Category Archives: Aviation

SriLankan Airlines and Gulf Air have entered into a codeshare partnership with effect from December 18, 2019, significantly enhancing the travel options of their respective valued customers. Under this agreement, SriLankan Airlines will place its ‘UL’ code on Gulf Air’s flights from Bahrain to Colombo, the Greek capital Athens and Larnaca in Cyprus. Gulf Air will in turn place its ‘GF’ code on SriLankan Airlines’ flights from Colombo to Bahrain. Vipula Gunatilleka, Chief Executive Officer, SriLankan Airlines Group added, “We are pleased to enter into this codeshare agreement with Gulf Air. It is part of our strategy to create and strengthen partnerships with airlines of global reputation in terms of quality, service and reliability and we have no doubt that our valued passengers will enjoy their travel with Gulf Air.” Krešimir Kučko, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Air, said, “We are happy to sign with SriLankan Airlines and increase number of direct flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Sri Lanka. With our strong network in the Europe and North Africa, SriLankan Airlines can now offer more destinations to their passengers through our flights with one stop in our fast and efficient hub, Bahrain International Airport.” The codeshare agreement followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two airlines and is also intended to further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two nations of Sri Lanka and Bahrain.

Cebu Pacific (CEB) joins the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), the trade association for the global airline industry. CEB is IATA’s largest member among Philippine carriers, comprising 44 per cent of total domestic passenger volume and 46 per cent of total domestic cargo, based on data from the Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board. IATA leads and serves the airline industry representing over 290 member-airlines from 117 countries, representing 82 per cent of global air traffic. Cebu Pacific achieved full compliance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), joining a registry of 437 carriers worldwide that have strictly complied with an internationally-recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. Cebu Pacific was named the ‘Most Improved Airline’ for 2020 by airline safety and product review website airlineratings.com, citing the carrier’s commitment to ‘expand its global footprint using new generation fuel-efficient aircraft.’

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of new seasonal flights to Malaga in Spain, to meet strong customer demand from across the UAE and GCC for flights to the province of Andalucía. Three weekly flights will operate via the Moroccan capital, Rabat, from June 26 to September 13, 2020. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Malaga has been on our wish-list for some time and we are tremendously pleased to announce summer season services to the Costa del Sol, a region which for decades has been popular with travellers from across the United Arab Emirates. This will be the only service between the UAE and the main gateway to Andalucía. Together with Madrid and Barcelona, Malaga will be Etihad’s third destination in Spain, further boosting our successful operations to the Iberian Peninsula.” Etihad Airways’ three-class version of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features 8 private first suites, 28 business studios and 190 economy smart seats. The introduction of the aircraft will also provide new belly-hold cargo capacity between southern Spain and Abu Dhabi, and beyond to destinations on Etihad’s global route network. The number of visitors from the UAE to Spain has been rising rapidly, thanks in part to a successful Schengen visa waiver programme introduced for UAE nationals in 2015.

Etihad Airways and Kuwait Airways have signed a codeshare partnership on selected services on bookings effective December 22, 2019, for travel from January 5, 2020. Subject to regulatory approvals, Etihad will place its ‘EY’ code on Kuwait Airways operated flights from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait, Najaf and Dhaka. In turn, Kuwait Airways will place its ‘KU’ code on Etihad flights from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi, Belgrade, Casablanca, Rabat, Khartoum, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Male in the Maldives, and Mahe in the Seychelles. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “The joint network and product advantages of our codeshare collaboration with Kuwait Airways will create tangible benefits for our customers, building on the strong relationship between our two nations, while providing greater convenience and superior in-flight service and hospitality. Additionally, it gives Etihad unprecedented access to important markets not served by Etihad, particularly to Iraq and Bangladesh, where we have significant point-to-point and transfer traffic, and complements our existing services to cities such as Istanbul, enabling us to now offer flights to the city’s secondary gateway.” Kamel Al-Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Airways, said, “This new partnership will bring enhanced connectivity and increased convenience to our customers, who can expect the same level of impeccable service that they receive from our airline when they travel on codeshare flights to and from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi and beyond. The agreement will support Kuwait Airways and Etihad operations between our two capital cities and provide more travel options beyond both gateways. The codeshare partnership will give customers the simplicity of purchasing connecting flights on both airlines using one reservation, guaranteeing a seamless experience throughout their entire journey. Passengers and travel …

Etihad Airways has announced its “Etihad Airways” mobile application on the HUAWEI AppGallery enabling 390 million global monthly active users in more than 170 countries and regions to manage their journeys with even greater ease via the app. The Etihad Airways mobile app is simple and user-friendly, enabling comprehensive trip management functionalities by taking full advantage of the latest innovations in mobile technology. Guests can now organise their journeys via the app, including booking flights, checking-in for flights, securing a mobile boarding pass, checking flight status, or viewing their Etihad Guest miles balance. The addition to the HUAWEI AppGallery is a step forward in Etihad Airways Digital Guest Innovation strategy to enable a convenient, personalised digital travel experience and marks the first step in a new partnership between Etihad Airways and HUAWEI AppGallery. Etihad Airways and HUAWEI AppGallery will jointly explore more possibilities in this digital collaboration. For a start, Etihad’s mobile application will also be integrated into HMS ecosystem, delivering an even better user experience for Etihad Airways users on HUAWEI and HONOR devices. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “By launching this mobile app, we will be the first MENA carrier to launch a mobile app in the HUAWEI AppGallery, further solidifying its commitment to the China market and Chinese guests.” “The United Arab Emirates has gradually become one of the preferred places for Chinese outbound travel. The cooperation between Etihad Airways and HUAWEI AppGallery will be a big step attempt, since we aim to build the bridge between the best local content and our global users,” comments Adam Xiao, Managing Director of HUAWEI Mobile Services MEA, Consumer Business Group.

flydubai celebrated its inaugural flight to Yangon in Myanmar, expanding its network to include Southeast Asia. The new daily flights are codeshared with Emirates and will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB). On board the inaugural flight was a delegation led by Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Subcontinent and Africa) at flydubai. On arrival in Yangon, the delegation was met by His Excellency U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister of Yangon Region, Her Excellency Daw Nilar Kyaw, Minister of Electricity, Industry, Roads and Transport along with U Htun Myint Naing, Chairman of Asia World Group of Companies and Mr. Jose Angeja, COO of Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited. Speaking at the inaugural event Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Subcontinent and Africa) at flydubai, said, “We are delighted to start our new daily service to Yangon, as we see flydubai’s network expand further East. We are confident that the new service will not only support the trade links between the UAE and Myanmar but also become a popular route for passengers travelling from the UAE and the GCC and for those connecting to Europe and the USA with Emirates.” During his opening remarks at the event, His Excellency U Phyo Min Thein said, “Yangon International Airport plays an essential role in the tourism development of Myanmar. The airport is a gateway to international travel. We want to extend a warm welcome to flydubai’s inaugural flight today and give thanks to developing our tourism sector, and recognising Dubai as an international transit hub.”

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) welcomed Pegasus’ inaugural flights from Instanbul to Ras Al Khaimah on November 28. The flight departed from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) on November 27 at 9:50 pm and arrived at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) at 3:20 am on November 28. The arrival of the first flight was celebrated with a water cannon salute for the aircraft and a special cake cutting ceremony attended by key figures in the aviation industry, including representatives from RAK Civil Aviation, RAK Airport, RAKTDA and Pegasus. H.E. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, member of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah Executive Council shared, “We are proud to announce the new route between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. RAK is a key player in the local aviation market, and this is just one of the many developments we have planned for the airport in the coming months and years.” Raki Philips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority commented, “The new route from Istanbul to Ras Al Khaimah is a fantastic achievement for the airport. It opens up our beautiful emirate to key markets in Turkey and beyond. The new route is just in time for one of our busiest seasons, as the weather cools down, tourists are able to take full advantage of Ras Al Khaimah’s many great outdoor assets, inclusive of the beaches and mountains.” Sanjay Khanna, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport added, “The new route from Istanbul to Ras Al Khaimah is a fantastic achievement for our airport and I cannot wait to see the …

Etihad Airways received a special reception at Jeddah’s new Terminal 1. The inaugural flight was operated on Etihad’s Dreamliner with the distinctive Kingdom of Saudi Arabia livery. Etihad Airways flights to Jeddah have relocated from the old terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) to the new terminal (Terminal 1) with effect from November 18. The reception was attended by H.E. Nasir Al Ketbi General Consular of UAE; Essam Fouad, Director General of King Abdulaziz Airport; Captain Fahd Cynndy, CEO of Saudi Ground Services; Yousef Attiah, Director General of Terminal 1, and management from Etihad Airways. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “The introduction of the new terminal in Jeddah and the warm welcome we’ve received is a demonstration of our commitment to the Saudi market and it’s a reflection towards the deep relationship between the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As Etihad Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines continue to strengthen their partnership, the new terminal will also provide convenient travel options to our customers, boosting the codeshare connectivity on joint services.”

Saudi Arabia’s first low-cost airline, flynas has signed a firm order for 10 A321XLRs at Dubai Airshow 2019. The agreement was signed by Bandar Almohanna, Chief Executive Officer, flynas and Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus. In 2016, flynas signed an agreement for 80 A320neo Family and currently operates a fleet of 27 A320ceos and 4 A320neos. In 2018, the airline transported more than 6.6 million passengers on 60,000 domestic and international flights. The airline is currently operating over 1,200 flights weekly to 17 domestic destinations and 53 international destinations. The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A321LR which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. The aircraft will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700 nm with 30 per cent lower fuel consumption per seat, compared with previous-generation competitor jets. At the end of October 2019, the A320neo Family had accumulated more than 7,000 firm orders from over 110 customers worldwide.

Emirates announced the signing of a full purchase agreement for 30 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, worth US$ 8.8 billion at list prices, at Dubai Airshow 2019. Under its agreement with Boeing, Emirates has exercised its right to substitute the B777x with B787s. This deal includes Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with deliveries commencing in May 2023 and continuing for the next five years. For the B777x, Emirates will enter into discussions with Boeing over the next few weeks on the status of deliveries, taking Emirates’ total order with Boeing to 126 aircraft. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Chairman & Chief Executive signed the agreement with Stanley Deal, President and Chief Executive Officer for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The latest US$ 16 billion Airbus A350 order takes the total value of Emirates’ firm aircraft commitments at the 2019 Dubai Airshow to US$ 24.8 billion. HH Sheikh Ahmed said, “This is an important investment and addition to our future fleet and network requirements, providing us with the agility, flexibility, and spread of seat segments when it comes to the overall capacity to serve a range of destinations as we develop and grow our global route network. Our Boeing fleet is the key to our business model to serve international demand for travel to and through our Dubai hub, as we continue to contribute to the UAE’s strategy to become a global destination for business and tourism by providing high-quality air connectivity.”