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

• A new fifth weekly service introduced on both routes on Fridays • Service extended by three weeks operating between 25 June and 15 September 2020   Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways will operate its popular seasonal routes from Abu Dhabi to Alexandria, Egypt, and Salalah, Oman, between 25 June to 15 September 2020. Due to the success of the routes in 2019, the period of operation has been extended by three weeks and a new fifth weekly service introduced on both routes on Fridays, complementing existing departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Both flights will be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft. With the addition of these seasonal destinations, the airline will operate a total of 33 flights per week to Egypt, 28 flights to Cairo and five to Alexandria. The airline ......read more

December 24, 2019:   Emirates, the world's largest international airline, is set to showcase its latest flagship Airbus A380 to visitors and spectators on 15 January at the Kuwait Aviation Show 2020. Visitors to the show will be able to tour the popular double-decker's signature interiors and experience its industry trendsetting products across all three classes, including Emirates' latest generation Onboard Lounge.   Always a popular draw for aviation enthusiasts, industry visitors and the general public, Emirates' latest generation Airbus A380 will be decorated in blue livery, representing the 'mobility' theme of Expo 2020, and spreading awareness about the world's greatest show which will be hosted for the first time in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asian region. EXPO 2020 Dubai ......read more

 Three weekly seasonal flights to meet summer demand  Operated by three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring 8 private First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 190 Economy Smart Seats  Third Etihad gateway in Spain Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways has announced that it will launch new seasonal flights to Malaga in Spain, to meet strong customer demand from across the UAE and GCC for flights to the popular gateway to the province of Andalucía.  Three weekly flights will operate via the Moroccan capital, Rabat, from 26 June to 13 September 2020. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Malaga has been on our wish-list for some time and we are tremendously pleased to announce summer season services to the Costa del Sol, a region which for ......read more

• Etihad will place its ‘EY’ code on 3 Kuwait Airways routes to Kuwait, Iraq and Bangladesh • Kuwait Airways will place its ‘KU’ code on Etihad routes from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi and onwards to 9 destinations in Europe, Africa, Seychelles, and Maldives   Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwaiti flag carrier, Kuwait Airways, have signed a codeshare partnership on selected services on bookings effective 22 December 2019, for travel from 5 January 2020.    Subject to regulatory approvals, Etihad will place its ‘EY’ code on Kuwait Airways operated flights from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait, Najaf and Dhaka.   In turn, Kuwait Airways will place its ‘KU’ code on Etihad flights from ......read more

The airport group welcomed 80 stakeholders to recognize their continued support to Abu Dhabi Airports     Abu Dhabi, UAE – 21 December 2019:   Abu Dhabi Airports held a special ceremony to recognize the contributions made by its local and international stakeholders on 18th December 2019 at the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi. The event demonstrated Abu Dhabi Airports’ continued commitment to its stakeholders, reflecting the airport group’s robust relationships with industry-wide partners.   Abu Dhabi Airports operates with an extensive range of stakeholders which supports a range of passenger and cargo services year-round, alongside free zone operations and training opportunities. More than 80 stakeholders attended the ceremony, where 26 awards were presented to stakeholders throughout the ......read more

 Flight welcomed by His Highness Sheikh Saeed Bin Tahnoun Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan and other dignitaries from Abu Dhabi Airports, Al Ain International Airport and DCT Abu Dhabi  His Excellency Saqer Nasser Al Raisi, the UAE Ambassador to Kuwait, attends inaugural flight from Jazeera Terminal T5     December 19, 2019:   Jazeera Airways flight J9 139 landed at Al Ain International Airport in the UAE on Friday 13 December in the first-ever direct service between the airport and Kuwait. The service was made possible with the support of Abu Dhabi Airports and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT - Abu Dhabi).   The Ambassador of the UAE to Kuwait, His Excellency Saqer Nasser Al Raisi, attended the inaugural flight, where he was welcomed by the Jazeera ......read more

• 2.2 million Chinese tourists will travel to GCC in 2023 with CAGR growth of 4.8% • Total Chinese tourism spend in GCC estimated to reach US$3.48 billion by 2023    The number of Chinese tourists travelling to the GCC is expected to increase 54% from 1.4 million in 2018 to 2.2 million in 2023, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8%, according to data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2020.   As destinations from across the globe prepare to showcase their latest offering at ATM 2020, which is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre from Sunday 19 – Wednesday 22 April 2020, Colliers International predicts China will maintain its position as a top source market across the GCC, particularly in the UAE, where Chinese visitors are currently the second and fourth ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 17th December 2019:   Two months since making history as the first UAE astronaut to travel to space, Hazza Al Mansouri spoke to Europe’s number one international news channel, Euronews about what’s next for the UAE and space travel.  Following his trip to the International Space Station, Hazza Al Mansouri now focuses his attention to the UAE’s Hope Mission, which is set to reach Mars on the UAE’s 50th anniversary, making it the ninth country to touch down on the planet.  Hazza Al Mansouri is also working on the UAE’s main space mission, the hundred-year program named 2117 with an objective of sending people to Mars by this date.  In an interview to air on Euronews on 12th December, Hazza Al Mansouri commented on the 2117 mission and said: ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 16, 2019:   SITA, the leading IT provider for the air transport industry, today unveils 10 bold predictions about the technology shaping how passengers will move through the airport of the future, based on unique insights, driving industry forces and emerging technologies.    The airport experience has morphed dramatically in the past 10 years with the introduction of biometric security, mobile check-in, and baggage tracking. And there is much more to come.    The next decade will witness an exponentially accelerated pace of change as digital native passengers and staff usher in transformative technologies, from flying taxis to airports that think for themselves. Benoit Verbaere, Business Development Director, SITA predicts major change for nearly all aspects ......read more

375 companies from 94 countries expected in the B2B show Co-located events: GALF, ATC Forum and Airport Security  2 new conferences added  US$750 billion global airport investments until 2025 Emerging economies to account for 60% of air traffic by 2040   Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 16, 2019:   Titans of the aviation industry from across the world will assemble in Dubai in mid-June next year to debate topics related to the future passenger experience as the widest range of newest technologies and innovations are showcased at the world’s largest annual airport industry gathering. Organized by Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the 20th edition of Airport Show will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation ......read more

 The flight was received by His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan  Jazeera Airways to operate three flights a week to Al Ain International Airport from Kuwait International Airport     14 December 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE:   Abu Dhabi Airports is pleased to announce that Al Ain International Airport (AAN) has welcomed Jazeera Airways new services from Kuwait International Airport (KWI) to Al Ain.   The flight was received by H.H. Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; Bryan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, and Marwan Boodai, Chairman of Jazeera Airways, in addition to delegates from both sides.   The Airline will operate three weekly flights from Kuwait City departing Kuwait Airport at 12:05 and arrive at Al Ain ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 14, 2019:    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new program to raise global standards in cargo handling operations.   The Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) program aims to reduce audit complexity and duplication for cargo handling facilities.   This new IATA initiative has two components:  Standardized Global Audit Program:  IATA has introduced the Smart Facility Operational Capacity Audit Certification (SFOC Audit Certification) to provide airlines with the assurance that SFOC Certified facilities are adhering to IATA’s Resolutions and Recommended Practices in cargo handling and with IATA’s Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM).   It is estimated 360,000 days per year are wasted annually on ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 14, 2019:    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) published information confirming that carbon emissions per passenger have declined by more than 50% since 1990. Much of the improvement has occurred because the industry has achieved an annual fuel efficiency improvement of 2.3% over the period since 2009, some 0.8 percentage points ahead of target.  This progress is a combination of investments in more efficient aircraft and operational efficiencies. “Cutting per passenger emissions in half is an amazing achievement of the technical expertise and innovation in the aviation industry. But we have even bigger ambitions. From 2020 we will cap net emissions. And by 2050 we will cut emissions to half 2005 levels. Accomplishing these targets means continued ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 12, 2019:   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that 59 airlines have committed to the 25by2025 campaign which seeks to address gender balance in civil aviation.   The 25by2025 campaign was launched on 26 September 2019 with participating airlines making a voluntary commitment to:    Increase the number of women in senior positions (to be defined by the member airlines) by either 25% against currently reported metrics or to a minimum representation of 25% by 2025    Increase the number of women in under-represented jobs (e.g., pilots and operations) by either 25% against currently reported metrics or to a minimum representation of 25% by 2025    Report annually on key diversity ......read more

World Aviation Safety Summit showcases new emerging technologies, analytics and data solutions that will support the enhancement of safety within the industry      11 December 2019 – Dubai, UAE:   The World Aviation Safety Summit, which has taken place in Dubai, displayed new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, that will help improve safety in the aviation sector.    In a session on how new technology can reduce incidents, experts from dnata displayed on stage the ‘Oscar bot’ - an Alexa-style solution that can help safety specialists report incidents in a more efficient and effective way. The Oscar bot enables managers and operators to report in real time exact details of incidents and receive feedback and planning options through AI enabled ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 12, 2019:    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) asked the European Union to support aviation’s energy transition to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as part of the bloc’s Green Deal, being launched today. “Aviation has high hopes for the European Commission’s Green Deal. We want to be part of Europe’s building of a new energy economy and we will do everything we can to make sustainable aviation fuels a priority for aviation in Europe and around the world,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO, at the Sustainable Innovation Forum running alongside the UN COP25 Climate Talks in Madrid, Spain.  Policy measures must be carefully considered. “Taxes are a politician’s way out. They are easy to ......read more