Category Archives: Aviation

Air Arabia announced the launch of its newest route connecting Sharjah and Vienna, the capital of Austria. Commencing operations on December 20th, 2024, the new service will operate with a frequency of 4 non-stop weekly flights, providing travelers with a direct and efficient connection between the two vibrant cities.     Schedule from and to Vienna, effective December 20, 2024 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency G9 970 Sharjah 08:00 Vienna 11:25 Airbus A320 Monday/Friday G9 971 Vienna 12:15 Sharjah 20:50 Airbus A320 Monday/Friday G9 970 Sharjah 18:00 Vienna 21:25 Airbus A320 Wednesday/Saturday G9 971 Vienna 22:25 Sharjah 07:00 Airbus A320 Wednesday/Saturday Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: ” The addition of Vienna to Air Arabia’s expanding European network, not only strengthens the airline’s commitment to providing affordable travel globally but also opens exciting opportunities for both leisure and business travellers. This newly introduced route reflects our ongoing commitment to offering travellers with diverse and compelling destinations and we look forward to welcoming our passengers onboard to explore the historic and dynamic city of Vienna.” Air Arabia operates a fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 neo-LR aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The cabin configuration across the fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch compared to any economy cabin. The aircraft is equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming service that allows passengers to access a wide selection of entertainment directly to their devices. Customers can also enjoy a variety of delicacies between snacks, meals, and sandwiches from the on-board ‘SkyCafe’ menu at affordable prices. Customers can now book their direct flights …

Saudia Group, through Saudia and flyadeal, announced the addition of 8 new daily flights from Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam to Abha. This strategic move underscores the Group’s dedication to bolstering domestic tourism and aligning with the Saudi Tourism Authority’s efforts to promote Abha as a premier destination during “Aseer Season” and “Saudi Summer” campaigns. Saudia has increased its daily flights to Abha from 14 to 19, marking a notable 35.71% growth. Additionally, flyadeal has expanded its daily operations from 14 to 17 flights, reflecting a 21.42% increase. These enhancements are made possible through a modern and efficient fleet of 176 aircraft. This expansion is a key part of Saudia Group’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s tourism offerings and attracting global visitors. By increasing flight frequencies and seat capacity, Saudia Group seeks to meet the rising demand for travel, further enriching the domestic tourism experience. Saudia Group remains dedicated to strengthening its role in national tourism programs and fostering partnerships that bring the world closer to the Kingdom.

Akasa Air commenced operations to Jeddah, connecting it with Mumbai and Ahmedabad with direct flights. The inaugural flight on 15th July 2024 departed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 1935hrs IST and is scheduled to arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 2225AST. Akasa Air now operates daily direct flights connecting Jeddah with Mumbai and will further enhance this connectivity to operate 12 direct flights a week effective 21st July 2024. The launch of operations from Mumbai will be followed by the commencement of two weekly direct flights connecting Jeddah with Ahmedabad effective 20th July 2024.  Akasa Air commenced operations in Riyadh in June 2024, and the launch of services to Jeddah further solidifies the airline’s presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering enhanced options for air travel between the two countries at affordable fares.    Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer further shared, “We are delighted to expand our international network with the launch of operations to Jeddah. The response to our Mumbai-Riyadh route has been encouraging and reflects the need for enhanced connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. Direct flights connecting Jeddah with Mumbai and Ahmedabad will foster trade and provide further options to pilgrims from India to Jeddah and drive inbound tourism to the country. Akasa Air has emerged as India’s most dependable airline in a short time. As we rapidly grow our global presence, we remain committed to taking the dependable and affordable Akasa experience to the world.”  Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, Akasa Air added, “The launch of operations to Jeddah is yet another stepping-stone in our journey of taking the warm and efficient Akasa experience to the …

Delta and Riyadh Air sign strategic agreement to expand connectivity and premium travel options across North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. New partnership will include a range of benefits for consumers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. Delta, Riyadh Air to strengthen connectivity and harness future growth opportunities for both carriers. Agreement will enhance competition with an array of new travel choices for consumers, including future Delta service between the U.S. and Riyadh. Delta will serve as Riyadh Air’s exclusive partner in North America, while Riyadh Air will be Delta’s exclusive partner in Riyadh and beyond. Delta Air Lines, the world’s leading premium airline, and Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s innovative new full-service global carrier, have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of introducing a broad range of benefits for customers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and destinations beyond. The agreement, signed today at a ceremony at Delta’s World Headquarters in Atlanta, serves as the foundation for a strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen connectivity, expand their networks and drive future growth. This partnership with Riyadh Air will further Delta’s mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices, benefits and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Most importantly, Riyadh Air shares Delta’s commitment to providing an elevated customer experience, which is why we’re looking forward to building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Riyadh Air team and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as …

Emirates officially opened the doors to its first ever lounge in the region at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The airline’s newest dedicated lounge will accommodate customers flying on its triple daily A380 services. The AED 20 million (USD$5.4 million) investment, 900-square-metre lounge located in the airport’s newest Terminal 1 will cater to the airline’s First and Business class passengers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members, with the capacity to accommodate over 190 guests at any one time, in a variety of seating options. The investment reflects the airline’s commitment to progressively growing its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, supporting aviation goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and its ongoing dedication to ensuring a thoughtful and welcoming Emirates experience on the ground for customers flying from one of Emirates’ most important markets globally. This year, Emirates is also celebrating a milestone in its operations to Saudi Arabia, marking 35 years of service to Jeddah. The official opening of the lounge was attended by His Excellency Nasser Huwaiden Al Ketbi, Consul General of UAE in Jeddah, His Excellency Engr. Raed bin Ibrahim Al-Mudaiheem, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jeddah Airports Company (JEDCO), Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services at Emirates, Eng. Mazen Johar, CEO of JEDCO, Sami Aqil Abdulla, Senior Vice President Airport Services for Outstations and Business Support, Jabr Al-Azeeby, Vice President Commercial Operations for Emirates in Saudi Arabia, and Amer Al Arai, Airport Services Manager for Emirates at King Abdulaziz International Airport. Mohammed Mattar commented, “Jeddah was our first gateway into the Kingdom 35 years ago, so it’s fitting that the King Abdulaziz International Airport, a world-class facility …

Saudia Group and the Ministry of Investment have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to encourage global established companies to relocate their regional headquarters to the Kingdom as part of Saudi Arabia’s Regional Headquarters Program. Under the MoU, clients of the Ministry and investors will receive exclusive benefits and access to Saudia Group’s latest offerings on domestic and international flights. Additionally, the partnership includes logistics and shipping services facilitated by Saudia Cargo, as well as premium aviation and concierge services provided by Saudia Private. The collaboration will extend to joint efforts in local and international events organized by the ministry. The partnership reflects the commitment of both parties to contribute to the economic growth and diversification of the Kingdom. The MoU, signed by Khaled Tash, Saudia Group Chief Marketing Officer, and Mohammed Aba Hussain, Deputy of Integrated Investors Services at the Ministry of Investment, aims to provide a comprehensive package of benefits tailored for global companies seeking to establish regional hubs in the Kingdom. Khaled Tash, Saudia Group Chief Marketing Officer, said:”This strategic partnership between Saudia Group and the Ministry of Investment represents a significant leap forward. It promotes our position as a comprehensive aviation system dedicated to advancing and achieving the ambitious objectives of Vision 2030. By collaborating closely, we aim to optimize travel logistics for key national projects, facilitating seamless mobility both to and within the Kingdom while offering exclusive travel benefits.” Tash continued, “Saudia Group plays a crucial role in empowering cultural and tourism programs and activities, as well as Hajj and Umrah programs and services. We are committed to strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a logistics hub connecting the three continents, thereby promoting sustainable economic development and competitiveness.” …

flynas celebrated its first direct flight between Riyadh and El-Alamein International Airport on the north coast of Egypt recently adding the Mediterranean city to its list of summer destinations with scheueled flights for the first time in the region, further expanding tourist destinations options for flynas guests through its ever-growing international network. The outbound flight departed King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh after an inaugural ceremony attended by representatives from flynas and KKIA. It arrived at El-Alamein International Airport (DBB) at 5:30 PM to a welcoming ceremony attended by representatives from flynas, DBB, and other stakeholders in Egypt. flynas already connects the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with more than 120 weekly direct flights, and the operation of direct flights to DBB will make El-Alamein the fifth destination in Egypt, served by direct flights from flynas. The leading LCC operates direct flights from 5 Saudi cities, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al-Ula, to Cairo, Sohag, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Hurghada. The Egyptian capital of Cairo is connected to the Kingdom with direct flights to Cairo International Airport and Sphinx International Airport. Passengers traveling with flynas can book their flights through all flynas booking channels: www.flynas.com, the flynas app, the call centre (920001234), or travel agents. flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 78 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations, in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030.

Etihad Airways announced beginning 27 October, will increase its nonstop flight service between Boston and Abu Dhabi from four flights per week to once daily, offering North American corporate and leisure travellers more choice and flexibility when planning trips to the UAE and beyond to the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent. The decision to increase Boston flights to daily is based on the route’s strong performance and comes just three months after Etihad Airways introduced Boston as its fourth destination in the United States. Boston joined Chicago, New York and Washington D.C., as well as Toronto, Canada, further expanding Etihad’s North American footprint. “Our Boston service continues to perform strongly, with our flights near capacity since our inaugural flight in Boston this March,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad. “Having already experienced record passenger demand, we’re excited to invest further in the North American market by expanding our flight frequency out of Boston ahead of the peak winter travel season.” Etihad’s daily flights from Boston Logan International Airport to Abu Dhabi operate with a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring the airline’s acclaimed Business Studios and Economy Smart seats. With 28 seats in Business and 262 seats in Economy, the aircraft is equipped with entertainment systems, in-seat power, and in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, providing passengers with a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience, complemented by world-class service and hospitality. The Boston service is timed to offer convenient links to Etihad’s growing network for corporate business travellers and leisure guests connecting to destinations across the UAE, the Gulf region and the airline’s 11 nonstop routes into India. Etihad’s partnership with JetBlue ensures convenient connections to numerous cities throughout North America, …

Qatar Airways Holidays unveiled its latest offering – a curated collection of Qatar Stopover packages for travellers across the GCC region. Travellers booking their flights on Qatar Airways’ global network of over 170 destinations now have the option to transform one holiday into two by stopping over in Qatar for up to four nights. Designed to effortlessly bridge the journey and the destination, these packages will allow GCC travellers to explore the vibrant city of Doha, all while enjoying Qatar Airways’ signature hospitality and personalised world-class service, even on short stays. The new Stopover packages will remove the need for separate reservations and enable travellers in the region to streamline their travel plans through a new and improved booking process that incorporates flight and hotel bookings in one comprehensive itinerary. Discover Qatar and Qatar Airways Holidays’ Senior Vice President, Steve Reynolds, said: “We are delighted to introduce Stopover packages to our valued GCC travellers. As a world-class destination, Qatar’s offerings range from its rich cultural heritage to its modern attractions and through our new Stopover packages, we want to make it as accessible and convenient as possible for our customers to experience the beauty of this stunning country.” Enabled by Qatar Airways Holidays’ innovative booking tools, travellers can now book their flights and hotel accommodation through the Qatar Airways Holidays website, qatarairwaysholidays.com, with packages starting at just $14* per person for up to four nights. With four types of Stopover hotel categories, starting from 4-star hotels in the standard category, Qatar Airways Holidays offers options to suit every traveller’s needs. Travellers can further customise their packages by combining their hotel of choice with any flight class for a more personalised …

Geof Travel has been named the overall winner among Dubai and Northern Emirates travel agencies of the recently-concluded Philippine Airlines and Sabre Emquest’s Top Seller Campaign. Geof Travel will receive a trip for two to Palawan, Philippines, which includes two round-trip tickets and two nights of hotel accommodation.The contest ran from March 20 to May 31, 2024. “EmQuest was delighted to award Geof Travel with a voucher for a 2 night stay in Palawan. Geoffrey Salatan, CEO of Geof Travel, is a loyal EmQuest customer and Sabre user. We couldn’t be happier that the winner of Season 2 – EmQuest/Sabre & Philippines Airlines Top Seller Campaign – was won by such a good partner. Congratulations!”, Andrew Dowling, Emquest General Manager said. “Philippine Airlines is pleased to award Geof Travel with the top recognition in this year’s sales campaign. Geof has been a consistent Philippine Airlines supporter and this is yet another testament of the agency’s trust and confidence in booking their passengers to Philippine Airlines, the Heart of the Filipino”, Josh Vasquez, PAL Regional Head-EMEA quoted.