Category Archives: Aviation

Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), announced that starting July 4, 2017, Hargeisa will be the newest African destination to be added to its growing international network. Air Arabia entered the African market in 2004 and currently serves six destinations across Egypt, Sudan and Kenya from its main hub. The new flights to Hargeisa, Somaliland will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) at 03:45 hours and arriving at Hargeisa Egal International Airport (HGA) at 06:15 local time. The return flight will depart from Hargeisa at 06:55, landing in Sharjah at 11:25 local time.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will re-launch its business class service in Dubai on 16 June 2017 at an introductory rate of Dh2850. This is a move brought about by the increased demand for premium leisure and the corporate travel market among locals and expatriates in the region. Features and benefits include a 20.6-inch-wide seat which converts into fully flat bed, access to airport business class lounges, a 64-kilo baggage allowance (32kg x 2 pcs), a seven-kilo hand carry allowance, inflight entertainment, free-on-board Wi-Fi (MyPAL Player, myPAL Mobile and myPAL Wifi enabled) and a business travel kit. PAL will fly its 368-seater, A330 aircraft with 18 seats for business class. The flights will leave Dubai at 05:25 hours and arrive in Manila at 18:25 hours. Genaro “Bong” C. Velasquez, PAL Senior Asst Vice President and Regional Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said, “The UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities and more and more residents are looking at either vacationing or doing business travels in the Philippines. PAL’s re-launch of business class service is in response to the growing international holiday makers and corporate travellers in the Gulf region.”

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and OnBoard International, one of the top entertainment providers for major airlines across the region, have joined hands to provide in-flight TV reports, broadcast by DFF’s Future Monitor, onboard major Arab and other international flights, flying to destinations like London, Istanbul, New York City, Paris, Shanghai, Stockholm, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna and Singapore. A major step forward for the aviation industry, the initiative goes beyond spreading knowledge and looks to encourage people to read in Arabic. “Mass media is one of the most effective means to develop people’s knowledge and increase their familiarity with scientific concepts,” his Excellency Abdulla bin Touq, Acting CEO of DFF, noted, reiterating the Foundation’s commitment to working with various government and non-governmental organisations to amplify its reach among the youth in the region.

Dubai has reportedly introduced a scheme that enables travellers to use their smartphones instead of their passport or express gate cards at Dubai International Airport. Known as “Emirates Smart Wallet” and considered as the first of its kind in the world, the scheme is meant to further streamline movement across DXB. The scheme was launched at the airport’s departure terminal by Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai’s Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security and Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Head of Dubai’s Naturalisation and Residency Department. Right now in its first phase, the scheme, which requires a traveller’s personal data, Emirates ID and passport information as well as e-gate card data, is a stepping stone for a large-scale project which aims to reduce travel clearing procedures at DXB to the minimum. Source: WAM

In the first four months of 2017, Cebgo, the leading low-cost airline of Cebu Pacific, has carried a total of 6.63 million passengers. Its Seat Load Factor reached 88.6% in April 2017, bringing the four-month total to 85.1%. Based on this increasing number of passengers, Cebu Pacific has ramped up the number of its carriers this year to support more domestic destinations, such as Siargao, Masbate and Tablas in Romblon. They are also planning to increase the frequency and capacity of selected domestic and international flights to places such as Cebu, Davao and Hong Kong starting July 4, 2017, following the delivery of two brand new aircrafts and upgradation of the existing flights on these routes from Airbus A320 to A330. “To reach our goal of flying 20 million passengers this year, we remain committed to expanding our domestic route network, where we lead with 37 destinations, and are looking at opportunities to grow our international market as well, meeting rising demands and sustaining our year-round low-fare proposition,” said Atty JR Mantaring, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Cebu Pacific.

In keeping with the recent instructions from the governments of UAE, Saudi and Bahrain, seven carriers from the various Middle East countries have suspended their services to Doha with effect from June 6, 2017 until further notice. Among these airlines are Royal Jets, Etihad, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia from UAE; Saudia from Saudi and Gulf Air from Bahrain. While Etihad, Emirates and flydubai suspended all flights between Dubai and Doha, Royal Jets suspended their services between Abu Dhabi and Doha and Air Arabia suspended their flights between Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah and Doha. Saudia has suspended its flights between Saudi and Doha and Gulf Air between Bahrain and Doha. So all customers who have booked tickets on any of these airlines for flying to Doha will have to contact the airlines for alternative options, which will include full refunds on unused tickets or free re-booking to the nearest alternate destinations. For detailed information, the relevant airlines can be called or their websites can be looked up.

Ethiopian Airlines announced the commencement of direct and non-stop flights to Singapore five days a week at a reception ceremony held recently at Addis Ababa Bole Airport. The event was graced by Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines and members of the Transport Affairs Standing Committee from the House of People’s Representatives; aviation partner organizations; travel agencies; Ethiopian executive management and the likes. During the event, GebreMariam remarked that Singapore is one of the world’s biggest economic giants, a global financial centre, highly developed, innovative, business friendly and a preferred gateway to Asia and Australia. So this new flight service to Singapore will be of paramount importance in enhancing economic, cultural and social ties between Asia and Africa, Ethiopia and Singapore in particular.

Emirates’ inaugural Boeing 777-300ER flight from Dubai to Zagreb touched down in the capital city of Croatia, with more than 350 passengers on board, to a water cannon salute and an exhilarating performance by traditional Croatian folk dancers. Among the dignitaries travelling on flight EK129 were Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer; Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (Europe and Russian Fed); Gari Cappelli, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Croatia; His Excellency Ali Al Ahmed, UAE Ambassador to Croatia and a contingent of partners and business leaders from Dubai, Hong Kong, India and China. This debut flight to Croatia took off from Dubai at 08.15 hours and landed in Zagreb at 12.20 hours. Thereafter, from Zagreb, the departure took place at 15.35 hours and arrival at Dubai happened at 23.05 hours. The flight carried commercial passengers from more than 16 countries in the Emirates’ network, including Taiwan, Australia, India, UAE, Korea, China, Japan, Singapore and South Africa. The new daily flight will open up access to more than 80 worldwide destinations in Emirates’ global network for Croatian travellers and vice versa. Travel from as far as Shanghai, Beijing, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, or Sydney and Melbourne, to Croatia, is all extremely convenient now, with just one stop at Emirates’ world-class Dubai hub.

The German airline Hahn Air announced a new Interline Electronic Ticketing Agreement (IET) with La Compagnie, the French boutique airline offering all-business-class flights from Paris to New York. La Compagnie joined Hahn Air’s unique network of more 300 air, rail and shuttle partners to enhance its global distribution. Its flights are now available on Hahn Air’s HR-169 ticket to travel agents, using Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre, Apollo and Worldspan, under La Compagnie’s IATA code B0 — even in markets where it is not a member of the local Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP). “By welcoming La Compagnie into our partner network, we are happy to complement our portfolio with an exceptional airline that truly caters to business travellers”, says Steve Knackstedt, Vice President of the Airline Business Group at Hahn Air. “Through our agreement, La Compagnie will not only generate incremental business but also gain access to our growing network of interline partners.”

Emirates’ customers can explore more of Dubai this summer by enjoying exclusive offers and discounts across the city with My Emirates Pass, which turns the Emirates boarding pass into an exclusive membership card. Those flying to or through Dubai between June 1 and August 31, 2017 can take advantage of a range of offers at some of Dubai’s best known hotspots by simply showing their Emirates boarding pass and a valid form of identification. My Emirates Pass gives customers special discounts at over 120 world class restaurants and hotel dining outlets in Dubai. Exclusive offers are also available on a range of leisure activities, including visits to championship golf courses, thrilling theme parks or luxury spas across the city. Furthermore, My Emirates Pass can be used to enjoy some of the city’s must-see new attractions, such as Dubai Parks and Resorts, which features three theme parks: Bollywood Parks™, MOTIONGATE™ and the region’s first LEGOLAND® Park and LEGOLAND® Water Park.