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flydubai launches flights to Samarkand Uzbekistan

Written by Leandro Agostini on July 18, 2022. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

flydubai launches flights to Samarkand Uzbekistan

July 18, 2022 –

flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, announced today the launch of flights to Samarkand in Uzbekistan from 20 September with a twice-weekly service. With the addition of flights to Samarkand, flydubai grows its operations in the market to two points including the capital, Tashkent.

flights to Samarkand Uzbekistan

Flights to Samarkand International Airport (SKD) will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB) on Tuesdays and Fridays. With the launch of operations to Samarkand, flydubai grows its network to 102 destinations served by a fleet of 65 Boeing 737 aircraft, giving passengers from the UAE and the region more reliable and convenient options for travel.

Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “we started our operations to Uzbekistan in 2019 and we were pleased to see the market grow as the demand for travel returned. With a combined frequency of eight flights a week to Samarkand and Tashkent, we look forward to further supporting the trade and cultural links with the UAE and encouraging more people to visit this beautiful country steeped in history and tradition.”

As one of the most ancient cities in the world, Samarkand is believed to be as old as Rome and Athens and an important centre of human civilisation. This culturally rich city was an important crossroad on the Silk Road and is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Samarkand is home to many unique monuments including the Registan Mosque and madrasas, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, the Shakhi-Zinda compound and the Gur-Emir ensemble, as well as Ulugh-Beg’s Observatory.

Commenting on the launch of flights, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “Central Asia is an important and growing market for flydubai. flydubai’s new service will provide our customers from Samarkand and the adjacent areas with an easier and more efficient way to travel to the UAE and beyond. We will start with a twice-weekly service from September and we are excited to see the market grow even further in the future.”

flydubai operates flights to six destinations in Central Asia including Almaty and Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, Dushanbe in Tajikistan as well as Samarkand and Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

Flight details

Flights from Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB) to Samarkand International Airport (SKD) will operate twice a week from 20 September. Emirates will codeshare on this route offering passengers more options for connections through Dubai’s international aviation hub.

Return Business Class fares from DXB to SKD start from AED 8,000 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 1,800.

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Emirates unveils codeshare with Air Canada

Written by Leandro Agostini on July 14, 2022. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Emirates unveils codeshare with Air Canada

July 14, 2022 –

Emirates and Air Canada announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement that will create more options for customers when travelling on the carriers’ networks while also enhancing the customer experience throughout the journey.

Emirates and Air Canada intend to establish a codeshare relationship later in 2022 that will offer enhanced consumer travel choices for Air Canada customers to travel to the United Arab Emirates and to destinations beyond Dubai. Emirates customers will also enjoy an enhanced travel experience when travelling to Toronto or to key destinations across the Air Canada network.

Emirates unveils codeshare with Air Canada

Customers will have the ability to book connecting travel between both airlines’ networks with the ease of a single ticket, seamless connectivity at the carriers’ respective global hubs and baggage transfers to their final destinations.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “This is a significant partnership that will enable our customers access to even more destinations in Canada and the Americas, via our Toronto and US gateways. It also opens up many new route combinations for travelers across Emirates’ and Air Canada’s extensive networks in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.”

To further enhance the customer experience, the carriers will also establish reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and reciprocal lounge access for qualifying customers. Further details of the partnership and specific codeshare routes will be announced when finalized and will be subject to regulatory approvals and final documentation.

Emirates unveils codeshare with Air Canada

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American Airlines flights to Cuba – flights approved to more cities in Cuba

Written by Traveltalksteam on July 14, 2022. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

American Airlines flights to Cuba

July 14, 2022 – American Airlines flights to Cuba – flights are approved to more cities in Cuba.

U.S. officials approved a request by American Airlines to resume flights to 5 destinations in Cuba that were stopped in 2019 when the previous government curtailed services between the two countries.

This means that American airlines will resume flights from Miami to Varadero, Holguin, Camaguey, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba.

American Airlines flights to Cuba

American said that starting in early November it will operate two daily flights to Santa Clara and one daily flight to each of the other airports.

American currently operates six flights a day between Miami and Havana. JetBlue and Southwest also fly to Havana.

The Trump administration, which wanted to starve Cuba’s regime of cash, suspended flights between the U.S. and destinations in Cuba other than Havana. Two months ago, under Biden, this decision was reversed and they announced it would loosen restrictions to the island.

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Qatar Airways to increase Doha Melbourne flights

Written by Leandro Agostini on July 13, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Qatar Airways to increase Doha Melbourne flights

July 13, 2022 –

Qatar Airways will be increasing its Doha – Melbourne flights from the current once-daily schedule to double-daily flights from 1 October with the support of the Victorian Government. The airline and the Victorian Government signed a strategic agreement to increase connectivity to Melbourne to further boost trade and tourism.

Doha Melbourne flights

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Melbourne is the original home for Qatar Airways in Australia, and we are excited to enhance our operations there, as a testament to both strong demand and our deep commitment to Australia. We look forward to welcoming more passengers to experience our five-star hospitality, as travel to and from Melbourne to many cities worldwide via our Doha hub in Qatar. The launch of the additional daily flight to Melbourne ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will allow more football fans travel to attend their respective matches.”

Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Ben Carroll, said: “Backing international aviation supports our economy and we will continue to work with airlines like Qatar Airways to establish and expand routes into Melbourne to boost local jobs.”

Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer, Lorie Argus, said: “There is huge demand for international travel out of Melbourne, and these extra services couldn’t come at a better time with the soccer World Cup kicking off in November. It’s exciting to see airlines like Qatar Airways adding more capacity into Melbourne, given they are a global airline and could send their aircraft anywhere it’s a huge vote of confidence in our city. Qatar Airways is already a favourite with passengers heading to the Middle East or Europe, and given their partnerships with both Virgin Australia and Qantas, we expect these new flights will prove very popular.”

The additional Melbourne schedule includes an onward leg to Canberra, officially resuming a once-daily connection between Doha and Canberra starting 1 October. The added daily schedule will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER, featuring its award-winning QSuite Business Class. The airline will operate a total of 40 weekly flights to Australia with this network enhancement.

With the newest addition, the airline will operate to six destinations in Australia including Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Sydney. This will exceed Qatar Airways’ pre-pandemic footprint of five gateways in Australia, following the addition of Brisbane services started early 2020 during the global pandemic.

Qatar Airways has recently announced its strategic partnership with Virgin Australia, which will offer increased travel options and benefits across 35 destinations in its extensive domestic network, as well as to its recently relaunched short-haul international markets, including Fiji and Queenstown, New Zealand.

Qatar Airways has maintained its Australian services throughout the pandemic, whilst launching services to Brisbane in early 2020 to provide essential connectivity. It has carried over 330,000 passengers in and out of Australia during the pandemic between March 2020 to December 2021 via both commercial flights and special chartered services. Qatar Airways Cargo has also played a crucial part supporting Australia’s imports and exports industry during the pandemic, by being one of the very few global airlines that never stopped flying. Currently, Qatar Airways Cargo carries over 1,900 tonnes of cargo to and from Australia per week.

The national carrier of the State of Qatar continues to rebuild its network, which currently stands at over 150 destinations. With more frequencies being added to key hubs, Qatar Airways offers unrivalled connectivity to passengers, making it easy for them to connect to a destination of their choice.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Travel Awards., managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).

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British Airways cancels more flights – another 10,300 through to the end of October

Written by Traveltalksteam on July 12, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

British Airways cancels more flights

July 12, 2022 – British Airways cancels more flights will heap even more misery on holidaymakers this summer as the airline announced it will cancel a further 10,300 flights through the end of October. The new tranche of cancellations is in addition to the thousands of flights that have already been axed by the embattled and disruption-prone airline.

British Airways cancels more flights

The latest wave of cancellations will only impact short-haul services and chief executive Sean Doyle says the intention is to consolidate quieter services on routes with multiple daily flights.

British Airways has now slashed its planned summer schedule by 13 per cent after struggling to recruit enough cabin crew and ground staff to actually make the schedule a reality. The airline has promised to rebook and reroute affected passengers on alternative airlines if a BA flight is unavailable.

The list of affected flights may not be finalised until Friday which is the deadline given by the government for a so-called ‘slot amnesty’. At congested airports like Heathrow, airlines operate flights within slots which give takeoff and landing rights.

Slots are expensive and highly sought after and an airline runs the risk of losing a slot if they don’t use it. But in order to reduce the risk of an airline trying to operate flights they have no chance of actually being able to run, the UK government has allowed carriers to temporary give up some slots until the end of the summer season.

Doyle told staffers on Wednesday that he hoped other airlines would draw down their schedules at Heathrow in order to reduce the pressure on the airport.

In the coming days, British Airways will consolidate the vast majority of its Heathrow flights out of Terminal 5 in a move that is designed to concentrate staff in the same building in order to better manage resources.

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United Airlines launches direct service to Mallorca

Written by Leandro Agostini on July 7, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

United Airlines launches direct service to Mallorca

July 07, 2022 –

Palma’s significant investment in repositioning itself as a major city break destination has generated an influx of tourism over the past decade as well as the recent launch of the first and only nonstop flight from the U.S. via United Airlines. Renowned and valued as Europe’s reference point for beach tourism, the capital of Spain’s Balearic Islands is garnering even more attention for being a lively cosmopolitan city that makes an attractive destination all year round thanks to its wide range of cultural, gastronomic, sporting and leisure options.

direct service to Mallorca

With a flourishing foodie scene, a bustling waterfront, and one of the world’s most awe-inspiring cathedrals, Palma is an utterly compelling destination. Dating back to the 13th century, Palma has a rich Gothic history, and many of the city’s buildings maintain their original baroque influence. Honey-colored stone and medieval streets makes for an incredibly unique look for a beach city. Despite being a historic town, Palma has a modern soul, with an endless list of modern culture, entertainment and gastronomy. Coves, beaches, coastal cliffs and mountain ranges make up the island’s landscape. Inland you will find vibrant towns, top restaurants and bars, contemporary galleries, luxury shopping boutiques, bustling fresh food markets, looming baroque churches, and teeming public squares.

On June 2, United Airlines inaugurated its service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) with three weekly flights on Boeing 767-300 planes with capacity for 204 passengers. According to Anna aero, New York was one of Palma’s most underserved destinations without nonstop flights. In 2019 a total of 29,380 of passengers flew indirectly to the Balearic Island. The new seasonal route allows seamless and direct travel for American tourists.

“It gives us immense pleasure to announce that we are directly connected to the U.S. via Newark, as it opens our doors for travelers looking to explore all Palma has to offer,” said Pedro Homar, Director of Palma Tourism Board. “Palma being named the newest destination for United is further testament to our region’s popularity, influence and relevance to Americans. We look forward to showcasing the Balearic Islands and are committed to ensuring this new partnership is an unrivaled success.”

Palma is the biggest city in Spain’s Balearic Island archipelago, which also includes fantastic destinations like Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera. As the capital, Palma is a city of modern, hotel chains such as Melia, Iberostar, HM, Riu, and Marriott. In 2023, Palma and Mallorca will welcome the second Four Seasons to open in Spain as well as a Mandarin Oriental.

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Finnair to unveil Helsinki Mumbai flights from August 2022

Written by Leandro Agostini on July 7, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Finnair to unveil Helsinki Mumbai flights from August 2022

July 07, 2022 –

Finnair will finally be starting non-stop flights between Mumbai and Helsinki next month. Finland’s flag carrier, which started flying to Delhi from 2006 and currently has a daily on this route, had briefly launched Mumbai flights in 2008. But the global economic meltdown forced the airline to suspend the same soon after launch.

Helsinki Mumbai flights

The Mumbai service will now start as a thrice weekly — ironically during yet another global economic downturn— and go up to four times a week from this November.

“India is the number one growth market of Asia at the moment. We are looking at other cities in the country. Personally, I will be happy to see four destinations here in the next two years,” Sakari Romu, Finnair GM, India, of commercial division.

Finnair will operate its Airbus A330 between Mumbai and Helsinki on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Finnair connects customers to nearly 70 destinations in Europe and five destinations in the US — Seattle, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles.

Speaking about the Mumbai launch, Finnair GM Desmond Chacko said: “As the world opens up to travel, it is an opportune time to expand operations and enable better connectivity for our customers. After Delhi, Mumbai is a major airline hub in India and is home to leading global businesses. Our new services will enable both business & leisure travel from the region as global economies gradually recover from the impact of the Covid-19.”

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SAS files for bankruptcy protection after being hit by pilot strikes

Written by Leandro Agostini on July 6, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

SAS files for bankruptcy protection after being hit by pilot strikes

July 06, 2022 –

The Scandinavian airline, SAS, announced that it has gone bankrupt a day after 1,000 pilots walked out on strike.

SAS files for bankruptcy

On Tuesday, the airline voluntarily filed for ‘Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings’ in the United States as part of a restructuring plan.

The move will allow the carrier to continue operating, despite facing financial problems.

In the US, Chapter 11 is a mechanism allowing a company to restructure its debts under court supervision. SAS said its “operations and flight schedule are unaffected by the Chapter 11 filing, and SAS will continue to serve its customers as normal.”

However, it acknowledged that the strike launched on Monday by Scandinavian pilot unions would continue to impact operations.

“The ongoing strike has made an already challenging situation even tougher. The Chapter 11 process gives us legal tools to accelerate our transformation, while being able to continue to operate the business as usual,” chief executive Anko van der Werff said in a statement.

Pilots walked out on Monday after negotiations between the unions and the company broke down.

The strike is estimated to lead to the cancellation of approximately 50% of all SAS flights, impacting around 30,000 passengers a day.
The pilots are protesting against salary cuts demanded by management as part of a restructuring plan aimed at ensuring the survival of the company, which has suffered a string of losses since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020.

On Monday, SAS said that the strike “is estimated to lead to the cancellation of approximately 50 per cent of all scheduled SAS flights,” impacting around 30,000 passengers a day.

Nearly half of travel insurance policies don’t cover strikes, say experts
Lisbon airport plagued by delays and cancellations as Europe’s travel chaos continues
AFP
Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAS Carsten Dilling addresses a press conference announcing that they will apply for bankruptcy protection in the United States.AFP
Which countries have a stake in SAS?
SAS management announced a savings plan in February, dubbed “SAS Forward”, which was supplemented in June by a plan to increase capital by nearly €1 billion. Denmark and Sweden are the biggest shareholders with 21.8 per cent each.

Denmark has said it is ready to increase its stake to 30 per cent. Sweden has refused to provide fresh funds, but is willing to turn debt into capital.

Norway, which left SAS in 2018, stated that it is ready to return to the airline, but only by converting debt into equity.

The strike at SAS comes as the summer is shaping up to be difficult for European airlines and airports, faced with staff shortages and causing queues, disruption and delays.

After widespread job losses linked to COVID-19, airlines and airports are struggling to recruit new staff in many countries.

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Eastern Airways increases capacity to key domestic route

Written by Leandro Agostini on July 5, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Eastern Airways increases capacity to key domestic route

July 05, 2022 –

Eastern Airways, the UK’s regional airline, based at Humberside Airport, have increased capacity on one of their main routes from London Gatwick to Cornwall Newquay Airport over the busy summer holiday period.

Eastern Airways

Eastern Airways currently offers a popular twice daily service, but have now added a third rotation on Monday, Thursday and Friday due to demand.

A recent study undertaken by Eastern Airways show that the Cornwall Airport Newquay – London Gatwick route is used by almost 60% of passengers for either leisure or visiting friends and family purposes.

Rising costs for holidaying abroad have meant that the staycation market is still very strong in the UK and these additional services are in place to give more options for travel to Cornwall but also for those travelling to the capital.

Roger Hage, General Manager of Eastern Airways has commented “As we hit the peak summer school period, increasing connectivity for those using this already popular service is key for Eastern Airways. The introduction of the mid-day service now provides a greater range of options for individuals, couples and families that are relying on this time efficient service.”

The introduction of the mid-day flights now allow for additional travel options for those using the service for business, leisure, visiting friends and family and onward travel.

The journey with Eastern Airways between London Gatwick and Cornwall Airport Newquay currently operates on a 75-minute flight on one of our comfortable ATR72-600 aircraft. Comparable journeys are a minimum of 5 hours by car and 7 hours by rail. Prices start from just £44.99 per person, including taxes, charges and baggage allowance. Passengers can save further time at the airport with Eastern Airways’ online check in service and even select their preferred seats in advance.

All of Eastern Airways’ services give passengers a generous baggage allowance, with a minimum of 10kg of cabin baggage and 15kg of hold baggage included as standard. For those passengers needing more, there are plenty of options for additional weight available to book before travelling as well as room for those summer essentials such as surfboards and golf clubs (subject to availability).

For the full summer schedule and to check availability, please visit www.easternairways.com

Eastern Airways also offer several other key domestic routes this summer including; Southampton – Belfast, Southampton – Dublin, Manchester – Southampton, Humberside – Aberdeen, Aberdeen – Wick John O’Groats, Humberside – Cornwall Airport Newquay and Jersey direct from both Humberside and Teesside.

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Vietjet launches direct routes to Japan Fukuoka, Nagoya

Written by Leandro Agostini on July 4, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Vietjet launches direct routes to Japan Fukuoka, Nagoya

July 04, 2022 –

The route connecting Hanoi to Fukuoka is operated three return flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays every week, the Hanoi – Nagoya one is operated four return flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays to serve people and tourists with almost 5 hours flying per leg.

Routes to Japan Fukuoka, Nagoya

After the routes to Japan Fukuoka, Nagoya

connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi to Tokyo and Osaka, new routes to Nagoya and Fukuoka have offered more options for passengers when flying with Vietjet between Vietnam and Japan with saving cost, flexible flight schedules.

Japan is one of the favorite destinations for Vietnamese tourists with beautiful scenery and unique culture. Fukuoka, in particular, which sits on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island, is known for many great beaches, ancient temples, the variety of nature as well as the rich culture and historical legacy of Kyushu. Meanwhile, Nagoya is Japan’s third most populous urban area with developed industrial economy and is well-known for its signature landmarks including Nagoya castle and Atsuta shrine.

Passengers always have the opportunities to buy attractive price tickets through discounts and promotions campaign, “fly now – pay later” programme with an easy online process via website www.vietjetair.com, Vietjet Air mobile app or Facebook www.facebook.com/vietjetvietnam (section “Booking”). Especially, passengers buy tickets and pay through Vietjet SkyClub to get free payment fees.

Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. As Vietnam’s largest private carrier, the airline was awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars in 2018 and 2019 by the world’s only safety and product rating website airlineratings.com and listed as one of the world’s 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations by Airfinance Journal in 2018 and 2019. The airline has also been named as Best Low-Cost Carrier by renowned organizations such as Skytrax, CAPA, Airline Ratings, and many others. routes to Japan Fukuoka, Nagoya

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Qatar Airways increases Berlin services

Written by Leandro Agostini on July 1, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Qatar Airways increases Berlin services

July 01, 2022 –

Berlin is set to benefit from enhanced connectivity to over 150 destinations, courtesy of Qatar Airways. Following the increase in services from daily flights to initially 10 and further rising to 11 weekly flights from Berlin Brandenberg Airport, German passengers can enjoy flights on the state of the art Boeing 787 aircraft, to global business cities including Mumbai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo plus leisure destinations including Bali, Maldives, Seychelles and South Africa.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has been steadfast in its support of Germany with flights from three airports in the country – Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich – as it maintained services to 2 cities and helped bring almost 25,000 passengers safely home to Germany in the early days of the pandemic. In a further demonstration of its strong cooperation with Berlin, the airline was chosen to operate the first flight to arrive at the new Southern Runway at Brandenberg Airport on 4 November, 2020.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We have continuously supported the German market to ensure stronger connectivity to our passengers, allowing them to have one stop services to so many global destinations. We have made huge efforts to provide options to our passengers in Germany and by increasing our Berlin service schedule to 11 flights per week, we now operate 46 flights per week to Doha from our three gateways.

“Our passengers in Germany benefit enormously from having not just a world class product from the only Skytrax Five Star Airline in Europe and the Middle East, but a greater choice of destinations, all connected through Hamad International Airport, recently voted the World’s Best Airport for the second time. We are proud to have maintained a constant presence throughout the pandemic, helping to repatriate thousands of Germans by providing them options to get them home in addition to many charter flights.”

Passengers can now travel to over 150 destinations in the Qatar Airways network, with an increasing presence in Africa, now featuring 30 destinations in 19 countries, five in Australia, 32 in the Middle East and 16 in Asia.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).

Qatar Airways also became the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax. This follows the success of Hamad International Airport as the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. These awards provide assurance to passengers across the world that the airline’s health and safety measures are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment.

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Flydubai touches down in Pisa

Written by Leandro Agostini on June 30, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Flydubai touches down in Pisa

June 30, 2022 –

Flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, celebrated its inaugural service to Pisa, becoming the first UAE national carrier to operate this route from Dubai. The airline will operate three weekly flights from Dubai International (DXB) to Pisa International Airport (PSA). Emirates will codeshare on this route, offering travellers more seamless connections through Dubai’s international aviation hub. Flights to Pisa will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International.

Flydubai touches down in Pisa

The inaugural flight arrived at Pisa International Airport (PSA) just after 12:00 local time on 24 June and was welcomed on arrival with a traditional water cannon salute and representatives from the airport and Italian government officials. On board the inaugural flight was a senior delegation led by Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai.

Upon arrival in Pisa the flydubai delegation was met by an official delegation led by Marco Carrai, the president of Toscana Aeroporti. The welcome reception was followed by a press conference held at the airport.

Speaking at the press conference, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “We are excited to launch our third point in Italy this summer with our inaugural service to Pisa. Our strong business model and growing fleet have enabled us to offer passengers from across our network more choices for travel, and we can expect Pisa to be a popular destination for travellers from the UAE and GCC to discover the beauty of the Tuscany region. The start of flydubai operations to Pisa also reflects our commitment to opening up previously underserved markets and providing direct air links to Dubai. We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board.”

Marco Carrai, Chairman of Toscana Aeroporti S.p.A., said: “Today we inaugurate the connection between Pisa and Dubai and the beginning of the collaboration with the flydubai airline. We are facing a unique opportunity for the future development of our region. We are proud as Toscana Aeroporti to contribute to increasing the tourist and economic opportunities of our territory and to make Tuscany stronger through the restart and expansion of its airports.”

Pisa joins Catania and Naples as the third destination of flydubai’s network in Italy. From 24 June, flydubai also launches its three-times weekly service to Catania, with flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The carrier currently operates four weekly flights to Naples, with flights on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Passengers travelling to Italy on a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft can enjoy more comfort and an enhanced travel experience. The new cabin offering features a flat-bed in Business Class and, in addition to the extra space and privacy, passengers can sleep comfortably during their flight. Economy Class offers new RECARO seats, which are designed to optimise space and comfort so passengers can sit back, relax and enjoy their flight.

flydubai’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft also features exceptional inflight entertainment with a full HD, 11.6-inch screen, with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music and games. Passengers can enjoy complimentary seatback inflight entertainment in Business Class or purchase affordable inflight entertainment packages when travelling in Economy Class.

Flight details

Flights will operate three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB) to Pisa International Airport (PSA).

Return Economy Class Lite fares from DXB to PSA start from AED 2,500 and Return Business Class fares start from AED 11,000. Return Economy Class Lite fares from PSA to DXB start from EUR 530 and Return Business Class fares start from EUR 2,500.

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Qatar Airways Doha to Santorini – 3 times a week

Written by Traveltalksteam on June 30, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Qatar Airways Doha to Santorini

June 30, 2022 – Qatar Airways Doha to Santorini – 3 times a week

As the holiday season gets under way, Qatar Airways is making it easier for customers to enjoy the Greek Isles with the launch of its new service to Santorini (JTR), and the resumption of flights to Mykonos (JMK).

Qatar Airways Doha to Santorini

The first flight from Doha to Santorini on Tuesday 07 June, was operated by an A320 aircraft featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 132 seats in Economy Class and was welcomed by Senior Executives from Fraport Greece as the aircraft landed at Santorini International Airport for the first time.

The airline marked the occasion by creating a bespoke in-flight food menu, designed to embrace traditional Greek cuisine, with specially decorated cutlery bands for all passengers, and an illustrated menu card for Business Class customers. Passengers were also gifted celebratory cupcakes to mark the occasion.

Qatar Airways Doha to Santorini: The inaugural flight from Doha was operated by Qatari Captain Abdulaziz Al Kaabi and Greek Captain Andrew Evlambides, in honour of the first flight to Santorini. The island destination joins Athens and Mykonos to become the third Greek gateway to be served by the national carrier of the State of Qatar.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The Greek Isles are a leading tourist destination and an important market for Qatar Airways. There is high interest from across our network for flights to Santorini, specifically in the leisure segment. We are committed to offering our passengers as many seamless one-stop connection choices as possible. I am sure visitors from the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the Americas will be pleased to have Santorini served by our airline.”

Mr. Alexander Zinell, CEO Fraport Greece said: “We feel honored that Qatar Airways’ has included Santorini in its network and expanding its presence at the Fraport Greece operated airports. Greece offers to the world some truly iconic holiday destinations and Qatar Airways now makes Santorini accessible from numerous new markets via its Doha hub. The 5-star Qatar Airways product is a perfect match to outstanding Santorini. The travel experience has been further upgraded as our brand-new Santorini Airport Terminal is now completed. We will continue to work with Qatar Airways and partners offering highly efficient airport operations and passenger experience worthy of the Santorini brand name.”

Qatar Airways Doha to Santorini:Seasonal flights to Mykonos resumed on 03 June, with four weekly flights, and flights to Athens have increased to a double daily service, offering greater choice for business and leisure passengers alike.

With the three weekly flights to Santorini, passengers can now enjoy seamless connectivity to over 150 destinations across the airline’s extensive global network via the best airport in the world, Hamad International Airport, connecting with popular destinations across the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Enhanced connectivity means customers can leave Australia on Friday night and arrive in Santorini by Saturday afternoon.

Santorini, famous for its distinctive blue and white architecture and known as Thira, is one of the jewels of the Aegean Sea and it’s popular with visitors looking for wonderful cuisine and hospitality set against the backdrop of some of the most famous views in the world.

Qatar Airways continues to apply its flexible booking policy that offers unlimited changes to travel dates and destinations, and fee-free refunds for all tickets issued for travel completed by 30 September 2022.

Passengers flying to and from Santorini will also benefit from Qatar Airways’ generous baggage allowances which provides for up to 35kg in Economy class and 40kg with an additional two pieces of hand luggage in Business Class.

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airBaltic Riga to Marrakech – new exciting winter destination announced

Written by Traveltalksteam on June 29, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

airBaltic Riga to Marrakech

June 29, 2022 – Latvian airline airBaltic announces that starting from late October it will launch new flights from Riga to Marrakesh in Morocco. Marrakech is the most popular city for international travellers in Morocco. It is a great gateway to the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Deserts and offers plenty of places of interest.

Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “We are excited to announce our first ever scheduled route to Africa. AirBaltic Riga to Marrakech – As the leading airline in the Baltics, we continue to build our network, adding more exciting leisure destinations also for the winter season.”

Destination served	Flight frequency	Start date	Price *, GREEN	Price *, GREEN Classic	Price*, Business
Riga–Marrakesh	2 flights weekly	October 31, 2022	149 EUR	199 EUR	549 EUR

*Lowest fare (one way), including taxes, fees and service charges, on www.airBaltic.com subject to availability

Flights between Riga and Marrakesh in Morocco will be operated by the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Flights to Marrakesh are scheduled to take 5 hours and 30 minutes.

airBaltic Riga to Marrakech

airBaltic continues to offer the best connectivity to and from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius as well as Tampere, connecting them with leading European business centers and transit hubs. A complete schedule of airBaltic flights and tickets are available on the company’s homepage at www.airbaltic.com.

airBaltic in brief:

airBaltic (Air Baltic Corporation AS) connects the Baltic region with over 70 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and the CIS. Over the last 25 years airBaltic has developed as a strong, profitable and internationally respected airline. airBaltic is by far the best known international brand of Latvia and responsible for more than 2.5% of the Latvian GDP. airBaltic operates 36 Airbus A220-300 aircraft. airBaltic has received numerous international awards for excellence and innovative services. Skytrax has awarded Latvian airline airBaltica five–star COVID-19 safety rating. In addition, airBaltic is one of the Top twenty airlines for COVID-19 compliance by the safety, product, and COVID-19 rating agency Airlineratings.com. In 2018 and 2019 airBaltic received the ATW Airline Industry Achievement Award as the Market Leader of the Year. In addition, in 2019 airBaltic received Sector Leadership Award by Airline Business. airBaltic is a joint stock company that was established in 1995. Its primary shareholder is the Latvian state, which holds 97.03% of the stock, while the rest of the shareholders hold 2.97%.

Aviation industry indirectly provides close to 30 000 jobs in Latvia, while millions of people transfer through Riga, yet many more arrive to Latvia. Each year foreign tourists spend more than EUR 750 million in Latvia. Find out more: https://blog.airbaltic.com/airbaltic-an-asset-for-the-national-economy-of-latvia/.

AirBaltic Riga to Marrakech flights will be a great addition.

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Etihad Airways to resume direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Beijing

Written by Leandro Agostini on June 27, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Etihad Airways to resume direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Beijing

June 27, 2022 –

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will resume direct passenger flights between Abu Dhabi and Beijing from 29 June 2022, becoming the first regular direct international passenger flight to recommence for Beijing, under the latest mandate of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council.

Flights from Abu Dhabi to Beijing

The airline will operate a weekly flight on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world.

Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Etihad Airways is delighted about the resumption of passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Beijing, our second service to resume to China. China has always been an important strategic market for Etihad and the resumption of direct flights between the two capital cities will further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the United Arab Emirates.”

Etihad Airways scheduled service from Abu Dhabi to Shanghai resumed in July 2020 to meet the huge demand of passengers travelling between the UAE and China.

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Royal Jordanian Jordan to Toronto new service with 3 weekly flights

Written by Traveltalksteam on June 27, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Royal Jordanian Jordan to Toronto

June 27, 2022 – On this occasion, a ceremony for the inaugural flight was held on June 2 at Queen Alia International Airport.

RJ Vice Chairman/CEO Samer Majali expressed his pleasure at the addition of Toronto to RJ’s route network, a move that comes in implementation of the airline’s five-year strategy, which includes, among others, growing the fleet and the route network in order to position Amman as the leading gateway for the Levant.

Royal Jordanian Jordan to Toronto

Majali said that the new route is bound to attract more tourists to Jordan, facilitate travel for individuals, families, expatriates, Arab communities, students and businessmen, and boost trade between the Jordanian and the Canadian markets.

“Furthermore, we are now focusing on bringing in more tourists to Jordan and help boost tourism through providing outstanding quality of service accompanied by our Jordanian hospitality when flying RJ from/to Toronto,” Majali commented.

Airport International Group CEO, Nicolas Claude, said: “We are pleased to be inaugurating this new route connecting Amman and Toronto, which aligns with our strategy to expand Queen Alia International Airport routes network, while providing passengers greater travel options and serving new markets. I would like to thank our national carrier, Royal Jordanian, for supporting our commitment to opening new routes, and strengthening our standing as an award-winning gateway to the Levant and the world.”.

Interested travelers can book their tickets through all RJ sales channels: official website rj.com, mobile app, global sales offices and travel agents, and the call center (+962 5100000).

RJ first started operating to Toronto in 1992, but the flight has been suspended for many years since.

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Emirates airlines takes off to Tel Aviv 2022

Written by Leandro Agostini on June 24, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Emirates airlines takes off to Tel Aviv 2022

June 24, 2022 –

Emirates airlines has taken off to Tel Aviv, marking the airline’s first passenger flight to Israel. Emirates flight EK931 departed with 335 passengers, including a VIP delegation and Israeli media onboard at 1220hrs local time.

Emirates airlines

Emirates airlines executives onboard included: Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer; Dr Abdulla Al Hashimi, Divisional Senior Vice President, Group Security; Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President, Commercial Gulf, Middle East & Central Asia; Khalid Bel Jaflah, Divisional Vice President, Commercial UAE and Oman; David Broz, Vice President Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs; and Jeffrey Van Haeften, Vice President Cargo Global Sales and Commercial.

The new daily service will provide Israeli travellers convenient access to Dubai, with easy connections to popular holiday destinations like Australia, Philippines, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Emirates will also offer convenient access into Tel Aviv from diverse points across its network with multiple daily and weekly flights, many of which are home to thriving Jewish communities.

In addition to its latest destination, Tel Aviv, Emirates will also be restarting services to London Stansted, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Christchurch this year.

The aircraft for today’s inaugural flight was Emirates’ popular Boeing 777 Gamechanger, featuring the world’s only fully-enclosed First Class private suites with virtual windows. Emirates will then operate its three-class Boeing 777-300ER on the route, featuring eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and over 300 spacious seats in Economy Class for the daily service.

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Wizz air Dammam – new routes to Europe and the UAE from September 2022

Written by Traveltalksteam on June 24, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Wizz air Dammam

June 24, 2022 – Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing and most sustainable airline, is launching exciting new routes from Dammam, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Rome, Vienna and Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi route will be operated by Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, Wizz Air’s joint venture airline with ADQ. Launching in September 2022, the new destinations are the first step towards a growing presence in KSA which will provide for the first time truly affordable, hassle-free, point-to-point travel for tourists and residents in the Kingdom, Europe and the UAE, strengthening global connectivity.

Wizz air Dammam

The new routes by Wizz Air introduce a new era of travel to the Residents of KSA by unlocking affordable travel opportunities and giving them access to WIZZ’s incredibly low fares. Tickets for all routes are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, with fares starting from 24.99€.*

Last month Wizz Air Dammam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Investment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supported by the Saudi National Air Connectivity Programme (a Ministry of Tourism initiative) to support the development of the Saudi Tourism Sector. The MoU reflects a shared vision between the parties on the potential Wizz Air could bring to the Kingdom to stimulate tourist demand, thereby making a significant contribution to Saudi Arabia’s planned growth.

The new destinations support the growing Saudi Arabian tourism sector, aligning with the Vision 2030 programme, a strategic and ambitious vision to triple passenger traffic in the Kingdom by 2030. The ultra-low-cost routes will boost the burgeoning tourism industry and significantly increase connectivity for residents in Europe and the region, with key strategic government partners collaborating to add to the Saudi aviation ecosystem.

Robert Carey, President of Wizz Air, said: “Wizz Air is committed to increasing global connectivity to marvellous destinations with real opportunities for growth and expansion. Saudi Arabia is a very exciting market and our expansion will bring ultra-low cost travel to the Kingdom. Our regular flights to Dammam will provide year-round sun for tourists, and provide a mix of destinations for residents of the Kingdom. We want to thank our partners for their support during the expansion, especially the Air Travel Connectivity Programme, the Ministry of Investment, GACA, the Dammam airport, and the government of Saudi Arabia. The recently signed MoU demonstrates our commitment to supporting travelers to and from Saudi by bringing in a new era of air travel with our ultra-low fares, point-to-point network, and high quality onboard service. Unlocking travel opportunities for everyone is the core of our brand and we will keep delivering on that by granting access to travelers to and from Saudi to our incredibly low fares. The WIZZ team is looking forward to welcoming passengers of all ages onboard our modern, young, and green aircraft soon, and to supporting the 2030 vision.”

Khalil Lamrabet, CEO of The Air Connectivity Program, said: “We are delighted to have been able to work with both Wizz Air Dammam Airport to grow traffic, in particular inbound tourism, from key European markets into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We look forward to the success of these routes and working with both our partners to grow the Wizz Air network into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Fahd bin Sulaiman Al-Harbi, CEO of Dammam Airports Company, said: “We are very happy to welcome Wizz Air flights at King Fahd International Airport. Strengthening the global connectivity of the Kingdom is very important and Dammam Airport Company (DACO) continues to develop new destinations to serve the citizens and residents of the Eastern province. We are ready to welcome tourists and impress them with the beauty of Dammam. ”

Dammam, a modern metropolis nestled on the tranquil Arabian Gulf, offers visitors green parks, airy waterfronts, and sandy beaches alongside a bustling arts, sports, and entertainment scene. The capital of the Eastern Province, Dammam is a popular location with adventurous travellers, who can enjoy fishing, diving, and swimming.

Vienna, rich in history and splendidly located on the banks of the Danube River, has many great sightseeing opportunities with an unmistakably cosmopolitan atmosphere. One of the greenest and most visited cities in the world, Vienna is renowned for Imperial Palaces and magnificent museums, with a distinctive charm and flair from the fine old architecture with Viennese culture awaiting.

Rome is one of the world’s most romantic, historic and charismatic cities, and is exhilarating for any tourist with an astonishing artistic heritage. The city’s centre is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Eternal City has over 900 churches and 3,000 years of ad-hoc urban development to explore with an exciting mix of countless ruins, art, basilicas, piazzas and statues. Unmissable sights include St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.

Basking in glorious year round sunshine, Abu Dhabi is a world-renowned family friendly destination with incredible art, culture, tradition and hospitality offerings. The UAE capital, blessed with stunning beach resorts, excellent cultural offerings and exciting attractions offers visitors a warm welcome and breath taking natural and built beauty. The city offers an enriching historical experience and a bustling culture to explore with a plethora of both relaxation and adventure options to suit all ages.

The easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the removal of PCR test requirements for vaccinated travellers has made travel simpler again, allowing for more spontaneous trips abroad.

For ultimate peace of mind during this uncertain time, passengers can book tickets with confidence, thanks to WIZZ Flex. With WIZZ Flex, passengers can cancel their flight up to three hours before departure without any fee and receive 100% of the fare immediately reimbursed in airline credit. Wizz Air Dammam:

Route	Operating Days	Sales start	Flights start	Fares from*
Rome – Dammam	Wednesday and Sunday	On sale	28-Sep-2022	39.99 EUR
Vienna – Dammam	Monday and Friday	On sale	30-Sep-2022	39.99 EUR
Abu Dhabi – Dammam	Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday	On sale	01-Nov-2022	24.99 EUR

*One-way price, including administration fee. One carry-on bag (max: 40x30x20cm) is included. Trolley bag and each piece of checked-in baggage is subject to additional fees. The price applies only to bookings made on wizzair.com and the WIZZ mobile app. Number of seats at indicated prices are limited.

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Emirates airlines to operate extra flights for upcoming Hajj season

Written by Leandro Agostini on June 23, 2022. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

Emirates airlines to operate extra flights for upcoming Hajj season

June 23, 2022 –

With the significant demand for air travel during Hajj, Emirates is deploying extra flights to ensure more connectivity for the scores of pilgrims making their way to the Holy City of Makkah. Emirates will be operating special flights to Jeddah and Medina during the upcoming Hajj season to carry pilgrims for this special period.

Emirates airlines

Emirates will be deploying 31 additional flights to Jeddah and double daily flights to Medina from 23 June to 20 July to help transport pilgrims to carry out one of the key pillars of Islam. These services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled services.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has greatly expanded its Hajj participation this year to nearly a million pilgrims. This year, Emirates has seen strong demand for Hajj travel from Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malaysia, the UK, US, UAE and Algeria.

The special services are available to travellers holding a valid Hajj visa. Pilgrims must also be under the age of 65, hold a valid vaccination certificate with a vaccine authorised by the Saudi Ministry of Health, and must also carry a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of departure.

Given the significance of the once-in-a-lifetime Hajj experience, the airline’s teams have been working hard to ensure that every detail of the pilgrim’s experience is aligned with the tenets of their faith.

On the ground in Dubai, Emirates has a special Hajj airport team to help manage check-in, transfers, and helping to facilitate a seamless and convenient on ground experience for Hajj pilgrims. Emirates has also set up dedicated check-in and transfer counters for Hajj passengers transiting in Dubai. For Hajj travellers having a longer layover in Dubai before continuing on to Jeddah or Medina, dedicated teams are on hand to escort those groups and support them on all of their arrival formalities.

From the moment pilgrims step onto the aircraft, a range of initiatives have been planned in keeping with the values and traditions of the Hajj journey.

Extra provisions to accommodate Hajj traveller needs such as ablution cleansing rituals, unperfumed towels, advising passengers while en route to Jeddah about when they have entered Al Miqat zones (state of sanctity) and changing of Ihram robes through special PAs, and other arrangements have been planned to ease their journey and ready them for the rest of their pilgrimage. Emirates’ award winning ice system will also feature a special Hajj video that covers safety, general formalities and information about performing the Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims will also be able to tune into the Holy Quran channel, in addition to other religious content.

On flights from Jeddah, passengers can check-in up to 5 litres of holy water (Zamzam), which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold.

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