Spicejet flights to KSA expected to benefit pilgrims

SpiceJet has launched eight new non-stop international flights from Mumbai and Delhi, India to KSA. The airline is the first Indian low-cost carrier (LCC) to connect Mumbai with Riyadh, KSA and Dhaka and Delhi with Dhaka, Bangladesh and Jeddah, KSA.

Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, earmarks SpiceJet’s 10th international destination and the fourth station in the Middle Eastern market. The flights to Dhaka and Jeddah are effective from the last week of July while the flight to Riyadh will begin on August 15, 2019.

SpiceJet will service Mumbai-Riyadh-Mumbai, Mumbai-Dhaka-Mumbai, Delhi-Dhaka-Delhi and Delhi-Jeddah-Delhi with daily non-stop flights. The airline will deploy 168-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft on all the routes.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and MD, SpiceJet said, "We are delighted to add Riyadh as our tenth international destination and add more flights to Jeddah and Dhaka thus providing our passengers with multiple flight options. SpiceJet is the only Indian budget airline to operate to Saudi Arabia and our new flights to Riyadh and Jeddah should greatly benefit the thousands of pilgrims travelling from India."

Besides Riyadh, SpiceJet also operates flights to Jeddah, Dubai. UAE and Muscat, Oman in the gulf region.

The first Indian LCC to connect Jeddah with Hyderabad and Kozhikode, the airline also began a Mumbai-Jeddah route from July 5, 2019. SpiceJet also connects Dhaka and Kolkata with twice-daily flights.

Details:

SpiceJet is celebrating the launch by announcing all-inclusive promotional fares starting at INR14,227 on Mumbai-Riyadh, INR12,263 on Riyadh-Mumbai, INR10,677 on Mumbai-Dhaka, INR10,732 on Dhaka-Mumbai, INR9,276 on Delhi-Dhaka, INR10,432 on Dhaka-Delhi, INR16,290 on Delhi-Jeddah and INR15,263 on the Jeddah-Delhi routes.

Bookings are now open online, through SpiceJet’s mobile app and via online travel portals and travel agents.

Flight schedule:

Flight#	From	To	Departs	Arrives	Starts	Frequency

SG 63	Mumbai	Dhaka	8:55 am	12:20 pm	25-Jul-19	Daily
SG 64	Dhaka	Mumbai	1:20 pm	4:15 pm	25-Jul-19	Daily
SG 19	Mumbai	Riyadh	9:10 pm	11:10 pm	15-Aug-19	Daily
SG 20	Riyadh	Mumbai	12:10 am	7:10 am	16-Aug-19	Daily
SG 39	Delhi	Dhaka	7:40 am	10:30 am	31-Jul-19	Daily
SG 40	Dhaka	Delhi	11:30 am	1:30 pm	31-Jul-19	Daily
SG 65	Delhi	Jeddah	1:45 pm	5:00 pm	31-Jul-19	Daily
SG 66	Jeddah	Delhi	5:50 pm	1:40 am	31-Jul-19	Daily

*All timings as per local standard times

Emirates adds fourth daily flight to Riyadh

Emirates will add a fourth daily flight to to Riyadh, KSA from 1 September 2018. The new service will take the total number of weekly Emirates flights serving Riyadh to 28.

Adil Al Ghaith, Senior VP, Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East & Iran said: “Emirates’ expanded schedule to Riyadh will offer more travel options and choice for business travellers and families alike who are looking to visit Dubai. There are strong passenger flows between Riyadh and Dubai so enhancing our services makes business sense, and further underscores Riyadh’s importance within our global network.

The fourth daily flight will be serviced by the Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class configuration. Emirates flight EK813 will depart Dubai, UAE at 3 pm arriving in Riyadh at 3.30 pm. The return flight, EK814 will depart Riyadh at 5.50 pm and will arrive in Dubai at 8.40 pm. The late afternoon departure complements the existing morning and evening flights, the airline said.

Dubai’s attractiveness as a destination for Saudi travellers continues to be strong and in 2017 more than 1.5 million Saudis visited the city, according to data published by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism). As a commercial and business hub, Dubai has become a platform for businesses seeking exposure in emerging markets, and is also a springboard for investments coming into the region. KSA is the UAE’s largest trading partner in the region, with non-oil trade reaching an estimated AED88 billion in 2017, according to UAE Federal Customs Authority data.

All cabins on the Boeing 777-300ER flying to Riyadh are equipped with Emirates’ ice entertainment system with over 3,500 channels of content to choose from, including movies, television programmes, games, audio books and music from across the world, as well as over 330 Arabic channels.

As with all Emirates flights, passengers on the Riyadh service will enjoy the Emirates baggage allowance of up to 35 kg in Economy Class, 40 kg in Business Class and 50 kg in First Class.

Emirates has been serving KSA since 1989, and also operates flights to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah. Emirates currently serves KSA with 84 flights a week, increasing to 91 per week from 1 September.

Saudia, Middle-East Airlines-Air Liban expand codeshare agreement

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of KSA, and Middle East Airlines-Air Liban (MEA), the national flag carrier of Lebanon, have expanded their existing bilateral codeshare agreement.

This follows from an existing partnership, which started in 2007, on MEA-operated flights between Beirut, Lebanon and Dammam, KSA. The expanded agreement now includes all flights sold and operated by MEA and SAUDIA between Beirut and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

This will effectively bring the total number of scheduled flights operated by SAUDIA and MEA between the two countries to 57 weekly flights, broadening the offering of both carriers. Both carriers are member of the SkyTeam Alliance providing respective eligible top tier frequent flyer members with a bouquet of privileges on SkyTeam operated international flights, including lounge access, priority services and excess luggage allowance.

SAUDIA currently flies 19 weekly flights from Jeddah and Riyadh to Beirut. MEA operates 38 weekly flights from Lebanon to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

Both airlines are long standing carriers in the Middle East region; MEA’s first flight to Saudi Arabia was in 1945 and SAUDIA first begun flying to Lebanon in 1948.

Details:

Flights operated by MEA which are part of the expanded codeshare agreement:

Flight Number	Codeshare Number	Days	From	DEP	To	ARR
ME364	SV6034	1234567	BEY	08:55	JED	11:25
ME365	SV6037	1234567	JED	12:25	BEY	14:50
ME368	SV6038	1234567	BEY	17:45	JED	20:15
ME369	SV6015	1234567	JED	21:15	BEY	23:40
ME424	SV6016	1234567	BEY	08:30	RUH	10:50
ME425	SV6057	1234567	RUH	11:50	BEY	14:15
ME422	SV6056	1234567	BEY	17:50	RUH	20:10
ME423	SV6067	1234567	RUH	21:10	BEY	23:35
ME442	SV6036	1234567	BEY	17:35	DMM	20:05
ME443	SV6035	1234567	DMM	20:55	BEY	23:30
ME444	SV6066	457	BEY	07:10	DMM	09:40
ME445	SV6065	457	DMM	10:30	BEY	13:05

Flights operated by SAUDIA which are part of the expanded codeshare agreement:

Flight Number	Codeshare Number	Days	From	DEP	To	ARR
SV641	ME4641	12357	JED	09:40	BEY	12:45
SV641	ME4641	46	JED	09:20	BEY	12:25
SV642	ME4642	124567	BEY	14:00	JED	17:05
SV645	ME4645	457	JED	14:10	BEY	17:15
SV646	ME4646	57	BEY	18:30	JED	21:35
SV643	ME4643	12357	RUH	11:05	BEY	14:45
SV643	ME4643	46	RUH	10:45	BEY	14:25
SV644	ME4644	12357	BEY	16:00	RUH	19:35
SV644	ME4644	46	BEY	16:00	RUH	19:30
SV647	ME4647	13	RUH	14:05	BEY	17:45
SV648	ME4648	13	BEY	19:00	RUH	22:35

1= Monday

BEY - Rafic Hariri International Airport, Beirut
DMM - King Fahd International Airport, Dammam

JED - King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah
RUH - King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh

Flynas app downloaded over 2 million times

Flynas, the Saudi carrier and low-cost airline in the Middle East, has reached a milestone of more than 2 million downloads for its mobile app. The airline is offering a discount of 10% on domestic flights in celebration.

According to the airline, KSA has the largest number of flynas app users. The app is most widely used by young people.

Mousa Bahri, VP of Marketing & Corporate Communications, said that flynas attaches great importance to the digital aspect, focusing on an attractive interface and distinct booking processes through the flynas application. Users can enjoy special offers and discounts if they book via the app. 

Flynas has a fleet of 30 Airbus A320 aircraft, and operates over 1,100 flights weekly to 17 domestic destinations and 53 international destinations.

Royal meal on selected MAS flights for Eid

In conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr), Malaysia Airlines will be serving a royal menu by the Raja Muda of Perlis, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and his consort, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Puan Muda Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil. 

The royal dishes will be served onboard selected flights from 15 to 17 June 2018.

The menu is part of the airline’s Best of Malaysia initiative, under which the airline introduces authentic and traditional Malaysian meals in-flight and on the ground.

The kurma daging Perlis will be served to passengers flying First and Business Class on MH2 and MH4 from Kuala Lumpur to London, UK, as well as Business Class on MH150 from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah, KSA and MH112 and MH196 from Kuala Lumpur to Dhaka, Bangladesh. Business Class passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur to Sabah, Sarawak and ASEAN destinations will also get to enjoy the dish.

The recipe is a favourite at Istana Arau, the official residence of the Perlis royal family, and is being served onboard as part of an initiative to promote Perlis cuisine both locally and internationally. The initiative was personally spearheaded by the royal couple themselves.

Passengers flying Economy Class on the above routes can also savour the kurma ayam Perlis, which features the same recipe but with chicken instead of beef. Both dishes are available on the first three days of Aidilfitri.

Alongside this, and to coincide with the Aidilfitri holidays, Malaysia Airlines passengers will be able to receive the special kids activity pack or Pilot Parker baby bib when they book their child meal beforehand. The Pilot Parker activity pack includes an activity book, stickers, and stationery to keep children occupied on-board. These items will be available until 30 June 2018.

For Aidilfitri, Malaysia Airlines is also providing traditional Raya meals for lunch and dinner at the Golden Lounge. Guests can savour nasi tomato, lemang and rendang, and sayur lodeh, as well as tart nenas, kuih bahulu and dodol before their flights.
Ahead of the Hari Raya holidays, Malaysia Airlines would like to advise passengers to arrive early at KLIA. Those travelling this Hari Raya are encouraged to arrive 3 hours prior to their scheduled time of departure to avoid congestion. Passengers may also check in 48-hours prior to their flight via web check-in at www.malaysiaairlines.com or via MHmobile.

To ensure seamless travel, MAS highlights that:

- Check-in counters will close 60 minutes before flight departure.

- Immigration and security clearance is an estimated 45 minutes.

- Have the required travelling documents ready.

- The boarding gate will close 20 minutes prior to departure.

Details:

View pictures of the in-flight dishes

Hashtags: #MalaysiaAirlines, #MalaysianHospitality

Emirates celebrates Eid with customers for the first time

For the first time, Emirates is extending its Ramadhan service to celebrate Eid as well.

There is a 20% discount for onboard duty free purchases over US$95 up to 15 June.

From 14 to 17 June, customers can look forward to sweet treats on selected flights. In Economy Class, customers will be served Eid cookies, while in First and Business Class, customers will receive a box of chocolates. In addition, First Class customers can enjoy a special Eid edition of Lakrids candy. Lakrids Crispy Rose flavoured liquorice will be offered in  all regions during Ramadhan and Eid.

As a global airline, Emirates has been delighting customers’ palates with regionally-inspired cuisine and special seasonal menus for widely celebrated events like Chinese New Year, Christmas, Diwali, and Ramadhan. Its signature Ramadan service with special iftar meals has been a mainstay for over 20 years and illustrates the airline’s commitment to providing customers a comfortable journey throughout the month.

Etihad marks Zayed Humanitarian Day

The Etihad Aviation Group has launched an array of community and humanitarian initiatives to mark Zayed Humanitarian Day, which falls on 19 Ramadhan (4 June).

The programme, which includes food donations, community activities and charity campaigns, demonstrates Etihad’s commitment to local and global humanitarian activities, reflecting a spirit of sharing during Ramadhan and the Year of Zayed.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, the UAE national airline has carried out a number of projects and initiatives including treating 10 elderly people from the Old People’s Home in Sharjah to a flight simulator experience, iftar and Eid gifts in a family setting together with some of the airline’s pilots.

In line with its ongoing commitment to support underprivileged children, Etihad has teamed up with the Emirates Red Crescent to distribute Eid gifts to 600 orphans in Kerala, India. It has also donated school bags, stationery items and clothes to an orphanage of 240 children in Vietnam.

In Sri Lanka, 136 children from orphanages and children’s homes enjoyed a Movie Night on board an Etihad Airways’ aircraft, and enjoyed activities and meals.

Khaled AlMehairbi, Senior VP and GM, Etihad Airport Services Ground – Abu Dhabi Hub and CSR Strategy, said, “We are excited to announce this large-scale programme, boosting our charitable and community footprint locally and globally. The Zayed Humanitarian Day is very special this year as we celebrate the Year of Zayed in 2018. We are inspired by the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to give back and bring smiles to those who are less fortunate.

“With a strong global presence and extensive network, Etihad Airways is ideally positioned to reach out to vulnerable communities in different parts of the world and to make a lasting and positive impact through initiatives that span education, food donations, orphan support and relief aid.”

The company also announced an initiative for guest miles donations which will be channelled to sponsor iftar meals for Rohingya children and families, and the promotion of child education across the world.

Etihad Aviation Group has partnered with Emirates Red Crescent over several community projects to mark the Zayed Humanitarian Day: 

- Donating dry food parcels to more than 1,300 families in India

- Donating dry food parcels to 1,000 families in Sri Lanka

- Supporting 1,000 Syrian refugees at Ritsona camp in Greece with brand new clothing and Eid gifts

- Distributing dates to 73 outstations for charity

- Distributing iftar boxes to the workforce during the month of Ramadhan, with an expected 8,000 meals to be donated to housekeeping, security and maintenance workers based at Etihad offices.

- Distributing wheelchairs to the Specialist Center for Children with Disabilities in Sharjah, which provides regular care and treatment for children up to 18 years old.

In late May, Etihad Cargo, the cargo division of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has launched its first humanitarian freighter missions as part of the group’s Year of Zayed programme.

The specially branded Year of Zayed Boeing 777 freighter aircraft departed Abu Dhabi – first to Almaty in Kazakhstan and then to Hyderabad in India – carrying provisions to be distributed to those in need during Ramadhan.

The humanitarian missions are taking place throughout the year in collaboration with the Khalifa Foundation, the Red Crescent, and His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Foundation. These missions represent the Year of Zayed theme of respect, one of the four key themes of Etihad’s Year of Zayed activation plan.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ CEO said: “We are pleased to have commenced our first Year of Zayed humanitarian operations with our cargo aircraft which is crossing the globe to deliver vital items to help people most in need.

“The humanitarian missions embody the spirit and values of the UAE’s founding father, HH Sheikh Zayed, and we are proud to play a small role in carrying forward his legacy and supporting people in need from around the globe.”

Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, GM, The Founder's Office, said: “The Founder’s Office is proud to support Etihad Airways’ humanitarian efforts, which will bring relief to thousands during the holy month of Ramadhan.

“The late Sheikh Zayed initiated countless philanthropic and charitable endeavours throughout his lifetime. His spirit of altruism and generosity transcended borders, and laid the foundations for the UAE’s ongoing role as a leading provider of international aid.

“This worthy initiative upholds his legacy, reflecting one of the central themes of our Year of Zayed campaign which is to reinforce the spirit of solidarity amongst community members through selfless giving, and globally extending a helping hand to all those in need.”

Last month, Etihad also launched a community drive to donate 150,000 inflight meals to charity in 2018, and for every year in the future.