Dubai, UAE: Dubai Customs marked the UAE’s 53rd Eid Al Etihad (Union Day) on 28 November 2024, with celebrations held at its headquarters in Port Rashid and across its customs centers.
The festivities reflected a sense of pride and national spirit, honoring the remarkable achievements of the UAE since its founding. The event featured a rich program of activities that embodied the essence of unity and promoted national identity, attended by a large number of employees and customers.
The celebrations included traditional and artistic performances, along with engaging competitions that showcased the UAE’s rich cultural diversity. Craft workshops were also organized, such as planting the symbolic Ghaf tree and pottery making.
Employees received unique gifts, including pearls through a traditional oyster opening activity. Participants also collaborated on completing a collective art piece featuring portraits of the founding fathers, Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid.
A special photography corner hosted a photo-matching contest, while a heritage museum displayed a collection of historical artefacts, adding a distinctive touch to the occasion. The celebration also featured an array of Emirati traditional dishes, including live cooking and authentic sweets.
Eid Al Etihad is not merely an occasion for celebration but a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey of the UAE, laid by its founding fathers, which has led to unparalleled achievements across all sectors. As a key player in the UAE’s governmental framework, Dubai Customs remains committed to contributing to a sustainable future by driving economic growth while safeguarding the community
through its vital role in border and customs security.
Dubai Customs also reaffirms its dedication to supporting the visionary leadership’s ambitions for a progressive and sustainable nation. Eid Al Etihad celebration embodies the highest values of unity and giving, honoring the legacy of the founding leaders.
It stands as a renewed commitment to teamwork, national service, and continuing achievements that position the UAE among the world’s leading nations.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of MEBAA – the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association, and Timothy Hawes, Managing Director of Informa Markets, recently shared exciting updates on new features and expected attendance for the upcoming MEBAA Show 2024.
Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of MEBAA – the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association, said: “With just a few weeks to go until this year’s MEBAA Show, the 10th edition marks a key opportunity to reflect on the remarkable evolution of the industry since the show’s inception almost two decades ago. It will also set the stage for the future, acting as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas that drive the industry forward.
“The business aviation sector continues to experience significant growth, fueled by rising demand for flexible travel solutions and technological advancements. In our region, the influx of high-net-worth-individuals, its strategic location, investments in infrastructure and rising number of business jet movements and deliveries are helping the Middle East maintain its position as one of the fastest-growing markets globally. Through the MEBAA Show, we are proud to provide a platform that supports this growth, offering strategic insights, fostering meaningful connections, and showcasing the latest aircraft, products, and solutions. This year’s event reaffirms the region’s leadership in the global business aviation landscape and its role as a hub for innovation and excellence.”
Tim Hawes, Managing Director of Informa Markets, said: “As we celebrate the milestone 10th edition of the MEBAA Show, we are proud to witness its evolution into a premier global platform that drives progress and innovation in business aviation. This year’s event promises to set new benchmarks, with an expanded conference agenda and cutting-edge features like the new Advanced Air Mobility Pavilion, Startup Hub, and the Luxury Boulevard, which will each highlight the latest advancements in technology and their transformative impact on the industry.
“With over 145 exhibitors this year and increasing interest from international audiences, we’re seeing a record number of new participants as they recognize the value of the MEBAA Show has on shaping the future of the sector. The event will showcase the latest advancements in business aviation and foster invaluable connections. BizAv Talks will also bring together over 55 top executive and thought leaders to facilitate strategic discussions on sustainability, advanced air mobility, and future trends shaping the industry. We are excited to welcome the global business aviation community to Dubai, a city that continues to set the standard as a hub for excellence and innovation.”
As the foremost business aviation platform in the Middle East and North Africa, the 10th edition of the MEBAA Show will bring together global leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to discuss key themes including sustainability, business aviation technologies and future trends that will shape the industry.
With a refreshed agenda ready to foster high-level discussions and expanded features with innovative concepts to advance the sector, many industry leaders and exhibitors will be attending the show for the first time. This year the show is set to welcome more than 145 exhibitors and more than 10,000 visitors from 95 countries.
The static display remains a key feature at the show. Leading manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing Business Jets, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Textron, RoyalJet, Qatar Executive, VISTA, Falcon, Comlux, Aloula Aviation and more are ready to showcase their cutting-edge aircraft and highlight their innovative capabilities.
New features for this year include the Advanced Air Mobility Pavilion and the Startup Hub, a dedicated platform for startups to showcase cutting-edge technologies impacting the business aviation industry, as well as the Luxury Boulevard, sponsored by Falcon, which will provide an exclusive, prime stage for high-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) and luxury clientele to engage with world-class brands and aircraft.
The returning BizAv Talks will welcome more than 55 top executives and innovators from across the globe to shape the strategic direction of business aviation. Meanwhile, networking will be taken to new heights with the Expanded networking opportunities including the Operators Programme, sponsored by Saudia Private Aviation (SPA), and a dedicated networking app, MEBAA Connect, with AI-powered matchmaking, personalised networking, real-time updates, and live session check-ins to ensure MEBAA Show 2024 is a platform to foster crucial connections and drive innovation.
The NextGen programme also aims to bring more than 500 students to the show, providing them with valuable insights into various aspects of the industry to help inspire the next generation of talent.
To be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the MEBAA Show 2024 will take place at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), from 10-12 December.
Istanbul, Turkiye: Turkish Technic, a leading provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, has recently signed two significant agreements with SunExpress Airlines, a joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa.
The first agreement encompasses comprehensive Component Pool support, granting SunExpress access to Turkish Technic’s extensive inventory and tailored component solutions. This service will cover both the Boeing 737NG and Boeing 737MAX fleets, ensuring optimal component availability and minimizing aircraft downtime.
Additionally, a second agreement will cover the complete landing gear overhaul and spare operations for SunExpress’ Boeing 737NG fleet. Together with these comprehensive agreements, Turkish Technic supports the operational continuity and fleet readiness of SunExpress, while SunExpress further reinforces its ability to deliver punctual and reliable services to its customers.
Regarding the agreements Mikail Akbulut, CEO and Board Member of Turkish Technic, remarked: “As our long-standing partnership thrives with new agreements, we are pleased to enhance SunExpress’ operational efficiency through our comprehensive component services. These agreements ensure seamless operations for SunExpress’ fleet. We are always delighted to strengthen and expand our long-standing collaboration with SunExpress. Turkish Technic remains committed to delivering world-class MRO solutions, driving operational excellence, and fostering long-lasting business partnerships within the aviation industry.”
Commenting on the continuation of the partnership, Max Kownatzki, CEO of SunExpress, expressed: “Our well-established collaboration with Turkish Technic reflects our commitment to safety and efficiency. The component support and landing gear maintenance services will help us maintain our operational reliability and performance at the highest standards. We believe that our partnership will continue to enhance our operational excellence, ensuring safe and reliable services for our customers.”
With a partnership spanning over decades, Turkish Technic has provided base maintenance, component pool support, and landing gear services to SunExpress. These new agreements not only underscore the enduring collaboration but also reflect Turkish Technic’s commitment to delivering superior MRO services tailored to the evolving needs of its business partners.
Geneva, Switzerland: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it will offer digital currencies in the financial settlement systems it operates for the aviation industry.
“Digitalization impacts many aspects of our daily lives, including the currency we use. With the increasing use of digital currencies, it is imperative that IATA’s industry financial settlement systems adapt to support the needs of those using our services,” said Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Financial Settlement and Distribution Services.
The first digital currency to be offered is the digital Renminbi, which will be available in the China Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) by the end of 2024. “China is one of the most advanced countries in the world in the adoption of digital currency. Recognizing the trend, IATA’s China Airline Committee requested for the digital Renminbi to be included in the BSP. This is an important development and IATA will accommodate the digital Renminbi by year-end,” said Albakri.
IATA is also examining the potential to offer other digital currencies in its settlement systems based on the needs and requirements of the industry. “The experience gained in introducing the digital Renminbi will help IATA in onboarding other digital currencies in the future,” said Albakri.
Additional Currency in ICCS
In July 2024, IATA added the Renminbi Offshore (CNH) currency to its IATA Currency Clearance Service (ICCS), bringing the total number of currencies handled by the service to 74. The ICCS is IATA’s global cash management system. It enables airlines’ treasurers to repatriate their sales funds worldwide to their preferred nominated currencies. This results in an accelerated and improved working capital management and reduced foreign exchange risks.
“At the heart of the integration of the digital Renminbi and all other settlement system work is a need to serve the customer and adapt to their behavioral changes in payment methods. Payment should be seamless. A customer shouldn’t be frustrated by not having their payment method of choice available. Nor should airlines lose out on deriving the proper value from their ticket sales,” said Albakri.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s leading cargo carrier, has made a significant leap in revenue management innovation by officially launching CARGOSTACK Optimizer, the Revenue Management suite of Wiremind Cargo, a member of Cargo Tech.
As the first airline worldwide to go live with this solution, Qatar Airways Cargo positions itself at the forefront of the industry, leveraging the most advanced AI-driven solutions. In the wake of both parties partnering in early 2023, a range of solutions for demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and overbooking recommendations have been steadily rolled out, until the most recent implementation of a bid price machine learning model.
Multiple teams within Qatar Airways Cargo’s revenue management teams now benefit from CARGOSTACK’s improved AI-generated recommendations, its intuitive UI/UX, as well as various features which the users themselves provided input on during the implementation phase.
“At Qatar Airways Cargo, our goal is to lead. The adoption of Wiremind Cargo’s CARGOSTACK Optimiser suite is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence,” said Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo. “This partnership continues our leadership in employing technology by utilizing the most sophisticated AI solutions available to transform our revenue management processes. We are thrilled to have found a partner in Wiremind Cargo with whom we continue to closely collaborate, and deliver and fine-tune their cutting-edge solutions at such an incredible speed.”
Nathanaël de Tarade, CEO of Wiremind Cargo, commented, “Our collaboration with Qatar Airways Cargo is a perfect example of how Wiremind Cargo’s advanced AI solutions can transform commercial operations. We are excited about this essential step in our partnership, and look forward to what’s next, including the release of our SKYPALLET Version 2 solution, which will further enhance commercial capabilities and operational efficiency.”
Qatar Airways Cargo and Wiremind Cargo are continuing to work closely together in their joint effort to drive innovation and efficiency across all aspects of air cargo processes.
DUBAI, UAE: Emirates and the Museum of the Future announced they have lined-up more than 30 speakers and experts from across aviation and aerospace, airfreight, MRO and their supply chains, including academics, in the first ever three-day Aviation Future Week they are jointly hosting from 15-17 October in Dubai.
Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer, Emirates Airline said: “We have an incredible line up of over 30 speakers and experts from across aviation and aerospace, airfreight and logistics, Maintenance, Overhaul & Repair (MRO); heavy hitters from different corners of the tech industry as well as academics, reflecting the broad range of topics that Aviation Future Week will cover. Participants can look forward to an agenda that promises to deliver insightful discussions, informative panel sessions and interactive workshops, delving deep into topics that are top of mind for the future of our industry.”
Khalfan Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Future Foundation, said: “Aviation Future Week serves as a pivotal platform to highlight the latest advancements and opportunities within the aviation sector. Both Emirates and the Museum of the Future seek to host global discussions that shape the future of this critical industry. Moreover, this event aims to support the integration of advanced technologies in enhancing service efficiency and craft growth strategies for the aviation sector in both the short and the long term.”
Day 1
Aviation Future Week’s first day spotlights the passenger journey and addresses operational challenges amidst a backdrop of strong global demand. His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy will headline the opening, followed by a keynote by His Excellency Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Abdel Wahab Teffaha, Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) Secretary General will then touch on balancing traffic demand with innovative passenger solutions and elevated on ground experiences.
The first panel will focus on optimising traffic demand in an environment of saturated airports and constrained supply chains. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai; Adel Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer Air Arabia and Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President of Airbus International will kickstart the dialogue around their long-term vision for air traffic capacity.
Werner Vogels, Amazon’s Chief Technology Officer, will participate in a fireside chat to discuss the company’s approach to automation, biometrics and real-time data, aimed at creating seamless passenger journeys.
Airport leaders including HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman Dubai Aviation City Corporation; Ayman AboAbah, CEO Riyadh Airports; Server Aydın, Chief Digital Services and Commercial Officer at iGA Istanbul Airport; Omar Binadai, Chief Technology and Infrastructure Officer at Dubai International and Nicolas Vandable, Head of Airline Relations, Projects & Development, Director Smart Airport Programmes at Paris-CDG Airport will tackle the topic of airport infrastructure modernisation and the next wave of future technologies promising a frictionless on ground experience.
Participants will hear about the future of aircraft cabins and onboard connectivity and communications from CEOs at Recaro, Thales, Panasonic Avionics and Viasat.
Day 2
The second day of Aviation Future Week will delve into airfreight and logistics and MRO developments in the region. The day will begin with a fireside chat featuring His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, who will shed light on Dubai Future Foundation’s key role in driving the future of aviation and logistics in Dubai. This will be followed by a focus on the dynamic global landscape of freight and logistics and factors impacting demand, as well as digitisation, to be discussed with Nadeem Sultan, Senior Vice President Cargo Planning & Freighters at Emirates; Ram Menen, founding team member at Emirates SkyCargo and Hamdi Osman, Chairman and CEO Solitaire Group.
Confirmed speakers from Rolls Royce, GE Aerospace, Safran Cabin, Jamco and Joramco will also unpack efforts underway around sharpening the precision and effectiveness of MRO in the region through next generation technologies.
Day 3
The third and final day will navigate the nascent potential of Web3, AI and XR to drive workflow efficiencies and optimise service delivery for the industry.
The first panel will explore customer feedback strategies using automation and utilising insights to make data-informed decisions with the aim of enhancing service levels. Senior executives leading digital and innovation teams at Avis Budget Group, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Airways and Vision-Box will share how they are scaling up their customer experience strategies.
The final panel includes academics at Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as Microsoft Solutions, Whoop and Emirates’ HR leadership who will share their experiences and outline potential use-cases around combining the power of XR and Gen AI to streamline aviation workflows.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, is celebrating 20 years of operations in India, a milestone that reflects the airline’s ongoing commitment to the Indian market since its first flight to Mumbai on 26 September 2004.
Over the years, Etihad Cargo has expanded its presence in India, now offering belly hold capacity via nonstop services between Abu Dhabi and 12 major Indian cities, with plans for further growth.
Etihad Cargo handles over 46,000 tonnes of cargo annually ex India, connecting the country to over 100 global destinations via its Abu Dhabi hub via 588 widebody and narrowbody rotations each month. To meet the needs of specific sectors, Etihad Cargo has enhanced its product range, adding new features and launching new products.
Key commodities handled include electronics, including mobile phones and semiconductors, garments, pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, automobile components and courier shipments, reflecting the diversity and strength of India’s manufacturing and export sectors.
The carrier’s IATA CEIV Pharma-certified PharmaLife product provides precise temperature control for the safe transport of high-value pharmaceuticals, a growing market in India. Etihad Cargo is exploring additional certified pharma trade lanes with key airline partners and has implemented stringent cargo screening for US-bound shipments from major Indian hubs, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
Etihad Cargo’s pharma roadshows in India, launched in 2023, have helped double PharmaLife volumes by improving connectivity and frequencies. Additionally, the introduction of Etihad Cargo’s IATA CEIV Li-batt-certified SecureTech product in 2024 has supported the growth of electronics shipments.
“As Etihad Cargo celebrates two decades of successful operations in India, the carrier’s commitment to its customers remains strong,” said Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo. “Etihad Cargo’s continued investment in its network, product range, infrastructure, and digitalisation efforts ensures the carrier can provide efficient, reliable air cargo solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers in India and beyond.”
The airline has invested in advanced technology to enhance its operations, including the use of customer relationships and cargo management systems like Salesforce and Sales Cockpit, as well as track and trace capabilities and automated warehouse management.
The ongoing enhancement of Etihad Cargo’s online booking portal, which now includes options for pets and dangerous goods as well as personalised dashboards, has improved the efficiency of the booking process. Currently, 93 percent of the bookings made in India are made directly through Etihad Cargo’s booking portal.
As Etihad Cargo looks to the future, the airline will continue to innovate and expand its operations, remaining committed to evaluating its network and adding capacity where required to support its customers in this key market.
With a focus on delivering efficient and reliable cargo solutions, Etihad Cargo is dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of the Indian market and cementing its position as the air cargo partner of choice for the Indian market.
Malta: Challenge Group is expanding its operations in India with the introduction of two weekly flights to Delhi, from October 3, 2024, bringing its total flights to the country to five per week with three flights dedicated to Mumbai.
The new service will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays using Challenge Group’s growing fleet of Boeing 767F aircraft, with a capacity of approximately 52 tons each.
“Delhi is a vital hub for global trade, and our new routes reflect our commitment to supporting India’s growth as a key player in the world economy,” said Or Zak, Chief Commercial Officer at Challenge Group. “These flights will boost connectivity for essential industries and provide much-needed capacity for temperature controlled, time-sensitive, hi-tech shipments, along with other complex verticals.”
Delhi’s strategic importance in connecting northern India’s industries, such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, and textiles, with global markets underscores the Group’s focus on strengthening international trade routes.
The new service increases cargo flexibility for global businesses, enabling better supply chain management between India and key regions in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
With this expansion, Challenge Group continues to deliver on its growth strategy, providing efficient, reliable logistics solutions for India’s fast-growing market.
Challenge Group is a unique, international air cargo conglomerate offering tailored and integrated end-to-end logistics solutions from airfreight, handling, and ground logistics to maintenance and aviation services, for a wide range of industries and commodities.
It operates a fleet of Boeing 747 and 767 freighters and employs over 1000 people across three airlines (Challenge Airlines IL in Israel, Challenge Airlines BE in Belgium, Challenge Airlines MT in Malta), a commercial division (Challenge Air Cargo), a ground handling company (Challenge Handling in Liege, Belgium), a global road feeder provider (Challenge Logistics), an aircraft and parts leasing division (Challenge Aviation), and a comprehensive line maintenance provider (Challenge Technic).
The company has tripled its capacity over the past four years, now handling over 500,000 tons of cargo annually.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudia Cargo has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘Landing in China in 24’, highlighting the company’s swift and reliable shipping services to multiple destinations across China, empowering Saudi exports to gain a strong foothold in the competitive Chinese market.
The campaign is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes the growth of non-oil exports and the diversification of the Kingdom’s revenue streams.
Saudi Cargo operates 18 weekly cargo flights to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai & Shenzhen, Additionally, the company offers an extra 10 weekly flights on Saudia Airlines passenger aircraft from Guangzhou and Beijing to further enhance cargo capacity.
Saudia Cargo affirmed its dedication to offer advanced logistics solutions that not only bolster Saudi exports but also expand their reach in global markets with its superior logistical and technological capabilities in managing shipments worldwide.
Additionally, the campaign aims to deepen trade ties between Saudi Arabia and China by positioning Saudi products prominently in one of the world’s most vital markets, thereby, driving economic growth. The ‘Landing in China in 24’ is in close collaboration with the ‘Made in Saudi’ initiative, championed by the Saudi Export Development Authority, which focuses on enhancing the global recognition and quality of Saudi products.
Marwan Niazi, Vice President of Commercial at Saudia Cargo, stated: “Through this campaign, we aim to enhance our shipping capabilities and broaden our export scope to the Chinese markets by optimizing export operations and providing advanced logistic services that align with the growing global market demands and commercial connections. We have focused on facilitating the access of Saudi products to the Chinese markets and showcasing our logistical capabilities and operational efficiency.”
“The campaign has generated substantial engagement across social media platforms from partners and related sectors, including the National Competitiveness Center, the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program, the Saudi Export Development Authority, and the General Authority of Foreign Trade. This demonstrates the widespread interest and support for the campaign,” Niazi added.
China is Saudi Arabia’s main merchandise trading partner. In 2023, the value of Saudi exports to China was 16.1 billion SAR, representing 17% of total exports. This highlights the continuous upwards trend supporting the opening of new commercial channels and destinations in China.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways Group has acquired a 25% stake in Southern Africa’s premier independent regional carrier, Airlink, accentuating Qatar’s quest to further develop its operations across the African continent.
The investment in Airlink – which flies to more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries – will enhance a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines. The deal will bolster Qatar Airways’ Africa growth strategy and cement its role as a key driver to the continent’s economic success.
On the announcement, Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Our investment in Airlink further demonstrates how integral we see Africa being to our business’ future. This partnership not only demonstrates our confidence in Airlink, as a company that is resilient, agile, financially robust and governed on sound principles, but also in Africa as a whole, showing huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realizing.”
In a statement, Airlink Chief Executive Rodger Foster said: “Having Qatar Airways as an equity partner is a powerful endorsement of Airlink and echoes our faith in the markets we currently serve and plan to add to our network. This transaction will unlock growth by providing efficiencies of scale, increasing our capacity and expanding our marketing reach. By bolstering Airlink and its business, this investment will strengthen all of the existing airline partnerships Airlink has nurtured over the years.”
The partnership between Qatar Airways and Airlink seeks to align both carriers’ loyalty programs – Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Airlink Skybucks.
Qatar Airways currently flies to 29 destinations in Africa, and there’s been strong growth in the market with new destinations added to the Qatar Airways network on the continent since December 2020. Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Harare, Kano, Luanda, Lusaka, and Port Harcourt are the African cities newly added to the extensive Qatar Airways network, while Cairo and Alexandria were resumed.
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