Category Archives: Aviation

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Qatar Airways, the Global Partner and Official Airline of F1®, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, announced the launch of its fan packages for the upcoming FIA Formula One World Championship. The packages allow fans travelling from more than 40 countries to be up-close to high-octane action and enjoy unique experiences. From the beginning to end of their journey, the packages are designed for fans to enjoy a seamless motorsport extravaganza, with the inclusion of return flights, hotel accommodation, F1® Paddock Club or Grandstand race tickets, and return airport transfers for all global races (excluding Qatar). Packages are available for purchase at: qatarairways.com/f1. Qatar Airways Holidays Senior Vice President, Steven Reynolds said: “We are thrilled to once again provide our F1 Fan Packages to motorsport enthusiasts around the world, offering our passengers an unparalleled experience to witness the adrenaline-fuelled excitement of F1. We have worked hard to create these affordable packages that offer unbeatable value and look forward to helping fans travel to races globally, for what promises to be yet another blockbuster F1 calendar.” Similar to the inaugural packages, this year’s fan packages include an array of flexible and competitively priced options for select F1® 2024 race destinations. This year, fans are also encouraged to experience guided track tours, pit lane walks and more with the F1® Paddock Club™ packages, featuring savings of up to 20 per cent on global race packages. One of the best spots to watch the action, offering world-class cuisine and free-flowing beverages, the Paddock Club™ is the pinnacle of F1® hospitality. In addition, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can collect Avios and Qpoints on all fan packages, accumulating rewards to use towards future travel and …

flydubai will add seasonal summer flights to Sochi in Russia. Flights to Sochi International Airport (AER) will operate between 16 June and 01 September with a three-times weekly service from Terminal 2 at Dubai International (DXB). Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “we are pleased to expand our seasonal summer offering with the resumption of flights to Sochi. Over the last few years we have seen consistent demand on our popular seasonal routes such as Batumi, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Mykonos and Santorini and with the start of flights to Sochi, we look forward to offering our passengers more attractive holiday destinations to explore between June and September.” Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is a popular seaside resort surrounded by sweeping beaches, lush forests and stunning mountainous landscapes. This famous resort city features cultural and historical sites as well as beautiful nature reserves to explore such as the Sochi Arboretum. With more than 125 destinations in 58 countries on its growing network, passengers travelling on flydubai’s latest aircraft can enjoy a comfortable travel experience whether they are in Business Class or Economy Class. Flight details Flights between Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) and Sochi International Airport (AER) will operate three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Return Business Class fares from DXB to AER start from AED 10,000 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 2,500. Return Business Class fares from AER to DXB start from USD 2,400 and Economy Class Lite fares start from USD 600.

Turkish Airlines has introduced the “Turkish Airlines Student Privileges Program”, a student-centric initiative aimed at elevating the travel experience for students. The new program is designed to be accessible and make travel affordable for students, whether connecting with loved ones, attending educational institutions, or exploring new destinations. Recognising the adventurous spirit of students, Turkish Airlines presents privileges that transcend conventional travel offerings. Students can benefit from a variety of services, including discounts of up to 20% on flights, an increased baggage allowance, a one-time free ticket change for international flights, and extra miles on all flights. With these special offers, Turkish Airlines is gearing its efforts towards enhancing students’ travels and helping them feel more at ease when planning their journeys. Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, stated that “We understand the significance of providing students with affordable and flexible travel options. Turkish Airlines is dedicated to supporting students in their educational journeys, making exploration and learning accessible.” Turkish Airlines Supports Türkiye Scholarships Program Beyond the Student Privileges Program, Turkish Airlines is strengthening its commitment to education by supporting the Türkiye Scholarships Program, acknowledging the pivotal role education plays in positive global change. The generously funded program, supported by the Turkish government, exemplifies Türkiye’s dedication to nurturing exceptional talents globally. This government-funded initiative provides outstanding students and researchers with the chance to pursue full-time or short-term programs at Türkiye’s esteemed universities. As part of the Türkiye Scholarships Program, Turkish Airlines is proud to be the program’s airline partner, providing flight tickets to students from across the globe who choose to come to Türkiye to advance their studies, careers, and in turn, find …

Sharjah Airport received the first flight of Fly Jinnah, a leading low-cost carrier in Pakistan operated jointly by Lakson Group of Pakistan and Air Arabia Group of UAE. The new carrier was welcomed during a ceremony held in the presence of H.E. Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the UAE, Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, Iqbal Ali Lakhani, Chairman of Fly Jinnah, and a group of representatives from the Authority, Air Arabia, and the Pakistani airline. It will operate on the route between Islamabad and Sharjah with two daily flights. The move comes in line with Sharjah Airport’s continuous efforts to deliver a wide array of services to its partners while catering to the needs of operators and passengers alike and ensuring a smooth operation. Sharjah Airport is currently expanding its range of flight options and destinations it offers with an aim to bolster the confidence of passengers. Furthermore, by providing exceptional services and travel procedures along with leveraging the airport’s ideal location and ongoing expansion efforts to boost capacity, it seeks to ensure a seamless and satisfying travel experience. The airport is also actively pursuing strategies to attract more airlines and foster new partnerships to introduce new routes and elevate its services by integrating cutting-edge technologies.