Monday, 31 August 2026

Emirates and flydubai Boost Global Connectivity and Traveller Rewards

Published: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Emirates and flydubai Boost Global Connectivity and Traveller Rewards

Emirates and flydubai have solidified their partnership as a model of industry collaboration, providing travellers with unparalleled connectivity and a seamless journey across an expansive global network. The partnership continues to reward Emirates Skywards members through a joint loyalty programme, offering significant benefits to millions of passengers.

Key Highlights of the Emirates and flydubai Partnership:

  1. A Global Network at Your Fingertips:
    The collaboration between Emirates and flydubai spans 245 destinations in 103 countries, unlocking a wide range of travel options for customers.

  2. Expanding Horizons:
    Emirates passengers now have access to 103 additional flydubai destinations, while flydubai travellers can explore 107 exclusive Emirates destinations. Popular locations include Kathmandu, Baku, Krabi, Belgrade, and Zanzibar.

  3. New Destinations Added in 2025:
    The partnership continues to grow, with Emirates adding new destinations like Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Siem Reap, and Da Nang, while flydubai expands its offerings with cities such as Chisinau, Iasi, Vilnius, Riga, and Nairobi.

  4. Growing Passenger Numbers:
    In the last year alone, both airlines carried over 5 million passengers on codeshare flights, reflecting a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Since 2017, more than 22 million customers have enjoyed seamless travel across both carriers' networks.

  5. Premium Travel Options:
    Emirates' premium cabins (First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy) saw a 20% increase in bookings, with Premium Economy growing by an impressive 130%. The partnership enhances travel experiences, offering a greater range of premium options for passengers.

  6. Seamless Travel Experience:
    From simplified check-ins and baggage transfers to optimised schedules, the collaboration ensures smooth travel. flydubai Business Class passengers enjoy a premium service experience at Terminal 2 in Dubai, with personalised assistance, seated check-in, and Fast Track priority.

  7. Exclusive Loyalty Rewards:
    Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme, allows nearly 18 million members to earn and redeem Skywards Miles for a variety of rewards. Members enjoy additional perks, including lounge access, extra baggage allowances, and priority check-ins across both airlines.

  8. Miles that Go Further:
    The recently launched Classic Rewards offer a simplified way to use Skywards Miles to book flights. With as little as 5,000 Miles, members can enjoy flights to over 130 destinations, including popular seasonal spots like Mykonos and Bodrum. The enhanced Cash+Miles option also provides greater value, with members saving AED 100 for every 3,500 Miles used.

Photo: Emirates

Ongoing Fleet Enhancements:
Emirates continues its extensive fleet retrofit programme, upgrading nearly 220 aircraft with new cabins, including Premium Economy. Flydubai is also modernising its fleet, retrofitting 15 aircraft this year and introducing a dedicated Business Class check-in area at Terminal 2.

A Combined Fleet of Modern Aircraft:
Together, Emirates and flydubai operate a fleet of 363 modern aircraft. Emirates' fleet of 267 widebody aircraft includes A380s, B777s, and A350s, while flydubai operates 96 B737 aircraft.

Supporting Dubai’s Vision:
As part of Dubai's D33 Economic Agenda, Emirates and flydubai are committed to expanding their combined network to 400 destinations from Dubai, further strengthening the emirate's role as a global aviation hub.

This strategic partnership continues to enhance connectivity, elevate travel experiences, and contribute to Dubai's growing importance on the global stage.

Riyadh Air, Saudia Launch Strategic Digital Codeshare Partnership

Published: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Riyadh Air, Saudia Launch Strategic Digital Codeshare Partnership

Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of their Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity under Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy.

The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and enables the two airlines to expand travel options for domestic and international passengers.

As part of the first phase, Riyadh Air has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), allowing the carriers to implement their codeshare across their respective technology platforms.

Under the RX-SV codeshare, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator on selected Saudia-operated flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to six domestic destinations: Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk.

The agreement will give Riyadh Air passengers access to additional destinations worldwide through convenient connections in Riyadh. For example, travelers from Dammam can connect via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Riyadh to Medina.

By using Saudia’s frequent services between Riyadh and the six codeshare destinations, Riyadh Air will offer passengers more convenient connections aligned with the arrival and departure schedules of its flights at Riyadh.

Both airlines operate within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, enabling passengers to benefit from streamlined connections, single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage to their final destinations.

The first phase represents a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers and supports the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to expand its global aviation network.

Source: aaco.org

SalamAir Launches Salalah Base, Adds Direct International Routes

Published: Saturday, August 29, 2026
SalamAir Launches Salalah Base, Adds Direct International Routes

SalamAir has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first-ever airline base, marking a major step in the airline’s expansion and strengthening direct international connectivity from Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially serve three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. Bookings opened on August 26, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The base follows SalamAir’s expanded operations during the 2026 Khareef season, when the airline increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route to as many as 15 daily flights during peak periods.

The airline also introduced special domestic fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting from OMR 9.99, supporting affordable travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The new base is expected to extend SalamAir’s role beyond the Khareef season by supporting year-round travel demand among residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar while offering more direct access to key regional and international destinations.

Operations from Salalah will be supported by SalamAir’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional flexibility to support growing demand across its network.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights linking Salalah with Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s wider strategy to expand its network from key airports across Oman, develop underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand while supporting the growth of the Sultanate’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Source: ZAWYA

Emirates Expands Premium Economy Offering on Dubai-Kuala Lumpur Route

Published: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Emirates Expands Premium Economy Offering on Dubai-Kuala Lumpur Route

Emirates will deploy its new Airbus A350 on flights between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur from September 1, further enhancing its premium offering in the Malaysian market.

The A350 will operate flights EK344/345, increasing Emirates’ Premium Economy capacity to Kuala Lumpur to 52 seats daily. The aircraft will complement the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 777 operating on flights EK346/347.

Saeed Mubarak, Emirates Country Manager in Malaysia, said the introduction of the A350 comes as the airline marks 30 years of operations to Kuala Lumpur.

Following the successful introduction of Premium Economy aboard its retrofitted Boeing 777, Emirates will now offer Malaysian passengers access to its three flagship aircraft types: the A350, Boeing 777 and A380.

The airline said the A350 will provide customers with an enhanced travel experience through its latest-generation cabin and onboard products.

The deployment further reflects Emirates’ continued investment in its products and long-standing presence in the Malaysian market.

Source: ZAWYA

Air Arabia Expands Germany Network with New Düsseldorf Route

Published: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Air Arabia Expands Germany Network with New Düsseldorf Route

Air Arabia will launch daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and Düsseldorf starting December 16, 2026, further expanding its European network.

Düsseldorf will become Air Arabia’s third destination in Germany from Sharjah, joining Munich and Frankfurt.

The new route will be operated with the airline’s Airbus A320neo aircraft, offering passengers a modern cabin experience while improving operational efficiency and fuel performance.

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said the new service represents another milestone in the airline’s European expansion and will strengthen connectivity between the UAE and Germany.

With three German destinations now served non-stop from Sharjah, the airline aims to provide passengers with greater choice, convenience and affordable travel options.

Lars Redeligx, CEO of Düsseldorf Airport, said the new daily service further strengthens Düsseldorf’s long-standing connectivity with the Middle East and Gulf region.

The route will also give travellers from North Rhine-Westphalia and neighbouring parts of the Netherlands access to Air Arabia’s wider network across the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Source: ZAWYA

French Insurtech Platform Insurte Partners with Oman Air on Travel Insurance

Published: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
French Insurtech Platform Insurte Partners with Oman Air on Travel Insurance

Oman Air has expanded its range of digital and ancillary travel services through new partnerships with France-based travel-insurance broker and insurtech platform Insurte and Indian financial services company Wizzmoni.

Under the partnership with Insurte, Oman Air passengers will be able to access travel insurance directly during the flight booking process.

Insurte will provide the technology infrastructure through its proprietary API, enabling the insurance service to be integrated into Oman Air’s existing digital customer journey.

Insurte CEO Stéphane Jersol said the company would provide Oman Air with reliable, fast and user-friendly technology, drawing on its in-house expertise and more than 15 years of global experience.

The integration is designed to give passengers a faster and simpler way to purchase travel insurance while completing their flight reservations.

Separately, Oman Air has partnered with Wizzmoni to launch the Wizz Voyager Multi-Currency Card, an AI-powered payment solution combining foreign-exchange management with airline rewards and travel benefits.

The co-branded card is designed for frequent travelers, international students and global professionals, supporting multiple currencies through a digital platform with real-time spending tracking and automated financial management.

The card also features a milestone-based rewards programme through which users can earn Oman Air flight vouchers, cabin upgrades and other travel benefits.

The Wizz Voyager platform provides access to Oman Air holidays and ancillary services, creating a connected experience from booking through spending at international destinations.

The onboarding process is fully digital, while physical cards will be available through Oman Air counters, Wizzmoni branches and authorized partner locations.

Surya Kuchibotla, Vice President of Retailing, Ancillary & Commerce at Oman Air, said the partnership with Wizzmoni combines travel and payments into a more integrated experience, offering passengers greater flexibility and rewards.

The two partnerships form part of Oman Air’s broader retail and ancillary strategy, aimed at making international travel more convenient, connected and rewarding while expanding the airline’s digital service offerings.

Source: Oman Daily Observer