Category Archives: Aviation

flydubai inaugurated its operations to Langkawi and Penang becoming the first carrier to serve the two airports with a daily service from Dubai. With the start of flights to Penang and Langkawi, flydubai expands its network in Southeast Asia to four destinations in two countries, including Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia, and Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand. Commenting on the start of flights, Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said: “we are pleased to see our presence grow in Southeast Asia with the addition of Penang and Langkawi to our growing network. flydubai remains committed to opening up underserved markets and with the start of our daily service, we look forward to offering our passengers more opportunities to explore the beautiful region.” The timing of the inaugural flight on the first day of Chinese New Year presents an exciting opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in the multicultural festivities and vibrant events leading up to the 15 days of Chinese New Year celebrations in Penang. Through an array of Chinese New Year activities, Penang invites visitors to immerse themselves in the city’s dynamic cultural landscape, embracing the essence of the Lunar New Year celebrations. YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE), said: “we are thrilled that flydubai has introduced Dubai to Penang and Langkawi, marking the first new direct flight route for our airport this year. We believe this will be another key international route from Penang, and we applaud flydubai’s efforts to make Penang a destination of choice for many regional travellers.” The two new Malaysian destinations offer visitors from the UAE, and across the …

Qatar Airways, the Global Partner and Official Airline of F1®, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, announced the launch of its fan packages for the upcoming FIA Formula One World Championship. The packages allow fans travelling from more than 40 countries to be up-close to high-octane action and enjoy unique experiences. From the beginning to end of their journey, the packages are designed for fans to enjoy a seamless motorsport extravaganza, with the inclusion of return flights, hotel accommodation, F1® Paddock Club or Grandstand race tickets, and return airport transfers for all global races (excluding Qatar). Packages are available for purchase at: qatarairways.com/f1. Qatar Airways Holidays Senior Vice President, Steven Reynolds said: “We are thrilled to once again provide our F1 Fan Packages to motorsport enthusiasts around the world, offering our passengers an unparalleled experience to witness the adrenaline-fuelled excitement of F1. We have worked hard to create these affordable packages that offer unbeatable value and look forward to helping fans travel to races globally, for what promises to be yet another blockbuster F1 calendar.” Similar to the inaugural packages, this year’s fan packages include an array of flexible and competitively priced options for select F1® 2024 race destinations. This year, fans are also encouraged to experience guided track tours, pit lane walks and more with the F1® Paddock Club™ packages, featuring savings of up to 20 per cent on global race packages. One of the best spots to watch the action, offering world-class cuisine and free-flowing beverages, the Paddock Club™ is the pinnacle of F1® hospitality. In addition, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can collect Avios and Qpoints on all fan packages, accumulating rewards to use towards future travel and …

flydubai will add seasonal summer flights to Sochi in Russia. Flights to Sochi International Airport (AER) will operate between 16 June and 01 September with a three-times weekly service from Terminal 2 at Dubai International (DXB). Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “we are pleased to expand our seasonal summer offering with the resumption of flights to Sochi. Over the last few years we have seen consistent demand on our popular seasonal routes such as Batumi, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Mykonos and Santorini and with the start of flights to Sochi, we look forward to offering our passengers more attractive holiday destinations to explore between June and September.” Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is a popular seaside resort surrounded by sweeping beaches, lush forests and stunning mountainous landscapes. This famous resort city features cultural and historical sites as well as beautiful nature reserves to explore such as the Sochi Arboretum. With more than 125 destinations in 58 countries on its growing network, passengers travelling on flydubai’s latest aircraft can enjoy a comfortable travel experience whether they are in Business Class or Economy Class. Flight details Flights between Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) and Sochi International Airport (AER) will operate three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Return Business Class fares from DXB to AER start from AED 10,000 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 2,500. Return Business Class fares from AER to DXB start from USD 2,400 and Economy Class Lite fares start from USD 600.

Turkish Airlines has introduced the “Turkish Airlines Student Privileges Program”, a student-centric initiative aimed at elevating the travel experience for students. The new program is designed to be accessible and make travel affordable for students, whether connecting with loved ones, attending educational institutions, or exploring new destinations. Recognising the adventurous spirit of students, Turkish Airlines presents privileges that transcend conventional travel offerings. Students can benefit from a variety of services, including discounts of up to 20% on flights, an increased baggage allowance, a one-time free ticket change for international flights, and extra miles on all flights. With these special offers, Turkish Airlines is gearing its efforts towards enhancing students’ travels and helping them feel more at ease when planning their journeys. Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, stated that “We understand the significance of providing students with affordable and flexible travel options. Turkish Airlines is dedicated to supporting students in their educational journeys, making exploration and learning accessible.” Turkish Airlines Supports Türkiye Scholarships Program Beyond the Student Privileges Program, Turkish Airlines is strengthening its commitment to education by supporting the Türkiye Scholarships Program, acknowledging the pivotal role education plays in positive global change. The generously funded program, supported by the Turkish government, exemplifies Türkiye’s dedication to nurturing exceptional talents globally. This government-funded initiative provides outstanding students and researchers with the chance to pursue full-time or short-term programs at Türkiye’s esteemed universities. As part of the Türkiye Scholarships Program, Turkish Airlines is proud to be the program’s airline partner, providing flight tickets to students from across the globe who choose to come to Türkiye to advance their studies, careers, and in turn, find …

Sharjah Airport received the first flight of Fly Jinnah, a leading low-cost carrier in Pakistan operated jointly by Lakson Group of Pakistan and Air Arabia Group of UAE. The new carrier was welcomed during a ceremony held in the presence of H.E. Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the UAE, Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, Iqbal Ali Lakhani, Chairman of Fly Jinnah, and a group of representatives from the Authority, Air Arabia, and the Pakistani airline. It will operate on the route between Islamabad and Sharjah with two daily flights. The move comes in line with Sharjah Airport’s continuous efforts to deliver a wide array of services to its partners while catering to the needs of operators and passengers alike and ensuring a smooth operation. Sharjah Airport is currently expanding its range of flight options and destinations it offers with an aim to bolster the confidence of passengers. Furthermore, by providing exceptional services and travel procedures along with leveraging the airport’s ideal location and ongoing expansion efforts to boost capacity, it seeks to ensure a seamless and satisfying travel experience. The airport is also actively pursuing strategies to attract more airlines and foster new partnerships to introduce new routes and elevate its services by integrating cutting-edge technologies.

Emirates achieved a remarkable milestone in its operations in the Czech Republic, having carried three million passengers between Prague and Dubai from 2010 and to date. The airline’s three millionth passenger is a loyal customer who had flown with Emirates regularly over the years. The milestone traveller had booked Economy class tickets for his trip with his partner from Prague to Sydney via Emirates’ Dubai hub for Valentine’s Day, and were both surprised at the Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) on the departure day with a complimentary upgrade to Business Class for their entire journey, in addition to iconic gifts from Emirates’ official store and exclusive vouchers for various products and services. “As an internationally renowned airline with a global network of over 140 destinations, Emirates has played a crucial role in facilitating air connectivity for Czech travellers with young and modern fleet, and by offering award-winning products and industry-leading services. We’re very proud to reach a new milestone in our operations in the Czech Republic by carrying three million passengers in the 14 years we’ve been operating to Prague, demonstrating the popularity of the Emirates brand and our customers’ loyalty. In a true Emirates hospitality and keeping our fly better promise, we wanted to make the flying experience for our three millionth passenger even more special, explains Bořivoj Trejbal, Czech Republic Country Manager at Emirates. “Congratulations to Emirates for carrying milestone three million passengers on the Prague-Dubai route. For nearly 14 years, Czech travellers have enjoyed Emirates’ excellent service, not only on journeys to Dubai, but also on connecting flights to other destinations across its extensive global network. We wish Emirates many satisfied customers on its flights to Dubai and …

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 achieved another key milestone in pilot training and flight operations. After successfully obtaining rigorous regulatory approvals and completing thorough pilot training, Etihad has achieved the qualification for its pilots to seamlessly operate both Airbus A350 and A380 aircraft interchangeably. This milestone positions Etihad as one of the pioneering airlines globally to attain such versatility in its pilot capabilities. Airline pilots are typically restricted to flying only one aircraft type. However, under certain conditions such as high similarity of flight deck, pilot procedures, and the implementation of special training, pilots may be enabled to operate two similar aircraft types through a dedicated programme approved by the aircraft manufacturer and the Civil Aviation Authority, known as ‘Mixed Fleet Flying’ or ‘MFF’. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Airways said: “Etihad Airways is proud to be the one of the very first airlines to qualify its pilots to fly both the Airbus A350 and A380. “This achievement will enhance the resilience and flexibility of the airline’s network and is testament to our commitment to continuously push the boundaries of efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction, and at all times ensuring safety is Etihad’s number one priority.” Over the past decade, Etihad has obtained similar approvals to qualify its Airbus pilots to interchangeably fly the A320 and A330 types, A330 and A340 types, and its Boeing pilots to fly the 777 and 787 types, setting new standards for fleet commonality. Building on this legacy, the latest approval to fly both the Airbus A350 and A380 will further enhance the efficiency and flexibility of Etihad’s widebody network.

As a transit gateway for international flights, the Middle East continues to witness significant growth across its aviation industry. Driven by the increasing demand for new aircraft as part of fleet expansion plans and modernisation programmes, the Middle Eastern MRO market is projected to account for more than 11.5% of worldwide demand over the next ten years, resulting in $137 billion of MRO demand generated in the region . Meanwhile, the Middle East’s commercial aircraft cabin interior market is predicted to increase from an estimated USD $0.93 billion in 2024 to USD $1.26 billion by 2030 , driven by the need to enhance passenger experience and growing demand for premium economy. Taking place from 5-6 March 2024 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), MRO Middle East and Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) 2024 are set to make waves in the industry with a comprehensive agenda at the Go Live! Theater. More than 50 global and regional leaders will take to the stage to discuss the trends propelling this industry growth and provide critical learning opportunities. Confirmed speakers include Justin O’Donnell, Director Technical Operations at Riyadh Air; Jeffrey Wilkinson, CEO of DAE Engineering; Salman Iqbal, Senior Manager, Technical Sourcing & Contracts at Etihad Airways; and Andrii Kusyi, Technical Manager at Wizz Air. The two day agenda, which is free to attend and live on the show floor, will cover key themes across the MRO industry, including workforce and supply chain challenges, sustainability, fleet management optimisation and the benefits of new technology, as well as regional market insights for India and on the cargo market. During the panel ‘MRO: Sustainability – Where are we now?’, OEMs will discuss sustainability initiatives in the …

Air Arabia announced record financial results for the full year ending December 31, 2023. The airline has achieved double-digit growth in profitability and passenger numbers, showcasing its commitment to growth plans and exceptional financial and operational performance. Air Arabia has reported a record net profit of AED 1.5 billion for the full year ending December 31, 2023; representing a 27 per cent increase compared to the AED 1.2 billion recorded in 2022. Moreover, the airline’s turnover for the same period reached AED 6 billion, reflecting a 14 per cent increase compared to the AED 5.2 billion registered in 2022. Full Year 2023 Performance: AED FY 2023 FY 2022 % Revenue AED 6 billion AED 5.2 billion 14% Passenger Numbers*all hubs* 16.7 million 12.8 million 31% Seat Load Factor 80% 80% – Net Profit AED 1.54 billion AED 1.2 billion 27%   Air Arabia’s Board of Directors proposed a dividend distribution of 20 per cent of share capital, which is equivalent to 20 fils per share. This proposal was made following a meeting of the board of directors of Air Arabia and is subject to ratification by Air Arabia’s shareholders at the company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting.   Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohamed Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said: “2023 has been a remarkable year for the airline. Air Arabia has successfully maintained its growth momentum from the previous record-breaking year and achieved exceptional financial and operational results. The significant milestones attained in terms of growth, revenue, and profitability serve as a testament to Air Arabia’s robust business model, competent management team, and effective growth strategy.” He continued: “Despite the numerous geopolitical and economic challenges faced by the global aviation industry, the …