Airlines News Page 98
Emirates and USTA Foundation present new tennis courts to the youth of East Palo Alto
Emirates and the United States Tennis Association Foundation (USTA Foundation) have joined forces to present brand new tennis courts to the community of East Palo Alto as part of Emirates’ “Force for Good” court rejuvenation initiative. The world’s largest international airline’s contribution of USD 500,000 supported the construction of one of the six new courts in the California city in addition to funding programmes by East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring (EPATT) to benefit youth in the community.
Malaysia Airlines Enhances Complimentary Bonus Side Trip for International Travellers
Malaysia Airlines continues to redefine the travel experience with its innovative Bonus Side Trip (BST) programme, offering international travellers the opportunity to explore Malaysia’s hidden gems at no extra fare. Whether transiting through Kuala Lumpur or planning an extended stay, travellers can explore a second Malaysian destination effortlessly, experiencing more of the country’s cultural richness, natural landscapes, and authentic local hospitality.
EVA Air Wins SKYTRAX 5-Star Airline Certification Tenth Year in a Row
EVA Air has been awarded SKYTRAX 5-Star Airline Certification for the tenth year in a row. SKYTRAX, an airline and airport review and ranking site, unveiled its “2025 World Airline Awards” at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. President Clay Sun attended on behalf of EVA Air and accepted several of the SKYTRAX’s honours, including 11 of the airline’s awards, first for “Best Economy Class Catering” and “World’s Cleanest Airline”.
RwandAir named Best Regional Airline in Africa at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards
RwandAir has been named the Best Regional Airline in Africa at the prestigious 2025 World Airline Awards, dubbed the Oscars of the aviation industry. This award reflects RwandAir’s central role in bringing African countries closer while connecting the continent to the world. As one of Africa’s fastest growing and most ambitious carriers, RwandAir continues to gain global recognition for its high service standards and reliability.
TAP brings samba beat to the UK with Brazil fares promotion
Travellers flying with TAP Air Portugal can dance to the samba beat on the beaches of São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro for less following the launch of the airline’s latest fares promotion. Portugal’s flag carrier has introduced a limited-time promotion for UK-based passengers with return fares to 13 destinations in Brazil starting from £426. The promotion, which runs from 16-30 June, is valid for flights running between September 1, 2025 and March 30, 2026.
DerbySoft Announces Strategic Partnership with Ryanair
DerbySoft, a travel technology company, today announced its strategic partnership with Ryanair, Europe’s No. 1 airline. Under this partnership, DerbySoft has been named an “Approved OTA Aggregator.” This marks a significant step forward in DerbySoft’s expansion into flight technology, following its acquisition of PKFARE, a specialist in air content and hotel inventory aggregation and distribution. Under the agreement, DerbySoft is authorized to distribute the exclusive fares and ancillaries of Ryanair to its network of distribution customers, enabling their customers to book Ryanair’s market-leading fares across more than 230 destinations and delivering a seamless travel experience — all via a trusted and authorized channel.
Finnair celebrates 70 years of flights to Ivalo, Lapland
Finnair celebrates a significant milestone this week, 70 years since the launch of the first flight to Ivalo, the airline’s northernmost destination in Finland and the European Union’s most northerly international airport. The inaugural service took place on 18 June 1955, marking the beginning of a long-standing commitment to connecting travellers with the unique nature and culture of Finnish Lapland.
Turkish Airlines is the Best Airline in Europe for the Tenth Time
Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other, has once again asserted its leadership in the aviation industry, earning the prestigious Best Airline in Europe award at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards for the tenth time. The ceremony, widely regarded as the Oscars of the Aviation Industry, was held at the historic Air and Space Museum in Paris on 17 June.
Qatar Airways Partners with Yannick Alléno to Elevate its Culinary Experience
Qatar Airways is proud to announce a new gastronomic collaboration with acclaimed French chef Yannick Alléno, one of the world’s most celebrated culinary figures. With 17 MICHELIN stars across 19 restaurants in seven countries, Chef Alléno brings his visionary approach to modern cuisine to the airline’s award-winning experience — from the skies to its most exclusive lounges.
Emirates launches new range of kid’s toys and bags onboard globally
Staying true to its family-friendly promise, Emirates is launching a full range of new toys and amenities for kids onboard this summer, ahead of the busy school holiday travel period when almost one million children are expected to fly better with Emirates. The new kids’ kits highlight the excitement and action of Emirates’ impressive sponsorships portfolio supporting and celebrating football, tennis, basketball, sailing, golf, horse riding, cycling, cricket, rugby, music and literature. There are 12 collectible items available, in separate kits for 0-2 years, 3-6 years and 7-12 years. As part of Emirates’ commitment to consuming responsibly, the new children’s range includes bags and plush toys that are made with a minimum of 50% recycled content, incorporating recycled post-consumer polyester and paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Vietnam Airlines Launches Direct Ho Chi Minh City to Copenhagen Route
Vietnam Airlines is set to launch the first-ever direct flight connecting Vietnam and Denmark, with a nonstop service between Ho Chi Minh City and Copenhagen commencing on 15 December 2025. This marks the only nonstop route currently available between the two countries, representing a significant milestone in Vietnam Airlines’ international expansion strategy and establishing a vital air bridge between Southeast Asia and Northern Europe.
Etihad Reports May 2025 Traffic Statistics
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has released its latest traffic statistics for May 2025, highlighting continued expansion and customer demand. The airline carried 1.7 million passengers in May, representing a 19% increase compared to the same month last year. This continued growth reflects the airline’s strategic expansion and strong market positioning. Passenger load factor climbed to 87%, up from 84% in May 2024, reinforcing Etihad’s ability to optimise capacity while maintaining high demand.