Works include new 3,400-metre runway, passenger terminal, infrastructure upgrade Abu Dhabi-UAE: 18 October, 2017:  Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the leading national entity for development aid, extended a US$50 million (AED183.65 million) concessionary loan to the Maldivian government to develop the Velana International Airport in Malé. The Velana International Airport Development Project includes the construction of a new 3,400-metre runway with a breakwater and rehabilitation of the old runway. In addition, the funding will help build a new west passenger terminal and a maintenance building, and complete phase-1 works of the south terminal. The loan agreement was formalised in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai during ......read more

Airbus to acquire majority stake in the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership Partnership brings together two complementary product lines, with 100-150 seat market segment expected to represent more than 6,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years Combination of Airbus’ global reach and scale with Bombardier’s newest aircraft family to create significant value for customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders Significant C Series production costs savings anticipated by leveraging Airbus’ supply chain expertise Commitment to Québec: C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership headquarters and primary assembly to remain in Québec, with the support of both companies’ global supply chains  Airbus’ global industrial footprint expands with the C Series Final Assembly Line in Canada, resulting in a ......read more

Trial the result of customer demand for no bag fares on key GCC routes  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, October 17, 2017:   Etihad Airways is trialling a new hand baggage only ‘Deal Fare’ on two key routes this winter season, for bookings between 18 October to 18 December, allowing travellers to purchase lower fares in Economy Class if no checked baggage is required.  The trial fare includes a complimentary carry-on baggage allowance of 7kg and is available on flights between Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Kuwait for travel until 31 March 2018.  Etihad Airways Executive Vice President – Commercial, Mohammad Al Bulooki, said: “Passenger feedback and travel habits show that many of Etihad Airways’ customers, especially those travelling for business, weekend getaways or day trips, ......read more

Dubai, UAE, October 16, 2017:   A secret no more, Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay opens its doors to a brand new venue – The Secret Terrace, a sparkly and enchanted spot to unwind and hang out, with a chilled rooftop vibe. Open from Wednesday, October 18th onwards, the venue kicks off with its first ever Ladies Night hosted by Vicky, the most graceful and serene hostess in the land. Close your eyes and picture this - a charmingly decorated and deeply comfortable outdoor space that overlooks Dubai’s skyline. Feel the day slip away as you sink into the comfy cushion couches, cabanas and swing chairs of this intimate space. Floral, twinkling and fairytale like, the team has put their heart and soul into the Secret Terrace, with down to earth food and drinks to match. Matching the venue's warm and ......read more

15 October 2017, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:  A new generation of space leaders and scientists are set to be inspired by Next Gen Aerospace - a new programme which comes as part of preparations towards the Global Aerospace Summit 2018, to be held in Abu Dhabi. Next Gen Aerospace Programme is dedicated to youth engagement and education, inviting students to a range of activities to develop skills and learn about opportunities within the aerospace sector.  The Next Gen Aerospace Programme includes a University Roadshow, Summit Focus Days and a Young Space Leaders initiative. The Programme will promote the importance of STEM education to nationals and residents of the UAE and contribute to nationwide efforts of workforce Emiratisation. it will also encourage higher education bodies from the UAE to produce and present ......read more

Set to iconic soundtrack by Queen, campaign features airline’s global network and onboard product Dubai, UAE, 15 October 2017:   Emirates today launched a US$15 million campaign to inspire travel and promote the airline’s extensive network of global destinations including its home and hub, Dubai. The campaign is backed by the iconic soundtrack “Don’t stop me now” by British rock band Queen, which was found in a scientific study to be the most uplifting or “feel-good” tune on the UK charts in the past 50 years.  The ad spot utilises clever camera work that seamlessly transitions between key destinations and Emirates’ onboard features, reminiscent of a visual storytelling style that show “a picture within a picture”.  The ad culminates in Dubai, with a ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 12 October 2017:   ATPCO and SITA today announced that they are joining forces to provide the airline industry with NDC Exchange, an industry-owned platform to support the adoption of IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) for air fares and ancillary sales. NDC Exchange will enable quick adoption of NDC, lower the cost of compliance to the schema, while supporting complex interlining as airlines migrate to the new distribution format. NDC is designed to enable the travel industry to transform the way air products are retailed to corporations, leisure and business travelers. NDC Exchange will provide simple, cost-effective API connectivity for airlines and their partners to facilitate data exchange. The service has already been successfully piloted by several major international ......read more

Dubai-UAE: 12 October, 2017:   In January 2014 Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, launched the social media hashtag #MyDubai, inviting the Emirate's residents and visitors to write the social media biography of the city. Since then, across the various social media platforms, countless pictures and videos have been shared using the metadata tag. Each post tells a unique story of the Dubai experience. The progressive design studio Apical Reform visualises the Emirate's vibrant spirit and its emotional bond with residents and visitors through a new interactive public sculpture, inspired by and named after the social media movement. Delivering a definitive image of Dubai to the world, ‘MY Dubai’ is the latest chapter in the established traditions of large-scale city ......read more

Airlines apply to regulators to extend partnership until 2023 Submission includes adjustments to trans-Tasman services Co-ordinated route changes improve connectivity and schedule choice across combined network Sydney/Dubai, 11 October 2017:  Qantas and Emirates today announce additional network changes under the joint partnership which provide customers with greater year round frequency and more services between Australia and New Zealand.*  These changes reflect customer demand and the airlines’ respective network strengths and provide more options for customers to travel between Australia and New Zealand to Asia, the UK/Europe, Middle East and Africa. Enhanced trans-Tasman connectivity From March 2018, Emirates will stop flying from Melbourne and Brisbane to Auckland and instead focus on its ......read more

Builds on best cabin flying even farther Dubai, UAE, October 10, 2017:  Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) has won a new A319neo  order, from an Asian customer that is trading up from a traditional business jet, highlighting the market appeal of the aircraft family’s proven cabin and improved intercontinental range. The order means that new and existing customers have now placed a total of nine orders – three ACJ319neo and six ACJ320neo - for the new ACJ320 family. Customers include Acropolis Aviation, Comlux, K5 Aviation and undisclosed clients. “The ACJ320neo Family capitalises on the trend toward larger cabins in top-of-the-line business jets, while giving customers even more intercontinental range and efficiency in what is already a popular and airline-reliable performer,” states Airbus Chief ......read more

Dubai, UAE, October 10, 2017:  In light of the Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Communications' objective to upgrade all of its services, especially in the air transport sector with the close cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and its sister the Kingdom of Bahrain, the General Civil Aviation Authority witnessed an MOU signing ceremony on Sunday morning, 8th October 2017, between the two countries after a successful round of negotiations hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain. HE Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of UAE GCAA Expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting these important negotiations, noting the importance of the draft agreement, which has been signed and raising the development of air transport services between the two countries as one of the most important air ......read more

Abu Dhabi Aviation & Aerospace Week 9th October, 2017, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:  Al Bateen Executive Airport, the first dedicated business aviation airport in the region, officially launched today the fifth edition of Abu Dhabi Air Expo in response to huge demand from key industry professionals to participate. Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2018 will be held from 26th to 28th February 2018, as part of Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The Abu Dhabi Air Expo, in its fifth edition, will be rolled out in a new set-up that will be divided into three main areas; Aircraft hangar, chalets and outdoor static display, which will occupy nearly 60,000 square meters of space at Al ......read more

Sharjah, UAE; 7 October 2017:  Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) has further strengthened its operations in Dubai with the opening of a new sales office and city terminal check-in services in Dubai.  The new office is located at Emaar Towers in Deira and will be open from Saturday to Thursday, 09:00 am to 10:00 pm.  Inaugurating the new office, Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia commented: “We are pleased to further strengthen our services in Dubai and the UAE through the new sales office. This step underpins our commitment to continuously invest in providing our customers with value and convenience across all the countries we operate in.” The sales and city check-in office will be able to assist customers with booking ......read more

Dubai, UAE, October 5, 2017:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted five priorities which must be addressed in order for aviation to deliver maximum economic and social benefits in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.   Muhammad Ali Albakri, IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Middle East & Africa noted that aviation currently supports 2.4 million jobs in the MENA region and contributes $157.2 billion in GDP. “Aviation has the power to generate significant prosperity. A safe, secure, efficient and sustainable air transport industry pays huge social and economic dividends. But despite the vast benefits enabled by aviation connectivity, the operating environment for airlines in MENA remains challenging,” Albakri said.   Speaking at the IATA Middle East ......read more

Sharaf: The Science community in the UAE is witnessing remarkable development October 5, 2017, Dubai, United Arab Emirates:  Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, the entity in charge of designing, implementing and supervising all the phases of the Emirates Mars Mission- Hope mission under the supervision of the UAE Space Agency, has announced the launch of the 3rd Annual EMM Science Workshop. The workshop will be part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre Science Event (MBRSC Science Event), that will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on October 21, at Etihad Museum under the theme “Through Space we Flourish”. The third edition of the EMM science workshop will address various topics related to the Martian ......read more

Dubai, UAE, October 5, 2017:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for greater urgency in the partnership between governments and airlines to keep aviation at the leading edge of industries in managing their climate change impact.    The call came on the eve of the first anniversary of the historic global agreement on a Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) at the 39th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).   “CORSIA was a historic demonstration of what can be achieved when governments and industry work together. Implementing it will be a critical enabler of aviation’s commitment to carbon neutral growth from 2020. But our ultimate goal is much more ambitious—cutting net emissions to half their 2005 ......read more

Dubai, UAE, October 5, 2017:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), increased by 12.1% in August 2017, compared to the same period a year ago. This was the fifth time in six months of double-digit gains on the previous year’s performance. Demand is growing at exceptional speed when compared to the five-year average growth rate of 4.4%. Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), grew by 4.7% year-on-year in August 2017. Demand growth continues to significantly outstrip capacity growth, which is positive for industry load factors, yields, and financial performance.  The strong performance of air freight demand corresponds with the pick-up in global trade. World ......read more

Dubai, UAE, October 5, 2017:  The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) today celebrates the UAE Civil Aviation Day, which was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on October 5th 2014, as part of the UAE’s efforts to elevate awareness around the Aviation sector amongst both nationals and non-nationals in UAE.    The day marks the progress and achievements of the aviation sector to date, celebrating the history of aviation in the UAE, as well as looking to the future of the industry. The celebration also highlights the achievements and the joint efforts of numerous different stakeholders in the industry to make it the success story it is today.    From the first commercial flight arriving in the UAE in October 1932 from Pakistan, UAE aviation has flourished and the ......read more

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, October 4, 2017:  Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has been named ‘Airline of the Year’ in the United Kingdom for the fourth consecutive year by the Travel Trade Gazette (TTG). The Abu Dhabi-based airline beat strong competition to take the top prize at the ceremony, held at London’s Lyceum Theatre and attended by 750 leading figures from the British travel industry. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways’ Executive Vice President Commercial, said: “To be awarded the coveted ‘Airline of the Year’ award for the fourth time in a row is a real honour for the airline and one we are very proud of, particularly as it is based on feedback from the UK’s leading travel agents.  “The award reflects the continued commitment ......read more

Three additional weekly flights will also be introduced during peak winter period   Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, October 3, 2017:   Etihad Airways is re-timing its daily Abu Dhabi – Medina flights to a daytime operation and will also introduce three additional weekly services during the peak winter period.   Effective 1 February 2018, the current overnight departure from Abu Dhabi will be replaced by a mid-morning flight offering an attractive schedule for travellers flying between the UAE’s capital city and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.   The new daytime schedule will also improve connectivity to a number of destinations served by Etihad Airways across the Indian Subcontinent such as Colombo, Delhi, Islamabad, Karachi and Mumbai. There will also be new two-way ......read more

Competition will be part of MBRSC Science Event where scientific studies and space missions’ projects to the Red Planet  Two top winners will receive valuable prizes of AED 10,000 & 5000 October 3, 2017, Dubai, United Arab Emirates:  Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, has announced the extension of the deadline to receive Explore Mars Competition proposals to October 14. University students who are interested to participate in the competition can send their projects to science@mbrsc.ae or apply on the competition page on MBRSC Science Event website.  During the science event, the projects will be presented as posters, and discussed by a specialized scientific and technical committee composed of local and international engineers and scientists in the field of Mars Science and Space Systems Engineering. ......read more

Dubai, UAE – 3 October 2017:  In October 2002, Emirates became the first airline to link Japan and the Gulf region with non-stop flights when it introduced its four-times-per-week service to Osaka. Now serving three points in Japan daily, Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has carried over 3.9 million passengers* in 15 years of service to Japan. The number of passengers carried in Emirates’ first year of operations–roughly 66,000 in 2002—has grown to nearly 530,000 passengers carried between Dubai and Tokyo (Narita and Haneda) and Osaka in 2016. This achievement is the result of Emirates’ commitment to providing the Japanese market with convenient and innovative products and tailor-made services. Adapting to demand in terms of both quality and volume, Emirates continues to ......read more

Emirates and flydubai partnership announces first codeshare routes With the start of the partnership, Emirates will codeshare on 29 routes operated by flydubai Passengers can book from 03 October with travel commencing on 29 October Reach more destinations easily, frequently and quickly Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 02 October 2017:  Following the commencement of their partnership, Emirates and flydubai today announced that Emirates will expand its network to 29 flydubai destinations across three continents. The new partner network, through its codeshare, will offer greater frequency and easier access to more global destinations with the advantage of connecting baggage to the final destination.  Passengers can book from 03 October on Emirates.com, through the Emirates Contact Centres or the travel agents ......read more

Delivering urgent support and aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 01 October 2017:  Maximus Air, the Abu-Dhabi based aviation company and the largest all-cargo airline in the UAE, has provided vital humanitarian relief to Barbados in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which caused catastrophic damage when it swept across the Caribbean and several US states in early September this year. The airline sent three relief flights to the area between the 15th and 21st September to provide relief cargo for those who were affected by the disaster. Maximus Air team faced several logistical challenges during the relief mission, including vast geographical distance, short notice and a challenging time frame. Despite these challenges, the commercial team in coordination with the flight operation department ......read more

Harvesting of the First Crop of Oil-Rich Plants Grown in the Desert Using Seawater Brings the UAE Closer to Fueling Aircraft with Locally-Produced Biofuel  Abu Dhabi-UAE: 30 September, 2017:  Masdar Institute of Science and Technology’s Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) – a non-profit entity supported by Etihad Airways, Boeing, Takreer, Safran and General Electric – today announced that its flagship project, the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS), has reached a critical milestone in its development of sustainable aviation biofuels through the first harvest of the biofuel feedstock. Masdar Institute is a part of the Khalifa University of Science and Technology. Dr. Alejandro Rios G., Director of the SBRC, led a team of Masdar Institute researchers in harvesting the first crop of ......read more