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Etihad: Dream routes to South Africa, Nigeria, Italy

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Etihad Airways is introducing dream routes in the form of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its scheduled services this summer from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg, effective August 1; Lagos, effective August 2; and Milan, effective  September 1, replacing the Airbus A330s currently operating the routes.

All three destinations will feature Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats — 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats. Etihad Airways extensive global network to and from Abu Dhabi will see more 787 Dreamliners introduced on key destinations as the airline takes delivery of more of the type.

Boeing 787 schedule to Johannesburg, effective August 1, 2019 will leave Abu Dhabi at 10:05 and reach Johannesburg by 16:30 daily and return from Johannesburg at 20:05 to Abu Dhabi at 06:00 daily (Next day arrival). For Lagos, effective August 2, 2019 from Abu Dhabi at 02:35 to Lagos and 07:10 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Return from Lagos at 08:30 to Abu Dhabi at 19:10 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. To Milan, effective September 1, 2019 from Abu Dhabi at 02:20 to Milan at 06:50 daily and return from Milan at 10:40 to  Abu Dhabi at 18:55 daily.

Travel News | eTurboNews

ATM Report: 63% of Dubai Airport passengers were in transit during 2018

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More than 63% of the 89 million passengers who passed through Dubai airport in 2018 were in transit with just 8% of these passengers leaving the airport to explore the emirate, according to the latest Colliers International data published by Reed Travel Exhibitions ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre between 28 April – 1 May 2019.

As Dubai targets 20 million annual visitors by 2020, plus an additional five million between October 2020 and April 2021 for Expo 2020 – 70% of which will come from outside the UAE – a number of initiatives to increase stopover tourism have been introduced including new transit visas and dedicated tourism packages.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Last year, the UAE introduced a new transit visa allowing all transit passengers an exemption from entry fees for 48 hours with the option to extend up to 96 hours for AED 50. This visa is not only good for the country’s tourism sector but for the local economy as a whole, enticing passengers to view their transit not as an unwanted delay in their travels – but as a good opportunity to add value to their trip and experience everything the UAE has to offer.”

According to IATA, the Middle East is forecast to see an extra 290 million air passengers on routes to, from and within the region by 2037, with the total market size increasing to 501 million passengers during the same period.

Adding to this, figures from ATM 2018 show the number of delegates interested in buying airline products and services increased 13% between 2017 and 2018.

“This projected growth underscores Dubai, and of course the Middle East, as the ideal location to bring together professionals from the aviation and tourism industry for our inaugural CONNECT Middle East, India and Africa forum which will be co-located alongside ATM 2019 – taking place on the last two days of the show,” Curtis said.

The success of the aviation industry in the sky is matched in the GCC and wider MENA region by the continued huge infrastructure investment.

The total value of 195 active aviation-related projects in the Middle East reached almost $50 billion in 2018, according to research provider BNC Network.

The various airport investments under way include AED30 billion in developing Al Maktoum International Airport, AED28 billion expansion of phase four of Dubai International Airport and AED 25 billion for the development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport. In addition, Sharjah Airport is also undergoing a AED1.5 billion investment in expansion of its terminal.

There are also a number of upcoming and planned airport expansion projects across Saudi Arabia, including King Abdulaziz International Airport Expansion in Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport Expansion in Riyadh.

Curtis said: “2018 was also an exciting year for new flight routes with GCC airlines alone adding 58 new flight routes – focusing on areas of consistent and substantial growth.

“With two thirds of the world’s population within an eight-hour flight from the GCC, it is an ideal base for exploring some of the world’s most interesting and previously inaccessible corners of the world. And the GCC’s airlines are making it even easier with the continuous addition of new and direct flight routes,” Curtis added.

Looking ahead to ATM 2019, aviation will feature heavily in the programme with a keynote from Emirates’ President Sir Tim Clark titled ‘Emirates: Still leading the way’ as well as an exclusive one-to-one with Air Arabia CEO, Adel Ali. A panel session titled ‘What are the hot topics in the airline world’ which will explore how traffic is performing against a backdrop of volatile fuel prices and geo-political challenges as well as discussing stopover tourism and how the digital world is affecting airline and airport services and experiences for customers.

Confirmed exhibiting airlines for ATM 2019 so far include Emirates, Etihad Airways, Saudi Airlines, flydubai and flynas.

Considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, ATM welcomed over 39,000 people to its 2018 event, showcasing the largest exhibition in the history of the show, with hotels comprising 20% of the floor area.

Brand new for this year’s show will be the launch of Arabian Travel Week, an umbrella brand comprising four co-located shows including ATM 2019, ILTM Arabia, CONNECT Middle East, India & Africa – a new route development forum and new consumer-led event ATM Holiday Shopper. Arabian Travel Week will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 27 April – 1 May 2019.

Arabian Travel Market is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2018 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, with representation from 141 countries over the four days. The 25th edition of ATM showcased over 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre.  Arabian Travel Market 2019 will take place in Dubai from Sunday, 28th April to Wednesday, 1st May 2019. To find out more, please visit: www.arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Etihad Airways signs codeshare with Gulf Air

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Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understangin (MOU), Etihad Airways and Gulf Air have announced the signing of a codeshare partnership for travel commencing with the summer schedule.

The announcement was made at a signing ceremony held at Etihad Airways Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, attended by Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, and Krešimir Kučko, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air.

The agreement will see Etihad place its EY code on Gulf Air flights from Bahrain to and from Abu Dhabi, Baghdad, Casablanca, Dhaka, Faisalabad, Larnaca, Malaga, Multan, Najaf, Peshawar, Sailkot and Tbilisi. Gulf Air will place its GF code on Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to and from Bahrain, Brisbane, Chicago O’Hare, Jakarta, Lagos, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York JFK, Sydney and Washington.

Douglas said, “We are thrilled to be signing this codeshare agreement today with our long-time partner, Gulf Air. The signing today is a great example of how two flag carriers can enhance the experience of our guests by providing a greater choice of destinations and world-leading inflight service and Arabian hospitality.”

Kučko added, “This is a remarkable event for both Gulf Air and Etihad Airways and we take pride in elevating this relationship further with the signing of this codeshare agreement.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

What Abu Dhabi Airports will show at Saudi International Airshow

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Abu Dhabi Airports is participating in the inaugural edition of the Saudi International Air Show, held between March 12 – 14 at Thumamah Airport, Riyadh, showcasing its role within the regional aviation sector. Abu Dhabi Airports’ participation in the airshow, as part of the UAE pavilion, is the result of the close ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, particularly within the fields of air transport and tourism.

The airshow falls ahead of the opening of the new Midfield Terminal Building at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), which aims to deliver a seamless passenger experience through the incorporation of cutting-edge technology, world-class leisure facilities and enhanced capacity and connectivity.

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Bryan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Our attendance comes as part of our commitment to maintaining the UAE’s aviation ties with its key regional partners. Through participating at this event, we look to celebrate the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, particularly in the aviation sector, where trade and tourism between the two nations continues to play a key role in each of their national economies.”

“We are looking forward to exhibiting a model of the new Midfield Terminal Building, which will accommodate an additional 45 million passengers annually, at the Saudi International Airshow. The new facility will exhibit the latest technological developments for passengers arriving to, departing from and transiting through Abu Dhabi. The building will enhance Abu Dhabi Airports’ network, allowing regional passengers to experience our unique brand of Arabian hospitality on their way to a wide range of global destinations,” added Mr. Thompson.

“Our participation in leading aviation events such as the Saudi International Airshow is in line with our vision to become the world’s leading airports group, as we build greater strategic partnerships with key stakeholders from across the region and around the world,” concluded Mr. Thompson.

US Customs and Border Protection Pre-Clearance Facility

Of particular interest to regional travelers is the United States Customs and Border Protection Pre-Clearance Facility located at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Passengers travelling to the US through AUH continue to enjoy the award-winning facility. The service is the only one of its kind in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, allowing passengers connecting through Abu Dhabi to avoid lengthy queues upon arrival in the US and have their baggage checked through to their final destination.

Passengers traveling to New York, Washington, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles on flights operated by the UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, can take advantage of this unique service. Last year, over 500,000 passengers passed through the facility, demonstrating its continued appeal to regional and international travelers.

Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone

During the airshow, Abu Dhabi Airports will also be highlighting the recent reductions in business setup costs at the Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ). Having reduced costs by more than 66%, ADAFZ enables new businesses to easily enter and establish themselves within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

In addition to the business setup cost reductions, ADAFZ has received a Tawtheeq registration exemption for itself and its customers from the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM) in Abu Dhabi.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports, ADAFZ operates free zones at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Ain International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport. These zones provide 100% ownership, a tax-free environment, and other benefits including 0% import or re-export duties, no restrictions on capital repatriation, no currency restrictions and a full range of services including company registration, licensing, leasing and rapid visa processing for employees.

The Gulf Center for Aviation Studies (GCAS)

GCAS will also be present at Saudi Airshow promoting its aviation and airport training expertise and programs to the regional aviation community. GCAS is one of the few training centers within the region that offer internationally accredited aviation courses from entities such as IATA, ACI, and ICAO. Its location within an active Al Bateen Executive Airport provides delegates with hands-on experience of the airport environment and its requirements and challenges. With the anticipation of the continuous growth of the aviation industry, human capital development is key to sustaining this growth, and that is where GCAS plays a vital role in the region.