Category Archives: Aviation

Qatar Airways launched a new flight service to NEOM Bay Airport marking a new chapter in Qatar-Saudi relations. Qatar Airways flight 1205 will depart from NEOM Bay to Doha on Saturdays at 14:00 and Thursdays at 13:40, while the return flight, Qatar Airways flight 1204, will leave Hamad International Airport at 06:55 on Saturdays and 06:35 on Thursdays. The inaugural flight from Doha’s Hamad International Airport touched down at NEOM Bay on December 9. The airline has chosen an Airbus A320-214 for the 1,650-mile journeys, scheduling two flights per week.  NEOM is a visionary project in the northwest corner of Saudi Arabia, and it represents a future-focused city embodying innovation and progress. This new service from Qatar Airways is a key step in enhancing regional airline connectivity, an initiative aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Etihad Airways will start flying non-stop four times a week from 23 April 2024 to Bali. Conveniently timed to connect with flights from across Etihad’s growing global network, guests will arrive at the island’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) refreshed and ready to transfer to their resort. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “We are thrilled to announce our first-ever flights to Bali. This exciting development follows closely on the heels of our dynamic Summer 24 schedule, reinforcing our dedication to expanding our network in tune with the needs of our customers so they can travel to their desired destinations in comfort and style. “Bali is the quintessential tropical escape, enchanting travellers with its verdant surroundings, vivid culture, and dreamlike beaches. From jade-green rice terraces to pristine white sands, the island balances exquisite beauty with deep tradition, offering a bewitching escape for those looking for tranquility and excitement alike. “We have timed the flights so guests can even enjoy a long weekend if they choose. We can’t wait to go there.” Visitors travelling from Europe and North America will also find the timings convenient for combining their trip with a stopover in Abu Dhabi to enjoy the legendary hospitality and remarkable attractions of the UAE’s capital. Etihad will operate flights to Bali four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, flying its state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring the airline’s award-winning service, delivering a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience year-round.

Qatar Airways landed its first resumption flight at Yanbu, the airlines’ eighth connection in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The non-stop service will operate two weekly flights on Wednesday and Sunday. To mark the resumed operations, passengers onboard the aircraft received special menu cards with exclusive design that reflects the distinctiveness of the occasion. Upon touchdown at Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport, water cannons saluted Qatar Airways flight QR1216 with showers of affection, signifying the renewed connection between Yanbu and Doha. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Yanbu back into our extensive network, comprised now of eight Saudi cities. This highlights our commitment to increasing travel options for passengers in the Saudi market, which remains one of the key global markets for Qatar Airways. We look forward to connecting travellers to and from Yanbu to over 170 destinations across the globe, while offering them an unrivalled travel experience onboard our state-of-the-art aircraft and through our multiple award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport.” Offering two weekly flights to Yanbu, the new route aims to facilitate both business and leisure travel, further reinforcing Qatar Airways’ dedication to connecting travellers from six continents to some of the most sought-after destinations across Saudi Arabia. The addition of Yanbu operations compliments the airlines’ over 120 weekly flights to eight Saudi cities including AlUla, Dammam, Gassim, Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, and Taif, Yanbu. Located on the Western Coast of Saudi Arabia, Yanbu, a coastal gem on the Red Sea, is renowned for its rich history, archaeological sites, and serene beaches. Known as the “Capital of Diving”, Yanbu represents a haven for all divers thanks to the vibrant underwater world …

dnata has partnered with Malaysia-based Batik Air, formerly known as Malindo Air, to bolster the airline’s newly launched route between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Batik Air began operating four weekly services from Dubai to Malaysia’s capital city in November 2023. This marked the airline’s second route launch in the Middle East this year, following its successful introduction of flights between Jeddah (KSA) and Kuala Lumpur in August. dnata Representation Services will act as the airline’s general sales agent (GSA) in the UAE, providing a comprehensive range of travel services and local infrastructure for sales, marketing, and distribution support. Drawing interest from UAE-based travellers, Batik Air has introduced attractive fares starting at AED 1,299 for Economy Class and AED 3,499 for Business Class return flights. Simon Woodford, Vice President Global Air Services at dnata Travel Group, commented: “The reopening of Asia has sparked a rising trend in travel from the UAE, with a growing number of people seeking to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures of the continent. In Malaysia, cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur and the beautiful coastlines beyond – including Langkawi – are increasingly popular. We are delighted to support Batik Air locally, as it opens more options for travel between the UAE and Malaysia.” Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, Group Strategy Director of Batik Air, added: “Malaysia is rapidly gaining recognition as a vibrant destination, known for its natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality, with a growing significance for business partnerships and cultural exchanges. With the launch of our direct flights from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur, travellers now have easier access to explore the country. Whether planning a leisurely getaway, a family vacation, or an important business trip, our affordable …

IATA’s latest reports share that Middle Eastern airlines posted a 24.1% rise in October 2023 traffic compared to a year ago. Capacity rose 22.2% and load factor climbed 1.2 percentage points to 80.6%. Asia-Pacific airlines saw an 80.3% increase in October 2023 traffic compared to October 2022, continuing to lead the regions. Capacity climbed 72.5% and the load factor increased by 3.6 percentage points to 82.9%. European carriers’ October 2023 traffic rose 16.1% versus October 2022. Capacity increased 14.5%, and load factor edged up 1.2 percentage points to 85.1%. North American carriers had a 17.5% traffic rise in October 2023 versus the 2022 period. Capacity also increased 17.5%, and load factor was stable at 83.9%. Latin American airlines’ traffic rose 21.2% compared to the same month in 2022. October capacity climbed faster — up 22.3% —  pushing load factor down 0.8 percentage points to 85.3%, highest among the regions. African airlines saw a 25.3% traffic increase in October 2023 versus a year ago. October capacity was up 32.4% causing load factor to decline 4.0 percentage points to 70.3%, lowest among the regions. ‘People assign a high value to the freedom to travel. The strong demand we’ve seen all year confirms that. And aviation is committed to ensuring that people can continue to enjoy this freedom. To do that in the long-term, we must also meet our commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Last month, the Third Conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) agreed a global framework to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production with the aim that aviation fuel in 2030 is 5% less carbon intensive than fossil fuel used today. Now, governments need to support that …

Turkish Airlines (TK) and Riyadh Air (RX) have agreed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding to offer a comprehensive range of benefits for guests traveling between the Kingdom, Türkiye and points beyond their Riyadh and Istanbul hubs, as well as lay the ground for deeper future collaborations. Guest of both airlines will be able to take full advantage of each carrier’s worldwide network through a comprehensive interline and codeshare agreement that will allow customers to seamlessly connect between and combine sectors operated by either Riyadh Air or Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines Chief Investment & Technology Officer Levent Konukcu and Riyadh Air CEO, Tony Douglas, signed the agreement at a ceremony on the sidelines of the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN 2023)  held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The intention of both carriers is that benefits will be made available to guests as soon as possible after Riyadh Air launches operations in mid-2025 and is subject to regulatory approvals by relevant authorities. The close cooperation will allow members of each carrier’s loyalty program to earn points or credits when traveling on codeshare services operated by the other, with both airlines also exploring opportunities to develop a broader loyalty agreement covering both global networks. In addition to offering a comprehensive range of guest benefits, the MoU also commits Riyadh Air and Turkish Airlines to work together to explore and implement broader synergies and efficiencies across the value chain, touching areas such as aviation related services, cargo and digital development. Turkish Airlines Chief Investment & Technology Officer, Levent Konukcu stated: “We are happy to start our relationship with Riyadh Air, a promising new player in the aviation industry. This Memorandum of Understanding is …

PIF announced that it has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire a 10% stake in FGP TopCo (TopCo), the holding company of Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd, from Ferrovial S.A. Under the terms of the agreement, PIF will acquire 10% in TopCo, and Ardian through its infrastructure funds will acquire 15% through separate vehicles. The transaction is subject to complying with ROFO (Right of First Offer) and full tag-along rights which may be exercised by the other Topco shareholders pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement and the Articles of Association of the company, in addition to satisfaction of applicable regulatory conditions. PIF is pleased to be investing in Heathrow, a world-class airport, which acts as a key gateway to the world. PIF’s investment in Heathrow is in line with its strategy to support the business as a long-term partner. Heathrow is one of the world’s largest air traffic platforms, connecting the UK with global trading partners to help stimulate economic growth.

Vistara announced the addition of Doha (Qatar), its 50th destination, to its growing network. The airline will be operating direct, 4x weekly flights between Mumbai and Doha, starting from 15 December 2023 using its A321neo aircraft. Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents. Mr. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara said, “We are thrilled to introduce direct flights between Mumbai and Doha – the capital of Qatar and a burgeoning financial hub in the Middle East. Given the city’s growing economic significance, this move not only further solidifies our presence in the Gulf region but also enhances our network offering from our Mumbai hub. We hope that our customers will appreciate having the option of flying with India’s best airline on this route.” Introductory all-inclusive, round-trip fares Sector Economy Premium Economy Business Mumbai – Doha – Mumbai INR 30,599 INR 39,399 INR 111,049 Doha – Mumbai – Doha QAR 1349 QAR 1849 QAR 4699   Schedule of flights to/from Doha effective 15 December 2023 Sector Flight No. Days of Operation Departure Arrival Mumbai – Doha UK  285 Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays 18:45 hrs 20:30 hrs Doha – Mumbai UK  286 Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays 21:45 hrs 4:05 hrs (+1) * All timings shown are in local time zones, exact timings may differ slightly for respective days of operations ** (+1) indicates next-day arrival *** Subject to regulatory approvals Vistara will accept all eligible customers meeting visa/entry requirements in both countries, as specified by the respective government bodies. Vistara strongly encourages its customers to fully understand these guidelines before making their bookings. Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on …

Air Arabia announced the launch of a new route to the enchanting island of Phuket, Thailand from Sharjah. The non-stop flights will connect Sharjah International Airport with Phuket International Airport with a frequency of four weekly flights starting from December 15, 2023, providing travelers with even more convenient and affordable options to explore one of the most famous destinations in Southeast Asia.   Schedule from and to Phuket, effective December 15, 2023 (all times local):   Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency G9 687 Sharjah 22:30 Phuket 07:55 Airbus A321 Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday G9 688 Phuket 08:45 Sharjah 12:45 Airbus A321 Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday     Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, stated, “We are glad to introduce Phuket as the latest addition to our growing network which will further expand our footprint in the Thai market. This new route reflects our commitment to provide our customers with diverse travel options, connecting them to marvelous destinations around the world while continuously offering seamless connectivity, convenience, and an unparalleled air travel experience.” Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is a tropical paradise renowned for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant cultural scene. Nestled in the Andaman Sea, Phuket offers a diverse range of experiences, from bustling markets to the tranquility of Kata and Karon beaches. Air Arabia 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 the fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch compared to any economy cabin. The aircraft is also equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming service that allows passengers to stream a wide selection of entertainment …

SalamAir announces that they will operate flights from 17th December from Muscat to Lucknow. The service will operate five times a week, with flights scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday. This route expansion provides excellent connectivity to all GCC destinations, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, Dubai, and Fujairah.