Airlines

Etihad Airways to allow bookings using AI within chat app BOTIM

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Etihad Airways, and leading consumer technology holding company Astra Tech have partnered to allow customers to book flights using BOTIM, the top VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service in the MENA region, which was recently relaunched as an Ultra app. Astra Tech’s founder, Abdallah Abu Sheikh, and Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves signed a partnership agreement today at the Arabian Travel Market.

Astra Tech and Etihad are working together to offer customers a new, simple way to purchase flights. Customers now have a fast and cutting-edge way to book Etihad flights with to the BOTIM GPT module created by Astra Tech, which integrates flights and other travel-related services into the Botim app.

Botim 3.0 was introduced earlier this week by Astra Tech (Astra), making it an all-encompassing digital platform for its customers by combining banking, e-commerce, GPT, and communications into a unified user experience. With access to services like Botim Money for peer-to-peer transactions and international transfers, Botim Stores with access to more than 100,000 stores, and advanced video services like tutoring and telemedicine later this year, Botim is a potent digital tool designed to make life easier for every user. Users all over the world can access Botim 3.0, which offers the sole open and seamless channel for communication and commerce to and from the MENA area.

Airlines

Qantas Engineers Stage Walkout Over Cost of Living Concerns

Tensions at Qantas reached new heights as base maintenance workers in Brisbane walked out of a hangar meeting hosted by the airline’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson.

The walkout was a clear display of displeasure and aimed to send a strong message to the company’s management about the growing frustrations within the workforce. The workers, represented by the Qantas Engineers Alliance, have been pushing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living.

In an open display of displeasure, Qantas Base maintenance workers walked out of a hangar meet hosted by the CEO Vanessa Hudson in Brisbane, also aimed to send a message to the management.

Qantas Engineers Alliance members have been demanding decent wage increases to match with… pic.twitter.com/y9EVjc46VM— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 14, 2024

Despite ongoing discussions, the employees feel that their concerns have been overlooked, leading to this public show of dissent. The hangar meeting, meant to foster dialogue and address employee concerns, instead became the stage for a visible demonstration of dissatisfaction as the workers exited in unison.

For some time, the engineers and maintenance staff have expressed frustration over wage stagnation amid increasing inflation and living costs. Their demand is simple: a decent and fair wage adjustment that keeps pace with economic realities. The walkout underscores the workers’ determination to stand firm on their request for better pay and fair treatment.

As Qantas navigates its recovery post-pandemic, this incident highlights the growing internal challenges the airline faces, especially concerning its workforce. The maintenance staff’s actions have put additional pressure on the company’s leadership to address the wage concerns and avoid further escalation.