Category Archives: Aviation

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.

Australia is a key and highly valued market in the global network of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, with the three largest cities, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane all served daily. In response to the country’s devastating bushfires, Etihad Airways will waive flight change fees for Australian residents affected by this ongoing national emergency. The waivers will apply for travel to or from Australia. UAE-based Australians, or those in Australia seeking changes to their Etihad flights as a result of the fire emergency, should contact Etihad Guest Services in the UAE. In addition to passenger fee waivers, the airline will also work in partnership with Emirates Red Crescent to raise funds within the UAE to help support bushfire relief. As part of its international workforce, Etihad is the proud employer of more than 300 Australian nationals outside Australia, who, with their families, number more than 1,000. Most reside in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, where the airline is based.  In total, some 16,000 Australian nationals live and work in the UAE.

Emirates is all set to showcase its latest flagship Airbus A380 to visitors and spectators on January 15, 2020 at the Kuwait Aviation Show 2020. Visitors to the show will be able to tour the popular double-decker’s signature interiors and experience its industry trendsetting products across all three classes, including Emirates’ latest generation Onboard Lounge. Always a popular draw for aviation enthusiasts, industry visitors and the general public, Emirates’ latest generation Airbus A380 will be decorated in blue livery, representing the ‘mobility’ theme of Expo 2020, and spreading awareness about the world’s greatest show which will be hosted for the first time in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asian region. Expo 2020 Dubai will be held between October 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021. Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East & Central Asia for Emirates said, “The Expo 2020 ‘mobility’ themed Emirates A380 being showcased during the Aviation Show demonstrates our long-standing commitment and contribution to Kuwait’s air transport sector, which is investing in development projects and progressively positioning itself for future growth. It also highlights the importance of air connectivity and mobility as a facilitator of trade, tourism and strong relations between Kuwait and the UAE.” Emirates has been serving Kuwait for 30 years, and today operates to the country’s capital with 6 daily flights, providing business and leisure travellers with choice and connectivity to over 150 global destinations. The airline also operates its latest world-class products to Kuwait, including its latest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with the ‘Game Changer’ First Class suites. Anticipated to be popular with aviation enthusiasts as well as the general public, the Emirates A380 will feature 14 …

Turkish Airlines added Xi’an, the Chinese city with three thousand years of history, to its flight network on December 30, 2019. Xi’an became the flag carrier’s fourth destination in Mainland China and the 318th destination in the world. The flights will be operated three times a week with Airbus A330 aircrafts. Starting its flights to People’s Republic of China back in 1999 with Beijing as its destination, Turkish Airlines reinforced its strong position in Asia with the Xi’an flights. With this new addition, global carrier’s flight network encompassed the entirety of the historical Silk Road that started in Xi’an and ended in Venice. During the ceremony of the inaugural flight Bilal Ekşi, Turkish Airlines General Manager, stated, “We will carry our guests to 126 countries from Xi’an, one of the most significant historical capitals while transferring the historical Silk Road to above clouds with our cargo operations. Our new flights will also contribute to the tourist numbers coming to our country with the increasing attention from Chinese tourists to tourism centres of Turkey.” Turkish Airlines passengers travelling to Xi’an, one of the oldest civilizations of the world, will have the opportunity to explore the numerous cultural heritages along with the historical fabric of the three thousand years old city. Serving as the capital of 13 different dynasties during the history of China, the region’s most popular destination is the Terracotta Army, which draws over two million tourists annually.

RwandAir’s new Flight Pass takes off with Optiontown enabling savvy travellers to enjoy savings offered by Flight Pass. RwandAir customers could now save from their ticket purchases thanks to a new partnership with Optiontown. The new offering enables customers to conveniently pre-purchase RwandAir flights at the best available price and decide when they want to travel at a later date. To find out more or to book the RwandAir Flight Pass, visit rwandair.optiontown.com Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir said, “The linkup with Optiontown could offer substantial savings for our clients following the launch of our RwandAir Flight Pass. Our customers will be able to enjoy a new world of flexible flights and cheaper tickets thanks to the launch of this new product in partnership with Optiontown.” Sachin Goel, Founder & CEO, Optiontown said, “Optiontown which is a pioneer in developing innovative travel options is excited to partner with RwandAir to launch our flagship product Flight Pass, which enables passengers to save on travel costs and makes flight planning and booking extremely easy and convenient. We’re confident the launch will increase customer loyalty for RwandAir and enhance the booking experience with the leading African airline.”