July 21, 2023 – Australia’s Capital, Canberra has become the newest destination to join Fiji Airways’ comprehensive network of direct international destinations with the inaugural flight departing Nadi this morning. The National Airline now offers twice weekly flights, marking an exciting development for both countries, strengthening tourism, trade, people-to-people connections, government relations, and cargo transportation.
Company Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr Andre Viljoen says with its world-renowned hospitality and award-winning service, Fiji Airways is set to deliver an Exceptional Fijian Experience to guests flying between these two vibrant destinations.
The direct flight offers a seamless transport link for the exchange of goods and services, enabling businesses to expand their markets and explore new trade opportunities. This will strengthen trade flows, benefitting businesses engaged in import and export activities, and further promoting economic collaboration.
National Jet Express (NJE), a Rex Group company, has today firmed up its bold ambition to expand its footprint in the Queensland charter and mining market. NJE today took passengers to the skies for the first time in Queensland, with flight NC344 departing Brisbane at 0700 local time for Moranbah. This comes after NJE was successful in winning a contract to provide air services for BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).
Thursday 16 December 2021 – Virgin Australia has restarted international flights, today operating the first of the airline’s daily Fiji services since being relaunched 12 months ago. The inaugural flight, departing Sydney International Airport, was sent off in spectacular style, with Virgin Australia CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka marking the occasion with a departure gate launch party to remember.
Passengers were treated to branded coconuts, free beach tote bags by Australian resort-wear brand Double Rainbouu, tropical Boost juices, and a performance by Fijian-Australian and 2022 Eurovision contestant, Paulini Curuenavuli, who sang a rendition of Madonna’s ‘Like A Virgin’ before a traditional Fijian song.
For the final departing gift, CEO Jayne Hrdlicka announced that all passengers would each receive a free Economy return flight anywhere on the Virgin Australia domestic network, as a thank you for their support and loyalty.
o celebrate the return of Virgin Australia international flights, Virgin Australia has dropped a 48-hour snap Fiji sale with return Economy fares available from as low as $369* between Melbourne and Fiji. Sale fares are now available to book at virginaustralia.com until midnight this Friday 17 December 2021, or until sold out.
ITA Airways and Air Malta, have signed a broad codeshare agreement connecting the networks of the two airlines. This new commercial partnership, which applies to flights departing from Sunday 31st October, is bound to boost business travel and tourism between Italy and Malta and will offer customers more options and better flight schedules when travelling through the two airlines’ hubs in Rome and Luqa, Malta.
Following this agreement, ITA Airways’ and Air Malta’s customers can now fly seamlessly to their desired destination with a single ‘unique’ ticket, checking-in at the airport of departure, and collecting their checked-through baggage at the end of their trip in the arrival airport.
ITA Airways will apply its ‘AZ’ code on all services operated by Air Malta between Italy and Malta. Similarly, Air Malta will codeshare AZ flights between Malta and Rome, connecting Italian domestic services beyond Rome Fiumicino Airport and Milan Linate and selected connecting international services.
The new codeshare flights are now available for sale through the airlines’ respective websites (itaspa.com and airmalta.com), reservation systems and in travel agencies.
For more details or reservations visit itaspa.com and airmalta.com or contact your local travel agent.
Emirates will operate a special one-off A380 service to Bahrain on 15 December, one day ahead of the country’s 49th National Day celebrations. The deployment is in response to high passenger demand during the National Day holidays in the Kingdom.
On 15 December, the Emirates A380 service will operate as EK 839 and EK 840, departing Dubai at 1605 and arriving in Bahrain at 1625hrs. The flight will then depart Bahrain at 1745hrs arriving in Dubai at 2000hrs.
Emirates customers arriving from Bahrain have the option to take a complimentary COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai, or do their COVID-19 PCR test 96 hours prior to departure, making it even more convenient for those planning their holidays.
Passengers coming from Bahrain, along with three other GCC countries do not need to take a COVID-19 PCR test prior to departure.
Emirates celebrated its 20th anniversary to Bahrain this year, and since its first flight to the Kingdom has carried more than 6 million passengers between Bahrain and Dubai. The airline currently operates double daily flights to the Kingdom, connecting travellers to 99 global destinations, with safe and convenient onwards travel via Dubai to the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific.
Emirates has deployed the A380 on one-off missions to the Kingdom six times, including during busy Eid travel periods, on Bahrain’s National Day in 2017, and has also displayed the double-decker twice during the Bahrain airshow.
The airline recently reinstated its signature A380 experiences, including the Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa, introducing additional health and safety measures. In early November, Emirates also restored its signature dining service across all classes while observing strict hygiene protocols. Customers can now enjoy multi-course meals and choose from a complimentary selection of beverages. Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment, ice, continues to add new content every month, and currently boasts over 4,500 channels.
For more information to book a journey on this special one-off A380, travellers can visit www.emirates.com/bh , travel agents or contact the local Emirates Sales Office.
– 777 Freighter’s superior range and efficiency to complement Volga-Dnepr’s fleet
– Volga-Dnepr becomes the 19th operator of the large-capacity twin-engine freighter.
A Boeing [NYSE:BA] 777 Freighter today joined the Volga-Dnepr Group fleet of 24 Boeing freighters today, departing Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The fuel efficient twin-engine freighter will begin operations with AirBridgeCargo, a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr.
AirBridgeCargo will operate the airplane via a sale-leaseback agreement with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE).
“We are delighted to welcome Volga-Dnepr Group as our newest customer as they introduce the 777 Freighter to their fleet,” said Firoz Tarapore, DAE’s Chief Executive Officer. “DAE Capital is the world’s largest lessor of the profitable and efficient 777 Freighter. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Volga-Dnepr Group as they continue to grow their successful operations.”
Volga-Dnepr Group is among the world’s largest Boeing freighter operators, flying 17 747 freighters and five 737 freighters, including 13 747-8F, four 747-400ERF, two 737-800BCF and three 737-400SF.
The 777 Freighter, which can fly 4,970 nautical miles (9,200 kilometers), can carry a payload of 224,900 lbs. (102,010 kg), more cargo capacity than any other twin-engine freighter. Of all production freighters, only the 747F and 777 Freighter are capable of carrying tall and outsized cargo loads on 3-meter (10-foot) tall pallets. This common main-deck pallet height capability enables interchangeable pallets for both models. In addition, the 777F main deck side cargo door is extraordinarily wide at 3.72 meters (146.5 inches), giving that airplane outsized carriage capability beyond tall payloads.
“We are honored to partner with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and Volga-Dnepr Group to introduce the 777 Freighter to Volga’s customers,” said Ihssane Mounir, Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company. “We look forward to introducing the unsurpassed efficiency and capability of the 777 Freighter to complement Volga’s existing fleet.”
Boeing provides more than 90 percent of the worldwide dedicated freighter capacity. Customers have ordered 231 777 Freighters since the program began in 2005. Volga-Dnepr becomes the 19th operator to date to use the large-capacity twin-engine freighter.
Qantas has announced a program of events to farewell its last remaining Boeing 747 and provide Australians the opportunity to say goodbye to the much loved “Queen of the Skies” ahead of its retirement from the national carrier’s fleet.
The airline will operate three one-hour “farewell jumbo joy flights” departing from Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane, in response to requests from employees and customers for one final chance to fly on the aircraft.
Qantas 747 Fleet Captain Owen Weaver said the 747 has a special place in the hearts of many Australians.
“The 747 has been a magnificent aircraft and it’s fitting that we celebrate the end of five decades of history-making moments for the national carrier and aviation in Australia,” Captain Weaver said.
“Since the first 747 joined the Qantas fleet in 1971, these aircraft have operated numerous rescue flights to bring Australians home during times of crisis and provided a safe passage for many travellers taking their first international flight to or from Australia.
“These three flights will offer the final opportunity to fly on the Qantas 747 before it leaves, with some of our frequent flyers and aviation enthusiasts as fond of the aircraft as we are, having spent thousands of hours onboard over the years.
“There is an enormous amount of nostalgia and affection associated with our 747 and for those who miss out on a seat on the flight, they will at least be able to catch a glimpse of the aircraft as it takes to Australian skies for the last time.”
The flights will go on sale at midday on Wednesday 8 July on Qantas.com and will operate on Monday 13 July (Sydney), Wednesday 15 July (Brisbane) and Friday 17 July (Canberra). Economy fares cost $400 and a small number of Business Class tickets will be available for $747 with additional extras included.
Seats will be limited to maximise passenger comfort (in line with other previously operated joy flights).
The flights will be operated on a cost-recovery basis and profits will be donated to the HARS Aviation Museum at Albion Park (Wollongong) and the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach to support their efforts to preserve and promote the 747 legacy for future generations. Both museums have a Qantas 747 on public display.
The final 747-400 in the fleet will depart Sydney at approximately 2pm on 22 July 2020 as flight QF7474.
Prior to its final departure on the 22nd July, Qantas will host a hangar farewell event for employees.
Note: The farewell jumbo jet joy flights will operate with Fly Wellprotocols in place.
