Category Archives: Aviation

General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) has launched a new fast-track passport control service that uses face and iris-recognition technologies. Director-General of GDRFA-Dubai Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Airports Jamal Al Hay, Chief Operating Officer of Emirates Airline Adel Al Redha, Assistant Director General of the Airport Immigration Department at GDRFA-Dubai Colonel Talal Al Shanqeti, and several senior officials attended the launch event for the new service. New biometric systems deployed at 122 smart gates at arrival and departure terminals in Dubai airports enable passengers to complete passport control procedures in five to nine seconds depending on the movement and steps of the passenger. Pre-registration is required to avail of the service. GDRFA-Dubai organised a tour for media at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 to introduce the new smart service. Outbound passengers can avail themselves of the new fast-track service at the smart gates located at the departure terminal after obtaining their boarding pass and completing pre-registration. Using advanced artificial intelligence (AI), the new service enhances passengers’ travel experience by expediting immigration procedures. The newly developed system is part of GDRFA-Dubai’s efforts to develop innovative smart services in line with the leadership’s directives to integrate advanced technologies into all government services to enhance people’s quality of life. Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri said GDRFA-Dubai is keen to launch new projects and initiatives that use state-of-the-art technologies to transform service efficiency. He said the department will continue developing its services to enhance customer experience, as part of efforts to contribute to the leadership’s vision to make Dubai one of the smartest cities in the world. Al Marri noted that GDRFA-Dubai is …

Etihad Airways and Gulf Air signed a Strategic Commercial Cooperation Agreement (SCCA) to deepen their partnership between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain and beyond the respective hubs. The wide-ranging SCCA, subject to obtaining applicable governmental and regulatory approvals, sets out specific actions for deepening and broadening commercial cooperation, building on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) the airlines signed in 2018. The SCCA envisages a phased approach to closer collaboration between the partners. In the first phase, by June 2021, the scope of the partners’ codeshare agreement, first signed in 2019, will be significantly expanded. Etihad and Gulf Air will be able to offer up to an additional 30 combined destinations beyond the Abu Dhabi and Bahrain hubs, across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. The Strategic Commercial Cooperation Agreement was signed by Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, and Captain Waleed AlAlawi, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer. Tony Douglas said, “This agreement reinforces the strength of the ongoing partnership between our two airlines. We look forward to exploring pragmatic ways in which the two carriers can increasingly work seamlessly between our two capitals, enhance benefits and customer experience for our most frequent travelers and further extend the reach of our joint networks beyond our hubs.” Captain AlAlawi said,  “Our relationship with Etihad Airways has always been strong and today we are reaching a higher level of collaboration with many more opportunities on the horizon between the national carriers of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. This agreement will empower both of us to offer a more elevated experience to passengers and widen their travel options.”  

Qatar Airways to become the first global airline to offer passengers 100 percent Zero-Touch technology for its award-winning Oryx One in-flight entertainment system across the A350 fleet as part of the airline’s latest COVID-19 safety measures. The Zero-Touch technology, introduced in partnership with the Thales AVANT IFE system, will enable A350 passengers to pair their personal electronic devices (PEDs) with their seat-back IFE screen by connecting to ‘Oryxcomms’ Wi-Fi and simply scanning a QR code displayed on the screen. They can then use their PEDs to navigate and enjoy more than 4,000 options on offer through the airline’s award-winning Oryx One in-flight entertainment system, limiting the frequency of on board surface contact and providing greater peace of mind throughout the duration of their journey. Qatar Airways is also set to become the first airline in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa region to offer passengers in Business and Economy the option to pair their personal Bluetooth headphones with the onboard seatback IFE system in all cabins on the Boeing 787-9 fleet. His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways, said, “As an industry leader in the fight against COVID-19 and the first global airline to recently achieving a 5-Star rating in the coveted Skytrax Airline Safety Rating, Qatar Airways is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and hygiene onboard its aircraft at all times. “The introduction of the state-of-the-art Zero-Touch technology, and enabling passengers to use their personal Bluetooth headset on board is an important step in taking our already rigorous and stringent COVID-19 precautions to another level, limiting passenger surface contact and preventing any possible spread of infection on board. We hope it …

Backed by SITA’s state-of-the-art technology, Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) newly opened Passenger Terminal is better prepared to respond to the changing demands of travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ultra-modern facility positions BIA as the most advanced boutique airport in the Gulf, increasing its capacity to 14 million passengers per year. A key focus for Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the airport’s operator and managing body, was to optimize the passenger experience and operations to quickly recover from the pandemic through 2021 and beyond. Using SITA’s Operations at Airports portfolio, the airport benefits from real-time insights, improved stakeholder collaboration, and increased agility to optimize operations. The solution includes SITA’s Flight Info Displays Systems (FIDS), providing a dynamic platform for communicating important information and managing the passenger flow. Roger Nakouzi, Vice President Sales, SITA, said, “Thanks to new SITA technology, Bahrain International Airport can leap forward and make operations resilient, agile, and safer for all passengers. The implementation allows for deeper integration of Smart Path throughout the airport and further installation of automated systems, future-proofing the airport for decades to come.” Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, Chief Executive Officer, BAC  said, “In addition to the new Passenger Terminal, the AMP includes several infrastructure development projects that will contribute to the realization of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, laying the foundation for a more sustainable and diversified economy. With SITA’s support, we have enhanced operational efficiency and are in a stronger position to meet the new standards and measures required during COVID-19.”

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is gearing up for the commencement of its flights to Egypt with an exclusive one-time offer of 2,500 tickets to Alexandria for an incredibly low fare of only AED 49. The 2,500 tickets include all seats on the airline’s inaugural flight to Alexandria on 22 February, with the remaining special offer fares of AED 49 for a one-way ticket available on a first-come-first-serve basis across select flights to or from Alexandria. Open to everyone, these exclusive tickets are on sale from Wednesday 17th to Thursday 18th February at wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, now also available in Arabic. Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said, “We are delighted to offer travellers keen to visit loved ones or interested in exploring the amazing destinations of Alexandria and Abu Dhabi, the opportunity to do so affordably. We can’t wait to welcome you on board, these tickets aren’t going to last long!” Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the result of a joint venture partnership between ADQ and Wizz Air Holdings plc, is steadily expanding its route network to popular destinations including Athens, Thessaloniki, Alexandria, Tel Aviv, Kutaisi, Larnaca, Odesa and Yerevan. With a fleet composed of four brand new Airbus A321neo aircraft, the airline has the region’s youngest aircraft, delivering the lowest fuel burn, emissions, and noise footprint. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has also embraced the new era of sanitized travel, with enhanced hygiene measures to ensure the health and safety of all passengers and crew. Click here to view Wizz Air’s new health and safety video.

Emirates announced that the flights to South Africa will remain suspended until March 10 2021, in line with recent government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa, into the UAE. They reiterated that customers holding tickets with final destinations in South Africa will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Emirates’ regrets any inconvenience caused. Affected customers should contact their travel agent or Emirates contact centre for rebooking options. To receive update notifications, customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking. Emirates remains committed to serving our customers in South Africa, and look forward to resuming passenger services when conditions allow. They stated that they continue to work closely with all relevant authorities in this regard, and will endeavour to provide their customers with as much support and notice as possible.

Emirates announced that in line with government directives, passenger services from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) to Dubai are temporarily suspended until February 28, 2021.Customers from both Abuja and Lagos will not be accepted for travel prior to or including this date. Passengers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not allowed entry into the UAE (whether terminating in or connecting through Dubai). Emirates flights from Dubai to Lagos and Abuja will continue to operate as per the normal schedule.   We regret the inconvenience caused. Affected customers should contact their booking agent or contact the Emirates Call Centre for rebooking. In order to receive update notifications, customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking. In another announcement by Emirates stated Flights to Sao Paulo: Emirates will resume passenger services from Dubai to Sao Paulo with flight EK 261 on 11 Feb 2021. Customers with Sao Paulo as their destination will be accepted for travel from this date. However, Flights from Sao Paulo: Passenger services from Sao Paulo to Dubai will remain suspended until 28 Feb 2021. Customers from Sao Paulo will not be accepted for travel prior to this date. Emirates regret the inconvenience caused. Affected customers should contact their booking agent or contact the Emirates Call Centre for rebooking.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has confirmed the start of its route from Abu Dhabi to Alexandria, Egypt on February 22. The connection between Abu Dhabi and Alexandria provides an ultra-low fare travel option for tourists and residents in both UAE and Egypt. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, now also available in Arabic language, with fares starting as low as AED 179. Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said: “Alexandria is an exciting destination steeped in history located on Mediterranean waters. The UAE and Egypt provide a popular travel corridor for residents and tourists in the region, and we are committed to providing options that are more viable and affordable for travellers. We look forward to seeing you on board our aircraft soon.” Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and a major economic hub for both tourism and industry. The city extends 40 km along the northern coast of Egypt situated by the Mediterranean Sea. The destination is well known for its antiquity as the site of the Pharos, the great lighthouse, considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world as well as the ruins of the Temple of Serapis, as well as the Serapion, which was part of the legendary library at Alexandria. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has the youngest fleet composed of four brand new Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprint. The airline has also introduced a new era of sanitized travel across its network, with enhanced hygiene measures to ensure the health and safety of passengers and crew.  Click here to view Wizz Air’s new health and …

As part of the trial project, SimplyGo is partnering with technology provider SITA. SITA’s advanced technology platforms and experience in border management, airport, and airline operations were crucial in distributing the SimplyGo platform across continents. For the first time, a small group of air travelers flying from Germany and Estonia to the United Arab Emirates has tested the health data platform and app SimplyGo in a live environment. Peter Bauer, founder of SimplyGo, said, “The trial demonstrated that SimplyGo technology supports travelers and airlines in adhering to health requirements and secure systems. The app is extremely simple for travelers to use. Just a few clicks and users securely store their COVID-19 test or vaccination information, making it accessible for airlines and border officials. There’s no paperwork or bar code at the check-in needed, all data is managed securely and highly protected from fraud. This trial is the first step in rolling out SimplyGo, to help restore confidence in air travel and to ensure a safer and more efficient air travel for all.” Jeremy Springall, Vice-President SITA AT BORDERS, said, “As the technology provider for the air transport industry we are working closely with governments, industry bodies, and border organizations globally to mitigate health risks of travel during the pandemic. SITA’s Health Protect ecosystem enables interoperability and acts as a bridge between health passport schemes, airlines, airports, and governments. It comprises a suite of solutions, including SITA Health ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), SITA APP, and SITA Flex for in-airport passenger flow monitoring. Selecting the right combination of products and integrating with a health pass system like SimplyGo, ensures governments are aware of who is intending to travel and their health status. …

Emirates announced that on the directives by the governments of the State of Kuwait and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, temporary restrictions are in place as follows: for State of Kuwait – Emirates will not accept non‑Kuwaiti national passengers on flights from Dubai to Kuwait, from 7 to 20 February 2021. Customers holding tickets with Kuwait as a final destination will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Exemptions are first‑degree relatives of Kuwaitis, domestic workers travelling with Kuwaiti sponsors, and domestic workers registered on Belsalamah platform. For Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Emirates will not accept non‑Saudi national passengers on flights from Dubai to Saudi Arabia, until further notice. Customers holding tickets with final destinations in Saudi Arabia will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Exemptions are Diplomatic passport holders and Health Practitioners and their families. They regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking options. To receive update notifications, customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking.