Airline News Page 129
Airline developments at Arabian Travel Market 2025
Breaking Travel News’s aviation correspondent Phil Blizzard, ahead of ATM 2025, looks at the the major airlines attending the Middle East’s premier travel event - what they are expected to showcase, their innovations & technology and the introduction o0f new routes.
Emirates’ journey to ‘Accessible Travel for all’
As part of Autism Awareness month, several milestones have been achieved on Emirates’ journey to make travel more accessible for all. One year after Emirates’ first successful ‘travel rehearsal’, the programme is now being rolled out across 17 cities – allowing children with autism to practice the journey through the airport in order to prepare for real flights. Emirates has also achieved its designation as the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff now trained to support customers with autism. For the month of April, Emirates highlighted autism awareness to millions of passengers globally, showcasing a selection of movies, podcasts and TV shows about neurodiversity on its inflight entertainment system, ice.
Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo and MASkargo Announce Intention to Launch a Global Cargo Business
Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo and MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) have announced their intention to launch a Global Cargo Joint Business, which, subject to regulatory approval, will enable the carriers to further enhance existing service level to customers and partners across the global air freight market.
United Invests in Next Generation Blended Wing Aircraft Start-Up JetZero
United today announced an investment in blended wing body (BWB) aircraft start-up JetZero. The company is creating an aircraft design that has the potential to deliver jet fuel efficiency and a greatly enhanced customer experience. The investment includes a path to order up to 100 airplanes and an option for an additional 100. The conditional purchase agreement is based on JetZero achieving development milestones, including flight of a full-scale demonstrator in 2027, among other conditions, including that the aircraft meet United's safety, business and operating requirements.
Etihad Airways Joins IATA’s Turbulence Aware Programme
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has become the latest airline to join IATA’s Turbulence Aware programme. Turbulence Aware collates anonymised data about turbulence from flights operated by participating airlines. This real-time, accurate reporting in turn helps pilots and flight dispatchers minimise the effects of turbulence and plot the smoothest and most efficient flight paths.
Sports sponsorship by the Middle East aviation sector
Breaking Travel News’s aviation correspondent Phil Blizzard, ahead of ATM 2025, looks at the development of sports sponsorship by the Middle East aviation sector - starting with Dubai’s home based Emirates Airline who is the official airline for Arabian Travel Market.
Qatar Airways to Launch FIFA World Cup 2026™ Travel Packages
Qatar Airways’ leisure division, Qatar Airways Holidays is set to launch unparalleled travel packages for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The much-awaited tournament will have 48 teams competing during the biggest World Cup ever with more than 104 planned matches across three countries and 16 host cities. The travel packages will include international flights, domestic flights, transfers to various cities, hotel accommodation in four and five-stars hotels, airports and stadium transfers, and match tickets. The packages are the first chance for football lovers and sport enthusiasts around the world to secure their seat at the historic FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Registration Open for CI Marathon
China Airlines (CAL), a Taiwan-based carrier, announced that registration for the 2025 CI Marathon - Starry Night Run are now open. Everyone is invited to hit the road together at Dajia River Park in Taipei on Saturday, October 11 for the Half-Marathon (21km) division, the Run for Health (10K) division, and the Family Starlight (5K) division. As a bonus, there will be a prize draw worth more than TWD 3.3 million, including 35 air fares and mileage rewards. Registration is open until June 23. The number of places is limited so runners should register early.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines align operations
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are integrating airport spaces across several key airports as part of a network-wide initiative aimed at streamlining operations and delivering a more seamless and efficient travel experience for guests. "We are committed to enhancing guest convenience to set the stage for future collaborative efforts that will benefit all our guests," said Celley Buchanan, vice president of operations and customer service at Alaska Airlines. "These moves represent a significant step in that direction."
EVA Air Launches Non-Stop Service Between Taipei and Dallas
EVA Air is launching a new service between Taipei and Dallas on October 3 this year, offering three weekly flights and bringing the total to nine passenger gateways in North America, including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. The new gateway not only enables EVA Air to offer the greatest number of destinations and the most extensive flight network from Taiwan to North America but also makes it the only airline in Asia operating two destinations in Texas.
VIRGIN ATLANTIC’S ARRIVAL IN RIYADH SIGNALS GROWING TIES AND TOURISM BOOM
Virgin Atlantic has touched down in Riyadh, Saudi, marking Virgin Atlantic’s first ever flight into the country. The VS242, operated by an Airbus A330neo, landed from London Heathrow with founder Sir Richard Branson on board, ahead of schedule at 06:50.
British Airways Now Offers Daily Dose of Pittsburgh
Operating until 30 October 2025, the vibrant city of Pittsburgh in Western Pennsylvania is even more accessible to those in search of an all American getaway. With return fares in World Traveller starting from £512 per person, British Airways' nonstop service from London Heathrow (LHR) to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) will offer daily flights departing London at 16:40LT, travellers will descend into the “City of Multitudes” in just over eight hours arriving at 20:00LT.