Air Serbia is to begin flights to Chicago next May, marking the airline’s second US destination. The carrier notes it marks the first time Serbia’s national carrier has operated the Belgrade-Chicago route in more than 30 years. Air Serbia will begin twice-weekly flights from 17 May, adding a third frequency from 12 June. The carrier will deploy Airbus A330 aircraft on the route. The carrier first resumed transatlantic flights in 2016 when it relaunched flights to New York JFK, which its predecessor JAT Airways had been forced to drop in 1992 amid political restrictions imposed at the time by the US government. Air Serbia vice-president Americas, George Petkovic, says: ”This is an extremely important city and we are certain that direct flights between Belgrade and Chicago will mean a lot not just to the Serbian diaspora, but also to the wider Balkans region. By introducing flights between those two cities, the region will be better connected to Chicago, and passengers will have more choices.” The airline earlier this month outlined its intent to resume a weekly Tianjin flight next month despite ongoing Covid travel restrictions in China.<br/>
unaligned
UK carrier Virgin Atlantic is to add flights to the Maldives and the Turks & Caicos islands next winter from London Heathrow. Virgin will begin thrice-weekly seasonal flights to the Maldives from 22 October next year, while the year-round twice-weekly Turks & Caicos service will launch on 15 November 2023. The airline will deploy Boeing 787-9s on the routes. Virgin Atlantic chief commercial officer Juha Jarvinen says: ”The Maldives has always been an incredibly popular destination for Virgin Atlantic Holidays customers, which is why we couldn’t wait to give them the opportunity to travel to the idyllic location in style onboard Virgin Atlantic aircraft. “We’re delighted to begin flying to the Turks & Caicos islands, as we continue to grow our Caribbean portfolio, offering more choice for our customers to explore these beautiful islands and enjoy some winter sun.” The airline already has a wide-ranging network of destinations it serves in the Caribbean. Virgin earlier this month launched flights to Tampa, deploying its new Airbus A330neo on the route. For summer 2023, the airline will add three more A330-900s and another A350 compared to its fleet size this summer.<br/>
Emirates' award-winning inflight entertainment (IFE) system ice will display all FIFA World Cup Qatar matches live on Sport 24 onboard the aircraft, as well as in the A380 onboard lounges, and across dedicated Emirates airport lounges. More than 200 Emirates aircraft are equipped with live TV, featuring dedicated sports channels - Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra. Kicking off on November 20, Emirates passengers will be able to watch all FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Sport 24 via ice, including the highly anticipated final on December 18. Prior to boarding a flight, Emirates passengers can also watch live match action in dedicated lounges. Emirates Lounges are ideal places to relax and refresh before a flight and are accessible on a complimentary basis to First and Business Class passengers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members. Silver members can also avail complimentary access to the Emirates Business Class lounge, in Dubai. Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers can also pay to access the lounge and enjoy the matches with a cold beverage and unlimited snacks. Emirates lounges offer a range of luxuries for travellers from generous buffet dining with regionally inspired cuisine and healthy options, to self-serve alcohol stations, showers, free Wi-Fi, and a private business centre.<br/>
Middle Eastern operator Saudia Group has become the latest to agree a fleet lease from new Riyadh-based lessor AviLease. Saudia Group has entered a sale-and-lease transaction covering 20 Airbus A320neos. The twinjets will be operated by the group’s budget arm Flyadeal. Saudia Group director general Ibrahim Al-Omar says the agreement is an “important deal for both companies”. He adds that it also marks an “important step” towards realising the Saudi Arabian aviation strategy. “In the few months since it was launched, AviLease has already established itself as a key enabler of the kingdom’s aviation sector development,” says Al-Omar. AviLease is owned by the Saudi sovereign Public Investment Fund. It has recently delivered its initial aircraft – the first two of a dozen – to Saudi operator Flynas. “Our partnership [with Saudia Group] further cements AviLease’s strong portfolio within Saudi Arabia by delivering next-generation aircraft solutions to locally based operators from the world’s leading manufacturers,” says AviLease chair Fahad Al-Saif. Flyadeal’s A320neos will bring to 32 the total number of jets in the new lessor’s portfolio.<br/>
Vietnam’s Vietravel Airlines is commence operations to Bangkok from 16 December, its first international destination since commencing operations about a year ago. The daily flights from Hanoi will be operated by Airbus A321s, the airline says in a statement on its website. Vietravel also disclosed its intentions to operate daily flights to Bangkok from Ho Chi Minh City, but did not commit to a launch date. When it began operations in 2021, the leisure carrier, owned by travel agency Vietravel Holdings, said it hoped to launch international flights in its first two years of operations, to destinations in countries like Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. The airline currently has a fleet of three A321s, and plans to grow it to six examples by end-2023. According to Cirium schedules data, there are three other carriers flying between Hanoi and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. Vietnam Airlines has thrice-daily operations with a mix of A321s and A350s, while low-cost operator Vietjet Air operates daily flights with its A321s. Meanwhile, Thai operator Thai Smile Air flies twice a day between the two cities.<br/>