Category Archives: Aviation

Saudia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the entity behind the world-first adventure tourism destination, THE RIG to  delve into new transportation methods, including eVTOL, and carbon reduction initiatives, aligning with the sustainability goals of both organizations. The agreement, which was signed in Riyadh by Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudia, and Raed Bakhrji, CEO of Oil Park Development Company, sets the stage for Saudia and THE RIG. to jointly collaborate on initiatives designed to drive traffic to the Eastern province and elevate the overall guest experience. Captain Ibrahim Koshy said: “At Saudia, we are deeply committed to fulfilling our role as the ‘Wings of Vision 2030’ to accomplish our goals in line with the Kingdom’s tourism strategy, which is to bring around 150 million visitors to Saudi Arabia by 2030. This collaboration holds great promises for the travel and tourism industry. Along with our partners, we look forward to leveraging our combined expertise to drive innovation and sustainable growth in the sector.” Raed Bakhrji said: “THE RIG. draws inspiration from Vision 2030 and its initiatives to develop the tourism sector. It is expected to be one of the leading adventure tourism projects, offering visitors an unparalleled mix of adventure experiences. Our collaboration with Saudia is expected to enhance the quality and uniqueness of our offerings, providing visitors with a wide range of easy access options to this distinctive tourist destination.”

Riyadh Air has selected Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite to efficiently manage its core business operations after a competitive bidding process. The services include digitalizing finance, supply chain, and human capital management. The implementation will help Riyadh Air develop a modern, scalable, and secure business platform to enable data driven decision making, reduce costs, enhance employee engagement, and streamline procurement processes. Riyadh Air has chosen Tech Mahindra as the implementation partner for this initiative, which will help Riyadh Air evolve as the world’s first digitally native airline. Tech Mahindra, is a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions. Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer at Riyadh Air, said, “Riyadh Air aims to disrupt the future of air travel and as part of our vision we need to be at the forefront of innovation and technology. A key part of this approach is to partner with world-class experts as we build technical capabilities that enable us to deliver a seamless digital-first experience to our guests”. Since it launched in March 2023, Riyadh Air has signed several technology and engineering partnerships to enhance Riyadh Air’s offerings, services, and operational models, and set new standards in aviation sustainability and innovation. The airline now has major agreements with Lufthansa Systems, IBM Consulting, Accenture, Swiss AS, CAE, and Microsoft respectively. “Riyadh Air represents the true ambition, capability, and global outlook of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s aviation sector is rapidly expanding, and Riyadh Air will play a vital role in helping Saudi Arabia achieve its 2030 aviation goals that aim to outpace global growth”, said Reham AlMusa, Vice President – Cloud Applications, Saudi Arabia, and Managing Director at Oracle Saudi Arabia. “Riyadh …

Emirates has taken the final step in the restoration of its Australia capacity announcing its return to Adelaide. A daily service will relaunch between the South Australia capital and the airline’s Dubai hub on 28 October 2024. The reinstated service will facilitate the growing travel demand to and from South Australia and allow passengers to travel conveniently between more than 140 destinations across Emirates’ global network, offering a wide range of choice, flexibility, and connectivity. Emirates first launched its Adelaide services in 2012 and carried more than 165,000 passengers between Dubai and Adelaide in 2019. By 1 December, when Emirates also reinstates its second daily service to Perth, the airline will offer 77 weekly flights from Australia with the ability to transport 68,000 passengers per week to and from Australia, returning to its pre-pandemic capacity. Emirates’ return is a major milestone for South Australia’s pandemic recovery. The tourism expenditure of daily direct non-stop Emirates’ flights is estimated by South Australian Tourism Commission to generate more than $62 million per year and create in excess of 315 full-time equivalent tourism-related jobs for South Australians. Each flight will also offer 14 tonnes of cargo space, totalling 196 tonnes weekly between Dubai and Adelaide. The value of freight exports is estimated to be $98 million per year, bringing the total estimated expenditure generated by Emirates’ flights to Adelaide to $160 million. South Australia Premier, Peter Malinauskas, says, “Reinstating Emirates flights to Adelaide has been a key priority for the State Government. Emirates once again flying daily direct into Adelaide will further drive South Australia’s economic growth – set to deliver an estimated $160 million in tourism expenditure and freight exports and create more than …

Emirates and Moët Hennessy ring in the new year with an exclusive, money-can’t-buy-experience for Skywards members. Starting from today, elite members can bid Miles with Skywards Exclusives for a chance to win a trip to France with LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) to discover the idyllic vineyards in Champagne and charming streets of Paris. Starting from 250,000 Skywards Miles, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity includes a two-day trip to Champagne and two-day trip to Paris. The offer is applicable to all Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members and valid for travel from 25 April until 29 April 2024*. Sip and stroll through the Champagne region From 25 to 27 April, members can expect: A one-night hotel stay for two guests at the Royal Champagne, including all meals. A one-night stay for two guests at Château de Saran, Moët & Chandon’s exclusive home, including all meals. Exclusive tastings, cellar visits and vineyard explorations. A bespoke Dom Pérignon tasting in the private lounge. An exclusive Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage dinner. A visit to the historic Abbey of Hautvillers. City of lights and culinary delights From 27 to 29 April, members can look forward to: A two-night stay for two guests at Le Meurice Hotel, including all meals. A fine dining experience with Moët & Chandon Exclusive tour of the Dior Museum. A Michelin-starred dinner with Dom Pérignon. A visit to the Iris Van Herpen exhibition at Musée des Arts Décoratifs and Le Louvre. A scenic cruise on the Seine River to end the holiday in style. For more information, click here. Enjoy the world’s best Champagne onboard Emirates Emirates passengers have enjoyed Moët Hennessy Champagnes onboard for more than 30 years. Thanks to …

Emirates will be boosting its services to Osaka with the introduction of the A380 starting from 1 June 2024. The A380 to be deployed to Osaka will be retrofitted with the airline’s latest product, Premium Economy, making it the second Japanese gateway to operate with the newly upgraded aircraft. The upgraded service will offer increased seat capacity on flights to and from Japan’s second largest city, in addition to introducing the highly sought-after Premium Economy Class for customers, as well as refreshed interiors across First, Business and Economy Class cabins. From 1 June, Emirates’ four-class A380 will replace the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft currently operating the EK316/EK317 service to and from Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX). With upgraded A380 operations, Emirates will offer 910 additional weekly seats between Dubai and Osaka, offering more opportunities to connect to and beyond Dubai to popular destinations for travelers including Milan, Madrid, Brazil, Paris and London. Emirates celebrated the 20th anniversary of its services between Dubai and Osaka last year and during that time, the airline carried more than 220,000 passengers on more than 360 flights between the two gateways in 2023. Emirates’ four-class A380 deployed to Osaka will feature 14 First Class suites, 76 lie-flat seats in Business Class, 56 seats in Premium Economy Class and 338 ergonomically designed seats in Economy Class. On a four-class Emirates A380, the Premium Economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck with the 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 …

Etihad Airways and Air Serbia have entered into a strategic bilateral codeshare, aimed at enhancing connectivity for customers of both airlines across a range of destinations. Under this partnership, Etihad’s customers gain convenient access to 12 Southeast European destinations through Air Serbia’s Belgrade hub, with nine destinations being new to Etihad’s extended network. The codeshare arrangement simplifies the travel experience for guests, allowing them to make a single booking and undergo a seamless check-in process, along with the added convenience of having their baggage effortlessly transferred to their final destination. Air Serbia’s network becomes easily accessible to Etihad’s customers, who can connect to it from Etihad’s gateways in Athens, Milan, Rome, and Vienna. Jurriaan Stelder, VP Alliances and Industry Affairs at Etihad, said: “This partnership further expands our codeshare network and provides our guests with convenient access to 12 of Air Serbia’s leisure and business destinations, including Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Thessaloniki, Tirana, Skopje and Sofia. “We also look forward to warmly welcoming Air Serbia customers travelling from Europe to Abu Dhabi, where they will have the opportunity to explore the inviting hospitality and rich culture of our home, including the stunning beaches, world-class cultural landmarks and theme parks, and the serene desert landscapes.” Boško Rupić, Air Serbia General Manager of Commercial and Strategy, said: “By joining forces with Etihad we expand the reach of our services, offering our passengers a wider array of destinations and connectivity options. “This translates into more choices, flexibility, and convenience for those who choose Air Serbia for their journeys. Passengers will now enjoy the ease of booking connecting flights and checking in once for their entire journey.” Etihad Guest is the loyalty programme for both …

Emirates has exclusively partnered with VFS Global to introduce a pre-approved visa on arrival facility for Indian passport holders who have booked their travel with the airline. Fulfilled by Dubai Visa Processing Centre* (DVPC) and issued as a 14-day single entry visa, the new initiative will enable Emirates customers to skip queues when arriving in Dubai, simplifying their arrival formalities by breezing through customs before heading out to visit the city. Emirates customers can book their flights through emirates.com or through their preferred travel agent.  After retrieving their booking through ‘Manage an existing booking’ on emirates.com, customers should click on the ‘apply for a UAE visa’ link. They will be redirected to the online UAE Visa application site powered by VFS Global Services, which sets out the requirements, terms and conditions to facilitate the visa application process. For additional information visit https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/ The service is exclusively available to Indian passport holders who have a valid six-month visa for the US, US Green Card, EU Residency, or UK Residency. The issuance of visas remains at the absolute discretion of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs. Dubai remains a first-choice destination Indian travellers, with an array of attractions and accommodation options that meet every taste, age and budget.  It’s also home to a vibrant Indian community that frequently welcomes family and friends from India and around the world. According to Dubai Tourism statistics, Dubai welcomed 2 million overnight visitors from India between January to October 2023. Emirates currently serves nine destinations in India with 167 weekly flights, connecting travellers to Dubai and onwards to a global network of more than 140 destinations. The airline’s network in India includes Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, …

Emirates has announced expanding its world-class Chauffer-drive service in Hong Kong, to now include the airline’s Business Class passengers arriving to and departing from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) starting from 1 February 2024. Through this complimentary service for Emirates’ First and now Business Class customers, the airline further elevates its offering for its premium travellers in Hong Kong with a convenient, door-to-door journey on the road that compliments the airline’s exceptional inflight experience and unique products. Emirates’ premium travellers can choose from a range of vehicles for their journey to and from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), guaranteeing both a luxurious and comfortable transport experience including Mercedes Benz S-Class or BMW Full Electric i7 models. The complimentary CDS service also entails unlimited radius coverage with the exception of restricted areas such as Lantau Island, Ma Wan, Discovery Bay, Park Island, Huang Guang Control Point, and Shenzhen Bay Port are not included in the CDS coverage. Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), passengers will be guided by CDS Staff stationed at Arrival Hall to their designated vehicles. Departing passengers must meet the minimum pick-up time requirement of 3 hours prior to their flight departure. Emirates’ CDS can be booked at least 12 hours prior to departure through the “Manage My Booking” option on www.emirates.com, Emirates’ call centres or through travel agents. Emirates is the number one provider for complimentary Chauffeur Drive service, as the airline operates in more than 70 cities worldwide, which is more than any other airline. With the expansion of the service, Emirates will further expand its exclusive offerings for Hong Kong premium travellers with a personalised CDS experience that provides a sense of comfort and …

Emirates has become the first international airline to join The Solent Cluster, a UK initiative focused on low carbon investments established to reduce CO2 emissions from industry, transport and households in the South Coast of England. The Solent Cluster is a cross-sector collaboration of international organisations, including manufacturers and engineering companies, regional businesses and industries, leading logistics and infrastructure operators and academic institutions. Emirates joins over 100 members as part of the Cluster, alongside founding members the Solent Partners (previously the Solent LEP), global energy provider ExxonMobil and University of Southampton. The founding members have each shared details of their vision for the Solent and how it could secure existing jobs and produce low-carbon fuels for a variety of sectors, including aviation. Sustainable aviation fuel potential The Solent Cluster has the potential to create a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plant with an estimated fuel production capacity of 200,000 tonnes (200 kt) per year. If approved, the plant could start operating in 2032. Jet fuel produced by the SAF plant could avoid emissions of 563 kilotons of CO2 per year by producing fuel with 70% less emissions than fossil kerosene. Existing pipeline networks can supply the SAF from the plant to major airports served by Emirates such as Heathrow and Gatwick. Emirates’ long-term aspiration to secure UK-produced SAF with The Solent Cluster is in addition to several SAF initiatives the airline has announced over the last year. It follows Emirates’ A380 and Boeing 777 demonstration flights using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel in 2023. Emirates has expanded its partnership with Neste for the supply of SAF in 2024 and 2025 for its operations in Amsterdam and Singapore. The airline also uplifted SAF for the …

flynas launched a training program for its cabin crew and ground services employees on the best ways to care for passengers with autism spectrum disorder in cooperation with the Saudi Autistic Society, the first training workshops were held in Riyadh during the 3rd week of January 2024. Waleed Ahmed, the corporate communication director and the spokesperson at flynas expounded that the program held in Prince Nasser bin Abdulaziz Autism Center, included theoretical education and practical training by specialists and consultants from the Saudi Autistic Society for the members of the air hospitality crews and ground service employees at flynas, aiming to learn the best methods for dealing with passengers with autism and learning about strategies for effective communication and interaction with them. The program also included introducing participants to the characteristics of autism and how to interact with them, as well as training on providing a comfortable and supportive environment for passengers with autism, focusing on improving their travel experience, as part of the company’s social responsibility programs and its commitment to adopting initiatives with sustainable impact on society. The Saudi Autistic Society is the largest specialized association in the Kingdom accredited by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. It was established in 2003 to include its services throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide support, assistance and appropriate care and contribute to the integration of beneficiaries with autism spectrum disorder as well as community awareness. And contributing to the early detection of beneficiaries with autism spectrum disorder, through Prince Nasser bin Abdulaziz Autism Center in Riyadh, Prince Turki bin Nasser Autism Center in Jazan, and the daycare centers in Mecca and the Eastern Province.