Category Archives: Aviation

Virgin Atlantic and Airbus have announced the agreement on a firm order, valued at $4.4 billion, for 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The investment is part of a fleet modernisation program which will see 50 percent of Virgin Atlantic’s aircraft replaced in a six year period – creating one of the world’s youngest fleets. Of the 12 firm orders, eight will be purchased and four leased, as Virgin Atlantic continues its investment into increasing the mix of owned and leased aircraft in its fleet.

GE Aviation’s new Digital Solutions business has created a scaled digital collaboration center in its pavilion (P2) at the Farnborough International Air Show much like the centers being built around the world. GE is collaborating with customers in the centers to identify and address customers’ operational challenges and drive better business outcomes. As a result of recent customer collaboration, flydubai and GE Aviation launched one of the first digital customer solutions built on GE’s Predix platform. The network operations insights solution is designed to help flydubai minimize the impact of unavoidable delays, enhance pilot operational understanding, while optimally protecting schedules and revenue. Network operations insights on Predix were successfully implemented at flydubai in late June.   Jim Daily, Vice President and Chief Digital Officer of GE Aviation stated that this is exactly how they want to work together and help customers to drive greater efficiency. This solution gives flydubai the real-time tools to understand the impact of potential operational disruptions in order to minimize an impact on their network. GE’s software architects and developers are working with customers in the collaboration center at Farnborough, while demonstrating digital solutions, including network Operations Insights, mobile Pilot Insights, flight Analytics on Predix, Flight Phase Analyzer, Water Wash Optimizer, Digital Solution for TrueChoiceTM Flight Hour, ClearView Invoicing, Digital Solution for TrueChoiceTM Flight Hour and Engine Health Validator, Digital Solution for TrueChoiceTM Transitions. These advancements in data and analytic technologies are examples of where GE is taking Predix, the cloud-based platform for creating innovative, Industrial Internet applications that turn real-time operational data into actionable insights for aviation.          

flydubai has launched a double daily service to Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, starting on 29 November 2016. flydubai will operate its services between Dubai International’s Terminal 2 (DXB) and Bangkok International Airport (BKK). Business Class return fares to Bangkok will start at AED 3,999 while Economy Class return fares will start at AED 1,499, including taxes. Commenting on the announcement of the new route, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, flydubai, said: “Bangkok is an extremely popular destination and the launch of double daily flights reflects the increasing maturity of the flydubai network and operation. This route launch is an important milestone for flydubai, offering business and leisure travellers from both Dubai and Bangkok increased choices and flexibility across our network.” Passengers will also have the option of a Business Class experience, benefitting from a dedicated 24-hour Business Team to assist with bookings and enquiries throughout the journey, as well as priority check-in service, comfortable spacious seats and a range of in-flight entertainment and dining options. Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial (GCC, Subcontinent and Africa), flydubai, said: “Since its launch, flydubai has developed a network of more than 85 destinations. With the launch of our double daily Bangkok route, we will be further expanding travel opportunities for passengers looking to use Dubai as a hub for connecting routes from the GCC to Russia and Europe.”

Air Arabia has touched down in Batumi, the second largest city of Georgia. The airline operates two weekly flights to Black Sea port city from its primary Sharjah International Airport hub on Thursday and Saturdays at 13:15, arriving at Batumi at 16:40. The return flights are scheduled to leave Batumi International Airport at 17:30 to arrive in Sharjah at 20:50.

Qatar Airways Group has announced a 3 billion QAR operating profit for fiscal year 2016 – nearly three times greater than fiscal 2015 profit of 1.1 billion QAR, resulting in an 8.6 per cent operating profit margin, an improvement of nearly six percentage points from the prior year, from 35.6 billion QAR in revenues. The company reported a net profit of 1.6 billion QAR, resulting in a net profit margin of 4.5 per cent. Net profit for fiscal 2015 was 1.1 per cent, at 374 million QAR. Qatar Airways growth rate (CAGR) in ASK term since the re-launch in 1997 to 31st March 2016 is 28 per cent. For the year ending March 31, 2016, Qatar Airways Group reduced its expenses 1.5 per cent and increased its cash and bank balance from 5.5 billion QAR to 12 billion QAR, despite the significant growth in operations and an adverse movement in foreign currency exchange. Over the course of fiscal 2016, Qatar Airways added 13 new destinations and increased its overall network to more than 150 destinations on six continents. The airline was also the global launch customer of the Airbus A350XWB, the most technologically advanced aircraft in the world, and was the first commercial airline to fly it to the United States.

Seawings Lifestyle, the seaplane operator on the Arabian Peninsula, has partnered with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and four luxury resorts in the emirate to welcome summer vacationers to the destination. The collaboration is an integral part of the TDA’s campaign to enhance the visibility of Ras Al Khaimah as a leading tourist destination. Seawings Lifestyle has created a unique collection of staycation packages that combine scenic flying with Ras Al Khaimah’s finest accommodation. These holiday packages start with a 45-minute seaplane flight from Dubai Creek to Ras Al Khaimah. Travellers can enjoy the views of the Dubai cityscape and Arabian coastline before touching down on the waters of Ras Al Khaimah. Guests can choose from day packages to one or two-night staycation escapes at DoubleTree by Hilton, The Cove Rotana Resort, Banyan Tree Al Wadi, and the all-inclusive Rixos Bab Al Bahr. Day trip spa packages are also available and guests have access to all of the resorts’ facilities. Travellers will return to Dubai by chauffeured land transfer. To launch the packages, Seawings Lifestyle is offering exclusive discounts that knock over 50% off the listed price. The lowest discounted package is the one-night stay at just AED 999 per person, inclusive of the scenic flight and land transfer. These will be predominantly marketed towards neighbouring emirate residents seeking a getaway from the city.

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier and a member airline of oneworld, has launched its new Arabic website, providing its Middle Eastern travellers an enhanced and personalised browsing experience. The new site is equipped with advanced features to provide a comprehensive web experience, allowing the users the convenience of fulfilling travel preliminaries at their fingertips, offering them the opportunity to independently control their own bookings. In addition to that, travellers can also instantly claim the online offers that SriLankan launches and make their payments via credit card, earning more credit in the process. In celebration of the launch of its Arabic site in the native language, SriLankan is offering its passengers a discount of 30 per cent on all online bookings out of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE, to SriLankan’s directly operated destinations right in time for Ramadan celebrations. Bookings can be made till July 10 and the travel period will be from July 25 to November 30. This seasonal offer is the ideal chance for Middle Eastern travellers to go out on a vacation or for purchasing air tickets for expatriate workers.

Qatar Airways celebrated the addition of tourist favourite Marrakech to its global route map, with the airline’s inaugural flight landing at Marrakech Menara Airport on 1 July and opening up a world of more than 150 destinations to customers travelling from the Moroccan city. On board flight QR1395 was a Qatar Airways delegation lead by Dr. Hugh Dunleavy, the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, who was greeted by the Marrakech Menara Airport General Manager,  Nawal Mounir; Morocco’s Minister of tourism, Lahcen Haddad; and the Qatari Counselor to Morocco, Mansour Abdullah Al Sulaiteen. To celebrate the first flight, Qatar Airways hosted an Iftar for VIPs, officials, authorities, trade and media, at La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech. The return flight from Marrakech travels directly non-stop to Doha. Qatar Airways began its Morocco operations in 2002. Additionaly through a codeshare partnership with Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways offers customers the opportunity to seamlessly connect to destinations throughout Morocco, Spain, and north- and west Africa, with the additional benefit of enhanced frequent flyer benefits. Import and export businesses in Morocco will also benefit from the new service which provides up to 33 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity a week.

Abu Dhabi Airports has announced the launch of flights by the Egyptian based carrier, Nile Air (NIA), into Al Ain International Airport. The new operation introduces four weekly flights between Al Ain International Airport and Cairo International Airport. This is Nile Air’s first flight to any destination in the United Arab Emirates, and commenting on this new service, Ahmed Aly, Chief Executive Officer, Nile Air said, ”Nile Air is pleased to announce our entry to the Emirati market, our 7th country, with a new route connecting Cairo and Al-Ain city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The new service to Al-Ain will provide an easy and convenient travel option between both cities for business travelers and tourists visiting Egypt, and the estimated 100,000 Egyptian nationals residing in the city of Al-Ain and its surrounding region who wish to travel home.”Mohammed Al Katheeri, Acting Chief Operations Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “We are delighted that Nile Air has begun operations to Al Ain, as this will further strengthen tourism between the UAE and Egypt and build Al Ain’s prominence as a growing international tourist destination. The airline anticipates high demand for this route, particularly during the busy summer season, and we wish them every success.” The NIA 147/8 flights, operated on Airbus A320 aircraft, will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Between July 1 and October 1 the flight will depart from Cairo at 1005 GMT, arriving in Al Ain at 1340 GMT, and the return flight will leave the UAE at 1440 GMT and arrive back in Egypt at 1830 GMT. In October the service will become bi-weekly, with flights on Fridays and Sundays. A free shuttle …

Dubai-based flydubai has announced the addition of two new flights a week between Dubai and Bucharest and will now fly daily to the Romanian capital. “We are delighted to announce our daily flights from to Bucharest,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, flydubai. “At flydubai, we are committed to expanding connectivity to destinations that have historically been underserved from Dubai. Since the launch of our Bucharest route in 2012, we have witnessed increasing demand from GCC passengers visiting the city and Romanian expatriates using our hub in Dubai to connect and visit family and friends around the world.” flydubai’s passenger traffic between Dubai and Bucharest continue to grow year-on-year, and it remains a particularly popular route for Business Class passengers. The airline has seen great demand from passengers travelling to Dubai and further afield on the flydubai network, whether for business or leisure. “The launch of daily routes to Bucharest will provide greater convenience and connection options for flydubai passengers travelling to Dubai and beyond. Popular connecting routes from Bucharest include Colombo, Delhi, Kuwait, Male’, Mumbai and Zanzibar,” said Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President Commercial (UAE, EU, ME, CIS) for flydubai. “Our Business Class offering, which provides passengers with spacious seats, a choice of meals, generous checked baggage allowance and fast track immigration and security, is particularly popular on this route. It demonstrates our commitment to continually innovate and offer our passengers a range of different travel options and the latest on-board entertainment.”