Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Etihad Airways has signed on to be the Official Front of Shirt Sponsor of Mumbai City FC in a multiyear partnership starting from the 2024-25 season, a move demonstrating the airline’s continued commitment to the Indian market.
Mumbai City FC is one of the top-performing professional sports teams in India having won two Indian Super League titles and two Indian Super League Cups.
The deal, which is a record in Indian football in terms of duration, coincides with Etihad celebrating 20 years of flying to India and will see the Etihad Airways logo feature prominently on the front of shirt of Mumbai City FC’s first and youth team match shirts and training kits from the 2024-25 season.
The partnership builds upon the decades-long connection between the home countries of the two organizations and reinforces the shared values of teamwork and excellence. Both club and airline aim to bring people together and give flight to ambition.
Kandarp Chandra, CEO of Mumbai City FC, commented: “We are incredibly happy to bring Etihad on board as our Official Front of Shirt Sponsor. Their endorsement is a testament to the brand of football Mumbai City plays – one that is committed to performance and the pursuit of excellence on and off the field. Both Etihad and Mumbai City are proud to represent resilient global cities that balance tradition with modernity.”
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We strive to enrich our presence in the Indian market through relevant and meaningful partnerships, and we’re thrilled to welcome Mumbai City FC to the Etihad family. India continues to be a strategically important market for Etihad and we remain committed to serving the Indian community with convenient connections from 11 destinations across India to the Middle East, Europe and North America.”
Etihad will celebrate 20 years of flying to India this month, and from 1 September, Etihad’s A380 will be flying between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi to demonstrate its commitment to growth in India. Guests will have the chance to experience the iconic superjumbo on this popular route for four months.
The airline flies to 11 destinations across India, with flights to Mumbai four times per day, offering convenient connections to Abu Dhabi and onwards. In total, Etihad operates 175 flights per week between Abu Dhabi and India.
“Through our partnership with Mumbai City FC, we hope to bring joy to the football-loving community across Mumbai,” Neves noted.
Istanbul, Turkiye: Despite ongoing global geopolitical tensions, bottlenecks in aircraft production, and engine problems, Turkish Airlines continued its growth uninterruptedly thanks to its agility and extensive flight network, carrying a total of 22.1 million passenger in the second quarter of the year, up by 7.7% compared to the same period in 2023.
According to data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), while global passenger capacity in the second quarter of 2024 has just reached pre-pandemic levels, Turkish Airlines exceeded its 2019 passenger capacity by 38% as one of the leading airlines in the industry amid intensifying competition.
Through its operations at Europe’s largest air cargo facility, Smartist, Turkish Cargo captured a significant share of the accelerated e-commerce growth in the second quarter of this year. Additionally, it provided a major alternative for shippers who did not want to be affected by the disruptions in the Suez Canal. As a result, Turkish Cargo increased the amount of cargo carried in the first six months of 2024 by 32% annually and became the third-largest air cargo carrier in the world, as reported by IATA figures.
In the April-June 2024 period, Turkish Airlines’ total revenues rose by 10% year-on-year to USD 5.7 billion. Accounting for 81% of the total, passenger revenues increased to USD 4.6 billion driven by contribution from the Far East region and cargo revenues recorded 48% higher annually, reaching USD 885 million. Due to the competitive pressure on passenger unit revenues and the adverse effects of global inflation on costs, profit from main operations decreased by 26% to USD 591 million.
Aiming to expand its fleet to 800 aircraft by 2033 as part of its 100th Anniversary Strategy, Turkish Airlines increased its number of aircraft by 9% in the first half of the year to 458 despite bottlenecks in the aircraft production.
Employing approximately 92 thousand people along with its subsidiaries, Turkish Airlines proudly represents its nation in the global air transportation industry with its unique flight network, modern fleet, superior service, and successful performance. In the coming years, our contribution to sustainable growth in the aviation sector will continue in line with the national development objectives and our 2033 strategy.
Colorado, USA: Boom is reinventing the cockpit with an all-new flight deck, designed around pilots with safety at the forefront.
At the Farnborough International Airshow, Boom unveiled its full-scale flight deck and simulator, combining state-of-the-art technologies with safety-enhancing features to give pilots unprecedented situational awareness and ease of control.
Ahead of the flight deck reveal, Boom conducted simulated flight research with pilots from the world’s leading airlines, and invited former Concorde pilots to experience flying Overture at the Farnborough International Airshow.
“Passengers and airlines are hungry for supersonic flight,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic. “Overture features an all-new flight deck, incorporating extensive pilot feedback, resulting in a flying experience that is both innovative and instantly familiar.”
Former Chief Concorde Pilot for British Airways, Mike Bannister, joined Boom at the show and flew in the Overture flight deck simulator. Bannister flew more hours on Concorde than any other pilot, and has now become the first pilot to fly both Concorde and Overture.
“I’ve long believed that Overture is the rightful successor to Concorde,” said Bannister, sharing his unique perspective on supersonic flight. “After experiencing Overture’s flight deck, which is incredibly well designed and delightful to fly, my excitement and enthusiasm for this aircraft has only intensified.”
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: flyadeal, one of the youngest and fastest growing low-cost airlines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East, has announced impressive 2024 half year performance figures with growth across its operations.
Compared with the first six months of 2023, the same January – June period this year saw flyadeal achieve increases in seat capacity, routes, fleet, on-time performance and workforce.
Highlights for January – June 2024 over the same period in 2023.
➡ Over 5 million available seats marking a 9% increase.
➡ 75 routes operated, representing an 8% rise.
➡ Fleet operated increased 12% to 33 aircraft.
➡ On-time performance peaked at 91%.
➡ Headcount rose sharply by 70% to 1,325 employees.
➡ flyadeal orders a record 51 narrowbody aircraft.
➡ 50th batch of cabin crew was inducted into flyadeal’s training.
➡ Graduation of first pilots under flyadeal’s new cadet training programme.
Key milestones included a landmark order for 51 Airbus narrowbody aircraft, including 12 further A320neos – the model being the backbone of flyadeal’s current fleet – and first-time customer of 39 bigger A321neos with deliveries scheduled from 2026.
In anticipation of continued growth, flyadeal has been busy hiring more flight crew. During the first half of 2024, flyadeal inducted its 50th batch of cabin crew and also launched a cadet programme for aspiring Saudi pilots with the first group having successfully completing their training.
flyadeal was also recognised for its pioneering work in the development and adoption of digital technology being named Saudi Arabia’s Ecommerce Innovator of the Year at the Middle East Retail and Ecommerce Summit.
Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “flyadeal’s first half performance in 2024 underscores our ongoing commitment to develop as the airline of choice in the Kingdom and beyond with a focus on service excellence and introducing more digitally enabled products to improve the customer experience. Our on-time performance which measures punctuality peaked at 91 percent, an incredible achievement and among the highest in the industry.”
“These impressive accomplishments were only possible with the dedication of our partners and hard-working team of professionals across flyadeal. Employees make the difference and as we continue to evolve, the flyadeal workforce will grow from over 1,300 people across all areas of our operations to support our diverse route network with more exciting expansion planned for next year,” he added.
By the end of summer 2024, flyadeal expects to reach another key milestone, cumulatively flying 30 million passengers since launching operations in September 2017.
flyadeal operates a fleet of 33 aircraft from bases in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam to a domestic and international route network covering almost 30 destinations across Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Europe and North Africa. By 2030, both fleet and destinations will triple in numbers.
Jeddah, KSA: Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has successfully concluded the first phase of operations for its Hajj season 1445AH with more than 509,000 Hajj pilgrims served on 3,400 flights from over 150 destinations worldwide.
The last flight (SV5827) arrived on June 14 at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah from Riyadh, carrying 445 Hajj pilgrims.
During the arrival phase, which lasted 32 days, seamless cooperation between various government entities ensured a smooth experience for Hajj pilgrims. This integrated performance aligns with the directives of Saudi Arabia’s wise leadership to provide the highest quality services to pilgrims.
In total, Saudia transported 509,000 Hajj pilgrims on 3,400 flights from over 150 destinations worldwide during the arrival phase. The operation achieved an On-Time Performance rate of 88%. Pilgrims benefited from a range of enhanced services, including digital services and inflight entertainment programs with educational content on Hajj regulations and rituals in multiple languages.
Amer Alkhushail, Chief Executive Officer of Saudia Hajj and Umrah, said: “The operations during the arrival phase were excellent. The success of the process was due to a strategic plan that considered travel demand and fleet capacity, enabling smooth operational execution and high-quality service delivery. I would like to take the opportunity and extend my appreciation to the entire team in Saudia for their significant contributions in enhancing guest experience through providing high level air and on ground services.”
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is recruiting hundreds more of pilots this year to support its expanding fleet and network, delivering on its ambitious global growth plans amid unprecedented upward trend in international travel.
Etihad announced it will embark on a worldwide roadshow to meet pilots who may wish to join the growing global airline, beginning in eight cities across Europe before expanding to other international cities.
Etihad is inviting pilots of all ranks and aircraft types to register their interest by attending one of the roadshows or signing up for more information online at careers.etihad.com.
As it builds its position as the airline everyone wants to fly, Etihad also welcomes the partners and family members of prospective pilots to the roadshows. Etihad will showcase Abu Dhabi as a fabulous destination to live and build a career, both for individuals and for families.
John Wright, Chief Operations and Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “As we embark on this pilot recruitment roadshow, we’re proud to showcase everything that both Etihad and Abu Dhabi have to offer, and we are seeking pilots who share in our ambitions.
“We appreciate that pilots choose which airline to join for the length of their career, and as such we would like to highlight not only the career development and progression opportunities on offer at Etihad, but also the fantastic home and lifestyle that Abu Dhabi provides.”
Etihad is seeking pilots of all ranks and aircraft types from across the Etihad fleet including the Airbus A320, A350 and A380 as well as the Boeing 777 and 787, and Boeing 777 freighters. Pilots who do not yet fulfil the Etihad criteria but may wish to join Etihad in the future are also encouraged to attend the roadshow or register their interest online.
As one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, Etihad will double its fleet size by 2030 compared to 2022. This growth trajectory will offer pilots significant career progression and promotion opportunities, making Etihad a highly attractive employer for ambitious pilots looking to build a solid career.
Etihad’s diverse pilot community works alongside 142 nationalities who make up the Etihad family, all based out of its welcoming home in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. There has never been a more exciting time to join Etihad and enjoy living in the UAE.
Living in the UAE’s thriving capital offers crew a safe city with plenty of things to do for individuals as well as families. Pilots living in Abu Dhabi have access to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and can take part in watersports in the Arabian sea or outdoor pursuits in the desert. Abu Dhabi also offers an abundance of restaurants, bars and nightlife, meaning there will never be a dull moment. The metropolis of Dubai is also just a short drive away.
For families, Abu Dhabi offers a friendly community with excellent schools and an abundance of family-friendly activities.
Etihad’s pilots fly to more than 70 destinations across Australia, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America. The airline continues to grow its network and this June is commencing flights to Bali, Jaipur and Al Qassim, as well as a number of seasonal destinations including the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, Nice in the French Riviera and the holiday resorts of Malaga in Spain and Antalya in Turkey.
Date | City | Hotel Name | Hotel Address |
---|---|---|---|
29 June | Larnaca, Cyprus | Radisson Blu Beach Resort | Atlantidon 2, Larnaca 6058, Cyprus |
1 July | Sofia, Bulgaria |
Hyatt Regency Sofia | Sofia Center, Vasil Levski Blvd Square, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria |
3 July | Tirana, Albania | Tirana Marriott Hotel | Sheshi Italia, Tiranë 1001, Albania |
5 July | Bucharest. Romania | The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection | Strada Doamnei 2, București 030053, Romania |
7 July | Cluj-Napoca, Romania | DoubleTree by Hilton Cluj – City Plaza | Strada Sindicatelor 9-13, Cluj-Napoca 400029, Romania |
9 July | Budapest, Hungary |
Hilton Budapest | Budapest, Hess András tér 1-3, 1014 Hungary |
11 July | Warsaw, Poland | Radisson Collection Warsaw | Grzybowska 24, 00-132 Warszawa, Poland |
13 July | Vilnius, Lithuania | Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, Vilnius | Konstitucijos pr. 20, Vilnius, 09308 Vilniaus m. sav., Lithuania |
Brussels, Belgium: Thai Airways will again offer daily direct flights between Brussels Airport and Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, by 01 December 2024.
Thai Airways took a four-year hiatus flying direct to Belgium’s capital following the COVID-19 pandemic. A Star Alliance member, Thai Airways strengthens Brussels Airport’s role as a European hub. Thailand remains an important tourist destination that is now once again directly accessible to Belgian passengers.
“It is great news to welcome Thai Airways back to Brussels Airport. This daily direct connection to Bangkok strengthens our position as a European hub and offers our passengers even more travel options to Asia. For Thai passengers too, our airport offers an ideal gateway to the rest of Europe. We look forward to a great collaboration,” said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport.
Thai Airways will immediately start with a daily flight to Bangkok. The route will be served with a Boeing 787-8, one of the most efficient aircraft on the market both in terms of emissions and noise.
For Brussels Airport, this offers an important addition to its intercontinental network as a major destination, both for tourism and for business travel.
As a Star Alliance airline, Thai Airways is also strengthening its Star Alliance hub at Brussels Airport with home carrier Brussels Airlines. This will reconnect Thai Airways directly to the heart of Europe, with all its European and international institutions and the network offered by their Star Alliance partners at Brussels Airport to the rest of Europe and beyond.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: This World Cabin Crew Day, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is embarking on a global recruitment campaign seeking remarkable people to join its cabin crew team, to work together for a purpose, creating extraordinary experiences for valued guests.
Supporting Etihad’s ambitious growth plans, the airline has already recruited more than 1,000 cabin crew this year and is preparing to welcome around 1,000 more by the end of the year. Etihad is looking for passionate individuals to deliver its world-renowned hospitality, while enjoying the perks of travel and adventure that a career in aviation offers.
Earlier in May, the World Travel Awards Middle East edition named Etihad’s team as the ‘Leading Cabin Crew 2024’, while the Business Traveller ME Awards also awarded Etihad with the ‘Best Cabin Crew 2024’ accolade.
Etihad celebrated World Cabin Crew Day with festivities, gifts and prizes for the crew at the Crew Briefing Centre, the state-of-the-art crew check-in facility.
Etihad’s diverse cabin crew is made up of people from 112 nationalities, all based in the cosmopolitan emirate of Abu Dhabi. As well as a competitive salary, cabin crew are provided with fully-furnished modern accommodation, medical insurance, allowances, and have access to discounts on dining, shopping, leisure activities, car hire and more.
Cabin crew also enjoy fantastic travel benefits and have access to a wide range of destinations.
Etihad offers excellent career progression with 31 percent of cabin crew members promoted within the past 12 months. A number were also promoted to positions in the corporate division located at the airline’s headquarters, to pursue careers in marketing, guest experience, network operations, aviation training and finance.
Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer, Etihad, said: “This World Cabin Crew Day, we celebrate and recognize the contribution that our Cabin Crew make to our airline’s success. As Etihad continues to grow, we are looking for exceptional individuals to join our team who share our ambition to become the airline that everyone wants to fly.
“We’re looking for the world’s best, who will embrace our passion for growing the airline and share our commitment to providing warm hospitality and a truly remarkable experience for our guests. There has never been a better time to enjoy the spirit of Abu Dhabi and all that this fantastic emirate has to offer.”
Living in the UAE’s thriving capital offers crew a safe city with plenty of things to do. From enjoying some of the world’s most beautiful beaches to watersports in the Arabian sea or outdoor pursuits in the desert, to an abundance of restaurants, bars and nightlife, there will never be a dull moment. The metropolis of Dubai is also just a short drive away.
Etihad’s cabin crew fly across the world to more than 70 destinations across Australia, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America. The airline continues to grow its network and this June will commence flights to Bali and Jaipur as well as a number of seasonal destinations including the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, Nice in the French Riviera and the holiday resorts of Malaga in Spain and Antalya in Turkey.
Cabin crew will have the opportunity to work across the airline’s state-of-the-art, modern fleet including the superjumbo Airbus A380s which connect Abu Dhabi with London, New York and from 1 November Paris, as well as Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777s, Airbus A350s and Airbus A320 and A321 family.
Interested candidates are invited to attend an Open Day, or register their interest and apply online at careers.etihad.com. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an assessment, either in person or virtually.
Etihad offers a unique opportunity for candidates located anywhere in the world to take part in a virtual recruitment process, helping Etihad to reach the best talent wherever they are located. Candidates can choose their interview date and time to suit their time zone and their schedule.
Prior experience is not essential as successful candidates will benefit from extensive training at Etihad Aviation Training’s Zayed Campus located adjacent to the airline’s headquarters.
Vienna, Austria: Lufthansa Cargo has extended its contract with Vienna Airport for cargo handling services until the end of 2028. The cargo airline is one of the most important customers of the airport’s own cargo handling services and the Vienna Airport Pharma Handling Center.
Vienna Airport is the most punctual hub in the Lufthansa network and impresses with its efficient and high-quality services.
Lufthansa Cargo has been relying on the cargo handling services of the Austrian capital’s airport since 2010. In addition to general cargo and mail, temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments and hazardous goods in particular are routed via Vienna. The cargo airline currently connects Vienna Airport with over 1,000 flights per week to 127 destinations in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
Lufthansa Cargo therefore utilizes the cargo space of Austrian Airlines. The location is also used as a hub for a comprehensive network of road feeder services, primarily to the CEE region.
“Vienna Airport offers a high level of quality not only in passenger and baggage services, but also in cargo handling. We are therefore pleased that we can gain the trust of Lufthansa Cargo and continue our good cooperation for the next five years. With efficient handling processes, fast turnaround times and a broad range of services, we are well positioned in the cargo sector and see high growth potential, especially with our Pharma Handling Center,” explains Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport.
“Vienna Airport is an efficient east-west hub with fast turnaround times. This makes it one of our most important hubs in Europe. The handling service includes 24/7 customer service, monitoring, and weekly quality checks. Thanks to this reliable and close cooperation, we can offer our customers fast and easy access to the freight markets, primarily in Southeast Asia. The airport’s Pharma Handling Center also provides ideal conditions for our growing tonnages in the pharmaceutical sector,” says Theresa Schlederer, Director Austria at Lufthansa Cargo AG.
At Vienna Airport, Lufthansa Cargo benefits from a modern infrastructure, very short distances, and fast customs clearance times, which significantly shortens handling times. Within the Lufthansa network, Vienna Airport is therefore both the most punctual hub and the hub with the fastest handling and transit times. Warehouses and truck ramps provide fast and direct access to Vienna Airport’s dense road feeder network, which enables 23 countries to be reached in just 36 hours.
“With a tonnage share of almost 40 percent in 2023, Lufthansa Cargo is Vienna Airport’s largest customer. The contract extension is therefore of great importance and, together with the top results for handling speed and efficiency, is a confirmation of our quality and a clear signal to the market. We are very grateful for the trust placed in us and will continue to do our utmost to further develop our services with a focus on our customers,” says Michael Zach, Head of Handling Services at Flughafen Wien AG.
Atlanta, Georgia: Following a payout of $1.4 billion in profit sharing bonuses, Delta is investing in frontline employees by raising the minimum starting wage to $19 an hour and providing employees across the company with a 5% pay raise.
In an internal memo, CEO Ed Bastian announced the raise comes as Delta continues to invest in industry-leading total compensation to reward operational excellence and customer care.
With this investment, which will take effect on Jun 1, 2024, Delta continues to lead with industry-leading total compensation for industry-leading performance in all work groups. Including this 2024 raise, Delta has made cumulative investments of 20-25% in compensation in each of our largest frontline workgroups since 2022.
“Delta’s leading position comes thanks to a simple concept that dates back nearly a century – invest in our people first, and they will deliver great service and experiences for our customers,” Bastian said in a memo to all employees. “That’s exactly what you do, and it always sets us apart.”
Sharing success is a foundational component of Delta’s values-driven business model and a core aspect of the company’s culture. Delta created its profit-sharing structure after the turbulent period the airline industry underwent in the early 2000s, as leaders worked to boost employee morale and cultivate a workplace of gratitude and teamwork.
The pay increases complement profit-sharing, which has paid out over $11 billion to employees since the program’s inception in 2007. Like profit-sharing, wage increases remain an important part of Delta’s efforts to reward the people who make Delta America’s most awarded airline. In the last 15 years, Delta has provided 12 base pay increases that add up to an average of 85% increase in base pay.
Delta continues to lead the industry in profit sharing and total compensation, with this year’s total greater than the pool of all U.S. peer airlines combined. And in the first quarter of 2024, Delta is already tracking ahead of last year – accruing $125 million for profit sharing.
Profit sharing and competitive base pay are just the beginning of Delta’s employee financial wellness commitment. Delta also matches up to 6% plus a fixed contribution of 3% to 401(k) retirement savings; pays up to $100 monthly shared rewards for achieving operational goals; offers free financial coaching with the ability to earn $1,000 for emergency savings; and much more.