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Tag: Airlines

  • Indian Airlines Suffer Most as Dubai Extends Foreign Flight Ban to May 31

    Indian Airlines Suffer Most as Dubai Extends Foreign Flight Ban to May 31

    Dubai has imposed a limit of one daily flight per airline at its airports until May 31, citing the ongoing Iran crisis. This restriction has raised concerns among Indian airlines, which had planned to operate more flights than carriers from any other country, according to official communications. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), representing major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, has urged the Indian government to press Dubai authorities to remove the flight cap. If they are unable to do so, the FIA has recommended implementing reciprocal restrictions on Dubai-based airlines such as Emirates and flydubai.

    Currently, Indian carriers are already facing financial strains from elevated fuel costs and elongated routes to Western destinations due to a ban on Pakistani airspace since last year, amid rising military tensions between the two nations.

    In an internal email, Dubai Airport authorities indicated that during the summer season from April 20 to May 31, airlines would be allowed a maximum of one round-trip flight per day at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). This extension of restrictions, initially put in place after the conflict erupted, means carriers will continue to face limited capacity until further notice.

    The FIA highlighted that these restrictions are not being applied equally—Dubai’s airlines, including Emirates and flydubai, are not subject to the same limits, creating an uneven playing field and potentially causing significant revenue losses for Indian carriers. Dubai Airports and Dubai’s media offices have not responded to requests for comment, with flydubai stating its schedules are approved by authorities, and Emirates offering no comment.

    These measures follow longstanding complaints by Gulf carriers about India’s bilateral air service agreements, which cap the number of seats each country can deploy. Indian officials maintain these agreements are meant to protect domestic airlines in a highly competitive market.

    India was the leading source of passengers at Dubai’s airport in 2025, with 11.9 million travelers passing through. Under the current caps, Indian airlines are expected to be hardest hit, especially given their scheduled flights for April and May. Data from Cirium shows, for instance, that Air India and Air India Express have booked over 750 flights into Dubai in that period, while IndiGo has scheduled 481 flights. Other carriers like Saudia and Gulf Air also have hundreds of planned flights. In contrast, Emirates and flydubai would be limited to just one flight per day, roughly 30 to 31 flights per month, vastly fewer than the hundreds they typically operate daily.

    IndiGo stated that the Dubai restrictions have significantly curtailed its operations, as it had planned 15 daily flights during the summer. The airline also noted that much of its capacity and aircraft utilization is currently underutilized. Similar responses from SpiceJet, Air India, and Indian officials have not been forthcoming.

    Meanwhile, international airlines such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and British Airways, which traditionally offered fewer flights to Dubai, have canceled all services until at least May 31. Instead, these airlines are increasing nonstop flights within Asia and Europe, capitalizing on strong passenger demand and rising fare prices.

  • Airlines Raise Fares Amid Iran Conflict Driving Fuel Prices Up

    Airlines Raise Fares Amid Iran Conflict Driving Fuel Prices Up

    Australia’s Qantas Airways, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), and Air New Zealand have announced fare increases on Tuesday, attributing the rise to a sudden surge in fuel costs driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

    Jet fuel prices, which hovered around $85 to $90 per barrel before U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, have skyrocketed to between $150 and $200 per barrel in recent days, according to Air New Zealand, which also announced it would suspend its financial forecast for 2026 due to the uncertainty surrounding the conflict.

    The warfare has disrupted shipping along one of the world’s most critical oil export routes, causing a sharp increase in oil prices. This upheaval has impacted global travel, with airline tickets on some routes reaching unprecedented levels and concerns mounting about a prolonged slump in travel demand that could lead to widespread flight cancellations.

    “Increases of this size necessitate a response to maintain stable and dependable operations,” an SAS representative told Reuters, noting the airline has implemented a “temporary price adjustment.” Last year, SAS temporarily modified its fuel hedging policy due to market volatility, with no fuel hedged for the upcoming 12 months.

    While several Asian and European carriers, such as Lufthansa and Ryanair, have hedged part of their fuel needs at fixed prices, Finnair cautioned that fuel availability could become problematic if the conflict persists. Kuwait, a significant exporter of jet fuel to northwestern Europe, has reported production cuts.

    “A prolonged crisis could influence not only the price but also the availability of fuel, at least for a period,” a Finnair spokesperson stated, adding that the airline had hedged over 80% of its fuel needs for the first quarter, though the situation remains fluid.

    ### Airspace Disruptions in the Middle East

    Highlighting ongoing airspace chaos, flights arriving in Dubai were briefly held in a holding pattern Tuesday due to potential missile threats, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24 on X. The aircraft eventually landed safely.

    Qantas mentioned that, along with raising international fares, it is considering redeploying capacity to Europe as airlines and travelers seek to avoid Middle Eastern disruption, where drone and missile fire have curtailed flight operations.

    Fares on Asia-Europe routes have surged because of airspace closures and capacity constraints. Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific announced it would add additional flights to London and Zurich in March.

    Air New Zealand reported increases in domestic and international fares, raising one-way economy prices by NZ$10 ($6) domestically, NZ$20 on short-haul international flights, and NZ$90 on long-haul routes. More adjustments could follow if fuel costs remain high.

    Hong Kong Airlines announced it would hike fuel surcharges by up to 35.2% starting Thursday, with the steepest increases on flights connecting Hong Kong with the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

    ### Market Reactions and Oil Prices

    Some airline stocks gained momentum, and oil prices fell to about $90 per barrel on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the conflict might conclude soon, easing some investor concerns. European airline stocks rose between 4% and 7% as markets opened, while Asian carriers showed signs of recovery, with Qantas up 0.5%, Korean Air Lines up 3%, and Cathay Pacific up 3.6%, following Monday’s sharp declines.

    Fuel costs are a major expense for airlines, typically comprising 20% to 25% of operating costs, making the fluctuation in oil prices highly impactful.

    ### Reduced Airspace and Industry Challenges

    Beyond rising fuel prices, restricted airspace due to the conflict is further threatening the aviation industry. Airlines are rerouting to avoid Middle Eastern conflict zones, leading to increased congestion on key routes.

    Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad together account for roughly one-third of passenger traffic between Europe and Asia and operate over half of all flights connecting Europe to Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands, according to Cirium.

    European carriers, already strained by restrictions caused by the Ukraine war—such as avoiding Russian airspace and flying longer routes—are now facing additional hurdles as available airspace diminishes, complicating their operations further.

  • How To Share the Location of Your Lost Luggage with Airlines Using Android’s Find Hub

    How To Share the Location of Your Lost Luggage with Airlines Using Android’s Find Hub

    Android’s Find Hub now allows you to share the exact location of your lost luggage directly with airlines. This new feature arrives at a perfect time, just as holiday travel peaks and baggage loss is more common. You can generate a secure link from a compatible tracker tag and submit it into the airline’s baggage claim form. Over ten major global carriers, including Lufthansa, Air India, and Scandinavian Airlines, accept these links. This system puts control of your luggage’s location into your hands, eliminating the need to wait for airport staff to manually search for your bag.

    ### How the Find Hub Location Sharing Works

    This feature creates a secure connection between your tracker and the airline’s baggage system. When you report a bag as lost within the Find Hub app, it produces an encrypted URL that directs to the real-time location of your item.

    This link acts as a temporary key. Once you paste it into the airline’s lost luggage form, their staff can view your bag’s position on a map using their existing tracking tools. Importantly, the airline never gains permanent access to your tracker or its history. The link expires after seven days and will deactivate immediately once your phone detects the bag is nearby again. Google ensures all location data remains encrypted end-to-end for privacy.

    ### Step-by-Step Guide to Sharing Your Bag’s Location

    Begin in the Find Hub app on your phone. Locate your lost item in the list and select it. You’ll see a button labeled “Share Item Location.” Tapping this will generate a unique, secure URL that you can copy.

    Next, head to your airline’s website or app. Find the baggage help section and paste the link into the appropriate form. The airline will then have access to a map showing your bag’s current location with live updates.

    Sharing automatically ends when your device detects the bag is back in your possession. Google adds an extra layer of privacy by automatically expiring the link after seven days and encrypting all data involved.

    ### Future Developments

    Google is collaborating with Samsonite to integrate Find Hub technology directly into new suitcases. That means upcoming luggage will connect to the network straight out of the box, without needing a separate tracker tag. The company also states that more airlines, including Qantas, will be joining this program soon.

    For now, this feature gives Android users the same luggage tracking capabilities that iPhone owners have enjoyed since last year. Before your next trip, pick up a compatible tracker tag, check if your airline is on the list, and set up this system in just a few minutes. It’s a quick and easy way to save hours of stress at the baggage counter.

  • Dubai Airports resumes limited flights after 3-day closure

    Dubai Airports resumes limited flights after 3-day closure

    Flights at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 are now operating on a limited schedule, resuming Monday evening after being canceled for three days due to Iran’s military strikes in the Gulf region. These attacks targeted various Gulf airports, disrupting airspace and resulting in extensive ground stop procedures. The closures, which impacted Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and other major regional hubs, marked one of the most significant aviation interruptions in recent years.

    Dubai Airports confirmed that a reduced number of flights would start flying again from both Dubai International and Dubai World Central — Al Maktoum International — later that evening. Emirates and flydubai announced plans to resume some flights, prioritizing passengers with existing reservations, and those affected would be contacted directly. All other scheduled flights remain suspended until further notice, and travelers are advised not to head to the airports unless they receive official confirmation.

    Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, operating out of Abu Dhabi, stated that it would restart flights on Tuesday. Iran’s recent bombardment has affected military sites and civilian infrastructure, including residential areas, hotels, airports, and seaports, intensifying instability across the region. The recent attacks followed reports of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after which the Gulf experienced heightened tensions and ongoing airspace restrictions.

    The disruption extended into a third consecutive day, prompting widespread concern about regional stability and prolonging the shutdown of vital air traffic routes. The UAE government announced a temporary and partial closure of its airspace as a safeguard measure amidst escalating hostilities. Dubai’s international airport, ranked as the second-busiest worldwide, plays a crucial role in the local economy, generating roughly one-third of the emirate’s revenue. The ongoing airspace restrictions threaten to have long-term repercussions on regional commerce and travel.

  • Airlines Struggle with Rising Missile Threats and Airspace Restrictions

    Airlines Struggle with Rising Missile Threats and Airspace Restrictions

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    Emergency responders work at the site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024. — Reuters

    NEW DELHI: Growing geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts worldwide are not only causing human suffering but are also significantly impacting the aviation sector, as airlines face increased operational burdens and decreased profitability.

    Industry leaders report that airlines are struggling with the challenges posed by missile attacks, drone strikes, airspace closures, and the risk of passenger flights being shot down.

    The contemporary battlefield often involves missiles, with airlines incurring heavy costs and losing customer base due to last-minute flight cancellations and expensive reroutes. The aviation industry, renowned for its safety record, is investing heavily in data analysis and security measures.

    "Flight planning in such an unpredictable environment is exceptionally challenging. The aviation sector is built on predictability, and any disruption leads to increased costs," stated Guy Murray, head of aviation security at TUI Airline in Europe.

    As airspace closures escalate, particularly around Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, airlines find themselves with fewer viable routes. Mark Zee, founder of OPSGROUP, a service that provides flight risk data, noted that over half of the countries typically crossed on a Europe-Asia flight now require thorough assessment prior to departure.

    The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has resulted in commercial flights sharing airspace with sudden drone and missile attacks along critical flight paths—some incidents reportedly occurring within sight of cockpit crews and passengers.

    Russian airports, particularly in Moscow, are frequently shut down due to drone activity, while GPS spoofing and jamming are on the rise near global political faultlines.

    Following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan last month, both nations restricted each other’s airspace.

    "Airspace shouldn’t be weaponized in retaliatory moves, yet it is," remarked Nick Careen, International Air Transport Association (IATA) senior vice president for operations, safety, and security, during a press conference at IATA’s annual meeting in New Delhi.

    Isidre Porqueras, the COO at Indian airline IndiGo, emphasized that recent flight diversions are undermining progress made in reducing emissions and boosting operational efficiency.

    Airlines Under Fire

    Beyond financial implications, the gravest concern for civil aviation is the potential for an aircraft to be struck—either unintentionally or deliberately—by a missile.

    An Azerbaijan Airlines flight tragically crashed in Kazakhstan in December, claiming 38 lives after being mistakenly targeted by Russian air defenses, according to sources including Azerbaijan’s president and Reuters. In another incident the previous October, a cargo plane was shot down in Sudan, resulting in the death of five individuals.

    According to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions, since 2001, six commercial flights have been shot down with three near misses reported.

    As conflicts escalate, governments need to enhance information-sharing protocols to secure civil aviation. IATA Director General Willie Walsh emphasized this necessity during a recent address.

    Though safety records within the commercial aviation industry indicate a steady decline in accidents over the last two decades, these figures do not encompass security incidents involving weaponry.

    In February, IATA highlighted that flights operating in conflict zones represent a top priority for global safety coordination.

    Route Adjustments and Safety Risks

    Each airline makes route decisions based on a mix of government advisories, security consultations, and information-sharing between carriers and nations, which can lead to inconsistent safety policies.

    Since the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022, the closure of Russian airspace to Western carriers has placed them at a competitive disadvantage compared to airlines from China, India, and the Middle East, which still use shorter, fuel-efficient northern routes.

    Changing risk assessments resulted in Singapore Airlines’ flight SQ326 from Singapore to Amsterdam taking three different paths within just over a year, according to tracking data from Flightradar24. Following missile and drone exchanges between Iran and Israel in April 2024, the flight began diverting over previously avoided Afghanistan rather than Iran. Recently, it adjusted again to steer clear of Pakistan’s airspace due to rising tensions with India. Now, SQ326 reaches Europe via the Persian Gulf and Iraq.

    Pilots and flight attendants are increasingly concerned about how these inconsistent risk factors could affect their safety during flights.

    "IATA insists that airlines should determine safety over conflict zones, not regulatory bodies. Yet, commercial pressures can influence these vital decisions," said Paul Reuter, vice president of the European Cockpit Association, representing pilots.

    Flight crews are generally allowed to decline assignments based on airspace safety concerns, whether related to weather or conflict zones, according to IATA’s security chief Careen. "Most airlines prefer not to have crew members onboard if they are not comfortable flying," he assured.

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  • Airlines Alter Flights Amid Pakistan-India Conflict Escalation

    Airlines Alter Flights Amid Pakistan-India Conflict Escalation

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    —

    A view of Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, May 7, 2025 — Reuters

    TAIPEI/NEW DELHI: Major airlines like United Airlines and Korean Air canceled or rerouted flights as approximately twelve airports in India closed on Wednesday. This response came after India launched a retaliatory strike on Pakistan, heightening concerns of escalating conflict.

    The Indian military targeted Azad Kashmir, while Pakistan claimed it had downed five Indian fighter jets during the incident, which followed an attack last month that resulted in 26 fatalities in the region of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

    Flight tracking data revealed a significant number of airlines adjusting their routes over Oman, the UAE, and Kuwait, prompting fears of airspace congestion.

    Pakistani authorities reported that 57 international flights were operating in their airspace when the Indian attack occurred. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office stated that India’s actions posed “serious threats to commercial airlines” from Gulf nations and endangered passengers’ lives.

    India’s civil aviation ministry had not responded immediately to inquiries regarding Pakistan’s statements.

    In recent days, both India and Pakistan have restricted their airspace to each other’s carriers, leading global airlines such as Lufthansa to avoid Pakistani airspace altogether.

    Flight operations within both nations experienced significant disruption, with 3% of scheduled flights in India and 17% in Pakistan being canceled by 10:30 GMT, according to Flightradar24 data.

    India’s leading airline, IndiGo, announced it would cancel 165 flights up to Saturday morning, resulting in a 1.1% share price drop. Cancellations also affected Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air.

    Despite the recent closures, Pakistan reported that its airspace had reopened and that its airports were “operationally sound.”

    Concerns Over GPS Spoofing

    The ongoing changes to airline schedules are set to complicate operations further for carriers in the Middle East and South Asia, already impacted by regional conflicts.

    A representative for the Dutch airline KLM confirmed that it would refrain from flying over Pakistan until further notice. Similarly, Singapore Airlines declared it had ceased flights over Pakistani airspace as of May 6.

    Korean Air announced it would reroute its flights from Seoul to Dubai, opting for a path that traverses Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, bypassing previous routes through Pakistani airspace.

    United Airlines also canceled its flight to Delhi, citing “airspace restrictions” among other reasons. The U.S. airline provides one direct flight from Newark to New Delhi.

    Thai Airways indicated that it would be rerouting flights to European and South Asian destinations starting early Wednesday, and Taiwan’s China Airlines reported disruptions for flights to and from cities such as London, Frankfurt, and Rome.

    Flights from India to Europe have also been observed taking longer routes. For instance, a Lufthansa flight from Delhi to Frankfurt took approximately half an hour longer to reach its destination compared to the previous day’s schedule, according to FlightRadar24.

    The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines expressed concerns about the impact of the ongoing conflicts on airline operations, highlighting not just the cost and operational disruptions but also the serious safety risks posed by GPS spoofing, which can mislead flight operations in conflict zones.

    GPS spoofing refers to a deceptive technique that alters Global Positioning System (GPS) data, potentially diverting commercial airliners from their intended paths.

    —

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  • Apple’s New Find My Tool Helps Locate Lost Luggage

    Apple’s New Find My Tool Helps Locate Lost Luggage

    Apple’s Find My platform plays a significant role in its ecosystem, allowing users to track the location of their accessories. Recently, the tech giant unveiled a new feature named Share Item Location, enhancing the ability for users to securely share the whereabouts of any accessory or item attached to an AirTag with friends or airline service providers.

    In pursuit of this goal, Apple has partnered with more than 15 major airlines across North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe to facilitate the tracking of lost belongings for passengers. These airline partners are set to launch their tracking support services in the coming months.

    Share Item Location feature in Apple Find My System.
    Apple

    Current airline partners include well-known carriers such as Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United, and Virgin Atlantic.

    SITA (Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques), a global technology provider for aviation, will incorporate Apple’s Share Item Location into its WorldTracer baggage tracking system. This collaboration aims to broaden the scope of Apple’s tracking features to cover over 500 airlines and 2,800 airports, enhancing the travel experience for users globally.

    The Share Item Location capability is integrated within the Find My system and is currently accessible as part of the iOS 18.2 beta update. At the time of writing, Digital Trends has confirmed its availability to users in several regions across North America and Asia.

    Finding lost items using Share Item Location feature in Apple Find My System.
    Apple

    This innovative tool works with all Apple devices compatible with the Find My system, as well as any item or luggage connected to AirTags. Apple assures that the sharing of item tracking links will be fully encrypted, providing essential security for users.

    Share Item Location feature in Apple Find My System to find misplaced luggage.
    Apple

    If you’ve misplaced an Apple device or a bag with an AirTag, you can initiate the retrieval process by launching the Find My app on any Apple device and creating a Share Item Location link.

    After generating the link, the recipient will be able to see a map indicating the location of the item in question. According to Apple, “the website will automatically refresh when new location data becomes available and will display the most recent update’s timestamp.”

    Share Item Location feature in Apple Find My System to recover lost items.
    Apple

    To maintain security, anyone attempting to access the tracking dashboard will need to verify their identity. This measure safeguards against unauthorized access to the item’s live location, thus protecting user privacy.

    Verification will occur either through an Apple Account (for those in the Family Sharing group or part of the Apple ecosystem) or via a registered email provided by the airline service partner.

    The aforementioned email address will be recognized as an Apple Partner, accessible only to airlines that have partnered with Apple to assist users in Find My tracking.

  • Emirates to Give 5 Months Salary as a Bonus to Employees

    Emirates to Give 5 Months Salary as a Bonus to Employees

    The Emirates Group today issued its 2023-24 Annual Report, which set new profit, sales, and cash balance records.

    In 2023-24, both Emirates and dnata had considerable profit and revenue improvements as the Group extended its global operations to satisfy strong consumer demand for its high-quality products and services.

    Statistics

    For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, the Emirates Group reported a record profit of Dhs18.7 billion ($5.1 billion), up 71% from the previous year’s earnings of Dhs10.9 billion ($3.0 billion). The Group’s sales were Dhs137.3 billion ($37.4 billion), up 15% from the previous year’s figures.

    The Group’s cash balance was Dhs47.1 billion ($12.8 billion), the largest ever reported and up 11% from the previous year.

    The combined Group earnings over the previous two years, at Dhs29.6 billion, have surpassed pandemic losses of Dhs25.9 billion in 2020-2022.

    Both Emirates and dnata have created successful business models that capitalize on Dubai’s particular assets, resulting in great value for Dubai and the communities it serves throughout the world.

    New A350

    emirates airbus a350 900

    Sheikh Ahmed went on to say, “The Group’s current great financial status puts us in a strong position for future expansion and success. It allows us to invest in providing even greater products, services, and value to our consumers and stakeholders.

    He stated, “We approach the fiscal year 2024-25 with good foundations for further development. Emirates will take receipt of ten additional A350 aircraft in 2024-25, contributing to its fleet mix and supporting the next phase of network expansion. dnata will continue to use synergies and scalability across its business segments to expand its reach and capabilities. In tandem, we are spending resources to reduce our environmental effect, develop our employees, and care for our clients and the communities we serve.”

    He continued, “Looking ahead, the Dubai government has declared plans to begin the next phase of growth at Al Maktoum International Airport, which would eventually serve as the new hub for Emirates and dnata operations. This Dhs128 billion ($ 35 billion) investment would considerably extend and improve Dubai’s aviation and logistics infrastructure, hence supporting the city’s expansion as well as the growth of Emirates and dnata.

    20 weeks’ salary as advance to employees

    According to an internal email seen by Reuters, the state-owned airline would offer its employees a bonus equal to 20 weeks’ wages.

    Emirates’ overall passenger and cargo capacity grew by 20% to 57.7 billion ATKMs in 2023-24, returning to pre-pandemic levels.

    The airline achieved a new record profit of Dhs17.2 billion ($4.7 billion), surpassing the previous year’s Dhs10.6 billion ($2.9 billion), with an outstanding profit margin of 14.2%, marking the highest performance in the airline’s history.

    Emirates transported 51.9 million passengers (up 19%) in 2023-24, with seat capacity increasing by 21%.

    The cargo sector achieved a good revenue of Dhs13.6 billion ($3.7 billion), accounting for 11% of the airline’s overall income.

    Emirates’ SkyCargo had a total freighter fleet of 11 Boeing 777Fs at the end of 2023-24. The freight sector expects to get its five more Boeing 777Fs on order in mid-2024.

    Emirates proceeded to satisfy all of its normal aircraft-related payment commitments, repaying an extra Dhs2.2 billion ($ 596 million) of the Dhs17.5 billion ($ 4.8 billion) borrowed during the COVID-19 problem.

    Emirates ended the fiscal year with its highest-ever level of cash assets, Dhs42.9 billion ($11.7 billion), 15% more than on March 31, 2023.

    dnata’s earnings climbed by 330% to Dhs1.4 billion ($ 387 million) in 2023-24, with strong performance across all business segments.

    dnata’s overall revenue climbed by 29% to a new high of Dhs19.2 billion ($5.2 billion), boosted by increasing global flight and passenger activity.

  • China Southern Airlines Announces Its Longest Commercial Flight

    China Southern Airlines Announces Its Longest Commercial Flight

    In Short

    • The flight route will be from Shenzhen, China to Mexico City, Mexico
    • The total flight distance is 14,147 KM
    • The airline is using Airbus A350 with the flight code CZ8031/2

    As the world’s second-largest economy increases its international aviation footprint, China Southern Airlines, one of its top airlines, has opted to launch a historic route: the first direct passenger flight from Shenzhen, China to Mexico City, Mexico, according to CNN.

    The route, which will be the longest nonstop regular commercial flight departing from China, has been launched to broaden the economic powerhouse’s horizons in the international aviation business.

    The journey will traverse an astounding 14,147 kilometers each way, taking about 16 hours on the outward leg from Shenzhen. The initial flight departs on Tuesday, May 11, with further Tuesday and Saturday trips scheduled.

    ROUTE BETWEEN SHENZHEN TO MEXICO CITY

    The return trip, however, will be significantly longer. Flights back to China will take an estimated 21 hours and 20 minutes, including a quick refueling stop in Tijuana, Mexico. Travelers will not disembark during this stopover. The route from Mexico to China will be accessible on Wednesdays and Sundays beginning May 12.

    According to SZ News, a state-affiliated news organization located in Shenzhen, Airbus A350 aircraft will fly the roundtrip service, which has flight code CZ8031/2.

    The new route is the longest nonstop commercial flight departing from any Chinese airport, surpassing China Southern Airlines’ journey from Guangzhou to New York, which covers a distance of 12,871 kilometers.

  • Singapore Airlines Turn A380 into a Restaurant, To Serve Plane Food

    One of the grounded A380 jumbo jet by Singapore airlines is now converted into a pop restaurant that offers home delivery plane food as an initiative to make efforts and re-engage their customers who weren’t able to take a tour because of the pandemic.

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