Category Archives: Aviation

Lufthansa has announced that it will ramp up flight operations on its Frankfurt-Dubai route in September by 30 per cent, an increase of eight flights compared to the month of August. The addition of new flights follows the airline’s resumption of scheduled services from the UAE in early July in view of the steady growth in demand for intercontinental travel. There will be a total of five flights a week from 3 to 13 September and four weekly services as of September 14, 2020. Heinrich Lange, Senior Director Sales, Gulf, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Lufthansa Group, commented, “As an unparalleled mode of transportation that provides speedy connections between people, places and goods, aviation has become an integral part of modern life. The suspension of air travel due to border closures and mobility restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic had caused significant inconvenience to people around the world. At Lufthansa Group, we are working towards resuming regular operations to all our destinations to meet the needs of our customers.” “We are pleased with increasing weekly flight operations on our Frankfurt-Dubai route. Our decision to increase services is in response to strong demand for flights between the two major cities and to the growing number of destinations offered via our hub. The recent revelation by the authorities in Dubai that the emirate’s main airport has been witnessing a massive increase in passenger numbers, with more than 20,000 travellers daily, is truly encouraging and underscores the need and importance of our flight services for the UAE,” Lange added.

flydubai has announced that passengers booking with flydubai for travel between 01 September and 30 November 2020 will automatically receive free global cover for COVID-19.The new service covers passengers’ health expenses and quarantine costs if diagnosed with COVID-19 during their trip and is valid for 31 days from the time they take their first flight on their itinerary. The service enables passengers to benefit from coverage for their medical expenses up to EUR 150,000 and quarantine costs up to EUR 100 per day for 14 days. Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai said, “The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority. The new COVID-19 cover we are offering to our passengers will encourage more people to travel with ease of mind knowing that they will be looked after at every step of their journey. We see the demand for travel starting to increase as more countries gradually lift restrictions on international travel. Safeguarding the passenger journey with added precautions and enhanced procedures will help to stimulate the flow of trade and tourism globally.”

Tajawal has entered a strategic partnership with Mediclinic to offer UAE based travellers planning their international trips a 20% discount on their pre-travel PCR tests, which are considered a mandatory requirement at a number of destinations across the world. Upon making a flight or hotel booking through tajawal, travellers will receive their booking confirmation emails which they can present at select Mediclinic establishments in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to avail the discount on their PCR tests. Muzzammil Ahussain – EVP, tajawal commented, “With International travel slowly returning, our customers will expect more from us when booking their flights and accommodation, prioritising the need to know crucial information such as the safety guidelines for airports, hotels and in destination procedures. We understand that obtaining the latest travel safety and destination updates when planning an International trip can be confusing during these times, therefore have created a dedicated online portal comprising all the necessary safety information travellers would need to come to a travel decision. Our team of experts aggregate and maintain data from over 100 sources, through which the safety guidelines content is carefully vetted and updated to ensure accuracy, offering travellers access to the latest developments on travel guidelines from key destinations across the globe”. “We have also partnered with Mediclinic to ensure that our travellers have access to highest-quality testing facilities when undergoing pre-travel PCR tests. Through this partnership, we hope to offer our customers more flexibility and confidence to travel all the while armed with a valid PCR test health assurance that will encourage them to revive their delayed travel plans and explore the world” Ahussain added.

Etihad Airways has extended its digital reach with an update to its mobile application for Android, Apple and Huawei smartphones, enabling guests to manage their journey with even greater ease. New key features allow guests to purchase upgrades or other extras, use Etihad Guest Miles as a form of payment or choose from 10 other payment options, including Travel Bank, which have been added to the booking flow. Frank Meyer, Chief Digital Officer, Etihad Airways said, “To increase flexibility during the coronavirus pandemic, we established Travel Bank, an account which guests can use for future redemption on flights. With the new app, guests are now able to book their next flight with travel credits they have saved while being unable to fly due to travel restrictions. As we strive to make travel as convenient as possible, this is a step forward in our innovation strategy.” The refreshed mobile app is simple to use and allows guests to manage their details, book flights with voice search and enrol into the airlines loyalty programme, Etihad Guest. Uber and Google Maps are now also integrated into the app to direct travellers to and around the airport. If the status of a flight should change, an update is automatically pushed to guests through the app.

Texel Air announces the arrival of the latest addition to its fleet, the Boeing 737-700 FlexCombi, a first of a kind aircraft conversion developed to provide the most versatile third party cargo charter solution available in the market today. The aircraft arrived at the Company’s private hangar at the Bahrain International Airport where it was greeted by H.E Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of Transportation & Telecommunications alongside other VIPs and the management and Board members of Texel Air. George Chisholm, Chief Executive Officer for Texel Air’s parent company Chisholm Enterprises, added, “From our strategic position in Bahrain, a growing regional hub for aviation and logistics, we will operate this versatile aircraft, serving an international roster of clients that have long awaited a solution that provides them with unmatched levels of flexibility.” He continued, “We would also like to thank the Ministry of Transportation & Telecommunications’ Civil Aviation Affairs for the support we have received throughout the development process, which has been excellent. The supportive ecosystem and infrastructure found in Bahrain’s aviation sector has been instrumental in allowing us to achieve the kind of innovations like the FlexCombi. Among the factors setting Bahrain’s aviation sector apart, and fostering our success, are the benefits of its investment strategies including its Free Trade agreements and open approach to start ups from outside, the Kingdom’s strategic geographic location, which makes it very well placed to serve the broader region, the Civil Aviation’s many strong bi-lateral ties and the deep experience and specialist expertise in its aviation services industry that has enabled us to bring in a unique aircraft that is more complicated than a standard passenger or cargo aircraft to be based …

Abu Dhabi Airports has welcomed Lebanese travellers arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) with special gifts upon their disembarkation from Middle East Airlines (MEA) flight ME418. The arriving travellers were greeted by AUH’s Wellness Ambassadors, in celebration of the arrival of the first MEA flight since March 2020. In line with the gradual resumption of commercial flights at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Middle East Airlines has resumed its flights between Beirut, Lebanon and the UAE capital. Abu Dhabi International Airport has implemented a range of health and safety measures including a team of specially trained Wellness Ambassadors to support passengers by answering common questions relating to keeping healthy during travel, encouraging social distancing, monitoring the regular sanitisation of surfaces, communicating testing and isolation procedures, and providing hand sanitiser and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves to passengers. Abu Dhabi International Airport has also introduced touch-less elevator technology as well as Sterix Gatesterilisation booths designed to safely disinfect a person within as little as three seconds. Other new technologies and precautionary measures deployed at the airport include thermal scanning cameras that incorporate the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and cameras with facial recognition capabilities and heat motion sensors.

Etihad Guest has launched exciting new offers for members to enjoy, from points transfers to discounted redemptions and more.Members who convert a minimum of 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles from other loyalty programmes between now and August 31, 2020 will receive one Tier Mile for every mile transferred, encouraging guests to help maintain or even upgrade their Tier status which will enable them to enjoy additional benefits. Points can be transferred from other loyalty programmes including, Air Miles, Citibank, Emirates NBD, Etisalat and First Abu Dhabi Bank. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group said, “In addition to the many deals that Etihad Guest is unveiling, we are currently offering a massive sale on miles redemption with a 30% discount on Guest Seats, hotel stays and car rentals when booking with Travel Rewards, valid for travel until 31 May 2021. Selected items on the Reward Shop are also discounted by 30%. We hope our members will enjoy taking part in these summer prizes”. UAE members who have the Etihad Guest mobile app will also save 30% when they redeem their miles through the app at Aldar malls across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain (WTC, Yas Mall, Al Jimi Mall) until 27 August 2020.In partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, members can take advantage of unbeatable brand discounts of up to 80% until 31 August 2020 across 21 malls participating in the summer-long Unbox Amazing promotion in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. Additionally, 1,000,000 Etihad Guest Miles, among other prizes are up for grabs as part of a series of Shop & Win prize draws. Members who spend more than AED 200 at any …

The Helicopter Company (THC) announced that it has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus Helicopters to purchase 10 H125 helicopters. The deal comes as part of THC’s commitment to further expand its fleet and introduce new services that fulfill market demand and support the development of the Kingdom’s wider aviation sector. Considered a multi-task aircraft, the Airbus H125 can carry up to six passengers and be easily reconfigured to suit varying requirements. THC will utilise the new additions to its fleet to roll out new services related to scenic tourism and aerial work such as filming, banner towing, and surveying. Commenting on the purchase agreement, Capt. Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC said, “We are proud to be contributing to the advancement of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and aviation industries through our innovative air transport services that guarantee passengers a one-of-a-kind experience to relish the beauty of the Kingdom from above. I would like to thank our partners at Airbus Helicopters who have ensured we have reached an agreement that matches our requirements, and we look forward to furthering our collaboration in the near future. I would also like to extend our thanks to PIF for their enduring support since our founding as we work together to advance Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry.” “The H125 is the perfect helicopter for developing commercial operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as it is a powerful and truly versatile aircraft, particularly suited to hot and high environments,” said Ben Bridge, Executive Vice President of Global Business at Airbus Helicopters.

Etihad Airways announced the expansion of its partnership with AccesRail, the world’s leading provider of air-rail intermodal solutions. The partnership allows Etihad to use AccesRail’s expertise to enable its customers to book train and coach tickets in Europe in conjunction with their air fare using the airline’s online booking platform, or through their travel agency. Etihad’s guests can connect to and from their international flights to rail routes operated by major European railway companies using the airline’s ‘EY’ code, including an expanded network of seven rail routes on Germany’s Deutsche Bahn from Frankfurt Main Airport. The partnership with AccesRail has also been extended to the United Kingdom to include 16 destinations westbound from London Heathrow on Great Western Railway, and subject to final government approval, to 28 cities across Italy on the country’s primary rail operator, Trenitalia. Ali Saleh, Etihad Airways Vice President Alliances and Partnerships, said: “This is a tremendous product, which provides convenient rail or coach connections at some of our key gateways in Europe, enabling customers to commence their Etihad journey from multiple domestic points with the best fares available, all on the same itinerary and ticket. “As we aim to personalise the guest experience in-flight by providing more choice and greater customisation, we continue to source more strategic partnerships which will mirror this on the ground, giving options and benefits to the many who choose to travel with us in Europe. We soon hope to expand the partnership with AccesRail to more continents.” Andrew Popescu, Vice President Business Development, AccesRail said, “We are excited to be deepening our Etihad-AccesRail cooperation and look forward to continuing with Etihad on a global scale. Through this enhanced AccesRail partnership, …