Category Archives: Aviation

Requests for assistance for airline passengers with intellectual disabilities have seen an increase of 342 per cent in Middle East and Africa, following a 10-month long campaign to raise awareness of a dedicated Special Service Request (SSR) booking code by travel technology company, Travelport. SSR codes are used in the airline industry to communicate traveller preferences or needs to airlines. They are delivered through standardised four-letter codes defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The DPNA SSR code can be used by travel agents, among others, to alert airlines when a passenger has intellectual or developmental disability and needs assistance.   As part of its campaign to raise awareness of the DPNA SSR code, Travelport has shared educational ‘sign-on alerts’ and graphical ‘prompts’ more than 10 million times with hundreds of thousands of travel agents across the world through Travelport Smartpoint, its flagship Point of Sale solution that is used by travel agents, among others, to search and book airline seats, hotel rooms and more. The digital media used to reach travel agents is typically sold by Travelport to travel providers, like airlines and hotels, as advertising space.   Mark Meehan, Travelport’s Global Vice President and Managing Director of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Operators, said, “SSR codes play an important role in helping travel agents effectively and officially communicate the needs of travellers to IATA airlines, so it’s important agents are aware of the codes at their disposal and the kind of support that can be requested.”

Etihad Airways has become the most recent airline to partner with UK’s easyJet, one of the world’s largest airlines. This new partnership means customers can purchase tickets through the easyJet worldwide website connecting the two airlines’ networks and opening new and exciting possibilities for travel between Europe, Africa, the Azores and the UAE. The collaboration comes into effect immediately. The partnership follows easyJet’s accelerated and successful roll out programme with world-leading flight comparison search engine, Dohop, which powers the easyJet worldwide website connecting its European network with long-haul flights. For Etihad, this has been achieved using the NDC (New Distribution Capability) platform providing technical capability for new partnerships previously not possible. The partnership with easyJet and Dohop is the UAE national airline’s first use of this technology and Etihad plans to add more airlines and travel partners to their NDC portfolio in 2020. Ali Saleh, Vice President Alliances and Partnerships, Etihad Airways, said, “This new collaboration between two great brands is a logical leap forward for both our companies. easyJet is a perfect launch partner for us in Europe, allowing us to reliably increase the breadth of our continental reach to and from Abu Dhabi, as we enhance ways of connecting directly with more airlines and travel partners around the world.”  Rachel Smith, Head of Commercial Partnerships, easyJet, said, “We’re excited to announce our partnership with Etihad Airways, which opens up Abu Dhabi as a destination to our passengers and more of Europe to Etihad. Through smart self-connections and strategic partnerships, we continue to extend the reach of the worldwide by easyJet network offering more value and more routes to more customers.”

Glimpses into Air Traffic Control (ATC) modernisation and innovation will be provided to aviation industry stakeholders at the ATC Forum which is returning to Dubai for its third straight year in June 2020 during the record-setting Airport Show, the world’s largest annual airport industry gathering. The event is coming at a time when it has been predicted that more than half of the Top 20 biggest traffic flows will include Asia-Pacific, while four will come from the Middle East. Five of the 20 fastest growing traffic flows over the next two decades will also be in the MENA region. ATC Forum is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group. His Excellency Mohammed A. Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), remarked, “ATC Forum will help regulators and the stakeholders understand the latest ATM developments and trends to make the aviation industry safe and secure.” Air Traffic Control is of tremendous importance in the Arabian Gulf region which is projected to have over 2.6 million flights per annum by 2030. The UAE will be handling about 1.85 million flights annually in 2030, when the average daily flights will reach 5,087. The ATC market is expected to grow globally to US$57 billion by 2022. Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibitions Director, Reed Exhibitions, said, “Though air traffic congestion has improved drastically across the region, a global study has projected the number of passengers delayed between one and two hours will grow from around 50,000 each …

Etihad Airways will mark Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2020 by operating a special ‘eco-flight’ from Abu Dhabi to Brussels, featuring a range of initiatives designed to illustrate the airline’s broad commitment to sustainable practices in the air and on the ground. Flight EY 57, departed at 2.20 am on January 13, operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the newest and most efficient type in the Etihad fleet, which consumes at least 15 per cent less fuel than any aircraft type previously flown by the airline. The aircraft will follow an optimised flight route facilitated by the European airspace navigation service provider Eurocontrol to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. A range of other initiatives will be undertaken before, during and after the flight to highlight incremental opportunities to reduce the airline’s impact on the environment. The aircraft will follow an optimised flight route facilitated by the European airspace navigation service provider Eurocontrol to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. A range of other initiatives will be undertaken before, during and after the flight to highlight incremental opportunities to reduce the airline’s impact on the environment. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Sustainable practice is a critical and continuing challenge for the air transport industry, which is striving to reduce carbon emissions and waste, while meeting soaring demand for air travel. It is also a key priority for the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in which Etihad is a critical driver of both social and economic development. This year’s national theme of the United Arab Emirates is ‘2020: Towards the next 50’. Etihad is committed to working continuously with a range of partners as part of a …

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ largest national flag-carrier, hails the UAE’s five-year multiple-entry tourist visas for all nationalities, including Filipinos. This more relaxed visa policy makes it easier for the significant Filipino community in the UAE to bring their families and loved ones to the country more frequently. On the back of this development, CEB further boosts its commitment to make air travel accessible to everyone, particularly the significant Filipino community in Dubai with its trademark Crazy Seat Sale on January 15, 2020. More details on the sale will be rolled out soon on CEB’s official social media pages. Travel deal-hunters will be able to plan their holidays as well as take advantage of these exciting promotional offerings. CEB launched its first long-haul services with direct flights between Manila and Dubai in 2013, in the mission of serving the over one million Filipinos in Dubai. Its no-frills flying model has propelled it to become the preferred carrier of overseas Filipinos. Passengers looking for the best travel deals can stay updated by subscribing to the Cebu Pacific newsletter. Passengers can book seats on sale, and lowest year-round fares through www.cebupacificair.com or the mobile app, available both in Google Play and App Store. Those who prefer to pay in cash may pay over the counter at any branch of Al-Ansari Exchange, UAE Exchange and Al Rais Travels located across the country, within 24 hours of making a booking online.

Travelport confirmed that the company is now the sole global distribution system (GDS) provider of Air India’s domestic flight content in India. The contract, which was awarded to Travelport following a competitive bidding process, came into effect in November 2018 and was fully implemented as of January 1, 2020. It means, Travelport is now the only GDS provider through which travel agents in India can receive both Air India’s domestic and international flight content. The company also continues to provide all domestic and international flight content from the carrier to its wide network of travel agents across the world. As Air India is signed up to Travelport’s leading merchandising solution, Travelport rich content and branding, travel agents booking through its platform benefit from a graphically rich experience when searching for and booking the airline’s branded fares, as well as greater access to its ancillary offers. The milestone comes just one month after Meenakshi Malik, Executive Director of Commercial Operations at Air India, revealed that the carrier had already seen ‘growth of 22 per cent’ in operational profit and ‘cut down cost by around ₹300 crore’ since it began changing its distribution strategy. Malik also projected a saving of ‘₹3200 crore in five years’. Martin Herbert, Regional Managing Director for India and Sri Lanka at Travelport, said, “Wide and cost-effective distribution, coupled with impactful merchandising, are important to all airlines and we’re proud we are now the sole GDS provider of these services to Air India when it comes to both domestic and international content in India.” Sandeep Dwivedi, Chief Operating Officer at InterGlobe Technology Quotient, said, “Now that we have had a glimpse of last year’s performance, with respect to …

Miral finalised a partnership with Etihad Airways, to secure exclusive naming rights of Yas Bay Arena. As part of the agreement, Abu Dhabi’s first-of-its-kind multi-purpose, indoor entertainment venue will officially be named Etihad Arena. With Etihad Airways’ track record for connecting Abu Dhabi to the world and promoting the UAE as a vibrant and growing hub for culture, business and tourism, the airline is the perfect partner to help further raise the profile of this unique venue and Yas Island as a destination. With both companies playing a key role in the emirate’s economic diversification and development strategy, the new partnership will help position the Etihad Arena as one of the leading entertainment venues in the region and an important addition to Yas Island and Abu Dhabi’s entertainment and tourism offering. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group commented, “It’s an honour to partner with an Abu Dhabi institution such as Miral on this joint venture, that will further promote Abu Dhabi and Yas Island as a hub for entertainment, tourism and culture. Etihad Arena complements our global presence at a number of sporting and entertainment venues, most notably Etihad Stadium in Manchester, home of Manchester City Football Club.” Commenting on the agreement, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, said, “As our national airline with international reach, Etihad Airways is the ideal partner to help position the newly named Etihad Arena competitively on the local and regional map of live entertainment destinations. The new venue will be a significant addition to the unique offerings on Yas Island and in Abu Dhabi, creating unforgettable experiences, and helping us deliver on our vision to position Yas Island as …

Millennium Resort Salalah announces its partnership with Fly Dubai. This partnership is aimed at promoting the laudable services of the resort and the airlines, and to boost tourism in the region at the same time. The partnership favors not only guests but also the airline staff with several benefits, offering them a convenient and hassle-free travel experience. Fly Dubai passengers and the airline staff can take advantage of the facilities that come along with this partnership. Starting with a complimentary airport transfer, to a 24-hour check-in check out, guests won’t have to shell out an extra dime to avail these conveniences. Along with this, up to two kids can go free with one adult. Commenting on the partnership with Amr Hussein, Fly Dubai, General Manager of Millennium Resort Salalah, said, “Our partnership with Fly Dubai comes as part of our striking efforts in building tactical partnerships intended to drive footfall to our resort. The association does not limit the benefits just to the Fly Dubai passengers, but it also allows the airline staff to enjoy the same complimentary facilities. Upon their stay, the guests will enjoy incredible hospitality and an unforgettable stay experience at our resort. We are positive about this partnership and are looking forward to receiving more bookings in the following months.” Further, Hussein commented, “We are excited about this strategic partnership that will not only help to boost passenger booking but will also allow Millennium Resort Salalah to endorse its exemplary property and services. Allowing the passengers to enjoy a 24-hour check-in check out with few more added benefits, fittingly promotes both partners.”

Amadeus and Air India have announced signing the new distribution agreement. The airline will benefit from the world’s largest and most diverse travel seller community, using the best professional sales technology underpinned by the Amadeus Travel Platform. Travel sellers in India will have access to the airline’s pure full international content only, while travel sellers in the rest of the world will have access to the full range of Air India’s content, both domestic and international. Working with Amadeus will help accelerate the airline’s growth in 2020 and beyond, an important step in the airline’s vision and renewed relationship with Amadeus. Meenakshi Mallik, Commercial Director, Air India, said, “We are pleased to renew our relationship with Amadeus to support our growth strategy globally and hope that this is the first step in our new journey together. We look forward to working closer with Amadeus to support agencies and travellers in the future.” Cyril Tetaz, Executive Vice President, Airlines, Asia Pacific, Amadeus, said, “We are glad to once again work with Air India and play a positive role in the airline’s growth strategy. Amadeus’ simple, open and agile system will allow Air India to innovate, experiment and collaborate to create new products which will add value to customers and create upsell or cross-sell opportunities.”

As part of the agenda of the meeting, the UAE Cabinet approved Air Arabia Abu Dhabi as a national carrier airline for the UAE in order to enhance civil aviation in the country and to allow the aviation sector to keep pace with future development plans and directions.  The resolution reflects the importance the government attaches to the aviation sector. The UAE government invested considerable efforts to improve this sector and support all the businesses working in it. The government gives the aviation sector all forms of support in line with the comprehensive development plans occurring in the country.