to and from Doha through Hamad International Airport. This was following the codeshare announcement between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines in February this year. As one of China’s largest airlines, China Southern Airlines operates around 3,000 daily flights to more than 200 destinations globally. It joined Hamad International Airport as the second Chinese airline, following Xiamen Airlines, and marks the fourth airline to commence operations to the airport in 2024, after Akasa Air, Japan Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia. Commenting on the new partnership, Sujata Suri, Senior Vice President of Finance and Procurement at Hamad International Airport, said: “China is one of our strategic markets and plays a crucial role in the aviation and tourism industry. The commencement of China Southern Airlines’ flights to Hamad International Airport will bolster tradelines between both countries, cater to the anticipated growth in traffic movement and offer better connectivity for millions of travelers. This partnership will strengthen our position in becoming the preferred hub to connect China with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.” The extensive network between China and Qatar underscores the importance of robust connectivity to facilitate travel demand, as travel recovery is expected …