Travel

Saudia Plans eVTOL Jets for Mecca and Coastal Destinations

Saudi Arabia’s national airline, Saudia, is set to introduce electric jets to service routes to luxury resorts and the holy city of Mecca.

The airline has partnered with Munich-based firm Lilium to provide eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) jets for direct connections to remote locations along the Red Sea coast and for transporting Muslim pilgrims from Jeddah to Mecca, which currently lacks an airport.

Qatar Airways Adds Direct Toronto-Amritsar Flights with Stopover in Doha

Razan Shaker, Saudia’s communications affairs manager, shared insights on the initiative during a logistics forum in Riyadh. “Our strategy is to bridge the locations and cities that do not have an airport or are challenging to access,” she explained. The plan includes creating a helipad at the iconic Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower hotel, close to the Grand Mosque, to facilitate direct flights for pilgrims.

In July, Saudia announced its decision to purchase 50 Lilium eVTOL jets, with options for an additional 50. This order marks the largest firm commitment to eVTOL aircraft by an airline, underscoring a substantial push towards electric aviation.hajj flight schedule 2024 Each jet can seat four to six passengers and has a range of up to 175 kilometers (109 miles). Saudia expects to begin receiving the aircraft in 2026.

Boeing Faces New Setbacks as 777X Delays Extend and scraps B767-300F

While the deal’s financial details remain undisclosed, Lilium’s chief innovation engineer, Daniel Wiegand, mentioned that the jets typically cost between $7 million and $9 million each. Click here to know haj flight schedule 2024 india

Saudi Arabia’s Cargo Airline Plans

In a separate development, Saudi Arabia may soon launch a new cargo-only airline. According to an August 20, 2024 report by Bloomberg, the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is in discussions with Airbus and Boeing to acquire freighter aircraft for this venture. If successful, this new airline would further strengthen Saudi Arabia’s logistics and aviation sectors, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 goals.

Airlines

Qatar Airways Adds Direct Toronto-Amritsar Flights with Stopover in Doha

Qatar Airways has made travel easier for passengers by announcing a new three-weekly non-stop service between Toronto, Canada, and Doha, Qatar, starting on December 11, 2024.

This new route provides seamless connectivity for travelers heading to Amritsar, offering a convenient alternative for the Punjabi diaspora in Toronto who wish to avoid the hassles of transiting through Delhi airport.

Boeing Faces New Setbacks as 777X Delays Extend and scraps B767-300F

In a joint press release, Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, FlyAmritsar Initiative North America Convener, and Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener, highlighted that this new route addresses the long-standing demand for better travel options to Punjab.

With this service, Amritsar will now have ten weekly flights to Canada via Doha, making the journey simpler and more comfortable for travelers who previously had to deal with long road trips, multiple layovers, and extended check-ins.

Flight Schedule and Connectivity

The qatar air line from Amritsar will depart at 4:10 a.m. (local time) and arrive in Doha at 6:05 a.m. (local time). After a layover of 3 hours and 45 minutes, passengers will board the qatar airways flight from Doha to Toronto at 9:50 a.m. (local time) on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing in Toronto the same day at 3:55 p.m. (local time).

China Airlines eyes new aircraft order for 777X and A350-1000

On the return journey, the qatar airlines will depart from Toronto at 8:00 p.m. (local time) and arrive in Doha at 4:30 p.m. (local time) the following day. From there, passengers will catch the connecting flight to Amritsar at 8:40 p.m. (local time), reaching their destination by 2:40 a.m. (local time). The total travel time qatar seatmap for the journey is approximately 20 hours and 10 minutes.

This new route is a significant relief for travelers who have often faced the challenges of long road journeys to Delhi, lengthy layovers, and multiple check-ins. By streamlining the travel process, qatar Airways ensures a smoother and faster journey, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers traveling between Canada and Punjab.