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    Boeing, CAE to Collaborate on Pilot Training

    Boeing and CAE have signed an agreement through which CAE will become a Boeing Authorized Training Provider and the first to offer Boeing’s Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) curriculum. With this arrangement, Boeing and CAE will expand accessibility to high-quality, innovative flight training to commercial aviation customers worldwide.
    “This partnership expands our competency-based flight-training capacity to better meet the needs of our customers worldwide,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO, Boeing Global Services. “By sharing data, leveraging digital capabilities, and providing greater accessibility and affordability, Boeing and CAE are enhancing global aviation safety.”
    The shift to CBTA methodology in pilot training focuses on developing and evaluating skills, knowledge and behaviors essential for pilots to operate safely and efficiently in a commercial air transport environment. Boeing’s implementation of CBTA leverages digitally-advanced tools and fleet operations data to customize training to each individual, and helps pilots efficiently respond to in-flight challenges. The first CAE locations to adopt Boeing’s curriculum will be in India, with expansion anticipated into additional global markets. Boeing is implementing the CBTA curriculum through its global training campuses in Seattle, Miami, London-Gatwick, Shanghai, and Singapore, as well as at customer locations worldwide.
    “As a Boeing authorized training provider, CAE will leverage its expertise and global network to expand access to high-quality training on Boeing commercial aircraft and give pilots the skills and knowledge they need for peak performance in the flight deck,” said Marc Parent, CAE’s President and CEO. “Boeing and CAE are working together to enhance aviation safety, and this agreement ensures more pilots worldwide are ready for the moments that matter.”
    Boeing and CAE have a long-standing relationship spanning commercial and defense programs. CAE is an integral supplier of Boeing commercial aircraft training devices and provides training and operational support solutions on defense platforms.ADVERTISEMENT

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    SkyDrive Reaches Basic Agreement with Suzuki to Build eVTOL Aircraft

    SkyDrive Inc. a leading Japanese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, announced at Paris Air Show 2023 on June 19 that the company had signed a basic agreement with Suzuki Motor Corporation for cooperation in manufacturing “SKYDRIVE” eVTOL aircraft
    SkyDrive will establish a wholly owned subsidiary (hereinafter “the manufacturing subsidiary”) for the purpose of manufacturing its eVTOL aircraft “SKYDRIVE.” With Suzuki, the manufacturing subsidiary will utilize a production facility owned by the Suzuki Group in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and aims to start building the SkyDrive “SKYDRIVE” eVTOL aircraft by spring of 2024. Suzuki will also cooperate with the manufacturing subsidiary in securing human resources and making other preparations for the start of manufacturing. More specific terms and conditions will be agreed upon through ongoing discussions.
    The “SKYDRIVE” eVTOL aircraft, to be built at Suzuki’s production facility, is a three-seat, electric-powered lightweight aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
    Comment by Toshihiro Suzuki, Suzuki Motor Corporation President “We are excited to cooperate with SkyDrive as we ambitiously work towards creating valuable products that contribute to the realization of a world where people use the sky for their daily transportation.”
    Comment by Tomohiro Fukuzawa, SkyDrive Inc. CEO “At Suzuki, all manufacturing activities are based on a concept, ‘Smaller, Fewer, Lighter, Shorter, and Neater,’ and SkyDrive is developing lightweight air mobilities. Suzuki and SkyDrive have been collaborating since March 2022 and we are very excited that SkyDrive will utilize the production facility of Suzuki to build our eVTOL ‘SKYDRIVE.’ In our pursuit to consistently manufacture safe and high-quality aircraft for the world, we are grateful for the valuable know-how we will learn from Suzuki, a global leader in automobile mass production. Suzuki and SkyDrive will work closely towards the shared goal.”ADVERTISEMENT

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    Digitrips rolls out flexible flight booking option for travel agents

    Digitrips – owner of leading French multi-product travel platform MisterFly – has introduced a flexible booking option for travel agencies and tour operators, enabling them to offer fully refundable airline tickets to their customers.
    The new Flexy option by Digitrips empowers B2B customers to make any flight booking flexible for any reason, up until one day before departure.
    Initially launched in 2019 for white label partners, the ancillary service has proved to be a strong sales enabler post-pandemic, with an attachment rate which rose from 7% pre-pandemic to 20% in 2023.
    Digitrips therefore improved its ancillary service to fit travel agencies’ and tour operators’ specific needs and made it available to its B2B clients in early 2023. The functionality will now enable tour operators and travel agencies to offer their own clients a very competitive, full-flexibility service on any plane ticket, enabling them to develop their business.
    Emilie Dumont, CEO of Digitrips, said: “As passengers demand added flexibility, our Flexy option stands ready to provide travel agents and tour operators with a seamless and efficient way to offer unrivalled convenience and peace of mind to their travellers.ADVERTISEMENT“We’re delighted to be able to offer a new functionality that elevates the traveller experience and caters to the ever-changing consumer expectations, all the while delivering significant cost savings for our valued travel agency and tour operator partners.”

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    MAGLEV AERO UNVEILS BREAKTHROUGH PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY AT PARIS AIR SHOW

    MagLev Aero – an aerospace leader with more than 20 issued patents underpinning a breakthrough propulsion platform that will enable the next generation of ultraquiet electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft – will present at the highly anticipated Paris Air Mobility conference, co-located at the Paris Air Show, with a speaker session on Tuesday, June 20 at 1:45 p.m. CEST. The milestone event will mark MagLev Aero’s public debut following its recent emergence from stealth and unveiling of its proprietary propulsion technology.
    “We’re honored to have been invited to speak at the Paris Air Mobility event, and I’m thrilled to reveal the breakthrough propulsion technology we have been working so diligently and passionately on for the past few years in stealth,” said Ian Randall, co-founder and CEO of MagLev Aero. “We’ll be leading an important discussion on Urban Air Mobility, and how our proprietary MagLev HyperDrive™ platform will enable a new generation of eVTOL designs that are dramatically more quiet, efficient, safe, sustainable and emotionally appealing to the mass market. I’m eager to hear from our peers and work together to advance the urban transportation landscape.”
    At Paris Air Mobility, MagLev Aero’s leadership team will explore the critical challenge of eVTOL operating noise and the necessity for a new generation of propulsion that achieves ultra-low noise operation, particularly during takeoffs and landings, which may need to occur deep into communities close to where people live, work and play. This breakthrough is vital for gaining public acceptance and ensuring widespread accessibility to urban air transportation.
    MagLev Aero’s innovation enables a large rim-driven circular rotor that maximizes efficiency and control for ultra-quiet vertical lift and high-speed cruise. The MagLev HyperDrive™ platform leverages the magnetic levitation suspension principles found in high-speed maglev trains, using a magnetic bearing to support a many-bladed rim. Permanent magnets in the passive electrodynamic suspension, combined with segmented motor control, enable highly redundant and highly efficient distributed electric propulsion around the perimeter of the rim drive. This allows the MagLev HyperDriveTM propulsor to safely operate with high hover lift efficiency and lower blade loading at slower speeds, as well as reduced noise levels during hover, surpassing traditional helicopters and multi-rotor eVTOLs.
    “The eVTOL industry has achieved many important milestones in the pursuit of urban air mobility.  MagLev Aero’s breakthrough technology is poised to extend these successes with a ground-up designed electric propulsion platform that is purpose-built for ultra-low noise in vertical takeoff and landing, as well as cruise, and will allow industrial design that provides for a compelling user experience,” said Rod Randall, MagLev Aero’s co-founder and chairman. “We believe our HyperDriveTM innovation applies to a variety of sizes, configurations and use cases, and we look forward to working with OEMs and other partners to bring our technology to market.”ADVERTISEMENTMagLev Aero has attracted support from prominent technology investors and industry leaders, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Material Impact, Stage 1 Ventures, Grit Capital and Moai Capital, as well as several other strategic partners. MagLev Aero’s unique business model prioritizes propulsion, allowing its platform to be integrated into various aircraft concepts and eVTOLs. This approach opens up possibilities for new and innovative applications and industrial design elements.

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    Ethiopian to Enhance Passenger Experience

    Revealed at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest-growing airline brand globally and the continent’s largest airline brand, will offer advanced, high-speed inflight broadband to passengers onboard its upcoming Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with GX Aviation provided by Inmarsat, recently acquired by Viasat, and selected through the Airbus Airspace Link HBCplus programme.
    As one of the launching airlines for inflight connectivity (IFC) through Airbus’ HBCplus programme, Ethiopian Airlines will benefit from a more streamlined, efficient order process that will ensure its latest aircraft meet the rapidly growing passenger demand to stay connected while flying. 
    Inmarsat’s latest Passenger Experience Survey found out that 97% of respondents use their personal devices on flights for entertainment, such as streaming movies and TV shows, keeping up with work, and to stay in touch with family and friends. In addition, 82% of passengers are more likely to rebook with an airline that offers quality inflight Wi-Fi.
    The first of Ethiopian Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is set to be delivered in the Third Quarter (Q3) of 2024, with passengers able to benefit from GX Aviation’s world-class connectivity technology. This supports the airline’s Vision 2035 Strategy which focuses on expanding its fleets, enhancing its passenger experience and maintaining its leading position in the airline industry.
    Regarding the new service, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “As we endeavour to maintain our position as Africa’s number one and among the leading airlines globally, we know one of the key success factors is giving our passengers the best possible onboard experience. Connectivity is a crucial part of our services and products; and bringing Inmarsat’s best-in-class GX Aviation service to our passengers, as part of Airbus’ HBCplus programme, is a major step forward. We want to give our passengers the possibility to stream, surf, and chat from thousands of feet in the air, no matter where their route or destination is. Inmarsat’s seamless, truly global inflight connectivity will be vital to deliver this. We look forward to a very successful partnership with Inmarsat and Airbus, now and in the years to come.”ADVERTISEMENTNiels Steenstrup, President, Inmarsat Aviation, said: “We were selected as the first managed services provider (MSP) for the Airbus HBCplus programme last year, with a scope that includes connectivity, digital portal services and ISP capability. The fact that we have already been selected by two leading airlines is a great achievement and we are excited about delivering our award-winning GX Aviation inflight broadband to Ethiopian Airlines’ passengers starting from next year. This will enable them to stream videos, browse the internet, shop online, enjoy social media and more, all from the comfort of their seats and using their personal devices.”
    Andre Schneider, Airbus VP Cabin and Cargo Programme said: “We are delighted that Ethiopian Airlines has selected our agnostic and flexible high-bandwidth connectivity solution – HBCplus. This is further endorsement from our valued airline customers of the confidence they place in Airbus to devise and integrate enhanced inflight capabilities for their passengers to experience. Airspace Link HBCplus provides satcom based off-board connectivity for the Airspace Link open ecosystem, available both in linefit and retrofit. Initially encompassing Ka-band services, it will enable the airline to connect to a choice of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), in this case with Inmarsat – via a new certified terminal and antenna built as part of the aircraft.”
    Powered by Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite network, GX Aviation delivers world-class connectivity on every aircraft, on any route, and for every passenger. Airline customers will also benefit from seven more Inmarsat satellite payloads entering service by 2025, increasing its Ka-band network fleet to 12.
    This includes two Inmarsat-6s, both of which have already launched, followed by two payloads in highly elliptical orbit, enabling the world’s only commercial mobile broadband service for flights in higher latitudes and across the Arctic. This delivers uninterrupted connectivity on high-elevation routes. Three additional satellites will then launch in geostationary orbit, adding further speed, capacity, and resilience.

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    Accelya and American Airlines look to boost NDC adoption with breakthrough ticket exchange solution

    Accelya, a leading global provider of software and technology solutions to the travel industry, today announced it will now enable American Airlines to make unused EDIFACT tickets exchangeable through New Distribution Capability-based connections.The pioneering initiative responds to a commonly reported challenge from travel management companies (TMCs), many of which are still dependent on Global Distribution Systems (GDS) that use the legacy EDIFACT messaging standard for information exchange.
    Until now, the inability to exchange unused GDS EDIFACT tickets has been a key barrier for TMCs wanting to leverage the benefits of NDC-based distribution. In turn, the lack of this functionality has complicated NDC adoption across the industry.
    Following rigorous testing, Accelya’s solution was able to obtain access to tickets issued via EDIFACT through the GDS using the airline’s API, as well as submit the extracted fare information to its shopping provider in order to obtain a price for the exchange.
    The new functionality can be implemented for any other NDC-enabled carrier, as long as they are able to provide access to GDS-issued legacy tickets from their host system. This will allow travel sellers to conveniently exchange unused EDIFACT tickets and will in turn help airlines accelerate their transition to NDC.
    “After discussions with the TMC community and our partners at American Airlines, we very quickly picked up the mantle and worked tirelessly to bring this new capability to the market,” said Tye Radcliffe, SVP of Product Strategy over the Order Group at Accelya. “Having worked closely with American Airlines since the very start of their NDC journey, it was clear that their innovative spirit aligned well with our pioneering spirit – making them a natural partner to help us move the whole industry further, faster.”ADVERTISEMENT“At American Airlines, we are focused on providing customers a modern retailing experience regardless of where they shop, whether it is directly with us or through a travel retailer,” added Scott Laurence, Senior Vice President of Partnership Strategy and International at American Airlines. “Thanks to our partnership with Accelya, we were able to address a key pain point for our customers and travel retailers as they transition to NDC.”

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    The value of digitization

    Mehmet T. Nane, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Pegasus Airlines and Chair, IATA Board of Governors, believes technology benefits are wide ranging.
    From providing humanitarian flights and support from the very start of the February earthquake to the future digital strategy of the airline, Pegasus Airlines’ Chairperson of the Board of Directors Mehmet T. Nane says there are many challenges and opportunities ahead for Türkiye and Pegasus.
    Tell us how you helped following the devastating earthquake in February?
    We are experiencing challenging times as a country. The pain we felt in the aftermath of the earthquake catastrophe on February 6 is still fresh. I would like to again commemorate those who lost their lives—may they rest in peace—and wish a swift recovery to the injured. As a nation and as a company, we believe in the importance of solidarity to overcome these difficult days and to heal. Our primary task is to support those affected by the earthquake in the fastest and most effective way possible, and to sustain this support on a long-term basis.
    Pegasus Airlines worked diligently from day one of the earthquake. We operated domestic flights from Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Şanlıurfa and Hatay free of charge between February 7-28, 2023 for those affected by the earthquake. We started flying to Hatay on February 12 after the runway was repaired. Between February 6-28, we evacuated 152,950 people from the earthquake zones with 785 free evacuation flights. During these flights, we carried 110 tonnes of aid materials free of charge. We carried 126,926 people and rescue teams on flights to the disaster zone. As well as continuing our transportation support, we also supported citizens affected by the earthquake with financial aid.ADVERTISEMENTDuring this period, we also took the decision to support the Federation of Women’s Associations of Türkiye Purple Campus project. The Purple Campus project aims to improve the conditions of women, children, and people in need of geriatric care and disabled individuals in the earthquake zone, creating safe spaces by providing their most basic needs. Pegasus will also contribute air transport. I sincerely believe that as contributions to the Purple Campus project increase, we will make a difference to the lives of those affected by the earthquake.
    What are the main challenges and opportunities for aviation in Türkiye?
    Türkiye has historically been a prominent travel destination for travelers from Europe and Central Asia, including travelers from the Middle East in the past decade.
    Large numbers of visitors travel for sun, sand, and sea tourism, but we are seeing high growth rates in the health, educational, and cultural tourism segments. Türkiye will continue to attract these various types of visitors as the country offers good value for money as well as its unique natural, cultural, gastronomic, and historic attractions, for example.
    There is also a large Turkish population living in Europe who frequently travel to Türkiye to visit relatives and friends, which brings a certain resilience to overall inbound travel demand. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that Türkiye is at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, offering the best point for transit travelers who need to switch flights while travelling between the continents. So, opportunities are plentiful.
    The key challenge is the vulnerability of travel demand to such factors as a slowdown in economic activity, a decline in the disposable income levels of travelers, negative geopolitical developments, and any future pandemics.
    What advantages do you see in expanding so rapidly?
    Our operating region spans Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, and we see a significant growth potential both in the total market and in the demand for low-cost carriers.
    Our fleet and network investments are dedicated to stimulating diversified growth across these regions while focusing on contribution to the network value. We currently have the lowest unit cost in the world, and we have a sizeable fleet growth in the pipeline to over 120 aircraft in 2025 from 96 in 2022. When the deliveries are complete, we plan for our fleet to consist solely of next generation A320neo and A321neo aircraft, which will further support our efficiency. This will also contribute to our sustainability commitments and help us maintain our leading position in cost metrics.
    Has customer behavior changed since the pandemic or has the market simply picked up where we left off in 2020?
    The major difference we see post-pandemic is the booking window. The difference between booking and flight date has shortened since people are more likely to make last-minute bookings due to the ambiguity brought on by travel restrictions during pandemic. This previously periodic behavior has turned into a long-term shift. The business travel segment has been the slowest to recover.
    We’ve also seen a rapid shift to travelling with minimum contact. At Pegasus we’ve invested in unique innovations in this regard, and our guests can utilise our digital solutions for check-in, baggage drop and boarding processes with reduced contact. Turkish nationals on domestic flights can also check-in online before the flight and board without contact using their ID card with a chip at the gate.
    There’s also more emphasis on digital channels. One demographic that stands out when we talk about digital is, of course, Gen Z. This new generation of travelers looks for brands that offer tailored discounts and promotions, value for money products and services, and care about sustainability when making purchasing decisions. As such, as well as our overall digitalisation, we aim to tailor certain products for them such as our recent BolBol Youth, an extension of our loyalty program that targets 12-to-24-year-olds, offering them value-driven promotions and discounts.
    Can you tell us about your digitization strategy?
    At the start of 2022, we launched a new initiative to take our digitization journey to the next level. Our digital strategy for our guests is based on five pillars: improved digital experience, user experience, search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization, and personalized digital experience.
    For an improved digital experience, we invest in products and tools that make every stage of the journey easier, better, and seamless. User experience is focusing on web and app redesign, and an app-like mobile website.
    We are also focusing on a personalized SEM and dynamic data usage.
    It is important to focus on sustainable traffic to our web and app. To do this we are creating content in different local languages, such as German and French, including an English blog and an Arabic language website. We also focus on continuous optimization of our customer journey and personalized booking funnels, targeted banners, and content.
    What criteria do you use to evaluate new technology?
    We conduct a cost-benefit analysis. On the value side, we score parameters including revenue, savings, company image, and regulation. On the cost side, we add the projected cost for the investment.
    Technology investments may not always reduce operational costs and we consider other factors when investing for the long-term growth and sustainability of the business. It is important that the guest has an easy and seamless travel experience and that we can offer low fares.
    Moreover, technology is an important factor in driving the sustainability of our industry as part of our commitment to net zero by 2050, and this is also a vital part of our decision-making process. Some of our projects may be in research and development where the benefits are longer term.
    It is also important to offer an easy work experience for Pegasus employees. We will continue to invest in these areas to utilize all the possibilities of technology.
    How can an airline take better advantage of the data it is producing?
    Airlines have an e-commerce structure, and a wide range of operational units, from ground handling to technical teams, from flight crews to safety. To offer a good travel experience, the entire operation needs to work in harmony. It is crucial to use generated data to analyze and evaluate. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) offers many value-added possibilities, such as using AI to determine the catering that will be loaded onto the aircraft and reduce waste.
    We benefit from the data generated in all projects involving providing low fares for guests and enhancing the entire travel experience.
    Can the industry achieve net zero by 2050? What will be the biggest challenge?
    Yes, the industry can achieve net zero by 2050. But we need urgent action to achieve this target.
    The industry’s main emission source is jet fuel. Projects to replace this with alternative energy sources, such as hydrogen, will provide us with the longer-term solution. But until they become commercially viable for industry-wide use, the industry’s focus will remain on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
    The challenge is to get abundant SAF production that’s affordable. Today, there is simply not enough supply and the SAF available is several times more expensive than jet fuel. Governments should evaluate the value in the local production of SAF and create incentives for increased production and make it affordable for airlines. This will also boost domestic production and growth. Mandates and taxation alone—where the entire cost of aviation transformation is imposed on airlines and the proceeds of which are seldom used to support the industry’s net zero targets—are unlikely to help. 
    Does diversity make business sense?
    Promoting and fostering diversity and inclusion is the right thing to do no matter what, as it ensures equal opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds and fosters a sense of belonging and respect for everyone. But it also does make business sense. It can lead to better decision-making, increased innovation, and improved financial performance for companies. Companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion are likely to have a competitive advantage.
    Diverse teams are more likely to be better at problem-solving, decision-making, and adapting to change. They can also help to improve employee engagement, productivity, and retention.
    Has the experience as IATA Chair been a good one? In what areas has progress been made?
    It has been an honor to serve as IATA’s Chair of the Board, especially at a time when the industry was emerging from its worst downturn. It has certainly been a busy year and as we have continued to rebuild global connectivity at great pace, we have been addressing such priorities as sustainability, diversity, regulation, operational challenges, and infrastructure costs.
    Diversity and broadening IATA membership has been a strong focus and 2022 was a particularly important year as we achieved the milestone of 50% of IATA members joining the 25by2025 voluntary initiative, driving a more diverse and inclusive aviation industry particularly regarding female representation.
    We are witnessing real change. Last year alone at least five female CEOs have been appointed. As of April 2023, we have 19 female CEOs among 25by2025 signatories and 24 female CEOs among all IATA members.
    Source https://airlines.iata.org/

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    Qatar Airways and Google Cloud to Collaborate on Data and AI

    Google Cloud and Qatar Airways have agreed to collaborate to set out the airline’s intention to explore leveraging Google Cloud’s data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to create superior customer experiences for its passengers.In 2022, Qatar Airways carried 18.5 million passengers across 150 destinations worldwide. This large volume of passengers drives an abundance of structured and unstructured data to the airline’s digital transformation unit. The proposed collaboration with Google Cloud is intended to help bring deeper meaning to Qatar Airways’ customer data through the power of Google’s data analytics, AI and machine learning (ML) solutions, including BigQuery and Vertex AI. This, in turn, will enable the airline to enhance the travel experience for passengers, providing them with offerings personalized to their individual needs, travel trends, and past travel history.
    Qatar Airways Chief Information Officer, Mr. A.T. Srinivasan, said, “Qatar Airways is a highly respected aviation leader which has always set benchmarks with its globally recognised and award-winning customer service. Google Cloud brings us the opportunity to build elasticity and scalability on demand, as we increasingly look to leverage both structured and unstructured data to personalise customer and employee experience. We will also leverage Google’s highly secure and diverse set of Cloud service offerings for optimising our airline and airport operations particularly in the areas of aircraft inventory, flight operations both on ground and in the air, as well as airport operations. We also look forward to collaborating with Google Cloud to try out some of their cutting-edge technology through this long-term partnership. The presence of a Cloud in Qatar gives us the assurance that our data stays in-country and we can focus on data and AI/ML led innovation without having to worry about data residency.”

    Ghassan Kosta, Qatar Country Manager, Google Cloud added: “Businesses today can make smart decisions in real time and provide personalized experiences to their customers through AI and machine learning     tools. Qatar Airways is not only an airline that takes passengers from point A to point B, but also it is a manifestation of Qatari hospitality. Through use of Google Cloud, Qatar Airways can enable passengers to enjoy elevated travel experiences, including personalized travel recommendations and suggestions as if they have a dedicated travel agent who understands their specific needs and requirements.”
    ADVERTISEMENTAdditionally, Qatar Airways and Google Cloud will explore further areas of collaboration, including using cloud tools to drive cost optimization, increase streamlined operations, and more. Sustainability is also a top priority in the airline’s digital transformation roadmap, and Qatar Airlines will explore using Google Cloud, the cleanest cloud in the industry, to implement new programs that will support Qatar Airways in fulfilling its sustainability goals by 2030.

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