Category Archives: Aviation

As part of Kuwait Airways’ preparations for full operation of Terminal 4 (T4) and resuming to full capacity, Kuwait Airways Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Maen Razouqi, accompanied by the Chief Operations Officer, Captain Eisa Al-Haddad and Operational Department Directors of the Company toured the Terminal 4 (T4) and inspected the latest developments and preparations of the Company’s operational sectors, and following the recent decision of the Council of Ministers to commission the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to implement the third phase of Kuwait International Airport’s operating plan and full operation of the Airport from November 2021. During the visit, Razouqi observed the progress of the working mechanism at different sectors of Terminal 4 (T4), the most important of which is the itinerary of passengers and the services provided to them from their arrival at the terminal, completing their travel procedures at the baggage weighing area until reaching the departure gate. The tour also included inspecting the security measures implemented for passengers and their baggage, in addition to other measures. On the sidelines of the tour, the Chief Executive Officer, Maen Razouqi commended on the progress of work at Terminal 4 (T4) and the procedures undertaken, whether for security or related to completing all travel measures, in addition to the efficiency of services provided to valued customers and the expertise of Kuwait Airways employees in dealing with passengers in order to ensure convenient travel, starting from entering the airport until boarding the aircraft and for enjoying a safe and enjoyable trip, pointing that the Company seeks to provide all services that meet the requirements of dear passengers and extend efforts to overcome all obstacles ahead, in a manner befitting the …

At the Dubai Airshow 2021 Emirates announced that it will retrofit 105 of its modern wide-body aircraft with its Premium Economy product, in addition to other cabin enhancements. The 18-month retrofit programme, scheduled to begin at the end of 2022, will be entirely conducted at Emirates’ state-of-the-art Engineering Centre in Dubai. It will see 52 Emirates A380s and 53 Boeing 777s fitted with a new cabin class – the airline’s highly lauded Premium Economy. The airline is also considering installing a brand new Business Class product on its Boeing 777 aircraft, with customised seats in a 1-2-1 layout. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “Emirates is investing in this retrofit programme to ensure that we continue to serve our customers’ needs, and provide the best experiences in the sky. Since we introduced our Premium Economy seats a year back, we’ve received a hugely positive response. Customers have been amazed by the quality and comfort. As Emirates has done with our signature First, Business and full-service Economy travel experiences, we intend to further develop our Premium Economy into a distinctive Emirates experience that is unmatched in the industry. We are also considering a brand new Business Class product. More details will be revealed in due course.” Sir Tim added: “It is also a source of pride that the entire retrofit project will be conducted at our home base in Dubai. It demonstrates the strong aviation capabilities that has been built up within Emirates airline and the broader UAE ecosystem to support such a highly specialised and technical programme.” At the end of the retrofit programme, Emirates will have a total of 111 Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft offering Premium …

Sanad by Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), has partnered with the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) to provide the association’s 27 carrier members with access to Sanad’s world-class industrial service capabilities. The affiliation, which sees Sanad appointed as AACO’s Industry Partner, provides a strategic platform for extensive knowledge exchange and access for the AACO members, with Sanad expecting to leverage the tie-up to expand regional service partnerships and build on its industry-leading expertise in servicing global OEMs and airlines. “Our partnership with AACO provides its members and Sanad with a mutually beneficial platform to explore greater collaborative opportunities and share knowledge and experience to drive excellence across the aviation sector,” said Mansoor Janahi, Deputy Group CEO, Sanad. “With more than three decades’ experience across MRO and leasing, we look forward to working with AACO and its members to further our collective ambitions.” Since its inception 25 years ago, AACO’s Industry Partnership Program has fostered a mutually beneficial environment where partners benefit from AACO events and activities designed to strengthen their relations with member airlines, while AACO members benefit from the partners’ diverse product offerings, and numerous other benefits. Mr. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, AACO Secretary General, said: “We are pleased to welcome Sanad to the extended AACO family of industry partners, and we are confident that the framework we provide for our members and industry partners will create synergies and opportunities for all parties. Sanad’s innovative solutions and services offer specialist choices to our member airlines, and we look forward to a fruitful and successful collaboration and partnership”.    

Emirates and GE Aviation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a programme that will see an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, powered by GE90 engines, conduct a test flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by the end of 2022. Currently, SAF approved for use is a blend of petroleum-based Jet A or Jet A-1 fuel and a SAF component with a maximum blend limit of 50%. One of GE’s fuel experts chairs an international task force to develop standardized industry specifications supporting adoption of 100% SAF, which does not require blending with conventional jet fuel. A milestone collaboration for both Emirates and GE Aviation, the 100% SAF test flight is expected to demonstrate how widebody commercial aircraft using jet fuel made from alternative sources can lower lifecycle CO2 emissions compared to petroleum-based fuels with no operational issues. The demonstration flight also supports both companies’ broader efforts to reduce CO2 emissions as the industry looks to scale up its use of SAF. Emirates will work closely with regulators to secure approvals for experimental type certification, and will also coordinate with airframe, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on pre- and post-flight requirements, in addition to closely working with SAF suppliers on procurement and delivery logistics. Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer, Emirates Airline, said: “Emirates is committed to supporting initiatives that help minimise its CO2 emissions, and we’ve already made great strides in fuel efficiency and conservation as well as operational advancements across different areas of our business. Our agreement with GE Aviation will support progress on the industry’s collective commitment to net zero emissions, and we look forward to continuing this close collaboration. Our partnership …

Gulf Air has recently boosted frequencies to popular destinations in line with the increasing demand and the relaxed travel restrictions in many countries around the globe. Gulf Air destinations have seen an increase in frequency with the growth of passenger number in the current quarter ahead of the holiday season. The airline has increased frequencies to: Amman, double daily – Frankfurt, daily – Paris, daily – Casablanca, 3 weekly – Singapore, 3 weekly – Bangkok, 5 weekly – Istanbul, 10 weekly – Dubai, 49 weekly – Pakistan, 35 weekly and Manila, 9 weekly. Commenting on these developments, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Captain Waleed AlAlawi said: “We’re getting closer to full restoration of our network. Although frequencies are lower than pre-pandemic levels, however it is important for us to bring back our network and offer our passengers more choices of more destinations. Frequencies are regularly reviewed and increased based on network optimization, forecast, demand and entry restrictions”. The airline is also participating at the Dubai Airshow 2021 which is taking place currently (from 14 to 18 November) at Dubai World Central (DWC) in the United Arab Emirates. During the airshow, Gulf Air is showcasing its flagship aircraft the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and its state-of-the-art cabins in its iconic 70th anniversary livery. An executive delegation from Gulf Air will be representing the airline during the event and lead a number of networking initiatives and meeting opportunities with partnerships and potential customers and suppliers. The only live and in-person aerospace event taking place in 2021, the Dubai Airshow 2021 will feature more than 1,200 exhibitors, representatives from 148 countries, more than 80 start-ups, decision makers in attendance and over 20 country …

Dubai Airshow and the UAE Space Agency have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the second day of Dubai Airshow 2021. The two parties will collaborate to further position Dubai Airshow as a key platform for companies and investors in the space sector. The partnership will support organizations looking to establish a presence at future editions of the event and will enable space companies to benefit from the participation, engagements, networking and agreements created at Dubai Airshow. The MoU was signed by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology, Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed commented: “The space sector continues to be a vital industry for the UAE, one that has already inspired a generation of future astronauts and space scientists. Globally there are an increasing number of space organizations and new players investing in the space sector. Dubai Airshow will accelerate its focus on space by creating exciting new prospects for regional and global space players from both public and private sectors. This agreement will help strengthen the Airshow’s space offering and lead to even more partnerships, collaborations and projects in the future.” Her Excellency Sarah bint Youssef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, said: “Enhancing cooperation locally and globally is a key part of our ongoing efforts to stimulate the space industry and increase its economic contribution. Partnerships play an important role in building a knowledge and innovation-driven economy …

Emirates and Gulf Air have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a deeper commercial cooperation between both carriers. The MoU will set the framework between both carriers to establish a potential codeshare cooperation across the networks of each airline, extending reciprocal loyalty benefits on Emirates’ Skywards and Gulf Air’s Falconflyer, and discussions are also underway to initiate cargo cooperation. Signed on the first day of the Dubai Airshow, the MoU will mark the beginning of closer ties between the two airlines. The MoU was signed by Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline and Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi. The signing ceremony was also attended members of each airline’s executive management teams. Customers travelling on Emirates and Gulf Air’s operated flights can book single-ticket travel with competitive fares, and one-stop baggage check-in to their final destinations. Emirates will initially place its “EK” marketed code on Gulf Air operated flights between Bahrain and Dubai, and reciprocally, Gulf Air will add its “GF” marketed code to Emirates routes. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “We are pleased to partner with Gulf Air on developing this codeshare agreement, which will give customers significantly enhanced choices, convenient schedules and flexibility to connect between Dubai and Bahrain, and beyond to cities in our extensive long-haul network. We believe that our new partnership will bring real benefits to our customers and business, and today’s agreement is a positive step in our cooperation, and we are on the way to further strengthening our relationship in the future.” During the event, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer said: “This will be a remarkable partnership between one of the first airlines in the …

Emirates is currently showcasing its four-class configured A380 at Dubai Airshow from the 14th to 18th November. The aircraft on display features the airline’s recently introduced Premium Economy Class cabin, in addition to refreshed interiors and enhancements across all cabins onboard its newest A380 aircraft. Always a popular draw for aviation enthusiasts and trade visitors, Emirates’ latest generation Airbus A380 will be decorated with the unique ‘United Arab Emirates 50’ livery, celebrating the Golden jubilee of the UAE. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, said: “The Dubai Airshow has long been one of the most important events in the aviation and aerospace calendar. This year, all eyes will be on Dubai as the industry bounces back with global aviation and aerospace players reconvening in person to forge new partnerships and engage in strategic dialogue. The event will be seen as a bellwether for the industry’s pace of recovery, and a showcase for technologies that will drive its future progress. As a leading player in commercial aviation, Emirates will be setting the stage with its latest products and services on display, and engaging with its partners on various activities at the show. ” The Emirates A380 Premium Economy cabin on display offers 56 seats in a 2-4-2 cabin layout. Each seat has a generous pitch of up to 40-inches, is 19.5 inches wide, and comfortably reclines 8 inches with ample room to stretch out. Seats are furnished with cream-coloured leather, and include fine stitching and a wood panel finishing similar to Business Class. Each seat is designed to provide maximum comfort, supported with 6-way adjustable headrests, calf rests and footrests. For …

Emirates announces that its flagship A380 service will return to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport from 28 November. The aircraft upgrade will help Emirates to meet strong passenger demand for inbound travel into the popular holiday destination, on the heels of Thailand’s re-opening to international tourists who are vaccinated. The daily A380 flights will operate as EK372/373, adding much-needed capacity and frequency to its flights to Bangkok, in response to the uptick in travel demand that the airline is witnessing. The iconic Emirates A380 aircraft to serve the route will offer seats in First Class, Business Class and Economy Class. The deployment of the double-decker aircraft will complement the existing services, EK384/385, also operating on a daily basis with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration, in addition to its five weekly flights to Bangkok via Phuket, operating as EK378/379, which is set to increase its frequency to daily from 1 December.The daily A380 service to Bangkok, flight EK372, will depart Dubai daily at 09:30hrs, arriving in Bangkok at 18:40hrs. Flight EK373 is scheduled to depart Bangkok at 20:35hrs to arrive in Dubai at 00:50hrs the next day. All times are local. When the A380 service launches on 28 November, Emirates will offer three daily services to passengers travelling to and from Bangkok, in its support for the country it has been serving for over three decades. Emirates is playing a vital role in facilitating the tourism industry recovery, spearheaded by the government’s efforts. The boosted capacity and frequency increase will help meet demand from holiday-makers originating from Europe, Africa and the Middle East to travel to the Thai capital. With the easing of travel restrictions, Emirates will also serve its …

Oman Air has updated its winter schedule reflecting frequency increases and flight resumptions. Among reinstated destinations are Munich, Zurich and Kuala Lumpur, based on the flight schedules Munich: Starting from 1 December 2021 WY123 – Muscat 15:00 to Munich 18:50 on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday – Return WY124 Munich 21:45 to Muscat 06:50 +1 Zurich – Starting from 1 December 2021 WY153 Muscat 14:55 to Zurich 19:05 on Wednesday & Friday and return WY154   Zurich 21:35 to Muscat 06:50 +1 Kuala Lumpur – Starting from 4 December 2021 WY821 Muscat 21:15 to Kuala Lumpur 08:10 +1 on Tuesday & Thursday and return WY822 Kuala Lumpur 09:40 to Muscat 12:50 on Wednesday & Friday WY823 – Muscat 08:45 Kuala Lumpur 19:40 on Saturday, Thursday and return WY824 Kuala Lumpur 21:05 Muscat 00:15 +1 Oman Air will maintain its comprehensive safety program throughout all elements of the travel journey to ensure that guests fly confidently. Masks are required when guests are on board the aircraft and in Oman’s airports. Distancing is maintained while guests board and exit the aircraft, which are carefully cleaned after each flight and at the end of every day. Meal service has been modified to further ensure safety, and a number of other measures have been implemented to ensure that the airline’s guests and crew are safe at all times. Guests who are planning to travel to Muscat should visit the Civil Aviation Authority website, caa.gov.om, to ensure they are prepared to comply with requirements to enter the Sultanate. Guests travelling to Germany, Switzerland and Malaysia, as well as all other destinations on Oman Air’s network, should ensure they are aware of official requirements to enter or transit …