Category Archives: Aviation

Following Emirates’ successful launch to Madagascar in September 2024, the airline will introduce additional flights to the island nation, boosting its schedule from four to six-weekly services, starting 2 April 2025. The move reinforces the airline’s commitment to support Madagascar’s tourism ambitions to accommodate more leisure visitors and promote the island destination to global audiences. The boost in operations, in response to strong demand for its passenger services between the capital city and Dubai, was announced at a press conference held by Madagascar’s Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Tourism, and Emirates in Antananarivo. Since flights commenced last year, Emirates has witnessed tremendous demand for its passenger services, both inbound and outbound, between Antananarivo and Dubai. With the current four weekly flights operating at near full capacity, the significant uplift to the number of seats offered on the route will support Madagascar’s efforts to increase visitor arrivals into the country, while also providing more choice and convenience for travellers to plan trips to and from the popular Indian Ocean destination. Announcing the expansion of Emirates’ services to the island at the press conference, Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for West Asia and Indian Ocean said: “We are pleased to boost our services to Madagascar by offering two additional flights per week in line with soaring demand for travel since the start of operations. Our growing flight schedule to the island means better connectivity, more choice and convenient options for travellers. Enhancing services will also strengthen the economic ties between Madagascar and the UAE, by supporting more inbound and outbound leisure and business travel to the island and bolstering trade lanes with additional cargo capacity. As tourism to …

Riyadh Air has officially selected Catrion to provide in-flight catering and related services for its domestic and international flights. These services will be provided at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and the contract will span five years, with an estimated value of SAR 2.3 billion. This move is part of Riyadh Air’s efforts to ensure an unrivalled guest experience as it prepares to launch operations in 2025. The signing ceremony, held on 8 January 2025 at Riyadh Air’s headquarters, was attended by key executives from both companies. Riyadh Air’s selection of Catrion follows a rigorous and competitive bidding process, in line with the airline’s commitment to providing high-quality services and maintaining a focus on enriching local content. The airline is committed to a strong focus on Vision 2030’s drive for greater non-oil contribution to GDP by supporting Saudi suppliers across the country with Catrion playing a pivotal role in curating world-class menus that reflect traditional flavors from Riyadh and offering unique culinary experiences for guests. Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air, commented: Our food and beverage offering, both in the air and on the ground, is hugely important for our guests and we aim to set a high benchmark for everyone who travels with Riyadh Air. By selecting Catrion, a company that shares our passion for quality and excellence, it strengthens our commitment to delivering an unparalleled travel experience for our passengers. Wajdy Al-Ghabban, CEO of Catrion, also shared his enthusiasm for the partnership: We are honored to be selected as Riyadh Air’s catering partner. This collaboration represents a significant opportunity to showcase the richness of Saudi Arabia’s culinary heritage while offering a world-class dining experience to travelers. we look …

Qatar Airways will resume operations to Malta with four weekly flights from 2 July 2025. The resumption to Malta will expand Qatar Airways’ network to nearly 50 destinations in Europe. Bookings are now open for travellers from Australia, China, India, Japan, and the Philippines seeking the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Passengers can plan their summer holidays with Qatar Airways to travel through Hamad International Airport, the World’s Best Airport as voted by Skytrax in 2024, to Malta International Airport and visit the capital city of Valletta – a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Gozo and Comino – the sister islands of Malta. Similarly, travellers from Malta can benefit from Qatar Airways’ extensive network of more than 170 global destinations, including Australia, where it currently operates 42 weekly flights. Qatar Airways’ proposed partnership with Virgin Australia, pending final regulatory approval, will also boost connectivity. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to announce the resumption of our flights to Malta, which marks a vibrant addition to our robust European network. Qatar and Malta enjoy staunch economic ties, and our operational relaunch to the country only furthers our relationship.” Engr. Al-Meer continued: “We are proud to continually offer our global community of adventurers and leisure travellers new destinations to discover and explore. From historic and cultural sites and attractions, sun and sea activities, to cities serving as locations for Hollywood movies and TV shows, Malta offers an exciting blend of memorable experiences for travellers – all set against the backdrop of the azure Mediterranean Sea.” The Renaissance city of Valletta – the capital of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – …

Sabre Corporation announced the launch of SAUDIA ’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) content on the Sabre marketplace. This milestone marks a significant advancement in SAUDIA ‘s distribution strategy, enabling the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide enriched content and offers to travel buyers globally. SAUDIA’s NDC content is now accessible through Sabre’s extensive global travel marketplace, marking the first time SAUDIA has made its NDC content available on a GDS. This technical integration empowers travel agents, travel management companies (TMCs), and corporations to deliver tailored offers to their customers. It also supports SAUDIA’s goal of modernizing its distribution capabilities, offering more dynamic and personalized content to travel buyers while elevating the traveler experience. “We are excited to partner with SAUDIA in advancing our mutual goal of enhancing the retailing experience through NDC,” said Kathy Morgan, Senior Vice President of Product Management and Distribution Experience at Sabre. “The launch of SAUDIA’s NDC content through Sabre demonstrates our commitment to enabling seamless access to multi-source content, ensuring that travel agents and corporations can easily shop, book, and service NDC offers alongside other content in our marketplace.” SAUDIA, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is eager to unlock new retailing opportunities through this collaboration, offering travelers more flexibility, choice, and tailored services. With Sabre’s NDC-enabled solutions, SAUDIA can reach more travelers, delivering a more frictionless, personalized booking experience aligned with its distribution strategy. Arved Von Zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer at SAUDIA, said: “Our partnership with Sabre is a significant step toward realizing our vision of transforming the travel experience for our guests. By adopting NDC, we can offer more personalized and relevant options, delivering a superior booking experience …

SalamAir announced the launch of Nairobi, Kenya, as its newest destination in Africa. Starting February 2025, SalamAir will operate direct flights from Muscat to Nairobi, offering passengers a convenient and affordable way to explore Nairobi’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, wildlife, and thriving economy. With two weekly flights, SalamAir will connect travelers from Nairobi to Oman and onwards to other vibrant destinations with low fares. By expanding our presence in Africa, SalamAir strengthens Oman’s overall ambition to foster increased tourism and trade between the Middle East and East Africa. SalamAir’s CEO, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, commented: “We are really thrilled to add Nairobi to our expanding network, marking a significant milestone in our expansion into the African market. Nairobi is not only a hub for international travelers but also a growing center for business, technology, and education, making it a vital link for those looking to connect with opportunities in both regions, emphasizing Nairobi’s position as the key gateway to East Africa. With Nairobi added to our network, we can now connect passengers from East Africa to India, Thailand, Central Asia, and other points on our network for very low fares.” SalamAir’s introduction of Nairobi to its expanding network is part of its strategic growth plan of offering cheaper travel options to passengers accustomed to high-fare legacy airline prices. SalamAir is dedicated to a low-cost model and remains committed to offering affordable fares. The Lite fare on the Nairobi route starts at 49.99 OMR, which is up to 70% cheaper than the currently available fares from other carriers. Our approach to low-fare travel ensures that Nairobi, and more points in Africa and beyond, becomes accessible to everyone.

Air Arabia announced the launch of its new non-stop flights to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Starting 30th January, the new service will connect Sharjah International Airport with Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with a frequency of three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: ” We are delighted to add Addis Ababa to our growing network of destinations. This new route reflects Air Arabia’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and fostering economic and cultural ties between the UAE and Ethiopia. By expanding our destinations from Sharjah, we aim to boost trade and tourism while continuing to offer affordable and convenient travel options to our customers.” This latest addition to Air Arabia’s growing network underscores the airline’s commitment to expanding connectivity between the UAE and Africa, facilitating increased opportunities for tourism, trade, and investment. Air Arabia operates a modern fleet of 81 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. Offering passengers, a value-added onboard experience, the aircraft is equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming, and ‘SkyCafe’ an onboard catering service at affordable prices. In addition, Air Arabia offers ‘Air Rewards’ an innovative and generous loyalty program through which passengers can earn, transfer, and spend points. Customers can now book their direct flights between Sharjah and Addis Ababa by visiting Air Arabia’s website, or by calling the call centre, or through travel agencies.

Plaza Premium Group (PPG), Egypt Aviation Services (EAS), and Cairo Airport Company (CAC) announced a strategic joint venture. They will manage six lounges across various terminals at Cairo International Airport (CAI), leveraging PPG’s global expertise in creating award-winning airport hospitality experiences. Under this collaboration, PPG will manage, operate, and commercialise six lounges across various terminals at Cairo International Airport (CAI), leveraging PPG’s global expertise in creating award-winning airport hospitality experiences. The Lounges will be rebranded as Plaza Premium Lounge by CAC and EAS. CAC has assigned the full management of CAC VIP Lounges to a joint venture formed between EAS and PPG, who have taken over six Lounges in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the Seasonal Terminal of the Cairo International Airport. Furthermore, a new lounge by the F Gates of Terminal 3 is being developed. This landmark partnership marks the official market entry of PPG into Egypt, another important milestone in the company’s expansion in the MENA region, alongside its recent expansions into other key markets in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Abu Dhabi. Cairo International Airport (CAI) is a pivotal hub for air travel in Egypt and the broader region, playing a significant role in the country’s economy and connectivity. It is the busiest airport in the country and Africa, handling 26.4 million passengers in 2023 and has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 125 destinations in 62 countries. “This unprecedented partnership with Egyptian Aviation Services (EAS), and Cairo Airport Company opens up exciting opportunities for our first entry into the Egyptian market through this strategic partnership, bringing our global standards and expertise in delivering award-winning airport hospitality experiences to Cairo. We are committed to our …

Air India won the ‘Best Airline South Asia’ award at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the “Best Airline-South Asia” award was crucial for us, as it greatly enhances the public perception and signals to our customers that Air India is on an upward growth trajectory and is a trusted brand, as we’re continuously improving and innovating in areas like product, customer service and technology. The impact of winning goes beyond just the media coverage and public attention. It’ll put us on a path of sustained growth through enhanced loyalty, expanded partnerships, improved customer experience, and a stronger global presence. The key steps hereafter would be to focus on maintaining the high standards that earned Air India the title while investing in long-term growth, customer loyalty, and innovation. It’s about ensuring that Air India continues to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers and the industry moving forward.” Kaizad Pesi Postwalla, Head – International Sales Americas and GMEA, Air India Limited

Emirates’ Airbus A380 touched down in Copenhagen for the first time since March 2020. Emirates is currently the only international airline to operate the A380 to Denmark. The A380 touched down just in time to celebrate the airport’s jubilee, marking 100 years of operational excellence. Morten Balk, Emirates’ Country Manager in Denmark, said: “We are incredibly proud to finally bring back the Emirates A380 to Copenhagen – what a sight to see it gracing our runway again! We look forward to once again offering our customers unparalleled travel experiences and the signature products and services our A380 is known for. With more than 43 percent additional seating, more customers will now be able to enjoy greater flexibility and more travel options, to over 140 destinations worldwide via our home and hub, Dubai.” Peter Krogsgaard, CCO, Copenhagen Airport commented, “We have been looking forward to welcoming the iconic Emirates double-decker aircraft back to Copenhagen. It’s a fantastic way to start the new year, seeing the world’s largest passenger plane, with a total of 615 seats, return to Denmark after a hiatus of nearly five years.” Emirates is renowned for its exceptional services and luxurious amenities. The Emirates A380 is loved by customers for its spacious and comfortable cabins, quietness, and unique on-board features such as the Onboard Lounge. Customers onboard will also enjoy the warm hospitality of the airline’s multinational crew including Danish nationals, regional gourmet cuisine, and award-winning inflight entertainment system – ice – offering up to 6,500 channels of the best movies, TV shows, podcasts and more. The airline also recently expanded its entertainment catalogue, collaborating with Spotify – the world’s most popular audio-streaming subscription service – to offer customers a …

Turkish Airlines, driven by its mission to offer guests a peerless travel experience, is now carrying Türkiye’s unparalleled cultural treasures to the skies. The new amenity kit collection, called the “UNESCO Türkiye Series,” is inspired by six outstanding UNESCO World Heritage sites in Türkiye which are Nemrut, Göbeklitepe, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Ani, and Troy along with four different ebru (Turkish Marbling) designs and three traditional carpet-rug motifs. These new kits are now being offered in Business Class on flights ranging from five to eight hours, while different versions will be introduced in mid-January for Economy Class on flights lasting more than eight hours. Developed in collaboration with the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, this special collection highlights Turkish Airlines’ vision to not only provide comfort above the clouds but also showcase Türkiye’s historic and cultural values on the global stage. Each set is presented as a memorable travel keepsake that combines thousands of years of Anatolian history and artistic heritage with contemporary design elements. A modern interpretation of traditional Turkish art, each kit includes hand and body lotion and lip balm formulated by the luxury fragrance brand Ex Nihilo. Additionally, around 80% of the materials used in items such as socks, eye masks, and toothbrushes are made from recycled materials and sustainable options like biodegradable cornstarch. Commenting on the new collection, Turkish Airlines Chief Operations Officer M. Akif Konar stated: “With the UNESCO Türkiye Series, not only we are providing our guests with a memorable flight experience but we are also showcasing Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage to the world. As Turkish Airlines, we continue to maintain our lead in the global aviation sector with our sustainability-focused approach and our vision of …