Category Archives: Aviation

Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines have announced the next phase of their comprehensive partnership – which includes a codeshare agreement – with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance travel options and convenience for passengers. The MoU outlines a framework for the two airlines to boost their market presence and collaboration in the areas of cargo and frequent flyer programmes. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and China Southern Airlines President and CEO, Mr. Han Wensheng signed the MoU on behalf of their airlines. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “As part of our robust partnership with China Southern Airlines, Qatar Airways is building on the success of the new route from Doha to Guangzhou, which was launched in April this year, to offer more choice to both airline passengers. It is a proud milestone for us to serve the prominent Chinese market in collaboration with our key partner, and look forward to extending our award-winning offerings to travellers flying through China.” President and CEO of China Southern Air Holding Company Limited, Mr. Han Wensheng said: “China Southern Airlines launched a direct route from Guangzhou to Doha in April, which has strongly promoted the connectivity between China and countries and regions along the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. In the future, China Southern Airlines will deepen cooperation with Qatar Airways, strengthen complementary advantages, and work together to bring more comfortable and convenient travel experiences to our passengers.” Qatar Airways and China Southern will further collaborate to provide their respective Privilege Club and Sky Pearl Club members’ frequent flyer benefits. These include collecting and spending Avios/Miles on both Qatar Airways and China …

Oman Air has unveiled a significant enhancement to its distribution capabilities, ushering in a new era of convenience and choice partnering with Accelya. The airline has introduced cutting-edge functionality that will enable its trade partners to seamlessly manage their customers’ travel needs. Part of the airline’s ambitious retail transformation programme, it leverages the latest IATA New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology, representing a substantial advancement from the previous booking tools available to travel agents. “NDC stands as a pivotal tool, empowering us with enhanced flexibility and control over our distribution channels. Oman Air’s NDC journey has yielded significant growth in recent years and our partnership with Accelya marks an important milestone in this journey,” commented Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air. “Not only does the new upgrade support us to streamline our customer experience and enable us to scale up and provide more robust services, it also represents a significant reduction in our distribution costs, paving the way for more efficient operations and revenue diversification.” Sam Gilliland, Chief Executive Officer at Accelya, added “We are delighted that Oman Air has chosen Accelya to take control of their retailing future and help them on the journey to Offer & Order transformation. More and more airlines, covering a range of scale and operating models, are choosing Accelya’s FLX Platform due to our track record of delivering fast, impactful results. Our partnership with Oman Air is an example of how Accelya is leading the market in modern retail solutions and bringing the benefits of our technology to customers across the travel industry.” In addition to enhancing its distribution capabilities, Oman Air is bolstering its loyalty system, also powered by Accelya, with enriched …

Gulf Air has launched its newest seasonal flights to Rhodes, Greece. The airline’s flight to Rhodes was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute and a host of celebratory activities upon its arrival at Rhodes Airport. The airline will operate two weekly flights from Bahrain International Airport (BIA) to Rhodes Airport (RHO) from June 1st to September 28th, on Airbus 320neo aircraft. This new route enhances Gulf Air’s connectivity and provides passengers with more flexibility in their summer travel plans. Flight no. Frequency Departure Airport Departure Time Arrival Airport Arrival Time GF 0050 Thu & Sat BAH 09:40 JMK 13:55 GF 0050 Thu & Sat JMK 14:55 RHO 15:45 GF 0051 Thu & Sat RHO 16:45 BAH 20:25 **All times are local Commenting on the new seasonal destination, a Gulf Air spokesperson said, “We are pleased to add Rhodes to Gulf Air’s dynamic network, increasing the connectivity between Bahrain and Greece to three destinations: Athens as a scheduled destination and Mykonos as a seasonal destination, and now celebrating the inaugural flight to Rhodes. This new route is an integral part of Gulf Air’s strategic commitment to enhance its European network, offering passengers a wider choice of leisure destinations in Europe like Rhodes.” This move further aligns with Gulf Air’s commitment to high-quality passenger travel experiences and enhanced services operating from Bahrain International Airport, connecting to over 60 destinations. Gulf Air passengers can stay updated on flight timings by downloading the Gulf Air mobile application or by visiting Gulf Air’s website gulfair.com.

Qatar Airways’ resumed services to Venice with non-stop daily flights between Hamad International Airport (DOH), and Venice Marco Polo (VCE) Airport. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “As we enter the summer season, we are excited to resume our daily service to Venice. Italy is a key market for Qatar Airways, and we are committed to providing our passengers with more travel opportunities and seamless connections to explore this wonderful country.” He added, “In addition to Venice, Qatar Airways already serves two other major Italian cities, Rome and Milan. These flights have been incredibly popular among our passengers, and we are thrilled to expand our Italian offerings with the inclusion of Venice, through our world-class award-winning hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport.” To celebrate this latest network expansion, a  ceremony was held at the departure gate for passengers  at Hamad International Airport (DOH). Qatar Airways’ flights to Venice comes as part of the airline’s 2024 network expansion, which bolsters the airline’s existing Milan and Rome services. The new schedule ensures that passengers can easily travel to these iconic cities and experience the best of Italy. Venice is a highly sought-after destination, captivating travellers with its stunning canals, historic architecture, and rich cultural heritage. With daily flights, Qatar Airways aims to offer its passengers the convenience and flexibility they need to explore this beautiful city at their leisure. Flight schedule to Venice: The new daily flights to Venice will operate using Qatar Airways’ modern fleet, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers. Daily flights – all local time ·         Doha (DOH) to Venice (VCE) – departing at 09:00 and arriving at 14:20. ·         Venice (VCE) to Doha …

Front End announced that the company enabled a successful demonstration of the first unmanned air taxi trial in Mecca, supported by its partner, EHang, the world’s leading urban air mobility (UAM) technology platform company. Front End’s commitment to bringing the latest technology to the Kingdom along with EHang’s guidance in the adoption of urban air mobility, together with the leadership of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Ministry of Hajj, the Ministry of Interior, marked a pivotal step towards a faster, more efficient, and sustainable Hajj. This collaboration unlocked a truly innovative solution, showcasing the remarkable potential of government-private partnerships to drive advancements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA said: “The trial marks a major advancement in integrating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions into Saudi Arabia’s aviation landscape. We are committed to the highest safety standards and seamless integration into existing air traffic systems. This trial acts as a proof of concept for multiple use cases and contributes to various AAM roadmap initiatives. We appreciate the instrumental support of Front End and EHang to mark this historic milestone for Saudi Arabia.” The annual Hajj pilgrimage, a monumental gathering of diverse nationalities, presents unique logistical challenges. This innovative demonstration aims to streamline transportation during this sacred event, by efficiently moving pilgrims faster between key locations, ensuring a smoother and safer Hajj experience. Commenting on the demonstration, Mr. Majid Alghaslan, Chairman and CEO of Front End Limited Company, said: “Front End is at the forefront of this trailblazing trial, paving the way to a new era in smart mobility solutions, potentially revolutionizing Hajj …

Etihad Airways expects to welcome around five million guests to Zayed International Airport across the peak summer period. Shaeb Alnuaimi, Etihad’s Director Airports Operation said: “We are looking forward to hosting guests as they journey on their summer holidays, including those going on our newly launched routes to Malaga, Antalya, Santorini, Nice, Jaipur, Al Qassim, Mykonos and Bali. Thanks to Etihad’s award-winning cabin crew, family-friendly offerings, and cabin choices, guests can expect remarkable travel experiences. And this is our first summer season in our new home at Zayed International Airport which has added a new dimension of seamless travel and world-class customer experience. To ensure guests enjoy a convenient and safe travel experience during this busy summer period, all travellers are encouraged to arrive early and allow plenty of time at the airport. Etihad Airways has a number of travel tips and reminders to make it easier.” Guests can easily check-in online using etihad.com or the mobile app, and then take their luggage to one of the many automated and easy-to-use self-service bag drops at the terminal. The facility allows you to weigh and tag your bags and collect your boarding pass quickly and easily. For added convenience over the summer, a number of offsite check-in and bag-drop facilities are available. Customers using these will be offered 2,000 Etihad Guest Miles from 10 June to 15 August. • Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal (open 24-hours) • The Fountains – YAS Mall (open from 10am to 10pm) • Mussafah (open from 10am to 10pm) 38 Al Arzaq Street, Mussafah Shabia-11, Behind Al Madina Hypermarket • Al Ain (open from 10am till 10pm) Lulu Hypermarket Kuwaitat, Shakhboot Bin Sultan St, Central District Guests are advised …

This Hajj season, Emirates is geared up to serve the large volume of pilgrims making their way from the airline’s global network through Dubai, to Jeddah and Medina to perform the once in a lifetime Muslim pilgrimage. Emirates has deployed 10 additional flights between 7 Jun and 10 June, and between 21 June and 26 June to carry pilgrims to Jeddah and Medina. These flights have been carefully timed to meet the flight schedules from key markets for Hajj, including Indonesia, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, South Africa, Senegal and Pakistan. Emirates has been working hard throughout every travel touchpoint of the journey to ensure comfortable experience, both in the air and on the ground for pilgrims heading to Makkah for this significant trip. The additional flights are operated alongside Emirates’ scheduled services to the two Saudi gateways, and provide increased choice and options for thousands of travellers from across the airline’s global network to carry out one of the key pillars of Islam. The airline has further deployed 19 flights to cities including Amman, Dammam, Kuwait Beirut among others to meet high demand during Eid Al-Adha in mid-June. From arriving to Dubai International, to stopping over in the city and connecting onwards to Jeddah and Medina, Emirates has extended its onboard hospitality to the ground through a carefully planned airport experience. Emirates’ dedicated teams will guide pilgrims during their airport journey to ensure a seamless process of connecting to their onwards flights. Airport Service teams have been tasked with meeting, greeting and escorting all pilgrims from arrival to departure. Travellers are welcomed at the arrival gate by dedicated Emirates Airport Service personnel, holding signs with special greetings for pilgrims, where they are escorted …

Air Tanzania has launched its inaugural flights from Dar es Salaam to the United Arab Emirates. Air Tanzania’s latest route to Dubai International Airport, Terminal 1, features four weekly flights, connecting Tanzania with the UAE and Beyond. A testament to the tireless endeavors of the carrier’s Corporate Planning Unit in Dar es Salaam, the new route marks a significant milestone for the company, highlighting its vision to expansion through new operations and markets; both domestically and internationally. AVIAREPS Middle East, renowned as a global leader in international representation, marketing, and communications within the aviation, tourism, and hospitality sectors, has been selected as the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Air Tanzania in the UAE. With a worldwide presence spanning 68 offices across 65 countries, AVIAREPS, including its Middle East arm, AVIAREPS Middle East, will be supporting Tanzania’s flag carrier airline with a full spectrum of sales and ticketing services in UAE, extending its services and impact to the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries and beyond. Flight Details: DAR-DXB: Flight Number: TC 404 Operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sunday. Departure from DAR at 20:00 (local time) Arrival at DXB at 02:30 am (local time) the following day. DXB-DAR Flight Number: TC 405 Operates on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Departure from DXB at 04:00 (local time) Arrival at DAR at 08:30 (local time) Eng. Ladislaus Matindi, CEO and Managing Director, Air Tanzania, said: “We are delighted to join the ranks of global airlines in launching the Dubai route, fulfilling a longstanding aspiration to enhance connectivity and enrich the travel experience for our passengers. Our direct flights to Dubai, operated four times weekly with our state-of-the-art aircraft B737-9 MAX, promise exceptional comfort …

Etihad Airways and Egyptair have signalled their intent to strengthen their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to enhance commercial and operational ties to provide travellers with wider choices, higher quality services and increased value.* Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “This agreement will help further deepen our codeshare with EGYPTAIR opening up seamless travel for guests of both airlines across our networks. It also lays the tracks for co-operation across both our frequent flyer programs and will enable us to explore collaboration on joint-marketing campaigns and promotions designed to stimulate and reward our customers.” Yehia Zakaria, Chairman & CEO at EGYPTAIR, said: “This MoU strengthens our strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, and underscores our commitment to providing our valued customers with a seamless travel experience and access to a wider network. “I am confident that this partnership with Etihad Airways will not only benefit our passengers but also foster a stronger relationship between Egypt and United Arab Emirates. We look forward to a successful collaboration, soaring to new heights together.” The existing codeshare agreement gives customers of both airlines enhanced connectivity to destinations across each other’s networks, between Egypt and the UAE as well beyond Cairo into Africa and beyond Abu Dhabi into Asia. The agreement enables guests to book their entire journey on a single ticket and have their baggage checked through seamlessly to their end destination. This MoU will see codeshares between the two airlines extended, giving one-stop access for EGYPTAIR travellers to more of Etihad’s network in addition to several destinations in Asia and Australia that already exist. Equally it gives Etihad customers seamless access to further destinations on EGYPTAIR Network, …

KlasJet, an exclusive private and corporate flight charter company and a part of the world’s largest ACMI providers, the Avia Solutions Group family, is pleased to announce that it has successfully achieved the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) registration. This registration is an acknowledgment of KlasJet’s strict adherence to the highest operational and safety standards in the aviation industry. Administered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the IOSA program is designed to assess the management and control systems of airlines. KlasJet’s acquisition of the IOSA registration highlights its ongoing efforts to uphold globally recognized safety and quality benchmarks. Justinas Bulka, CEO of KlasJet, commented on this achievement: “Receiving the IOSA registration marks an important step for our company. It reflects our dedication to safety and our ongoing work to enhance the quality of our operations. I am immensely proud of our team, whose expertise and continuous hard work have enabled us to meet IOSA’s detailed requirements.” This registration assures partners and passengers of KlasJet’s focus on providing a reliable and secure flying environment, enhancing the airline’s appeal as a cooperative partner for international carriers. “With the IOSA registration, we look forward to new growth and collaboration opportunities in the international aviation sector. Our priority continues to be offering outstanding service and ensuring the safety of all our passengers,” said Justinas Bulka. KlasJet is part of the Avia Solutions Group family, the world’s largest ACMI providers (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance), operating a fleet of 213 aircraft. The group also provides a range of aviation services including, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, as well as a variety of associated services.