Category Archives: Aviation

SAUDIA announced a partnership between AlFursan loyalty program and Choice Hotels, enabling AlFursan members to join Choice Privileges, the loyalty program of Choice Hotels. The agreement was signed by Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at SAUDIA, and Nour Ghanem, General Manager of Choice Hotels in Saudi Arabia. As part of the partnership, AlFursan members will earn 1,000 AlFursan reward miles for every 5,000 Choice Privileges points converted. Essam Akhonbay, the Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at SAUDIA, commented: “This partnership reflects SAUDIA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its global network of partnerships and offering more exclusive benefits to AlFursan members. With Choice Hotels’ extensive portfolio across the world, this collaboration opens a wealth of new opportunities for our members to enjoy exceptional travel experiences worldwide.” David Beers, CEO of Choice Hotels EMEA, said: “We continue to focus on adding redemption benefits that provide further value for our members so they can redeem the points they have earned by staying at nearly 7,500 Choice Hotels around the world. This new agreement is a great expansion of the rewards and opportunities that are available to the 65 million Choice Privileges members for their travels.” AlFursan members enjoy a wide range of benefits and exclusive offers through extensive local and global partnerships, allowing members to accelerate the earning of Miles to redeem for flights with SAUDIA and our SkyTeam partners.

RwandAir has signed an agreement with Euroairlines Group to improve the distribution of its more than 30 domestic and international routes. They will benefit from the network of travel agencies, OTAs, aggregators and consolidators in more than 60 countries that the Spanish company will make available to them through its IATA Q4-291 plate. The Rwandan company, based in Kigali, offers regular flights to 22 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, after 22 years of existence. RwandAir was born in December 2002 as a national airline under the name of Rwandair Express with a concession to provide airport ground services as an ancillary activity. In December 2009, the current RwandAir began operations with Kigali International Airport as its hub. Since then, it has been providing commercial and passenger services and has a fleet of 14 aircraft, including three Airbus aircraft with more than 250 seats, seven Boeing aircraft with more than 120 seats and four Bombardier aircraft with a capacity of more than 60 people. According to Euroairlines CEO, Antonio López-Lázaro, the agreement will intensify and consolidate the already significant growth experienced by the African airline in recent years. “For us, southern Africa is an area with a lot of potential, which is why it is strategic to have such an established partner in the region as RwandAir”, says López-Lázaro. “Between the two companies, we can bring great value to each other to drive our growth, and our presence in more than 50 markets supports our distribution network”, adds.

Kuwait Airways announced the strengthening of its partnership with Amadeus, which specializes in providing technology, innovation services and solutions to airlines, to develop a streamlined booking process for passengers travelling on Kuwait Airways. Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al-Fagaan, Chairman – Kuwait Airways stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to announce the strengthening of the partnership with Amadeus, one of the leading providers of technology and solutions for airlines in the global air transport sector. Through this partnership, Amadeus will enhance the booking mechanism to provide our valued customers with a simplified and streamlined process.” Al-Fagaan added, “Kuwait Airways customers can now book their flights in just three simple steps. This enhanced booking process has been designed to assist customers in the best possible way, providing them with essential information needed to make informed decisions quickly, while eliminating unnecessary complexities.” Al-Fagaan further stated, “Kuwait Airways is committed to providing its valued customers with an exceptional and comfortable travel experience and in facilitating the booking procedures for all our passengers. Through close collaboration with Amadeus, we can rely on their expertise and professionalism to significantly enhance the transformation of the digital experience for all our customers and Oasis Club members.” Maher Koubaa, EVP Travel unit and Managing Director, EMEA, Amadeus stated, “At Amadeus, we are proud to support Kuwait Airways on this transformative journey. Our ongoing dedication to enhancing the customer experience for Kuwait Airways passengers will continue to drive new innovations and improvements and providing them with diverse options.“

flydubai and Batik Air Malaysia announced an interline agreement that will offer flydubai passengers access to more than 40 destinations across Batik Air’s network via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). The interline agreement will offer passengers seamless connectivity between the UAE, Malaysia and beyond as they explore new routes on the carriers’ combined networks, offering the convenience of a single booking and through-checked baggage. flydubai customers will have the opportunity to explore more than 40 destinations across Southeast Asia on the Batik Air network including Hanoi, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Osaka and Sydney. ​In addition, Batik Air passengers will have the opportunity to travel conveniently to 38 destinations on flydubai’s growing network across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and Southeast Europe as well as the GCC and the Middle East. This includes unique destinations such as Entebbe, Istanbul, Milan-Bergamo, Prague and Zagreb. ​ Commenting on the interline agreement, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are pleased to add Batik Air to our growing list of partners, offering their passengers a smooth travel experience on a young and modern fleet, with our great service and enhanced cabin interior, as they explore our growing network. We look forward to offering our passengers more opportunities to explore Southeast Asia and beyond and we remain committed to creating free flows of trade and tourism and supporting Dubai’s position as a thriving aviation hub.” ​ ​ ​ Batik Air Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said that this agreement marks a significant step forward in expanding travel possibilities for valued passengers. “By bringing together the networks of Batik Air and flydubai, we’re not only making it easier for travellers to connect with …

Travelport and All Nippon Airways (ANA)  have signed a multi-source content distribution agreement that includes New Distribution Capability (NDC) content and servicing. Named a ‘Friendly Partner’ of ANA, Travelport is the first global distribution system (GDS) to confirm an NDC distribution agreement with the airline. Travelport and ANA are actively collaborating to make ANA’s NDC content available via Travelport+, targeting mid-year 2025. “Travelport has been a valued partner of ANA for many years as a result of our productive collaboration that enhances our modern retailing approach so we can provide exceptional experiences for our travelers,” said Keiji Omae, Executive Vice President of Customer Experience at ANA. “As we advance our NDC strategy, I am confident that Travelport can play a crucial role in helping us expand our reach and simplify the booking and servicing process as agents and travelers shop for our best offers.” Travelport and ANA have deepened their long-standing relationship to ensure that Travelport-connected agencies will continue to have simplified access to ANA’s wide range product offerings, including ancillary services. Travelport+ is the only modern retailing platform built for travel agencies. To date, thousands of travel agencies in more than 178 countries can easily search, sell and service multi-source content, including NDC, using Travelport’s APIs, Smartpoint Cloud and Smartpoint desktop agency point-of-sale solutions. “This pivotal agreement confirms that agencies using Travelport+ will be able to access relevant, personalized, and enriched multi-source content from ANA, which means travelers are presented with more choice among ANA’s best offers and fares,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Air Partners at Travelport. “As ANA’s friendly partner, we are dedicated to delivering ANA’s content to our agency customers in a retail-ready way so …

Emirates and the DP World Tour have inked an agreement for the airline to extend its status as the Official Airline and Marketing Partner of the leading professional golf Tour until the end of 2031. The airline currently supports an international roster of DP World Tour tournaments that cut across continents and culminate in the prestigious DP World Tour Championship, one of golf’s ultimate prizes, in its home of Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “We’re proud of our deep roots in golf, and of our role in boosting Dubai’s place as one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for top players and golfing enthusiasts with its world-class courses. Emirates’ continued investment in the DP World Tour will enable us to maintain our long-standing connection with golf fans across Europe, the US, Asia, Africa and Australia, and of course in our home of Dubai, where golf’s greatest names vie for the prestigious Race to Dubai title.” Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour, added: “Emirates are one of our longest serving partners and I’m delighted that they have decided to extend our relationship until the end of the 2031 season. They are extremely experienced in the sports sponsorship landscape and this long-term agreement is strong validation of the ongoing strength of our partnership platform as golf’s global Tour. As an airline that connects the world, we continue to build campaigns that resonate with Emirates’ global customer base.” During the multi-year partnership, Emirates will continue to benefit from highly visible branding throughout the season. In addition, Emirates will enjoy marketing opportunities across the Tour’s media and …

Etihad Airways has enhanced its digital platforms with new features that make travel easier and more personalised for guests. The improvements to etihad.com and the Etihad Airways mobile app introduce new market-specific payment options, expanded self-service capabilities, and enhanced loyalty programme features. Guests can now pay using local payment methods across key markets including India and Europe, easily modify their bookings through the improved self-service options, and seamlessly redeem Etihad Guest miles for flights and upgrades. The enhanced platforms also offer a more intuitive booking process with features such as calendar-based fare searches and local language options. In the Indian market specifically, customers benefit from Hindi language support, locally preferred payment options, and an innovative fare calendar that makes finding the best travel deals easier. These market-specific improvements reflect Etihad’s commitment to meeting the distinct needs of its global customer base. Looking ahead, Etihad Airways is focused on further enhancing the customer experience, with upcoming improvements to the check-in process and more accurate, timely travel updates. These changes will make the entire travel journey, from booking to arrival, even more seamless for guests. Frank Meyer, Chief Digital Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “Our commitment to digital innovation is unwavering. By consistently refining our digital touchpoints, we’ve been able to rapidly implement enhancements that directly benefit our customers. This agile approach allows us to stay at the forefront of the competitive airline industry and consistently exceed passenger expectations.” Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, added: “The growth in our digital channels has been remarkable, with online direct sales increasing significantly across our key markets. The close collaboration between our Commercial and Digital Technology teams has enabled us to …

Emirates has introduced Chauffeur-Drive Services (CDS) in Riyadh, further elevating the travel experience for discerning premium passengers arriving at and departing from King Khalid International Airport. Emirates customers travelling in First and Business Class will enjoy a stress-free, comfortable journey with a door-to-door experience that reflects the airline’s exceptional onboard experience and premium services. First and Business Class customers can request for CDS on any of the airline’s three daily flights to and from Riyadh. The exclusive service is complimentary for customers within a 100-kilometre radius of the airport. Excess Mileage will apply for areas beyond the served radius*. Emirates Chauffeur-Drive Services are currently offered in over 70 cities within the Emirates’ network. Emirates’ Chauffeur-Drive service can be booked through Manage My Booking option on www.emirates.com or Emirates’ call centres as well as through travel agents. Bringing a new level of comfort and luxury to Saudi Arabia. Emirates’ recent investments in its operations to the Kingdom underpin the airline’s commitment to bringing a new, heightened level of service and hospitality, both in the air and on the ground, for customers flying to and from one of Emirates’ most important markets globally.This includes a new dedicated lounge at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. The US$5.4 million, 900-square-metre lounge located in the airport’s newest Terminal 1 welcomes 190 guests at any one time, with seating tailored to the needs of business and leisure travellers. In early October, Riyadh became Emirates’ first GCC destination to welcome the airline’s refurbished Boeing 777, offering passengers an all-new Business Class cabin and highly acclaimed Premium Economy seats. The four-class Emirates Boeing 777 offers 24 Premium Economy seats, giving customers the opportunity to treat themselves to a more spacious seat …

Despite ongoing global geopolitical tensions, bottlenecks in aircraft production, and engine problems, Turkish Airlines continued its growth uninterruptedly thanks to its agility and extensive flight network, increasing passenger capacity by 5.4% in the third quarter of 2024. In the July-September period of 2024, Turkish Airlines’ total revenues increased by 4.9% year-on-year to 6.6 billion USD, even with the high base effect from the same period in 2023. Passenger revenues, which accounted for 84% of the total, increased to 5.6 billion USD driven by the strong contribution from the Far East region. At the same time, our Incorporation’s third-quarter cargo revenues rose by 47% year-on-year to 911 million USD. Turkish Cargo increased the amount of cargo transported by 16.8% compared to the same period in 2023 and became the world’s third-largest air cargo carrier in September, with a market share of 5.7%, according to data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Due to competitive pressure on passenger unit revenues along with the negative impacts of global inflationary environment and engine problems on costs, Profit from Main Operations recorded as 1.3 billion USD in the third quarter of 2024. Our Incorporation’s EBITDAR amounted to 2.3 billion USD and EBITDAR margin stood at 35.2%, exceeding both its historical average and peers. Financial income generated through Turkish Airlines’ effective and dynamic portfolio management also played a key role in supporting net profit. Aiming to expand its fleet to 800 aircraft by 2033 as part of its 100th Anniversary Strategy, Turkish Airlines increased its number of aircraft by 9% in the first nine months of the year to 467 in spite of bottlenecks in aircraft production. As a part of its diversification strategy …

Sabre Corporation  announced a major milestone in air travel distribution for India, with the launch of New Distribution Capability (NDC) content for Air India, the country’s flagship airline. As part of Air India’s strategic modernization efforts, the introduction of NDC offers through Sabre will enhance the way Sabre-connected travel agents shop, book and service Air India reservations. Sabre’s NDC capabilities, a core component of its multi-source content platform, will provide agencies with rich content and real-time offers from Air India, ultimately, giving travelers greater transparency, choice, and flexibility. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “At Air India, our aim is to deliver superior customer service through innovative technologies. By continuing to enhance our partnership with Sabre, we’re able to advance our NDC journey to meet the evolving needs of travel agencies and passengers, providing an enhanced experience.” Sabre and Air India already have an agreement in place to distribute Air India’s traditional content, both in India and globally. With the launch of NDC offers through Sabre, Air India aims to further optimize its distribution strategy, providing travel agencies with a broader range of real-time offers. By using Sabre’s technology, the airline will be able to offer a more streamlined, efficient shopping experience that meets the dynamic needs of the modern traveller. “We’re energized to extend our collaboration with Air India by launching their NDC content and helping to enhance their distribution capabilities,” said Kathy Morgan, Senior Vice President of Product Management, Distribution Experience, Sabre Travel Solutions. “India is a key market for Sabre and for the travel industry overall as it fuels increased demand for travel. It’s important that the airline can distribute its NDC content easily to …