Category Archives: Aviation

Emirates additional scheduled service between Colombo and Dubai will start from 2 January 2025, increases the seat capacity on the route by 30 percent and supports Sri Lanka’s plans to considerably increase tourist arrivals in 2025. The additional service will operate six times a week until 31 March 2025. The additional flight can accommodate up to 360 passengers, with 8 suites in First Class, 42 Business Class and 310 Economy Class seats, offering a premium customer experience while enhancing convenience and choice with an expanded flight schedule. Emirates currently operates two direct fights between Colombo and Dubai and a third daily service via Male. EK654 will depart Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 10:05hrs (every day except Wednesdays) arriving in Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake at 16:00hrs (all times are local). The return flight, EK655 will depart BIA at 22:05hrs and reach DXB at 01:05hrs (the following day). From 1 April 2025, a seventh weekly flight on Wednesdays will operate with an adjusted departure time of 22:05hrs, arriving in DXB at 00:55hrs while the return flight from will depart Dubai at 13:20hrs and arrives in Colombo at 19:15hrs. Emirates and Sri Lanka Tourism share a long-standing strategic partnership, collaborating on initiatives and programmes designed to boost tourism to Sri Lanka by showcasing the destination to customers across its global network. Sri Lanka Tourism recently announced its vision to appeal to eco-conscious travellers by highlighting the island’s rich natural and cultural resources. Furthermore, with the boost in capacity on the Colombo-Dubai route, Emirates will contribute to achieving the country’s tourism targets of attracting 3 million visitors by 2025. Emirates began operations to Sri Lanka in April 1986 and has consistently supported the country’s …

Air Arabia celebrated the inaugural flight of its new non-stop service from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport to Moscow Domodedovo International Airport, marking an exciting milestone in the airline’s expanding network. The new service operates three times a week, offering enhanced connectivity between the UAE and Russia. A ceremony was held at RAK International Airport to commemorate the occasion, attended by representatives from Air Arabia, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport Authority, and other dignitaries. Schedule to Moscow, effective December 27, 2024 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency G9 830 Ras Al Khaimah 18:20 Moscow 23:05 Airbus A320 Wednesday/Friday/Sunday G9 831 Moscow 23:55 Ras Al Khaimah 06:25 Airbus A320 Wednesday/Friday/Sunday “We are pleased to inaugurate our new route connecting Ras Al Khaimah to Russia’s capital city, Moscow.” said Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia. “This addition reinforces our commitment to offering our passengers affordable and convenient travel options while supporting the growth of tourism and trade between the UAE and Russia.” Air Arabia’s current network from Ras Al Khaimah offers passengers direct connections to major cities including Cairo, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Calicut. With a modern fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, Air Arabia offers passengers added comfort and a value-added experience with ‘SkyTime’ a free in-flight streaming, and ‘SkyCafe’ an onboard catering service at affordable prices. In addition, Air Arabia offers ‘Air Rewards’ an innovative and generous loyalty program through which passengers can earn, transfer, and spend points. Customers can now book their flights between Ras Al Khaimah and Moscow by visiting Air Arabia’s website, calling the call center, or through travel agencies.

Red Sea Global (RSG) welcomed the inaugural flynas flight from Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport to Red Sea International Airport (RSI) marking the launch of the first direct connection from the Eastern Province to The Red Sea destination. Flights will operate twice a week, every Thursday and Saturday, serving both The Red Sea destination and surrounding areas. This new route, alongside existing flights from Riyadh and Jeddah, enhances connectivity between The Red Sea destination and the broader Kingdom. Strategically positioned, RSI lies within a three-hour flight for 250 million people and an eight-hour flight for 85% of the world’s population. Since September 2023, The Red Sea destination has been welcoming guests to five of its world-class resorts, with regular schedule of domestic flights operated by SAUDIA have been servicing RSI. In 2024, RSI marked another milestone by receiving its first international flight from Dubai International Airport, operated by flydubai. These developments underscore RSI’s role as a vital gateway, seamlessly connecting travelers to one of Saudi Arabia’s most breathtaking destinations. Once fully operational, RSI will run entirely on renewable energy, sourced from the destination’s expansive solar farms, featuring 760,500 photovoltaic (PV) panels and one of the world’s largest off-grid Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Currently, all airside operations, including critical infrastructure such as Airfield Ground Lighting, the Instrument Landing System, the meteorological building, and various mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, are already powered exclusively by renewable energy. This achievement reflects RSI’s commitment to sustainable innovation and environmental stewardship. Upon project completion in 2030, The Red Sea destination will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential units across 22 islands and six inland sites. It will …

flydubai announced new seasonal summer flights to Al Alamein International Airport (DBB). The new daily operation will offer flydubai customers more options for travel next summer to one of the most exciting, up-and-coming holiday destinations in the region. Flights to the Mediterranean leisure destination will operate daily from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) between 21 June and 07 September 2025. The direct flights will offer customers from Dubai, and across the network, easier access to Egypt’s popular Al Sahel North Coast. Commenting on the start of operations, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are excited to add Al Alamein to our seasonal summer schedule. The daily operation will enable more visitors to enjoy the stunning Mediterranean coastlines, beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere of Egypt’s North Coast region. flydubai remains committed to stimulating free flows of trade and tourism in underserved markets and supporting Dubai’s aviation hub.” With the addition of its summer operations to Al Alamein, flydubai grows its network in Egypt to three destination including Alexandria and Cairo (Sphinx), served by 21 weekly flights. The carrier has seen growing demand for its operations to the new airport in Cairo since the launch of its flights last year, giving passengers more options for travel via a new gateway to the capital. Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said: “we continue to look for new opportunities to grow our network and offer our customers more options for travel, especially during busy travel periods. Al Alamein is a fantastic new edition to our summer offering which includes popular destinations such as Batumi, Bodrum, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Santorini and …

SAUDIA has signed a strategic partnership with Resal, a leading Saudi company specializing in digital rewards solutions and loyalty programs. This collaboration allows Resal customers to convert their earned points from purchases via the Resal app into AlFursan Reward Miles, granting them access to various travel benefits and exclusive offers from AlFursan Loyalty Program. The agreement was signed by Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at Saudia, and Hatem Al-Kameli, CEO of Resal. Essam Akhonbay stated: “This partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to enhancing our loyalty offerings and strengthening our connection with AlFursan members. We remain dedicated to expanding our network of partnerships and delivering added value to Saudia’s guests.”  Hatem Al-Kameli said: “We are delighted to partner with AlFursan Loyalty Program, one of the most prominent and prestigious loyalty programs in Saudi Arabia and the region. This partnership reflects Resal’s vision of fostering a culture of loyalty and offering diverse reward experiences that meet our customers’ aspirations.” AlFursan provides its members with an extensive range of benefits, including the option to add an extra piece of checked luggage, priority on waiting lists, bonus miles, and lounge access. Members also enjoy a diverse selection of offers and rewards through 40 global partnerships, including banks, hotels, car rental companies, telecommunications, retailers, and insurance companies. Resal is a leading Saudi company in prepaid digital card solutions, loyalty programs, and rewards, providing integrated technical solutions for businesses, merchants, and individuals through its diverse offerings, which include Resal Business Solutions, Resal Merchant Solutions, and the Resal Wallet. The company is distinguished by its strategic partnerships with over 1,000 entities across the public and private sectors.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the resumption of its non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi to Beirut, Lebanon. The resumption of the flights underscores Air Arabia’s ongoing commitment to providing accessible and seamless travel options for its passengers. Starting 9 January  2025, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will operate four weekly non-stop flights between Zayed International Airport and Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport. The flights will operate every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, offering passengers greater flexibility and convenience. Schedule to Beirut, effective January 9, 2025 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency 3L 450 Abu Dhabi 08:25 Beirut 11:00 A320 Monday/Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday 3L 451 Beirut 11:40 Abu Dhabi 17:20 A320 Monday/Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday Air Arabia operates a modern fleet of 79 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. Offering passengers, a value-added onboard experience, the aircraft is equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming, and ‘SkyCafe’ an onboard catering service at affordable prices. In addition, Air Arabia offers ‘Air Rewards’ an innovative and generous loyalty program through which passengers can earn, transfer, and spend points. Customers can book their flights to Beirut by visiting Air Arabia’s website, contacting our call center, or through travel agencies.

flynas launched three weekly direct flights between Prince Muhammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Sphinx Airport in Cairo, adding one more route to its flight network connecting the two countries, within flynas growth and expansion plan and in parallel with the national goals in the aviation sector. Three weekly flights will be operated on the new route on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday to expand further the flynas flight network served from its newest operations base at Madinah Airport, in line with flynas expansion strategy, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom,” in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030, and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. flynas connects the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with more than 120 weekly direct flights from 5 Saudi cities, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, and Al-Ula, to Cairo, Sohag, Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada and El Alamein. The Egyptian capital of Cairo is connected to the Kingdom with flynas direct flights to both Cairo International Airport and Sphinx International Airport, which is now served with direct flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah. flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations, in line with the objectives of the Vision 2030. The inaugural flight ceremony at …

flydubai unveiled its new Business Class Lounge at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) underscoring the carrier’s commitment to offering an enhanced travel experience for its customers. The modern 900-square-metre Business Class Lounge can accommodate more than 200 passengers. The lounge is conveniently located after the passport control and security lanes at Dubai International’s Terminal 2 Departure area. The boarding gate for Business Class passengers is located in the lounge where passengers can board the dedicated Business Class buses for their flights. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The official opening of the lounge was attended by Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, H.E. Major-General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director-General of the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Major-General Talal Ahmed Al Shanqiti, General Director Assistant of the GDRFA, Major-General Ali Atiq bin Lahej, Acting Assistant Commandant for Ports Affairs, H.E. Jamal Al-Hai, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Airports and Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, along with other key stakeholders and members of the media. Commenting on the opening of the new Business Class Lounge, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “this year, flydubai is celebrating a milestone in its journey marking 15 years of operations. We remain committed to constantly evolving and investing in enhancing customer experience whether in the air or on the ground. The new lounge will provide an enjoyable and seamless travel experience for our Business Class passengers from Terminal 2 in Dubai. We would like to thank the airport authorities for their support to officially welcome customers to the new beautifully designed space.” The new lounge features modern …

SAUDIA has signed an agreement with the Saudi Ministry of Media to strengthen coordination and collaboration across various sectors, including both ground and onboard services. The agreement was finalized during the inaugural ImpaQ Impact Makers Forum and signed by Khaled Tash, SAUDIA Group Chief Marketing Officer, and His Excellency Mishaal Al-Tuwaijri, Assistant Undersecretary for Shared Services at the Ministry of Media. Under this agreement, a dedicated channel for the Ministry of Media will be added to SAUDIA’s in-flight entertainment systems and displayed in Al Fursan lounges. This channel will provide regular updates on the Ministry’s initiatives. Additionally, SAUDIA will offer fast-track and business-class services to the Ministry’s guests and sponsor its events. Khaled Tash, SAUDIA Group Chief Marketing Officer, stated: “In line with SAUDIA’s new identity, we are committed to strengthening our relationships with various government entities to support their objectives. The Ministry of Media plays a pivotal role in showcasing the programs of Saudi Vision 2030 and its ambitious projects across various media channels. Displaying the Ministry’s initiatives on Saudia’s screens will significantly boost their visibility, supported by our daily operations of over 600 flights connecting the world to the Kingdom and over 100 destinations worldwide. This agreement aligns with Saudia’s largest project to enhance the guest experience by delivering quality services at every stage of travel and integrating the latest innovations in aviation.” The ImpaQ Impact Makers Forum, a visionary initiative by the Ministry of Media, serves as a premier platform for exchanging expertise and celebrating successful endeavors. The forum spans 14 key areas of influence, including media, artificial intelligence, sports, tourism, entertainment, and culture. It aims to redefine paradigms of media collaboration and create interactive platforms that tell …

Air Arabia has announced the launch of a new direct route connecting Sharjah to Sochi, Russia. This latest addition to Air Arabia’s growing network will begin operations on June 27, 2025, with three weekly flights between Sharjah International Airport and Sochi International Airport.  Sochi marks the sixth Russian destination served by Air Arabia from Sharjah, joining Moscow, Kazan, Samara, Ufa, and Yekaterinburg. The airline also operates non-stop services from its UAE hubs in Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, strengthening ties between the two nations and promoting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. With a modern fleet of 79 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, Air Arabia offers passengers a top-tier experience, including free in-flight streaming with ‘SkyTime,’ affordable catering through ‘SkyCafe,’ and access to the ‘Air Rewards’ loyalty program for earning and redeeming points.  Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: ” We are delighted to announce the launch of our new route to Sochi, further expanding our presence in Russia and reinforcing the strong ties between the UAE and Russia. This new connection reflects our commitment to providing customers with more travel options and contributing to the growth of tourism and trade between the two countries. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard this exciting new service.” Travelers can now book flights from Sharjah to Sochi through Air Arabia’s website, call center, or travel agencies.