AAV News in Brief 26 May 2021

Cathay Pacific extends Dubai-Hong Kong flights: Cathay Pacific has announced the continuation of its recently relaunched flights between Dubai and its hub, Hong Kong, following its first flight which took off on 21 May 2021. The first resumed flight was positively received by customers and the trade alike. Departing Dubai International Airport at 16:25 on Friday (21 May), passengers were welcomed on-board by a vaccinated cabin crew. The airline also received an overwhelming response for cargo with a full load on the flight. The weekly flight, operated by an Airbus A330-300, will continue to follow the same schedule as May, providing UAE residents and visitors with convenient connections to Hong Kong and onwards across Cathay Pacific’s network. In addition to passengers, Friday’s flight welcomed a full belly-hold as Cathay Pacific provided additional capacity on the route, which has witnessed healthy demands for varied shipments during recent months through its cargo-only flights. In a further boost for travellers, Cathay Pacific has also launched a new WhatsApp chat support service to provide passengers with quick and convenient solutions to queries through the messaging app. Customers in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, can now use Cathay Pacific’s verified WhatsApp account to make new bookings, amend or upgrade existing bookings, seek assistance on baggage queries, redeem Asia Miles, and more – all via a single chat platform. Air Astana launches flights to Montenegro: Air Astana will inaugurate new services between Kazakhstan and Montenegro on 9 June with flights to Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital,  operating from Nur-Sultan on Wednesdays and Saturdays and from Almaty on Thursdays and Sundays. All flights will be operated by new Airbus A321LR aircraft. Flights from Nur-Sultan are scheduled to depart at 09:00 and arrive in Podgorica at 10:55, with return from Podgorica at 12:00 and arrival in Nur-Sultan at 21:20. Flights from Almaty will depart at 07:30 and arrive in Podgorica at 10:25, with return from Podgorica at 11:30 and arrival in Almaty at 21:25.  All times local. Return airfares including all fees, start from US$615 in Economy Class and US$1,785 in Business Class. Passengers are required to have a negative PCR certificate issued not later than 72 hours before departure in order to enter Montenegro. A certificate is not required for children under 5 years of age, passengers with a positive result of IgG antibody test issued not later than 30 days, and passengers who have completed a full course of coronavirus vaccination, approved in Montenegro. HAECO and AeroLogic extend MRO partnership: HAECO Hong Kong, a member of the HAECO Group, announced that it has extended its long-term agreement with German cargo airline AeroLogic. Under the new agreement, HAECO Hong Kong will provide heavy maintenance services to AeroLogic’s Boeing 777-200 freighter fleet between 2021 and 2024, covering the current fleet of 18 Boeing 777F aircraft. The extension in partnership is a testament to the long-standing collaboration between the two companies. HAECO Hong Kong has been the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider in support of AeroLogic’s business growth since 2012. Over the years, its scope of services has included C1 base maintenance and the completion of four C12 checks for the cargo airline. The company is committed to providing reliable and high-quality aircraft MRO services to bolster AeroLogic’s international operations. Kazakhstan extends safety-critical voice and data network with Frequentis: Kazaeronavigatsia, Kazakhstan’s National Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP), has successfully taken the next step in its ATM-grade network infrastructure programme with Frequentis. A successful site acceptance test was recently performed for the second stage of the program, following the networks’ positive start in 2019. ATM-grade network components out of the Frequentis vitalsphere portfolio, including voice communication solution VCX-IP, build the foundation for a resilient air traffic management (ATM) network. The Frequentis network solution enables the exchange of air/ground (A/G) and ground/ground (G/G) data over an IP network, while ensuring safety and security at all times. The second phase of the program comprises 28 VCX-IP systems for 14 sites across Kazakhstan as well as updates to four existing sites. Airport Show’s 20th edition opens in Dubai: Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports and chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, recently opened the 20th edition of the Airport Show in Dubai. The three-day exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre’s (DWTC) Halls 7 and 8 has the participation of more than 95 exhibitors from 21 countries, 100-plus hosted buyers from over 20 countries and 36 exhibitors at five country pavilions by Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and the UK. These numbers are overwhelming given the prevailing travel restrictions across the globe following the 21st century’s second pandemic and the massive impact it has on the airports and airlines businesses on the planet. After formally opening and visiting the stands and pavilions at Dubai’s MICE landmark facility’s and interacting with the exhibitors about challenges and opportunities, Ahmed said: “The aviation industry has a history of successfully bouncing back from crises and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. The setback is temporary and we will again be on the tracks of transformation. The overwhelming response to the Airport Show is an indication of the aviation world’s strong confidence in Dubai and its global efforts.” FL Technics Training introduces new course:  FL Technics, a provider of aircraft MRO services and a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, announced an addition of a new training course to its Virtual training portfolio as Part-147 Training Organisation. Since the newly developed FL Technics Logistics Solutions business line requires enhanced knowledge and expertise from the industry specialists, FL Technics Training team has introduced a new Open Class training option for those interested in the subject. The Material Management and Logistics training course comes in a format of a Virtual classroom and is aimed at providing attendees with thorough knowledge on the requirements and processes associated with material management and logistics in civil aviation. The training course is conducted by Andrej Volodko, head of Administration and Business Intelligence Unit at FL Technics. The trainer has over 10 years of teaching experience and more than 15 years of professional experience in the industry. Andrej has an abundance of active hands-on knowledge in the processes related to logistics and material management and is an expert with a wealth of practical experience to bring to the classroom. dnata’s Home Check-In service brings relief to UAE passengers: Home Check-in and Home PCR Testing services offered by dnata, through its off-airport wing DUBZ, have brought huge relief to passengers travelling from the UAE amid the ongoing pandemic caused by COVID-19. The first-of-its-kind service being showcased at the Airport Show, which opened at Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday. A mobile check-in van equipped with the latest technology is integral to the success of the Off-Airport check-in procedures.  A team of DUBZ’s well-trained staff visits the passenger’s home, receives the baggage, issues the boarding pass and transports it to the airport to ensure a hassle-free travel experience for the passengers who avoid the airport queues, baggage transportation, and other travel related inconveniences. They ensure complete safety with step-by-step baggage imaging, 360-degree CCTV and GPS tracking. Samer Sobh, COO & Co-Founder of DUBZ, said, “We are the first to bring the airport services to the city with complete safety and security. With nationwide coverage, passengers can streamline their travel journey by embarking on the first and most critical step, from the comfort and safety of their own homes,” he said. DUBZ also offers a similar facility to arriving passengers, who can go home soon after completing immigration control. The company will collect their baggage, get it cleared by the customs and deliver it to their doorstep. Currently dnata is offering the services to passengers of 13 airlines including UAE national carriers Emirates, Etihad and flydubai. Saudia and Qatar Airways passengers can also use their services. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]