Category Archives: Aviation

flydubai inaugurated its operations to Kish Island and Kerman marking the start of the carrier’s direct services to these destinations in Iran from Dubai International (DXB). Senior airport officials and local dignitaries welcomed both inaugural flights with traditional water cannon salutes at Kish International Airport (KIH) and Kerman International Airport (KER). flydubai will operate a four-weekly service to Kish Island and a twice-weekly service to Kerman, enhancing connectivity between these cities and Dubai. The new routes add to flydubai’s extensive network and strengthen connections between Dubai and Iran, providing greater opportunities for customers whether they are travelling for business, leisure or to visit relatives and friends. Commenting on the start of operations, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “we are delighted to expand our network in Iran where we now serve eight destinations across the country, reinforcing our commitment to providing our passengers with more options to travel, more conveniently and more often. This expansion also significantly contributes to the growth of trade and tourism through Dubai’s aviation hub, enhancing global connectivity.” “At flydubai, we are committed to exploring new growth opportunities, removing barriers to travel, and opening up markets and destinations that were previously underserved. By offering direct flights to these destinations, we are enhancing connectivity between different cultures, all while providing convenient travel options to passengers across our expanding network,” added Obaidalla. With the launch of flights to Kish Island and Kerman, flydubai has strengthened its position as one of the key operators in the Iranian market, now serving eight destinations with 61 flights a week. The airline began its services to Iran on 10 August 2014 with flights to Mashhad and its network has since expanded …

IndiGo has reached an agreement with travel technology leader Amadeus to provide travel sellers around the world with access to the airline’s NDC content via the Amadeus Travel Platform. IndiGo has decided to rely on Amadeus for its unique and robust offering, which combines state-of-the-art airline and distribution technology with an unmatched market reach. The airline, which will carry more than 110 million passengers in 2024 and has growth ambitions backed by one of the largest aircraft order books in the industry, will strengthen its competitive edge through access to new markets and customer segments, thanks to Amadeus’ 96% global market coverage of NDC-ready travel sellers across the globe. NDC technology, with its standardized messaging is a game changer in the distribution landscape. It opens up new opportunities for airlines to distribute their content to travel sellers even more efficiently and elevate their retailing to the next level. For corporate clients and travel agencies, NDC simplifies the booking process by providing direct access to IndiGo’s full range of products. This not only streamlines operations but also delivers the ability to offer exclusive deals and promotions tailored to individual traveler profiles. With the Amadeus NDC capabilities and the seamless integration with the airline’s IT systems powered by Navitaire, IndiGo is able to build dynamically price-tailored offers and expose them to customers – boosting ancillary sales and optimizing the customer experience, regardless of which sales channel they choose quickly and efficiently. Indigo is already live with NDC booking and servicing capabilities in UAE and Singapore with other markets to follow. IndiGo’s commitment to embracing NDC technology reflects its dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction. By providing greater access and reach of its products …

Sabre Corporation announced a strategic partnership with Air Serbia as its NDC (New Distribution Capability) IT provider, empowering the airline to deliver a more personalized travel experience and unlock new revenue opportunities. Sabre is a leader in supporting both NDC airline IT and NDC aggregation. This enables Air Serbia to not only create and manage their NDC content but also make it seamlessly available through third-party channels. Sabre’s cloud-based solutions are built for agility and modularity, which means that Air Serbia can easily add new features and functionalities as their NDC strategy evolves. Additionally, Sabre boasts powerful performance with NDC air shopping response times between 0.5 and 1.5 seconds, helping to ensure a smooth shopping experience for travel agencies and travelers. “As we continue to embark on our journey to further modernize our retailing strategies, Air Serbia is proud to partner with Sabre,” said Jiri Marek, CEO of Air Serbia. “We are committed to providing real-time content and personalized experiences to our customers, and Sabre’s innovative technology serves as a foundational enabler of our offer and order ecosystem. With Sabre’s solutions we can extend our reach to third-party channels including travel agencies and aggregators, ensuring seamless access to our products and services. Together, we are shaping the future of travel retailing and delivering enhanced value to our passengers.” Sabre’s NDC airline IT solutions are a fundamental building block of SabreMosaic™, a recently announced intelligent, modular and open technology platform that is built to transform the way airlines retail. Powered by Google’s industry-leading artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, SabreMosaic allows airlines to create and deliver a wider range of content in real-time, unlocking new revenue opportunities. The platform’s modular and open architecture …

Air Astana will be launching new services from Atyrau in western Kazakhstan to Dubai on 26th October 2024, as well as from Astana to Abu Dhabi on 30th October 2024 and from Almaty to Abu Dhabi on 12th December 2024. Each of the services will be operated twice a week using Airbus A321neo and Airbus A321LR aircraft. These new winter season services to the Middle East will add to the existing 20 services a week from Almaty and Astana to Dubai and six services a week from Almaty and Shymkent to Saudi Arabia. “Air Astana is delighted to further boost its presence in the Middle East, with new services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi reflecting the rapid growth in business and leisure traffic between Kazakhstan and the region. In particular, the introduction of a new Atyrau to Dubai service will contribute to wider economic development in western Kazakhstan by enhancing connectivity with important business and tourist centres in the Gulf,” said Yerbolat Baisalykov, Senior Vice-President of Revenue Management and Commercial Planning, Air Astana. “Passengers will also have the opportunity to combine visits to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on one trip, with the possibility of flying from Kazakhstan to one Emirate and returning from the other.” The service from Atyrau to Dubai will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Saturdays, with a flight time of 4 hours; the service from Astana to Abu Dhabi twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a flight time of 5 hours 1o minutes and the service from Almaty to Abu Dhabi twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays, with a flight times of 4 hours 55 minutes. The cost for round-trip Economy class tickets …

Travalyst has scaled flight emissions information globally, with emissions data appearing in over 65 billion searches1. The search figure, released by Travalyst – the not-for-profit organisation founded by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex – aggregates data from a number of its coalition partners2, which include Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Sabre, Skyscanner, Travelport, and Trip.com Group. Travalyst’s mission is to align the travel industry behind clear, consistent and credible sustainability information to help people make more informed choices. The Travel Impact Model (TIM), which estimates lifecycle emissions for flights at the individual passenger level, was developed by Google and has been scaled through the Travalyst coalition. Platforms using the TIM present flight emissions information at the time of booking, so travellers are able to choose a flight with an estimated lower-than-typical CO2e footprint3. On some platforms, travellers can also sort flight search results by emissions, alongside standard filter options such as cost and arrival/departure time. For example, the typical CO2e per passenger on a one-way economy flight from London (LGW) to New York (JFK) is 466 kg4. Popular travel booking platforms highlight an option that is 12% (57 kg) lower than the typical CO2e for that route. The difference in CO2e is approximately equivalent to a passenger’s flight from London (LGW) to Dublin (DUB) (typically 56 kg CO2e). The TIM takes a variety of attributes into account including flight origin and destination, aircraft type, cabin class and seat configuration, load factors and average aircraft utilisation. With such granular data comes the ability to see emissions at individual airline level, which could pave the way for airlines to compete on reducing their climate impact, as well as price and service. …

Etihad Airways announced the expansion of its services to Paris, with double daily flights starting 15 January 2025. The new flight schedule will feature the return of Etihad’s iconic Airbus A380 from 1 November 2024, followed by the introduction of the state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the second daily flight from 15 January 2025. All flights will feature Etihad’s renowned three-class service, including First, Business, and Economy cabins, ensuring a premium experience for every traveller. The introduction of double daily flights reinforces Etihad’s commitment to driving tourism to Abu Dhabi, particularly in the premium segment. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Paris is a city that epitomises elegance and sophistication, and we are thrilled to offer two daily flights that provide our guests with a premium travel experience. The return of the A380 to Paris, followed by the addition of our three-class 787-9 Dreamliner, underscores our commitment to providing our customers with the very best in service, connectivity, and convenience, and enhances both business and leisure travel, offering seamless connectivity to our growing network across the GCC, Asia, and beyond.” Both daily flights are conveniently timed for morning and evening departures and arrivals, offering travellers the flexibility to choose the schedule that suits them best. Morning arrivals in Paris give tourists the advantage of early hotel check-ins and more time to explore the city’s attractions, while evening arrivals cater to those seeking a smooth transition after work or other commitments. For business travellers, the schedule allows for full working days at both ends of the journey. The A380 will allow passengers to enjoy Etihad’s most celebrated inflight features, including The Residence, the world’s only three-room …

Qatar Airways announced the expansion of its operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the resumption of services to Abha, operating two weekly flights to Abha International Airport, effective 2 January 2025. In addition, it will also increase its flights to NEOM from two to four weekly flights during the winter season. This schedule and network enhancement will provide passengers with greater travel choices and seamless access to Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 170 global destinations through Doha’s Hamad International Airport, recently voted the World’s Best Airport by Skytrax 2024. Abha, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, marks Qatar Airways’ 11th destination in Saudi Arabia. This addition complements the airline’s existing service to cities of AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, NEOM, Qassim, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif, and Yanbu. With more than 140 weekly flights to the Kingdom, Qatar Airways reaffirms its commitment to enhancing connectivity within the region. Moreover, passengers travelling to NEOM will embark on a unique living experience in the ‘land of dreams’ as they will live and work in harmony with nature. Qatar Airways currently operates two weekly flights, which will be increased to four weekly flights starting this winter. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are proud to resume flights to Abha and increase frequencies to NEOM, further strengthening our presence in Saudi Arabia. This resumption is a testament to our unwavering commitment to connecting our passengers to the Kingdom’s highly coveted destinations. We look forward to welcoming both business and leisure travellers to experience the unparalleled service and connectivity that Qatar Airways offers through our Doha hub, Hamad International Airport.” Saudi Air Connectivity Program CEO, Mr. …

Yas Island Abu Dhabi launched Yas Island Lounge – a sophisticated space situated at the arrival’s hall of the state-of-the-art Zayed International Airport. This latest addition to Zayed International Airport’s impressive array of facilities further enhances the guest experience providing a seamless transition from arrival to their preferred choice of stay in Abu Dhabi. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by a dedicated Yas Concierge team, ready to assist with all their holiday needs. Officially inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Liam Findlay, CEO of Miral Destinations and Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, the lounge aims to provide travellers with a warm and informative welcome to the world-class attractions and experiences Yas Island offers. The lounge offers a relaxing environment where travellers can unwind after their journey, discover Yas Island’s attractions, book experiences while enjoying complimentary refreshments. Additionally, guests will have access to a selection of retail merchandise and the latest Yas Island Magazine, which features exclusive news, offers and upcoming events, serving as a perfect guide to discovering a world of entertainment options on the 25 sq. km island. Yas Island Airport Lounge will also feature the Yas Explorer Passport, designed to enhance every visitor’s Yas’ experience by encouraging exploration and engagement. Upon picking up their Yas Explorer Passport, visitors can register online via a QR code, allowing them to participate in exciting draws. As they explore various locations on Yas Island, guests collect stamps and earn points, which can later be redeemed for exclusive rewards for adults, kids and even the littlest of adventurers. Liam Findlay, CEO of Miral Destinations, said: “We are thrilled to introduce the Yas Island Airport Lounge to …

SAUDIA announced a new partnership with AlUla Club Company, to provide exclusive travel benefits for the company’s employees and affiliates. SAUDIA has been at the forefront of showcasing Al-Ula’s heritage and tourism through several high-profile initiatives, and this partnership builds on a rich history of collaboration between SAUDIA and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). Signed by Wail Basaffar, Assistant Vice President of KSA Sales at SAUDIA, and Waleed Muath, Chief Executive Officer of AlUla Club Company, the agreement will offer special discounts and rates on domestic and international flights with SAUDIA, further enhancing AlUla Club Company employees’ travel experiences. Recently, Alula FM became the first radio station to be featured on SAUDIA’s In-flight entertainment system. The airlines has also played a key role in sponsoring AlUla Skies Festival in 2022 and 2023, which included a diverse range of sky activities such as hot air ballooning and drone displays, attracting a wider audience to the region. Additionally, SAUDIA sponsored the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo tournament in 2022, highlighting Al Ula’s cultural vibrancy. Earlier milestones included the 2021 launch of the “Museum in the Sky,” a first of its kind flight experience that showcased Al-Ula’s archaeological treasures. SAUDIA was also the first airline to introduce seasonal flights to AlUla in 2019, solidifying its highlighting its continued dedication to enhancing the region’s growth. Wail Basaffar said: “This partnership not only reflects SAUDIA’s commitment to expanding our network of collaborations but also builds on our long-standing relationship with RCU. As we continue to grow our fleet and enhance our travel services, we are excited to offer exclusive benefits to AlUla Club Company employees and further strengthen our enduring ties with the region.” Waleed …

Wizz Air announced the launch of a new direct route between London Gatwick and Jeddah, starting on 31 March 2025. This new route underscores Wizz Air’s dedication to expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia, offering travellers more options and affordable fares. Tickets are now available on wizzair.com and the Wizz Air app, with prices starting from just USD 116.99. Wizz Air’s new London Gatwick to Jeddah route will operate daily all year round, connecting two vibrant cities. This strategic addition to Wizz Air’s network highlights the airline’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible travel options while strengthening ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia. Over the past three years, Wizz Air has significantly increased its capacity in Saudi Arabia, introducing numerous new routes and enhancing travel options, while contributing to the country’s connectivity in line with Vision 2030 and following a partnership agreement with Saudi Tourism Authority to increase connectivity to Europe and boost inbound visitors. This route is one of many offerings that will leverage the Airbus A321XLR’s extended range and efficiency, revolutionizing intercontinental travel and making it more accessible than ever before. With fares starting from only USD 116.99, Wizz Air continues to deliver on its promise of making air travel affordable for all. “The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft of its class and, given the enhanced range capability, it enables Wizz Air to connect the furthest destinations in its network and further expand it, connecting cultures and continents. We’re excited to unlock unbeatable fares for our customers on the newly announced route to London, while offering the most sustainable option for flying.”- commented Andras Rado Head of Communications and Government affairs during a press conference …