Category Archives: Aviation

Malaysia Airlines celebrated the arrival of its inaugural direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Doha via flight MH160 at Hamad International Airport (HIA) marking a milestone in the airline’s international expansion plan and efforts to enable optimal connections to the Middle East, United States, Europe, and Africa. Upon arrival at Hamad International Airport (HIA), the Official Airport Partner of the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and voted the World Best Airport 2021 by SKYTRAX World Airport Awards, the A330-300 aircraft was welcomed with a water cannon salute, while passengers were given welcoming gifts upon their disembarkation. The event was co-hosted by HIA and Qatar Airways, the airline’s codeshare partner. Malaysian Ambassador in Doha, H.E. Zamshari Shaharan; Malaysia Airlines’ Group Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, Lau Yin May; Hamad International Airport’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Ioannis Metsovitis and Senior Vice President Eastern Regions of Qatar Airways, Marwan Koleilat were present to greet the first 274 passengers who arrived at HIA at 11.50pm. Prior to the arrival, a sending-off event was organised in KL International Airport. Group Chief Operations Officer of MAB, Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi; together with senior officials from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) distributed goodies to passengers departing on MH160 bound for Doha at 9:20pm local time. Lau Yin May of Malaysia Airlines commented, “Today marks another milestone for the national airline as we commence our new daily service from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Doha, Qatar. We are delighted to introduce this new service, our third direct flight to the Middle East after Jeddah and Madinah, further providing greater convenience to customers and widening our global footprint for seamless connectivity. We recorded a very encouraging load …

Emirates and Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore joint cooperation and initiatives targeted at attracting more investments into Dubai by supporting new and existing businesses registered or licensed in the free zone. Under the MoU, both parties will explore opportunities to offer a number of travel-related incentives for new and existing SMEs and larger businesses, including potential enrolment in the airline’s Business Rewards programme. The MoU was signed by Dina Al Herais, Emirates’ Vice President, Commercial Products, B2B Corporate & Leisure, and Ebtesam Ahmad Alkaabi, Head of Sales, Jafza Sales. The signing ceremony was also attended by Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President, Gulf, Middle East & Central Asia, and Ahmad Al Haddad, Chief Operating Officer, Parks and Zones, DP World UAE. Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates Airline, said: “We are pleased to partner with Jafza to support Dubai’s efforts in cementing its leadership position as one of the world’s preferred investment destinations. Dubai’s vibrant business environment continues to gain momentum in attracting new companies and foreign firms, start-ups and talented entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries. Emirates has been a long-standing supporter of a number of initiatives targeted to support SMEs and innovative start-ups in our home base the UAE, and today’s signing with Jafza reinforces our commitment to help stimulate diverse economic activity in Dubai by providing companies with a range of highly competitive travel incentives so they can scale up their businesses both regionally and globally.” Ahmad Al Haddad, Chief Operating Officer, Parks and Zones, DP World UAE said: “Since its inception, Dubai has built a reputation as a global business ecosystem. It is a magnet for …

Etihad Airways unveiled its new Economy class soft furnishings and tableware which will be launched on board in the fourth quarter of the year. The new products have been designed with sustainability and improved guest experience as primary objectives. The Economy class experience will be upgraded with new soft furnishings for all guests in Economy, including a 35% larger pillow with a 200 thread-count cotton cover made locally in the UAE. This is complemented by a soft blanket made from recycled plastic for additional comfort on all flights. Etihad’s new dining experience features reusable tableware made from recycled high-quality plastic and eliminates the use of single-use plastic. The tray, serving plates and their lids are part of a closed loop recycling system. At the end of their lifecycle, they are collected, washed, ground and reused to make new replacement products. Etihad is also introducing quality stainless-steel cutlery into the Economy cabin which upgrades the experience and also reduces single-use plastic. In 2019, Etihad committed to remove 80% of single-use plastic from its operation by the end of 2022 and the introduction of this new inflight equipment ensures the airline meets this sustainability goal. Where possible, Etihad is also moving towards locally produced items which will further improve the overall environmental impact of the operation. Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience, Brand and Marketing, commented: “Etihad is trailblazing when it comes to sustainability in aviation. Following extensive research and development through our eco-flights over the past few years, we’re proud to reveal the first in a series of enhancements to our inflight experience. Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t come at a compromise to the quality and thoughtfulness behind Etihad’s guest experience, …

Etihad Airways is celebrating the launch of its newest seasonal route to the French Riviera, between 15 June and 18 September 2022. The twice-weekly service will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays between Abu Dhabi and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport on a modern Boeing 787 aircraft, one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world. Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Cargo, said: “We are delighted to be launching our services to this UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its waterfront and its scenic seven-kilometre walkway known as the ‘Promenade des Anglais’, and we are sure that this route will attract a lot of guests wishing to spend their vacation in a luxurious setting under the Mediterranean sun. With the return of international tourism, we continue to broaden our network by adding services and frequencies across key markets and offering additional options to our guests.” Guests can show their love for the planet by offsetting their flights with the new green loyalty programme launched by the airline earlier this year. Conscious Choices rewards travellers with Tier Miles and additional benefits for carrying less baggage on board and offsetting their flights’ carbon emissions using Etihad Guest Miles. Guests travelling with Etihad can make use of the airline’s innovative service to simplify the process of authenticating travel documents. With Verified to Fly, travellers can validate their documents before arriving at the airport, giving them the confidence that they have met all essential government and airline travel requirements before travelling to the airport. Those wishing to book are advised to visit etihad.com or the Etihad app to view the latest sale fares, and to remain informed on the appropriate entry regulations at …

Qatar Airways announces increase in flights from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, operating triple daily flights from the Emirate to Doha, commencing 10 July 2022. The additional flights will provide passengers with more flexibility and better connectivity to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network. With this increase in its services, the airline will operate 21 weekly flights from Abu Dhabi, and a total of 56 flights from Qatar Airways’ three gateways in UAE; Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are pleased to offer seven additional weekly flights to Abu Dhabi, providing passengers from UAE with more connectivity and convenience. By offering these additional flights between Doha and Abu Dhabi, passengers can enjoy more of our extensive network, and increased flexibility in making their travel plans via the best airport in the world, Hamad International.” Passengers from Abu Dhabi can benefit from Qatar Airways’ expanded network in USA, Europe, Asia and Africa. They can also enjoy the airline’s newly integrated rewards currency – Avios, providing passengers even greater opportunities to accumulate points and leverage exciting innovations in redeeming and spending their rewards. In addition, Qatar Airways loyalty programme members will retain their well-earned rewards balance and will be able to continue enjoying the redemption opportunities they currently have. A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the …

Saudia Airlines has announced the resuming of its direct flights to Mauritius this May, and One&Only Le Saint Géran welcomes Saudi travellers to discover this exclusive tropical peninsula, flanked by the warm ocean and a tranquil lagoon. Long celebrated as the iconic luxury retreat in Mauritius, One&Only Le Saint Géran retains what guests have always loved – a sense of seclusion on its own private peninsula with a beachfront and calm lagoon unlike any other resort on the island. The luxury resort’s rooms, suites and exclusive villa offer ample space for relaxation, exploration, and celebration, a haven for the perfect family holiday in Mauritius. One&Only Le Saint Géran offers a host of one-of-a-kind experiences for guests to discover, designed exclusively for One&Only and tailored to each individual guest’s preferences. Saudi guests can unearth a side of Mauritius they never knew existed with illuminating excursions and hands-on experiences; from vibrant culinary journeys through to thrilling deep-sea fishing experiences, guests can discover protected nature reserves and take advantage of privileged access to unrivalled locations and colourful local characters. The dining experience at One&Only Le Saint Géran celebrates Mauritius and its fusion of cuisines, spices and culture, delivering an exciting, world-class experience for guests. Saudi guests can choose to dine at PRIME, One&Only Le Saint Géran’s celebrated and transformed steakhouse; Tapasake, exciting pan-Asian, tapas-style fusion cuisine on the edge of the lagoon; L’Artisan, an artisanal bakery serving barista prepared coffee, tempting pastries and light bites throughout the day; La Terrasse with its stunning views and celebration of Mauritian, Indian, Chinese and Mediterranean flavours prepared live; Le Badamier, idyllically located beneath the tropical sway of the Badamier trees and overlooking the Indian Ocean, serving …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the launch of direct flights to Baku in Azerbaijan from Abu Dhabi, starting from June 28, 2022. Schedule to Heydar Aliyev International Airport, effective June 28, 2022 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time   Aircraft Frequency 3L 730 Abu Dhabi 14:30 Baku 17:35   Airbus A320 Tues/Thurs/Sun 3L 731 Baku 18:35 Abu Dhabi 21:35   Airbus A320 Tues/Thurs/Sun     Nestled along the Caspian Sea, Baku is the capital and commercial hub of Azerbaijan. Famous for its medieval walled old city as well as modern skyscrapers, Baku combines the best of both worlds, offering travelers a unique immersive experience between the old and the new. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is currently serving 24 routes since the launch of the carrier’s service from Abu Dhabi International Airport in July 2020. Customers can now book their direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Baku by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies.

Phoenix Marketing Services organised a special breakfast conference for travel trade from the GCC countries to introduce a country rich in heritage, culture and adventure – the beautiful Uzbekistan. The event, hosted by the National airline Uzbekistan Airways, was attended by Maksad Ikramov, Regional Manager, Gulf Countries and Shukhrat Mirsaidov, Head of Marketing & Network Strategy. Accommodation partner was Amirsoy, a beautiful mountain resort, represented by Davronbek Niyazov, Sales and Marketing Director, Amirsoy, along with Dolores Travel Group, a leading DMC headed by CEO Farkhad Rasulev. Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, HE Abdulaziz Akkulov graced the occasion, along with Vladmir Jollibekov, Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of Uzbekistan. In his opening address, HE Abdulaziz Akkulov stated that the connection between the two countries mainly go back in time with its rich history, which places them as a must visit destination. The main fact is that both locals and residents of the UAE are able to travel with visa-on-arrival status, which is a positive sign in travel, as the visa is the first hurdle to discover any destination. Shukhrat Mirsaidov, Head of Marketing & Network Strategy, Uzbekistan Airlines, said that they are “very happy” to present the airline once again in the market and to be present at the Arabian Travel Market. “Most are not aware that we operate a direct flight seven days a week from Dubai and Sharjah connecting Uzbekistan with the Middle East,” he said. Davronbek Niyazov, Sales and Marketing Director, Amirsoy, shared, “We are bringing a unique product located in Uzbekistan, which is the winter and summer activity with skiing and the high luxury facility to stay in our resort which cater to larger families.” Farkhad Rasulev, CEO, Dolores …

Onur Dedeköylü, who has been working as Senior Vice President for Marketing at Pegasus Airlines since 2010 and has made significant contributions to the company’s ancillary product management, digital transformation and to building the Pegasus brand, has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer. Onur Dedeköylü will manage the Commercial division, consisting of the sales, network planning, marketing, revenue management and pricing, guest experience and cargo departments. Onur Dedeköylü is a graduate of Industrial Engineering from Boğaziçi University and holds an MBA degree in marketing and finance from Georgia State University in Atlanta. He began his career at Gillette working in the fields of sales and marketing. After working at the global headquarters of Kimberly Clark’s health products division in Atlanta, USA, he continued his career in the UK. He worked in the fields of market research, product development and brand management at Hasbro’s European headquarters in the UK. He continued his career at the Coca-Cola Company, managing the Coca-Cola brand in Turkey. In 2010, Onur Dedeköylü joined Pegasus Airlines as Senior Vice President. In this role, he was responsible for brand management, ancillary product development and management, digital channels management, data analytics and loyalty management functions. Onur Dedeköylü started his role as Chief Commercial Officer on 13 May 2022.

Emirates reaffirmed its partnership with Mauritius by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA). The current agreement builds on the existing partnership between the two entities to promote tourism to Mauritius from key markets across the Emirates network. The MoU was signed at the 2022 Arabian Travel Market, the region’s largest travel trade event in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group. The agreement was signed by Mr. Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ SVP Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean and Mr. Arvind Bundhun, Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA). Ahmed Khoory, SVP Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean at Emirates said, “We enjoy a long-standing partnership with Mauritius and have had a fruitful association in the past. The renewal of this partnership is a testament of our commitment to boost tourism to the island nation.” “As international borders reopen and travel restrictions ease, we remain deeply committed to support initiatives that boost inbound tourism and increase leisure traffic to Mauritius. Emirates’ second daily flight will now start from 23 June to facilitate summer travel from the Americas, Europe and the Middle East to the island nation. The extension of our partnership reiterates our commitment to Mauritius and enables joint initiatives to undertake tourism recovery,” he added. Honourable Louis Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism said, “We are delighted to be renewing this MoU with Emirates as we pursue the strong partnership, we have developed over almost 20 years. Mauritius tourism is recovering fast, and some markets are already performing better than prior to the pandemic. We therefore welcome the increase in …