Category Archives: Aviation

In line with Oman’s Vision 2040 strategy, which aims to develop a diversified and sustainable economy, Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, continues to provide Omani nationals the opportunity to gain insights into the aviation and logistics world through specialized internship programmes at Oman Air headquarters. In 2021, Oman Air provided internship opportunities to 250 students from various universities and colleges in Oman and abroad. Furthermore, more than 160 additional students are expected to finish their internship programme by the end of August 2022. Oman Air, Senior Vice President – People, Hilal Al Siyabi, stated: “Oman Air is pleased to lend its support to the youth of Oman and guide them through our internship programmes. We remain committed to Oman’s economic diversification and Omanisation objectives by training the next generation of Omanis in the aviation and logistic sectors. We want to encourage future aviation professionals to explore the full spectrum of positions available in the industry, whether for a flying or non-flying career.” Oman Air’s Talent department, in coordination with various units of the airline, accommodates undergraduate trainees by equipping them with the skills necessary to apply for and succeed in jobs within their chosen fields, such as Human Resources, Flight Operations, Airport Management, Marketing, Corporate Communications and Media, Logistics and Supply Chain, Engineering, Digital and Operations Management, among many others. “Interns are assigned designated coaches who are responsible for providing orientation and supervision and are accountable for mentoring and guiding the interns to maximize their potential.” Al Siyabi added. “We would like to thank the employees who contribute their expertise to the next generation. We acknowledge their efforts and appreciate their participation in achieving the …

For the eleventh consecutive year, Emirates is returning as Official Airline of the US Open Tennis Championships, running from 29 August through 11 September.  The world’s largest international airline continues to utilise its global reach to bring tennis fans around the world closer to the game, serving up world-class tennis action at the Grand Slam® tournament. Emirates’ ongoing partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the high-profile annual sporting event goes back to 2012. The airline’s portfolio of tennis sponsorships also includes three of the four Grand Slams in addition to 60 other tournaments throughout the year in partnership with the ATP, including the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Miami Open and BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in the US. “Emirates has proudly supported the US Open for over a decade, born out of our commitment to connect people around the globe through a shared passion for sports. The US Open is one of the most highly-anticipated events on the global sports calendar and we are thrilled to be the Official Airline that brings worldwide audiences together to enjoy the game,” said Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President, USA and Canada. “As part of our ‘Fly Better’ brand promise we continuously strive to delight our customers with a premium experience that is second to none, both inflight and at the tournament. We look forward to being part of the excitement and reaching tennis enthusiasts in the US and around the world,” he added. With the US Open back in full force, Emirates is set to deliver a full array of activities to engage with tennis fans, whether attending in person or virtually. The Emirates suite, …

Saudi Airlines (SAUDIA), the Kingdom’s national flag carrier, continues its partnership with the Air Connectivity Program through direct flights departing from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport to Tunis and Kuala Lumpur. The collaboration on the two flights will commence on September 1, 2022, to welcome more pilgrims during the upcoming Umrah season. The national flag carrier operates its latest, industry-leading aircraft between the two destinations which feature an array of premium services including 5,000 hours of onboard entertainment content. SAUDIA’s flights are equipped with comfortable seating on all flight levels and a myriad of additional perks that ensure guests enjoy an unforgettable experience. During the first half of 2022, nearly 4.8 million international guests flew SAUDIA, an increase of 242%. SAUDIA operated 28,600 international flights during H1 2022, an increase of 156%. Recently inaugurated flights to Barcelona, Zurich, Amsterdam and Seoul which have come as a result of SAUDIA’s collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program, have proven to be very popular among guests. Thanks to a combination of new, in-demand travel options and enhanced ground services, the two sides are expected to announce new international destinations in the near future. Currently, SAUDIA transports guests to more than 100 destinations across four continents. Guests are free to book their flights and make travel arrangements out of the comfort of their own homes or workplaces through the www.saudia.com website. Travelers can also use the airline’s smartphone app, which provides multiple optional services as well as aftersales support.  

Three members of Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the Kingdom’s national flag carrier, have joined The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Advisory Councils for the 2022-2025 term. IATA is a global airline trade association, representing 290 airlines, 120 countries, and 83% of total air traffic. They provide support to a wide range of aviation industry activities and work to formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues. Mr. Marwan Niazi, Vice President Commercial Saudia Air Cargo Company, Mr. Mohammed Alsaied, General Manager Strategies and Legal Compliance in SAUDIA Airlines, and Dr. Saleh Bukhari, General Manager Sales and Distribution Strategies in SAUDIA Airlines, have joined three Advisory Councils; namely Cargo Advisory Council, Legal Advisory Council, and Distribution Advisory Council respectively. Each individual’s appointment reflects the depth of his experience of the aviation industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as signifies their competent qualifications for these positions. They commenced their three-year term following IATA’s recently concluded 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM) last June. Through these prestigious appointments to three of the nine IATA Advisory Councils (IACs), members from SUADIA will be responsible for the strategic formulation and execution of airline policy and will advise the Board and work closely with IATA management on all matters referred to it by the IATA Director General and related to each of the three Advisory Councils. As a Board of Governors Member in IATA, the Director General of SAUDIA Group, Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, commented on this major recognition for the group: “I would like to take this opportunity to say that I could not have wished for a better group of people to represent SAUDIA amongst the industry’s best and brightest. I am confident that …

Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing and most sustainable airline, is launching 20 exciting new routes from Bucharest, Budapest, Catania, Larnaca, Milan, Naples, Rome, Sofia, Tirana, Venice and Vienna to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The airline introduces a new era of extended travel opportunities at ultra-low fares between Europe and the Kingdom to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s global connectivity.  Tickets for all routes are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, with fares starting from 54.99 €.* The new routes will majorly enhance Wizz Air’s presence in the Kingdom that will boost the growing Saudi Arabian tourism sector and contribute to the Vision 2030 programme to triple the country’s passenger traffic by 2030. Just alone this expansion will bring over one million additional travellers to Saudi Arabia next year. Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air, said: “Saudi Arabia is one of the most exciting countries in the world for aviation portraying an eclectic mix of travel opportunities with unmissable destinations, countless exciting attractions, and a thriving cultural scene. Today’s announcement follows the Memorandum of Understanding we recently signed with the government enabling us to contribute to Saudi tourism’s growth and its entire ecosystem.  Not only does Wizz Air offer incredibly low fares to travellers given our operational efficiency, but we also fly one the youngest, most modern, and sustainable fleet of aircraft in the world. I see the Kingdom as a long-term strategic market for Wizz Air where we will continue to innovate and carry the flag of low cost flying for the benefit of  Saudi residents and visitors as well as the country’s diversifying economy.” Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the …

As travellers kick-start the search for their next holiday, Emirates is announcing that it will restore its non-stop A380 services to and from Auckland and Kuala Lumpur, starting from 1 December. The airline currently operates to both cities with a linked Boeing 777-300ER service, which makes a stop in Kuala Lumpur before continuing on to Auckland. The start of A380 flights will see both cities delinked and served with direct services to and from Dubai. The latest update to the airline’s schedule will offer customers greater levels of flexibility and much needed seat availability. The new services will also provide more opportunities to travel across the Emirates network with reduced transit times after the delinking of services, and faster connections to and from Europe, the Middle East, South Asia as well as Africa. The non-stop services between Dubai and Auckland will also reclaim its title as the longest route on the Emirates network, clocking in 14,200 km, in addition to being one of the world’s longest non-stop scheduled commercial flights. Emirates’ direct flight EK448 from Dubai to Auckland will depart at 10:05hrs and arrives at 11:05hrs the next day. The return flight will depart Auckland at 21:15hrs and arrives in Dubai at 05:25hrs the next day. All times are local. Emirates’ A380 service to Kuala Lumpur, EK 346 will depart Dubai at 0330hrs, landing at 1435hrs. EK 343 will depart Kuala Lumpur at 0145hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0505hrs. The reintroduction of the airline’s flagship A380 to Auckland and Kuala Lumpur will provide more choice for tourists looking to discover these exciting destinations, and also offers travellers a chance to experience the A380’s signature products and services across all classes. …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) experienced strong passenger growth in 2022, with 11.6 million passengers carried during the first half of 2022, which represents a 80% increase over the same period in 2021. The number of scheduled and chartered flights increased by 33% to reach 80,500, while total flight hours were measured at 212,000, a rise of 71%. During the first half of 2022, nearly 4.8 million international guests flew SAUDIA, an increase of 242%. SAUDIA operated 28,600 international flights during H1 2022, an increase of 156%. SAUDIA’s global network continued to expand in the first half of 2022 with direct flights to new destinations including Amsterdam, Bangkok, Entebbe, Marrakech and Malaga. This remarkable growth embody the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy, which aims to connect the Kingdom to the world. Domestically, SAUDIA transported 6.2 million guests around the Kingdom on more than 52,000 flights, an increase of 32% and 5%, respectively. “These achievements are the culmination of the efforts of every SAUDIA employee, be it in the planning, implementation, or operational stages,” said Eng. Ahmed Alwusiyah, Chief Operating Officer at the national airline. “These special accomplishments also reflect our guests’ confidence in our air and ground operations, which we are constantly working to refine and streamline for an ever-better traveling experience.” To help welcome visitors to the Kingdom, SAUDIA has been sponsoring major events and activities such as Formula E Racing, the Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season. SAUDIA will continue its efforts to promote the rich culture and tradition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to achieve the aspirations of the Saudi tourism ecosystem, which is in harmony with Saudi Vision 2030. SAUDIA currently flies to more than …

Qatar Airways resumed services to its fifth destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qassim, with three weekly flights from 22 August. The airline will increase to four weekly flights from 2 September 2022. The award-winning airline will also introduce additional four weekly flights to Riyadh starting 18 August 2022, bringing the total to 20 weekly flights to meet the growing inbound and outbound travel demand. Qatar Airways currently operates 93 weekly flights to four key cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The addition of Qassim and the four additional flights to Riyadh will increase the number of Qatar Airways’ weekly flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 101 non-stop flights. The resumption of services and enhanced capacity is part of the state-owned airline’s ongoing efforts to expand its services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to provide greater choice and seamless connectivity to its passengers. Passengers flying from and to Qassim will enjoy seamless connectivity to over 150 destinations within the airline’s extensive global network in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas via the World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport. Passengers can also enjoy the airline’s newly integrated rewards currency, Avios, providing them even greater opportunities to accumulate points and leverage exciting innovations in redeeming and spending their rewards. In addition, Qatar Airways loyalty programme members will retain their well-earned rewards balance and will be able to continue enjoying the redemption opportunities they currently have.

The global aviation industry will be heading to Riyadh in the first week of November to explore the untapped growth potential of the airport industry in the Kingdom, which is in the midst of massive expansion in line with the Saudi 2030 Vision, a unique transformative economic and social reform blueprint unveiled in April 2016. As the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula pushes massively to expand and upgrade airport facilities to serve 330 million air travelers by 2030, the year when 60 per cent of its population will be under the age of 35, Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy includes the expansion of existing airports and a focus on two large mega hubs in Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as plans to set up a new national carrier. Earlier this year, the Kingdom relaunched the privatization of its airports to support the diversification of its oil-dominated economy and ownership of 29 airports has already been moved to a new entity to prepare them for the process. The Middle East’s largest aviation market will see the fastest passenger traffic growth in the Middle East until 2040 and has unveiled plans for a US$147 billion expansion of its transport sector. In May 2022, Saudi Arabia unveiled a Harmonizing Air Travel policy that will fuel Vision 2030 and help generate around US$100 billion in aviation sector investment by the end of the decade. The National Aviation Sector Strategy aims to increase air connectivity to 250 destinations, reaching 330 million passengers, and double air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tonnes. The Kingdom also has plans to launch a new national airline to complement its existing national carriers, Saudia, Flynas and Flyadeal. It will also …

Etihad will add four weekly flights on the Abu Dhabi – New York route, providing a total of 11 weekly nonstop services to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The new flights will be operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, while existing daily services will continue on Etihad’s new Airbus A350 aircraft, which has been deployed on the New York route since June. These aircraft types are two of the most efficient in the world, with significantly less fuel burn and CO2 emissions than previous-generation twin aisle aircraft. The frequency increase will provide travellers with more choice and flexibility between Abu Dhabi and New York and is perfectly timed to commence ahead of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix taking place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi between 17 and 20 November 2022. Travelers will also benefit from improved access between New York and Etihad’s global network of 70 destinations, particularly in the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, as well as connections beyond New York, to and from 46 destinations throughout the Americas, with Etihad’s codeshare partner — and New York’s Hometown Airline® — JetBlue. Alex Featherstone, Vice President Network Planning & Alliances, said: “Etihad is enhancing its schedule this winter to provide even more options for our guests across key business and leisure destinations in our global network. “Our New York service continues to perform strongly, and having already experienced record passenger demand this summer, Etihad is excited to be investing further in this market by building on frequency levels ahead of the peak winter travel period.” Etihad passengers travelling to the US will be able to take advantage of Etihad’s US pre-clearance …