Category Archives: Aviation

Sabre Corporation announced the launch of SAUDIA ’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) content on the Sabre marketplace. This milestone marks a significant advancement in SAUDIA ‘s distribution strategy, enabling the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide enriched content and offers to travel buyers globally. SAUDIA’s NDC content is now accessible through Sabre’s extensive global travel marketplace, marking the first time SAUDIA has made its NDC content available on a GDS. This technical integration empowers travel agents, travel management companies (TMCs), and corporations to deliver tailored offers to their customers. It also supports SAUDIA’s goal of modernizing its distribution capabilities, offering more dynamic and personalized content to travel buyers while elevating the traveler experience. “We are excited to partner with SAUDIA in advancing our mutual goal of enhancing the retailing experience through NDC,” said Kathy Morgan, Senior Vice President of Product Management and Distribution Experience at Sabre. “The launch of SAUDIA’s NDC content through Sabre demonstrates our commitment to enabling seamless access to multi-source content, ensuring that travel agents and corporations can easily shop, book, and service NDC offers alongside other content in our marketplace.” SAUDIA, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is eager to unlock new retailing opportunities through this collaboration, offering travelers more flexibility, choice, and tailored services. With Sabre’s NDC-enabled solutions, SAUDIA can reach more travelers, delivering a more frictionless, personalized booking experience aligned with its distribution strategy. Arved Von Zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer at SAUDIA, said: “Our partnership with Sabre is a significant step toward realizing our vision of transforming the travel experience for our guests. By adopting NDC, we can offer more personalized and relevant options, delivering a superior booking experience …

SalamAir announced the launch of Nairobi, Kenya, as its newest destination in Africa. Starting February 2025, SalamAir will operate direct flights from Muscat to Nairobi, offering passengers a convenient and affordable way to explore Nairobi’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, wildlife, and thriving economy. With two weekly flights, SalamAir will connect travelers from Nairobi to Oman and onwards to other vibrant destinations with low fares. By expanding our presence in Africa, SalamAir strengthens Oman’s overall ambition to foster increased tourism and trade between the Middle East and East Africa. SalamAir’s CEO, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, commented: “We are really thrilled to add Nairobi to our expanding network, marking a significant milestone in our expansion into the African market. Nairobi is not only a hub for international travelers but also a growing center for business, technology, and education, making it a vital link for those looking to connect with opportunities in both regions, emphasizing Nairobi’s position as the key gateway to East Africa. With Nairobi added to our network, we can now connect passengers from East Africa to India, Thailand, Central Asia, and other points on our network for very low fares.” SalamAir’s introduction of Nairobi to its expanding network is part of its strategic growth plan of offering cheaper travel options to passengers accustomed to high-fare legacy airline prices. SalamAir is dedicated to a low-cost model and remains committed to offering affordable fares. The Lite fare on the Nairobi route starts at 49.99 OMR, which is up to 70% cheaper than the currently available fares from other carriers. Our approach to low-fare travel ensures that Nairobi, and more points in Africa and beyond, becomes accessible to everyone.

Air Arabia announced the launch of its new non-stop flights to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Starting 30th January, the new service will connect Sharjah International Airport with Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with a frequency of three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: ” We are delighted to add Addis Ababa to our growing network of destinations. This new route reflects Air Arabia’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and fostering economic and cultural ties between the UAE and Ethiopia. By expanding our destinations from Sharjah, we aim to boost trade and tourism while continuing to offer affordable and convenient travel options to our customers.” This latest addition to Air Arabia’s growing network underscores the airline’s commitment to expanding connectivity between the UAE and Africa, facilitating increased opportunities for tourism, trade, and investment. Air Arabia operates a modern fleet of 81 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. Offering passengers, a value-added onboard experience, the aircraft is equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming, and ‘SkyCafe’ an onboard catering service at affordable prices. In addition, Air Arabia offers ‘Air Rewards’ an innovative and generous loyalty program through which passengers can earn, transfer, and spend points. Customers can now book their direct flights between Sharjah and Addis Ababa by visiting Air Arabia’s website, or by calling the call centre, or through travel agencies.

Plaza Premium Group (PPG), Egypt Aviation Services (EAS), and Cairo Airport Company (CAC) announced a strategic joint venture. They will manage six lounges across various terminals at Cairo International Airport (CAI), leveraging PPG’s global expertise in creating award-winning airport hospitality experiences. Under this collaboration, PPG will manage, operate, and commercialise six lounges across various terminals at Cairo International Airport (CAI), leveraging PPG’s global expertise in creating award-winning airport hospitality experiences. The Lounges will be rebranded as Plaza Premium Lounge by CAC and EAS. CAC has assigned the full management of CAC VIP Lounges to a joint venture formed between EAS and PPG, who have taken over six Lounges in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the Seasonal Terminal of the Cairo International Airport. Furthermore, a new lounge by the F Gates of Terminal 3 is being developed. This landmark partnership marks the official market entry of PPG into Egypt, another important milestone in the company’s expansion in the MENA region, alongside its recent expansions into other key markets in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Abu Dhabi. Cairo International Airport (CAI) is a pivotal hub for air travel in Egypt and the broader region, playing a significant role in the country’s economy and connectivity. It is the busiest airport in the country and Africa, handling 26.4 million passengers in 2023 and has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 125 destinations in 62 countries. “This unprecedented partnership with Egyptian Aviation Services (EAS), and Cairo Airport Company opens up exciting opportunities for our first entry into the Egyptian market through this strategic partnership, bringing our global standards and expertise in delivering award-winning airport hospitality experiences to Cairo. We are committed to our …

Air India won the ‘Best Airline South Asia’ award at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the “Best Airline-South Asia” award was crucial for us, as it greatly enhances the public perception and signals to our customers that Air India is on an upward growth trajectory and is a trusted brand, as we’re continuously improving and innovating in areas like product, customer service and technology. The impact of winning goes beyond just the media coverage and public attention. It’ll put us on a path of sustained growth through enhanced loyalty, expanded partnerships, improved customer experience, and a stronger global presence. The key steps hereafter would be to focus on maintaining the high standards that earned Air India the title while investing in long-term growth, customer loyalty, and innovation. It’s about ensuring that Air India continues to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers and the industry moving forward.” Kaizad Pesi Postwalla, Head – International Sales Americas and GMEA, Air India Limited

Emirates’ Airbus A380 touched down in Copenhagen for the first time since March 2020. Emirates is currently the only international airline to operate the A380 to Denmark. The A380 touched down just in time to celebrate the airport’s jubilee, marking 100 years of operational excellence. Morten Balk, Emirates’ Country Manager in Denmark, said: “We are incredibly proud to finally bring back the Emirates A380 to Copenhagen – what a sight to see it gracing our runway again! We look forward to once again offering our customers unparalleled travel experiences and the signature products and services our A380 is known for. With more than 43 percent additional seating, more customers will now be able to enjoy greater flexibility and more travel options, to over 140 destinations worldwide via our home and hub, Dubai.” Peter Krogsgaard, CCO, Copenhagen Airport commented, “We have been looking forward to welcoming the iconic Emirates double-decker aircraft back to Copenhagen. It’s a fantastic way to start the new year, seeing the world’s largest passenger plane, with a total of 615 seats, return to Denmark after a hiatus of nearly five years.” Emirates is renowned for its exceptional services and luxurious amenities. The Emirates A380 is loved by customers for its spacious and comfortable cabins, quietness, and unique on-board features such as the Onboard Lounge. Customers onboard will also enjoy the warm hospitality of the airline’s multinational crew including Danish nationals, regional gourmet cuisine, and award-winning inflight entertainment system – ice – offering up to 6,500 channels of the best movies, TV shows, podcasts and more. The airline also recently expanded its entertainment catalogue, collaborating with Spotify – the world’s most popular audio-streaming subscription service – to offer customers a …

Turkish Airlines, driven by its mission to offer guests a peerless travel experience, is now carrying Türkiye’s unparalleled cultural treasures to the skies. The new amenity kit collection, called the “UNESCO Türkiye Series,” is inspired by six outstanding UNESCO World Heritage sites in Türkiye which are Nemrut, Göbeklitepe, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Ani, and Troy along with four different ebru (Turkish Marbling) designs and three traditional carpet-rug motifs. These new kits are now being offered in Business Class on flights ranging from five to eight hours, while different versions will be introduced in mid-January for Economy Class on flights lasting more than eight hours. Developed in collaboration with the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, this special collection highlights Turkish Airlines’ vision to not only provide comfort above the clouds but also showcase Türkiye’s historic and cultural values on the global stage. Each set is presented as a memorable travel keepsake that combines thousands of years of Anatolian history and artistic heritage with contemporary design elements. A modern interpretation of traditional Turkish art, each kit includes hand and body lotion and lip balm formulated by the luxury fragrance brand Ex Nihilo. Additionally, around 80% of the materials used in items such as socks, eye masks, and toothbrushes are made from recycled materials and sustainable options like biodegradable cornstarch. Commenting on the new collection, Turkish Airlines Chief Operations Officer M. Akif Konar stated: “With the UNESCO Türkiye Series, not only we are providing our guests with a memorable flight experience but we are also showcasing Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage to the world. As Turkish Airlines, we continue to maintain our lead in the global aviation sector with our sustainability-focused approach and our vision of …

Qatar Airways resumed flights at Abha International Airport (AHB). The airline will operate two weekly flights to Abha, offering seamless connectivity on Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of over 170 destinations. With the resumption of this route, Qatar Airways brings the total number of destinations it serves within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 11, including: Abha, AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, NEOM, Qassim, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif, and Yanbu. Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to resume flights to Abha, our 11th gateway in Saudi Arabia. With over 140 weekly flights, we connect more than 36,000 passengers weekly between Saudi Arabia and Doha. This highlights our commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting tourism and strengthening economic and cultural ties between our two nations.” Air Connectivity Program CEO, Mr. Majid Khan, said: “The cooperation between the Air Connectivity Program and Qatar Airways is a significant step in enhancing the Kingdom’s air connectivity. This partnership not only connects our two countries but also opens doors for global visitors to explore the unique experiences that the Kingdom offers.” Cluster 2 Airports Company Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ali Masrahi, said: “The commencement of direct flights between Doha and Abha represents a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This new route will not only facilitate travel for tourists and business visitors, but also contribute substantially to the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy and National Aviation Strategy. By improving accessibility to the Aseer region, known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, these flights will boost local economies, create employment opportunities, and showcase the …

Gulf Air announced the launch of seasonal flights for Summer to Nice, France, starting on 22 May and operating throughout the summer until 28 September; and to Geneva, Switzerland, starting on 03 June to 12 September. The airline will operate two weekly flights from Bahrain to both Nice and Geneva via Milan. These routes will be served by Gulf Air’s state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering passengers superior travel experience, with a modern and spacious cabin, comfortable seating, and advanced in-flight entertainment systems. Renowned for its natural attractions and luxurious lifestyle, summer 2025 marks the comeback on Nice for the fourth consecutive year as a Gulf Air seasonal destination, while the airline will build on the success of its Geneva route in summer 2024 by bringing this favorite financial and leisure hub back to Gulf Air network for the second consecutive summer. The flights from Bahrain via Milan to Nice will depart on Thursday and Sunday at 01:40 am, and from Nice via Milan to Bahrain at 09:50 am, while flights from Bahrain via Milan to Geneva will operate on Tuesday and Friday at 01:40 am, and from Geneva via Milan to Bahrain at 09:40 am. The launch of these seasonal flights reflects Gulf Air’s strategic expansion plans within the European market, focusing on key leisure and business destinations. Additional destinations to the Gulf Air network will be announced in the coming months.

Emirates is bringing forward the deployment of its Airbus A350 to Kuwait and Bahrain. Services will start 8 January, making them the second and third destinations to be served by the airline’s newest aircraft. Emirates will operate its Airbus A350 on the following services to Kuwait and Bahrain. Kuwait: The Emirates A350 will operate on EK853 and EK854. EK 853 departs Dubai at 0125hrs, arriving in Kuwait at 0215hrs. The return flight, EK 854 leaves Kuwait at 0340hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0625hrs. Bahrain: The Emirates A350 will operate on two of the three daily flights to the Kingdom – EK837/838, and EK839/840. EK 837 departs Dubai at 0820hrs, arriving in Bahrain at 0840hrs. The return flight, EK 838, departs Bahrain at 1000hrs, arriving back to Dubai at 1215hrs. The second flight operated by the Airbus A350, EK 839, takes off at 1600hrs, arriving in Bahrain at 1620hrs. EK 840 leaves Bahrain at 1745hrs, arriving back to Dubai at 2000hrs. The three-class aircraft features 312 seats, with 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and 259 generously pitched Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement, offering more space and comfort in every cabin. The Emirates A350 operating to both cities boasts a suite of next-generation features in every cabin class, including high ceilings and wider aisles, new technology touches, faster Wi-Fi, and the latest version of the ice inflight entertainment system featuring a cinematic experience for customers to enjoy the airline’s vast media and channel selection of on-demand entertainment. Emirates has been serving Kuwait since 1989, and today operates 29 weekly flights. Emirates’ A350 to Kuwait is the second aircraft …