Category Archives: Aviation

Etihad Airways kicks-off the summer season with six hot destinations, including the airline’s new seasonal flights to Al Alamein. As part of its expanding network, Etihad is launching flights to Al Alamein (DBB) from 17 July with two weekly flights to Egypt’s hidden gem on the Mediterranean coast. Offering the perfect mix of natural beauty and cultural history, Al Alamein will become a popular choice for guests seeking relaxation and adventure, just a short flight away. In addition to the new destination, Etihad has resumed its five seasonal routes to European summer hotspots, giving direct access for holiday-makers to some of Europe’s most beautiful destinations, Nice, Malaga, Mykonos, Santorini and Antalya. Nice (NCE) in the French Riviera, is an ideal entryway for exploring the Côte d’Azur France, while flights to Malaga (AGP) offers a gateway to Andalucía and popular holiday destinations on the Mediterranean coast, including Marbella, and further inland to the historic cities of Seville, Cordoba, and Granada. For guests seeking a Greek island getaway, Etihad resumed its convenient flights direct to the enchanting islands of Santorini (JTR) and Mykonos (JMK). From crystal-clear waters, white-washed buildings and stunning sunsets, both islands offer an excellent escape. Etihad also relaunched flights to the popular Turkish resort, Antalya (AYT), on 17 June. Set on the turquoise coast of the Turkish riviera, this is a Mediterranean gem for holiday-makers seeking sun and relaxation. Onboard the first flights of all six seasonal routes, guests received a limited-edition Summer Fun Kit which includes: a branded cooler bag, an inflatable beach ball, a microfibre beach towel, a Voss water bottle and a gift booklet. Guests were able to step off the plane beach-ready and well-equipped to step straight on to the …

Emirates will be layering on more retrofitted Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s on its existing schedules to Shanghai and Zurich; expanding Milan, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires schedules; and upgrading its services to Shanghai and Singapore with A380 deployments. Emirates’ latest schedule, capacity enhancements and newly retrofitted aircraft deployments are in response to increased demand across the airline’s network and offer opportunities for more customers to enjoy the airline’s signature onboard experience, especially its highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin. The airline’s ambitious retrofit programme is progressing with remarkable momentum, as one aircraft undergoes a comprehensive nose-to-tail refresh every three weeks. Emirates’ engineering teams have retrofitted 60 aircraft since the start of the programme in November 2022. Emirates’ latest schedule enhancements, all effective from 26 October, include: • Ramping up operations to Milan with the addition of a third daily flight, EK 101/102. The third daily flight will be served with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. • Emirates’ linked services to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, EK247/248 will become daily flights. • After being served with a retrofitted Boeing 777 from 20 July, the airline will upgrade its services to Shanghai on the EK302/303 to the iconic Airbus A380, and the airline’s second daily flight to the city, EK 304/305, will be served with a retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft. • From this winter, the third daily flight between Dubai and Singapore will be served with the airline’s flagship A380 on the EK 314/315. Emirates will upgrade its second daily Zurich flight, EK 85/86, from 1 February 2026 to an A380, replacing the current retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft. Premium Economy will debut on Emirates flight EK87/88 with a newly retrofitted A380, …

Etihad Airways is preparing to welcome more than seven million guests at Zayed International Airport over the busy summer travel period.  Shaeb Alnuaimi, Director of Airport Operations, Etihad said: “We are looking forward to hosting millions of guests at Zayed International Airport as they head off on their summer holidays, including those flying on our seasonal routes to Malaga, Antalya, Santorini, Nice, and Mykonos. At every stage of the journey, we’re focused on delivering the highest standards of safety, comfort, and service. Whether it’s our modern fleet, award-winning hospitality, or thoughtful travel experiences, our guests can expect a smooth and enjoyable journey from the moment they check in.” Etihad Airways has compiled essential tips to help guests prepare for their travels: Staying informed is essential during busy travel periods. Guests can easily access the latest flight information through the Manage My Booking section on etihad.com or via the mobile app, where they can view or modify flight details, select seats, and access various other services. To avoid potential queues, guests are strongly encouraged to arrive at the airport at least four hours before departure during peak periods. For added convenience, Etihad offers multiple early check-in options: Online check-in opens 30 hours before departure and is available through etihad.com or the mobile app. After checking in online, guests can use the many automated self-service bag drops at the terminal, allowing them to weigh and tag their bags and collect their boarding pass in under a minute. Several off-airport check-in and bag-drop facilities are also available at: Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal (open 24 hours) The Fountains – YAS Mall (open from 10am to 10pm) Mussafah (open from 10am to 10pm) at 38 …

oneworld welcomes Oman Air as its 15th member airline. As the flag carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air strengthens the alliance’s presence across the Middle East and unlocks new opportunities for global travel. “We are proud to welcome Oman Air to the oneworld family,” said Nat Pieper, CEO of oneworld. “Oman Air brings valuable strategic reach and award-winning product and service to the alliance. This partnership opens up exciting new connections for our customers, particularly across the Gulf and South Asia, and reinforces oneworld’s position as the premium alliance for international travellers.” Effective 1 July, oneworld customers can access an extended network of destinations across Oman Air’s growing global schedule — including the launch of a new non-stop Muscat–Amsterdam service. As a full oneworld member airline, Oman Air will provide oneworld Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby customers with benefits including earning and redeeming miles, earning status points, priority check-in and boarding and lounge access. Likewise, Oman Air’s top tier customers will gain access to oneworld priority benefits including a network of nearly 700 premium airport lounges globally, as well as newly opened oneworld branded lounges in Amsterdam’s Schiphol and Seoul’s Incheon Airports. “Oman Air is honoured to be joining the oneworld alliance, whose members and global footprint represent the best of what international travellers want to experience,” said Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air. “We are thrilled to be able to welcome oneworld customers to the Sultanate of Oman to experience our unique culture, stunning mountain excursions, beautiful beaches, and, above all, the warm hospitality of the Omani people.” Oman Air, with its hub at Muscat International Airport, serves 42 destinations across 22 countries and territories globally, including key …

Archer announced a strategic partnership with Jetex focused on developing infrastructure across Jetex’s international portfolio of private terminals to support Archer’s planned commercial air taxi network. This collaboration, planned to focus initially on infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, is expected to expand to additional sites around the world across Jetex’s global portfolio, which includes 40 private aircraft terminals in more than 30 countries. Building upon Archer’s prior partnerships with other leading infrastructure providers, this approach advances Archer’s plans to scale a vertiport network that can support the growth plans for Archer’s air taxi operations globally. Under this partnership, the two companies plan to enhance Jetex’s strategically located fixed base operator (FBOs) locations to better suit Archer’s Midnight aircraft. Archer plans to work with Jetex to design the passenger experience and integrate eVTOL aircraft into daily operations.These upgrades will be paired with Jetex’s luxury service standards to deliver an efficient, tech-enabled customer journey. Adel Mardini, Founder & CEO of Jetex commented: “eVTOL technology is an instrumental part of our industry, designed to transform urban mobility and shape the future of business aviation. We are proud to work with our partners at Archer on making this ambitious vision a reality at Jetex Abu Dhabi and our other global destinations.” Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer, said, “Building a beautiful, safe and high-performing aircraft is only one aspect of our business. To succeed in the UAE and beyond we need to pair Midnight with strategic infrastructure that allows us to operate by delivering a premium experience for our passengers. With their wide-ranging global portfolio, and deep expertise with high-end customer service, Jetex is a perfect fit as a partner in Archer’s …

flyadeal has joined sister airline Saudia’s AlFursan loyalty programme giving members additional travel options to earn and redeem reward miles with the Kingdom’s fast-growing low-cost carrier. It’s the latest move by flyadeal towards further integration with national flag carrier Saudia, which codeshares on its entire domestic and international network. The new partnership was signed at a ceremony held at Saudia’s headquarters in Jeddah by Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, and Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan. The event was presided by His Excellency Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Saudia Group Director General. Steven Greenway, flyadeal CEO, said: “Joining AlFursan was just a matter of time for flyadeal. We’ve scaled our operations significantly across Saudi Arabia and internationally that now give members of the AlFursan loyalty programme more travel options with great flexibility to earn and redeem reward miles on flyadeal’s rapidly growing network. “Being the leading loyalty programme in the Kingdom, AlFursan has developed a diverse membership and partnership base for which we are delighted to be joining. With the sharp rise in the number of tourists, business travellers and pilgrims to, from and within Saudi Arabia, we are creating a dynamic aviation ecosystem built on demand, appeal, choice and loyalty.” Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan, added: “We are focused on expanding our member base while introducing exceptional partnerships such as the one with flyadeal, to enhance the programme and offer more exclusive rewards than ever before. This includes increasing our partner network and launching new features designed to provide more options for members to earn and redeem their reward miles. Our goal is for AlFursan to be the most rewarding loyalty programme in Saudi Arabia, and one of the best …

Etihad Airways has begun operating its iconic Airbus A380 on daily flights to Toronto, boosting capacity by 31% and marking a new chapter in the airline’s long-standing commitment to Canada ahead of its 20th anniversary. Etihad’s famous big bird was welcomed with a water-cannon salute at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The upgraded service introduces the unparalleled luxury of Etihad’s flagship A380 aircraft to Canadian skies for the first time. This includes the airline’s award-winning First Apartments and the world’s only three-room suite in the sky, The Residence, offering an exceptional flying experience for guests on the route between Zayed International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport. The increased capacity responds to strong demand for travel between the UAE and Canada, particularly across business, leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segments. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We are proud to introduce the A380 and offer guests flying between Abu Dhabi and Canada an extraordinary new travel experience with Etihad. Toronto has been a cornerstone of our North American network since 2005, when we became the first airline from the Gulf region to operate flights to Canada. The introduction of our flagship aircraft on this route reflects our deep commitment to the Canadian market.” Etihad’s A380 features 486 seats across four cabins, including: • The Residence: A private three-room suite with living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom with shower • First Apartments: 9 fully enclosed suites with personal space, 80-inch lie-flat beds and separate ottoman seat • Business Studios: 70 lie-flat seats with aisle access, premium dining and exclusive access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge in the sky • Economy Smart Seats: 405 seats with …

The Emirates Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Youth Authority to establish a strategic framework that further develops the Group’s youth community, inspiring generations of aviation and travel professionals. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed emphasised the importance of empowering youth, recognising the need to forge partnerships with like-minded entities: “The young minds at the Emirates Group are invaluable to our organisation. They provide fresh perspectives that inspire positive change, fuelled by passion and contagious energy. This strategic partnership with the Federal Youth Authority reflects our Emiratisation team’s ongoing commitment to empowering youth, in line with the UAE’s National Youth Agenda 2031. We hope it will motivate our entire community to keep innovating, dream big, and further build on the successes of the Group. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. We will continue to invest in them, ensuring they are future-ready to drive our nation’s achievements across all fronts – including travel and aviation.” In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group and His Excellency Dr Sultan Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; the MoU was signed by Yousuf Bin Lahej Al Falasi, Vice President Emiratisation and Government Partnerships at the Emirates Group and Khalid Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director of the Federal Youth Authority. His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, stated: “This partnership reflects the enduring vision of the UAE’s leadership, which recognises youth as the driving force behind the nation’s future growth and progress. Guided by this belief, our national youth strategies empower young people with the resources and opportunities to unlock their potential …

flynas announced connecting Trabzon in Turkey, and Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan to Medina with weekly direct flights, within 2025 summer destinations. In collaboration with Taibah Airports Company, starting 4 July, flynas will be operating two weekly flights to the Turkish city of Trabzon, a popular destination for Saudi travelers seeking stunning natural scenery and a temperate climate. A weekly direct flight to the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, will also be launched starting 6 July, reflecting flynas’ commitment to connecting Medina with multiple international destinations and offering diverse, direct travel options to key global tourist destinations. Currently, flynas operates 139 routes to over 70 domestic and international destinations across 30 countries, with more than 2,000 weekly flights. Since its launch in 2007, it has carried over 80 million passengers. The airline aims to reach 165 domestic and international destinations as part of its growth and expansion strategy aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

As Emirates is gearing up for a busy week of departures from T3, Dubai International. Emirates expect more than 30,000 customers will depart T3 DXB today, and this level of departures will be at a similar level until 30 June. Emirates has requested customers to plan for extra traffic on the roads approaching the airport, busier carparks, more people at the airport going through Immigration, and the time it may take to travel between Concourses and reach Boarding Gates at least an hour prior to the departure time. They have recommended to arrive 3 hours ahead of departure time and to pass through immigration at least one and half hours ahead. • In peak travel times, arrive to the Airport: 3 hours before departure • Ensure you pass through Immigration: 1.5 hours before departure • Ensure you reach your correct Boarding Gate: 1 hour before departure Download the Emirates App to check in online Download the Emirates app for flight details at your fingertips. Book and change flights, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, get notifications about your flight, check what meals will be served, pre-order your hot meal in Business Class, book a chauffeur drive service and even pre-select and plan movies to watch via ice inflight entertainment. Customers can also check in on Emirates.com. Online check-in and app check-in are both open 48 hours ahead of flight departure time. Emirates customers can drop off luggage at the airport the night before travel at no charge. Passengers who are departing from Dubai can check-in early and drop off their bags 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours before departure if flying to the US. Then closer to …