Category Archives: Aviation

VistaJet, the first and only global business aviation company, continues to push forward with its plan for more sustainable aviation solutions and announces an agreement with AEG Fuels to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced by OMV at Vienna International Airport. Leading the industry by integrating a series of environmental initiatives throughout its operations, the agreement accelerates VistaJet’s journey to carbon neutrality by 2025. VistaJet’s commitment to replace over 200,000 USG of conventional jet fuel consumption with a blended SAF is expected to generate over 165,000 kg of CO2 reduction — an 80% emissions improvement over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to conventional jet fuel. This SAF is produced in compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED). Thomas Flohr, Founder and Chairman, VistaJet said: “Together as an industry we can reshape the way we conduct business. At VistaJet, we are very proud of the progress we have made and we hope that others will adopt our recommendations. Businesses are rightfully being held accountable for their environmental impact and our agreement with AEG Fuels not only helps in reducing GHG emissions, but goes hand in hand with our ongoing efforts to practice higher sustainability to protect the local communities in the countries we operate, spanning 96% of the world.” Stephen J. Leonard, Vice President of Global Supply, AEG Fuels said: “Business and corporate jet operators are going to be key stakeholders in aviation’s decarbonization plans as we work to achieve net-zero. We’re very excited to support VistaJet’s efforts to push our industry forward and provide a framework for future SAF agreements. Their individual efforts are supporting critical investments in sustainable solutions for producers and consumers in the space.” …

‎Qatar Airways announced that it will resume services to Taif starting 3 January 2023 with three weekly flights. This is the airlines’ sixth destination in Saudi Arabia. The resumption of services will enable passengers flying from and to Taif to benefit from the airline’s extensive international network to across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas via the World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport. Qatar Airways flight QR1206, will depart from Hamad International Airport at 07:40, arriving at 10:10 at Taif International Airport. Qatar Airways flight QR1207, will depart from Taif International Airport at 11:10, and arrive at Hamad International Airport at 13:20. Qatar Airways is currently operating two daily flights from Riyadh, four daily flights from Jeddah, two daily flights from Medina, five daily flights from Dammam, and a daily flight from Qassim. Qatar Airways recently announced that Privilege Club has officially adopted Avios as its reward currency, opening up a world of new opportunities for members travelling across the airline’s extensive network. This partnership offers a combination of benefits, including a wide range of greater guaranteed award seats and competitive prices on Qatar Airways flights, in addition to experiencing the World’s Best Airline and enjoying the World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport (HIA). Hamad International Airport (HIA) ranked “Best Airport in the World” for the second year in a row by SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2022, is preparing to welcome 58 million passengers annually. A stunning expansion was recently unveiled featuring a 10,000-sqm, lush, tropical indoor garden named “The Orchard.” Drenched in natural light and featuring sustainably sourced plants and shrubs, it offers a show-stopping, luxury shopping experience to passengers with many first-of-a-kind retail outlets. A multiple award-winning airline, …

After its Dubai launch in 2019, Vistara held the first press conference post covid, with the presence of its CEO Vinod Kannan addressing media on the importance of the Gulf region. Kannan reiterated that there has been a consistent rise in passenger volumes and demand from the Gulf countries, paving way for the airline to bolster its presence in the region. It was a special day for the airline that they launched its daily, non-stop flights between Mumbai (India) and Muscat (Oman), its fourth destination in the Gulf region, as part of expanding its footprint in the Middle East. Muscat is the third Gulf city (Abu Dhabi and Jeddah being the other two) that Vistara has added to its network in the last four months. Vistara also operates daily flights to Dubai to/from Mumbai. In the context of the increase in demand for travel between India and the Gulf region, Vistara’s Middle Eastern routes have been performing remarkably well. The inaugural flight will depart from Mumbai at 2000 Hours (IST) and arrive in Muscat at 2135 Hours (GST). With this, Vistara becomes the only carrier to offer the choice of Premium Economy class on the route, in addition to Business and Economy class. Mr. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “The launch of operations to Muscat is in line with our goal to steadily enhance our footprint in the Middle East. The firm bilateral relationship and robust cultural and economic ties between India and states in the Gulf region have given great impetus to our growth plans, and our successful business on the other Middle Eastern routes is a testament to that. We are excited to bring India’s finest …

Emirates and Air Canada have expanded their partnership to offer frequent flyer members joint loyalty programme benefits. Emirates Skywards members can now earn and redeem Miles on all flights operated by Air Canada – accessing a network of more than 220 destinations worldwide. Aeroplan members will also benefit from earning and redeeming Points on all flights operated by Emirates – with access to more than 130 destinations across six continents, via the airline’s home and hub, Dubai. The agreement was signed yesterday by Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, and Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan, at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai. Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, commented: “We’re very pleased to be enhancing our partnership with Air Canada and officially kicking off our joint loyalty programme offering. Together, close to 40 million frequent flyer members will be able to earn and redeem Miles across a joint network of more than 350 destinations and enjoy selected benefits, such as lounge access. We look forward to opening new horizons for our loyal members and to also welcoming Aeroplan customers on-board Emirates with our award-winning products and exceptional services.” Mark Youssef Nasr, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing, e-Commerce, Air Canada and President, Aeroplan commented: “The two most recognized loyalty programmes in their respective regions provided by the two most recognized airlines in their respective regions are coming together to offer something truly great. Whether it’s connecting friends and family from Canada’s rich immigrant diaspora or it’s helping travellers explore some of the world’s most exciting destinations, there’s something for everyone. We’re proud to partner …

Etihad Airways announced it is reintroducing four of its A380s from the summer of 2023. The move follows a surge in demand for air travel across the airline’s network and customer feedback for the return of one of the most remarkable commercial flying experiences in the sky. His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “It is wonderful to announce the return of this splendid aircraft. The A380’s reintroduction provides a further boost to Etihad’s capacity into the key UK market, with a knock-on effect for the wider GCC and Indian subcontinent that will bring more visitors to the city of Abu Dhabi.” Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We know this will be welcomed by our guests who love Etihad’s incredible A380 and its award-winning cabins. We have decided the time is right to return some of our A380s into the fleet to satisfy the demand which has made them financially viable once more. We look forward to welcoming our guests again on board this remarkable aircraft.” Etihad’s A380s feature The Residence as well as three cabin classes on the double-decker aircraft, including 9 First Apartments, 70 Business Studios and 405 Economy Smart Seats. This includes 80 Economy Space seats with a seat pitch of up to 36 inches. The nine First Apartments set across a single-aisle, offer a private living space with a large leather lounge chair and an ottoman which opens up to become a separate 80.5″ long fully-flat bed. The First Apartment is one of the most spacious in its class and also offers a 24″ swiveling LCD TV monitor and personal vanity unit. For the first time, Etihad plans to …

Air Arabia marked the inauguration of its direct flights from Sharjah to the city of Milan in Italy. An event was held at Sharjah International Airport ahead of the inaugural flight and the aircraft was received at Milan Bergamo Airport with a traditional water cannon salute. The new direct flights will connect Sharjah International Airport with Milan Bergamo Airport with four weekly flights, effective from December 7, 2022. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “We are very excited with the new addition of the city of Milan directly from Sharjah. As we continue to grow our network in Europe, the launch of the new service reiterates our commitment to providing our customers with convenient, comfortable, and value-driven air travel. We thank all our partners for their continuous support, and we look forward to welcoming our customers to experience the architectural, cultural and historical landmarks of the Italian city.” Air Arabia Group operates a fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 neo-LR aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The cabin configuration across the fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch of any economy cabin. In addition to ‘SkyTime’, the free in-flight streaming service that allows passengers to stream a wide selection of entertainment directly to their devices, customers can also enjoy a wide variety of delicacies between snacks, meals, and sandwiches from the on-board ‘SkyCafe’ menu at affordable prices. Eligible travelers can also benefit from the City Check-in service where they can drop off their bags before flights and collect their boarding passes at the Air Arabia Sales Shops spread across the UAE. Customers can now book their …

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, has launched Dubai Team for Accessible Travel and Tourism as part of the endeavours to consolidate the emirate’s global standing as round-the-year destination accessible to all. He unveiled the decision during a meeting he organised of senior officials in both government agencies and private organisations dealing with travel and tourism businesses. His Excellency Jamal Al Hai, Deputy CEO at Dubai Airports and Team Leader, expressed deep appreciation for the support provided by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed to the travel and tourism industry in Dubai. He said: “Accessible tourism is an important sector for our national economy as well as helps promote the rights of People of Determination to move around and travel without hassles and obstacles. The Dubai team will work to offer a good image of the UAE to the world as a pioneering tourism with hospitality services for all visitors being of the best in class.” The senior Emirati official called upon the team members, each expert in their fields, to jointly work to advice on improvements at our airports, airlines, hotels, shopping centres and other touristic places to provide the best services for tourists with disabilities in the emirate. He explained: “The goal behind establishing the team is to put the authorities from the public and private sectors under one roof, to discuss needed to permanently improve facilities and services for disabled tourists. We will be working on the agenda through having brainstorming sessions, exchanging opinions and identifying the achievements of each agency representing a field.” The Team will …

Dornier Seawings (Germany) and Gulf Enterprises (United Arab Emirates) have signed an agreement which will enable the most advanced amphibian aircraft to enter the Middle Eastern market. The agreement, which was signed at the MEBAA Show 2022, sets out a strong partnership between both companies in sales & marketing, operational and maintenance set-up, and support for this region. Dornier Seawings’ flagship aircraft is the German-engineered Seastar. With its corrosion-free, all composite airframe, the Seastar offers a highly versatile dual operation from both land and water, even under rough conditions. Its unrivalled versatility and performance allows the Seastar to take on entirely new missions. In the spirit of the pioneering Dornier flying boats, the Seastar is superior in every important measure: speed, range, safety, cabin size, operating and maintenance costs. The multi-purpose aircraft covers a wide range of operational applications from commercial and VIP passenger transportation to governmental, corporate and special missions. Certification flights are expected to be completed in 2023, followed by entry-of-service the following year. “Expanding our sales network to the Middle East, by partnering with Gulf Enterprises, is a key strategic decision that brings the Next Gen Seastar to its natural environment that we are looking forward to embrace” states Juergen Heinrich, Dornier Seawings’ Co-CEO. “Introducing the most advanced amphibian aircraft to the Middle East is a privilege to us. Representing the pioneering spirit and heritage of Dornier is an honor” says Richard Haas, CEO of Gulf Enterprises. “We are pleased that the Dornier legacy of flying boats is reaching our shores in the not-too-distant future to serve the diverse mission requirements of our ever-growing coastlines and islands” stated Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of MEBAA …

dnata facilitated the transportation of over 150,000 football fans between Dubai and Doha in the opening two weeks of the world’s largest football tournament. As football fever grips the globe, dnata’s highly trained teams of ground handlers, passenger and ramp agents have ensured that fans make a smooth passage through Dubai World Central airport (DWC). With airlines introducing ‘shuttle flights’ operating between Qatar and nearby Gulf states, Dubai has become a popular transiting destination for fans attending tournament games. dnata’s services between DWC and Doha have enabled more than 600 safe aircraft movements in the first fortnight of the competition. To execute this, over 270 customer oriented and ramp agents have been re-positioned from existing positions at Dubai International airport (DXB). A total of 90 pieces of ground support equipment (GSE) are used to service aircraft, including zero-emission electric baggage tractors, conveyor belts and a push-back tug. For those fans wishing to take their experience to another level, a warm greeting will be received in DWC’s marhaba lounge. Supporters can keep up to date with the tournament with super-fast Wi-Fi and enjoy complimentary international cuisine before they make their trip. marhaba’s Meet and Greet services are also available for fans who wish to further improve their experience. Jaffar Dawood, Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations, dnata, said: “We are dedicated to ensuring an excellent journey for all football supporters by providing a swift and efficient service at DWC, so that they can enjoy their fan experience for as long as possible. We thank our airline partners for their trust in our services, and will continue to support their initiatives.” dnata offers ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services …

Reaffirming the MEBAA Show’s position as the foremost business aviation platform in the Middle East and wider regions, gathering key players in the industry from over 95 countries, the ninth edition of the global business aviation show concluded on 8th December 2022. 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,opened the much-anticipated MEBAA Show 2022 at Dubai Airshow site (DWC). With an increased international presence at this year’s show and an up-weighted focus on in-person networking, Day 1 saw business leaders from across the world connect with exhibitors, all working together to redefine the future of the industry and take it to new heights. Key themes for the event include future aviation, sustainability, emerging markets and regulations, as well as a focus on digitalisation, block chain, AI and crypto based payments, all recognised as key trends that are driving the industry forward. Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of MEBAA – the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association, comments: “As we continue to witness huge growth across the business aviation industry, it’s been fantastic to see so many new initiatives highlighted at this year’s MEBAA Show. Day 1 has already seen the formation of many new connections between our visitors and exhibitors, along with the launch of a series of market-leading new technologies and sustainable solutions that will play a vital role in the future of the industry. We are pleased to be working with global industry leaders and specialists to deliver our best show to date, and look forward to seeing a continuation of today’s success …