Thales wins contract for 787s


Qatar Airways has selected Thales to provide in-flight entertainment and communication systems for its Boeing 787 aircraft.

Thales will supply its TopSeries system, which features a range of onboard product solutions, including passenger touch-screen displays, interface options for personal electronic devices and 3D audio technology.

The airline will also be the launch customer of Thales’ new passenger handset controller with multi-tasking capabilities. The control unit is an intelligent device which enables passengers to play games and navigate through the in-flight entertainment system using touch screen technology and broadband connectivity will also be integrated into the system.

A380 resumes New York flights


Emirates’ A380 superjumbo will make a much-anticipated return to New York on October 31. The aircraft’s reinstatement on one of Emirates’ double daily JFK routes comes as the carrier reported a significant increase in revenue for the Americas in 2009-10, representing a year-on-year rise of 8.1 per cent.

Emirates president Tim Clark said: “We promised to return the A380 to New York as soon as demand recovered and we have been true to our word.”

Lufthansa launching Baghdad flight


Lufthansa is introducing a new service between Munich and Baghdad on September 30. The Iraqi capital will be served four times weekly with a Boeing 737, currently operated on behalf of Lufthansa by the Swiss aviation specialist PrivatAir.

Earlier this year, the airline resumed flights to Iraq after a 20-year interval, serving the northern city of Erbil four times a week from Frankfurt.

United appoints Kanoo


Kanoo Travel has been appointed the GSA (general sales agent) for United Airlines for Bahrain. As part of the agreement, the company will provide reservations, sales and marketing support for the airline in Bahrain.

United Airlines inaugurated its direct flight between Washington DC and Manama on April 18, 2010, making it the first US carrier with a direct route between the US and Bahrain, and the flights will help establish new commercial and tourism opportunities for both countries.

First A330 for Saudi


Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, has become the newest operator of the Airbus A330, after taking delivery of its first long-range Airbus aircraft in almost 30 years. The aircraft was delivered at a ceremony in Toulouse attended by Abdul Aziz Al Hazmi, deputy director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, and John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, customers.

The Rolls-Royce powered A330-300, is the first to be delivered from an order for eight aircraft signed in July 2008.

Jazeera launches Galileo


Jazeera Airways is making booking even easier, with the launch of a new sales channel in Kuwait via the Galileo global distribution system (GDS). Jazeera Airways is the first low-cost airline in the country to sign up to the system.

Galileo, which has the highest market share in Kuwait, with 48 per cent of Kuwait travel agents using the system, now provides Galileo-connected travel agents around the world with access to the airline’s inventory, including its flight timetable and online flight prices.