Category: Aviation

American flag carrier Southwest Airlines is facing flight cancellation, as well as delays, due to an emergency engine inspection throughout the fleet running with the CFM56-7B engine. Last week, a faulty CFM56-7B engine explosion from a Southwest Boeing aircraft which was on its way from Newyork to Dallas, killed one of the passenger, through a fan blade hit from the side window. Southwest on a statement said that 40 of its 4000 flight schedules were cancelled, due to an emergency fan blade inspection. A thorough checking has been initiated by the National Transportation Safety Board Investigators. Meanwhile, in India Jet Airways has ... Read more

Oman Air unveiled the new First Class Mini Suite of its Dreamliner 787-9 fleet, on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event concludes on April 25. H E Maitha al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism unveiled the Mini Suite at the Oman Air stand on Sunday. The First Class suite offers unparalleled levels of comfort and ultimate luxury with one of the longest lie-flat seat available on any commercial airliner, electronically controlled privacy divider, à la carte dining as well as an in suite minibar. H E Maitha said, “It ... Read more

Etihad Airways has announced its extensive Year of Zyed initiatives which are scheduled to be launched throughout 2018. Etihad’s initiatives are based on the four Year of Zayed themes, which are wisdom, respect, sustainability, and human development. The company’s initiatives are: 1) Humanitarian freighter 2) Zayed A380 & Abu Dhabi Experience 3) Abu Dhabi Birdathon 4) Zayed Campus & Young Aviators “The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, was a visionary leader whose determination, wisdom and guidance enabled the UAE to become the prosperous, modern and harmonious nation it is today. His vision and ... Read more

In what can be called a big relief to Indians, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has announced an extension of the Super Priority Visa service (SPV) to Pune and Bengaluru. The new announcement means more Indians would be able to get a decision on their visa in less than 24 hours. SPV is an optional service for customers in India who need to travel to the UK urgently. The facility is available in five cities with Pune and Bengaluru adding to the already existing centres in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. SPV applications are assessed to exactly the same high ... Read more

Emirates has unveiled its new Boeing 777-300ER First Class Private Suite exhibit at the Arabian Travel Market 2018 (ATM), the region’s leading travel and tourism exhibition will run from 22 – 25 April. The Emirates stand will offer visitors a chance to experience the airline’s recently-launched products and service enhancements. The game changing, fully enclosed First Class private suites on exhibit have floor to ceiling sliding doors, soft leather seating, high-tech control panels and mood lighting. Incorporating cutting-edge technology, the suites also feature several world-firsts, including: ‘virtual windows’ using real-time fibre-optic camera technology, a NASA inspired ‘zero-gravity’ seating position, and ... Read more

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, bagged four awards at the World Travel Awards Middle East 2018 winning – Middle East’s Leading Airline, Middle East’s Leading Airline Brand, Middle East’s Leading Business Class Airport Lounge and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew titles. The red carpet ceremony was attended by more than 500 industry leading figures and professionals from across the Middle East. Khalid Al Serkal, Emirates’ District Manager Sharjah received the awards on behalf of the airline. “It is an honour to be recognised by the World Travel Awards Middle East 2018 for our ongoing efforts to continually enhance the ... Read more

The Etihad Airways stand at the Arabian Travel Market 2018 in Dubai hosts humanoid robot Sophia, the AI-powered robot who is famous for its speech at the UN and interviewing celebrities and world leaders alike. Sophia was named the United Nations Development Programme’s first ever Innovation Champion for Asia and the Pacific, and is also the first robot in the world to have a nationality, after being granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia. Sophia will take part in a one-on-one interview with host Damian Watson, head of station at Abu Dhabi Media Company, to discuss the future of innovation and technology in ... Read more

The long-awaited Islamabad International Airport (IIA) is all set to begin operations for international and domestic flights on May 3, replacing the old Benazir Bhutto International Airport in twin city of Rawalpindi. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is expected to formally inaugurate the airport. IIA is Pakistan’s largest international airport, designed for up to 15 million passengers annually in the first phase, and up to 25 million in future. Spread over 19 square kilometres, the new, Y-shaped airport is located 30km from the heart of Islamabad’s business centre, Blue Area. It will be Pakistan’s first airport to accommodate the double-deck Airbus ... Read more

Air Deccan has launched Mumbai – Kolhapur flights, which is scheduled to formally begin services from April 22 under the regional connectivity scheme Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN). Air Deccan officials said that they have already started operations and have opened flight bookings offering a promotional fare of Rs 1299 for the 90-minute flight. The airline has also resumed operations to Nashik and Jalgaon which had briefly stopped following maintenance issues with its Beechcraft 1900 D aircrafts. The flight to Kolhapur will take off from Mumbai at 1.15 pm and depart from Kolhapur at 3.05 pm on Sundays, Tuesdays ... Read more

The long-haul flights have been a headache for travellers, as it is tiring and time-consuming for international business travellers. Space X, the American aerospace manufacturer, owned and operated by Elon Musk has found a solution. The company would introduce rocket technology in long-haul flights within the next 10 years. Gwynne Shotwell, the company’s chief operating officer spoke at the TED show in Vancouver, stating that the company also aims to fly to Mars within 10 years. About 100 passengers in one stretch can be filled inside a Big Falcon Rocket, that can commute travellers from London to Shanghai within half ... Read more

Around 700,000 British nationals visit Australia every year and, with the strong AngloAustralian relations further post-Brexit, it is expected that the number of British tourists will be more in the coming years. With this in mind, the Australian government has made it easy for the British nationals visiting the country. If you are British and wish to visit Australia, you don’t have to send your passport to the Australian High Commission anymore. All visas issued to British citizens going to Australia are issued electronically. If you have a British passport, just go to the electronic passport reader and pass through the ... Read more

Emirates is offering special early bird fares for UAE travellers to destinations within its global network. Travellers who book in advance can enjoy special fares starting today until 30 April 2018 and applies to select travel periods. Economy Class passengers can enjoy fares to the Middle East starting from AED 795, to Europe starting at AED 2,135, to West Asia & Indian Ocean starting at AED 945, and to the Far East and Australasia starting at AED 2,035. Business Class passengers can enjoy fares to the Middle East starting from AED 3,155, to Europe starting at AED 9,395, to West ... Read more

If you are anyways planning to drive down to Chennai airport today or tomorrow  anytime between 2 and 5 pm, you will have to follow a new traffic route to reach the domestic and international terminals. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is carrying out a trial run to open the central arm of a vehicular bridge on the airport premises. The authorities would put up a signage so that passengers are not confused. After the trial run for two days AAI will implement the new traffic arrangement permanently in about two weeks’ time. As per the new traffic arrangement, passengers ... Read more

UAE announces new transit visa policy which is aimed at enhancing transit visa procedures to enable stopover passengers to enjoy a day out in the country, thus boosting the tourism industry. The cabinet has given a thumbs up for the preparations to begin on a general policy to grant entry visas to transit passengers – across all UAE airports – who wish to visit the country’s landmarks and tourist attractions. The cabinet has formed a working group, led by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, to prepare the new policy considering the possible positive effects it will have on the ... Read more

Air Odisha is introducing two more destinations in Gujarat at lowest fares starting from Rs 1420 and Rs 1699 between Ahmedabad to Bhavanagar and Bhavnagar to Surat respectively. The fights will be operation from April 16. With the two new routes under the Under the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, ‘Air Odisha ‘is now having operations in five cities -Ahmedabad, Mundra, Diu, Bhavnagar, and Surat. “On the maiden flight between the sectors, there will be some prominent guest who shall be flying with Air Odisha including Bhupendra Singh Chudasama Minister of Civil Aviation and Education, Gujarat, Jitu Bhai Vaghani – BJP ... Read more