A reciprocal interline agreement between Emirates and SriLankan airlines has been signed to improve connectivity for both carriers’ passengers. Through Colombo and Dubai, the collaboration will allow travellers to reach new locations on each other’s networks while using a single ticket and benefiting from convenient luggage transfers.

As a result of the interline cooperation, travellers flying on Emirates can now pick from 15 regional destinations served by SriLankan Airlines via Colombo. Tickets are now available for travel beginning immediately.

Bangkok Airways and Air India Announce Interline Partnership(Opens in a new browser tab)

Along with Gan Island in the Maldives, the interline network now has two new Indian destinations—Madurai and Tiruchirapally—so that passengers can travel conveniently on a single ticket while taking advantage of a liberal baggage policy and hassle-free baggage check-through to their final destination. Additional destinations in the Far East and South Asia include Cochin, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Malé, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Guangzhou, Seoul, and Tokyo.

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Passengers on SriLankan Airlines will also gain access to Emirates’ extensive global network and connections to 15 additional Emirates-operated locations. The interline network connects locations in the US, Russia, Africa, and the Middle East. Customers of SriLankan can fly on Emirates to a number of US destinations, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Houston, and Bahrain, Amman, Dammam, Medina, Cairo, Muscat, Nairobi, Moscow, and Tel Aviv.

Travel itineraries can be booked immediately on emirates.com, srilankan.com and preferred online and offline travel agencies.  

Air India and Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited recently agreed to form an interline collaboration. Through this alliance, customers of Air India may easily connect to and from 10 locations in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia on Bangkok Airways’ route network via Air India’s hubs in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

The implementation of Inter Airline Through Check-In (IATCI), which enables passengers to receive their boarding passes at the first point of departure for all sectors of travel on a single ticket, as well as having their luggage checked through to their final destinations, is included in the scope of the agreement between the two airlines. A Special Prorate Agreement between Bangkok Airways and Air India also enables both companies to submit “through fares” for routes that cross their respective networks.

Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines agree on a major strategic partnership(Opens in a new browser tab)

“Air India is a leading international airline with a significant presence in India and throughout the world,” said Mr. Chulin Kocharoen, Vice President – Network and Product Development of Bangkok Airways PLC. In order to expand our individual route networks and provide business and leisure passengers with convenient and unmatched access to new gateways, we are glad to enter an interline cooperation with Air India. Additionally, Air India customers flying on Bangkok Airways flights will benefit from the boutique airline’s unmatched offerings, which include access to lounges at available airports, a catered dinner in flight, and much more.

“One of our strategic priorities at Air India is to give our guests the choice of flying to more places through our own as well as an expanded global network,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Office. In an effort to give our visitors better connectivity throughout Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations, we are pleased to work with Bangkok Airways.

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Through Bangkok Airways, travellers from Air India can connect to the following locations in Thailand: Chiang Mai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Trat, Koh Samui, Phuket, and Krabi. Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, and Phnom Penh are among the destinations outside of Thailand.

Passengers on Air India have the option of flying to Koh Samui through Singapore and Hong Kong in addition to the Bangkok gateway. Air India offers daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Bangkok, twice daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai to Singapore, and thrice weekly flights from Delhi to Hong Kong.

In order to progress towards a joint venture operating agreement, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) and Turkish Airlines inked an MOU in Istanbul. This is an important step in strengthening the relationship between the national airlines of Thailand and Turkey.

Since Turkish Airlines operates out of Istanbul Airport, which is ideally located to serve as a hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, Istanbul can provide unrivalled connections to any country in the world. In December, THAI will launch daily service from its hub in Bangkok to Istanbul, solidifying its position as the gateway airline to Thailand, the Asia Pacific area, and Australia. Additionally, this alliance will encourage travel between Turkey (85 million people) and Thailand (66 million people).

Indigo will access the American market via a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines.(Opens in a new browser tab)

To maximise the synergies that this strategic relationship offers to both airlines, THAI and Turkish Airlines will work towards joint venture operations. In a meeting held on August 2 in Istanbul, the executive teams and CEOs of the two companies agreed to this strengthened partnership. The partnership would give THAI and Turkish Airlines customers an unmatched selection of destinations in Europe and Asia.

The CEO of THAI, Chai Eamsiri, stated that this collaboration would improve the connection and route network efficiencies of THAI and Turkish Airlines. Utilising the vast networks provided by THAI and Turkish Airlines, our consumers will be able to simply travel between Thailand and Turkey as well as on to Europe and other locations in Asia.

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The CEO of Turkish Airlines, Bilal Ekşi, spoke on the significance of the partnership with THAI and said: “This agreement represents a significant turning point for Turkish Airlines and THAI’s cooperation as it brings together the rich cultural history of Turkey and Thailand. Through this partnership, connection between the two regions will be improved, smoother travel experiences will be offered, and travellers will have access to a greater selection of destinations and services.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club announced the launch of Card Linked Offers, a new feature that will incorporate Avios into members’ daily lives. Credit cardholders with Visa or Mastercard, including those with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, can now link their accounts to their Privilege Club accounts. Members can earn and spend Avios on everyday purchases at a variety of retail and lifestyle partners in Qatar.

By rewarding customers for shopping, dining, and other transactions made with the linked credit cards, Card Linked Offers expands the incentives available to Privilege Club members, giving them more options than ever. This new service is accessible for Mastercard credit cards issued in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Qatar, UAE, UK, Uruguay, and the United States as well as Visa credit cards issued in over 70 countries where card linking is supported.

British Airways offers new menus& buy-on-board choices for passengers.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Users only need to sign into their Privilege Club account and submit their credit card information to link purchases to the loyalty programme. Members have the option to spend or collect Avios after making a purchase at partner stores. They will either receive credit in Avios or the corresponding cashback will be applied to their connected card.

In order to offer Card Linked Offers at their locations, Privilege Club has teamed up with a wide range of recognised partners, including Kulud Pharmacy, F45, Evergreen Organics, and many others. With the addition of more partners to the portfolio, members will have access to a wide range of retail, food and beverage, and lifestyle locations where they may take advantage of the Card Linked Offers.

Embraer announced that the Phenom 100EV and the Phenom 300E business jets, along with the E195-E2 ‘TechLion’ commercial aircraft, will be on display at the Australian International Airshow which starts on 28 February 2023. The aircraft on static display complement the products and solutions across Embraer’s diverse portfolio that the Company will showcase at its chalet.

This will be the E195-E2’s maiden appearance at the Australian International Airshow and the Phenom 300E series was just announced as the world’s best-selling light jet for the 11th consecutive year. There are over 11 business jets and over 40 E-Jets operating in the country, mainly with Alliance Airlines, Airnorth, National Jet Express and Pionair. Several of Alliance Airlines’ E-Jets operate on selected QantasLink routes.

The E195-E2 TechLion is the world’s most efficient single-aisle aircraft. With a capacity of up to 146 passengers, the E195-E2 is part of the latest E2 family that is shaping the regional market with its sustainable technologies, superior cabin comfort, excellent economics and optimal range.

The Phenom 300E and the Phenom 100EV that are on display at the Show reflect the popularity of the aircraft in Australia and across the globe. The Phenom 100EV offers the business aviation experience in its purest form while the Phenom 300E sets the highest standard of excellence in the light jet category.

In terms of performance, the new, enhanced Phenom 300E is even faster, capable of reaching Mach 0.80, becoming the fastest single-pilot jet in production, and able to deliver a high-speed cruise of 464 knots and a five-occupant range of 2,010 nautical miles (3,724 km) with NBAA IFR reserves. The Phenom 300 series is in operation in 36 countries and has accumulated nearly one million, eight hundred thousand flight hours. It offers the highest residual value of any aircraft in the market.

Also, part of Embraer’s portfolio of business jets are the Praetor 500 and the Praetor 600, which with best-in-class flight range, are the most disruptive and technologically advanced midsize and super-midsize business jets, capable of continent-crossing and ocean-spanning missions, respectively.

On the topic of sustainability, Embraer is committed to developing products, solutions, and technologies to contribute to the aviation industry’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Embraer aims to be carbon neutral by 2040 and achieve carbon neutral growth from 2022. It plans to implement 25% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use in its operations by 2040 and 100% renewable energy sources by 2030.

Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. are leading the way towards sustainable business aviation by conducting the first original equipment manufacturer test flight of an ultralong-range business jet powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The test took place on the BR725-powered Gulfstream G650 twin-jet over Gulfstream’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.

Demonstrating that current Rolls-Royce engines for business jet and large civil applications can operate with 100% SAF as a full “drop-in” option, this test lays the groundwork for moving this type of fuel towards certification. At present, SAF is only certified for blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel and can be used on all current Rolls-Royce engines.

The SAF that was used in the test consists of two components: HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids), produced from waste fat and waste plant oils by low-carbon fuel specialist World Energy in Paramount, California, and (SAK) Synthesised Aromatic Kerosene made from waste plant-based sugars by Wisconsin-based Virent Inc. This innovative and fully sustainable fuel in development eliminates the need for the addition of further petroleum-based components and enables a 100% drop-in SAF that can be used in existing jet engines and infrastructure without any modifications. This sustainable fuel has the potential to reduce net CO2 lifecycle emissions by about 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, with the possibility of further reductions in future.