Last year, Emirates introduced the service for Business Class passengers on its busiest routes including Hamburg, and has since expanded the offer to more points in its global network. Emirates‘ Business Class customers can now pre-order in-flight meals on flights departing from Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Duesseldorf. The service is now available on more than 100 routes worldwide. To date, more than 135,000 pre-orders have already been delivered on over 30,000 flights. Every day, more than 400 meals are pre-ordered by Emirates‘ customers.

From 14 days up to 24 hours before departure, guests can view the menu for their flight online at emirates.de or via the Emirates app and choose from a range of regionally inspired dishes with local ingredients. Special Meals, which cater for dietary, religious or nutritional preferences, can also be pre-ordered.

The company’s 2024 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO) shows the industry will require nearly 2.4 million new professionals to support the growing commercial fleet and meet the long-term increase in air travel.

According to the latest PTO, commercial carriers will need the following new personnel through 2043 to sustain the global commercial fleet:

674,000 pilots

716,000 maintenance technicians

980,000 cabin crew members.

“Driven by aviation traffic trending above pre-pandemic levels, personnel attrition and commercial fleet growth, the demand for aviation personnel continues to rise,” said Chris Broom, vice president, commercial training solutions, Boeing Global Services.

“We are focused on being a reliable and innovative partner in the lifecycle of aviation training. Our offerings are rooted in competency-based training and assessment programmes to help ensure high quality aviation training starting in flight schools and in commercial operations while helping enhance aviation safety through immersive and virtual training solutions.”

Emirates’ travel store was officially inaugurated by Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Far East in the presence of Shaikh Saoud Al Mualla, UAE Consul General and Sultan Alriyami, Emirates area manager for Hong Kong.

Located in Nexxus Building, the latest concept store offers a comprehensive range of premium services encompassing flight reservations, ticketing and personalised customer assistance.

“We are delighted to inaugurate the first Emirates travel store in the Far East region, in Hong Kong, to deliver an enhanced and exceptional service to our valued customers. The city has always been strategically important for us and by launching our first travel store in Central Hong Kong, we aim to offer our valued customers an elevated travel retail experience, and better deliver Emirates’ hospitality at every step of the customer journey. In line with our ‘Fly Better’ promise, Emirates travel store combines advanced technology with personalised service provided by our well-versed travel consultants to ensure a seamless and enriching experience for our customers,” said Orhan.

The airline said: “The standout piece of the collection, the silk-light duvet, offers a unique sleeping experience with its velvet suede fabric surface and iconic Turkish Airlines’ FLOW pattern in light colours, creating a sense of freshness.

“The ergonomic mattress pad, designed to provide bed-like comfort onboard, complements the cabin's colour scheme and contributes to a relaxing sleep concept. The welcome pillow, designed for a pleasant start to the flight, features a satin accessory and the unique FLOW pattern.”

Etihad has grown its Spanish operation by nearly 50% since last summer as 2024 sees the airline operate 10 weekly flights to both Madrid and Barcelona. In addition, the airline is excited to introduce seasonal flights, operating three times a week to Málaga starting on 2 June, further enhancing travel and tourism between the regions. 

"We are thrilled to partner with Girona FC, a club that resonates with our brand values and aspirations. This sponsorship is a testament to our dedication to the Spanish market and our aim to strengthen the bonds between the UAE and Spain," said Arik De, chief revenue and commercial officer of Etihad Airways. “Etihad Airways looks forward to a successful partnership with Girona and to bringing our worlds closer together through the beautiful game.”

Delfí Geli, President of Girona FC, added: "We are incredibly proud to welcome Etihad Airways as our main sponsor. This partnership extends beyond the traditional, embracing a future where we can grow together in strength and spirit. Etihad's global perspective and commitment to excellence reflect our own aspirations on and off the pitch."

The designated areas are; Emirates City Check-in & Travel Store in DIFC, Emirates Cruise Check In - Port Rashid, Emirates Cruise Check In - Dubai Harbour and Emirates City Check-In Ajman, as well as for the Emirates’ dedicated hub in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB).

The certification plaques were awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to acknowledge that Emirates facilities in Dubai have taken significant steps towards making travel more inclusive and accessible to neurodiverse customers, meeting criteria required for a comfortable and supported travel experience. Presented by Myron Pincomb, CEO and Board Chairman of IBCCES; the plaques were formally received by Mohammed Mattar, Emirates DSVP Airport Services and his team, alongside representatives from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

As part of the designation, Emirates employees at the various facilities underwent specialised training on autism and sensory awareness, to equip them with the understanding and skills to address needs of autistic travellers or those with sensory sensitivities, along with their families. Comprehensive facilities audits were conducted across the locations, measuring all sensory inputs in public areas such as sound levels, lighting, and potential sights and smells to develop sensory guides, empowering travellers to make informed decisions and choose the environment that best suits their needs and preferences.

This marks the beginning of a new partnership with Translanka Air Travels as the appointed General Sales Agent (GSA) for South Kerala.

Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution of SriLankan Airlines, Dimuthu Tennakoon, said: “44 years ago, SriLankan Airlines was one of the first international airlines to launch flights to Trivandrum, and we have not looked back since. It has been our absolute privilege to serve the people of Southern Kerala and Trivandrum and connect them with the world through our comprehensive flight service that comes with a touch of true Sri Lankan hospitality. I am confident that this new partnership will enable us to take our service to even greater heights in the future.”

The contracts are worth an estimated total value of over US$ 210 million over their lifespan. 

dnata has already committed orders worth over US$ 29 million from the agreements, setting firm foundations for future transactions over the next five years. The advanced vehicles will further enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability across dnata’s global network, helping it to continue to deliver world-class services for its over 330 airline customers.

The contracts include a planned investment of over US$ 100 million in GSE for dnata’s Dubai fleet, driven by sustained solid demand and projected further, significant growth. dnata currently operates a fleet of 2,500 motorised GSE at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) airports, providing quality and safe services to over 190 airlines. 

The GSE will be provided by eight international manufacturers, with deliveries starting from May 2024. 

Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group, said: “We are committed to investing in best-in-class equipment and working with renowned partners to provide superior value and services to our customers. Today’s newly announced deals reflect our long-term strategy to constantly enhance our capabilities and adapt to the evolving needs of our industry.  We will continue to invest in modern fleet and the latest technologies to remain at the forefront of the industry.” 

Globally, dnata operates over 8,000 pieces of motorised GSE across its ground handling, cargo and catering & retail operations which cover over 130 airports across six continents.

Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew, said: “We are more than an airline; we are a family. By granting these honeymoon packages, we honour the love and dedication of our employees, not just to each other but also to our great company.”

Zenebework G/Tsadik, Group VP Human Capital Management, added: “Our employees are our greatest asset. We strive to support them professionally and personally. This gesture is a testament to the holistic benefits we offer, which include free tickets, subsidised meals, comprehensive medical and insurance plans, housing projects, and transportation facilities.”

In a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, a pair of newlyweds, accompanied by their relatives and members of the Ethiopian Airlines Group’s executive team, commemorated their nuptials.

Committed to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion (DE&I) at the workplace and across its operations, the airline has dedicated a newly designed desk to facilitate check-in for passengers with special needs. Currently, IndiGo has over 20 specially-abled employees and staff at the Delhi Airport, who will also be deployed at these desks for assistance.