Category Archives: Aviation

Emirates Skywards, the frequent flyer programme of Emirates Airline, marks its 16th year milestone with over 16 million members and the successful launch of new initiatives to enhance reward options for members. Since the programme’s inception in 2000, Emirates Skywards members have redeemed 220 billion Miles on reward flights, hotels stays and exclusive access to the biggest events worldwide. The diversity of the programme’s partners and rewards are reflected in the airline’s global customer base and network spanning six continents and over 150 destinations. With a focus on customer satisfaction, Emirates Skywards continuously forms exclusive partnerships and introduces new initiatives to offer greater value, choice and flexibility to its members. Most recently, Emirates Skywards has introduced Cash+Miles — allowing flight redemption using a combination of cash and Skywards Miles. Members in all four tiers — Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum — can start redeeming flights with as little as 2,000 Miles. This popular new initiative instantly reduces the cost of the tickets and can be used on any Emirates flight across all classes, making any seat available to Emirates Skywards members. To date, Emirates Skywards has 14 airline partners including strategic partnerships with Easyjet and Qantas, offering members access to one of the world’s largest networks of global travel destinations. The programme also has 24 hotel partner brands covering nearly 20,000 properties worldwide. This includes a collaboration with the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programme which gives members double rewards through the ability to earn both Skywards Miles and Starpoints when they fly with Emirates or stay with Starwood. Emirates Skywards members also enjoy access to a global network of 39 Emirates lounges in major airports including six lounges at Dubai …

In recent times, Azerbaijan has become one of the most visited tourist destinations for the UAE nationals and expatriates as well.  Azerbaijan Airlines promoted special packages for Eid from Dubai to Azerbaijan.  In a move to further enhance their operations,  the airline has appointed Aviareps to represent the airline in 12 other markets apart from the UAE. The appointment, made with immediate effect, is the result of the airline strategy to broaden its brand and sales outreach among travellers and travel industry leaders both in markets with direct Azerbaijan Airlines flights, such as the online markets of China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Turkey, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as in the strategically important offline markets of Denmark, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, where the airline does not operate direct flights. As part of the representation, AVIAREPS will act as the airlines’ sales agent, responsible for its sales and marketing activities within the specified markets. More details in our print version in October 2016.

According to sources the Bahrain airport expansion work is to start next month (October). The project will boost passenger capacity to 14 million with an estimated cost of $1.1 billion. The foundation work includes the transfer of Bahrain Aviation Fuelling Company facilities, the building of a main access security gate, the setting up of a new fire station, and the establishment of new staff car parks. It is one of the biggest projects ever held under the Gulf Development Fund. More details to be released soon.

Seychelles becomes Turkish Airlines’ third Island in the Vanilla Islands Group, with the addition of three weekly return flights to Mahe, Seychelles. Already flying to 48 destinations in Africa, Turkish Airlines will increase its flight network by adding Seychelles as another destination in the continent, bringing the total number of destinations that Europe’s best airline serves to 243 worldwide, and 49 in Africa. With the addition of Seychelles, Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other airline by serving 117 countries will promise a great experience for users of the new route from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a one stop in Istanbul, Turkey. Three weekly flights will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the passengers will depart from Istanbul at 01:05 on board TK748 arriving at 10:55, with a return service on TK749 departing from Seychelles at 12:25 to arrive in Istanbul at 18:10 on the same days.

It was announced that Eid holiday traffic will top 1 million passengers at Dubai International over the next four days as travellers seek a quick escape as summer draws to a close. During the Eid break passengers coming through the airport will be able to enjoy performances by African drummers, jugglers and dabka dancers, while virtual reality gaming enthusiasts will have the opportunity to try their hand at finding Pedro, DXB’s ‘resident penguin’. There will be games across the terminals and prizes will be handed out to hundreds of lucky winners.  In addition to the festivities, the airport is also implementing detailed operational plans, boosting staff levels, intensifying communication efforts with it business partners to ensure a smooth operation. Dubai Airports has also issued travel tips for passengers to help ease their flow through the facility during the holiday travel season. Smart Travel Tips Be sure to check which airport and terminal you are departing from/arriving into beforehand. Passengers can confirm with their airline or check www.dubaiairports.ae Arrive early at the airport. It is best to leave a minimum of three hours for check-in and passport control. Take into consideration daily rush hours and available routes in calculating your commuting time to the airport. Leave extra time for your journey to the airport as the roads will be very busy. Please say your goodbyes at home. Check with the airline in advance for information on your baggage allowance. Irrespective of the allowance, a single unit of baggage weighing more than 32kgs will not be accepted at check-in. You should expect to be charged for baggage in excess of the limit set by your respective airline. It is always simpler to …

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has appointed Sharaf Travel as their GSA for Dubai and moved their commercial and business activities to 2nd floor, Sharaf Building, adjacent to Burjuman Metro Station, Bur Dubai, recently.  On the eve of new office opening, following dignitaries graced the occasion: Charitha Yattogoda, Consul General for Sri Lanka in Dubai, Ibrahim Sharaf, Chairman and President Sharaf Group, Siva Ramachandran, Chief Commercial Officer SriLankan Airlines,  V. Jayaram, Managing Director Sharaf Travels, Veersen Tamhane, Managing Director Sharaf Cargo (GSA – SriLankan Airlines Cargo UAE) and Desiree Premachandra, Country Manager UAE, SriLankan Airlines. Part of the Sharaf Group conglomerate, Sharaf Travel is one of the leading TMCs of the region. For over two decades, the General Sales Agency division has established and nurtured long and enduring partnerships with 21 leading airlines from all over the world; representing all of them in the UAE, some in Oman, and a few in other GCC countries. An ISO compliant company with certifications in ISO 9001-2008 Quality Management, ISO 14001-2004 Environmental Management, and OHSAS 18001/2007 Health and Safety, Sharaf Travel has played an integral role in driving Sales and Marketing strategies for its principal partners across multiple channels, robust business continuity plans to ensure regular revenue streams, and contribute towards their overall profitability. SriLankan Airlines, commenced flights to Dubai 35 years ago, which is almost from the time of its inception in 1979 and known then as Air Lanka, and still continues today operating a direct daily flight to the emirate of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, deploying a combination of its Airbus 330, A320 and A321 aircraft.

Etihad Airways teamed up with renowned Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra to showcase the artiste’s latest collection at the Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai. Known for designing lavish costumes for Bollywood film stars and Indian cinema for more than two decades, Manish Malhotra has captured the imagination of fashionistas around the world. His opening night show on August 24, ‘Etihad Airways Presents Manish Malhotra’, was shot in virtual reality allowing viewers to feel the excitement of being present at the show, whether backstage, front row or at the post-show party. It comes just months after Etihad Airways used the pioneering technology to give viewers unprecedented access to the airline’s award-winning Airbus A380 by immersing them in the aircraft cabins in a virtual reality film ‘Reimagine’ featuring Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman. The collaboration with Manish Malhotra is the latest initiative by the Abu Dhabi-based airline following its recently-announced sponsorship efforts to become the fashion industry’s preferred airline. This will help further elevate the airline’s premium brand positioning alongside the world’s most revered luxury brands. Earlier this year, Etihad Airways struck a comprehensive global agreement with WME | IMG as a long-term partner of the fashion industry, connecting the airline with the fashion capitals of the world. The agreement is the first multinational, multi-year airline sponsorship supporting the fashion industry. Mumbai is the latest stop in Etihad Airways’ global fashion sponsorship, supporting 17 fashion week events in London, Milan, Sydney, New York and Mumbai, worldwide every year. It follows on from the airline’s recent participation at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

In a move to step up efforts to attract and welcome more visitors to the destination, Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority have signed an agreement with VFS Global in the presence of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior. The agreement paves the way for an efficient and transparent tourist visa application system. The agreement will enable Qatar to identify and implement the ideal visa solutions for its visitors, while capitalising on VFS Global’s expertise in developing multi-platform visa services, and Qatar Airways’ extensive international footprint. Qatar Airways and QTA will be working with VFS Global and MOI over the next months to establish the new tourist visa application process, after which full details of the new system will be announced. The steps taken are expected to increase Qatar’s openness ranking on the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H.E. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways has been bringing tourists to Qatar for nearly two decades and today’s announcement marks another milestone in our commitment to making Doha a world-class tourist destination. Qatar’s tourism industry is experiencing exponential growth and the visa advancements announced today will further support our country’s vision to invite and welcome visitors from around the world to experience all that Qatar has to offer. We look forward to welcoming more passengers on-board, at Hamad International Airport and into Qatar, as a result of today’s initiative. “I would like to sincerely thank the Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Nationality, Borders and Expatriates Affairs, and Qatar Tourism Authority for their partnership in making today’s announcement possible. This initiative is a great example of what we can accomplish by working together, and we have other initiatives …

Etihad Airways has marked Emirati Women’s Day by announcing that more than half the UAE nationals employed by the airline are women, including almost 50 pilots. Of the more than 3,200 Emiratis employed by the airline, 1,661 are women – or 51 per cent. This includes the 137 at the all-female Al Ain Contact Centre, reflecting the appeal of Etihad as an employer of Emirati women. Aisha Al Mansoori recalls being mesmerised by the aerial activity at Al Ain Air Show in 2007. Nowadays, she is one of those pilots, flying the largest passenger jet in the world. “I fell in love with aviation during the 2007 Al Ain Air Show and joined Etihad the following year as a cadet. After qualifying, I started as a Second Officer on the Airbus A320 and now I’m a First Officer on the A380. I hope to become Captain so I can train other aviators,” she said.   A total of 11 Emirati women are fully operational as pilots with the airline, while 38 others are navigating their way through cadet pilot training. Etihad has been holding a series of events to mark the second year of Emirati Women’s day, a government-led initiative now held annually on 28 August to recognise the role of Emirati women in the development of the UAE. This year’s theme is Emirati Women and Innovation. The most symbolic of the events was a visit to Etihad Airways’ Training Academy by ten longstanding members of the UAE General Women’s Union (GWU). The delegation met some of the airline’s Emirati female pilots, engineers and business leaders – bringing two generations together in a powerful illustration of the journey of Emirati …

Oman Air has launched a new free bus service between Al Ain and airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The service will enable customers to easily access the airline’s international network by simply selecting Al Ain as their origin or destination whilst booking their tickets. Tickets can be purchased online at www.omanair.com, or through the nearest Oman Air office. The new bus service has been introduced to offer enhanced convenience for passengers from Al Ain, and to ensure that they start and end their journeys in style and comfort. Oman Air’s buses seat 33 passengers and are equipped with climate-control systems and reclining seats. Externally, their unique Oman Air liveries will make a distinctive impression on the busy roads of the UAE, as they make their non-stop journeys between Al Ain and the two airports.The services will run double-daily between Al Ain and Dubai, and between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, with a single journey time of approximately two hours. This double daily bus service to each Abu Dhabi & Dubai has a seating capacity of 33 passengers.