Airline News Page 148
SWISS introduces TWINT as a new payment method
SWISS customers can now pay for their flight tickets using Switzerland’s TWINT payment app. The new payment method is available for SWISS tickets and for additional flight-related services, too such as seat reservations from Switzerland, and can be used on both the SWISS app and the swiss.com website.
SWISS to start training its first pilots for the new Airbus A350
SWISS is to commence the training of cockpit crew members to fly the new Airbus A350 at the beginning of February. The training will utilize the new A350 full-flight simulator which was recently installed by Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland at its Opfikon training facility. SWISS plans to train more than 50 of its pilots on the new twinjet in the course of this year. The start of such training marks a further milestone in the addition to the SWISS aircraft fleet of the advanced Airbus A350, the first of which will enter revenue service for the airline this summer.
Qatar Airways Expands Global Network with New Destinations in South America: Bogotá and Caracas
Qatar Airways proudly announces its latest expansion into the Americas with the launch of two new weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting early summer 2025. These flights will connect Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Colombia, and then continue to Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) in Venezuela. The return flight from Caracas will operate non-stop to Doha.
Qatar Airways Extends Principal Partnership with Paris Saint-Germain until 2028
Qatar Airways, the world’s best airline as voted by Skytrax in 2024, is proud to announce the extension of its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) until 2028, reaffirming its commitment to one of the most iconic football clubs in the world, ushering in a new era of collaboration. This renewal strengthens the long-standing relationship between Qatar Airways and PSG, built on shared values of excellence, ambition, and innovation.
Singapore Airlines Commits to Four More Years As Title Sponsor of Formula 1® Singapore Grand Prix
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has renewed its title sponsorship of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix for another four years, continuing its long-standing partnership with one of the most anticipated events in the F1 calendar. The Airline has been the title sponsor of the event for 11 years, beginning with the 2014 edition of this iconic race. This latest extension will cover the event, which will continue to be called the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX, from this year’s race, which is scheduled for 3 to 5 October 2025 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, through to the 2028 edition.
Emirates inaugurates experiential Emirates World in Cairo
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, unveils its Emirates World store in Egypt, expanding the reach of its refreshed travel retail store concept that elevates the customer experience through product showcases, smart technologies and expert travel consultants.
Etihad Airways serves up an ace as Official Airline Sponsor of Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced a smashing new partnership as the Official Airline Sponsor of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, which begins tomorrow. With top-class tennis stars flying in from around the world for the annual tournament, Etihad’s position as Official Airline Sponsor reinforces the airline’s commitment to championing sports and sporting teams on a global scale.
Chennai Super Kings welcomes Etihad Airways to the front of jersey
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is celebrating the success of its partnership with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by upgrading its logo to the coveted ‘front-of-shirt’ position. Following their successful partnership as Associate Sponsor during the 2024 season, where Etihad Airways had its logo on the back of the team jersey, Etihad has taken its sponsorship to the next level, promoting its brand to the front and centre of the famed yellow CSK jersey.
Global Air Passenger Demand Reaches Record High in 2024
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released 2024 full-year and December 2024 passenger market performance showing record high demand. Total full-year traffic in 2024 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 10.4% compared to 2023. This was 3.8% above pre-pandemic (2019) levels. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 8.7% in 2024. The overall load factor reached 83.5%, a record for full-year traffic.
Boom Supersonic Achieves Supersonic Flight
Boom Supersonic, the company building the world's fastest airliner, Overture, today announced the successful first supersonic flight of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California. Boom designed, built, and flew the world's first independently developed supersonic jet—the first civil supersonic jet made in America.
Uno,due,tre: Abu Dhabi's gateway to Milan triples with incredible fares
Etihad Airways today announced a significant expansion of its Italian network with the addition of a third daily flight to Milan, starting 1 November 2025. The new frequency delivers greater choice and flexibility between Abu Dhabi and Italy's style capital, responding to increasing customer demand. "With our morning, afternoon and evening departures from Abu Dhabi and sensational value fares, our triple-daily Milan flights serve up perfect timings for guests travelling in both directions," said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways. "This enhanced schedule gives travellers more options to explore Abu Dhabi and connect to our growing global network, while strengthening vital links between two dynamic cities."
Emirates resumes flights to Beirut from 1 February
Emirates will restart services to Beirut, Lebanon from 1 February 2025 with a daily flight. The airline will also reinstate daily services to Baghdad in Iraq on the same day. From February, Emirates’ daily flights to Rafic Al Hariri International Airport will be served by a Boeing 777-300ER in three classes, offering more than 5,000 seats both ways each week, and adding more choice, increased comfort and enhanced connectivity from Beirut to Dubai and onwards to the airline’s network of more than 140 destinations.