Oman Air to join oneworld Alliance
Oman Air has officially announced that it will join the oneworld Alliance. The news was announced at IATA’s 78th Annual General Meeting in Doha, with oneworld member Qatar Airways acting as a sponsor for the carrier’s entry into the alliance. Oman Air said that Qatar Airways will provide “guidance and support as the airline integrates into the alliance”.
The Muscat-based airline is expected to join the alliance in 2024, with members of the carrier’s Sindbad frequent flyer programme able to earn and redeem miles across the alliance’s member airlines. The carrier’s top tier members will also receive additional benefits including lounge access when travelling with other members of the alliance. Meanwhile, oneworld Emerald, Sapphire and premium cabin customers will also gain access to the three Oman Air lounges at Muscat, Salalah and Bangkok.
Government introduces “amnesty” on airport slots rule
The Department for Transport (DfT) plans to allow a one-off “amnesty” on airport slot rules to minimise flight disruption this summer. The government will give airlines a short window to hand back take-off and landing slots for the rest of the summer season. These slots would be available for other airlines to use in the current season, and returned to the initial airlines in the next season.
British Airways Heathrow workers to strike in July
British Airways workers based at Heathrow have voted in favour of strikes. The GMB and Unite unions have announced the result of the ballot and said they would be planning strikes of the 700 staff employed at Heathrow in the second half of July for maximum ‘leverage’. The dispute is about the 10 per cent pay cut the staff agreed to during the pandemic and future pay.
Travel news as a glance:
- JetBlue to introduce extra London-New York daily flight
- Air Canada to launch seasonal London-Mumbai direct route from 29 October 2022
- 11 restaurants awarded Michelin stars in Dubai
- Iberia launches uniform-recycling project
- Emirates starts flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv
- Easyjet to cut more summer flights following airport capacity caps
- Qantas reinstates first class on Sydney-Singapore route
- Amsterdam Schiphol to limit passenger numbers departing during July and August due to “incredibly tight labour market”
- LATAM to eliminate single-use plastics by 2023
- Swedish airline Braathens Regional Airlines has completed the first test flight using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a commercial regional aircraft
- EasyJet orders 56 Airbus aircraft to ‘refresh’ fleet
- Summer hotel rates and occupancy to outpace 2019