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    Emirates and USTA Foundation present new tennis courts to the youth of East Palo Alto

    Emirates and the United States Tennis Association Foundation (USTA Foundation) have joined forces to present brand new tennis courts to the community of East Palo Alto as part of Emirates’ “Force for Good” court rejuvenation initiative. The world’s largest international airline’s contribution of USD 500,000 supported the construction of one of the six new courts […] More

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    Qatar Airways Unveils AI-Driven Travel Experience at Web Summit Qatar

    Qatar Airways Group, the Official Airline Sponsor of the Web Summit Qatar, helped open the biggest technology conference in the Middle East with a special viewing of the five-star airline’s pipeline of latest innovative travel technology products.
    These included an exclusive reveal of a prompt less Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) experience designed to seamlessly help customers find their dream journeys across Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 170 destinations.
    Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways is helping push the boundaries of what to expect from the travel experience of the future. When it comes to digital innovation, our approach is to always focus on the ways in which we can gain advantages for our passengers and employees along with operational efficiencies by using technology.”
    He added: “The airline and its subsidiaries are constantly evolving, working hand-in-hand with partners, stakeholders and regulators to utilise the latest advances in aviation and travel technology. It is an exciting time for the airline’s innovative and ideating workforce, and we are working to foster a culture of creativity and innovation. These pioneering technologies that we are showcasing blur the boundaries between the physical and the virtual, offering a tantalising peek into a new era of travel.”
    Attendees exploring the Qatar Airways exhibit at the Web Summit, which is being held for the first time in Qatar, were treated to a preview of the future of travel through the airline’s latest innovations on display.ADVERTISEMENTThe new Generative AI experience is designed to make travel planning hassle-free and personalised. By using frictionless visual interactions and an interactive 3D map, customers’ travel preferences are understood, eliminating the need for manual searches and detailed text inputs. This development is part of Qatar Airways’ ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of travel, enhancing passenger comfort and convenience at every stage of their journey.
    As a leader in industry innovation and digital adoption, Qatar Airways was recently voted the World’s Best Airline Website by World Travel Tech Awards. Excelling in identifying and responding to emerging trends of passengers, the airline also introduced an in-house application that enables its award-winning cabin crew to deliver personalised experiences for passengers.
    Qatar Airways Privilege Club has also recently enhanced its programme with the newly unveiled Privilege Club Collection platform, available to all its members. The platform is set to transform the way members spend their Avios by offering them thrilling opportunities to bid from a selection of curated packages.
    In a tribute to the innovative digital workplace culture at Qatar Airways, the airline also recently won two Human Resources accolades: “Brilliance Award for Employee Engagement” and “Gold Award for Use of Technology in Internal Communications” at the 2024 International Brilliance Awards.

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    Emirates Takes Flight at ITB Berlin: Showcasing Innovation and Commitment to Europe

    Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, will return to ITB Berlin from 5 until 7 March in a major way, showcasing its latest signature products and reaffirming the airline’s longstanding commitment to Europe’s leading travel and trade show.
    Emirates is gearing up for three action-packed days at ITB Berlin with plans to launch new partnerships and expand existing collaborations with local and regional travel partners – including air carriers to enhance connectivity for travellers headed to/from major European travel hubs; and strategic partnerships with travel and tourism entities to promote travel to and from Europe via joint marketing and other trade initiatives.
    Visitors to the Emirates stand will have the opportunity to experience Emirates’ latest roster of innovative products and fan-favourites including the highly popular Emirates Premium Economy seat which will be showcased in Germany for the first time. Unveiled at the 2022 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Emirates’ Premium Economy product has so far won multiple awards and is available on 27 A380 aircraft flying to 15 destinations including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, London Heathrow, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo, Mumbai, Bangalore, Sao Paulo and Dubai.
    Also debuting for the first time at ITB Berlin is Emirates’ iconic Boeing 777-300ER game-changer First Class fully enclosed private suite. With the full range of onboard products on display, visitors can experience Emirates’ Boeing 777 Business Class seat, the newest generation of the A380 Onboard Lounge and First Class Shower Spa, as well as its generously pitched Economy Class seats.
    Emirates will also dedicate an area to showcase its latest sustainability initiatives, including onboard items that incorporate responsibly-sourced materials, and items from ‘Air-crafted by Emirates’ – a unique collection of luggage, bags and accessories made from upcycled materials from retrofitted A380 aircraft. The airline’s sustainability efforts focus on three areas: reducing emissions, consuming responsibly, and protecting biodiversity and habitats.ADVERTISEMENTThe Emirates stand will also include four meeting spaces and can accommodate up to 200 visitors at any point in time.
    Emirates and Europe
    Emirates began air transport services to Europe in 1987 and has since grown its operations in line with demand to and from both major and secondary cities across Europe. The airline has played a vital role supporting the tourism flows, economic development, and job opportunities in the markets where it operates. Emirates’ footprint in Europe spans 39 destinations in 22 countries, as well as an additional 403 points beyond its own network through codeshare, intermodal and interline arrangements with 51 partners. Emirates aims to further expand its connectivity for travellers between Europe and the rest of the world on the back of ITB Berlin and in partnership with regional tourism bodies.
    Over the past year, Emirates has carried more than 17.2 million passengers between Dubai and all of its European gateways, facilitating convenient and seamless air connectivity for customers to and from its Dubai hub, as well as beyond Dubai to more destinations in its global network.
    ITB Berlin represents Emirates’ largest trade-fair presence outside its home market. The new 480 square metres, double-storey Emirates stand will make its world debut at ITB Berlin 2024 and is located in Hall 2.2, stand number 101.

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    Qatar Airways Unveils Fan Packages for FIA Formula One World Championship™ 2024

    Qatar Airways, the Global Partner and Official Airline of F1®, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, announced the launch of its fan packages for the upcoming FIA Formula One World Championship™. The packages allow fans travelling from more than 40 countries to be up-close to high-octane action and enjoy unique experiences.
    From the beginning to end of their journey, the packages are designed for fans to enjoy a seamless motorsport extravaganza, with the inclusion of return flights, hotel accommodation, F1® Paddock Club or Grandstand race tickets, and return airport transfers for all global races (excluding Qatar). Packages are available for purchase at: qatarairways.com/f1.
    Qatar Airways Holidays Senior Vice President, Steven Reynolds said: “We are thrilled to once again provide our F1 Fan Packages to motorsport enthusiasts around the world, offering our passengers an unparalleled experience to witness the adrenaline-fuelled excitement of F1. We have worked hard to create these affordable packages that offer unbeatable value and look forward to helping fans travel to races globally, for what promises to be yet another blockbuster F1 calendar.”
    Similar to the inaugural packages, this year’s fan packages include an array of flexible and competitively priced options for select F1® 2024 race destinations.
    This year, fans are also encouraged to experience guided track tours, pit lane walks and more with the F1® Paddock Club™ packages, featuring savings of up to 20 per cent on global race packages. One of the best spots to watch the action, offering world-class cuisine and free-flowing beverages, the Paddock Club™ is the pinnacle of F1® hospitality. In addition, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can collect Avios and Qpoints on all fan packages, accumulating rewards to use towards future travel and experiences while helping them retain and quickly reach their next tier. Members can also purchase their package using Cash + Avios.ADVERTISEMENTAs the racing season nears its end, the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2024 will take place in Doha from 29 November to 1 December 2024. Packages can be booked at: qatarairways.com/f1.
    To highlight its commitment to growing motorsport globally and particularly in Qatar, the airline will be the Title Partner of four races this year including the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2024, FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2024, FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX 2024, and the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2024.

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    Ethiopian Airlines Unveils State-of-the-Art Gode Ugaas Miraad Airport Terminal

    Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline group in Africa, is pleased to announce the finalization of Gode Ugaas Miraad Airport Terminal building and aircraft parking with taxiway construction Project. The new state of the art airport terminal has been opened for service in a grand inauguration in the presence of H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Prime Minister of Ethiopia and H.E Mustafe Mohammed Omer President of the Somali Regional State.
    The project which took three years for completion has unveiled a new terminal building having a total built-up area of 3,500sq, a new apron having a capacity to handle four De Havilland Q400 or B737 aircraft at a time, ancillary buildings such as airport rescue and firefighting station, water reservoir, and parking areas among others.
    Regarding the inauguration of the new passenger terminal, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “We are truly pleased with the launching of Gode Ugaas Miraad Airport Terminal building and aircraft parking with taxiway construction project as it will upgrade the airport experience of our passengers traveling to/from the city of Gode. It is also a step forward in the work we do to elevate our domestic airport facilities to a higher level. The inauguration of this new terminal showcases our commitment to enhance our domestic operations alongside our international ones. Gode will neither be the only nor the last airport we will work on constructing and/or renovating. Construction of similar airport terminal is progressing well at Jinka, Kombolcha, Goba/Robe and Bahir Dar airports. It is with great honor and pleasure that we work on these projects and play our part in our country’s tourism and socio-economic growth.”
    The new state of the art airport terminal is equipped with the latest technology airport facility amenities including a solar system to allow for a smooth and convenient travel via the airport.
    Ethiopian Airlines plays a significant role in regional connectivity with its more than 22 destinations in the country. Ethiopian Airlines operates daily flights to/from Gode. Gode being the third airport in Somali Regional State next to Jigjiga and Kebridahar, passengers can travel between Jigjiga and Gode directly without having to transit via Addis Ababa. Gode Airport has been among the airports that Ethiopian has taken a project on to enhance the facilities.ADVERTISEMENTSince the acquisition of the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise by Ethiopian Airlines Group as a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) in 2017, Ethiopian Airlines Group has taken over the administrative role including construction and renovation projects of airports in the country.

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    Manchester Airport Celebrates Lunar New Year Amid Surge in Beijing Travel

    Manchester Airport is marking the Lunar New Year with a fortune cookie and plush toy dragon giveaway to passengers jetting off to China from Terminal 2, as new figures show a jump in the number of passengers travelling to and from Beijing in the second half of last year.
    Hainan Airlines brought back its flights to the Chinese capital in late 2022 after a hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, and passenger numbers rose dramatically over the first full year of the route’s resumption. 32,933 passengers used the route in the second half of 2023 – up from 16,186 in the first half of the year, an increase of 104%.
    The figure is expected to rise further this year, with Hainan Airlines upping the number of flights in June from four-times-per-week to daily.
    The airline’s partnership with Loganair means passengers from other UK regions can also benefit from these links with tickets available from Aberdeen, Inverness, the Isle of Man and Newquay to Beijing, with a simple airside transfer at Manchester.
    Manchester has one of the UK’s oldest and largest Chinese communities and celebrates the Lunar New Year with an impressive parade through the city centre, ending in its Chinatown district – a parade in which airport colleagues are also due to take part this year.ADVERTISEMENTThe Beijing flights also underpin crucial economic ties between China and the north of the UK. Export values from Manchester Airport to China grew 41% and enquiries about investment in the area from China doubled in the two years after the route first launched. The region’s universities also saw a boost of nearly 10% in the number of Chinese students enrolling.
    More than 117,000 passengers also travelled between Manchester and Hong Kong last year, where Cathay Pacific operates four flights per week.
    Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: “We’d like to wish a happy Lunar New Year to all those celebrating. The Year of the Dragon is believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and we are certainly very fortunate in Manchester to have a direct link to Beijing, which will become a daily service this summer.
    “We’re proud to connect the North with the world, and with services to destinations like Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore, our links to the Far East are unrivalled by any other UK airport outside of London.”
    Rhys Whalley, Executive Director at the Manchester China Forum, added: “Hainan Airlines’ decision to take the Manchester-Beijing route daily this summer is not only a vote of confidence in the prospects for post-pandemic two-way traffic, but also in the airline’s conviction that the region will serve as a key gateway for Chinese businesses, students and visitors entering the UK market.
    “This weekend’s Lunar New Year celebrations will once again see tens of thousands gather in Manchester’s Chinatown to welcome in the new year. As some of the largest scale celebrations in Europe; this will provide local residents, the thousands of Chinese students studying across the region as well as the ever-growing Chinese business community, an opportunity to come together to welcome in the year of the Dragon.”

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