Etihad to begin Bangalore service
Etihad Airways will launch flights to its eighth destination in India and 66th destination worldwide, the city of Bangalore (Bengaluru) from January 1, 2011.
Initially the carrier will operate four flights per week into the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka increasing to a daily service at the start of the summer scheduling season from March 27, 2011.
Etihad will operate a two-class Airbus A320 on the new Bangalore route configured to carry 136 passengers with 16 in business class and 120 in economy.
Air Egypt increases Abu Dhabi flights
Air Arabia Egypt has increased its service between its base in Alexandria Burj Al Arab Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Initially offering four roundtrip flights per week between the UAE capital and Alexandria, the carrier now operates a daily service.
Flights depart Abu Dhabi on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 6.55am and arrive in Alexandria at 9.40am. The return flight departs Alexandria at 1.30am and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 6.15am.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the flights depart Abu Dhabi at 8.55pm, arriving in Alexandria at 11.40pm with the return flight departing Alexandria at 3.30pm and arriving in Abu Dhabi at 8.15pm.
Wataniya targets business sector
Wataniya Airways is targeting business travellers with the launch of BusinessFirst, its new premium cabin brand.
BusinessFirst is being introduced on all the airline’s routes replacing the former first class cabin. As well as providing first-class benefits and comforts, BusinessFirst adds a range of improvements.
George Cooper, Wataniya Airways CEO, said: “We are committed to ensuring that BusinessFirst provides a first class service for both business and leisure guests. In addition to improved flight schedules and launching 24/7 cover for our guest contact centre, BusinessFirst guests can use Wataniya Airways’ complimentary chauffeur service to Sheikh Saad Terminal, or the free valet service and free parking at the airport, as well as using our new fully-equipped business centre in the dedicated BusinessFirst lounge with free Wi Fi access and other business services.”
Etihad signs codeshare with Air Malta
Etihad Airways customers will soon be able to fly to Malta, following the signing of a codeshare agreement with Air Malta.
Under the deal, Etihad will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on services operated by Air Malta between Milan and Malta. In turn, Air Malta will place its ‘KM’ code on Etihad’s flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi.
Qatar to increase Far East flights
Qatar Airways is to launch a third daily flight to Bangkok, effective November 1.
The additional Bangkok service will continue to Vietnam with four of the flights heading onwards to the capital Hanoi and three on to Ho Chi Minh City.
Passengers originating in Thailand or Vietnam can also purchase tickets to fly between Bangkok and both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on Qatar Airways.
Beginning October 12, 2010 , Qatar Airways introducet six-flights-a-week to Phuket via Kuala Lumpur. With the Bangkok flights, the airline’s Thai operations will step up from 21 to 27 flights a week across two destinations.
Double delight at flydubai
Low-cost carrier flydubai has announced a duo of new routes taking its network to 26 destinations.
Sulaimaniyah in Iraq and Yerevan in Armenia are the two new services which begin this month.
flydubai CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “Our two new destinations are both to incredibly important markets for flydubai. Sulaimaniyah is our second route in Iraqi Kurdistan, following on from the start of flights to Erbil in August.”
The service to Sulaimaniyah begins on November 24, flying twice a week to the Iraqi city, and flights to Yerevan start on November 21 with the service operating twice a week increasing to three flights weekly from December 15.