Category Archives: Aviation

Riyadh Air partners with Adobe to deliver personalized global travel experiences, powered by Generative AI

Riyadh Air and Adobe announced a strategic technology partnership. Riyadh Air will integrate with a broad range of travel partners, both in the Kingdom and globally, allowing guests to manage their entire travel experience through its digital properties. As the lead systems integrator, IBM Consulting will employ Adobe’s Experience Cloud technologies to create a cohesive and tailored travel journey for Riyadh Air guests. With plans to carry its first passengers in 2025, Riyadh Air aims to connect the Kingdom to more than 100 destinations around the world, supporting both the National Aviation Strategy’s and National Tourism Strategy ambitions to bring 330 million annual visitors to the Kingdom by 2030. “We’re on a mission to shape the future of travel and meet guest’s expectations of their travel experience,” said Adam Boukadida, chief financial officer at Riyadh Air. “Through our strategic partnership with Adobe, we will be able to create incredible, personalized experiences for our guests at every stage and every moment of their journey, from planning their trips towards booking and boarding their flight and towards the arrival destination across the world.” “As a new digitally native airline, Riyadh Air has an opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to delivering personalized, real-time digital experiences for air travelers,” said Anil Chakravarthy, president, Digital Experience Business at Adobe. “The airline’s vision, combined with the power of Experience Cloud and generative AI, holds the promise of setting entirely new standards for digital experiences in the travel industry and beyond.” Adobe technology will be used by Riyadh Air to offer a seamless, end-to-end travel experience to the guests traveling globally to and from Saudi Arabia, as well as those traveling …

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SAUDIA announces new retrofit program for its current fleet

SAUDIA, signed a contract with Collins Aerospace, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to elevate guest experience and advance operational capabilities. This collaboration signifies a significant upgrade to Saudia’s fleet interiors and paves the way for further synergies for Saudia Group’s subsidiary, Saudia Technic. Under this agreement, Collins Aerospace, a globally recognized leader in aviation solutions, will install newly designed seats in Saudia’s upcoming Boeing 787 fleet, scheduled for delivery from early 2026 onwards. Additionally, a comprehensive seat retrofit program with an aim to enhance both functionality and aesthetics, is planned for Saudia’s current Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 fleet, starting in late 2025 and concluding by late 2027. It’s worth mentioning that the Business Class cabin across Saudia’s wide-body fleet will all consist of private suites, ensuring an elevated and comfortable travel experience for Saudia guests. A key feature of the plan involves the establishment of localized repair capabilities as well as select spares manufacturing capabilities with Saudia Technic, reinforcing Group’s commitment to the localization of content in the region. This will improve Saudia’s in-house repair capability, streamline spares support, deploy localized product support, and implement comprehensive solutions to optimize fleet performance and operational efficiency. “We are thrilled to join forces with Collins Aerospace to introduce state-of-the-art Business and Economy Class seats into our new fleet, as well as retrofit our existing fleet’s interiors,” commented Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Saudia. “This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering exceptional comfort and convenience to our guests. Additionally, the establishment of additional capabilities in Jeddah underscore our dedication to fostering local expertise and driving economic growth.” He added, “This synergy reflects the Group’s …

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Emirates set for strong return to ITB Berlin 2024

Emirates will return to ITB Berlin from 5 until 7 March in a major way, showcasing its latest signature products and reaffirming the airline’s longstanding commitment to Europe’s leading travel and trade show. Emirates is gearing up for three action-packed days at ITB Berlin with plans to launch new partnerships and expand existing collaborations with local and regional travel partners – including air carriers to enhance connectivity for travellers headed to/from major European travel hubs; and strategic partnerships with travel and tourism entities to promote travel to and from Europe via joint marketing and other trade initiatives. Visitors to the Emirates stand will have the opportunity to experience Emirates’ latest roster of innovative products and fan-favourites including the highly popular Emirates Premium Economy seat which will be showcased in Germany for the first time. Unveiled at the 2022 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Emirates’ Premium Economy product has so far won multiple awards and is available on 27 A380 aircraft flying to 15 destinations including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, London Heathrow, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo, Mumbai, Bangalore, Sao Paulo and Dubai. Also debuting for the first time at ITB Berlin is Emirates’ iconic Boeing 777-300ER game-changer First Class fully enclosed private suite. With the full range of onboard products on display, visitors can experience Emirates’ Boeing 777 Business Class seat, the newest generation of the A380 Onboard Lounge and First Class Shower Spa, as well as its generously pitched Economy Class seats. Emirates will also dedicate an area to showcase its latest sustainability initiatives, including onboard items that incorporate responsibly-sourced materials, and items from ‘Air-crafted by Emirates’ – a unique collection of luggage, bags and …

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Qatar Airways Group partners with Our Habitas to launch ‘Our Habitas Ras Abrouq’, a luxury desert resort set on Qatar’s golden west coast

Qatar Airways Group in partnership with Our Habitas has officially launched a luxury resort nestled on the West Coast of Qatar next to the Al Reem UNESCO-Designated Biosphere Reserve. Located about one hour’s drive from Hamad International Airport in Doha, the resort features unspoiled views of the Arabian Gulf, spectacular golden sunsets along with an exciting blend of art, culture, music, wellness, and adventure programmes. Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani along with VIP guests, media, designers and artists were present at an opening ceremony to showcase the distinctive hospitality venture that promises a unique experience. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Our Habitas Ras Abrouq is a breathtakingly beautiful Qatari desert destination and now travellers across the Qatar Airways global network can experience this landscape in a unique way when they fly to Doha. We are working with Our Habitas to unlock the future of travel by curating one-of-a kind, innovative, travel experiences.” Our Habitas co-founder and chief executive, Oliver Ripley said: “We believe that people are changing the way in which they choose to travel, seeking meaningful connection with places, culture, nature and each other, this resort welcomes global traveler’s to discover Qatar, its culture, and immerse themselves where the desert meets the sea inside a UNESCO biosphere.” The area stands out due to its unusual landscape of white cliffs and beautiful geological forms yielding a captivating view of the Qatari desert. The resort’s one-to-four-bedroom villas, each with private pools and large outdoor decks, overlook the Arabian Gulf. Internationally acclaimed artist Richard Serra’s public art installation, the East-West/West-East sculpture commissioned by Qatar Museums Authority, is 1.6km from the resort. Qatar …

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80% sales from travel agents: Philippine Airlines CM KSA

Ricky Pacquing – Country Manager Philippine Airlines at a special interview with TTME shared that 80 per cent of their sales come from the travel agents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “we owe a lot to the travel trade so we incentivise them as much as we can providing them back end and front end support.” Participating at the first ever B2B exhibition Saudi Travel Mart in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, Philippine Airlines showcased their many connectivity options to attract the Saudi market which consist both locals and expats. Pacquing reiterated that they will be celebrating their 83rd anniversary this year and they will be hosting the top performing agents across the globe to a special award ceremony in Manila next month to recognise their efforts and commitment to bring in the numbers.

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19 executives promoted, including 8 UAE nationals, 6 women added to the Group’s senior executive ranks demonstrating the bench strength of UAE talent and internally developed talent at the Emirates Group

Emirates Group has announced a slate of senior appointments as the organisation readies itself for its next phase of growth, promoting 19 executives including 8 UAE nationals, and 6 women. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “Keeping pace with Dubai’s vision for growth and prosperity, the Emirates Group has also set clear and ambitious plans for fleet, network, and business growth for the next 15 years. To effectively execute these plans, the Group is strengthening its executive bench, together with internal business and operational alignment. I am pleased to announce these senior appointments, all of whom are long-serving leaders within the organisation who continue to contribute to the growth and success of Emirates and dnata.” The appointments, effective 1 March 2024 are: Adel Al Redha Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer Adnan Kazim Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Steve Allen Chief Executive Officer, dnata Michael Doersam Chief Financial and Group Services Officer Boutros Boutros Executive VP – Marketing, Brand and Corporate Communications Nabil Sultan Executive VP – Passenger Sales and Country Management Oliver Grohmann Executive VP – Human Resources Richard Jewsbury Executive VP – Corporate and Customer Experience Planning Anand Lakshminarayanan Divisional Senior VP – Order Management and Revenue Optimisation Amira Al Awadhi Senior VP – HR Operations and Systems Amira Al Falasi Senior VP – Training and Development Hana Al Awadhi Senior VP – dnata Business Support Manal Al Soori Senior VP – Group Recruitment Masooma Hassan Senior VP – Airline Business Support Musa Faisal Senior VP – Operations Research and Effectiveness Valerie Tan Senior VP – Corporate Communications, CSR and Media Affairs Rogerio Leao Divisional VP – Fleet …

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Emirates A380 returns to Vienna, Austria

Emirates A380 has returned to Vienna again after a break of nearly four years and carrying more than 400 passengers to the Austrian capital. Emirates has become the only air carrier to operate the double-decker at Vienna International Airport, a significant milestone in the history of the partnership between the two entities. The iconic aircraft landed on Austrian soil for the first time back in 2014 to mark the 10th anniversary of Emirates’ operations in Austria, followed by a scheduled A380 service in 2016 between Dubai and Vienna. “We are delighted to bring our A380 back on the Vienna-Dubai route and offer our passengers the incomparable experience on board the popular aircraft. The A380 is Emirates’ flagship aircraft and a fan-favourite among passengers around the world. The return of the double-decker marks a milestone for Emirates’ operations in Austria and demonstrates the significance of our market in Emirates’ global route network,” says Elisabeth Zauner, Country Manager Emirates Austria, on the resumption of the scheduled Emirates A380 operations to Vienna. Julian Jäger, Joint CEO of Vienna Airport, is also enthusiastic about the return of the Emirates A380: “I am delighted that the Emirates A380 is back in regular service to Vienna. The world’s largest passenger aircraft is a highlight for all travellers and a great enrichment for Vienna Airport. The associated increase in capacity is a further sign of the strengthening of connections to the Near and Middle East and is good for tourism to and from Austria.” The A380 is currently the largest passenger aircraft in the world and the flagship of the Emirates fleet. More than 90 A380s are currently in service on Emirates’ global route network, including the popular …

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Qatar Airways announces flights resumption to Lisbon, Portugal

Qatar Airways resumes flights to Lisbon, Portugal with four weekly flights commencing Thursday, 6 June 2024 as part of its 2024 network expansion of over 170 destinations. As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon offers the perfect starting point for travellers eager to delve into the rich tourism offerings of the country. With countless historical sites only a day trip away, adventurers can embark on a journey to the medieval town of Sintra and its UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quinta de Regaleira palace. A train ride away, the National Palace of Pena is adorned with colourful tiles inspired by the exotic plants surrounding it, creating a captivating ambience. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “As we continue to expand in the European market, we celebrate the resumption of our flights to the beautiful city of Lisbon. Qatar Airways passengers can now enjoy very efficient ways to travel between Qatar and Portugal, as well as connect between Portugal and Asia, Africa, Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, through the Best Airport in Middle East which offers customers the best duty free and best lounges in the region.” Travellers wishing to escape the city life can venture to Cascais, also known as the “Portuguesa Riviera”. With several beautiful beaches, Cascais is the ideal destination for water sports enthusiasts, especially surfers and windsurfers. Cascais is also the perfect beach destination with delectable seafood and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Qatar Airways passengers in Portugal can now uncover new corners of the world through the award-winning Hamad International Airport (DOH). This latest addition to the summer schedule opens up new entry point for international travel from Europe, through Lisbon, to the continents …

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Emirates to expand its South American network with launch of services to Bogotá from 3 June

Emirates announced it will launch a new daily service from Dubai to the Colombian capital, Bogotá, starting 3 June connecting Colombia with the United Arab Emirates, the new services will establish a historic first-ever link between the greater Middle East region and the northern part of the South American continent. Emirates’ entry into Bogotá will expand its South American network to four gateways, complementing its scheduled services to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. The latest destination will also enhance the airline’s operations in the Americas to now serve 19 points across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. The daily services will link Dubai and Bogotá via Miami, with Emirates set to become the first airline to offer a host of premium services on the popular route between south Florida and Colombia. Commenting on the launch of the new route and destination, Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “We’ve long wanted to serve Colombia, and the addition of Bogotá to our network is part of our strategy to deliver better connectivity, expand options and choice for travellers and provide unparalleled premium experiences on the ground and in the air. The launch of our daily operations to the dynamic capital of Colombia also underscores our deep commitment to South America, and is poised to foster increased business and leisure travel opportunities for customers. “There is a huge demand for travel to and from Bogotá and we can’t wait for customers to experience Emirates’ signature products and services on the flights between Bogotá and Dubai as well as between Bogotá and Miami. We would like to thank all the authorities involved for supporting our plans and making this …

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flydubai expands its network in Southeast Asia with the start of flights to Penang and Langkawi

flydubai inaugurated its operations to Langkawi and Penang becoming the first carrier to serve the two airports with a daily service from Dubai. With the start of flights to Penang and Langkawi, flydubai expands its network in Southeast Asia to four destinations in two countries, including Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia, and Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand. Commenting on the start of flights, Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said: “we are pleased to see our presence grow in Southeast Asia with the addition of Penang and Langkawi to our growing network. flydubai remains committed to opening up underserved markets and with the start of our daily service, we look forward to offering our passengers more opportunities to explore the beautiful region.” The timing of the inaugural flight on the first day of Chinese New Year presents an exciting opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in the multicultural festivities and vibrant events leading up to the 15 days of Chinese New Year celebrations in Penang. Through an array of Chinese New Year activities, Penang invites visitors to immerse themselves in the city’s dynamic cultural landscape, embracing the essence of the Lunar New Year celebrations. YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE), said: “we are thrilled that flydubai has introduced Dubai to Penang and Langkawi, marking the first new direct flight route for our airport this year. We believe this will be another key international route from Penang, and we applaud flydubai’s efforts to make Penang a destination of choice for many regional travellers.” The two new Malaysian destinations offer visitors from the UAE, and across the …

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