Tag Archives: new routes

Etihad and Ethiopian have joined forces in a landmark Joint Venture (JV) that will transform connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. As part of this collaboration, the airlines are launching new flights between Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa, strengthening ties between the two regions. Ethiopian Airlines will commence services from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Zayed International Airport (AUH) on 15 July, while Etihad Airways will introduce daily flights to Addis Ababa starting 1 October. Subject to regulatory approval, the Etihad – Ethiopian JV will enable both airlines to collaborate in developing and expanding routes between the UAE and Ethiopia, as well as enhancing connectivity across their respective networks. This partnership is designed to deliver greater value to passengers by strengthening links between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, resulting in a more seamless and comprehensive combined network. Signed at Ethiopian Airlines’ headquarters in Addis Ababa, this strategic partnership also includes a codeshare arrangement, unlocking greater travel opportunities for passengers across both networks. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways said: “This Joint Venture is great news for customers of both airlines. The start of flights between the two great cities of Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi connects our expanding networks, giving our customers seamless access to a growing list of destinations via our extensive hubs. It also paves the way for deeper discussions on working together across our respective regions on other cooperation, including frequent flyer programmes, training and cargo. “We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Ethiopian travelers visiting Abu Dhabi, where they can experience our renowned hospitality and immerse themselves in the rich culture of our city. From breathtaking beaches …

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is expanding its network with two new routes to Beirut, Lebanon and Gabala, Azerbaijan. Offering unbeatable fares and greater accessibility from June with three weekly flights each. Starting 4 June 2025, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will operate flights to Beirut three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays*, with fares starting as low as AED 359**. Starting 19 June 2025 Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will connect the UAE capital to Gabala three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with fares starting as low as AED 169**. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, available in the Arabic language. The national airline of the UAE celebrates this exciting news with a three-day promotion***, offering 20% off ticket fares starting today available to all customers. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the region. By establishing of an ultra-low-cost air connectivity with Lebanon as well as opening a new, previously unserved destination in Azerbaijan. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi continues its mission to grant access to affordable, reliable, and accessible travel for all passengers, making it easier than ever for everyone to connect and explore new destinations. Johan Eidhagen, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: “We are delighted to expand our ever-growing network with Beirut and Gabala, offering ultra-low fares to these exciting destinations for travellers exploring the Middle East and South Caucasus. Lebanon’s blend of history, culture, and modernity makes it appealing for business and leisure travel while Gabala, our second, and truly a hidden gem destination in Azerbaijan, is an ideal retreat for travellers seeking outdoor adventures, green plains, snowy hills and deep historical heritage. Wizz Air …

Qatar Airways is enhancing global connectivity with additional flights to key destinations around the world. The expanded services will offer passengers greater flexibility and seamless connections, further strengthening the airline’s network of more than 170 destinations. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways’ vast network of global destinations is complemented with robust flight frequencies for the benefit of our passengers. The new additions further reflect our commitment to fostering worldwide connectivity and elevating passengers’ travel experience with our award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH) – voted World’s Best Airport and World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax in 2024. At Qatar Airways, we take pride in offering unparalleled services, and with the peak summer season approaching, we are pleased to fulfil the ever-increasing demand for air travel with accessible and convenient flight schedules.” From bustling metropolises to scenic landscapes, Qatar Airways is enabling greater connectivity in the following destinations: Amsterdam – increased from seven weekly flights to 11 Damascus – increased from three weekly flights to 14 Dar Es Salaam-Kilimanjaro – increased from three weekly flights to seven Entebbe – increased from seven weekly flights to 11 Larnaca – increased from seven weekly flights to 10 London Heathrow – increased from 49 weekly flights to 56 Madrid – increased from 14 weekly flights to 17 (bringing the jointly operated flights between Qatar Airways and Iberia from 21 weekly flights to 24) Maputo-Durban – increased from five weekly flights to seven Sharjah – increased from 21 weekly flights to 35 Tokyo Narita – increased from 11 weekly flights to 14 Tunis – increased from 10 weekly flights to 12 Qatar Airways, a benchmark for excellence in the industry, remains a …

Qatar Airways announced its latest expansion into the Americas with the launch of two new weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting early summer 2025. These flights will connect Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Colombia, and then continue to Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) in Venezuela. The return flight from Caracas will operate non-stop to Doha. This new service makes Qatar Airways the first and only airline to offer non-stop flights from the Middle East to Colombia and the only Middle Eastern carrier operating in Venezuela. With the addition of Bogotá and Caracas, Qatar Airways expands its Americas network to a total of 16 destinations, joining major cities like Dallas, Miami, New York City, São Paulo, and Toronto. Operated by Boeing 777-200LR aircraft equipped with 42 Business Class seats and 234 Economy Class seats, the new Bogotá and Caracas services will provide travellers from two of South America’s busiest cities with convenient access to the Middle East and beyond, owing to Qatar Airways’ strong global network reaching over 170 destinations. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “The launch of flights to Bogotá and Caracas marks a transformative moment for Qatar Airways and for travellers to South America. As the first airline to offer nonstop service from the Middle East to Colombia and the only Middle Eastern carrier flying to Venezuela, we are creating new opportunities to connect people, cultures, and commerce. “Passengers can look forward to experiencing Qatar Airways’ world-class in-flight hospitality as we continue to reach new heights in long-haul travel with our second longest flight into the Americas. These routes embody our commitment to …

Etihad Airways announced the launch of ten new destinations starting in 2025. This announcement, part of the air-line’s rapid expansion programme, fulfills its promise to provide guests with a route map featuring destinations they want to fly to, with connections and frequencies that suit their needs. It also al-lows Abu Dhabi to extend its renowned hospitality to more visitors from around the globe as a world-class tourism and business hub. Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This expansion reflects our com-mitment to listening to our valued guests. We’ve carefully chosen cities that embody the experi-ences, adventures, and opportunities that matter to them. Whether seeking inspiring landscapes, vibrant cultural experiences, reuniting with family and friends, pursuing business growth, or edu-cational journeys, our new routes will help make their travel dreams a reality. “This moment is not just about expanding our network; it’s about sharing Abu Dhabi with the world. With its endless sunshine, diverse cuisine, rich culture, exhilarating family theme parks, and safe, beautiful beaches, Abu Dhabi offers something for everyone. Our expanded network will make it easier than ever for guests to experience everything our home city has to offer. “Launching ten new destinations in a single day underscores our unwavering commitment to growing our airline with a fantastic route network and world-class, customer-focused service. This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our team and the ongoing support of our guests.” The ten routes announced today will complement Etihad’s previously revealed new destinations for 2025: Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein. Etihad’s expansion is set to bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, boosting its position as a premier destination …

flydubai announced the launch of direct flights to two new destinations in Iran. This includes the start of a four-times weekly service to Kish Island from 07 September and a twice-weekly service to Kerman from 09 September. Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “we have continued to look for opportunities to open up underserved markets and so we are pleased to offer our customers more convenient options for travel to Iran. flydubai is dedicated to creating free flows of trade and tourism and with Kerman and Kish Island as our newest destinations, we look forward to providing our passengers more opportunities to explore our extensive network.” ​ The carrier recently announced the start of its daily services to Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan commencing from 01 July. Later this year, flydubai is also set to welcome Basel in Switzerland from 02 August, Riga in Latvia from 11 October in addition to Tallinn in Estonia and Vilnius in Lithuania from 12 October. Commenting on the launch of flights, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “with the addition of these two routes, flydubai will provide customers with convenient and accessible travel services between both countries, making it easier for customers to connect to Dubai and beyond on our network. Passengers who choose to travel with flydubai can enjoy a personalised experience in Business Class or added comfort in Economy Class on our young fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.” flydubai’s Business Class service features lie-flat or reclining seats, international menus as well as hours of immersive inflight entertainment while the carrier’s Economy Class features optimised seats for passengers to sit back and relax. flydubai operates flights …

flydubai announced the launch of four new services, growing its network in Europe to 43 destinations in 21 countries. flydubai becomes the first UAE national carrier to operate direct flights to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) from 02 August 2024. The announcement also marks the carrier’s first entry into the Baltic region with direct flights to Riga International Airport (RIX) in Latvia commencing on 11 October as well as Tallinn Airport (TLL) in Estonia and Vilnius International Airport (VNO) in Lithuania from 12 October 2024. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are proud to see our network grow bigger than ever with the new route launches. We have created a diverse network of 126 destinations, 60% of which previously had very limited or no connections to Dubai. Our new services to the Baltic region and Basel will enable more people to travel conveniently through Dubai’s aviation hub, whether they are visiting Dubai or connecting conveniently onto the flydubai network or further afield with our codeshare partner Emirates.” Commenting on the launch of flights, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “Europe is an important market for flydubai and we remain committed to offering more passengers a convenient, reliable service with a great onboard product and experience. With the addition of Basel, Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, we look forward to welcoming more travellers from Europe to Dubai and onwards to other points on our network including Malaysia, the Maldives, Mombasa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Zanzibar.” Situated on the borders of northwest Switzerland, the Alsace historical region in France and Baden-Württemberg in Germany, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is a unique gateway to a wide variety of tourist attractions …

Etihad Airways started flights to three key destinations Osaka, Copenhagen and Dusseldorf. Inaugural services to Dusseldorf, Germany (DUS) began on September 28, followed the next day by Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH) and then Osaka, Japan (KIX) on October 1. Meanwhile the airline unveiled increased frequencies to popular destinations Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL) and Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB). The flights are part of a package of new routes and increased frequencies designed to meet customer demand for more opportunities to visit Abu Dhabi and provide even more connectivity to Etihad’s growing global network. “The new flights are the next important steps as we enhance our network delivering greater connectivity for our guests,and serving their demand for more opportunities to visit Abu Dhabi,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. “We are helping accelerate economic growth for the city by providing more travel options and seamless connections, ensuring it’s easier for guests to visit Abu Dhabi either as a destination, or as part of a stopover as they explore our growing global network.” Etihad has already announced the launch of nine new destinations this year, including Malaga, Mykonos, Lisbon, Kolkata, St Petersburg, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, Osaka, and Boston. In addition, the airline recently announced new routes to the Indian Subcontinent, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, to be launched in January 2024. To complement these developments, Etihad has made several recent network changes and frequency adds to enhance travel options and connectivity. Highlights include: Improved Departure Times: Enhanced passenger convenience with adjusted departure times for European and Asian destinations. Expanded Frequencies: Increased regularity to Chennai (MAA), Colombo (CMB) Islamabad (ISB), Kochi (COK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Madrid (MAD), Milan (MXP), Munich (MUC), Rome (FCO), and Phuket …

The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) and the Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair have renewed their collaboration agreement until 2028. Under this agreement, the carrier will add 4 new routes, bringing the total to 25 routes connecting Jordan with 12 European cities. The signing ceremony was attended by HE Makram Queisi, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and Chairman of the Jordan Tourism Board; Eddie Wilson, CEO of Ryanair, and Dr. Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director of JTB. “This agreement reflects the importance of low-cost flights in attracting tourists to Jordan,” said Queisi during the signing ceremony, emphasizing that the Kingdom has experienced a positive shift in inbound tourism in recent years post-Covid. We are delighted to be adding routes with the international carrier Ryanair. This will significantly contribute to the increase in tourist numbers to the Kingdom over the next period,” he added. Arabiyat indicated that low-cost flights have given new impetus to Jordanian tourism, enabling it to achieve a significant leap that has helped raise the number of tourists. He expects the Kingdom to witness increasing numbers of overnight visitors, highlighting that this positive shift has been growing steadily and strongly since it began in 2018. Arabiyat further emphasized that the anticipated rise in tourist numbers will play a significant role in distributing the gains from tourism development across all governorates and will aid in promoting tourism experiences throughout the Kingdom, leading to positive impacts on local communities by generating novel job opportunities. He also added that Ryanair has a massive number of followers on its social media pages, which will help to increase awareness of Jordanian tourism through its strong marketing content. In turn, the CEO of Ryanair expressed …

flynas announced launching two direct weekly flights between Dammam and Al Qaisumah every Sunday and Wednesday as of 19 April. Currently, flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations and targets to more than double the number through its strategic plan that comes in line with the objectives of the civil aviation strategy to reach 330 million passengers and increase the number of international destinations linked to the Kingdom to more than 250 destinations by 2030. In 2022, the company posted record growth in performance and operation compared to 2021, with an increase of 91% in the number of passengers to 8.7 million passengers, while the number of flights reached 66 thousand flights, an increase of 45%. Seat capacity grew by 46%. Moreover, more than 16 new destinations and 30 routes were launched in 2022.