Tag Archives: new routes

flydubai ramps up operations in Europe with four new destinations

flydubai announced the launch of four new services, growing its network in Europe to 43 destinations in 21 countries. flydubai becomes the first UAE national carrier to operate direct flights to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) from 02 August 2024. The announcement also marks the carrier’s first entry into the Baltic region with direct flights to Riga International Airport (RIX) in Latvia commencing on 11 October as well as Tallinn Airport (TLL) in Estonia and Vilnius International Airport (VNO) in Lithuania from 12 October 2024. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are proud to see our network grow bigger than ever with the new route launches. We have created a diverse network of 126 destinations, 60% of which previously had very limited or no connections to Dubai. Our new services to the Baltic region and Basel will enable more people to travel conveniently through Dubai’s aviation hub, whether they are visiting Dubai or connecting conveniently onto the flydubai network or further afield with our codeshare partner Emirates.” Commenting on the launch of flights, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “Europe is an important market for flydubai and we remain committed to offering more passengers a convenient, reliable service with a great onboard product and experience. With the addition of Basel, Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, we look forward to welcoming more travellers from Europe to Dubai and onwards to other points on our network including Malaysia, the Maldives, Mombasa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Zanzibar.” Situated on the borders of northwest Switzerland, the Alsace historical region in France and Baden-Württemberg in Germany, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is a unique gateway to a wide variety of tourist attractions …

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Etihad takes off to a trio of new destinations Osaka, Copenhagen and Dusseldorf

Etihad Airways started flights to three key destinations Osaka, Copenhagen and Dusseldorf. Inaugural services to Dusseldorf, Germany (DUS) began on September 28, followed the next day by Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH) and then Osaka, Japan (KIX) on October 1. Meanwhile the airline unveiled increased frequencies to popular destinations Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL) and Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB). The flights are part of a package of new routes and increased frequencies designed to meet customer demand for more opportunities to visit Abu Dhabi and provide even more connectivity to Etihad’s growing global network. “The new flights are the next important steps as we enhance our network delivering greater connectivity for our guests,and serving their demand for more opportunities to visit Abu Dhabi,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. “We are helping accelerate economic growth for the city by providing more travel options and seamless connections, ensuring it’s easier for guests to visit Abu Dhabi either as a destination, or as part of a stopover as they explore our growing global network.” Etihad has already announced the launch of nine new destinations this year, including Malaga, Mykonos, Lisbon, Kolkata, St Petersburg, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, Osaka, and Boston. In addition, the airline recently announced new routes to the Indian Subcontinent, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, to be launched in January 2024. To complement these developments, Etihad has made several recent network changes and frequency adds to enhance travel options and connectivity. Highlights include: Improved Departure Times: Enhanced passenger convenience with adjusted departure times for European and Asian destinations. Expanded Frequencies: Increased regularity to Chennai (MAA), Colombo (CMB) Islamabad (ISB), Kochi (COK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Madrid (MAD), Milan (MXP), Munich (MUC), Rome (FCO), and Phuket …

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Jordan Tourism Board and Ryanair renew collaboration with 4 new routes, totalling 25 routes with 12 European cities

The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) and the Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair have renewed their collaboration agreement until 2028. Under this agreement, the carrier will add 4 new routes, bringing the total to 25 routes connecting Jordan with 12 European cities. The signing ceremony was attended by HE Makram Queisi, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and Chairman of the Jordan Tourism Board; Eddie Wilson, CEO of Ryanair, and Dr. Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director of JTB. “This agreement reflects the importance of low-cost flights in attracting tourists to Jordan,” said Queisi during the signing ceremony, emphasizing that the Kingdom has experienced a positive shift in inbound tourism in recent years post-Covid. We are delighted to be adding routes with the international carrier Ryanair. This will significantly contribute to the increase in tourist numbers to the Kingdom over the next period,” he added. Arabiyat indicated that low-cost flights have given new impetus to Jordanian tourism, enabling it to achieve a significant leap that has helped raise the number of tourists. He expects the Kingdom to witness increasing numbers of overnight visitors, highlighting that this positive shift has been growing steadily and strongly since it began in 2018. Arabiyat further emphasized that the anticipated rise in tourist numbers will play a significant role in distributing the gains from tourism development across all governorates and will aid in promoting tourism experiences throughout the Kingdom, leading to positive impacts on local communities by generating novel job opportunities. He also added that Ryanair has a massive number of followers on its social media pages, which will help to increase awareness of Jordanian tourism through its strong marketing content. In turn, the CEO of Ryanair expressed …

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Flynas announces the launch of two weekly flights between Dammam and Al Qaisumah

flynas announced launching two direct weekly flights between Dammam and Al Qaisumah every Sunday and Wednesday as of 19 April. Currently, flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations and targets to more than double the number through its strategic plan that comes in line with the objectives of the civil aviation strategy to reach 330 million passengers and increase the number of international destinations linked to the Kingdom to more than 250 destinations by 2030. In 2022, the company posted record growth in performance and operation compared to 2021, with an increase of 91% in the number of passengers to 8.7 million passengers, while the number of flights reached 66 thousand flights, an increase of 45%. Seat capacity grew by 46%. Moreover, more than 16 new destinations and 30 routes were launched in 2022.

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Qatar Airways to unveil exciting network expansion announcements with new destinations on the opening day of ITB Berlin 2023

‎Qatar Airways, will once again participate at ITB Berlin, from 7-9 March 2023, and is planning to make a significant network announcement. These plans will be revealed during Qatar Airways press conference for global media on the first day of the exhibition. The conference will highlight the spectacular success of the World’s Best Airline’s achievements during the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, as well as expectations for the year ahead in the presence of the world’s most notable gathering of travel and tourism professionals. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We look forward to reuniting with the leaders of the global travel industry, especially our travel trade partners, to celebrate our achievements and to introduce our latest products and services to the industry dating back to before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our track record speaks for itself and over the years my country has strived towards being a beacon of positivity in the world of aviation and beyond, most notably as the host country of the greatest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.  I look forward to this year’s edition of ITB Berlin 2023 to share our plans for the year ahead and to continue to make Qatar a more connected place through HIA, The World’s Best Airport.” In light of Qatar Airways latest expansion announcement of its sports partnership portfolio as  the Official Airline and Global Partner of Formula 1, the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, Trade show exhibitors are welcome to visit the stand and experience the F1 Car Racing Simulator setting a new standard of excitement for international travel and tourism guests. The world-leading travel …

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SAUDIA opens four new routes in expansion plan

SAUDIA has collaborated with the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) and Saudi Tourism Authority, to launch four new international destinations: Beijing (PRC), Birmingham (UK), Kano (Nigeria), and Johannesburg (South Africa). Representing a significant expansion program for 2023, the route development follows the national carrier’s signing of an agreement with ACP, and is in line with the program’s objective of enhancing the Kingdom’s point-to-point air connectivity and its reach to target international markets. By collaborating with airlines to expand their operations in Saudi Arabia, ACP seeks to promote growth and development within the tourism and aviation sectors, working to strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination for international travel. “The opening of four new air routes across three different regions is the result of strong collaboration between the Saudi tourism and aviation ecosystems,” said Ali Rajab, CEO of ACP. “We are proud to have been part of these efforts. These new routes offer a diverse mix of travel opportunities in the Kingdom, unlocking its rich cultural heritage and inviting travelers from around the world to experience the beauty and diversity of this remarkable destination. “Air connectivity will play an increasingly important role in enabling tourism growth and creating new opportunities for businesses and tourists alike. We look forward to building on this momentum to unlock new destinations, and create a brighter future for the Kingdom,” Ali Rajab added. Capt. Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA, highlighted the airline’s ongoing commitment to investing in operational expansion. “We are dedicated to continue optimizing our modern fleet to meet current and future expansion requirements,” he said. “In addition to the recent launch of the new service “Your Ticket, Your Visa” which is the first …

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Wizz Air Abu Dhabi adds new aircraft expanding its network routes for summer

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is ramping up operations to meet high demand and expanding its modern, sustainable fleet. With nine state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft, the airline is driving ambitious growth into new territories with must-see destinations for adventure lovers carrying the flag of ultra-low-cost travel. Set to launch this summer, the national airline is commencing operations to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and the relaunch of popular routes to Larnaca, Santorini and Sohag, Egypt. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app with fares starting as low as AED 179*. The additional aircraft will enable Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to enhance frequencies and offer tourists and residents hassle-free, affordable travel in both the UAE and throughout multiple continents to the very best destinations. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has a plethora of year-round travel opportunities with culturally rich destinations including vibrant cities and natural paradises. On top of the new destinations, the new aircraft will enable Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to increase the ultra-low-cost-travel footprint in the current network with increased presence on Abu Dhabi – Tirana, Yerevan, Baku, Alexandria, Kutaisi, Athens, Almaty, Astana, Sarajevo, Ankara, Tashkent and Samarkand. Bishkek, the financial centre of Kyrgyzstan, is a modern, cosmopolitan city with colourful bazaars. Located at the foothills of the Tien Shan mountain range, Bishkek is an eclectic mix of Kyrgyz culture and Soviet architecture with must-see attractions including the State Historical Museum and Ala-Too Square. Adventurous travellers can enjoy the beautiful sites in the nearby countryside with the unmissable mountains at Ala-Archa National Park and pristine valleys. Well-known for its palm-tree seafront, Larnaca is truly authentic and offers a plethora of tourist sites with laidback crowds. The port city has …

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Etihad announces new routes to Copenhagen and Dusseldorf

Etihad Airways will be introducing two exciting routes this year, connecting Abu Dhabi to Copenhagen in Denmark and Düsseldorf in Germany. Launching 1 October, the flights will provide business travellers and holidaymakers in the UAE and these key European cities with convenient travel options to and from Abu Dhabi, with four weekly flights to Copenhagen and three weekly flights to Düsseldorf. The flights will be operated using state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, offering one of the most comfortable experiences in the sky with 28 seats in Business and 262 in Economy. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We are thrilled to start flying to Denmark for the first time and to expand our network in Germany to our third city, providing guests with more holiday options and easier access between Abu Dhabi and Europe. Our new flights will take off for the winter season — the perfect time for guests to escape the cold and enjoy Abu Dhabi’s beautiful beaches, world-class entertainment and rich heritage — and also ideal for travellers choosing to experience the unique allure of Europe in the winter. With our network expanding to 66 cities, there are even more must-see destinations to plan your next great adventure with Etihad Airways.” Visitors flying to Europe can look forward to discovering Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scandinavia, famous for its colourful canals, café culture and attractions including Tivoli Gardens, the oldest amusement park in the world. Previously served by Etihad, Düsseldorf is being relaunched and will be the airline’s third city in Germany after Frankfurt and Munich, both currently served with daily flights. The city lies …

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Air Arabia Abu Dhabi launches new direct flights to two cities in Russia

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the launch of its two new routes from Abu Dhabi to Kazan and Yekaterinburg in Russia. The new direct flights will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport to both Koltsovo International Airport and Kazan International Airport, effective December 29, 2022. Schedule to Yekaterinburg, effective December 29, 2022 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency 3L 756 Abu Dhabi 09:05 Yekaterinburg 15:20 Airbus 320 Monday/Thursday 3L 757 Yekaterinburg 16:25 Abu Dhabi 20:50 Airbus 320 Monday/Thursday   Schedule to Kazan, effective December 30, 2022 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency 3L 788 Abu Dhabi 09:00 Kazan 13:05 Airbus 320 Tuesday/Friday 3L 789 Kazan 14:05 Abu Dhabi 20:05 Airbus 320 Tuesday/Friday Customers can now book their direct flights between the cities by visiting Air Arabia’s website, or by calling the call centre or through travel agencies. With the edition of its new routes to Kazan and Yekaterinburg, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi currently serves 28 routes from the capital Abu Dhabi including Alexandria, Sohag, Cairo, Dhaka, Khartoum, Chittagong, Kathmandu, Muscat, Salalah, Sarajevo, Trabzon, Tbilisi, Faisalabad, Multan, Cochin, Calicut, Trivandrum, Istanbul, Sabiha, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bahrain, Beirut, Kuwait, and Moscow. Air Arabia Group operates a fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 neo-LR aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The cabin configuration across Air Arabia’s fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch of any economy cabin. The aircraft is also equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming service that will allow passengers to stream a wide selection of entertainment directly to their devices. Customers can also enjoy a wide variety of delicacies between snacks, meals, …

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Global Aviation Shows Interest in New Air Routes to Saudi Arabia

The 2022 edition of the Routes World forum, which was held recently, saw major interest from global airlines and aviation players in establishing new air routes and strengthening existing air travel partnerships with Saudi Arabia. The Saudi delegation included an inaugural participation by the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), which participated in over 80 meetings with airlines, airports, tourism boards, and technology partners to explore new air routes and strengthen air and tourism partnerships with the Kingdom. Strong interest from global stakeholders points to the increased attractiveness of the Saudi aviation and tourism industries, which have seen rapid growth in recent years as the Kingdom opens its doors to the world. ACP engaged in conversations with the global route development community, a grouping that establishes airline connectivity. Delegates from ACP also took part in IATA’s Airport Forum, where they contributed to discussions on how to transform regulatory entities into data-driven organizations. Other stakeholders also represented at the Saudi stand include the Saudi Tourism Authority, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Matarat Holding, the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the Red Sea International Airport, and Cluster2. The growth potential of tourism and aviation is immense in Saudi Arabia. To unlock this potential, the National Tourism Strategy and Saudi Aviation Strategy were established with set goals including extending the Kingdom’s air connectivity to over 250 destinations and expanding airport capacity to 330 million yearly passengers by 2030. As part of these efforts, in 2022 alone, ACP has worked alongside Saudia Airlines, flynas, Wizz Air, and other ecosystem stakeholders to launch 22 new air routes to and from the Kingdom.

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