Airlines

Saudi Arabia announces plans for a six-runway hub airport in Riyadh.

Riyadh Airport into a vast aviation hub with six parallel runways

According to state news agency SPA, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday unveiled plans to transform Riyadh Airport into a vast aviation hub with six parallel runways and the capacity to hold up to 120 million passengers by 2030.

In Gesture To Israel, Saudi Arabia Opens Airspace To ‘All Carriers’.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, will construct King Salman International Airport, which will encompass the existing King Khaled airport and cover an area of 57 square kilometres (22.01 square miles), according to SPA.

The airport project is consistent with Saudi Arabia’s goal of transforming Riyadh into one of the top ten city economies in the world and supporting the city’s population expansion to 15-20 million people by 2030. According to the report, King Salman Airport would add 103,000 direct and indirect jobs, accommodate 185 million passengers, and handle 3.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2050.

Saudi Arabia to order 40 A350s for new national airline RIA(Opens in a new browser tab)

It did not provide information on the anticipated investments, but a source familiar with the plans told Reuters that the PIF’s aviation department will receive hefty funds to support an ecosystem of cargo and passenger planes, repair shops, and airports.

Under the transportation plan that calls for the creation of the two hubs, the 77-year-old state airline Saudia will be based out of the Red Sea city of Jeddah. The government is already discussing orders for the two airlines Saudia and RIA with aircraft manufacturers Airbus SE (AIR.PA) and Boeing Co (BA.N).

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.