Category Archives: Aviation

Air Seychelles will operate a special return flight from Dubai to the Seychelles during the upcoming public holiday marking Commemoration and National Day in the UAE. Following the success of the seasonal flight routes launched earlier this year, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles has introduced a seven day return trip for UAE residents. The flight will depart Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 on Friday, 27 November 2021 at 8am whilst the returning flight will depart Seychelles on 3 December 2021 at 12.45pm. The convenient timings provide visitors with seven days and six nights in the Seychelles at an affordable rate. Economy Class travelers can take advantage of the attractive fares starting from USD340 (AED 1,250), whilst Business Class travelers can book their seats at the starting fares of USD1,020 (AED 3,743).  All fares are inclusive of taxes and flights are now on sale at www.airseychelles.com and through travel agents. All travelers to the Indian Ocean archipelago must hold a negative COVID 19 PCR certificate taken no more than 72 hours before departure regardless of vaccination status. Visitors must also complete the mandatory Health Travel Authorization at seychelles.govtas.com before arriving to the airport and observe existing health regulations including wearing face masks and social distancing during their visit. The flight schedule between Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 and the Seychelles are as follows: #Flight Origin    Destination         Departs                Arrives  Dates HM1015               Dubai    Seychelles           0800hrs 1230hrs Saturday, 27 November, 2021 HM1016               Seychelles           Dubai    1245hrs 1715hrs Friday, 3 December, 2021   The schedule shared is in the local time at each destination. Flights are subjected to government and regulatory approval including that of the health authorities at each destination. …

flydubai announced the start of flights to Sohar in Oman becoming the first airline to operate this route from Dubai. This is the carrier’s third destination in the Sultanate, alongside Muscat and Salalah. Flights to Sohar International Airport (OHS) will start on 04 November and will operate twice a week from Terminal 2 at Dubai International (DXB). Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “with demand for travel returning and as more countries continue to lift restrictions on international travel, we are pleased to announce the start of flights to Sohar in Oman. We are excited to further grow our network and give passengers more options to travel in the region, while welcoming passengers from Oman, especially those looking to visit Expo 2020 in Dubai.” Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Subcontinent and Africa) at flydubai, added: “we are pleased to expand our network in Oman by adding a third point to our network alongside our popular destinations Muscat and Salalah. This new direct route will enable free flows of trade and tourism and strengthen direct airlinks between Oman and the UAE.” Located on the Sultanate’s northern coast, Sohar is a port city known for its cultural heritage and trading. Visitors can explore the city’s tradition in Sohar’s century-old Fort and museum or stroll along the corniche along the waterfront and relax in one of the many restaurants. Sohar’s proximity to some of Oman’s most popular ravines, including Wadi Al Jizi and Wadi Salahi, attracts adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts from the region and beyond. flydubai’s passenger experience has been redesigned to enable travel in a safe environment that minimises crew and passenger contact and …

In a move aimed at projecting Jordan to the world as an attractive tourist destination, Royal Jordanian, the Kingdom’s national carrier, has placed Petra-inspired livery on one of its wide-bodied 787 aircraft, an event that brought together HRH Dana Firas the President of Petra National Trust and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, RJ Chairman of the Board Said Darwazeh, RJ Vice Chairman/CEO Samer Majali, Jordan Tourism Board members, all concerned authorities operating at QAIA, a number of social media influencers and RJ officials. Majali said: “Since its establishment, 58 years ago, RJ has assumed the responsibility of promoting Jordan’s tourism at home and abroad. RJ feels it is its duty, as a national carrier, to act as a bridge that connects Jordan to the world, and thus it has become the roving ambassador of Jordan.” The project was implemented in cooperation with Jordan Tourism Board to promote the red-rose city of Petra, which is a unique landmark in Jordan and became an attractive destination for tourists of different nationalities and cultures. Majali also urged the public and private sectors to exert more effort to help this fundamental sector thrive, mitigate the losses it sustained as a result of the COVID pandemic and help it recover. On the occasion, Royal Jordanian also presented to the invitees the improvements on meals added to its economy class menu. These include international, Oriental, Mexican and Italian food presented to economy class passengers. The meals change every two weeks and according to the destination. Majali said that the improved menu came in response to passengers’ demands and recommendations sent to Royal Jordanian through different channels. The airline, in cooperation with Dnata catering services, was …

As Premier Partner and Official Airline of Expo 2020 Dubai, Emirates is enhancing the benefits that SMEs stand to gain from visiting the largest themed event taking place in Dubai. Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) planning a visit to Dubai during Expo 2020 Dubai will be reaping even more rewards during the six-month mega event with the launch of the latest Emirates Business Rewards incentive. As part of the offer, designed especially for SMEs, the airline is providing bonus Emirates Business Rewards Points to members of its corporate loyalty programme, applicable on flights to Dubai for the duration of the event. For flights booked to Dubai by 15 November 2021, for travel until 31 March 2022, Emirates Business Rewards members will see their rewards balance grow faster by earning 25% additional Business Rewards Points on their trip. The offer will enable businesses to earn 1.25 Points for every US Dollar spent on inbound flights to Expo’s host city. Business Rewards Points can be redeemed to book flights and upgrades for eligible individuals from the registered organisation, including business owners, their employees, in addition to guests. T&C’s apply. Over 20,000 SMEs are currently enrolled in the Emirates Business Rewards programme and potentially lucrative opportunities lie ahead for its member base, consisting of professional services and consulting firms, technology providers, traders as well as businesses across various sectors including real estate, construction, IT and healthcare, among others. Expo 2020 Dubai is now open and entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe can take advantage of the opportunities made possible through the largest and most diverse World Expo to be ever held, with the rich line-up of events and match-making opportunities to …

Oman Air has revamped its Sindbad Loyalty Program, replacing distance-based miles accrual with spend-based miles accrual. Delivering on its customer promise to offer a superior loyalty program, the overhaul simplifies the way members earn Sindbad miles and attain Sindbad tiers, and offers a more transparent and generous accrual experience. The new reward system applies to all eligible flights operated by Oman Air, provided flight tickets are issued by Oman Air.   Officially rolled out on 8 September 2021, the shift from distance-based accrual to spend-based accrual lets Sindbad members earn four, five and six Sindbad miles per USD spent, for their current tier level—Blue, Silver, and Gold.  Members can earn additional miles on prepaid baggage, seat assignment, lounge access, and a suite of Primeclass add-ons such as arrival/departure meet and greet services, customs and security fast track services, and more.   Oman Air CEO Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi said, “Our revamped Sindbad loyalty program answers current traveller requirements with a more generous accrual model and can scale to meet future needs and evolving loyalty technologies. Oman Air has always prioritized innovative products and services for our members and we are proud to be the first national airline in the region to offer a spend-based loyalty program.”   A shift in tier qualifications has also simplified the way members attain their Sindbad tiers, making it easier to reach Sindbad Silver and Sindbad Gold which offer greater benefits and privileges. Instead of Tier miles or Tier sectors, members will now earn Tier points based on class of travel and four flight zones, with destinations in each zone having fixed Tier points. Members can qualify for Sindbad Silver tier with 500 Tier points …

utu, the travel tech startup, has announced a partnership with Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, in a bid to disrupt the VAT refund sector. Emirates is the world’s first airline to offer rewards on tax-free shopping. An industry first, the utu Tax Free app offers travelers the opportunity to upsize the value of their tax refund by 25% and earn 4,167 Skywards Miles for every 100 USD on any VAT or GST refund across 50 countries. Shoppers need to download the app, register for the virtual utu Tax Free Card and use the card number on any tax-free form to earn Skywards Miles. To celebrate the launch of this industry-first proposition of rewarding VAT refunds, Emirates Skywards and utu are offering 5,001 Skywards Miles for every 100 USD of VAT refund starting from 11 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. There is no minimum spend requirement or maximum Miles earning limit. Both Emirates Skywards and utu believe in delighting their customers with curated rewards for members to enjoy. “We are thrilled to have Emirates Skywards on board as our launch partner,” said Asad Jumabhoy, Co-founder and CEO of utu. “Collaborating with the Emirates Skywards team has been a seamless process focussed on giving the best to our customers,” he added. “By making a tax refund a reward, we are able to delight shoppers through value and choice while including participation across the travel and tourism spectrum, a win-win for all.” Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, said: “At Emirates Skywards, we pride ourselves on putting members at the heart of everything we do. This has enabled us to build a loyal …

Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi International Airport are ready to welcome a large volume of passengers over the half-term break. The airline has provided travel tips to make the journey as convenient and smooth as possible. Check the destination requirements. With travel restrictions changing frequently, Etihad recommends visiting etihad.com/destinationguide to check the latest updates before the journey begins.   Verified to Fly? Visit ‘Manage my booking’ on etihad.com to share covid-related travel documents. Approval will be shared by email giving passengers confidence that all required documents are in place, and allowing fast-track airport check-in at the ‘Verified to Fly’ desks.   Check-in online and arrive early. During peak times, Economy Class check-in for non-US flights opens four hours before departure and closes one hour before departure. Business and First class check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. For US flights check-in closes two hours before the flight. Boarding for all Etihad Airways departures closes 20 minutes before departure. Or, enjoy Etihad’s Home Check-in service.   When travelling to the US, benefit from the US Customs and Border Protection facility (USCBP), meaning all immigration and customs formalities will be completed in Abu Dhabi before departing. Guests must present themselves at the USCBP facility no later than 90 minutes before departure.   Check the flight timing and departure terminal. Given the significant increase in passenger numbers, Etihad Airways will relocate check-in for Economy class guests on the following flights to Terminal 1 on 15 October: EY653 to Cairo (CAI) EY2317 to Riyadh (RUH)   Check the baggage allowance before leaving for the airport: the cabin baggage policy is 7kg for Economy class and 12kg for First and Business class guests. Maximum cabin baggage dimensions …

Bespoke packages offer assortment of experiences for Oman Air transit passengers, whether stopping for 12 hours, overnight or several days, and include second night free and discounted additional nights with 25% off food and beverage. Oman Air Holidays today announced the launch of Oman stopover packages giving Oman Air-ticketed passengers the flexibility to discover some of the most desirable tourist spots in and around Muscat: the capital Muscat, Nizwa, Jabal Akhdar, and Mussanah. Also available is a fully bespoke 8-hour Muscat city day tour stopover. Recently reopened for vaccinated travel, Oman is an alluring and desirable destination among discerning global travellers and offers an abundance of attractions. The ‘hidden gem’ of the region, the country offers a vibrant palette of nature, climate, leisure, culture and history, and Omanis are renowned the world over for their authentic hospitality and shared sense of openness and respect. “Oman discovery stopovers combine convenience, diversity and affordability for anyone who wants to experience more Oman on their next trip,” explains Mundher Al Shaikhani, Senior Manager Oman Air Holidays. “Each package is designed to offer visitors a distinct taste of some of our leading tourist spots, whether on a quick overnight escape or an immersive week-long excursion, and are priced for value with discounted rates and exciting add-ons.”   Enabling the country’s flourishing tourism potential is something Oman Air Holidays does exceptionally well, and the launch of stopover packages adds to Oman’s growing inventory of custom stays and experiences. Oman Air Holidays’ five stopovers can be further customized to include local tours and excursions, type of transportation, and flexible length of stay. Muscat Discovery Stopover The captivating capital of Oman, Muscat is a favourite stopover with …

Qatar Airways and RwandAir have signed a comprehensive codeshare agreement to offer travellers more choice, enhanced service and greater connectivity to more than 65 destinations across Africa and the rest of the world. As part of the deal, the Rwandan flag carrier will also launch new non-stop flights between their Kigali hub and Doha from December. The agreement benefits travellers from across the globe who fly with both airlines, which expands each carrier’s route network. Passengers can enjoy the simplicity of purchasing connecting flights on both airlines using one seamless reservation system, that simplifies ticketing, check-in, boarding and baggage-check processes for the entire journey. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said “We share a very close and collaborative bond with Rwanda and welcome RwandAir’s new non-stop service between Kigali and our home in Doha. With this comprehensive codeshare agreement, we are committed to deliver greater choice and connectivity to our customers in Africa and around the world. The new partnership will help position Qatar Airways in the region and complement our African expansion strategy. As we brace ourselves to meet significantly increased demand for long-awaited travel, I see dynamic partnerships like this one helping to steer travel, tourism and trade firmly on the path to recovery.” RwandAir Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Yvonne Makolo, said: “This is a major milestone for RwandAir and marks the beginning of an exciting new journey with Qatar Airways. We are also immensely proud to welcome Doha to our route network, connecting customers with Qatar’s hub and further expanding their flight map.   “This codeshare agreement will give our customers significantly more choice and flexibility, allowing RwandAir to strengthen its global presence …

Qantas and Emirates have announced they will extend their cornerstone partnership for another five years, meaning customers and frequent flyers of both airlines will have access to an expansive joint network, and millions of reward seats to travel across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK. The agreement was signed by Emirates President Tim Clark and Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting in Boston. The airlines have existing approvals from regulators to operate a joint business until March 2023. Qantas and Emirates will seek re-authorisation from relevant regulators, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, to continue the core elements of the partnership including coordination of pricing, schedules, sales and tourism marketing on approved routes until 2028. The deal includes an option to renew for another five years beyond that. Together, both airlines are making millions of reward seats available for frequent flyers to access more than 100 destinations to using their Qantas Points or Skywards Miles, which many have been stockpiling throughout the pandemic. For Emirates customers, the deal provides access to over 55 Australian destinations that Emirates does not fly to, and Qantas customers are able to fly on Emirates to Dubai and access over 50 cities in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, that Qantas does not fly to. As Qantas and Emirates recover from the impact that COVID-19 has had on their respective businesses, the partnership will continue to deliver financial upside for both airlines. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “The extension of our partnership with Qantas is testament to its success. It also reflects our commitment to ensure customers travelling to and from Australia, a market which we …