Category Archives: Aviation

Hamad International Airport (DOH) has reported serving 13.7 million passengers in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, reflecting a robust 7.9 per cent growth compared to the same period last year. Point-to-point traffic also experienced growth by 11.7 per cent, contributing to the airport’s overall performance. The passenger traffic growth was driven by strong demand for air travel, with July marking the airport’s busiest month ever, handling 4,742,068 passengers followed by 4,717,885 passengers in August and 4,246,742 in September. In the Middle East, the key growth countries were Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain while in Europe, the growth was led by Spain, United Kingdom and Germany. China market grew by over 43 per cent compared to the previous year. The number of aircraft movements at Hamad International Airport reached 71,425 during Q3 2024, which is 6.2 per cent more that the same period in the previous year. This included 24,179 take-offs and landings in July, 24,329 in August, and 22,917 in September. This strong performance highlights the airport’s growing role as a major global aviation hub, handling increased volumes of air traffic with efficiency and precision.

Sabre Corporation announced a new collaboration with Philippine Airlines to launch the “Fly with Sabre’s Pal” campaign in Saudi Arabia. The campaign, running from October 20 to December 10, 2024, will reward travel agents using the Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS) with exciting prizes for the highest number of bookings on Philippine Airlines. This initiative aims to foster stronger ties between Sabre and its valued travel agency community in Saudi Arabia, while supporting the growth of Philippine Airlines in the region. The campaign reflects Sabre’s commitment to offering dynamic and rewarding opportunities to travel agents in the Kingdom, particularly in supporting popular destinations. “The ‘Fly with Sabre’s Pal’ campaign is designed to recognize and reward the hard work of our travel agency partners in Saudi Arabia,” said Hasan Qannati, Head of Business Development for Saudi Arabia, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “At Sabre, we believe in creating opportunities that benefit both our airline partners and our agents, and this campaign is a testament to that.” Sabre and Philippine Airline teams with agents from Almatar in Riyadh during the campaign launch Throughout the campaign, the top performers will be recognized and awarded with four key prizes, marking the end of the campaign with a celebration of their achievements.

Etihad Airways now flies 42 times a week to North America: twice daily to New York JFK, and daily to Boston, Chicago, Toronto and Washington DC. Etihad starts daily flights to Boston, USA from 01 November, some six months after it opened the Massachusetts route. Guests flying stateside can take advantage of the new US Customs and Border Protection facility at Abu Dhabi, streamlining the immigration process and ensuring a hassle-free journey. Toronto Pearson Airport welcomed the arrival of Etihad Airways’ first Airbus A350 on Sunday, 27 October  2024, marking a further upgrade to the national airline of the UAE’s daily services between Abu Dhabi and Canada. The new aircraft extends the guest experience with its state-of-the-art design and Etihad’s latest cabin interior, representing Etihad’s ongoing commitment to offering a world-class travel experience for passengers flying between Canada and the UAE. Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De said: “We have seen significant demand on our Boston and Toronto routes. This expanding capacity gives our North American corporate and leisure travelers greater choice and flexibility when planning trips to the UAE and beyond to the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent.” Etihad’s complimentary stopover programme means travellers can turn their layover into a memorable stay with up to two free nights at premium hotels in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the city’s growing appeal as a must-visit destination. “The introduction of our A350 to Toronto and expanding to daily services to Boston reflect our ambitious growth plans in 2024, set to take another major leap at the end of November when we announce an exciting lineup of new destinations,” said De.

AVIAREPS Middle East announced the launch of its exclusive private jet holiday packages, a groundbreaking initiative that offers tourism boards and their partners a pioneering platform to promote private jet holiday packages to luxury lifestyle concierge desks and leading travel agencies throughout the Gulf States (GCC) region. AVIAREPS’ private jet holiday packages combine the ultimate in luxury travel with insider access to hidden gems, private tours, and VIP events that the general public normally don’t have access to. These exceptional experiences are brought to life through strategic partnerships with national, regional, and city tourism boards, as well as specialized tour operators, hotels, resorts, airports, and JetClass, AVIAREPS’ strategic private jet consolidator partner. “We are thrilled to launch this new initiative that has been three years in the making, ensuring we have the right partners to provide the ultimate experiences for a particular international jet setting segment of travellers from the Middle East. Our private jet holiday packages are designed for those who already travel in style but seek experiences that go beyond the ordinary,” said Glenn Johnston, Vice President Middle East & Global Public Affairs at AVIAREPS. “Through our extensive global network and close collaborations, we’re able to offer our travel industry partners and their clientele insider access to some of the world’s most exclusive destinations, events, venues and experiences, creating once-in-a-lifetime adventures.” Commenting on the partnership, Dennis Peters, CBO & Partner in JetClass said: “Partnering with AVIAREPS is a seamless alignment of strengths—our advanced expertise in private aviation and technology complements AVIAREPS’ expansive reach in global destinations and tourism. This partnership allows us to go beyond offering private flights; we are curating meticulously personalized journeys where every detail is taken …

Etihad Airways announces an enhancement to its European network. From 1 October 2025, the airline will offer daily services to both Dusseldorf, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark, further strengthening connections between the UAE and these European destinations. The Dusseldorf route will see a substantial increase from its current schedule to a daily service. This expansion represents an addition of four weekly flights, providing passengers with greater flexibility and connectivity. Additionally, Dusseldorf will now be served year-round, offering consistent travel options throughout all seasons. Similarly, the Copenhagen route will be enhanced from its present four-times-weekly schedule to daily operations. This change adds three more weekly flights to the Danish capital, further strengthening Etihad’s presence in Scandinavia. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, commented: “This move to daily flights for Dusseldorf and Copenhagen marks an exciting chapter in our European expansion. It reflects our commitment to providing unparalleled connectivity between Abu Dhabi and key European cities. These enhanced frequencies allow us to offer our guests greater flexibility and improved connection options across our global network. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to delivering our award-winning service and hospitality on these routes, ensuring every journey with Etihad is exceptional.” These enhancements reflect Etihad’s commitment to expanding its global network and providing guests with even more flexible and reliable travel options between Abu Dhabi and key European cities. Dusseldorf A perfect blend of modernity and tradition, Dusseldorf offers a unique European experience. Known for its fashion industry and art scene, the city’s Media Harbour showcases cutting-edge architecture. Visitors can enjoy luxury shopping along the famous Königsallee or explore the charming Altstadt (Old Town) for a taste of traditional German culture. Copenhagen …

According to Sojern’s latest findings, travel to the UAE and Saudi Arabia spikes ahead of major events and peak travel season. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on deck to host the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from 6 -8th December, and flight bookings from the past 30 days are up 9% overall during December, with regional bookings up 13% compared to 2023 and international travel up 4%. In addition, as Saudi Arabia (KSA) enters its peak travel season, regional and international travel are showing increased demand. Currently, international flight bookings are up 15% compared to 2023, but regional travel is the shining star with a 38% increase. Formula One (F1) events are known to draw large crowds. For example, the 2022 F1 Singapore Grand Prix spiked travel to the country by 63%.

flydubai launched its new Business Class check-in at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB). The dedicated space offers flydubai’s Business Class passengers a unique and smooth check-in experience with a personalised Meet and Assist service, seated check-in and a Fast Track service through passport control and security lanes. This is the carrier’s first dedicated check-in facility for Business Class passengers and it is located at the Departures area at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) near Entrance 3. The new space is designed to elevate the Business Class preflight experience and further underscores flydubai’s commitment to investing in enhancing the overall customer experience both on the ground and in the air. Commenting on the new Business Class check-in, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are excited to be extending to our Business Class customers the personalised service we offer them in our cabin on the ground as well. The new service will ensure our customers’ journey is efficient, hassle-free and enjoyable from the minute they arrive at Terminal 2 until they reach their destination. We continue to listen to our customers’ needs and invest in enhancing our products and services and we hope this is the first of many.” The new Business Class check-in area features design elements that draw inspiration from the serene and timeless beauty of desert dunes. The sweeping arches, warm tones and minimalist aesthetics reflect the undulating landscape of the desert, creating an inviting space for customers seeking efficiency and comfort. The new elevated experience starts prior to Business Class passengers arriving at the terminal with a dedicated Business Team available to assist with enquiries. A Dedicated Kerbside Drop-off Area and a separate Entrance …

Etihad Airways is rolling out Skypad, an innovative digital tool designed to enhance the inflight experience for passengers. Developed in-house by Etihad’s Digital Transformation and Innovation team, Skypad represents a significant step forward in personalised, efficient air travel service. Cabin crew serving in premium cabins have begun receiving tablets equipped with the SkyPad application and other key tools. These devices enable crew members to access real-time flight updates, ensuring each guest’s needs are anticipated and addressed promptly. “At Etihad, we’re committed to embracing technology that enhances our guests’ journey,” said Turky Alhammadi, Director of Product Development & Hospitality at Etihad Airways. “Skypad embodies our dedication to excellence, blending innovation with our world-renowned hospitality.” Skypad’s Meal Order Taking feature allows cabin crew to take and complete orders with minimal steps, ensuring a smoother dining experience for passengers. The system’s real-time inventory tracking enables precise management of onboard resources, reducing waste and improving sustainability efforts. “The introduction of Skypad marks a new chapter in our service evolution,” Alhammadi added. “We’re continuously working on new functionalities to make this tool even more effective, always with the goal of providing an unparalleled guest experience.” Etihad Airways is committed to ongoing development of Skypad. Future enhancements will focus on further personalising the guest experience and expanding the system’s capabilities. Looking further ahead, Etihad envisions a fully connected experience across all guest touchpoints – in the air and on the ground. This ambitious goal aims to create a seamless journey for passengers, from booking to arrival at their final destination. As Etihad continues to innovate in aviation technology, passengers can look forward to an ever-evolving, seamless travel experience that sets new standards in the industry.

Emirates announced plans to debut newly retrofitted Boeing 777s featuring its latest Business Class and Premium Economy cabins to Kuwait and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, as more aircraft sporting refreshed cabins roll out into scheduled service. The airline aims to offer customers traveling on short flights more opportunities to experience its latest-generation products, in addition to raising the bar for premium travel, with Kuwait and Dammam becoming the second and third cities in the GCC to be served by the refurbished Emirates Boeing 777s. Emirates’ enhanced Boeing 777s with the airline’s signature Premium Economy and next generation Business Class will operate as follows:Kuwait: The retrofitted Emirates Boeing 777 will operate on EK855 and 856 from 27 October. Dammam: The refurbished Emirates Boeing 777 will operate on the daily EK823 and EK824 as well as the EK 821 and EK 822 from 22 November*. Dammam becomes the second destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be served with the retrofitted Emirates Boeing 777. The Emirates Boeing 777 entered refurbishment in early July, and so far, six aircraft have fully rolled out into service, flying to Geneva, Zurich, Brussels, Haneda and Riyadh. The four-class configuration features 24 Premium Economy seats set in a 2-4-2 abreast layout. The 19.5-inch-wide cream leather seats consist of a 38-inch pitch, reclining 8 inches to stretch and relax, in addition to 6-way adjustable headrests. The new Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class is inspired by the fresh, open and contemporary design elements of Emirates’ iconic A380 experience, featuring soft leather cream seats accented with champagne trim, lighter wood panelling, a mini-bar, and other technology touches that deliver an elegant and engaging experience. Emirates will offer 38 seats in a 1-2-1 …

The inaugural Aviation Future Week (AFW), organised by Emirates Airline and the Museum of the Future, commenced bringing together global aviation leaders, industry experts, and innovators to discuss the future of the industry. The event provided a high-powered platform to explore how the future of aviation is being shaped around the passenger experience. It also spotlights innovative solutions to global operational challenges in the industry by leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking on the occasion of the event, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “Dubai has a thriving aviation and tech ecosystem, which creates the ideal environment to nurture innovation in aviation, particularly through emerging technologies like AI. Aviation Future Week addresses vital issues including the enormous impact of aviation on global mobility and prosperity, and the critical role of technology in mitigating industry challenges. The insightful discussions, diverse perspectives and viable use cases over the next three days will serve as a springboard for envisioning a better future for the industry.” The first day of the event was attended by prominent leaders in the aerospace industry. The gathering of the industry’s elite underscored the event’s role as a key platform for innovation and strategic partnerships. In a fireside chat on, ‘How Dubai is Setting Future Trends in Aviation and Logistics’, His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), emphasised Dubai’s pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation. HE Belhoul said Dubai has the knowledge, experience and innovation-first mindset to leverage advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to stay ahead of the wave of disruption coming to the aviation, cargo …