Global Search & Rescue Drone Market Estimated To Exceed 3.25 Billion By The End Of 2023

Photo by Emiliano Arano

The deployment of drones has increased in recent years for a variety of purposes. Drones offer unique capabilities used by emergency responders around the world. They can be used on land and at sea or at night or in low visibility. They are saving many lives by participating in various general emergency and security operations and their use in search and rescue operations has proven to be one of the most potentially life-saving applications. Equipped with sensors and powerful cameras, drones can cover a large area in a short time. 

Search and rescue drones can also be equipped with special equipment such as infrared cameras and speakers. This allows user to locate missing persons and save lives. Helicopters and manned aircraft cost hundreds of dollars an hour to operate during rescue operations. Drones, only require an initial investment and have a low maintenance cost. The drone takes off from a safe location and scans from a high altitude. This leads to the safety of the team the as they stay back on the ground and get an idea of the rescue operation.  

A report from Fact.MR projected that the search and rescue drone market is estimated to reach valuation of US$ 3,254.4 Million in 2023 and will top US$ 11,648.1 Million by 2033, growing with a CAGR of around 13.6% from 2023-2033.  The report said: "Search and rescue drones are now becoming a popular product for responders conducting any type of emergency response. These drones are designed to provide aerial support to ground teams in searching for the locations of missing and injured people.  The team can rely on UAVs for search and rescue missions while other team members continue conventional search techniques or provide support elsewhere. Equipped with the right sensors and cameras, the drone can cover large areas quickly and efficiently, making it ideal for search missions."  Active companies in the markets this week include: Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (OTCQX: DLAKY), Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS).

Fact.MR continued: "Drones can now fly farther and higher owing to developments in sensor technology, giving them a clearer view of hard-to-reach places. They will also have stronger cameras and other sensors, enabling them to gather more comprehensive data about possible victims and dangers.  Fact.MR anticipates that search and rescue teams will depend more and more on these adaptable and life-saving devices as drone technology advances. Manufacturers will also shift towards these innovations for generating higher profits… (Drones are) a safe, efficient, and cost-effective product to drive market growth for search and rescue drone."

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) BREAKING NEWS:  Draganfly Selected by Lufthansa Industry Solutions to Strengthen Marine Search and Rescue Infrastructure - Draganfly Inc. (FSE: 3U8) ("Draganfly" or the "Company"), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer, is pleased to announce that Lufthansa Industry Solutions, an IT service provider and a subsidiary of Lufthansa Group has entered into a letter of intent with Draganfly to explore providing its drone solutions and Vital Intelligence (VI) technology for use into its existing infrastructure and customer solutions.

Draganfly's technology will assist in Lufthansa Industry Solutions' objective of providing the maritime industry with the highest information technology and performance monitoring standard. Draganfly's drone solutions will be integrated for deployment during marine search and rescue operations and for reconnaissance purposes, adding another layer of safety and security for crew members and passengers.

Draganfly's search and rescue drone can be utilized when a passenger aboard a vessel falls into the ocean. These specialized drones are high-endurance, multirotor UAVs capable of utilizing Draganfly's optical and infrared imaging solutions during an active emergency. The company's drone can be used to thoroughly map certain areas, locate survivors, and begin measuring core vitals.

The reconnaissance drones provided by Draganfly can carry out inspections of cargo and potential hazards on the water. This UAV is a high-endurance, drone that utilizes optical and imaging solutions.   These drones can even function in hazardous areas.

Lufthansa Industry Solutions plans to integrate Draganfly's Vital Intelligence technology into its Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AIaaS) platform, a package that offers a quick and easy solution for businesses trying to achieve digital transformation. Draganfly's Vital Intelligence (VI) is software that uses video feed from simple RGB cameras to measure biometric data and share human experience and health insights.

"We are thrilled to partner with Lufthansa Industry Solutions and provide our versatile AI technology for use in their current infrastructure," said Cameron Chell, President and CEO of Draganfly. "This partnership reflects the growing demand for our drone, AI and data solutions with Tier 1 customers."

Emirates will ramp up frequencies to Hong Kong with a daily non-stop service from its Dubai hub, starting from 29 March 2023

The Airbus A380 - still the luxurious backbone of the Emirates fleet

Emirates will ramp up frequencies to Hong Kong with a daily non-stop service from its Dubai hub, starting from 29 March 2023, adding to its existing daily flight from Dubai to Hong Kong via Bangkok and increasing the airline’s operations in the market up to 14 weekly flights. The resumed service will provide more capacity, choice and flexibility for travellers, as the airline continues to expand its global operations in line with sustained demand for international travel.

Operated by an Airbus A380 aircraft, Emirates’ flight EK380 will depart Dubai at 10:45hrs and arrive in Hong Kong at 22:00hrs. The return flight EK381 will depart from Hong Kong at 00:35hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:00hrs. All times are local.

By bringing back its Dubai-Hong Kong flight EK380/EK381, Emirates is responding to the growing demand on the route and offering travellers the choice to fly non-stop or break their journeys in Bangkok.

Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via travel agents. Travellers are also encouraged to check the latest entry requirements.

As one of Emirates’ key Asian destinations, the airline reaffirms its commitment to supporting Hong Kong’s post-pandemic recovery, increasing capacity to serve travellers originating from Dubai or connecting in Dubai from other cities in its global network. Throughout the pandemic, Emirates has supported the market’s local community by maintaining the trade links between Hong Kong and other strategic markets within its network, successfully transporting imports and exports through its airfreight division, Emirates SkyCargo. 

Will the airline industry ever steer away from gender conformity?

Will the airline industry ever steer away from gender conformity? 

Photo by Pew Nguyen

Female flight attendants are still pressurised to ‘look the part’, according to new research led by the University of Surrey. 

Despite attempts by the airline industry to cultivate more diverse working environments, researchers from Surrey have found that gendered practices and pressures still persist – with female cabin crew encountering precise expectations on appearance that are not extended to their male counterparts.  

Whitney Smith, lead author of the study from the University of Surrey, said: 

“Airline organisations, in part, maintain the feminised cabin by setting strict appearance standards that workers embody. Focusing on aesthetic labour, our findings indicate that female flight attendants actively maintain their ‘slim’ bodies according to organisational rules by routinely engaging in body treatment.” 

Researchers conducted interviews with currently and recently employed flight attendants from Virgin Atlantic, Qantas and Emirates airlines to examine how they attempt to construct the ideal aesthetic for flight attendants. 

The research team found that airline companies take an active role in regulating and shaping female flight attendants’ appearances. Flight attendants are informed of grooming and physical appearance standards through detailed manuals, such as ‘look books’, which dictate every aspect of their physical appearance, for example, uniform, application of makeup and appropriate hairstyles. 

This gendered criterion is also enforced through a combination of self-policing and peer pressure, which often results in colleagues naming and shaming people they feel do not keep up with appearance standards. 

The findings also demonstrated that, while flight attendants occasionally employ subtle forms of resistance, they primarily adhere to traditional gender norms.  

Scott Cohen, Professor of Tourism and Transport and co-author of the study from the University of Surrey, said: 

“Our research clearly shows that airlines often demand additional aesthetic performances – a certain look - from women. These expectations are not extended to male employees. 

“We would have hoped that companies would provide more diverse environments in this day and age, but it’s obvious there is still a long way to go.” 

In an attempt to adapt to broader societal developments, British Airways recently released a statement saying they would allow male flight attendants to wear ‘natural’ makeup, nail polish, accessories and ‘man buns’, as part of their new uniform policy. In 2019, Virgin Atlantic also made significant changes regarding gendered grooming standards by removing its long-standing makeup requirement, as well as offering trousers as an additional component of the female flight attendant uniform. 

‘Creamy and seductive’: Gender surveillance in flight attendant work - ScienceDirect

easyJet appoints new Group People Director

easyJet is pleased to announce that it has appointed Jane Storm to join easyJet as Group People Director in the spring. Jane will succeed Ella Bennett who has decided to leave easyJet after nearly five years at the airline. Jane will join easyJet from Saga Group where she is currently Chief People Officer. Prior to Saga, Jane built her career in HR and retail at Tesco where she worked in a variety of roles over a period of 19 years.

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said:  “I am really pleased that Jane will be joining easyJet. Jane has experience of working in international plc businesses and brings with her strong transformation skills and commercial acumen alongside a strong focus on culture, talent and succession planning. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ella for her huge contribution, commitment and passion over the past five years at easyJet.”

During her time at the airline, Ella has supported the transformation of the airline over the last few years; working with the Board and CEO to ensure strong leadership and succession; HR process improvements and other critical pieces of work including the implementation of our inclusion and diversity framework.

Supply chain specialist reacts to news regarding China's population decrease

According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, the population of China fell in 2022. But this year is also likely to see India's population surpass China's. There are further implications too. 

Oliver Chapman, CEO of supply chain specialist OCI, gives his thoughts on the implications for the supply chain.

"The decrease in China's population is just a sign of how the world is changing," says Oliver Chapman, CEO of UK’s No.1 fastest growing company 2022 and supply chain specialists OCI, "For the supply chain, this is an especially important trend."

He explains further:  "If there is one thing that the crisis of 2022 taught us, supply chains are vulnerable to one-off shocks which can create havoc. Organisations must mitigate the risk of such shocks via country hedging - in other words, ensuring they are not overly reliant on any region. 

"In 2021, continued lockdowns in China had adverse impacts on the global supply chain. The period in which the country was effectively the world's factory, is now coming to an end. 

"It is expected that this year will see India's population surpass China’s. The data speaks for itself. At the end of 2022, China's population was 1.412bn, which is down by 850,000 from the year before. Meanwhile, India's population stood at 1.414bn on January 17th 2023.* 

Right now, it is neck and neck, but with India's population typically growing at around one per cent a year, India's population will soon unambiguously surpass China's. Just as important: the median age in India is 28.4, and China's is 38.4**. India has a more youthful population.

"There are many examples of how Indian manufacturers are already beginning to compete with China. For example, from April to December 2022, Indian exports of iPhones doubled." * The adjustment in the supply chain is inevitable, thanks to demographics, and good for global economic stability as it creates a supply chain less reliant on one region.

Finnair moving towards more fluid pricing

Finnair will be moving away from a structured pricing system to a more fluid yield enhancing method via its own channels  Finnair.com and Finnair mobile App as well as NDC-enabled channels for agent partners. 

This means there wont be a price jump between different fare classes and type as is the current standard, but more fluidity and can change minute by minute depending on demand and current yield and loads. This, the airline hopes will help it make more money per ticket sold that is currently the case. In addition, the carrier is limiting its domestic offering to its own channels from May onwards. 

“We are committed to transforming how flight products are sold and serviced, for the benefit of our customers and the whole industry,”, says Jenni Suomela, Vice President, Global Sales and Channel Management, Finnair. “We encourage our B2B partners to join on this journey, to make the benefits available for all of our customers, and are ready to support and help our partners in this transformation.” 

The Helsinki based carrier is rapidly changing from a national legacy flag carrier to an outsourced low-cost carrier with various moves that will see its reputation and marketshare decrease. 

easyJet launches even more new routes and holidays for summer 2023

• easyJet has put 11 new routes from nine UK airports on sale today adding over 200,000 extra seats this summer with fares starting £22.99*
• Brand new services from London Gatwick to Calvi, London Luton to Izmir, Bristol to Chania, Manchester to Paris Orly, Edinburgh to Antalya and Santorini, Glasgow to Lisbon, Southend to Amsterdam and Belfast to Antalya are also now on sale
• Flights from London Gatwick to Ancona are also set to return further strengthening connections to and from Italy’s charming Adriatic coast
• Package holidays are available for all new routes, including beach destinations from £299 per person and city breaks from £209 per person, through easyJet holidays

easyJet, one of Europe’s leading leisure airlines, has today announced it will be adding eleven new routes to its UK network for summer 2023, Packages from easyJet holidays are also available on all the new routes.

From nine airports across the UK, more than 200,000 extra seats are on sale today across flights on new routes to some of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations including the popular Greek islands Santorini and Chania, Corsica and Lisbon, as well as Antalya and Izmir in Turkey.  Convenient city connections are also launching to Amsterdam from Southend, from Glasgow to Lisbon, and from Birmingham to Naples for the first time this summer, while a new service from Manchester to Paris Orly which will operate year-round.

The airline will also once again offer flights from London Gatwick to Ancona in Italy, with a twice weekly service operating on Mondays and Fridays, providing an even greater range of options for passengers travelling from the south of England, wishing to explore more of Italy’s charming Adriatic coast.

The announcement comes following the confirmation in November of nine new routes from the UK.

The new routes also mean brand new easyJet holidays packages are now on sale, which include 23kg luggage per person, flights and hotel accommodation, as well as transfers on all beach holidays. From adults-only luxury to family-friendly fun, the package holiday provider has something for everyone. And, in a number of destinations available on today’s new routes, the tour operator has added brand new hotels to its portfolio for summer 2023, offering customers even more brilliant holidays at unbeatable prices. These include the 5* Delphin Imperial also in Lara, a family-hotel with ten restaurants and six bars, and the 5* Ramada Hotel and Suites by Wyndham Kusadasi in Izmir, a great value option with three outdoor pools and water slides.

Flights are on sale from today on easyJet.com or via the app and customers can book early to take advantage of great value fares now available from just £22.99*. Package holidays are available from £209 per person, through easyJet holidays.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager said:

“We are delighted to be launching even more new routes from the UK and to be operating to new destinations for the very first time this summer, so that we can provide our customers with an even wider range of fantastic beach and city routes across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East to explore and enjoy. We remain committed to strengthening our unrivalled short-haul network and providing affordable and convenient connections for our customers across the UK, all with great value fares and the warm welcome that our crew are famous for.”

Investing in a greener future......

Captain Waleed Abdul Hameed Al Alawi, CEO, Gulf Air, believes that sustainability makes good business sense despite the higher costs.

How are you positioning the airline in the market?

Our strategy is not to compete on the ultra-long-haul flights that some of our neighbours are doing. Our strength is in the regional market. We have higher frequencies to the Gulf countries.

Of course, we do have the Boeing 787-9, which is capable of longer flights and Bahrain is positioned well to be a hub for east-west traffic, with a good airport. But we concentrate on connectivity and destinations that make sense for us and that serve Bahrain.

 

Are labour shortages affecting your airline?

Yes, they are having a significant effect, especially in Europe. They are affecting our on-time performance and they are creating issues in baggage handling. And it is not just a single flight to Europe affected. There are always connecting or return flights to consider, and this amplifies the problem.

Unfortunately, I don’t see the issue going away quickly. When you think of the time it takes to recruit and train people to have the skills and safety mindset that aviation requires, it is clear that the situation will remain for some time.

Going forward, there are a lot of factors involved in staffing requirements from new technologies to traffic growth, and it is impossible to predict what will happen.

 

Diversity is another aspect of this. What is the airline doing in this regard?

We support diversity and IATA’s 25by2025 initiative. But this is not about employing women just to make up the numbers.

If they want to be a pilot, they need to attain all the necessary skills and qualifications for the job. And throughout aviation, there is a need to reach the right levels of safety understanding. Very specific skill sets are required in most aviation jobs. But the point is that the jobs are open to everybody. There is inclusivity in the opportunity.

At Gulf Air, some 40% of our staff are female. At our headquarters, there are several departments headed by women. They are empowered.

But all we are really concerned about is safety, efficiency, and performance. Your gender, race, or religion are not relevant in that sense. Can you do the job? And if you are doing a good job, you will be promoted as a natural part of your career progression.

Again, though, that requires inclusivity in the opportunity. Women must have equal access to promotions. At Gulf Air, we provide that access.

 

Does investing in sustainability initiatives make business sense?

Sustainability and business sense go hand-in-hand. We all live in this world and the world is suffering. Carbon emissions are causing temperatures to rise. Ultimately, the extreme weather events this causes will be a problem for aviation and for all businesses. It is a problem that we have to solve.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is effective when it is available. We have used SAF in Rolls-Royce engines on our Dreamliner 787-9 and when we have done SAF flybys for the Formula 1 Grand Prix events. But availability is the problem. I am not aware of any production facility in the Middle East so when we have bought SAF, we have bought it from Europe. That’s not logistically viable on a regular basis.

And, of course, it is also extremely expensive. SAF is 3–4 times the price of Jet A-1. Who is going to pay for that? As a business, it is not possible to absorb that cost in a competitive market. But it hard to pass on to the passenger for the same reason. But somebody has to pay. We have to solve that challenge quickly to create the demand that will improve SAF supply.

Still, we are supportive of the Fly Net Zero by 2050 goal, and we will do everything we can to reduce emissions because in the years to come it is emitting carbon that will make you uncompetitive. Emitting carbon will be expensive, hurt your brand, and reduce your customer base.

Governments and airports can help. Unnecessary taxation and charges add to an airline’s cost base and prevent an airline from fully exploring all sustainable initiatives. We are paying mega-bucks for policies and services that aren’t what they should be.

Investing in a greener future | Airlines. (iata.org)

ITA Airways expands its intercontinental network Rome Fiumicino – Rio de Janeiro direct flights

ITA Airways expands its intercontinental network

Rome Fiumicino – Rio de Janeiro direct flights 

ITA Airways' intercontinental expansion continues, with new flights from Rome Fiumicino to Rio de Janeiro. The long-haul expansion is one of the major pillars of ITA Airways' strategy, as it generates profitability but also enhances the short-haul connectivity, thus contributing to double the capacity of the Company’s intercontinental network. 

 ITA Airways' new connection will be operated with the Airbus A330, from October 29, 2023, with a daily frequency departing from Rome Fiumicino airport at 9:50pm and arriving to Rio de Janeiro International Airport at 6:05am, local time. Flights from Rio de Janeiro will be operated from October 30, 2023, with daily frequency departing at 3:45pm and landing at Rome Fiumicino at 6:45am, local time. 

The new connections will allow ITA Airways to further strengthen its expansion in South America, following the flights opening to Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo, which has always been a privileged destination for Italian holidays and the destination with the highest rate of Italian origin population, as well as a strategic market together with the United States for business and cargo traffic. 

Finnair's new destinations include Ljubljana, Bodø and Milan Linate Airport for summer 2023.

New destinations include Ljubljana, Bodø and Milan Linate Airport

The Helsinki-based Finnair is updating its traffic programme for short-haul flights in the summer season of 2023 and has confirmed it will fly to more than 50 destinations in Europe. The carrier which is part way through a cost-cutting efficiencies programme has added frequencies to several European capitals, such as Berlin, Copenhagen, Vilnius and Riga.  

Bodø is a new destination for Finnair, with three weekly flights during the high season, and summer 2023 will also see Ljubljana coming back as a destination. In addition, Finnair will start flying to the conveniently located Linate Airport in Milan, in addition to flying to Milan’s Malpensa Airport.  

"Travel has recovered at a good pace and we are increasing flights to European routes to meet the increased demand in Asia. For example, the Bergen and Bodø routes are seamlessly connected to our flights to Japan," says Ole Orvér, Finnair's Chief Commercial Officer.  

Finnair flies to most European capitals at least twice a day, which also serves business travellers well. Also included are the popular vacation destinations, such as Rhodes and Alicante. 

Finnair’s European flights connect smoothly to our long-haul destinations Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Soul, Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi, Mumbai and Doha. Finnair’s US offering comprises flights to Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle.  

The completely renewed Helsinki Airport hub offers Finnair customers a fast and smooth transfer experience.  

SAUDIA has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) to improve the quality of their shared services and provide more initiatives that improve the travel experience.

SAUDIA has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) to improve the quality of their shared services and provide more initiatives that improve the travel experience.

Signed by the SAUDIA Chief Hajj & Umrah Officer, Mr. Amer AlKhushail, and the Executive Vice President of the Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR) and Al Mashaeer, Engr. Rayan Al-Harbi, the agreement provides special prices for SAUDIA guests who are traveling to and from Makkah and Al Madinah via HHR.  

Later this year, SAUDIA and HHR booking systems will be linked, and Makkah will be added in the list of stations in the booking process. SAUDIA’s customers will be able to issue boarding passes for both the flight and train at the same time, whether through the website, digital application, or sales offices.

Emirates resumes passenger services to Shanghai and Beijing

Shanghai will initially be served with two weekly flights starting from 20 January 2023

Beijing will be served with a daily non-stop flight starting from 15 March 2023

Emirates’ four weekly flights to Guangzhou will increase to a daily service from 1 February 2023

 

Emirates will ramp up its operations in China ahead of the New Lunar Year and in response to strong travel demand, boosting connectivity to its gateways; Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing as the country reopens its borders and eases its COVID-related entry restrictions.

Shanghai – service resumption from 20 January 2023 with twice weekly service, gradually increasing to daily service from 1 March

Emirates will resume passenger services to Shanghai starting with two weekly flights operated by an Airbus A380 aircraft from 20 January 2023, with EK302 departing from Dubai to Shanghai non-stop and EK303 making a short stop in Bangkok before returning to Dubai. This service will ramp up in frequency to four weekly flights operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from 02 February 2023.

During this period, Emirates’ flight EK302 will depart Dubai at 03:45hrs and arrive in Shanghai at 15:40hrs. The return flight EK303 will depart Shanghai at 17:40hrs and arrive in Bangkok at 21:45hrs before taking off from the Thai capital at 23:20hrs and arriving in Dubai at 03:20hrs the next day.*

Emirates will further boost its Dubai-Shanghai route from 1 March 2023 with a daily non-stop service. Emirates’ flight EK304 will depart Dubai at 09:15hrs and arrive in Shanghai at 21:05hrs. The return flight EK303 will leave Shanghai at 23:00hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:20hrs the next day.*

Guangzhou – daily nonstop from 1 February 2023

Emirates currently operates a non-stop flight from Dubai to Guangzhou as EK362, and a return flight from Guangzhou to Dubai via Bangkok as EK363, four times a week.

Starting from 1 February 2023, the airline will increase services between Dubai and Guangzhou with EK362/EK363 operating as daily non-stop flights with the flagship Emirates A380. Emirates’ flight EK362 will leave Dubai at 10:45hrs and arrive in Guangzhou at 21:45hrs. The return flight EK363 will depart Guangzhou at 00:15hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:15hrs.*

Beijing – service resumption from 15 March 2023

Operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, Emirates’ flight EK308/ EK307 will return to China’s capital city Beijing with a daily non-stop service from Dubai, starting from 15 March 2023. Emirates’ flight EK308 will leave Dubai at 10:50hrs and arrive in Beijing at 22:20hrs. The return flight EK307 will depart Beijing at 00:40hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:00hrs.*

This will bring the airline’s operations in the market up to 21 weekly flights, providing increased choice and flexibility for both business and leisure travellers, and contributing to China’s tourism recovery.

flydubai expands its network in Kazakhstan with new flights to Shymkent from 28 February

flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, announced the resumption of flights to Shymkent International Airport (CIT) from 28 February with a twice-weekly service. With the start of flights to Shymkent, flydubai grows its network in Kazakhstan to three destinations including Almaty and the capital, Astana.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “Kazakhstan has long been an important market since we first launched operations to Almaty in 2014. In 2022 we carried almost 300,000 passengers between the UAE and Kazakhstan, an increased figure of 145% compared to 2019, and we look forward to strengthening trade and cultural relations with the start of flights to Shymkent.”

The UAE and Kazakhstan have a long history of trade relations in which they cooperate together in several economic sectors including mining, agriculture, oil and gas, and construction.

Commenting on the start of flights, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “we are excited to see our network grow in Kazakhstan with Shymkent as our third destination which will serve a total frequency of 22 weekly flights. This frequency will increase to 26 weekly flights from February and will offer our customers in Kazakhstan more convenient and reliable options to explore the UAE and beyond.”

After Almaty and Astana, Shymkent is the third largest city in Kazakhstan and is a major cultural centre that features bustling bazaars, ancient architecture and natural scenery.

flydubai expands its network in the Central Asian region to ten points, providing passengers from the UAE and the region with more options for travel. This includes Almaty, Ashgabat, Astana, Bishkek, Dushanbe, Namangan, Osh, Samarkand, Shymkent and Tashkent.

East Midlands Airport reveals this summer’s destinations

East Midlands Airport (EMA) is gearing up for its busiest year for passenger travel since before the pandemic.

With more flights and extra capacity in 2023, those planning to use the airport this year will be spoilt for choice. Between April and October, the airlines that serve EMA will fly to 60 destinations between them including the places that are most popular with UK holidaymakers. 

More than half of all East Midlands passengers fly to Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries. This summer the most frequently flown to destinations will be Palma (Majorca) with 35 weekly flights, followed by Alicante (26 weekly flights), Faro - Portugal (24 weekly flights) and Malaga (23).

Two new destinations will also be on offer this year thanks to Ryanair flying to Cork and Eastern Airways’ new flight to Newquay in Cornwall.

East Midlands Airport is served by seven airlines – Ryanair, JET2.com. TUI, Flybe, Eastern Airways, Aurigny and Blue Islands who will fly more than 360 flights a week to and from EMA this summer.

With no travel restrictions hampering the start of 2023 as there were last year, the airport’s preparations for this year’s peak season are already underway. Roles in security, customer services, car parking and assisted travel teams are being recruited to while training courses are already filling up with potential new starters.

ITA Airways is enhancing its Rome Fiumicino - New Delhi

ITA Airways is enhancing its Rome Fiumicino - New Delhi direct flight to meet the expected increase in demand, with a new frequency in the first two weeks of March 2023 and from April through May 2023. 

Tickets are already available on all ITA Airways sales channels and at travel agencies, which strongly support this new intercontinental route opened last December and now offers the following schedule:

• From 1 March to 12 March and from 27 March to 31 May 2023, the flight from Rome Fiumicino will be operated four times a week departing every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:10 p.m. with arrival in New Delhi the following day at 2:00/1:15 a.m. local time. In the period 13 – 15 March the route will be operated three times a week, departing every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 2:10 p.m. and arriving in New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport at 02:00 a.m., local time.

• From March 1 to March 13 and from April 3 to May 30, 2023, the return flights will be operated with four weekly frequencies every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday departing from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport at 3:50/3:15 a.m. and arriving in Rome Fiumicino at 8:10/8:15 a.m. From 14 to 23 March and from 26 March to 2 April the flight will be three times a week, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday with the same departure/arrival times.

With the introduction of an additional frequency in the direct connection from Rome to New Delhi, ITA Airways is continuing to strengthen the ability to attract connecting customers, tapping into the flows between India and North and South America, Germany, Spain and France. 

With the opening of New Delhi, ITA Airways intercontinental network is steadily growing: in the winter season, the Company is serving a total of 51 destinations, including 9 intercontinental routes, with the recently launched Tokyo-Haneda and Malé (Maldives), joining the long-haul flights to New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Buenos Aires and São Paulo opened earlier this year.