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      Emirates Flight Training Academy hits three key milestones at the third graduation ceremony

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      As the aviation world grapples with pilot shortages, Emirates Flight Training Academy’s (EFTA) third graduation ceremony held earlier today welcomed 53 new pilots trained at their world-class facility into the industry.
      With the latest ceremony, EFTA celebrated crossing three major milestones, including graduating –
      international cadets for the first time since the academy opened its doors for non-Emirati cadets in late 2019the largest cohort – more than 50 cadets and double that of previous eventsmore than 100 cadets since its first graduation in 2020.At the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group congratulated and awarded certificates to the cadet graduates. Emirates’ executive management team in attendance included: Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer; Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer and Ali Al Soori, Executive Vice President Chairman’s Office & Facilities/Projects Management.
      EFTA also hosted senior leaders from across the UAE aviation community including His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA); His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC);  Tahnoon Saif, Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub; Major General Ali Atiq Bin Lahej, Director of the General Department of Airports Security at Dubai Police, and a delegation from the UAE Armed Forces.
      His Highness Sheikh Ahmed said: “Years ago, we realised there would be a huge demand for trained pilots to support commercial aviation’s needs, and as a global airline and an industry leader, we felt compelled to act. Today’s graduation ceremony marks the achievement of our long-term vision for establishing the state-of-the-art Emirates Flight Training Academy to welcome and nurture young talent not just locally, but globally. Our next generation of highly skilled, well-trained cadets is a demonstration of the academy’s contribution to the aviation industry. We’re incredibly proud of our graduates and our team at EFTA.”ADVERTISEMENTCaptain Abdulla Al Hammadi, Vice President Emirates Flight Training Academy said: “To say that our cadets, instructors and our teams at EFTA have flown through an incredibly turbulent two years is an understatement. We have great admiration for our cadets’ spirit, positivity and the gusto with which they went through the rigours of ground school and sailed through their flying lessons.
      “They are bidding goodbye to the academy, not just with a clutch of certificates and trophies, but with a range of professional and life skills, an array of amazing competencies, and vibrant memories. They’ve left their mark at EFTA, and we are confident they will be captivating the hearts and minds of the aviation industry. Today marks their last day of one journey and the exciting first day of another.”
      Ali Al Ali, cadet graduate, echoed the sentiments of the cohort in his address: “Before we move on to the future, we would like to remember the past couple of years. There are several moments etched in our collective consciousness. We remember the feeling of pride when we first joined the academy, when we first wore our uniforms, on our first solo flight. We loved ground school and our high-tech classrooms, even the sleepless nights we spent studying. But then, we loved our flying lessons even more – the hours we spent honing our skills in the open skies and knowing this is what we will be doing our entire professional lives. What can be more extraordinary than having an office 38,000 feet up in the sky? The academy has taught us all how to be leaders, how to be responsible, disciplined, and professional. On behalf of the Class of 2022, our sincere gratitude goes to everyone who made our graduation possible.”
      The ceremony evoked a range of emotions as the young graduates took to the stage, cheered on by their proud families and friends. And rightly so, as the young cadets had successfully completed the rigorous programme with 900 hours of ground-based training and 250 hours of flight instruction to obtain their Integrated Air Transport Pilot Licence.
      EFTA also honoured the highest performing and most diligent cadets for their achievements across all facets of the training programme.
      According to Oliver Wyman’s latest research, the aviation industry will experience a global gap of 34,000 pilots by 2025, which could increase to 50,000 given the impact of furloughs and retirements. Driven by a projected sharp increase in air travel demand, the Middle East region could face a shortage of 3,000 pilots by 2023 and 18,000 by 2032. Boeing estimates that by 2041 the gap will widen to 602,000 pilots globally and 53,000 in the Middle East.

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      COMPANION VOUCHERS NOW REDEEMABLE ON IBERIA AND AER LINGUS FLIGHTS

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      Sheikh Khalifa bin Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nayhan breaks four GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ at CLYMB Abu Dhab More

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      AirTrip International signs multi-year agreement to use Sabre GDS

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      NFINI Travel Information, the exclusive Sabre GDS distribution partner in Japan, and Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, today announced a new, multi-year GDS agreement with AirTrip International Corp. The deal will see AirTrip International capitalizing on Sabre’s global distribution system (GDS) as part of its strategy to spur growth of its outbound business with advanced technology.
      Using Sabre’s rich GDS content, including NDC offers, as well as Sabre’s Bargain Finder Max API, AirTrip International will be able to expand its content regime while creating compelling offers for its customers.
      Bargain Finder Max utilizes Sabre’s proprietary shopping algorithm and broad array of rich content to deliver optimal itinerary offers in seconds. This will enable AirTrip International to create customized booking experiences for travelers by tailoring search results for the most relevant fares, based on itinerary preferences.
      “This is an important partnership for AirTrip International, and we are excited by the prospects of this collaboration,” said Yusuke Shibata, President & Representative Director / CFO of AirTrip International. “Our mission at AirTrip is to use advanced products and technologies with our unique position in the Japanese market to deliver a best-in-class travel experience for our customers. This mission is even more relevant as travel recovery gains momentum in Japan. Sabre is well-positioned to share its next-generation content and technology which will be an essential component in providing a superior customer experience.”
      AirTrip International established itself as a preferred choice of travelers in Japan’s highly competitive markets by focusing on meeting customer needs through a superior product experience. The OTA has proved itself to be resilient in its ability to adapt its business model quickly to the challenges which have emerged throughout the pandemic and is now focused on technological advancement for future growth.ADVERTISEMENT“We very much welcome the AirTrip International decision to choose the Sabre GDS as a distribution channel in Japan,” said Kimio Uemura, CEO, INFINI Travel Information. “It validates our vision for the Sabre/INFINI partnership and the need for advanced industry solutions that meet service needs, while effectively supporting travel agents’ desire to expand the breadth of their business models globally.”
      “As travel agencies look to secure a competitive edge amid continuing recovery, they need a technology partner with the stability and resources to continue investing in advanced and new technology solutions,” said Brett Thorstad, Vice President, Sabre Travel Solutions, Agency Sales, Asia Pacific. “There’s a huge opportunity for AirTrip International to act fast and position itself for growth. AirTrip’s decision to become part of Sabre’s GDS will enable the OTA to tap into expected increased demand, during the recovery period and beyond.”

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      HERTZ NAMES WAYNE DAVIS AS CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

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      MSC CRUISES LAUNCHES NEWEST FLAGSHIP MSC SEASCAPE AT A DAZZLING CEREMONY IN NEW YORK CITY More

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      Heathrow to kick off the holiday season by giving away 10,000 Christmas gifts

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      Heathrow has enlisted hundreds of ‘Little Here to Helpers’ to kick off the festive season for passengers by giving away 10,000 Christmas gifts.
      The presents will be given out across all four terminals in the run up to new year in a bid spread Christmas cheer. All gifts will be from the airport’s shops, bars and restaurants and include free flights and lounge access, with other Christmas presents including Chanel perfumes, Pret breakfasts and designer makeup from World Duty Free.
      This December will be the biggest Christmas getaway in three years. Over three million passengers are expected to travel through Heathrow in the last two weeks of the month for festive breaks at home and abroad – double that of the same period last year. Holidaymakers are split in what they look for in a winter trip, with the most popular destinations set to be chilly New York and sunny Dubai.
      To further add to passengers’ Christmas spirit, Heathrow has launched an advent calendar on its website and app, containing offers for those travelling through the airport until 25th December. Behind the windows lie discounts from Heathrow shops, bonus points from Heathrow Rewards, exclusive World Duty Free promotions and deals on festive-inspired food and beverage menus.
      Tonia Fielding, Director of Services at Heathrow said: ADVERTISEMENT“After three years of restricted travel, we are looking forward to welcoming millions of passengers who will be passing through Heathrow this December to go on festive breaks with family and friends. We have been working closely with all our partners across the airport to recruit more colleagues to provide a great airport experience. We want to ensure passengers can depart as they mean to go on and enjoy the holiday season from the moment they arrive at Heathrow. We hope our Little Here to Helpers will spread a bit of festive spirit this Christmas.”
      Heathrow’s Little Here to Helpers are staffed from the airport’s Here to Help programme, which is now in its twelfth year and forms part of Heathrow’s efforts to ensure the very best airport experience for passengers. Over 750 Heathrow colleagues from non-operational and office-based roles took to the airport this summer to contribute 10,000 hours’ worth of additional customer support and help manage the pressures in the airport.
      The Little Here To Helpers will be easily recognisable, donning purple Santa hats and located near one of the 25 Christmas trees spread across the terminals. Passengers just need to keep an eye out to kick start their festivities ahead of their flight.
      Try Heathrow’s advent calendar at https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/advent-calendar.

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      EDITION Hotels announces plans of doubling the number of its properties to 30 by 2027

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      The Leading Hotels of the World welcomes six new members More

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      Dubai-based DAMAC Group signs contract with Mandarin Oriental

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      Announced at the International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes France (ILTM), the Dubai based DAMAC Group, under its property development arm DAMAC Properties — one of the region’s foremost luxury real estate developers, has signed a contract with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to operate a new resort on a group of private islands in The Maldives.The 34-hectare luxury resort, which is currently under development and is scheduled to open in 2025, will be DAMAC Group’s first foray in the tourist islands, known for its premium five-star offerings.The Indian Ocean resort stretches across three private islands on Bolidhuffaru Reef in South Male Atoll, accessed by an easy 20-minute speedboat ride from Male’s Velana international airport.
      Surrounded by white sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs for which The Maldives is renowned, the resort will provide a picturesque backdrop from where guests can enjoy a variety of activities including culinary experiences through various specialty restaurants around the island in addition to wellness retreats and water sports.
      The Mandarin Oriental Bolidhuffaru Reef’s accommodation comprises 130 stand-alone villas, made up of 61 overwater villas and 66 beachfront villas, including 10 branded residences. Ranging in size from 100 to 600 square metres (internal), the villas will be some of the largest in the market, each providing exclusivity and seclusion, with private pools and beautiful ocean views. The Group is working with a number of international consultants to ensure sustainability best practises are followed in all stages of the development.
      Seven dining outlets, including three speciality restaurants and an exclusive dining venue along with a pool bar will ensure that guests have a varied choice of cuisines during their stay.
      In addition, creative indoor and outdoor event spaces will provide unique locations for meetings, social gatherings and weddings. ADVERTISEMENTSpacious wellness facilities will be located in the resort’s tropical gardens, and will include 12 treatment suites, vitality pools, sauna and steam rooms as well as a beauty salon. Mandarin Oriental’s expert team of wellness practitioners will offer tailored experiences and the Group’s signature treatments.
      Additional leisure activities will include a water sports and a dive centre, tennis courts, a world class kids and teens club designed by international consultants, a swimming pool and numerous private coves and beaches to explore.

      “The DAMAC brand is synonymous with luxury products and service, and we felt The Maldives was a perfect location for us. DAMAC has extended its global footprint outside of the Middle East, from the UK to Canada, and we are thrilled to have now reached The Maldives as well. We look forward to working with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to manage our new resort on this beautiful island,” Hussain Sajwani, Chairman and founder of the DAMAC Group said.
      ‘‘We are continuously entering into partnerships with established world class brands that mirror DAMAC’s reputation and standards for luxury offerings and are confident that Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will excel in its mandate,” Sajwani added.
      Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Having grown from its Asian roots into a global brand, the Group now operates 36 hotels and seven residences in 24 countries and territories, with each property reflecting the Group’s oriental heritage and unique sense of place.
      Mandarin Oriental has a strong pipeline of hotels and residences under development and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.
      “Mandarin Oriental is focused on developing its resort portfolio and has been looking to enter The Maldives for some time. This project represents the right opportunity for the Group” said James Riley, Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

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      JOYÀ Celebrates its 8th Anniversary as the Only Cirque du Soleil Resident Show in Mexico More

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      JOYÀ Celebrates its 8th Anniversary as the Only Cirque du Soleil Resident Show in Mexico

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      Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ celebrated its 8th anniversary as Latin America’s first resident Cirque du Soleil show, the first show of its kind at a resort and the only Cirque du Soleil show to include an immersive culinary experience. JOYÀ marks the beginning of a strong collaboration between Grupo Vidanta, the leading developer of resorts and tourism infrastructure in Mexico and Latin America, and Cirque du Soleil.JOYÀ is an homage to Mexico, a creative conquest, a celebration of nature, and a tribute to the power of friendship and family. Over the seasons, Cirque du Soleil assembled for this show, a team of the best acrobats, aerialists, actors, jugglers, dancers, singers, and technicians from different parts of the world, including Mongolia, Ukraine, France, Spain, England, Japan, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, China, Colombia, USA, of course, Mexico.
      “JOYÀ is a must see show in the Riviera Maya; through this eight-year partnership between Grupo Vidanta and Cirque du Soleil, over 1,135,500 guests experienced an entirely new category of immersive entertainment in Mexico,” said Iván Chávez, Executive Vice President of Grupo Vidanta. “We are extremely proud to work with the hundreds of performers, artisans, designers, chefs, waiters and crew who come together to make JOYÀ possible, and to have the opportunity to share this extraordinary experience with people from around the world.”
      As a place where anything is possible, JOYÀ is the only dining experience of any Cirque du Soleil production worldwide, presenting an exquisite three-course dinner that tempts every sense with culinary wonders as spectacular as the theater, music, and performances. “The JOYÀ dinner experience should be as enjoyable and surprising as the show itself,” said Alexis Bostelmann, Executive Chef at Vidanta.
      To celebrate eight years of being a fantastic, genre-blending show, here is a journey through JOYÀ numbers and fun facts over the years:
      ADVERTISEMENTOver 2,430 shows performedMore than 1,135,500 guests in attendance300+ collaborators of over 20 nationalities on and off stage to make the show happen18 months taken to build the theatre6 months to build the setMore than 360,000 dinners. Servers must prepare for the second show in the dark!The multi-sensory dining offers regular, vegetarian and vegan menu options along with gluten-free food. And the menu card is edible!Each night, around 200 bottles of champagne and 1,428 canapes are served100 costumes were hand-crafted in 15,000 hours!It takes 5 months to create the masks worn by Zelig’s Masters; the masks have 10,000 beads and jewels, each glued by hand35 full-time theatrical technicians33 full-time performers, who rehearse 4 times per weekThe artists use more than 110 colors for their makeup and apply it in 30 steps.6 wardrobe staff take care of the artists’ wardrobeLyrics are in an invented language that refers to the world’s cultural diversity.There are hidden symbols with references to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, allusions to the stories of Octavio Paz and Carlos Fuentes, and hints at the work of Guillermo del Toro.… and many more secrets and references to discover! It takes more than one visit to spot them all.
      JOYÀ reminds audiences that everyone has important stories to tell, and somewhere inside, there is a curious child who wants to play and a spark of imagination waiting to ignite. If anyone has experienced JOYÀ, there is an opportunity to relive the journey as new elements and surprises are constantly added.
      Tickets are available at: www.cirquedusoleil.com/joya

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      SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando’s Ted the Turtle, Makes Debut on New Frontier Airlines Plane Tail

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      Final Boeing 747 Airplane Leaves Everett Factory

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      The last Boeing 747 left the company’s widebody factory in advance of its delivery to Atlas Air in early 2023.
      “For more than half a century, tens of thousands of dedicated Boeing employees have designed and built this magnificent airplane that has truly changed the world. We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come,” said Kim Smith, Boeing Vice President and general manager, 747 and 767 Programs.The 747 has played a key role in Boeing’s history of aerospace leadership.

      Production of the 747, the world’s first twin-aisle airplane, began in 1967 and spanned 54 years, during which a total of 1,574 airplanes were built.At 250 ft 2 in (76.2 m), the 747-8 is the longest commercial aircraft in service. At typical cruising speeds, the 747-8 travels roughly the length of three FIFA soccer fields or NFL football fields, per second.The final airplane is a 747-8 Freighter. This model has a revenue payload of 133.1 tonnes, enough to transport 10,699 solid-gold bars or approximately 19 million ping-pong balls or golf balls.As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

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      More Travel Disruption Feared As Passengers Take To The Skies This Holiday Season

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      SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando’s Ted the Turtle, Makes Debut on New Frontier Airlines Plane Tail More

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      More Travel Disruption Feared As Passengers Take To The Skies This Holiday Season

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      New data from travel technology company IBS Software reveals that despite more than two thirds (68%) of passengers being inconvenienced by disrupted journeys since COVID travel restrictions were lifted and 66% expecting more of the same during upcoming trips, most (83%) still plan on flying for a break in the next six months.The research, which polled 2000 recent travellers in the UK and US*, warns that holiday providers have one more chance to get it right; if holidaymakers experience disruptions again during their upcoming trips, over half (55%) will avoid booking with the airline in the future. When asked who they blame for their poor experiences, 50% said it was the fault of the airlines when flights were delayed, with just 13% blaming the airport. However, when it comes to lost luggage the jury is out – 42% say it’s the airport’s responsibility and 40% are seething at the airline.
      Delayed flights or missed connections was the most common holiday hurdle, affecting over a third of all passengers (35%), followed closely by waiting in longer than normal queues (31%) and cancelled flights (15%). Lost luggage, which dominated the news headlines in the Summer, is confirmed by the research as a major annoyance, blighting nearly 1 in 7 passengers’ holidays over the last 18 months.
      Despite a clear desire to travel, passengers won’t accept more disruption without protest. If passengers find out their journey is going to be disrupted, 53% will complain to the airline and 38% will use social media to broadcast their annoyance. And if an airline doesn’t have a reputation for punctuality they’re likely to lose out with 93% of travellers saying this is an important factor when deciding which airline to buy from.
      However, there is still an opportunity for airlines to win back the loyalty of their passengers. When terminal turmoil occurs, passengers can be placated by automatic refunds when eligible; proactive customer support to suggest alternative routes; and automatic alerts on their phone when something goes wrong. As one passenger who took the survey commented: “Just actually organise yourselves properly, there’s no excuse for all the disruption”.
      Philip Hinton, SVP, IBS Software, comments: “The pent-up desire to travel was always going to put airlines and airports under extreme pressure – and so it proved, with widespread disruption plaguing many long-anticipated journeys. Airlines know this is a major issue and we are seeing them prioritising on-time performance and customer satisfaction because the widespread issues have directly impacted business performance.”ADVERTISEMENT

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      Ontario International named the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. for the fifth straight year

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      Ontario International named the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. for the fifth straight year

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      The accolades keep rolling in for Ontario International Airport (ONT), the gateway for choice for millions of Southern California air travelers and now, for the fifth straight year, the fastest-growing airport in the United States
      The ranking is based on a survey of frequent travelers by Global Traveler, a magazine geared to business and luxury fliers who travel extensively in the U.S. and abroad, and comes as ONT is poised to reach its highest annual passenger volumes since 2008. Ontario is on track to serve a quarter of a million more passengers this year than the 5.6 million recorded during the last pre-pandemic year of 2019, making it one of the fastest-recovering airports in the U.S.
      Being a member of Global Traveler’s five-time club puts ONT in rarified air and underscores the airport’s emergence as one of the industry’s great success stories since its return to local ownership six years ago. Ontario also is one of the Top 10 cargo airports in North America and a major economic driver in Southern California, generating $3.8 billion in activity, supporting 27,800 jobs and serving as the hub for a global supply chain network that generates $17.8 billion in economic output.
      “We’ve committed to establishing Ontario International as a premier aviation gateway, and are thrilled with the response we’ve received from the community and region we serve. Being recognized as the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. is something we’re very proud of, but what matters most is being able to offer our travelers a safe, convenient airport experience they won’t get anywhere else,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners.
      Atif Elkadi, OIAA chief executive officer, noted that 10 million Southern Californians live or work closer to ONT than any other airport.ADVERTISEMENT“We appreciate the trust our community has put in us and recognize the responsibility that comes with that to grow the right way. As we look ahead to 2023 and beyond, that partnership with the community and the region will allow us to add more flights, more destinations and enhanced customer-experience amenities that matter to travelers from across the Inland Empire and Southern California,” Elkadi said.

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      Disney Cruise Line Returns to Tropical Destinations in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico

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