logo
Etihad Airways, SKY express sign codeshare partnership

Etihad Airways, SKY express sign codeshare partnership

Zawya15-07-2025
Etihad Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with Greek regional carrier SKY express, opening access to 24 Greek island destinations and three additional Eastern Mediterranean cities for customers travelling via Athens.
The partnership, effective 14th July 2025, builds on the strong performance of the existing interline cooperation between the two airlines and significantly expands Etihad's reach across the Greek islands and broader Eastern Mediterranean region.
Under the codeshare agreement, Etihad will place its code on SKY express-operated flights beyond Athens, providing seamless access to Greece's most popular island destinations including Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, and Kos, alongside sought-after destinations such as Corfu, Paros, and Thessaloniki.
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said, "This partnership with SKY express opens exciting new possibilities for our customers to discover Greece beyond Athens. SKY express's comprehensive island network perfectly complements our Athens service, giving travellers seamless access to some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful destinations through a single booking."
Gerasimos Skaltsas, Chief Commercial Officer at SKY express, said, 'The collaboration with Etihad is a strong vote of confidence in SKY express, reinforcing our position as a reliable partner and significantly enhancing our connectivity.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Etihad Airways defines luxury again with first A321LR flight to Phuket
Etihad Airways defines luxury again with first A321LR flight to Phuket

Tourism Breaking News

time6 hours ago

  • Tourism Breaking News

Etihad Airways defines luxury again with first A321LR flight to Phuket

Post Views: 33 Etihad Airways has launched the first commercial flight of its all-new A321LR, defining luxury travel on a narrowbody aircraft. The inaugural flight introduces guests to Etihad's latest cabin innovation, designed to deliver the same elevated service and attention to detail that defines its award-winning widebody experience, now available on a next-generation single-aisle aircraft. Last week Etihad took delivery of the first of 30 A321LR aircraft scheduled to join its fleet, each configured to provide elevated comfort, refined design and high-speed connectivity across all cabins. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: 'The A321LR symbolises our ambition to deliver extraordinary experiences on every route we serve. It allows us to bring the sophistication of our widebody cabins, including our renowned First experience, to more destinations, and to more travellers, than ever before.' Flight EY414 departed Zayed International Airport for Phuket, marking the introduction of an aircraft designed to deliver Etihad's premium cabin standards on short and medium-haul sectors. Etihad's A321LR introduces a new benchmark for narrowbody travel, with a premium cabin layout that transforms expectations across all classes: First Suites – Two fully enclosed private suites with sliding doors, flat beds, and unique styling Elegant design with space for a guest to dine or relax, either in the privacy of their suite alone, or with companion Features include a 20-inch 4K screen, wireless charging and Bluetooth pairing Full Etihad First service onboard and on the ground Business – Fourteen seats in a 1-1 herringbone configuration, each with direct aisle access and window views Enhanced with 17.3-inch 4K displays, wireless charging and Bluetooth connectivity Generous personal space and intuitive storage Economy – 144 ergonomically designed seats offering generous legroom Equipped with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens, USB charging and Bluetooth headphone pairing Entertainment includes a library of premium films, series and games All cabins feature high-speed Wi-Fi capable of video conferencing, streaming movies and gaming, being rolled out progressively on Asian routes, and enlarged overhead bins to enhance comfort and convenience throughout the journey. With the introduction of the A321LR, Etihad continues to elevate the standards of air travel, combining design innovation with the airline's commitment to unrivalled service.

UAE airports drive regional air travel resilience in first half
UAE airports drive regional air travel resilience in first half

Khaleej Times

time13 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE airports drive regional air travel resilience in first half

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) reported that global air travel demand, measured by revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), increased by 2.6 per cent in June 2025 compared to the same month in the previous year. Capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), grew by 3.4 per cent, leading to a slight drop in global load factors to 84.5 per cent — a decline of 0.6 percentage points while remaining near historic highs. International RPK climbed 3.2 per cent year-on-year, with load factors dipping to 84.4 per cent, and domestic demand rose 1.6 per cent with a load factor of 84.7 per cent . Despite these global figures, demand from the Middle East contracted: RPK was down 0.2 per cent amid capacity expansion of 1.6 per cent, dropping load factor for regional carriers to roughly 78.3 per cent. On international routes, Middle East airlines saw RPK decline by 0.4 per cent with capacity up 1.1 per cent, translating into load factors around 78.7 per cent. Traffic on routes to North America fell by 7.0 per cent and to Europe by 4.4 per cent year-on-year — impacts attributed largely to recent military conflict and resulting flight disruptions. Nevertheless, the Middle Eastern aviation sector demonstrated resilience during H1 2025, largely thanks to strong performance at key UAE airports. At Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest international hub, passenger volume reached a record‑breaking 46 million in the first half, registering a 2.3 per cent increase year‑on‑year despite regional airspace turbulence. Average monthly traffic stood at approximately 7.7 million passengers, with January alone welcoming 8.5 million. April was the busiest month of the quarter, serving 8 million travellers. DXB handled roughly 222,000 flights and processed 41.8 million bags — 91 per cent delivered within 45 minutes of arrival, and baggage mishandling rates remained low at 2 per 1,000 passengers versus an industry average of 6.3. Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport (AUH) also posted strong growth, welcoming over 15.8 million passengers during H1, reflecting a significant 13.1 per cent year-on-year rise. This demonstrates the strengthening of secondary hubs across the UAE and diversification in passenger traffic sources. Industry experts say these figures reflect robust operational capabilities in the UAE and continued demand even in a challenging geopolitical environment. Aviation analyst Manoj K. John of AeroConnections, commented: 'UAE airports have shown exceptional agility. Despite regional disruptions, the ability to reroute flights, maintain high efficiency, and sustain passenger volumes underlines the maturity of their infrastructure.' Another independent consultant Shakir Kantawala of Dubai-based WingsWay added: 'DXB and AUH continue to capitalise on strong connectivity to South Asia, Europe, and emerging markets. Their diversified route networks have cushioned the impact of short‑term demand shocks.' Looking at broader Middle East demand trends, the contraction in June followed a rebound in May, when the region's international RPK growth was about 9.7 per cent year‑on‑year. The slowdown highlights the volatility introduced by regional conflict, yet regional carriers remain central to global aviation recovery with strong profit margins forecast into 2025. Willie Walsh, Iata's director general, underscored that global load factors remain healthy and predicted modest capacity expansion through August, suggesting that performance will remain close to record levels through the Northern Hemisphere summer: 'Demand growth lagged capacity expansion, yet at 84.5 per cent globally, airlines continue to operate at very high efficiency.' Middle East airlines continue to play a vital role in global aviation economics. Air transport contributes approximately $290 billion annually to the regional GDP and supports four million jobs — equivalent to one job in every 20 people in the region. Analysts said that the passenger base at Dubai airports remained strong despite temporary airspace closures between Iran and Israel. They projected that DXB would serve 96 million passengers by the end of 2025 and reach 100 million in 2026 as capacity constraints at DXB ultimately shift traffic toward Al Maktoum International Airport. DWC itself saw a 36.4 per cent surge in traffic during the period, reflecting expansion ahead of DWC becoming Dubai's main airport by 2032. While June saw cooling demand across the Middle East tied to external disruptions, UAE airports upheld growth. DXB and AUH recorded strong half-year gains, offsetting regional softness and positioning the UAE as the engine of Middle East aviation demand.

Flynas celebrates the launch of its first direct flights between Riyadh and Moscow
Flynas celebrates the launch of its first direct flights between Riyadh and Moscow

Zawya

time21 hours ago

  • Zawya

Flynas celebrates the launch of its first direct flights between Riyadh and Moscow

Riyadh: flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, celebrated launching three direct weekly flights between Riyadh and Moscow as of the first of August, starting a new chapter in air connectivity, and becoming the first carrier to operate scheduled direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Russia, in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority, and within flynas growth and expansion plan and parallel with the national objectives in the tourism and aviation sectors in the Kingdom. Inauguration ceremonies were held at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow on Friday, August 1. The ceremonies were attended by Abdulrahman Al-Ahmad, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Russia, and representatives from flynas, Riyadh Airports Company, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and media members. Travelling guests were welcomed with gifts and giveaways. Adding Moscow to flynas ever-expanding network of destinations and routes is in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the title 'We Connect the World to the Kingdom', in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to attract 150 million tourists yearly by 2030, and with the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, and the first airline listed on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 2000 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations within its growth and expansion plan, and in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Passengers traveling with flynas can book their flights through all flynas booking channels: the flynas app, the call centre (920001234), or travel agents.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store