Abu Dhabi, UAE: Abu Dhabi Airports welcomed a new airline to Abu Dhabi International Airport, Terminal A, connecting the emirate with the Chinese city of Haikou, the capital city of the province of Hainan.
Hainan Airlines began operating on 30 January two weekly flights between Haikou and Abu Dhabi, increasing transport and trade links for both passengers and cargo.
With trade, tourism and business ties growing between Abu Dhabi and China, the flights are a response to growing demand for air travel options between the two countries and will be the first time a Chinese carrier operates scheduled flights to Abu Dhabi in a decade. Flights to Haikou will depart from the state-of-the-art new Terminal A and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global transport hub for both passengers and cargo.
Managing Director and Interim CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, Elena Sorlini, said: “We are pleased to welcome Hainan Airlines to Abu Dhabi. It marks an important milestone for Abu Dhabi Airports and the broader UAE-China relationship. The launch of this new airline boosts our connectivity, and the route will further enhance bilateral relations and create new business and tourism opportunities between the two global destinations.”
GM of Abu Dhabi Office Hainan Airlines, Mr. Ma Wang Yi Jin, added: “Hainan Airlines is honored to be part of this important milestone, coinciding with the Chinese Lunar Year of the Dragon. We are committed to providing exceptional service and convenience for passengers traveling between Abu Dhabi and Haikou. “
Dubai, UAE—Sanad, the global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions leader wholly owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), has entered into a landmark strategic framework agreement with Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies within Aerospace, Defense & Security and Digital Identity & Security.
The agreement expands Sanad’s Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services into the dynamic fields of airport security and air traffic control and digital operation, beckoning a pivotal moment in the region’s aviation landscape.
The milestone agreement was signed during the Dubai Air Show with Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad and Elias Merrawe, Vice president, Civil Business of Thales in the Middle East, marking a significant milestone in the region’s aerospace sector.
Building on the foundation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Sanad and Thales in 2022, the two companies are poised to deepen their collaboration in the rapidly developing realms of airport services.
Under the new agreement, the partnership will extend into the domain of airport security and digital operations, encompassing crucial areas such as airport safety and security systems in this endeavor, Thales will take the lead in designing and constructing these vital systems. Concurrently, Sanad will assume a pivotal role in overseeing critical tasks such as maintenance, installation, rigorous testing, and commissioning activities for these cutting-edge systems.
“Our strategic alliance with Thales represents a significant milestone in Sanad’s journey. By collaborating with an industry leader, we contribute to sustaining efficient operations at some of the busiest airports in the Middle East and Africa. We aim to shape a more cohesive and collaborative aviation industry rooted in engineering excellence and technological innovation. Additionally, we are contributing to building local capacity and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading aviation hub by expanding our partnerships, capabilities, and geographic footprint,” said Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad.
Elias Merrawe, Vice president, Civil Business of Thales in the Middle East, commented: “Sanad’s outstanding global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions combined with Thales’ high technologies will create prosperous synergies in the field of airport operations and security. This strategic agreement will bring innovative technologies to the front and boost local industrial growth. As we look to build a future that we can all trust, innovation and knowledge exchange play a vital role in developing a sustainable aviation future.”
Airports in the Middle East are projected to invest over USD 150 billion in capacity expansion due to global air passenger demand, which is projected to increase more than two-fold by 2040.
Sharjah, UAE—Sky One, a major aviation conglomerate headquartered in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, is poised to acquire Uplift Airport Services, an independent ground handling services company based in Bucharest International Airport in Romania.
A Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition has been signed between the companies.
Uplift Airport Services SRL is an independent ground handling company, fully licensed to provide full services for passengers and aircraft, such as ramp, cargo, ticketing, and catering handling services. Along with general aviation services for various types of flights, including business and VIP. Uplift’s dedicated team of over 200 employees is committed to ensuring seamless and efficient airline operations across the board.
“We see this association as part of Sky One’s commitment to offering a one-stop solution to airlines of all sizes. We believe that Uplift Airport Services would be the perfect addition to the company’s portfolio. The acquisition would represent a significant step forward in our expansion plans and align perfectly with our vision of providing a comprehensive suite of services to airlines worldwide. We are confident that this partnership will not only boost our growth but also enhance our ability to meet the evolving needs of the aviation industry,” said Jaideep Mirchandani, Chairman of Sky One FZE.
With this MOU, Sky One further solidifies its position as an aviation pioneer, offering a wide spectrum of services, including leasing spare parts, MRO, ACMI, advisory services, and now world-class ground handling through Uplift Airport Services.
Brussels, Belgium—One year ago, Brussels Airport announced the first delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) via the NATO pipeline. But its high price slows down its use by most airlines.
This year, however, airlines are getting assistance from the federal government in a bid to accelerate the use of SAF and further develop the aviation sector. Brussels Airport said this assistance which comes in financial contribution will be made available to all airlines for all flights taking off from Brussels Airport starting this year.
SAF is one of the most promising solutions to enable the transition to climate-neutral flying by 2050. The SAF technology has been tested and approved, and SAF can be “blended” with regular fuel. Aircraft can fly with this blend, in varying proportions depending on the type of aircraft. As electric and hydrogen technologies for aircraft are not yet ready for use, SAF is the only means currently available to the aviation industry to strongly reduce CO2 emissions.
However, SAF costs considerably more than fossil fuel, mainly because of the higher raw materials and production cost (such as used and residue plant and animal oils and fats), but also the costs of investing in refineries. And yet airlines are interested in switching to this type of fuel.
Increasing the use of SAF is a priority for Brussels Airport. That is why, as part of the EUR 2 million subsidy awarded in April 2022 by the federal government to finance projects designed to make the aviation industry more sustainable, Brussels Airport Company has submitted a proposal for an incentive programme to encourage the use of SAF. This programme has been accepted by the Belgian government.
“Just as the aviation sector must use every means at its disposal to reduce its ecological footprint, we must, in Belgium and across Europe, use all the levers available to accelerate this movement. Thanks to this unique support mechanism, next year we will encourage companies to opt for SAF rather than fossil fuel: this is one concrete way, among others, of testing this means of reducing CO2 emissions in the aviation sector on a large scale,” said Georges Gilkinet, Minister of Mobility.
“Decarbonisation is a major objective, which we can pursue through various means. That is why Belgium has also introduced, at my initiative, a new system of variable charges of air traffic control skies for airlines, designed to encourage greener and quieter aviation. Gradually, these measures will make it possible to reduce the carbon footprint of flights departing from our national airport,” he added.
The SAF incentive will be made available to all passenger and cargo airlines, for both short-haul and long-haul flights departing from Brussels Airport, in the course of 2024. The SAF incentive amounts to a maximum of 200,000 euros per airline, which should enable them to cover up to 80% of the additional cost of using this fuel.
“Increasing the use of SAF as an aviation fuel is a key element in the aviation sector’s ambition to reduce its CO2 emissions to zero by 2050,” said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company. “The SAF incentive programme is one of the measures that Brussels Airport Company wanted to take to accelerate the sustainable development of aviation and promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels. We are happy that the federal government has accepted our proposal for a SAF incentive. As an airport, within the framework of our European Stargate programme, we have expressed the ambition to aim for 5% SAF on total kerosene use by airlines at Brussels Airport by 2026. That is faster than the European target, but we want to fully commit to this together with our airline partners.”
For more information about SAF as part of the Stargate project, see: www.greendealstargate.eu
RIYADH and LONDON– The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire a 10% stake in FGP TopCo (TopCo), the holding company of Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd, from Ferrovial S.A.
Under the terms of the agreement, PIF, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, will acquire 10% in TopCo. And Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, managing or advising $156bn of assets on behalf of more than 1,470 clients globally, via its infrastructure funds, will acquire 15% of Heathrow Airport.
The transaction is subject to complying with ROFO (Right of First Offer) and full tag-along rights which may be exercised by the other Topco shareholders pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement and the Articles of Association of the company, in addition to satisfaction of applicable regulatory conditions.
PIF says it is pleased to be investing in Heathrow, a world-class airport, which acts as a key gateway to the world. Heathrow is one of the world’s largest air traffic platforms, connecting the UK with global trading partners to help stimulate economic growth.
Doha, Qatar— In November 2022, Hamad International Airport unveiled Phase A of its expansion plan, consisting of nine projects, including the much-anticipated indoor tropical garden, ORCHARD. Designed to go above and beyond ‘stress-free’ travelling, the latest installation of the airport’s infrastructure was set to create a space to relax, rejuvenate and recharge.
With a customer-first approach, Hamad International Airport ensures it caters to all passengers that travel through its facility, whether for business, travelling as a family or the solo traveler, the airport offers a unique journey where waiting doesn’t feel like waiting and where new possibilities start.
Nestled at the heart of the world-class airport, ORCHARD sprawls across 6,000 square meters, offering over 65 out of the airport’s 180 world-renowned retail and dining experiences – all harmoniously set against a refreshingly lush green environment.
For business travelers, ORCHARD is a sanctuary. Designed as a hassle-free environment, the indoor tropical garden unfolds as an oasis of tranquility that allows business travelers to unwind and recharge. ORCHARD is home to a plethora of world-firsts, including coffee shops and a unique dining experience.
Part of the expansion project also included four new lounges that can be utilized for business travellers which include, Al Mourjan Business Lounge – the Garden, which recently unveiled its Louis Vuitton Lounge, North Plaza lounges – Al Maha Lounge, Oryx Lounge and Gold and Platinum lounge. Hamad International Airport offers unlimited free Wi-Fi so passengers can always stay connected and provides solutions to navigate easily within the expansive terminal.
Hamad International Airport is a playground of discoveries. Families can create an itinerary of exploration for their little ones, starting with art installations and activity nodes across the South Plaza of the airport, board the passenger train to connect to the North Plaza and ORCHARD, where play and fun can continue.
Families also have multiple dining and retail experiences befitting to little travellers, such as Hamleys, the first Oreo Café at an airport and two food courts at ORCHARD. The airport earlier this year installed several digital wayfinding solutions to assist travellers with information, such as retail and dining options, flight information, attractions and host QR codes to navigate from one point to another, with ease.
ORCHARD is a unique destination within Hamad International Airport. Whether creating new photographic memories, discovering new flavours, or embarking on a shopping spree, it has something on offer for everyone.
This architectural wonder with a column free, grid shell roof that controls and filters the light required to maintain the rainforest trees, embodies a sense of calm and serenity. The trees which are the focal point of ORCHARD vary in size and shape, transporting travellers to unexplored adventures.
Hamad International Airport is the first airport in the region to achieve Global Sustainability Assessment System Design & Build (GSAS-D&B) 4-Star certifications from Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD), attributed to ORCHARD, Oryx Garden Hotel, the North Plaza lounges, Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden and the Remote Transfer Baggage Facility.
The GSAS-D&B certification validates that a project is designed and built with special consideration for the environment and helps reduce the project’s carbon footprint.
Hamad International Airport is constantly reviewing its operations and travel trends, in order to meet and exceed the requirements of travellers and partners. Phase B of the expansion project will increase the airport capacity to 70 million passengers, with over 95,000 square meters in extension of Concourses D and E and new cargo terminal.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia— As Saudi Arabia accelerates civil aviation growth and development, the Kingdom announced it will host for the first time the first-ever Women in Aviation General Assembly as part of the 2nd Saudi Airport Exhibition scheduled for 19 December 2023.
Saudi Vision 2030 intends to increase women’s participation in the workforce to 30 percent by 2030. It currently stands at only 4 percent, according to a study by the Department of Aviation and Management at Prince Sultan University.
“Under the wise guidance of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 paves the way for women to be provided equal opportunities across all economic sectors and emphasizes that a prosperous, contemporary nation must inspire and empower all members of society. Our leaders are committed to supporting women in all fields and sectors of space and aerospace and ensuring they play a vital role in achieving our ambitions,” said HRH Prince Fahad bin Mishal bin Saud bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Aviation Association of the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Saudi Aviation Association, who will be delivering a keynote address to the gathering.
A flying academy in Dammam has opened its doors to Saudi women for the very first time and Saudi women pilots have obtained licenses to work as captains with Saudia, the national carrier that already had over 500 Saudi women on its payroll. A shift in aviation policy now allows hiring women as cabin crew and enrollment in flight schools has surged as Saudi women actively seek to become co-pilots.
Up to three dozen Saudi women have now been employed as flight attendants by airlines as part of an initiative to create 10,000 air transport sector jobs for Saudis. As many as 28 professions in the air transport sector have been reserved for Saudi nationals, including pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers.
The flag carrier has achieved 100 percent ‘Saudization’ of all its co-pilot positions and for the first time now, more females than males are pursuing graduation. Over 250 Saudi students completed ATC training in New Zealand under a program by the Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS) that is actively working towards creating more job opportunities for women in the ATC sector – the first cohort of female ATCs started work in Jeddah in March 2019.
According to IATA, airlines, airport operators, airport on-site enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and Air Navigation Service Providers employ 138,000 people in the Kingdom. In total, 594,000 jobs are supported by air transport and tourists arriving by air, while the air transport industry supports US$20.2 billion of the Kingdom’s GDP. In total, 5.6 percent of the GDP is supported by inputs to the air transport sector.
Brussels, Belgium— Brussels Airport says passengers will have a choice of 135 direct destinations this winter season, including additional routes like Egypt.
The airport which also welcomed two new airlines said its terminal has been dressed up for the holiday season with a Belgian Treasures theme which puts our Belgian specialties, from Magritte and the Smurfs to Belgian delicacies, under the spotlight.
A total of 54 airlines offer 135 destinations from Brussels Airport during this year’s winter season. In addition, two new airlines will start operations at Brussels Airport this winter. Royal Jordanian offers three flights a week to Amman, and flynas will fly to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for the first time in December, also with three flights a week.
The intercontinental network is further enhanced with higher frequencies. Qatar Airways expanded its frequency to Doha from 7x to 10x a week, and Etihad Airways increased the number of flights to Abu Dhabi from 5x to 7x a week. Brussels Airlines will again increase its flight frequency to West Africa this winter. Hainan Airlines continues the flights launched this summer to Shenzhen.
TUI fly has already greatly increased the number of destinations and flights in North Africa this summer and will again be adding Algiers and Tunis this winter. This means that TUI offers no less than 10 destinations in Morocco, 5 in Algeria and 3 in Tunisia. Winter sports enthusiasts will also have plenty of choice from December onwards with flights to Innsbruck and Salzburg in Austria, and Kittila and Kuusamo in Finland.
For those looking for a bit of sun in winter there is a growing offer to Egypt, with no less than 5 destinations: Cairo, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sharm-El-Sheikh and Luxor, and to the Cape Verde Islands. Banjul in Gambia is also a popular winter destination, as are the usual sunnier destinations including the Canary Islands, with a choice of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. TUI fly also flies to the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Mexico this winter.
Other airlines that will increase the number of flights significantly this winter are Transavia, Swiss, SAS, Vueling, SunExpress and Brussels Airlines.
Sharjah, UAE— Sharjah Airport recently welcomed Air Cairo’s first direct flight service to Sharjah, one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates.
The strategic move comes to reinforce the network of destinations in line with the surging demand for passenger and cargo flights and address passengers’ requirements efficiently and with high quality.
The Egyptian carrier will operate six flights weekly with Airbus A320 aircraft, which includes four flights to and from Cairo International Airport on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. It will also have one weekly flight to and from Sohag International Airport on Saturdays and one weekly flight to and from Assiut International Airport on Tuesdays.
The new destinations are a valuable addition to the existing network, which reflects the relentless efforts of the Sharjah Airport Authority to improve the airport’s position as a preferred hub for air transport and widen its network of international destinations. The move will contribute significantly to raising the status of Sharjah as an economic and tourist hub on the global level.
Geneva, Switzerland—When booking a flight, experience at the airport is an increasingly important consideration for passengers, beyond just cost and availability of destinations, according to SITA’s
Passenger IT Insights report.
The report showed customers are looking to technology to optimize every aspect of the post-pandemic travel landscape, from addressing pain points in the airport journey to supporting air transport sustainability to streamlining intermodal travel.
The report also reveals that, as demand has skyrocketed post-pandemic amid lingering staff and resource shortages for airlines and airports, the resulting disruptions to air travel have taken their toll on passengers’ experience. Over half of passengers reported encountering flight delays and cancellations, with most highlighting the negative impact this had on their travel experience.
Against this backdrop, passengers are embracing the use of smart technologies to smooth pain points along the journey. 2023 has seen passengers continuing to adopt mobile as a remote control for the journey, with boosted usage across booking, check-in, dwell time, on board, and bag collection.
“When planning travel, cost is just one of the factors affecting travelers’ willingness to book flights. Experience at the airport has become fundamental to passengers’ decision-making, and travelers are telling the industry loud and clear: the more they are subjected to clunky and inefficient processes, the more likely they are to consider other options. Passengers are pointing to a clear way forward for the industry: now more than ever they recognize smart technologies as key to streamlining travel while reducing its environmental impacts, both for air travel alone and for the broader intermodal ecosystem,” said David Lavorel, SITA CEO.
When asked about comfort levels with biometric identification throughout the journey, passengers scored an average of 7.36 out of 10 (with 10 representing most comfortable), up from 7.26 in 2022, reflecting a rising desire for the frictionless airport experience this technology facilitates.
There is additional interest in completing certain checks pre-arrival at the airport to further maximize efficiency, with nearly one-fifth of passengers pointing to ‘automated checks before the airport ensuring documents are sufficient to pass border checks’ as a potential improvement to the booking process.
Sustainability is another crucial area where passengers highlight the potential of technology. The use of new technologies supporting sustainability emerged as the number one initiative passengers would value most for both airlines (64% of passengers) and airports (62%).
As the world of travel becomes increasingly interconnected, the survey finds that a significant majority of passengers expect to book intermodal trips in the coming year, with only 24% saying they are unlikely to do so.
Technology has made the world smaller and faster.Real time communication with people from all over the world at different time zones through phones and gadgets
