Carlos Hernandez’s Post

Etihad Airways reported a record profit in the first half of the year, driven by robust demand for travel and cargo revenue as the Abu Dhabi-based carrier prepares for a possible initial public offering (IPO). The national airline posted a $232m (Dhs851m) net profit after tax in the six months ended June, a 48 per cent increase from $157m a year earlier, it said in a statement Thursday. Etihad carried 8.7 million passengers from January to June, a 38 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Its passenger traffic in H1 is approximately three times higher than IATA’s average growth rate of 13 per cent for Middle Eastern carriers, the statement added. During this time, Etihad’s passenger revenue surged by 24 per cent year-on-year, underscoring strong demand for travel due to network expansion and increased flight frequencies. The ADQ-owned airline said its half-year revenues increased by 21 per cent to a record $3.2bn (Dhs11.7bn) from $2.6bn in H1 2023, helped by growth in network capacity and passenger numbers. Etihad | #AbuDhabi | #Airline | #Profitability

The summer holidays are under way and UAE airports and airlines are gearing up for a peak period of travel. The world's busiest international air hub estimates that about 840,000 passengers will travel through on those three days.

Emirates boosts services to #Brazil and #Argentina to five weekly flights from December - Airline deploys additional daily service to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires to meet travel demand and improve connectivity to its network - Emirates to boost capacity on busy route with five weekly flights via EK247 and EK248 Emirates has announced a fifth frequency on its Dubai - Rio de Janeiro route, starting 7 December 2024. The additional weekly flight on Saturdays will provide increased capacity on its service to the Brazilian city and will support the growing demand for travel on the route. Additionally, the linked service allows travellers to conveniently travel onwards to the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires. Emirates’ increase of capacity on its Dubai/Rio de Janeiro/Buenos Aires route will help the airline to meet market demand and offer customers greater flexibility, choice, and connectivity. With the fifth scheduled service, customers will now have more choice when selecting flights to suit their travel plans. The additional weekly frequency between Dubai, Brazil and Argentina will operate as EK247 and EK248 in a 2-class configuration. Tickets can be booked immediately on emirates.com, the Emirates App, and travel agencies. The added flights to be deployed in December will offer 302 seats on each flight in Economy Class and Business Class. Customers can enjoy the spaciousness and privacy of the aircraft’s configuration in Business Class, in the coveted 2-2-2 layout.... https://bit.ly/3U5FDUS #RiodeJaneiro #BuenosAires Emirates LetsTalkCity #Dubai #Aviation #UAE #GCC #MiddleEast

Emirates boosts services to #Brazil and #Argentina to five weekly flights from December - Airline deploys additional daily service to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires to meet travel demand and improve connectivity to its network - Emirates to boost capacity on busy route with five weekly flights via EK247 and EK248 Emirates has announced a fifth frequency on its Dubai - Rio de Janeiro route, starting 7 December 2024. The additional weekly flight on Saturdays will provide increased capacity on its service to the Brazilian city and will support the growing demand for travel on the route. Additionally, the linked service allows travellers to conveniently travel onwards to the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires. Emirates’ increase of capacity on its Dubai/Rio de Janeiro/Buenos Aires route will help the airline to meet market demand and offer customers greater flexibility, choice, and connectivity. With the fifth scheduled service, customers will now have more choice when selecting flights to suit their travel plans. The additional weekly frequency between Dubai, Brazil and Argentina will operate as EK247 and EK248 in a 2-class configuration. Tickets can be booked immediately on emirates.com, the Emirates App, and travel agencies. The added flights to be deployed in December will offer 302 seats on each flight in Economy Class and Business Class. Customers can enjoy the spaciousness and privacy of the aircraft’s configuration in Business Class, in the coveted 2-2-2 layout.... https://bit.ly/3U5FDUS #RiodeJaneiro #BuenosAires Emirates LetsTalkCity #Dubai #Aviation #UAE #GCC #MiddleEast

Etihad reports record Q1 net earnings Gulf carrier Etihad Airways posted its first quarter results, recording net earnings of AED526 million (US$143 million), a significant improvement over Q1 2023.  Total revenue increased by AED987 million (US$269 million to AED5,739 million reflecting the network capacity increase and passenger numbers. The airline carried 4.2 million passengers over the quarter, up 41% year-on-year. The average passenger load factor is 86% which is unchanged from the first quarter of last year. The airline has improved operational efficiency with decreasing unit cost from the same quarter last year. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “Our first quarter airline profit is equivalent to our total net income for the entire financial year 2023.” “We have maintained our resilience and our focus on customer service and growth while continuing to improve efficiency.” During Q1, Etihad optimised its network with increased frequencies to key destinations. The airline also launched new flights to Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Boston, and announced additional routes to Antalya and Jaipur. The airline has continued to its pivotal role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector, driving a 43% increase in inbound point-to-point traffic compared to a year ago. 

Sri Lanka sees a surge in air connectivity Part 1 The number of airlines operating flights to Sri Lanka has steadily increased over the years post-pandemic, indicating a significant interest in the country as a tourist destination. “By the start of the second quarter of 2024, the number of airlines operating flights to Sri Lanka will exceed 40, mirroring the pre-pandemic figures, signalling ongoing interest in the country as a travel hotspot,” Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Marketing and Corporate Communications Head Dr. Sumith de Silva told the Daily FT. He highlighted the significant growth trajectory in airline operations, citing that most of the international airlines have resumed their operations gradually after the COVID pandemic and economic crisis, contributing to the resurgence of the aviation sector. “A total of 36 top global international airlines are operating flights to Sri Lanka, with 32 of them providing services to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), while three airlines operate flights to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and one airline serves Jaffna International Airport (JIA),” he said. Air Arabia, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Air China, Air India, Air Seychelles, AirAsia, Arkia Israeli Airlines, Azur Air, Batik Air, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Emirates, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, FitsAir, flydubai, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Jazeera Airways, LOT, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Rossiya, SalamAir, Singapore Airlines, Smartwings, SpiceJet, SriLankan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Vistara. SkyUp Airlines, Red Wings, Bulgaria Air and Alliance Air are the airlines operating direct flights to the country, apart from the national carrier – SriLankan Airlines. “Before the COVID pandemic, Sri Lanka had a total of 42 airlines operating in 2019. Out of these, 38 airlines were operating to BIA, three airlines were serving MRIA and one airline was flying to JIA. However, post-pandemic, the number of airlines operating flights to Sri Lanka has shown a fluctuating trend. In 2021, 26 airlines operated flights to the country, which increased to 29 in 2022. Last year, it rose to 42 airlines,” Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Marketing and Corporate Communications Head Dr. Sumith de Silva told the Daily FT. Source : https://lnkd.in/eAQZeW5n #SLflights #FinanceInsights #FinanceNews

As someone who has closely observed the evolution of the #airline industry and consulted in the Middle East sector for over a quarter of a century, I am continually impressed by Emirates Airlines' and even more so with their recent announcement of a record 4.7 billion in annual profits amidst soaring travel demand. This milestone is a testament to the resilience and strategic prowess of #Emirates and a reflection of its pivotal role in shaping aviation in the region. What makes this achievement truly remarkable is its contrast against the broader global airline trends. In recent years, the airline industry worldwide has faced numerous challenges, from fluctuating fuel prices to increased competition and the immense pressures of maintaining sustainability commitments. Despite these hurdles, Emirates has not only managed to navigate these challenges but has also set new benchmarks for operational excellence and customer service. This success story is an inspiring reminder of what can be achieved with the right blend of visionary leadership, robust business models, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. It also underscores the importance of airlines as critical enablers in our global economy, connecting cultures and powering international business and tourism. As we look to the future, the trajectory of Emirates offers valuable insights into the adaptive strategies and customer-centric approaches that will likely define the next era of global aviation. #AviationIndustry #AirlineTrends #BusinessStrategy #TravelAndTourism #GlobalAviation #MiddleEastBusiness #SustainableAviation #CustomerExperience #LeadershipExcellence #EmiratesSuccess

Etihad boosts frequencies to Colombo from 1 May Etihad Airways — the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will increase the frequency of flight operations to Colombo from 1 May 2024. Starting 1 May, Etihad Airways which currently operates 10 weekly flights will increase its frequency to 13 flights per week. This includes two flights each on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and one flight on Wednesday. Additionally, from 15 June, the airline will further expand its services to 20 flights per week, with three flights scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and two flights on Wednesday. The move is expected to make a significant boost to the tourism industry and travel to the Middle East and other key destinations in the world. Etihad Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De said, “These latest flight increases are aligned with our seamless and practical connections at Abu Dhabi and our growing global network offers our guests more opportunities to fly where they want to at a time that suits them. It also makes it easier to enjoy a fantastic visit or stopover in Abu Dhabi as an integral part of their journey.” The increase of flight operations by the airline is part of Etihad’s ambitious expansion of flights and frequencies to further boost Abu Dhabi’s global reach, offering more flexible travel options for its guests. Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Chairman Eng. Athula Galketiya stated that it had successful negotiations with the top officials of Etihad Airways to increase the flight frequencies to Sri Lanka. He added that AASL is pleased to continue the valuable partnership with Etihad Airways, which commenced flight operations to Sri Lanka in 2003. Source: https://lnkd.in/gX-y2mcg #EtihadAirways #FinanceInsights #FinanceNews

MUSCAT: The Oman Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has officially announced its intention to licence a new low-cost airline in the Sultanate of Oman, marking a significant milestone in the country's aviation sector. This move is poised to transform the aviation landscape in Oman, providing more affordable travel options and enhancing connectivity both regionally and globally. Oman's strategic decision to introduce a low-cost carrier aligns with the broader vision to position Oman as a pivotal aviation hub in the region. Currently, the country is served by Salam Air, the nation’s first low-cost airline, which has successfully provided budget-friendly travel options since its inception. The introduction of an additional low-cost airline will further diversify the market, offering travelers even more choices and competitive pricing. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dds78J2n Civil Aviation Authority - Oman Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology - Oman Oman Airports Management Company Ministry of Heritage and Tourism - Sultanate of Oman International Air Transport Association (IATA) International Civil Aviation Organization #LowCostCarrier #AirTravel #AffordableTravel #AviationHub #AviationIndustry #Licence2Operate #BudgetAirline #Travel #SalamAir #Oman #OmanBiz

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved plans for a new $34.85bn (Dhs128bn) passenger terminal at Dubai World Central (DWC), also known as Al Maktoum International Airport, part of a broader strategy to alleviate pressure on the city’s main airport as passenger numbers have skyrocketed. The emirate’s main international airport, Dubai International (DXB), is expected to receive 90 million passengers this year, and the authorities plan to relocate operations to DWC once the airport’s capacity hits 120 million. With plans to become the world’s biggest passenger handler in the next 10 years, Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport will be the largest travel hub in the world with a projected annual capacity of as many as 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo. On completion, Al Maktoum International Airport will be five times the size of the current DXB, covering 70 square km (27 square miles). The airport will include 400 terminal gates and five runways and will be the new home of flagship carrier Emirates and its sister low-cost airline flydubai along with all airline partners connecting the world to and from Dubai. Here, Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports CEO talks to Gulf Business’ Kudakwashe Muzoriwa about the future demand for air travel via Dubai, future travel experiences, the emirate’s economic growth and the rise of its aviation sector. Dubai Airports | Paul Griffiths | #Dubai | #Airtravel | #Aviation