Emirates will reintroduce flights to Damascus from July 16 for the first time since 2012.
The airline will start with three weekly services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays, with plans to expand to four weekly flights on Saturdays from August 2. Daily operations are expected from October 26.
Flight EK913 will depart Dubai at 12h00, arriving in Damascus at 14h10. Return flight EK914 will depart Damascus at 16h30, arriving in Dubai at 20h30.
Emirates and Air China ink MoU
Emirates and Air China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their existing reciprocal interline cooperation.
Under the MoU, the airlines will explore a reciprocal codeshare on selected routes across each other’s networks. This would allow each airline to place its code on the other’s flights on China-UAE trunk routes as well as beyond Beijing and Dubai to an expanded list of points, subject to government approvals.
Emirates recently announced the launch of flights to two new Chinese cities, Shenzhen and Hangzhou.
From July 30, Emirates will operate 49 weekly flights to the Chinese mainland, including double-daily services to Beijing and Shanghai as well as daily flights to Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou.
Etihad signs codeshare with Taiwanese carrier
Etihad Airways has signed a strategic codeshare agreement with Taipei-based STARLUX Airlines, expanding access to North-East Asia.
The partnership enables Etihad customers to connect seamlessly to key Japanese cities, including Nagoya, Sapporo and Fukuoka via Taipei.
Etihad will launch daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Taipei on September 7, operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Etihad customers will benefit from streamlined travel with single-ticket bookings, coordinated check-in processes and automatic baggage transfers to final destinations across STARLUX's Asia-Pacific network.
Both airlines will establish a reciprocal frequent flyer programme by year-end, allowing Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem miles across both networks.
AF reveals exclusive CDG check-in
Air France has unveiled a redesigned check-in area for its SkyPriority customers at Paris-Charles de Gaulle’s Terminal 2E.
The flag carrier said the redesigned facility was more spacious would be equipped with automatic gates from November, offering travellers autonomous access.
The SkyPriority check-in area is open to SkyPriority Members, Air France Concierge passengers, Air France’s Flying Blue members with Silver, Gold, Platinum or Ultimate status, and passengers travelling in the La Première, Business or Premium cabins.
The check-in area houses dedicated lines for disabled passengers, Flying Blue Ultimate customers and Air France Concierge customers.
Rome opens upgraded T3
Rome Fiumicino Airport inaugurated its upgraded Terminal 3 last month, following a €250m (R5bn) renovation project that began in 2021.
Passenger capacity has increased by more than 30% and check-in and luggage infrastructure were upgraded and expanded, with new counters and conveyer belts. The security area was also modernised.
Sydney installs new immigration gates
Sydney Airport has installed new SmartGate kiosks at the T1 International Terminal to boost inbound international passenger processing.
The new kiosks are expected to fast-track processing and reduce waiting times at the terminal.
Early next year, a further 32 new kiosks will be deployed across the airport’s international area.
