Tag Archives: Airlines

Amadeus has expanded its airline business unit capabilities at its Dubai regional hub covering Middle East, Turkey and Africa region. Following the regionalisation of all business units to get closer to their customers, teams in the Dubai regional hub now include those of airlines, travel agencies, airport IT, payments, mobile and legal. Sabine Hansen Peck, SVP, People & Culture, Communication and Brand, Amadeus, opened the new office of the Dubai-based Amadeus Regional Hub. Further, commenting on the occasion, she said, “The Middle East, Turkey and Africa regions are relevant and growing markets for Amadeus. This expansion reflects our commitment to the region.”

A total of 15 airlines from the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) have entered into a 10-year framework agreement with Amadeus for distribution services, negotiated and led by the Arab Air Carriers Association (AACO). The airlines participating in the framework agreement to date carried 110 million passengers in 2016, meaning that these airlines will serve over 1 billion passengers during the 10-year duration of the agreement. For the participating AACO airlines, the partnership will drive economies of scale, technological efficiencies and support the airlines’ vision for distribution in the future. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General, AACO commented, “This long-term agreement represents a landmark for a number of AACO members with a technology partner dedicated to supporting new business strategies.” Julia Sattel, Senior Vice President, Airlines, Amadeus, said, “We are proud to further deepen our partnership with AACO and its member airlines. Amadeus’ focus on innovation and technology, combined with a partnership approach were in close alignment with the requirements identified by the members of AACO’s taskforce for future distribution strategies.”

Ethiopian Airlines announced the commencement of direct and non-stop flights to Singapore five days a week at a reception ceremony held recently at Addis Ababa Bole Airport. The event was graced by Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines and members of the Transport Affairs Standing Committee from the House of People’s Representatives; aviation partner organizations; travel agencies; Ethiopian executive management and the likes. During the event, GebreMariam remarked that Singapore is one of the world’s biggest economic giants, a global financial centre, highly developed, innovative, business friendly and a preferred gateway to Asia and Australia. So this new flight service to Singapore will be of paramount importance in enhancing economic, cultural and social ties between Asia and Africa, Ethiopia and Singapore in particular.