DXB records busiest quarter since 2020
Dubai International (DXB) has recorded the busiest quarter since 2020 with 13.6 million passengers in the first quarter of 2022, indicating that traffic recovery is gaining momentum at the world’s busiest international hub.
This is the second consecutive quarter when passenger traffic at DXB has surpassed the 10-million mark.
Bolstered by 5.5 million in passenger traffic in March, DXB’s passenger volume was up 15.7 per cent in Q1 2022 compared to 11.8 million passengers in the final quarter of 2021.
DXB is currently connected to 193 destinations across 92 countries via 73 scheduled international carriers.
India held its longstanding position as DXB’s top destination country with passenger traffic.
Emirates signs MoU to support business travel
Emirates and Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore joint cooperation and initiatives targeted at attracting more investments into Dubai by supporting new and existing businesses registered or licensed in the free zone.
Under the MoU, both parties will explore opportunities to offer a number of travel-related incentives for new and existing SMEs and larger businesses, including potential enrolment in the airline’s Business Rewards programme.
The MoU was signed by Dina Al Herais, Emirates’ Vice President, Commercial Products, B2B Corporate & Leisure, and Ebtesam Ahmad Alkaabi, Head of Sales, Jafza Sales. The signing ceremony was also attended by Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President, Gulf, Middle East & Central Asia, and Ahmad Al Haddad, Chief Operating Officer, Parks and Zones, DP World UAE.
SAUDIA and Amex strengthen partnership
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, and American Express Saudi Arabia, have further strengthened their partnership by introducing the possibility for all American Express Saudi Arabia Cardmembers to transfer two Membership Rewards points for one AlFursan mile.
Present to mark the occasion during a signing ceremony at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, were SAUDIA’s Vice President of Marketing and Product Management, Essam Akhonbay and American Express Saudi Arabia Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Mohammad Kayal.
Commenting on the expanded partnership, Akhonbay said: “SAUDIA is proud to be building on the successful, long-standing partnership with American Express Saudi Arabia. Jointly, we are committed to providing members with additional convenience to maximize earned benefits and build travel journeys with flexibility in mind.”
Kayal added: “Consolidating our strategic partnership with SAUDIA for the benefit of our Cardmembers is an important priority. The relationship with Saudia started with the successful AlFursan American Express cobrand credit card and through signing our new agreement all American Express Saudi Arabia Cardmembers will be able to access the benefit of our strategic partnership and redeem their Memberships Rewards points toward AlFursan miles.”
Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia sign MoU
Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia have unveiled a new strategic partnership at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market in Dubai that will significantly expand both airlines’ networks, lounges, and loyalty programmes.
Commencing mid-year, the partnership will give travellers greater access, unparalleled customer experience and unique benefits when travelling between Australia and Qatar Airways’ global network, with convenient transit options across Qatar Airways’ Australian gateways and key Virgin Australia hubs, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
Qatar Airways currently operates daily flights into Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth as well as three weekly flights into Adelaide continuing into Auckland, New Zealand. Thanks to the new codeshare agreement, Qatar Airways’ passengers will be able to travel seamlessly to 35 destinations on Virgin Australia’s extensive domestic network.