Category Archives: Aviation

Qatar Airways is participating in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 (Hall 1, ME1210), taking place from 1 to 4 May, in Dubai. At the exhibition, the national carrier of the State of Qatar will showcase QVerse, a virtual reality experience to tour the Premium Check-in area at Hamad International Airport (HIA) and to explore the award-winning Business Class Qsuite. Along with multiple other announcements, Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism will share plans for the upcoming year featuring expected developments on products and services. The award-winning airline looks forward to meeting with trade partners, as well as travel and tourism professionals. Qatar Airways is strongly positioned to continue to lead the global recovery of the aviation industry – the “World’s Best Airline” has introduced new routes earlier this year as part of a robust growing network, stronger agreements and leading partnerships. The Global Partner and Official Airline of F1®, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, announced lately the launch of its exclusive travel packages for the upcoming F1® races this season. The travel packages allow fans to be up-close to high-octane action, and exclusively enjoy unique experiences including pit lane walks, guided track tours, and special events with select F1® drivers. Recently, Qatar has upgraded the Hayya platform previously used to manage tourists entering the country for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2023TM. Now, the Hayya platform has become the only portal in which tourists and business travellers should use to apply for visas to Qatar. The Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, named Doha as Arab Tourism Capital for 2023, a recognition of Qatar’s development in the travel and tourism industry. As Qatar Airways’ sponsorship portfolio continues to grow, it …

SAUDIA released its operational performance report for the first quarter of 2023, which revealed a 35% increase in the number of guests carried across its flight network compared to the same period last year. The airline transported 7 million guests, including 3.2 million domestic guests and 3.8 million international guests, which represents a significant 94% increase, and reaffirms SAUDIA’s objective to connect the world with Saudi Arabia. During Q1 2023, SAUDIA’s aircraft flew over 42,000 flights across four continents, representing a 5% increase, which accumulated to over 127,500 flight hours, and a 26% increase. Internationally, the airline operated over 18,300 flights with an increase of 40% and recorded 87,300 flight hours with an increase of 55.2%. Additionally, 23,600 domestic flights were operated by SAUDIA across a total of 40,100 flying hours. Captain Ibrahim Koshy, the CEO of SAUDIA, said: “The growth achieved during Q1 of 2023 comes in line with SAUDIA’s operational plan to increase its flights and seating capacity, considering the operational efficiency and maintaining on-time performance. This was evident in the services provided that enhanced the travel experience and earned the loyalty of more guests from all over the world. The most prominent of which was the “Your Ticket Your Visa” service, providing guests with easier access to the Kingdom through a digital integration system that links transit visas with flight tickets. “SAUDIA’s flight network and quality services have been contributing to the Kingdom’s comprehensive development in all fields, including transporting visitors, tourists, and organizers to attend various events, exhibitions, and conferences held in the Kingdom. SAUDIA has designed an ambitious plan to transport more pilgrims as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program and connect the world with …

The Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF) is set to celebrate its milestone 10th edition as a co-located event at the 22nd Airport Show, the world’s leading annual B2B platform for the airport industry. From May 9-11, key players from the aviation sector – including airports, airlines, and ANSPs – will converge in Dubai to collaborate and outline a roadmap towards sustainability. This year’s edition will feature a strong emphasis on critical topics such as Air Traffic Control (ATC), Airport Security, Ground Handling, and Sustainability. With daily global flights predicted to reach nearly 200,000 by the mid-2030s, it is imperative for industry leaders to address these challenges. Achieving this projected growth could contribute US$1.5 trillion to the world’s GDP by 2030, according to ICAO forecasts. Furthermore, investments in airport infrastructure development between now and 2030 are estimated at US$1.2 to US$1.5 trillion. At GALF, over 40 aviation and airport leaders will participate in panel discussions featuring an impressive range of topics, including Air Traffic Management, Airport Security, Ground Handling, and Sustainability. Among the attendees are CEOs, CTOs, CIOs, COOs, and various Specialists and Strategists involved in Airport Security, Aviation Security, Passenger Security, and Airport Operations. This platform offers valuable insights into Disruptive Technologies, Cyber Security, Data Compliance, Risk Management, Airport Management, and Security Planning and Policy. Top experts will work together to outline a roadmap for achieving sustainability and improving operational efficiency. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group said: “The global airport industry is undergoing rapid transformation through the adoption of new technology, innovation and a renewed focus on …

Jazeera Airways added Larnaca in Cyprus to its network of new European destinations for the 2023 summer season. Larnaca is Cyprus’s oldest city, balancing a mix of the old and the new. Centrally positioned in Cyprus, the city provides easy access to other parts of the island for both leisure and business travel. With a Mediterranean climate, Cyprus is the perfect place to enjoy the sun, sea and fresh air. Rohit Ramachandran, Chief Executive Officer, Jazeera Airways said: “We are pleased to add Larnaca to our growing list of European destinations for the upcoming summer season. This provides travelers from Kuwait another holiday destination that is a short, affordable flight away. With the addition of Larnaca, we now proudly serve 63 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Central & South Asia and Africa.” Jazeera Airways is currently running a special offer on fares for 50,000 seats starting from KD 21 only. This offer is open until midnight (Kuwait time) on 20 April 2023 and valid for travel between 1 May and 15 June 2023. You can book your flights to Larnaca, Belgrade, Tirana, Sarajevo and Prague on the airlines website (www.jazeeraairways.com), or on the Jazeera App. The airline also connects from these European cities to other destinations across its network, providing convenient transits through Kuwait. Flights to Larnaca will operate twice weekly from 29 April – 27 May 2023, and three times a week from 29 May – 28 October 2023. Planned Flight Schedule Flight Number Frequency From To Departure (Local Time) Arrival (Local Time) J9 0345 Wednesday, Saturday (from 29 April 2023) Kuwait Larnaca 10:00 13:15 J9 0346 Wednesday, Saturday (from 29 April 2023) Larnaca Kuwait 14:00 17:10 J9 …

Emirates will be expanding its schedule this week to offer 38 additional flights across six cities in the GCC and Middle East to meet significant demand for Eid Al Fitr holiday travel. This year, more than 110,000 travellers are expected to board Emirates flights during Eid Al Fitr across the region, with additional flights planned for Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, Kuwait and Beirut. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emirates will be adding four extra flights between 19-29 April to and from Riyadh to cater to Saudi travelers looking to venture to Dubai and beyond.  In Jeddah, the airline will be operating three daily A380s, and will additionally layer on six flights operated by its Boeing 777 to serve the peak travel holiday period from the city between 20-25 April. Emirates will boost its flights to Dammam from 18 to 21 weekly, starting from 20 April until 31 May with additional flights scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays to connect travelers to their favorite holiday getaways.  Travelers from Medina will have the choice of an additional 16 flights in the month of April to accommodate those travelling inbound for Umrah, as well as travelers looking to start their holidays earlier. This year, Emirates customers in KSA will be venturing to Dubai for their Eid Al Fitr celebrations, in addition to the Maldives, London, Phuket, Mauritius, Manila and Paris. In Kuwait, Emirates will operate an additional eight flights for Eid with its Boeing 777 from 20-27 April.  Popular destinations for Kuwaiti travelers this year include Dubai, Maldives, Phuket, Bangkok, London, Mauritius and Milan. Emirates will offer an additional flight on 23 April on the airline’s existing Beirut schedule to accommodate for …

Qatar Airways flights to Casablanca and Marrakesh will resume on 30 June 2023, operating four times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays. The flight will be operated with the Boeing 787-8 with 254 seats: 22 Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats. With the addition of Casablanca and Marrakesh, passengers can now enjoy connectivity to over 160 destinations across the airline’s extensive global network via the world-class Hamad International Airport (HIA). The award winning airline remains committed to Morocco with the resumption of both cities’ routes, bolstering global connectivity, customer excellence and cultural connections. In summer 2023, Qatar Airways will operate four weekly flights to and from two airports in Morocco. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The Qatar Airways’ flights to Casablanca and Marrakesh solidify our commitment to the Moroccan market and meet a strong demand for connectivity to these two beautiful and historic cities. The FIFA World Cup 2022TM brought Qatar and Morocco together through football and bolstered our cultural and economic cohesion. Connecting through our Hamad International Airport offers passengers an unparalleled 5-star travel experience to over 160 destinations and continues to grow and expand our network.” Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco, is known for its beauty and modern elegance juxtaposing timeless architectural character, attracting people all over the world to visit this truly classic city. Marrakesh, on the other hand, holds a more traditional aesthetic with phenomenal scenery, thriving souqs and a rich history. Qatar Airways flight QR1397, will depart from Hamad International Airport at 09:15 arriving at Casablanca at 15:10, and finally departing from Casablanca at 16:30, making its way to its final destination, Marrakesh, at …

In keeping with their stance to return to normalcy after the challenging years, Korean Air announced the resumption of daily flights from Dubai to Seoul/Incheon from 20th April. This shows the solidarity between the two destinations and that the travellers are keen on discovering from both sides of the world. Kyung Seon Park – Regional Manager Middle East, Korean Air reiterated, “Korean Air’s Dubai route has served as a gateway that connects South Korea and the Middle East countries. In order to provide a more convenient schedule for business travelers related to Korean companies’ projects in the Middle East and travelers interested in traveling to the Korea & Middle east, the frequency of Korean Air flights has been increased to the same daily as before COVID-19. Passengers can taste bibimbap, Korea’s unique food (vegetable mixed rice), as an in-flight meal, and receive the best service on board. We truly provide excellence in flight.” The past few years witnessed a great increase of travellers opting to visit Korea especially due to the K -Pop music culture which became a great crowd puller towards the destination. In the UAE, concerts were held pulling massive crowds of both local and expat communities enjoying the music of this great nation. Business travellers on the other hand can enjoy the daily flights as they can frequent their travel once again just as it was prior to the pandemic. Korean Air has been serving the Middle East clientele for a long period of time. The flight timings are quite convenient for travellers whether business or leisure to visit Korea, as it departs Dubai in the evening and arrives in Incheon the next day. In terms of …

Qatar Airways, the Global Partner and Official Airline of F1®, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, announced today the launch of its exclusive travel packages for the upcoming F1® races this season. The travel packages allow fans to be up-close to high-octane action, and exclusively enjoy unique experiences including pit lane walks, guided track tours, and special events with select F1® drivers. Fans have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to purchase an array of flexible packages for all of the 2023 F1® race destinations, including the forthcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix and Qatar Airways Gran Premio del Made in Italy e Dell’Emilia-Romagna. In addition, the airline’s Privilege Club members can also earn Avios points – the world’s leading loyalty rewards currency, based on the total value of these Ultimate F1® Fan Travel Packages. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are thrilled to introduce our F1® Travel Packages to motorsports fans around the world. We have worked hard to create these affordable packages that offer unbeatable value. The Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix packages offer fans the additional experience to attend the superlative Geneva International Motor Show that is taking place in Qatar from 5-14 October. The access to the most highly anticipated auto show of the year makes the Qatar Grand Prix Travel Package a guaranteed unforgettable experience and the most affordable travel package for fans.” From start to end of their journey, the packages are designed for fans to enjoy a seamless motorsport extravaganza, with the inclusion of return flights, hotel accommodations, F1® Paddock Club or Grandstand race tickets, and much more. Motorsport enthusiasts planning to attend the Formula …

Emirates’ iconic flagship A380 landed at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, signalling a better way to fly between Dubai and Casablanca, as well as increasing travel demand in and out of Morocco. Passengers onboard the first A380 to Morocco were in for an extra tinge of excitement as the superjumbo was dressed in a special livery marked for the occasion. The aircraft sported the Museum of the Future Livery, Dubai’s newest definitive marvel, architectural icon and centre for pioneering concepts and ideas. The daily A380 service replaces the existing Boeing 777-300ER aircraft currently used between Dubai and Casablanca. Emirates flight EK 751 takes off from Dubai International Airport at 07:30hrs and lands in in Casablanca at 11:55hrs. EK 752 departs Casablanca at 1445hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0115hrs the next day. The aircraft was received by Khalfan Al Salami, Country Manager, Morocco, along with a host of dignitaries including Alasri Al Dhaheri, the UAE ambassador of Morocco, Omar Abdulrahman Al Tunaiji, UAE Consul General of Morocco, Alarby Bin Ebrahim, Public relations Manager, and Abdalhaq Mazrour, Airport Director, Morocco. Emirates has been flying to Morocco for 21 years and the return of A380 services underscores its long-standing commitment to the country, boosting inbound traffic and supporting the tourism recovery of the country. Casablanca continues to be a popular leisure destination on the Emirates’ net, and the upgrade of services to an A380 will provide travellers more opportunities to connect to the Moroccan capital, as well as provide customers more connectivity to Dubai and beyond to cities through  Emirates’ extensive global network. Passengers travelling on the first A380 are coming from the Middle East, South and South East Asia, South Africa, …

Qatar Airways flights to Birmingham, England will resume on 6 July 2023, operating daily throughout the summer season. The flight will be operated with the Boeing 787-8 with 254 seats: 22 Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats. This resumption will come at an opportune time for travellers attending the British Grand Prix taking place on 9 July 2023 at the legendary Silverstone circuit. Birmingham, one of the UK’s most significant industrial and commercial cities, is known for its number of well-preserved, unusual historical attractions. The city is also the national centre of the silversmith profession making the Jewellery Quarter, which produces 40 per cent of the UK’s Jewellery, a truly spectacular area to experience. Birmingham is also home to the Bullring, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, making it one of the top three shopping destinations in the UK. The city is also home the largest event space in the UK, the National Exhibition Centre, attracting thousands of visitors throughout the year. The City of Birmingham is centrally located with 90 per cent of the UK being reachable within four hours, and is conveniently located only one hour away from the Silverstone circuit, where fans can take advantage of the new Qatar Airways route to join in the racing festivities. With its affiliation to F1, Birmingham is home to some of the world’s most recognised motorsport racing teams; making the resumption of Qatar Airways’ daily services to the ‘Motorsport Valley’ arrive in a timely manner. Qatar Airways Holidays is also offering one-of-a-kind travel packages which include flights, hotels, premium seats at the race, gourmet hospitality, Paddock Club™ Pit Lane Walk and an exclusive event with appearances by …