Category Archives: Aviation

flynas launched direct flights between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi further expanding in the UAE market in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom,” in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030 and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. An inaugural ceremony was held at King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh on Thursday, April 10, and attended by representatives from flynas and Riyadh Airports Company, which manages and operates KKIA, to celebrate flynas maiden direct flight between the Saudi capital and the Emirati capital, further consolidating flynas position as the largest air carrier connecting the two brotherly countries with more than 20 daily flights. Starting 10 April, three weekly flights will be operated between King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Shaikh Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Traveling guests on the departing inaugural flight were welcomed with giveaways. The leading LCC is now the only KSA carrier serving the four major airports in UAE with direct flights operated from flynas’ main bases in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah. flynas operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations within its growth and expansion plan, and in line with the objectives …

SalamAir introduced fixed fares for flights between Muscat and Salalah during the Khareef season from 30th June  to 31st August 2025, exclusively for Omani nationals. The airline offers a fixed Lite fare of 30 OMR for one way and 48 OMR for a return trip. This initiative aims to provide affordable travel options for Omanis looking to experience the unique beauty of Salalah during this popular season. In anticipation of the expected demand during the season, SalamAir will also increase capacity on this route by 50% compared to 2024. This will ensure enough seats to accommodate the increased number of travellers during the Khareef season. Adrian Hamilton-Manns, CEO of SalamAir, stated, “We’re pleased to offer our Omani customers affordable travel options to experience the beauty of Salalah during the Khareef season. With fixed fares and increased capacity, we reaffirm our commitment as a national carrier to support domestic tourism. Through these efforts, we continue to deliver on our promise to let you Travel Your Way and discover the region’s unique charm.” The Omani National fixed-fares bookings are only available through SalamAir’s website or mobile application. Fares are available for Omani citizens, and a valid ID must be presented at the check-in counter or boarding gate.

flydubai and Boeing announced an agreement to retrofit 21 of flydubai’s 737 MAX aircraft with larger Boeing Space Bins. Each Space Bin can accommodate up to six standard-sized bags per bin by turning a bag on its edge, an increase from four bags per bin compared to a standard bin. “Since commencing operations in 2009, we have remained dedicated to investing in product innovation and elevating our passengers’ inflight experience. By having Boeing’s larger Space Bins on our 737 MAX aircraft, this will provide our passengers with added convenience and increased storage space that rivals the experience offered on a wide-body aircraft,” said Daniel Kerrison, Senior Vice President of Inflight Operations at flydubai. “Passengers are making the connection between bin capacity and the extra room they need and expect for their carry-on bags,” said Doug Backhus, Vice President of Cabin, Modifications and Maintenance at Boeing. “We are proud to partner with flydubai to bring Space Bins capability to their existing 737 MAX fleet.” The carrier is served by a young and efficient fleet of 88 Boeing 737 aircraft, 59 of which are 737 MAX aircraft. flydubai has built a growing network of more than 130 destinations in 55 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and South-East Europe, the GCC and the Middle East, South Asia and South-East Asia.

Oman Air has announced the extension of its popular Muscat-Moscow service to operate year-round. Building on the route’s success and increasing demand between Russia and Oman, the airline will now offer up to three weekly flights between May and September, complementing its existing winter service, which includes up to six flights per week from October to April. His Excellency Eng. Saeed Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and IT, and Chairman of Oman Air, said, “The introduction of summer flights marks a return to full-year operations in Moscow, further strengthening Oman Air’s presence in this key route and underscoring the importance of the Russia-Oman corridor for tourism, trade and cultural exchange. As the airline continues to invest in strategically relevant markets, we are pleased to support Oman’s broader vision for global engagement and economic diversification.” Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, added, “Moscow has proven to be a high-performing route in our network, and its year-round operation enables us to meet growing demand across all seasons while reaching a broader market. This expansion strengthens connectivity for our guests, supports our wider network strategy by linking Russia to destinations across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa via Muscat, while also contributing positively to Oman’s tourism goals.” For the summer schedule, flights between Muscat and Moscow will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays during May and June, and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from July to September. The service will be operated by the latest generation B737 Max-8 aircraft featuring two cabin classes – Business and Economy. Guests can look forward to the airline’s renowned Omani hospitality and award-winning service, offering a seamless experience throughout the year.

In response to popular demand and consistent route performance, Oman Air has announced the return of its double-daily flights between Muscat and London, starting 26 October 2025. The second flight will initially be added on four days of the week, providing greater convenience and choice to guests, while enhancing connectivity to key onward destinations served by its oneworld Alliance partners, particularly in North America. By summer 2026, the airline will be operating 14 return flights per week from Muscat to London. Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “We’re proud to restore our double-daily service to meet the robust demand from our guests. London has always been a cornerstone of our international network, and the UK represents one of our largest inbound tourism markets, so this enhancement not only strengthens our presence on this key route but also supports Oman’s wider tourism ambitions. As we continue to grow, and particularly as we prepare to join oneworld, we remain focused on unlocking market potential, while consistently delivering an exceptional travel experience.” The enhanced schedule will see two daily flights on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, offering guests increased opportunities for same-day connections to the US and other long-haul destinations. The service will be operated by the latest generation B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring Oman Air’s signature three-cabin configuration: Business Studio, Business Class and Economy Class. For the newly added schedule, the outbound flight will depart from Muscat at 01:40 and arrive in London at 05:55, while the return flight will depart from London at 08:25 and arrive in Muscat at 19:35.

Sabre Corporation announced that BermudAir has successfully implemented Radixx®, Sabre’s low-cost carrier (LCC) passenger service system (PSS), to support its growing operations. As part of a multi-year agreement, BermudAir deployed Radixx Res®, Radixx Insight®, and Radixx EzyCommerce®, enabling BermudAir to optimize reservations, streamline operations, and enhance the traveler experience. The flexible, cloud-based solutions will support BermudAir’s rapid expansion by improving passenger processing, delivering data-driven insights, and enabling seamless digital retailing. “Radixx’s advanced retailing capabilities empower airlines to deliver personalized offers and smooth booking experiences, driving ancillary revenue and increasing customer satisfaction,” said Darren Rickey, Senior Vice President, Global Airline Sales and Account Management at Sabre. “We are excited to partner with BermudAir as they continue to grow and redefine air travel to and from Bermuda.” With Radixx’s next-generation technology, BermudAir can further refine its digital capabilities, providing a seamless, intuitive booking process, faster passenger handling, and greater operational efficiency. The partnership underscores Sabre’s commitment to powering airlines with intelligent, adaptable solutions that enable agility in a competitive market. “Delivering a consistent and efficient travel experience for our customers is our top priority, and having the right technology partner is essential to achieving that,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO at BermudAir. “Radixx offers the flexibility and scalability required to streamline our operations, enhance the booking experience, and drive efficiency. With a successful implementation, we are well-positioned for future expansion.” In addition, BermudAir recently integrated with Sabre’s Global Distribution System (GDS), broadening its reach within the travel trade sector and making its flights more accessible to travel agents and corporate bookers worldwide. Since launching in September 2023, BermudAir has established itself as a premier regional carrier, providing year-round connectivity between Bermuda and …

beOnd announced it will offer to customers in Munich and Dubai its award-winning beOnd service between the two cities. Since 2024, beOnd has flown guests in the airline’s signature luxury leisure cabin between Munich and the Maldives. Today’s news is an expansion of service connecting customers in Germany and the United Arab Emirates. “Linking Munich with Dubai aligns perfectly with our strategic vision, driven by significant customer demand. Munich residents seek Dubai’s luxurious resorts and vibrant tourism, while Dubai residents look forward to Munich’s cultural heritage and scenic beauty,” said Tero Taskila, CEO and Chairman of beOnd. beOnd offers all-lie-flat seating and private jet–inspired service curated for today’s discerning leisure traveller. This elevated experience reflects beOnd’s global brand campaign, Redefining Travel, which places wellness, design, and destination-inspired hospitality at the heart of the journey. Initially, the airline will operate twice-weekly flights from Munich Airport Franz Josef Strauss (MUC) to Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Additional destinations in Germany may follow in 2025. beOnd will operate the flights under “fifth freedom” rights. This approval—granted by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority and Germany’s Luftfahrt-Bundesamt—underscores the strong regulatory support beOnd continues to receive. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the MCAA and Luftfahrt-Bundesamt for their confidence in beOnd. We also thank Velana International Airport in Malé and Munich Airport for their collaboration,” Taskila said. This milestone follows beOnd’s recent approval to operate flights between Switzerland and Dubai, expanding its premium leisure network across key European markets.

flyadeal has expanded its portfolio of products and services with the introduction of travel insurance packages through Saudia Arabia’s leading insurer, Tawuniya. From as little as SAR12 for a single journey or SAR19 round trip, travellers can have the comfort of securing cover to protect against unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, missed flights, baggage loss, and personal accidents. The airline’s latest offering can be purchased as an additional service on flyadeal’s website, www.flyadeal.com, or Mobile App. Travel insurance is the latest in a series of product enhancements introduced by flyadeal in recent weeks. These include Hold Fare enabling customers to lock their ticket price for 24 hours to avoid potential fare fluctuations while still deciding whether to book; and the launch of Adeal Membership, an annual domestic travel initiative that offers fixed monthly ticket prices for an annual premium. Abdullah Adel Alahmadi, flyadeal Ancillary Product Manager, said: “Travel insurance is always a safety net in times of need, providing peace of mind, and both financial and emotional relief in the event travellers face issues which require immediate assistance. “There is the assumption that travel insurance is cost prohibitive. This is not the case. In partnering with leading insurance provider Tawuniya, we are able to provide value added cover to suit individual needs from as little as SAR12 for a single journey.” One of the fastest growing airlines in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East, flyadeal has already embarked on an aggressive expansion this year. New routes have launched connecting Dammam with Tabuk, Najran and Yanbu, alongwith services from Riyadh and Jeddah to the Jordanian capital, Amman, and Pakistan’s commercial hub of Karachi. Effective 19 June 2025, flyadeal will embark …

Etihad Airways has welcomed its sixth A350 to its growing fleet. The state-of-the-art aircraft arrived this weekend following a successful delivery flight from Toulouse, France, further strengthening Etihad’s position as one of the airlines with the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the sky. The A350 is a favourite with guests, boasting an unparalleled flying experience with award-winning Business Class, featuring privacy-focused sliding doors, wireless charging, and cutting-edge inflight entertainment systems, while Economy Class offers ergonomic seating, device holders, and Bluetooth connectivity with inflight entertainment. Renowned for its sustainability, the A350 stands out as one of the most efficient wide-body jets, with 25 per cent lower CO2 emissions and a 50 per cent smaller noise footprint compared to earlier-generation aircraft. The long-range of the A350-1000 makes it a versatile aircraft for Etihad’s fleet. This summer, Etihad will begin operating the A350 to Atlanta, its newest and sixth gateway into North America and one of 16 new routes Etihad is launching this year.

Emirates will be introducing its newest Airbus A380s fitted with its latest cabins, including Premium Economy, to Manchester and Milan. The latest retrofitted A380s will operate on EK017/018 to Manchester from 6 June, and on EK091/092 to Milan from 1 July. * With the introduction of Emirates’ newly retrofitted A380 to Manchester, the airline will expand its Premium Economy offering to nearly 5,000 weekly seats in and out of the UK from June. The enhanced service to Manchester complements the four daily retrofitted A380s currently serving the Dubai-London Heathrow route, the Emirates A350 operating to Edinburgh, and the soon-to-launch refurbished Boeing 777 scheduled to serve London Stansted from May. Milan will become Emirates’ second Italian gateway to offer the airline’s latest cabins and Premium Economy seats following the planned deployment of the airline’s A350 to Bologna later in June. These additions will expand Emirates’ network of retrofitted A380 destinations to 19 global points, underscoring the airline’s commitment to investing in the very best customer experience in the sky and adding more premium cabin options and choice across geographies. By July, travellers from Manchester and Milan will be able to experience Emirates’ latest cabin features onboard the four-class A380 on the full journey to key points across Australasia and Asia including Sydney, Singapore, Osaka, Mumbai, Bangalore, and more. On a four-class Emirates A380, the Premium Economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck with 56 seats laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. Each seat offers generous pitch and width for working and relaxing, as well as customised features like in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table. The onboard experience is rounded off with meticulously selected in-flight amenities, a curated menu, …