TTN

In Brief

Share  

Oman Air wins double Skytrax recognition

OMAN AIR, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, continues to ensure the highest levels of guest and staff safety with ongoing precautionary measures at airports and on board its aircraft. In recognition of these efforts, Skytrax has certified the airline with its 5-Star Covid-19 Airline Safety Rating and its 5-Star Covid-19 Lounge Safety Rating at Muscat International Airport, both of which underscore its exceptional level of consistency in health and safety.

The Covid-19 Safety audit was conducted in January 2021, evaluating a mixture of long haul and regional flights, including the Covid-19 safety standards of the service and facilities at the home base of Muscat International Airport. During February 2021, Oman Air made additional improvements to its Covid-19 procedures to meet the required 5-Star Rating standards.

Elevated health and safety standards are at the forefront of the airline’s operational priorities.

 

US business jet activity remains buoyant

BUSINESS jet activity 'closer to normal' in Europe as the US takes off, according to recently released Wingx research. Business aviation accounts for 19 per cent of all fixed wing activity so far this year compared with 12 per cent for the same period in 2020. Year to date decline of 8 per cent compares with the 24 per cent fall in business jet utilisation last year.

Recovery is being spearheaded by the US with demand being driven by the 12 states, which are unlocking travel restrictions where departures are up 11 per cent in March year-on-year which compares with a 5 per cent drop in January and February and a 25 per cent decline in March to December. Midsize jets are flying most sectors up 30 per cent year-on-year. Half the 15,000 sectors flown out of these states this month has been out of Texas with demand rebounding from the big freeze as well as lockdown, driving a 14 per cent year-on-year increase in business jet movements.

Europe is seeing an improvement in March after suffering a 26 per cent drop in business aviation movements in January and February. But the UK continues to struggle with business aviation flights down 50 per cent so far in March.

 

Emirates and TAP expand partnership

EMIRATES and TAP Air Portugal has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the codeshare partnership currently in place between both airlines.

The new agreement will see customers of both airlines benefit from seamless connectivity on many new routes across the Americas, North Africa and East Asia. Emirates and TAP Air Portugal will also explore ways to enhance the cooperation on their respective frequent flyer programmes including reciprocal earning and redemption opportunities and popular benefits such as lounge access.

In addition, both airlines plan on supporting each other’s stopover programmes in Dubai and Lisbon, with Emirates also supporting TAP Air Portugal as it looks at potential expansion opportunities in the UAE. Under the expanded partnership, TAP Air Portugal will place its code on Emirates’ flights to popular East Asia destinations such as Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, Mumbai, Delhi, Dhaka, Male, Jakarta, Denpasar, Manila, Hanoi, as well as Barcelona and Mexico City.

 

Disruption management solution

AMSTERDAM-based ground transportation company, Get-e, is announcing the airline industry’s first intelligent disruption management solution revolutionising the way airlines resolve the complexities involved when an unexpected diversion or delay displaces passengers. 

Get-e’s web-based platform is being developed with airline partners to enable flight operations teams to quickly and efficiently source and book alternative transport and accommodation for passengers when a flight has been diverted to an alternative airport, or delays occur. 

Easily integrated with airlines’ systems, Get-e’s platform will enable carriers to have full visibility and control over the disruption management process. The technology can also be used to provide travellers with push notifications through an airline’s app, keeping them updated about the details of their onward journey.

Spacer