Category Archives: Aviation

Emirates has announced the expansion of its operations to Tokyo Narita with the introduction of a second daily service from 1 May, operated by the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER. The additional flight, EK320, will depart Dubai at 22:30hrs and arrive in Tokyo Narita at 13:30hrs the following day. The return service, EK321, will depart Tokyo Narita at 21:30hrs and arrive in Dubai at 03:50hrs the following day. All times are local. The second daily flight will provide travellers with greater choice and enhanced opportunities for multi-destination itineraries, including the convenience of a stopover in Dubai. Eastbound passengers on the additional Narita service will arrive in the afternoon, supporting stronger domestic connectivity and shorter connection times from key European and Middle Eastern markets. Westbound travellers departing from Tokyo Narita will benefit from an early-morning arrival in Dubai, enabling seamless onward connections to major destinations across Europe, Africa and South America, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Brazil. With the deployment of a refurbished Boeing 777-300ER on flights EK320/321 to Tokyo Narita, Emirates doubles down on its commitment to offer a consistent travel experience for its customers in Japan. The four-class aircraft features upgraded interiors with new design elements, including modern colour palettes, specially designed Ghaf Tree motifs, and wood finishes across all cabins. Travellers will have access to 260 of the latest-generation Economy seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, 40 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, and eight First Class Suites. The onboard experience is rounded off with a regionally-inspired cuisine featuring Japanese dishes such as Kaiseki meal tray. Travellers across all cabins will also enjoy more than 6,500 channels of on-demand content on Emirates’ award-winning …

Oman Air started its inaugural service to Taif, marking the launch of a new direct service between Muscat and Saudi Arabia’s ‘City of Roses’. Operating three times weekly with a flight time of approximately three hours and 20 minutes, the new service supports two-way tourism and travel between Oman and western Saudi Arabia. With fares starting from just OMR 38.1 one-way, the route offers travellers from Oman convenient access to Taif, which is renowned for its temperate climate, cultural heritage and proximity to Mecca, while also encouraging visitors from Saudi to explore Oman and connect onward through Muscat. The launch was marked by an inauguration ceremony held at Muscat International Airport. Commenting on the new service, Mike Rutter, Oman Air’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “The launch of our Taif service reflects our commitment to expanding our network in line with market demand and regional travel needs. As part of our broader regional growth strategy, this route enhances direct connectivity between Oman and western Saudi Arabia, supporting religious and leisure travel while encouraging tourism flows in both directions. We thank our partners for their support in making this launch possible and we remain focused on strengthening our relationship with Saudi Arabia through continued network growth.” The arrival of the inaugural flight in Taif was also marked by a ceremony hosted by Second Airports Cluster, the operator of Taif International Airport, and attended by His Excellency the Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Jeddah, along with other official delegates. Taif marks Oman Air’s fifth Saudi destination, joining Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Madinah, as the airline continues to strengthen regional connectivity across the Gulf and the wider Middle East. The route …

Spafax has renewed its inflight entertainment (IFE) partnership with Oman Air for an additional four years, extending a relationship that began in 2020. Under the renewed agreement, Spafax will continue to deliver a comprehensive scope of services designed to engage and delight guests, while expanding its use of data, insight, and strategic tools to further elevate the ARIA experience, Oman Air’s inflight entertainment platform. The first content cycle under the renewed term is planned for February 2026, marking the next chapter of a long-standing collaboration focused on a premium guest experience. For guests, the renewed partnership means an even more intuitive, curated, and enjoyable inflight entertainment experience. ARIA will continue to evolve with more relevant content across films, series, music, and regional programming, supported by smarter content placement that makes discovery easier and more seamless. By better understanding how guests engage with entertainment across routes, cabins, and languages, Oman Air aims to deliver a more personalized and thoughtfully designed onboard experience. While the core service offering remains familiar to guests, the renewed partnership places greater emphasis on performance-led programming, data-driven decision-making, and brand development. Spafax will expand its use of Spafax IQ, its IFEC data analytics platform, to support ARIA’s evolution. “Spafax has been a trusted partner in supporting ARIA since its launch,” said Renata Rached, Vice President – Guest Experience, Loyalty and Brand at Oman Air. “This renewed agreement enables us to continue enhancing our onboard entertainment in a way that reflects Oman Air’s premium positioning and commitment to delivering a high-quality guest experience.” Spafax IQ provides detailed insight into guest engagement across routes, cabins, languages, navigation paths, and content categories, informing programming strategy, optimizing onboard promotion, and aligning content …

Air India Express announced its ‘Xpress More Sale’, offering discounts of up to 20% on domestic and international flights. The special fares are available for booking from 1 February 2026, with early access exclusively on its award-winning website, airindiaexpress.com, and mobile app, offering travellers the earliest opportunity to book from a wide range of discounted fares. The sale opens on all other major booking platforms from 2 February to 5 February 2026, for travel between 11 February and 31 December 2026, across domestic and international sectors. The airline offers Zero Convenience Fees on all bookings made through the airline’s website and mobile app, along with one complimentary date change for the bookings made during the sale period via these platforms. In the Gulf sector, the ‘Xpress More Sale’ Lite fares would start from AED 320, OMR 23, BHD 46, QAR 378, KWD 27 and SAR 286. Guests booking Lite fares (zero-baggage fare) can add check-in baggage later at discounted rates, at ₹2,500 for 20 kg on international flights. Guests can also avail 20% savings on Prime and Standard seats, as well as on hot meals. Air India Express has received the prestigious Domestic Connectivity Award constituted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, in collaboration with FICCI and the Airports Authority of India at Wings India, India’s premier Civil Aviation event concluded on 31st January, 2026 at Hyderabad. The airline has been selected by the distinguished jury for enhancing guest experience, growing connectivity, delivering superior services, leveraging digital and technology, driving sustainability, and innovation. Air India Express’ growing network spans 45 domestic and 17 international destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf region. With over 500 …

Etihad Airways announced the launch of the first-ever nonstop flights between the UAE and Calgary, creating a new strategic air link between the Middle East and Western Canada. Launching on 3 November 2026, the route marks another step in Etihad’s global expansion and supports Abu Dhabi’s long-term ambitions to drive international trade, tourism and investment. The new service directly links two globally recognised centres of energy, innovation and culture, strengthening economic ties while opening new opportunities for business and leisure travellers alike. It connects Abu Dhabi’s fast-growing economy and cultural offer with Calgary’s role as a centre for energy, advanced manufacturing and innovation, creating a direct corridor for corporate travel, trade engagement and sector collaboration. For leisure travellers, the route brings together two highly distinctive destinations. Visitors from Canada gain direct access to Abu Dhabi’s cultural landmarks, unique experiences, coastal resorts and year-round sunshine, while travellers from the UAE and across Etihad’s global network can explore Calgary’s vibrant city life and its position as the gateway to Alberta and the Canadian Rockies, home to some of North America’s most iconic natural landscapes. Calgary becomes Etihad’s latest long-haul addition, following recent route announcements including Luxembourg and Palma. Each new destination reflects the airline’s strategy of opening new markets with clear economic, trade and tourism relevance, while expanding the range of destinations available to travellers from the UAE and across Etihad’s international network. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “The launch of our Abu Dhabi–Calgary service is both a significant and historic step in Etihad’s global expansion. By creating the only nonstop link between the Middle East and Western Canada, we are opening new opportunities for trade, tourism and …

Emirates and Marriott International, Inc. signed an agreement to open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge – a 40-key all-inclusive luxury lodge set to be situated on a 7,000-acre conservancy in Australia’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area. Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge is expected to mark the first Ritz-Carlton Lodge in the world and a major milestone for New South Wales’s (NSW) regional tourism. An expression of the renowned luxury brand, Ritz-Carlton Lodges are conceived as purpose-built sanctuaries in nature, thoughtfully designed to reflect their surrounds while prioritising minimal environmental impact and delivering a heightened sense of luxury, comfort and craftmanship synonymous with The Ritz-Carlton. Anticipated to open mid-2026, the project offers a new benchmark for luxury travel and potential to reinvigorate the region’s tourism offering. Since 2006, Emirates has invested AU$150 million in the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, developing the property with deep respect for its environmental and cultural heritage. This has included the careful restoration of historically significant landmarks — such as the original homestead dating back to 1832 — alongside extensive conservation programmes to restore indigenous flora and fauna, including the planting of more than one million native trees across the site. Emirates is now investing an additional AU$50 million in renovations, working in consultation with Marriott to transform the property into a world-class expression of The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service and refined design, with a deep connection to place. As a reflection of Emirates’ commitment to the location, following the closure of Wolgan Valley Road in 2023, Emirates has maintained the site with a small number of locally employed staff while the property was unavoidably nonoperational. From the resort’s founding, Emirates has worked closely with the …

Philippine Airlines and Gold Medal concluded a successful Joint Campaign Top Seller Rewards initiative in the UAE, driving strong sub-agent engagement and increased sales of Philippine Airlines through the Gold Medal B2B platform. The campaign recognised outstanding trade performance, with Ani Travel and MRG Pinas Travel emerging as the top sellers. Congratulations to both partners for their exceptional results. From Philippine Airlines Regional Head – EMEA, Mr. Josh Vasquez, “The Philippine Airlines – Gold Medal Top Sellers Campaign reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership and our shared commitment to driving sustainable growth. Through close collaboration, aligned sales efforts, and targeted incentives, we were able to empower travel consultants, strengthen brand visibility, and deliver strong commercial results. We also extend our warm congratulations to ANI Travel and MRG Pinas Travel for their outstanding performance—your success truly reflects the value of strong collaboration and trade partnership.” From Gold Medal Head of Business Development & Client Relations, Mr. Sarfaraz Shaikh, “Gold Medal reinforced its strategic partnership with Philippine Airlines through a focused initiative designed to boost sales performance and strengthen brand presence across its B2B sub-agent network. The collaboration leveraged Gold Medal’s competitive advantages—including flexible incentive deployment, enhanced profitability through increased PR ticket volumes, and joint sales engagements by the Philippine Airlines and Gold Medal teams—to drive greater visibility and conversion. With a clear objective to expand PR’s market share, elevate brand recall, and deepen loyalty among travel consultants, this initiative delivered mutually beneficial growth and further solidify the long-standing partnership between Philippine Airlines and Gold Medal.”

Emirates and Air Peace have activated a bilateral interline agreement, expanding air connectivity between Africa, the UAE, and London. The agreement offers passengers of both airlines frictionless, single-ticket travel and with through-checked baggage, on select routes, resulting in greater travel comfort and convenience for customers. Beyond the 13 cities in Nigeria* already available for Emirates passengers on Air Peace’s network, the enhanced interline agreement now enables travellers to connect with Banjul in Gambia and Dakar in Senegal, both via Abidjan; and with Freetown in Sierra Leone and Monrovia in Liberia, both via Accra. The additional gateways allow more passengers in Africa to access Emirates world-class product and services, and vast global network. The agreement allows Air Peace to connect its extensive West and Central African route system into Emirates’ hub in Dubai, and on key destinations including London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Stansted, Abidjan, Accra and, of course, Lagos. With huge demand for travel between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, providing Air Peace passengers with increased choice, flexibility, and global reach. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said, “Enhancing our interline partnership with Air Peace allows us to expand our footprint across more of Africa, creating new opportunities for people to fly better with Emirates, while helping international tourists explore more of the region, via Lagos. We remain committed to working with strategic partners such as Air Peace to further strengthen Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors.” Nowel Ngala, Chief Commercial Officer, Air Peace, said: “This interline agreement with Emirates represents a major step in Air Peace’s strategic vision to connect Africa more efficiently to global markets. By combining our strong regional presence with Emirates’ extensive international network, …

Oman Air announced the launch of direct flights to Kigali, Rwanda, marking a significant step in strengthening air connectivity between Oman and the African continent. The new route was announced during a formal signing ceremony hosted by His Excellency Saeed Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in Muscat, during the official visit of Hon. Amb. Uwihanganye Jean de Dieu, Rwanda Minister of State for Infrastructure; Hon. Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda and Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance & Economic Planning. The Muscat-Kigali service will act as an important facilitator of the growing relationship between Oman and Rwanda, one of East Africa’s leading emerging destinations for both tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions). It will also provide travellers with greater choice and connectivity between the Middle East and Africa, and onwards across Oman Air’s vast network throughout India, Asia Pacific, and Europe. His Excellency Saeed Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of the Sultanate of Oman, said, “The launch of direct flights between Muscat and Kigali reflects Oman’s commitment to strengthening international connectivity in support of trade, investment and economic cooperation. Air transport plays a vital role in enabling closer ties between nations, and this new route will support the continued development of relations between Oman and Rwanda, while enhancing Oman’s position as a key regional aviation hub.” Hon. Amb. Uwihanganye Jean de Dieu, Rwanda Minister of State for Infrastructure, added, “Rwanda’s vision is to foster direct connectivity to enable growing cooperation between States which is the objective for establishing Kigali as an international hub for aviation, economic and social activities. The Government of …

As part of its ongoing growth strategy in Southeast Asia and commitment to the Philippines, Emirates will introduce four additional weekly flights between Dubai and Manila from 2 April. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Emirates’ flight EK330 will depart Dubai at 12:45hrs, arriving in Manila at 1:25hrs the next day. Emirates’ return flight EK331 will depart from Manila at 3:25hrs, arriving in Dubai at 8:25hrs. All times are local. Flights EK330/331 will be operated by Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER, featuring 8 private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class, and 304 spacious seats in Economy Class. With this expansion, the airline will offer greater choice and enhanced connectivity for corporate travellers, marine customers as well as the large Filipino diaspora across Emirates’ global network, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, United States, Kuwait, Germany, France, Netherland, Switzerland, Turkey, Portugal and South Africa. The new flights also provide shorter connections from and to Canada, United States, as well as the late morning European departures including Milan, London, Budapest and Athens via Dubai. Travellers to and from Manila will benefit from Emirates’ award-winning service and industry-leading products in the air and on the ground across all classes, with regionally-inspired dishes and complimentary beverages and the airline’s ice inflight entertainment system which offers more than 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment in over 40 languages including Tagalog, featuring movies, TV shows, and an extensive musical library along with games, audio books and podcasts. Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents as well as Emirates’ retail stores. An Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft can carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo in its bellyhold …