August 17, 2019

British Airways has announced that its first A350 aircraft is being put through its paces with extensive trials ahead of its long-haul launch to Dubai on September 2.

The airline took delivery of its newest aircraft featuring its latest generation business class seat, Club Suite, on July 29.

Since its arrival, the A350 has flown over 15,400 miles between Heathrow and Madrid completing over 40 take-offs and landings, the UK flag carrier said in a statement.

The airline has also simulated a"...

August 11, 2019

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to fix its airfares in US dollars from August 12 as advised by the International Air Transport Association (Iata), Khaleej Times has learnt.

According to the PIA's directive to travel agents and sales outlets, the airline has approved the 'filing of fares in the US dollar' of all ex-Pakistan domestic flights, as well as international current fares, penalties and charges; these will be converted from the Pakistani rupee to the US currency with effect from August 12.

Other airlines in the private sector will"...

August 10, 2019

NEW DELHI, 9th August, 2019 (WAM) – Authorities in India are taking steps to ease difficulties faced by travelers from the Gulf to Kerala as a result of floods caused by heavy rains.

Two dozen people are reported to have been killed across Kerala from the floods and nine districts in the state are under 'red alert' to prevent further loss of lives and ensure essential services.

Outside India, the most visible effects of the monsoon flooding in Kerala has been on the state’s connectivity with the Gulf. Cochin International Airport, the main gateway"...

August 8, 2019

Sharjah-based Air Arabia on Wednesday announced a record net profit of AED210 million ($57.1 million) for the three months ending June 30, an increase of 75 percent compared to the same period last year.

The company’s turnover for the second quarter of 2019 increased by 22 percent to AED1.144 billion, the low cost carrier said in a statement.

It added that the strong second quarter financial results were backed by solid growth in passenger demand with Air Arabia serving over 3 million passengers from its four hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt, an increase of"...

August 7, 2019

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, the Middle East’s biggest plane lessor, recorded a 1.2 per cent dip in second-quarter profits.

Net income attributable to shareholders for the three months ending June 30 fell to $98.2 million (Dh360m), from $99.3m during the prior-year period, DAE said on Tuesday, without providing reasons. Second-quarter revenue rose 2.2 per cent to Dh366.9m.

First-half profit was $197.1m in 2019, compared to $195.2m for the same period last year, DAE said. First-half revenue rose to $726.9m, compared to $711.4m in the previous-year period.

August 6, 2019

Emirates has provided a first look at one of its futuristic Boeing 777X planes, which are on order.

The Dubai airline tweeted an image of the new aircraft, which is in production at the Everett factory in the US before its expected roll out next year.

“We’re proud to see the UAE flag for the first time on the Emirates Boeing 777X,” the airline said in a tweet.

It said the plane “combines the best features of today’s Boeing 777 with a longer fuselage, new engines,"...

August 5, 2019

Investments in aviation are more vital now as regional aviation enjoys the economic benefits of robust tourism and improved regional connectivity, says Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

'The rapid growth of aviation is propelled by many factors, including a booming tourism industry, lower air fares, improved connectivity, and the rise of disposable incomes with the middle-class expansion,' said Al Suwaidi.

He said as aviation is a key pillar of the UAE economy, the nation is investing heavily on modernisation"...

August 3, 2019

ABU DHABI, 2nd August, 2019 (WAM) -- Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner touched down in Lagos this morning after its inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi.

Flight EY673 took off from Abu Dhabi at 2.35 am and arrived on schedule at 7.10 am local time.

The return flight EY674 departed Lagos at 8.30 am this morning, and is due to touch down back in the capital at 7.10 pm this evening, 2nd August.

Robin Kamark, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer, commented, 'We are delighted to upgrade"...

August 1, 2019

WAM) -- Airlines carried 4.4 billion passengers on scheduled services in 2018, an increase of 6.9 percent over 2017, representing an additional 284 million trips by air, according to performance figures released by the International Air Transport Association,IATA, on Wednesday.

Showing that global air connectivity continues to become more accessible and more efficient, the IATA World Air Transport Statistics,2019 WATS, confirmed that record efficiency was achieved with 81.9 percent of available seats being filled, fuel efficiency improved by more than 12 percent compared to 2010 while 22,000 city pairs are now connected by direct flights, up"...

July 31, 2019

Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport said passenger traffic in the first half of the year more than doubled as it handled flights rerouted from Dubai International Airport during a period of runway closures.

Dubai's second hub, known as DWC, handled 1.2 million passengers in the first six months of the year, an increase of 141 per cent from the prior-year period, operator Dubai Airports said on Tuesday.

'The 45-day period was a major challenge for DWC as the airport had to accommodate a massive spike in both passenger and flight traffic – going"...