Etihad Airways explores new horizons with the launch of its newest destination - Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia

In a move to broaden its network and enhance connectivity within the Middle East, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has just announced the addition of Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia, to its growing list of destinations, increasing its total number of Saudi gateways to four.

The airline is set to expand its footprint by launching flights to one of Saudia Arabia’s most captivating regions. Beginning 24 June 2024, Etihad will link Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport directly with Al Qassim’s Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ) with four weekly flights.

Reflecting on the new service, Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: "Launching the new service to Al Qassim this year is not just about introducing a new destination; it's also a celebration of Etihad’s 20 years of connecting Abu Dhabi with the rich culture and economic opportunities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

“This move is aligned with our mission to deliver extraordinary experiences and the opportunity to explore the unique allure of both Abu Dhabi and our new destinations, like Al Qassim. We're proud to expand our services within the Kingdom and look forward to welcoming passengers to experience our renowned hospitality and service."

“Furthermore, the exceptional experience awaiting them at Zayed International Airport – Terminal A, our new home, redefines the benchmarks for travel comfort and service excellence, ensuring a memorable journey from start to finish.”

Al Qassim celebrated for its lush date palm groves, rich cultural heritage, and lively markets, offers a perfect blend of traditional Saudi culture and contemporary attractions. This new route is designed to meet the demands of both business travelers seeking new ventures and tourists desiring an authentic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s historical and cultural wealth.

Flight Number	Origin	Departure	Destination	Arrival	Aircraft	Frequency
EY  0627	AUH	08:00	ELQ	09:10	A320	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
EY  0628	ELQ	10:15	AUH	13:20	A320	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat

 

And there’s more

Starting 15 June, Etihad is increasing its service frequency to a number of key destinations, and also starting flights to Antalya and Jaipur which were announced in February. 

The weekly flights to Thiruvananthapuram and Amman will be increased by three, totalling 10 and 14 respectively. Additional services include three more flights to Cairo for a total of 24, Karachi increasing to 17, and Colombo to 20 weekly flights.

The latest expansion contributes to an overall 33 per cent increase in Etihad’s total weekly flights, growing from 642 last summer to 855 in 2024, and extends Etihad's reach from 65 to 76 destinations, significantly enhancing worldwide connectivity.

The updated schedule and the new routes have been developed to optimise the travel experience for passengers, who will benefit from greater connectivity and a broader range of travel options, alongside the opportunity to experience the sophisticated amenities and customer-focused services provided at the newly inaugurated Terminal A at Zayed International Airport Abu Dhabi.

New Destinations (Timings from 15 June 2024, all timings local)

Flight Number	Origin	Departure	Destination	Arrival	Aircraft	Frequency
EY  0539	AUH	09:20	AYT	13:00	A320	Tue, Thu, Sat
EY  0540	AYT	14:20	AUH	19:35	A320	Tue, Thu, Sat

(Timings from 16 June 2024, all timings local)

Flight Number	Origin	Departure	Destination	Arrival	Aircraft	Frequency
EY  0366	AUH	03:05	JAI	08:05	A320	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
EY  0367	JAI	11:00	AUH	13:00	A320	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

 

­Frequency Increases 

Destination	Change	Total Frequency	Start Date
Thiruvananthapuram	+3	10	15 June 2024
Amman	+3	14	15 June 2024
Cairo	+3	24	15 June 2024
Karachi	+3	17	15 June 2024
Colombo	+3	20	15 June 2024

 

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Ethiopian Airlines Turns 78

Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa's largest airline group, has marked its 78th anniversary, highlighting a legacy of resilience and innovation since 1946. Group Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mesfin Tassew and Chief Commercial Officer Mr. Lemma Yadecha accompanied the crew on a flight to Cairo, marking the airline's inaugural international service. Their involvement extended beyond in-flight duties, as they also provided assistance to passengers during check-in and boarding processes, ensuring a seamless travel experience.

Regarding the occasion Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “This event symbolizes our unwavering commitment to our passengers and our belief that true leadership lies in serving others first. Serving our passengers on this special flight to Cairo is not just a tribute to our first international service but a reaffirmation of our commitment to the ethos of servant leadership. From our humble beginning back in 1946, we’ve come to be the aviation giant in Africa that we are now, pioneering the African aviation with many first aviation innovation introductions to Africa along the way. As we are maturing beautifully, our commitment only gets stronger.”

In line with Ethiopian's values of community engagement, passengers received Seasons Greeting Packages and Happy Fasting Messages, reflecting the airline's respect for diverse traditions. The packages included a postcard commemorating the anniversary, serving as a tangible reminder of the airline's enduring legacy.

Lufthansa Group celebrates 55 years connecting Osaka with Germany

 55 years connecting the Kansai region with Germany

With a tradition that extends more than five decades, Lufthansa Group celebrates 55 years connecting Japan’s Kansai region with Germany.    Described by many as the cultural center and the historical heart of Japan, the Kansai region - including Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe - has had a direct connection to the European nation of Germany since 1969 thanks to Lufthansa German Airlines.

While a lot has changed in the past 55 years, the relationship between Lufthansa Group and Japan remains strong and continues to grow.   Late last year Lufthansa reintroduced Japanese catering in all cabins on flights between Japan and Germany (and vice versa), while sister airline SWISS introduced Japanese catering in Business Class for connections between Switzerland and Tokyo (and vice versa). 

The Lufthansa Group network into Japan includes direct connections to Haneda, Narita and Osaka airports with 31 weekly flights during the 2024 summer schedule.   In fact, connections from Munich to Kansai airport will be increased significantly this year. According to Larry Ryan, Senior Director Sales, Japan and South Korea:

“Based on customer needs, we’re extremely pleased to be able to return to daily operations from Kansai to Munich, enabling connections via our 5-star hub to the entire European continent and beyond.   This is particularly exciting as we see so many of our partners gearing up for Expo’25 in the Kansai area.”

In recognition of Japan’s strong heritage and our deep ties to the country, Lufthansa Group is pleased to commemorate this important anniversary by increasing capacity and strengthening our investment in the Kansai region of Japan.

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Qantas Frequent Flyers will have access to over 20 million more reward seats

Qantas Frequent Flyers will have access to over 20 million more reward seats with the launch of Classic Plus Flight Rewards, a new way for members to use their Qantas Points to book flights.

This change is one of the biggest ever expansions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program in its 35-year history and will make it easier to travel to places like London, Tokyo, New York and Singapore with Qantas Points, even during peak times.

While usually requiring more points than the existing Classic reward seats, Classic Plus will represent some of the best value across the frequent flyer program with much wider availability. Classic Plus reward seats are also eligible for upgrades.

The points required to book Classic Plus reward seats will vary like normal airfares, which means they’ll be lower during off-peak periods or when booking early, and higher during peak periods. During sales and promotions, Classic Plus reward seats may drop below a Classic reward seat on the same route (see tables below).

Classic Plus reward seats can be booked from today on Qantas international flights departing Australia for travel from 1 July 2024 exclusively via qantas.com and will be rolled out across the rest of the airline’s international and domestic network on Qantas-operated flights by the end of the year.

By the end of calendar year 2024, when Classic Plus has fully launched across the international and domestic network, members will have had access to 20 million new reward seats for travel across the rolling 12-month booking window. There will be a similar level of availability on an ongoing basis.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said frequent flyers have more ways than ever to earn points and a new flight reward option would open up more value for frequent flyers wanting to use their growing points balances on travel.

“The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is an integral part of Qantas and has always been about recognising our customers for their loyalty. We’ve spent a lot of time listening to members about how we can better reward them,” Ms Hudson said.

“We’re adding over 20 million new flight rewards with the launch of a new type of reward seat called Classic Plus. It’s one of the biggest expansions we’ve made to the Frequent Flyer program in its 35-year history.

“The growth and success of Qantas Loyalty is driven by engaged members who earn and redeem points across the frequent flyer program, including with our partners, and that’s why we’re investing in making more seats available to book with points.”

East Midlands Airport welcomes new cargo carrier.

A new cargo airline has started operating from East Midlands Airport (EMA), the UK’s largest pure air freight hub.

British operator One Air runs flights between Europe and China/Hong Kong and has a permit to operate cargo charter flights between the US and UK. It launched last year and is growing its operations, looking to expand its flights to Hong Kong into a daily operation and achieve a licence for long-term operations to China.

One Air’s Boeing 747-400 aircraft has already been spotted in the skies above EMA since its first flight into East Midlands arrived from Hong Kong over Easter with a 105-tonne payload.  

The central UK airport will now be a regular origin and destination point for One Air’s services connecting Asia and Europe as well as for ad hoc global charter services. The new addition to EMA’s cargo operation bolsters what is already the UK’s most important express air freight hub.

EMA offers one-stop connections to 185 of the world’s largest cities, including New York, Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris, and Mumbai, with DHL, UPS and Fedex all having their major UK hubs on site. 

The airport handles the equivalent of more than one million packages every night, and its cargo operation provides support to regional businesses, including those in the advanced manufacturing, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and automotive sectors.

Mario surprises travellers in JetBlue terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy Airport

Nintendo of America and JetBlue are bringing smiles to travellers of all ages with the engaging “Nintendo Switch On the Go” pop-up, located at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in JetBlue Terminal 5, now through April 20.

On April 7, families and fans were given the chance to play some of the latest Nintendo Switch games, hang out in the pop-up, recharge their devices and may even get a photo with Mario himself!

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Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) confirms deployment of HawkEye 360 microsatellite clusters 8 and 9

Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) confirmed that six radio frequency geolocation microsatellites developed for HawkEye 360 of Herndon, Va., have successfully communicated with ground control. The HawkEye 360 Cluster 8 and 9 satellites were launched yesterday at 7:16 pm EDT from Florida aboard the SpaceX Bandwagon-1 Rideshare.

The two new three-satellite clusters bring to 27 the total number of geolocation microsatellites developed by SFL for HawkEye 360, which integrated Cluster 8 at its own plant in Virginia under SFL’s Flex Production Program. For Cluster 9, which represents the next evolution and includes updated payload and platform features, SFL handled the entire process, including development, integration, and testing, at its Toronto facility.

“SFL is proud to play a key role in the development of HawkEye 360’s space assets as it continues to expand and enhance its unparalleled space-based RF data detection and analytics capabilities,” said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee.

Southwest Airlines releases board of Directors nominee list

U.S. budget airline Southwest has released a list of Board of Directors nominees 14 candidates to stand for election at the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 15, 2024. As previously announced, the Board is excited to nominate Lisa Atherton to join the Board as a new Director. Directors Ron Ricks and John Montford will not stand for reelection.

"On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Ron and John for their long-standing commitment to Southwest Airlines. They both made an immeasurable positive impact on the Board and our Company, and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service," said Southwest Airlines Executive Chairman of the Board, Gary Kelly.

If all nominees are elected, the Board will consist of 14 members, a reduction from the current size of 15. "As the Board continues to evolve, it is reasonable to expect the size of the Board to reduce naturally and return closer to historical levels in coming years," said Chair of the Board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Veronica Biggins.

"I add my thanks to Ron and John for their many contributions and service to Southwest Airlines, and I am thrilled Lisa has been nominated to join our Board," said Southwest Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer, Bob Jordan. "Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience across aviation, defence, and government contracting, combined with her expertise in leading highly complex programs and strategic initiatives. I believe she will be a wonderful addition to our talented Board."  

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Finnair Traffic Performance in March 2024

Year-on-year, passenger traffic figures declined but cargo figures improved

In March, Finnair carried 918,900 passengers. This was 3.6% less than in March 2023.

The overall capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), increased in March by 3.9% year-on-year. If wet lease outs are included, capacity increased by 2.8%. Finnair's traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), increased by 0.3%. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) declined by 2.7% points to 75.0%. The distance-based reported traffic figures do not take into account longer routings caused by the airspace closure as they are based on Great-Circle distance in accordance with the industry practice.

The ASK increase in Asian traffic was 13.5% year-on-year explained e.g. by the additional capacity to Japan and South Korea. The North Atlantic capacity decreased by 11.6%. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 2.1%. The Middle Eastern capacity declined by 7.3% mainly due to cancelled flights to Israel. The ASKs in domestic traffic increased by 4.9%.

RPKs increased in Asian traffic by 6.9% year-on-year but decreased in North Atlantic traffic by 7.2%. They decreased by 1.4% in European traffic, by 9.3% in Middle Eastern traffic and by 1.8% in domestic traffic.

In March, the PLF was 73.6% in Asian traffic, 72.1% in North Atlantic traffic, 78.5% in European traffic, 72.5% in Middle Eastern traffic and 72.5% in domestic traffic.

Passenger numbers decreased year-on-year in Asian traffic by 3.5%, by 17.9% in North Atlantic traffic, by 0.5% in European traffic, by 11.7% in Middle Eastern traffic and by 7.3% in domestic traffic.

The total cargo tonnes increased by 8.6% year-on-year in March due to increased Asian and European capacity. Revenue cargo tonne kilometres increased by 9.2%.

In March, 83.7% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (84.6%).

More buses heading to East Midlands Airport in time for peak summer season

Even more buses are now available as an alternative way to reach East Midlands Airport following timetable improvements by trentbarton and sister company Kinchbus.

skylink clifton 0579

An increasing number of customers travelling on Skylink Derby has prompted bus operator trentbarton to add extra trips throughout the day, with buses running up to every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday. There is also a significant increase in early morning journeys and later evening buses. Many of the changes are designed to improve the punctuality of services and respond to customer demand, and the timing of the new timetable coincides with the start of the airport’s summer season.

Skylink Derby connects Derby, Leicester and Loughborough with East Midlands Airport and the employment sites around it. As well as being a great option for local holidaymakers to travel to the airport, it is popular with shift workers at the many businesses based near EMA and its transport and logistics infrastructure.

Several changes to timetables were introduced over the Easter weekend to improve punctuality, including evening timetable changes on skylink Express between Nottingham and East Midlands Airport. The my15 service also has some small timetable changes, including reducing the number of journeys that go via Castle Donington Bus Station during peak times and minor changes between DHL and the airport Monday to Saturday.

UK first as electric aircraft helps turn Moray Flying Club green

RAF Lossiemouth’s Moray Flying Club has begun flying a new electric aircraft, putting it on track to become the UK’s first recreational flying club to offer direct carbon emission-free initial pilot training.
The new Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft - callsign ‘MORAY 01 ELECTRIC’ - took to the skies on Sunday 24 March 2024 for its first training flight. 
Moray Flying Club (MFC) recently leased the aircraft from electric-flying specialists NEBOair, as part of a drive to reduce the environmental and noise impact of their flying. The aircraft is powered by electricity from the grid, like an electric car.
The innovation will mean that students can reach their first solo flight without direct carbon emissions.

Other green-minded moves have enabled MFC to further cut emissions, with the use of a NEBOair-supplied Virtual Reality simulator cutting down on the overall number of flying hours needed to achieve a full private pilot’s licence.
The Club has also replaced two older aircraft with Rotax-engine aircraft that use lower-lead fuel and are much quieter.
MFC estimate that the new innovations will slash their emissions by around 30%, which they say is just the start.

Squadron Leader David Taudevin, Officer-in-charge, Moray Flying Club.  "As the RAF seeks to achieve Net Zero by 2040, ahead of the UK’s 2050 target, our recreational flying clubs need to play their part and so we’re delighted that our electric aircraft has taken to the skies.
This is a momentous occasion for us as a club and represents a big leap forward into a new world of sustainable aviation, helping Moray Flying Club’s students learn to fly in a cleaner, greener way.
While these innovations are already helping our Club significantly reduce its environmental and noise impact, cutting our direct emissions is only the first step. We hope that by sharing our experience with other military and civilian flying clubs we can help drive the recreational flying sector towards Net Zero."

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New Derry - Birmingham service starts

Ryanair’s new year-round Birmingham  - City of Derry Airport started on Wednesday 3rd April, which provided a well-earned cause for celebration with Jade Kirwan, Ryanair’s Head of Communications, and the Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council, Cllr Patricia Logue, in attendance to mark the occasion. The new route will provide much needed connectivity to the UK Midlands for leisure and corporate travellers across the Northwest, and budget-friendly fares with prices starting from just £14.95 one-way.

The passengers travelling on the inaugural arrival and departure services between City of Derry and Birmingham were treated to some VIP hospitality with a range of complimentary refreshments, special retail offers, free samples from local crafters, and family fun with the Easter Bunny himself! The first arrival passengers also received a warm welcome to the Northwest with a water salute over the Ryanair aircraft on arrival onto the airfield.

Jade Kirwan, Head of Communications at Ryanair stated: “Ryanair is delighted to officially launch our exciting new Summer ’24 schedule at City of Derry Airport, with the first flight of our new Birmingham route taking off today (3rd Apr). Ryanair’s new Birmingham route will operate twice per week (Wed & Sat), building on our regular services to/from Manchester – the UK’s ‘Capital of the North’, and offering our customers even greater connectivity with the UK, whether travelling for work, study, or leisure, at Ryanair’s infamous low fares.”

TUI Airways to operate extra aircraft out of Exeter Airport from summer 2025

TUI, the leading global travel and leisure company, has today announced an additional aircraft will operate out of Exeter Airport in summer 2025 providing an additional 80,000 seats for the southwest region. 

This additional aircraft supports TUI’s commitment to offering more choice and flexibility to customers across the UK, with an unrivalled approach to flying from local airports.

Andrew Flintham, TUI UK&I Manager Director, said: “We are seeing an uptick in demand from customers in Devon and Cornwall, which is why we have deployed another of our aircraft to Exeter Airport for Summer 2025.

“This now means that two aircraft will be operating from the airport giving customers more overseas destinations to fly to, but also increases the flexibility in holiday duration and flight times. Our customers want to go on the holiday best for them, and we want them to be able to enjoy the ease of flying from their local airport.” 

The Summer 2025 programme from Exeter will include: 

25 flights per week  

A new route to Ibiza – plus four weekly flights to Palma de Mallorca

Tenerife and Lanzarote flights now being offered twice weekly in Summer, resulting in year-round flying to the Canary Islands

Four Greek islands offered, including twice weekly Corfu, Heraklion, Rhodes and Zakynthos 

Four weekly flights to Turkey 

Four weekly flights to support Marella Cruise program to Corfu, Paphos and Palma de Mallorca

10- or 11- night holidays available to 11 destinations  

Steve Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport, said: “It’s great news that TUI are investing further in the development of their already extensive route network from Exeter Airport to a growing range of popular sunshine destinations.

“Basing an additional aircraft here is enabling TUI to add a new route to Ibiza, increase the frequency of flights to many other locations and offer increased flexibility on 10- and 11-night stays – all of which adds huge value for passengers.

“It’s a significant boost for the airport and our regional economy, for our much-valued partnership with TUI and for people across the region who enjoy the convenience of flying from their local airport.”

The full 2025 summer programme will be on sale from today via tui.co.uk, TUI retail stores and independent travel agents.  

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Southwest Airlines launches interest-free financing on some flights with Uplift

 Uplift, the leading Buy Now Pay Later solution for the world's travel brands, announced the expansion of its exclusive partnership with Southwest Airlines® by providing eligible Customers with 0% financing* on Wanna Get Away Plus®, Anytime, and Business Select® qualifying fares. Customers can take advantage of this offer for a limited time.

Uplift is integrated into the Southwest® booking platform, providing a frictionless experience for Customers to use flexible payment options offered through Uplift. There are no fees with Uplift, including late fees or prepayment penalties, and travel can happen before completing payments.

"We're excited to support Southwest Airlines by offering 0% financing to their Customers," said Tom Botts, Chief Commercial Officer at Uplift. "Travel should be fun and fulfilling. Being able to spread out payments at no extra cost enhances the overall experience and makes flights accessible to more people."

Southwest's 0% promotion is available for loans with three-month terms on Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select qualifying flights. Customers can book today and fly as soon as tomorrow. 

"We're thrilled to partner with Uplift on this exclusive offer. It's another great example of how we're connecting our Customers to what matters most in their lives," said Jonathan Clarkson, Vice President of Marketing at Southwest Airlines.

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Ever wondered how much fuel RAF aircraft use?......................RAF Energise

When you think of the cost of filling up your car, and how far you will get on a full tank, have you ever wondered how much fuel RAF aircraft use?

During a recent Exercise in France, personnel from RAF Global Enablement Support Force distributed over 500,000 litres of aviation fuel.

L'armée de l’air (France) invited RAF Atlas aircraft to this international Air Livex, Exercise Volfa 24, based in France, with other participating nations – Canada, Greece, Italy, Spain and the UAE.

Alongside aircraft, Global Enablement’s No. 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron, 5001 Squadron Engineers and No. 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron specialists were also asked to participate in Exercise Energise Volfa. The aim was to train together as a coalition in a complex air environment facing a high-level near peer threat. By building on Tactical Aviation refuelling capability, the RAF will remain ready to fly and fight across the globe 24 hours a day.

This was a French Service de l’Énergie Opérationelle (SEO) exercise running alongside the wider Exercise Volfa, with collaboration from the UK Operational Energy Authority (OEA). UK participation was under the auspices of the Franco-British Fuels Co-operation agreement, set up by DSFA (now the OEA) with the French SEA (now the SEO) and run actively by those organisations. The UK participation was a trial, and it's hoped that lessons identified can be used to inform the NATO Modular Combined Petroleum Capability (MCPC) Co-ordination Board, which the UK is Chair of.

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