50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

United Arab Emirates aviation news

Qatar Airways Welcomes Royal Air Maroc’s First Direct Flight To Doha

Qatar Airways welcomed the flagship carrier of Morocco, Royal Air Maroc’s first direct flight to Doha, as part of the two airlines’ joint business agreement which they signed at the Arabian Travel Market Dubai in May 2015. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker joined the Kingdom of Morocco’s Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics,...

Etihad Airways Becomes the First Flight Safety Foundation Benefactor Member from the Middle East

The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) announced today that Etihad Airways had become its first Benefactor member from the Middle East, which is the highest level of membership offered by the Foundation. In addition, Etihad Airways Vice President Corporate Safety and Quality, Captain Majed Al Marzouqi was appointed as a member of the FSF International Advisory Committee. FSF President and C...

UAE carriers will continue to fly over Iranian airspace

The UAE’s two leading airlines have decided not to follow Cathay Pacific’s lead and will continue to fly over Iranian airspace, despite concerns over Russian air strikes on Syrian targets. Russia has been firing long-range missiles at Syrian targets from warships in the Caspian Sea. The European Aviation Safety Agency issued a warning that the missiles “crossed airspace in Ira...

Emirates to lose world’s longest flight tag to Singapore Airlines

It’s been a little over two months since Emirates announced that it will embark on the world’s longest non-stop flight when it starts its service to Panama City next year. The flight in question takes a mammoth 17 hours and 35 minutes, and is set to begin on February 1 when its Boeing 777-200LR departs Dubai for Tocumen International Airport. But its title as the world’s lo...

Etihad Airways' Hala Abu Dhabi stopover programme guests double in 2015-10-12

Hala Abu Dhabi, the professional conference organiser and destination management company of Etihad Airways, has recorded double-digit growth on its Abu Dhabi's Stopover Programme. The programme welcomes guests from across the globe with Australia, Germany and the UK providing the largest visitor numbers.  To meet the increasing demand, Hala Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme and staff con...

Etihad teams up with Al Ittihad Football Club

Etihad Airways and Al Ittihad Football Club have signed a partnership agreement, naming Etihad as the official airline partner for the Abdul Latif Jameel League club. Ibrahim Al-Balawi, president of Al Ittihad FC, and Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer signed the agreement at the football club in Jeddah.   Al-Balawi explained the advantages of partnerin...

Etihad awards cloud computing contract to IBM

Etihad Airways has signed a US$700 million deal with IBM to provide cloud computing services that the airline says will make air travel easier for passengers. The 10-year technology services agreement will mean IBM provides new information technology services to Etihad and its partner airlines via a new cloud data centre in Abu Dhabi. Etihad said the centre – which IBM will develop and...

Emirates bolsters its commercial leadership team

Emirates has announced a number of management changes in its Commercial Operations department that will see two UAE Nationals assuming new roles to support the airline’s growth in the Middle East and Far East. The Commercial team promotions are also a further testament to the airline’s dedicated focus to the strategic direction and broader development of its business within t...

Dubai Has No Plans to Follow Bahrain with Airport Tax, Says CEO

Dubai has no plans to follow Bahrain's example and introduce an airport tax, part of its island neighbour's plans to boost revenues in the wake of the falling oil price. Muharraq Municipal Council in Bahrain earlier this month said it was considering proposals to introduce a new airport tax charge of US$26 (Bhd10) at Bahrain International Airport, as part of a wider plan to increas...

Emirates elected Airline of the Year 2015 by Worldwide Travel Agencies

Emirates Airline has been announced as “Airline of the Year” at the APG - Network for Airline Distribution Services awards. For the third consecutive year, APG - the Network for Airline Distribution Services - has run the A.W.A.R.D. (the APG Worldwide Airline Reward for Distribution), an electronic vote throughout the global travel agent worldwide community.  Over a four-mon...

Etihad brings forward its first A380 flight to New York

Etihad has brought forward the first scheduled flight of its Airbus A380 service to New York. The Abu Dhabi carrier was originally due to start the service to John F Kennedy Airport on December 1, but said that it has changed the first flight to November 23. “The updated arrival date and additional capacity for the A380 service comes in response to strong demand from Etihad Airways gue...

Five talking points from the week in UAE business

Emirates makes its point The world had its first look at the new Emirates advert featuring Friends star Jennifer Aniston this week. The majority of feedback we’ve received has been positive, as the Dubai carrier’s ad notched up nearly a million YouTube views in its first day and is now approaching 1.5 million - reaching people being its primary objection. And, as well as inf...