Category Archives: Aviation

flyadeal targets 75,000 overseas Hajj pilgrims in 2025 as they unveil plans to operate more dedicated charters during the holy season. The figure represents yet another significant milestone for flyadeal which has been scaling up the number of overseas Hajj flights since 2023. From 35,000 pilgrims flown by flyadeal into the Kingdom last year – up 35 per cent on 2023 – the number is expected to more than double to 75,000 in 2025, with the airline operating additional widebody charters into Jeddah and Madinah, gateway to the Holy City of Makkah. flyadeal is also stepping up its year-round Umrah services, which will continue to operate from Turkey, Iraq and Uzbekistan, with the UK, Thailand, India and countries in Africa and Central Asia set to be included for 2025. The growth plans were announced during the 4th edition of the annual Hajj Conference and Exhibition that took place at the Superdome in Jeddah last week under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and organised by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. flyadeal joined sister companies Saudia and SGS (Saudi Ground Services) under the umbrella of parent Saudi Group – this year’s strategic sponsor – with a joint exhibition stand promoting products and services to visiting Hajj committees, ministries and tour operators from around the world. His Excellency Dr.Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom, together with HE Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia, and HE Engr. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahaman Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, were among the many visiting dignitaries. Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive …

Emirates unveils its Emirates World store in Egypt, expanding the reach of its refreshed travel retail store concept that elevates the customer experience through product showcases, smart technologies and expert travel consultants. The Emirates World store, located at the luxurious 5A WaterWay in Cairo, was inaugurated by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer and Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Centre, in the presence of Her Excellency Mariam Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador, Pilot Montaser Mana, the Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation of Egypt and Amr Kady, CEO of Egypt Tourism Authority. The opening ceremony was also attended by other distinguished guests, trade and media partners. Commenting on the milestone, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said, “This year marks our fourth decade of operations. Egypt was one of the first five destinations that we launched to at the very beginning of our operations, and we are proud to further enhance our offering for customers with the inauguration of Emirates World in Cairo.” He continued, “Our global retail strategy is perfectly aligned with our ‘Fly Better’ promise, offering our customers the elevated hospitality they expect from Emirates, along with smart and efficient technologies, hands-on product displays and expert support and advice. We will continue to roll out Emirates World concept stores in Africa and across our network, to connect more deeply with our customers at more touchpoints on the ground.” At 332m2, Emirates World Cairo brings the airline’s iconic product and services even closer to customers in the city. With its light and airy colour palette and open-plan lounge-like environment, the concept store is reminiscent of the airline’s signature inflight look and feel, further …

Bird Travels (Bird Group, India) announces the appointment of Bird Aero Services FZCO, Dubai, U.A.E as the General Sales Agent of VietJet Thailand in the United Arab Emirates. Bird Aero Services FZCO, the second Middle Eastern arm of Bird Group, complementing Bird Travels Private Limited, India’s largest airline management company, is serving successfully as the Passenger Sales Agent of VietJet in the UAE market since July 2024. It will now represent VietJet Thailand and support the airline in establishing its footprint in the UAE market, providing inter alia, airline management and representation services.

Emirates clenched yet again ‘Best Airline’ award at the seventh edition of Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “We’re honoured to be recognised for our efforts and the wider work being done in the industry, particularly in our region, which is progressing rapidly and achieving milestone after milestone. Such awards are a way to express gratitude to the industry, its individuals, corporations, and companies that have contributed to creating these milestones.” Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates

Wipro Limited announced that it has been selected by Etihad Airways to lead its comprehensive technology modernization. Wipro will ensure seamless migration of legacy systems and improve operational efficiency across key areas, including workplace, network, infrastructure, and service management. As part of the five-year contract, Wipro FullStride Cloud will deliver a customized cloud-based solution that will provide Etihad Airways real-time insights into their resource utilization and improve operational agility and scalability for their global operations. Wipro will also integrate Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) modules across the IT framework – from automation of data centers to conversational support to end-users. GenAI will also provide intelligent device management and GenAI-based insights that will optimize performance and resolve potential disruptions proactively. Frank Meyer, Chief Digital Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “We look forward to working with Wipro to prepare for the AI era, with an emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and cost optimization. Together, we aim to elevate our customers’ experiences through advanced automation, intelligent operations, and enhanced observability.” Vinay Firake, CEO – Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), Wipro Limited, said, “We are excited to embark on this journey with Etihad Airways and enable them to adapt to the dynamic needs of the aviation industry. Through our proven expertise in digital transformation and AI-powered solutions, we will deliver seamless, efficient and innovative services to their customers.” Additionally, Etihad Airways will gain access to Wipro’s Innovation Lab in the UAE, which will play a pivotal role in enhancing their technology to meet the evolving demands of their global operations. For more than two decades, Wipro has operated in the Middle East with thousands of employees and providing opportunities for local talent to effectively serve …

Emirates will restart services to Beirut, Lebanon from 1 February 2025 with a daily flight. The airline will also reinstate daily services to Baghdad in Iraq on the same day. From February, Emirates’ daily flights to Rafic Al Hariri International Airport will be served by a Boeing 777-300ER in three classes, offering more than 5,000 seats both ways each week, and adding more choice, increased comfort and enhanced connectivity from Beirut to Dubai and onwards to the airline’s network of more than 140 destinations. From 1 April 2025, the airline will scale up its operations and layer on a second daily service to Beirut with the addition of the EK957/958 morning service, which is also set to be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in three classes. The airline will operate to Beirut and Baghdad with the following schedule (all times are local): Beirut: From 1 February, Emirates will operate daily on EK953 and EK954. EK953 departs Dubai at 1130hrs, arriving in Beirut at 1400hrs. The return flight, EK954 leaves Beirut at 1530hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2120hrs. From 1 April, Emirates’ second daily service EK 957 takes off at 0730hrs, arriving in Beirut at 1030hrs. EK958 departs Beirut at 1205hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1655hrs. Baghdad: Emirates’ daily flights to Baghdad will be served by a Boeing 777 aircraft. On Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, EK 941 will depart Dubai at 0805hrs, arriving in Baghdad at 0950hrs. EK 942 will then take-off at 1125hrs, landing in Dubai at 1435hrs. On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, EK 943 will depart Dubai at 1300hrs, arriving in Baghdad at 1425hrs. EK944 leaves Baghdad at 1555hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1910hrs. For more information or …

Turkish Airlines has resumed its flights to Damascus, which were first started on February 1984 and suspended since April 2012. Resuming from 23 January, Turkish Airlines will operate three flights per week to Damascus on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. On the resuming of the Damascus flights, Turkish Airlines CEO, Bilal Ekşi stated: “As Turkish Airlines, we are excited to recommence our flights to Damascus, capital of Syria. With the historical ties we share between the two countries, we believe that the return of Turkish Airlines will further reinforce these bonds and contribute to trade and cultural potential of the region. As we continue to diversify the Middle East’s gateways to the world, we continue our mission of building bridges between countries and peoples around the globe with our unparalleled flight network.” Turkish Airlines passengers can travel round-trip from Istanbul to Damascus for prices starting from 299 USD, inclusive of all taxes and fees. These fares are based on Turkish Airlines’ official website pricing and may vary in sales offices and agencies. Flight Schedule: FLIGHT NO START END DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL TK  846 23.01.2025 27.03.2025 Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday IST 09:00 11:00 DAM TK  847 23.01.2025 27.03.2025 Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday DAM 13:00 15:10 IST *All times are in LMT Operating flights to 352 destinations in 131 countries, Turkish Airlines continues to expand its seamless connectivity through new destinations, while offering unmatched service quality worldwide.

Qatar Airways announced its latest expansion into the Americas with the launch of two new weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting early summer 2025. These flights will connect Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Colombia, and then continue to Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) in Venezuela. The return flight from Caracas will operate non-stop to Doha. This new service makes Qatar Airways the first and only airline to offer non-stop flights from the Middle East to Colombia and the only Middle Eastern carrier operating in Venezuela. With the addition of Bogotá and Caracas, Qatar Airways expands its Americas network to a total of 16 destinations, joining major cities like Dallas, Miami, New York City, São Paulo, and Toronto. Operated by Boeing 777-200LR aircraft equipped with 42 Business Class seats and 234 Economy Class seats, the new Bogotá and Caracas services will provide travellers from two of South America’s busiest cities with convenient access to the Middle East and beyond, owing to Qatar Airways’ strong global network reaching over 170 destinations. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “The launch of flights to Bogotá and Caracas marks a transformative moment for Qatar Airways and for travellers to South America. As the first airline to offer nonstop service from the Middle East to Colombia and the only Middle Eastern carrier flying to Venezuela, we are creating new opportunities to connect people, cultures, and commerce. “Passengers can look forward to experiencing Qatar Airways’ world-class in-flight hospitality as we continue to reach new heights in long-haul travel with our second longest flight into the Americas. These routes embody our commitment to …

flynas celebrated its first direct flight between Jeddah and Djibouti further expanding its network in Africa in line with its expansion plan and the national objectives in the aviation sector. An inaugural celebration was held at King Abdulaziz International Airport attended by Djibouti’s Ambassador to the Kingdom and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, as well as representatives from flynas and Jeddah Airports Company. The flight was welcomed at Djibouti International Airport by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Djibouti, Faisal Al-Qabbani and Djibouti’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. The leading LCC started operating three weekly flights between Jeddah and Djibouti, extending travel options offered to its guests travelling to and from Africa, in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom”, in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030 and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. Passengers traveling with flynas can book their flights through all flynas booking channels: www.flynas.com, the flynas app, the call centre (920001234), or travel agents.

Following Emirates’ successful launch to Madagascar in September 2024, the airline will introduce additional flights to the island nation, boosting its schedule from four to six-weekly services, starting 2 April 2025. The move reinforces the airline’s commitment to support Madagascar’s tourism ambitions to accommodate more leisure visitors and promote the island destination to global audiences. The boost in operations, in response to strong demand for its passenger services between the capital city and Dubai, was announced at a press conference held by Madagascar’s Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Tourism, and Emirates in Antananarivo. Since flights commenced last year, Emirates has witnessed tremendous demand for its passenger services, both inbound and outbound, between Antananarivo and Dubai. With the current four weekly flights operating at near full capacity, the significant uplift to the number of seats offered on the route will support Madagascar’s efforts to increase visitor arrivals into the country, while also providing more choice and convenience for travellers to plan trips to and from the popular Indian Ocean destination. Announcing the expansion of Emirates’ services to the island at the press conference, Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for West Asia and Indian Ocean said: “We are pleased to boost our services to Madagascar by offering two additional flights per week in line with soaring demand for travel since the start of operations. Our growing flight schedule to the island means better connectivity, more choice and convenient options for travellers. Enhancing services will also strengthen the economic ties between Madagascar and the UAE, by supporting more inbound and outbound leisure and business travel to the island and bolstering trade lanes with additional cargo capacity. As tourism to …