Category Archives: Aviation

Qatar Airways has landed its inaugural flight to the French city of Lyon, with the new direct service operated by a Boeing 787-8, with four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. This new route expands Qatar Airways’ presence in France, whilst also growing its global network of more than 160 destinations. The flight was celebrated in both the Business Class and Economy Class, where passengers were welcomed with traditional French delicacies and a curated menu offering premium French cuisine. The Director of Commercial and Marketing of the Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport, M. Pierre Grosmaire, welcomed the inaugural flight from Doha, alongside Qatar Airways Vice President of Sales, Europe, Mr. Eric Odone. Lyon is Qatar Airways’ third destination in France, with the airline continuing its services to Paris and Nice. Widely known as the culinary capital of France, Lyon is studded with countless Michelin star certified restaurants. The charming city also attracts film lovers owing to its heritage as the birthplace of cinema. Travellers are invited to experience unforgettable culinary experiences and film festivals celebrating the silver screen in a city that is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The new direct service to Lyon will be operated by a Boeing 787-8 which features 22 Business Class seats and 232 Economy Class seats. The city also serves as a prime gateway to experience the nearby Alpine mountainous range. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “I am delighted to announce the launch of Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to the renowned French city of Lyon. Qatar and France mutually benefit from a longstanding strategic partnership in various fields, including diplomacy, trade, and tourism. Our expanded …

SalamAir inaugurated its first direct flights to the city of Almaty in the Republic of Kazakhstan, twice a week, on Saturdays and Wednesdays, with its latest Airbus aircraft. His Excellency Najmuddin Muhammad Ali, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Sultanate of Oman, said that the opening of this destination will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, especially economic and tourism, explaining, “We are counting on this historic step, as it is the first scheduled flight between the two countries.” In a statement to the Omani News Agency, the ambassador expressed his hope that this destination would contribute to activating tourism, business growth and other fields between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan. For his part, Dr. Anwar bin Muhammad Al-Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Salam Air Company, indicated that choosing the destination of Al-Maati comes based on studies and reading the market and tourism data due to its tourism potentials that made it an attractive destination for many tourists, expressing the company’s aspiration to expand its fleet to various Local, regional and international destinations according to a strategy based on real professional foundations. Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, explained that this destination will continue throughout the year and is expected to attract many tourists and residents in both countries, noting that the company has now started operating two weekly flights in the hope of increasing it during the next stage. The CEO of SalamAir added that the destination also came within the framework of SalamAir’s operational vision aimed at reaching new tourist destinations that were not previously available to travelers, and giving travelers more travel options at …

SAUDIA has launched its first direct flight to its new international destination Birmingham, United Kingdom in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP). The program was launched in 2021 to support tourism growth in the Kingdom by enhancing air connectivity and developing existing and prospective air routes, connecting Saudi Arabia to new destinations. Manal Alshehri, Vice President of Passenger Sales at SAUDIA said: “We are proud to be expanding our operations in the United Kingdom and continue to regularly offer new destinations to our guests. The United Kingdom is a very important destination for SAUDIA, and the launch of new direct flights to and from Birmingham highlights the strengthening of relations between our two countries. We’re also very grateful for the continuous support from the Air Connectivity Program, which enables us to continue to grow as we work towards our objective to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.” Sultan Otaify, Vice President of Strategy and Communication at ACP said: “In collaboration with ACP, SAUDIA has launched a direct flight to Birmingham, a city steeped in history and a renowned hub of the Industrial Revolution. As this new route becomes part of the growing air network facilitated by ACP, it significantly contributes to the flourishing tourism between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. It is through such bilateral initiatives that we witness the positive trajectory of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom’s relationship, as both countries strive to simplify and streamline travel processes. ACP is committed to empowering carriers in their efforts to unlock new destinations and travel experiences that showcase the rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions of Saudi Arabia.’’ The inaugural SAUDIA flight going from Jeddah to Birmingham (SV …

Kuwait Airways held a bilateral meeting with Turkish Airlines to consolidate relations between the two sides and to discuss commercial aspects related to exchange under the common codeshare agreement. This meeting was held in the presence of Kuwait Airways’ delegation in the city of Istanbul, and headed by the Chairman of Kuwait Airways, Captain Ali Al-Dukhan along with accompanying officials. Kuwait Airways Chairman, Captain Ali Al-Dukhan stated, “We are pleased to meet the CEO of Turkish Airlines, Mr. Bilal Ekşi and his accompanying delegation. The focus of the meeting was to strengthen bilateral relations between Kuwait Airways and Turkish Airlines through a codeshare agreement and ways to develop this agreement to include new prospects in the interest and benefit of the two companies, as well as to increase the destinations between the two networks.” Al-Dukhan added, “The meeting complements the plans of Kuwait Airways to expand the horizons of cooperation with important airlines such as Turkish Airlines, in line with the company’s objectives in linking Kuwait to the world through such partnerships and discussions and to achieve them.” Al-Dukhan pointed out that Kuwait Airways is moving towards developing and improving all its services, many of which have been launched since the beginning of this year, in response to the requirements of its esteemed customers and coinciding with the commencement of the summer season and the increase in travel and passengers in Terminal 4. Kuwait Airways has launched 105 flights per day, operating to 60 destinations around the world with its new and diversified fleet.   Al-Dukhan emphasized the extent of relations between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Turkey, pointing out that the partnership was part of this …

The past few weeks saw a hike in airfares especially in the UAE. As an expat populated destination, the short breaks are always popular, and this continues year on year. Hitherto known destinations, have become the best escapes for the UAE travellers over the past few years. Georgia started off this campaign offering visa on arrival for residents of the UAE. Following them, other destinations too wanted a piece of the business, hence employed similar tactics to attract this huge expat market by ensuring they provide either visa on arrival or visa free for any nationality with a resident visa from the UAE. However, connectivity is a concern with the rise of the air ticket pricing, yet the number of travellers hasn’t really reduced, especially in the case of the Asian sectors. When it comes to holiday destinations such as Turkey which is a key outbound getaway for UAE travellers the pricing went up to almost 6k return, and Asian destinations, especially India was at a staggering 3k plus. Many travellers opting to spend time with their families back in India over the Eid holidays, are seen to be taking smarter ways by checking in from Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah. No matter the price, travellers in the UAE would always take a chance to travel. Some travellers have also become smart in the sense that they pre-plan their travel dates almost six months prior so that they can partake in some of the best deals. What are the criteria for all this drama? What becomes of the families who wish to travel? Is there a balance between supply and demand? Well, we spoke with some of the key agents who …

SalamAir  continues expanding its reach with the addition of a new destination to its network. Starting July 12th 2023, SalamAir will be offering weekly flights to Fujairah, UAE, with four flights a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Fujairah is the latest addition to SalamAir’s growing list of destinations, offering travelers an exciting new opportunity to experience the unique culture, history, and natural beauty of the United Arab Emirates. The launch of this new destination comes in response to the rising demand for economical and practical air travel options among both leisure and business travelers. With the latest addition of Fujairah, SalamAir now serves a total of 39 destinations across 13 countries, making it one of the region’s fastest-growing value-for-money airlines. Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, expressed his excitement about the new route to the airline’s network, stating, “The introduction of Fujairah to our destination network is part of our strategic plan to expand our reach within the regional routes we offer. We are certain that this new route will be a popular choice for all travelers, especially given the convenient connections from Fujairah to some of our most sought-after destinations on the network, and we look forward to welcoming our guests on board our flights to and from Fujairah.” Passengers can book their flights to Fujairah starting today through SalamAir’s website, call center, or their preferred travel agency. Visit www.salamair.com to book your next trip. You can also contact our customer service 24/7 at +968 2427 2222. With the addition of Fujairah, SalamAir continues its commitment to providing travelers with a range of affordable and convenient travel options while maintaining its focus on safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. Now, …

Kuwait Airways announced the launch of its first flights to the city of Athens, Greece with two flights per week on Fridays and Mondays, commencing from 16 June 2023. The Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Airways, Eng. Maen Razouqi stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to launch its first scheduled commercial flights to the city of Athens in the Republic of Greece as part of the implementation of its objectives to launch new and permanent destinations that was announced earlier.” Razouqi added, “The city of Athens is an excellent summer destination, both for travel and tourism. It is considered as one of the most beautiful cites in the world, famous for its history, rich culture and ancient heritage dating back to centuries. Taking this into account, Kuwait Airways launched this destination to suit the preferences of our valued customers, as well as to meet their requirements to diversify the network of routes and expand around the world by including new and diverse destinations.” Razouqi indicated that choosing the destination of Athens came after comprehensive research to meet the growing demands for destinations such as these and to different markets for our customers. Moreover, Kuwait Airways is diligently striving to provide customers with the opportunity to select what suits them the most, especially with recovery of the summer travel season and the diversity of destinations. Razouqi concluded that passengers travelling on the national carrier can enjoy a unique experience on board with advanced technology, as well as comfortable and distinguished services provided by the cabin crew who are ready to assist them with their requirements. On his part, the Ambassador of Greece to the State of Kuwait, H.E. Konstantinos Piperigos stated, “The …

Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, Amaala and The Red Sea, announced on Thursday the signing of a sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli Football Club. The agreement was signed in Jeddah in the presence of Eng. Ahmed Ghazi Darwish, Chief Administrative Officer and official spokesperson for Red Sea Global, and Mr. Tariq Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Ahli FC Investment Company. A number of senior executives from Red Sea Global as well as members of the club’s board of directors were also in attendance. Red Sea Global becomes the Platinum Sponsor of the club’s first team. The agreement means Red Sea Global’s logo will be displayed on the players’ jerseys during all local and global competitions, in addition to other commercial and marketing advantages and privileges. “This sponsorship stems from the sense of social responsibility adopted by RSG, and our interest in promoting various initiatives in relation to sports. It runs in parallel with our commitment to people and planet, which directly and positively reflects on the quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and contributes to creating and building a healthy society,” said Engineer Ahmed Darwish. Engineer Darwish noted that RSG will be an active partner in shaping the present and future of Saudi Arabia, by contributing to enhancing the sustainability of the sports sector. Al-Ahli Football Club represents a long history in Saudi sports and has a great fan base that will be a key element in the success of this partnership. Mr. Tariq Khalifa expressed his delight in associating the name of Saudi Al-Ahli FC with Red Sea Global, the company in charge of developing …

A new chapter in travel has arrived on the global stage with the world class, digitally-led airline Riyadh Air, making its international debut at the 54th bi-annual Paris Air Show. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner adorned with Riyadh Air’s unique livery touched down after a remarkable fly-over the city of Riyadh for its first official reveal on Monday 12th June. The disruptive new airline from Saudi Arabia will fly to more than 100 destinations, and reach 100 million visitors by 2030, making Riyadh City a hub for global travel and encouraging visits to the Kingdom for business and leisure. The airline will bring a new level of attention to detail to guest experience and has technology that will raise the bar for the industry. The brand identity captures the heritage of the Kingdom whilst being modern and forward thinking with the global campaign launched in early June was featured with the tagline of ‘The Future Takes Flight’. The aircraft is on static display at the air show, allowing visitors to view the unique indigo aircraft livery up close being one of two aircraft liveries that Riyadh Air will introduce to the world. The main brand lavender color is symbolic of the welcoming and hospitable nature of the people in the Kingdom, as well as being a natural plant that carpets Saudi Arabia during spring, while the rear of the aircraft design captures the movement of canopy tents in the desert. Riyadh City is rapidly becoming a major player in global business and the rapid Saudi economic growth, which is targeted to be in the top 10 globally by 2030, is outperforming other major economies. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has many developing tourist sites, such …

As travellers begin flying for the summer holidays, Etihad Airways is prepared to welcome more than 4 million passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport between 20 June and 30 September 2023 and advises guests to follow below tips. A high volume of travellers will be joining locally in Abu Dhabi, with the remainder connecting from across Etihad’s extensive network of 66 destinations, including new summer routes to Lisbon, Malaga and Mykonos which launched over the weekend. Etihad’s upgraded online check-in allows guests to complete passport and visa checks prior to reaching the airport. The Auto Doc Check feature ensures guests have met all relevant travel and visa requirements for a hassle-free airport experience. In addition, the airline’s self-service bag drop facility provides a quicker and more efficient check-in process, accommodating a greater number of guests and minimising queue times. Once checked-in online, the self-service facilities allow travellers to seamlessly retrieve their booking, print the bag-tag and process their bags in less than two minutes. Shaeb Al Najjar, General Manager Hub Operations, Etihad Airways, said “In addition to hosting guests as they fly into their summer holidays, we are also looking to welcome pilgrims, whether they are starting their journey from the UAE or connecting from other destinations across our extensive network. Thanks to Etihad’s award-winning cabin crew, family-friendly offerings, and cabin propositions, guests can expect the best possible travel experiences. By also embracing cutting-edge technologies, we can deliver a more seamless and personalised experience for our guests.” During peak times, Economy check-in for non-US flights opens four hours before departure and closes one hour before departure. Business and First check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. For US flights check-in closes …