18 February 2020 (Geneva) –The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Post Corporation (IPC) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reinforce cooperation between the two organizations. The aim for both IATA and IPC is to promote the development and expansion of safe, secure, accessible and high-quality airmail and air cargo services to help their respective members provide quality solutions aligned to consumer needs.   “International e-commerce is growing at around 20% per year, leading to rapidly changing market conditions for airlines and posts. Ensuring customers get their packages on time while safety and security in postal air transport is maintained is the main priority for posts and air transport operators alike. Cooperation across the supply chain is a must ......read more

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – February 18, 2020:   Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will again operate a daily scheduled flight between the emirate of Abu Dhabi’s second largest city, Al Ain, and Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the last ten days of Ramadan. The airline will operate the flights from 14 May to 23 May to meet increased demand during the busy religious travel period. The flights, which will be operated by a two-class Airbus A320, have been timed to offer customers in Al Ain with convenient departures in both directions. The unique service, first launched last year, demonstrates Etihad’s commitment to the culturally and strategically important ‘Oasis City’, which is home to a large proportion of the airline’s national customer base, and its ......read more

16 February 2020 – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: His Excellency (H.E.) Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE’s Minister of State for Defense will focus on regional defense industry challenges and opportunities during his keynote speech at the Global Aerospace Summit 2020. The event, taking place in Abu Dhabi on 17-19 March, is one of the world’s leading thought leadership forums for the aviation, aerospace, space and defense industries.  H.E. will speak on the impact of collaboration and strategic partnership in ensuring peace and prosperity both regionally and globally. This year’s Summit will include an increasing focus on the defense sector with EDGE recently announcing its role as joint partner for the event. EDGE, the newly established advanced technology group for defense and beyond, has joined Mubadala ......read more

Turkish Airlines, which has recently announced the passenger and cargo traffic results for January, recorded 80.6% load factor in this month while its number of international passengers increased with double-digit percentages.   Commenting on the announced numbers, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. İlker Aycı stated, “Our performance during January indicates that we are on point to reach our 2020 goals. The increase in our international passenger numbers once again demonstrates that we are successfully maintaining the course on our goal to be the preferred brand of the globe. As the flag carrier airline, we will continue to greet our passengers with Turkish hospitality on their flights while continuing to enhance our service quality and improve our performance every ......read more

• Event brings to an end six days of literary entertainment celebrating words in every form • Sessions live-streamed to almost 100,000 students throughout UAE • Desert Stanzas honoured by Royal visit • Record number of Emirati authors showcased in programme     Dubai, 10 February 2020:   The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature drew to a rousing finale today with a session featuring an exceptional night of music, poetry and readings in support of Dubai Cares’ programmes for child refugees across the region. The event capped six days of literary entertainment featuring a record-breaking 206 authors from 43 countries and a strong contingent of home-grown talent, the largest number ever featured at the festival.   The Festival’s opening event, Desert ......read more

Dubai, UAE, 8 February 2020:   The winners of the Montegrappa Writing Prize, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature’s prestigious competition to discover unpublished novelists, have been announced today. Recognised as one of the most successful writing competitions in the region, the competition has a proven track record in finding new writing talent, producing nine published authors in the last six years. This year’s first place went to Stacey Siebritz for The Leap. The runners up were:   Nassma Al Bahrani: The Stars Among Us Celina Teague: The Uncoming of Age Michael Lynes: Blood Libel Priyanka Pradhan: Stories from the Himalayas   All entries were judged by international literary agent Luigi Bonomi, founder of Luigi Bonomi Associates (LBA) and literary agent for several previous ......read more

The new identity reflects Cozmo’s strategy to align its diversified service portfolio and cater to its growing customers base around the world.   DUBAI – February 6, 2020:   Cozmo Travel, the leading travel management company in the region, today unveiled its new Corporate Logo and Brand Identity that reflect its futuristic growth vision in the UAE and across the region.   The new identity upgrade, which coincides with Cozmo’s tenth anniversary celebrations, aims at supporting the company’s strategy by aligning its diversified service portfolio and in return providing added value to its customers around the world.    Cozmo Travel unveiled the new identity on the occasion of opening its 37th branch of the UAE located in Karama, Dubai.   Mr. Jamal ......read more

The global airline celebrates humanity’s spirit of exploration in a new commercial inspired by the Moon landing in 1969.     Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 05, 2020:   Turkish Airlines has launched a new commercial which explores the humanity’s spirit of exploration, inspired by the world-changing Moon landing in 1969. “Step on Earth” brings back the sense of wonder and adventure felt as 600 million people around the world watched the humanity land on the Moon. The 30-second commercial was viewed in the third quarter of the Super Bowl LIV held this year in Miami, and resulted in the victory of Kansas City Chiefs by the score of 31-20, defeating San Francisco 49ers.   Flying to more countries than any other airline, Turkish Airlines challenges the statistic that over a ......read more

Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will increase frequencies on its popular Abu Dhabi to Athens route during the busy summer peak months. The additional overnight service will be operated between 8 July and 31 August by an Airbus A320 configured with 8 seats in Business and 150 seats in Economy. The extra frequency complements the daily two-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner morning daytime service between the two capitals. Abu Dhabi – Athens schedule effective 8 July 2020 (all timings are local):  Flight No. Origin Departs Destination Arrives Aircraft Frequency EY 91 Abu ......read more

Frankfurt and Madrid added to existing station portfolio in Europe, the United States and Asia  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, has renewed its global cargo handling agreements with Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), the world’s largest air cargo handler, with Frankfurt and Madrid joining six existing gateways in Europe, Asia and the United States. The three-year framework extension will see WFS continue to provide Etihad Cargo with warehouse and cargo handling services at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Washington DC’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) in the United States, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), as well as key European gateways at London Heathrow (LHR), Paris-Charles De Gaulle (CDG) and ......read more

UAE’s aviation investments to exceed AED1 trillion by 2040 Middle East and Africa projects valued at US$196 billion US$1.5 trillion for airport infrastructure up to 2030 Airport investment plans by 50‭ ‬countries totals US$355‭ ‬billion  ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Dubai, February 3, 2020: Airports across the world are now in the midst of being decongested, expanded and modernised with an impressive bouquet of facilities designed to make them sleek and classy.  The Middle East, Africa and Asia regions are seeing an unprecedented boom in airport construction and development as they inch towards bringing about a quantitative and qualitative ......read more

The world’s largest and award-winning network of independent airport lounge expands footprint  in the Middle East, joining existing locations in Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Riyadh and Salalah Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai - Reception featuring image of Dubai skyline Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai – Family Suite for a maximum of six guests with butler service     Highlights of Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai:     1,260-square-metre Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai with a maximum capacity of 300 guests, the largest independent pay-per-use airport lounge at Terminal 3 in the busiest transit hub in the Middle East    Special features:  Four Family Suites, dedicated Playroom, “First-class” enclosed private napping space, cigar lounge, male and female prayer ......read more

JLL’s City Momentum Index combines socio-economic and commercial property metrics of 130 markets to identify the world’s most dynamic urban centers   January 25, 2020 –   Cities in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) are gaining momentum, with Dubai, Riyadh and Nairobi all ranked within the top 20, according to JLL’s City Momentum Index 2020 which identifies the world’s most dynamic cities from a real estate perspective.  Now in its seventh year, the annual Index combines socio-economic and commercial property metrics to provide new insights into 130 major established and emerging business hubs across the globe. With Dubai (14th) ranking in the top 20 for the first time in three years, the Emirate continues to be the major business hub in the Middle East, with more than half of ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 21, 2020:   Etihad Aviation Training, the specialist training division of Etihad Aviation Group, has become the first aviation company in the Middle East to gain approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to train Boeing 777 and 787 pilots for European operators and carriers elsewhere which adopt Europe’s air safety standards. The approval to train pilots for these two wide-bodied Boeing aircraft types expands the global capabilities of Etihad Aviation Training, which in 2018 also became the first Middle Eastern aerospace business to gain EASA designation as an Approved Training Organisation for pilots of Airbus A320, A330 and A340 aircraft. Captain Paolo La Cava, Vice President and Managing Director of Etihad Aviation Training, said continuing growth in global ......read more

Comprehensive range of services to serve individual, business and family travellers          Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai - Reception featuring image of Dubai city skyline Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai – Family Suite for a maximum of six guests with butler service   Highlights of Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai:   1,260-square-metre Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai with a maximum capacity of 300 guests, the largest independent pay-per-use airport lounge at Terminal 3 in the busiest transit hub in the Middle East  Special features:  Four Family Suites, dedicated Playroom, “first-class” enclosed private napping space, cigar lounge, male and female prayer rooms    Glocal cuisine freshly prepared at live kitchen includes Arabic, Asian and ......read more

Dubai, UAE – 20 January 2020:  Given the huge turnout for registration in the 2nd batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) extended the deadline for application submission until March 31st. The extension aims to provide Emiratis aspiring to engage in scientific exploration and manned space missions the opportunity to enroll in the programme.   Since announcing it last December, registration for the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme had a huge interest from male and female Emiratis of all ages, specialties and sectors, thanks to the great impact of “Zayed Ambition” mission, the first Emirati manned space mission, by Hazzaa AlMansoori to the International Space Station.    MBRSC pointed that applicants to the 2nd batch of the UAE Astronaut ......read more

16 January 2020 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, and Air Miles Middle East, owned and operated by Aimia Inc. (TSX: AIM), a loyalty and travel consolidator, have announced a new reward initiative which enables Air Miles Middle East members to exchange Air Miles into Etihad Guest Miles.    Yasser Al Yousuf, Vice President Commercial Partnerships, Etihad Airways said: “We are constantly exploring new collaborations that provide added value to travellers. By partnering with the Air Miles Middle East programme, we are proud to yet again introduce more benefits to our mutual members by offering access to Etihad Guest’s inspiring range of travel and lifestyle rewards.”    When applying for Etihad Guest Miles transfer, Air ......read more

• Customers now have easy access to the Etihad and easyJet networks through joint gateways across Europe • This partnership becomes Etihad’s first use of the transformational New Distribution Capability platform     Abu Dhabi, January 14, 2020:   Etihad Airways (Etihad), the national airline of the UAE, has become the most recent airline to partner with easyJet, one of the world’s largest airlines. This new partnership means customers can purchase tickets through the easyJet worldwide website connecting the two airlines’ networks and opening new and exciting possibilities for travel between Europe, Africa, the Azores and the UAE. The collaboration comes into effect immediately.   The partnership follows easyJet’s accelerated and successful roll out programme ......read more

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – January 13, 2020:  Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme for Etihad Airways, has inked a new partnership with Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, further enhancing benefits for its members.  The partnership expands on the codeshare agreement between the two airlines and provides further cooperation between the frequent flyer programmes, Etihad Guest and Falconflyer. This allows members to earn and redeem miles reciprocally on all flights across both networks. In both cases, the number of miles earned will depend upon the class of travel flown. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer for Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Our recently redesigned, upgraded, and relaunched loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, welcomes another valued partner that ......read more

Leading Educational Travel Company EduVoyage highlights collaboration with ‘Greatest Show in the World’ at the 32nd GCC Principals Conference in Jaipur, India   Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 08, 2020:   EduVoyage, the educational travel arm of ITL World, showcased its collaboration with Expo 2020 Dubai at the 32nd Principals’ Conference held under the aegis of the Gulf Council of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Representative principals from CBSE affiliated schools in the Gulf region attended the 4-day annual meet in the picturesque pink city of Jaipur from 4-7 January 2020.   “This conference is a great platform for senior academia to interact, explore new ideas and share their experiences, thereby giving Indian students residing in the GCC the benefit of ......read more

08 January 2020 (Geneva) - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), decreased by 1.1% in November 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. This marks the thirteenth consecutive month of year-on-year declines in freight volumes.  Despite the decline in demand, November’s performance was the best in eight months, with the slowest year-on-year rate of contraction recorded since March 2019. In part, November’s outcome reflects the growing importance of large e-commerce events such as Singles Day and Black Friday.   While international e-commerce continues to grow, overall air cargo demand continued to face headwinds from the effects of the trade war between the US and China, the ......read more

6 January, 2020 Australia is a key and highly valued market in the global network of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, with the three largest cities, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane all served daily.  As part of its international workforce, Etihad is also the proud employer of more than 300 Australian nationals outside Australia, who, with their families, number more than 1,000. Most reside in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, where the airline is based.    In total, some 16,000 Australian nationals live and work in the UAE. In response to the country’s devastating bushfires, Etihad Airways will waive flight change fees for Australian residents affected by this ongoing national emergency. The waivers will apply for travel to or from Australia. UAE-based Australians, or those in ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 02, 2020:   Offering its guests the opportunity to fly directly to 126 countries from Istanbul, Turkish Airlines added Xi’an, the Chinese city with three thousand years of history, to its flight network on December 30. Xi’an became the flag carrier’s fourth destination in Mainland China and the 318th destination in the world. The flights will be operated three times a week with Airbus A330 aircrafts. Starting its flights to People's Republic of China back in 1999 with Beijing as its destination, Turkish Airlines reinforced its strong position in Asia with the Xi’an flights. With this new addition, global carrier’s flight network encompassed the entirety of the historical Silk Road that started in Xi’an and ended in Venice. During the ceremony of ......read more

 Abu Dhabi Airports organized the competition to demonstrate the benefits of flying to Abu Dhabi for airlines and tourists as part of its participation at World Routes Development Forum held in Adelaide, Australia     Abu Dhabi, UAE – 31 December 2019:   Abu Dhabi Airports welcomed the winner of its World Routes Raffle competition to Abu Dhabi from Johannesburg at 05:20 GST this morning. The competition, designed to highlight Abu Dhabi as a unique global destination, was launched during Abu Dhabi Airports’ participation in the 25th edition of the World Routes Development Forum held in Adelaide, Australia in September 2019.   The competition winner, Mrs. Faith Nqobile Ndhlovu, arrived at Abu Dhabi with her family from Johannesburg, South Africa and was greeted by a hostess from ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 30, 2019:    Emirates customers travelling in First and Business class, and Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members can now enjoy a smoother departure and arrival experience at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) with complimentary Tikram fast-track services. The Tikram services will facilitate smoother journeys for the almost 300 premium passengers that travel on Emirates First and Business Class as well as top tier Emirates Skywards members who frequent Amman each day. The services will start from 1 January 2020.   The airline recently signed an agreement with Tikram, which includes complimentary immigration and security fast-track clearance upon departure, as well as fast-track immigration on arrival for passengers travelling in Emirates First and Business Class and ......read more