Airports & Networks

From 1 June 2019, Etihad Airways will introduce a new two-class Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, the largest variant of the technologically advanced aircraft, on its scheduled daily morning service from Abu Dhabi to Rome.

Abu Dhabi Airports and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has opened a new “Isolation Rooms” unit at Abu Dhabi International Airport, to be one of the first of its kind in the region.

Flynas, the national Saudi air carrier, has launched a set of full-fledged packages catering to more than 500,000 Umrah guests.

Oman Airports has welcomed new Iranian carrier Qeshm Air to Muscat International Airport.

Seeing increased demand between Singapore-Kuala Lumpur (KUL), AirAsia Group plans to add two more daily flights, this time using the Airbus A330-300.

International Airlines Group has admitted that Airbus A321neo delivery delays have forced it to reshape its network, particularly on transatlantic routes. Chief executive Willie Walsh has also confirmed that the group has expressed an interest in some London Gatwick slots vacated by the demise of leisure carrier Thomas Cook.

This week: AirAsia X to open Okinawa service; Norwegian to add Austin - Paris non-stop; and WestJet plans seasonal flights between Calgary and Rome.

International Airlines Group (IAG) has expressed interest in some London Gatwick Airport slots previously operated by defunct UK leisure carrier Thomas Cook.

Turkey’s new Istanbul Airport has served more than 41 million passengers—an average of 210,000 per day—since opening one year ago.

Dubai-based airlines Emirates and flydubai expect to further optimize their network and aircraft utilization, ensuring year-round routes with “seasonal” patterns, while opening up opportunities for both carriers to serve new markets.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has become the latest carrier to reduce its service to Hong Kong, as the protests in that city take a significant toll on demand.

Qatar Airways has signed an interline agreement with Greek regional carrier Sky Express, effective immediately.

London Gatwick Airport is conducting trials aimed at finding ways of boarding passengers more quickly and efficiently.

This week: Air Premia to become South Korea’s second Dreamliner operator; Vietjet to expand with A321XLR; investigation opened into Air Nostrum fleet renewal; Ryaniar increases London Southend presence; Iberia and Spring Airlines to codeshare and more.

Ten airports and five tourism authorities have been recognised by the airline network planning community for their outstanding marketing support.

Passenger numbers have hit 41 million at Istanbul Airport during its first year of operations as connectivity to the Turkish city continues to grow.

US airlines should be less sceptical of privatisation in the the country because it can improve airports' network development, TakeOff 2019 has heard.

Spanish oneworld member Iberia will add 10 Chinese destinations via new codeshare arrangements with Hainan Airlines and Spring Airlines.

Air Serbia and Finnair have agreed a codeshare to expand the reach of their respective networks at the opposite ends of Europe to their home bases.

We profile Royal Air Maroc, the Moroccan national carrier which is attending Routes Africa 2019.

Doha International Airport, which ceased commercial operations in 2014, will reopen to accommodate the additional traffic expected when Qatar hosts the 2022 World Cup, Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) will deepen their partnership with a new agreement that incudes expanded codeshare networks, joint marketing and shared revenue on flights between the two countries.

Emirates Airline president Tim Clark sees an opportunity to expand into the UK regions, given ongoing congestion issues at the country’s London hub airports and the cancellation of the Airbus A380 program.

Vienna Airport has signed a cooperation agreement with representatives from Xi’an as part of efforts to secure a direct flight between Austria’s capital and the Chinese city.

Korean Air has dramatically reduced its Japanese network because of a plunge in demand for travel between the two countries, although it is ready to restore services if the market rebounds.