flydubai has taken delivery of seven new aircraft so far in 2025, with a further five Boeing 737 MAX 8s scheduled to join its fleet before the end of the year. These additions form an integral part of the airline’s strategic growth plans, enabling the continued expansion of its network, enhancing operational efficiency and increasing capacity on existing routes. The seven new aircraft, received between April and August 2025, have seen the flydubai fleet grow to 93 aircraft. Once all 12 aircraft have been delivered this year, flydubai’s fleet will stand at more than 95 aircraft, supporting the carrier’s growing network of more than 135 destinations in 57 countries. This expansion continues to open up underserved markets, creating more travel opportunities and further strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading global aviation hub. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “The arrival of these new aircraft is a testament to our long-term strategic vision and our confidence in the future of air travel. Our fleet investment supports our mission to offer greater choice, enhanced convenience and improved connectivity for our passengers. These deliveries are part of a backlog extensively delayed in recent years, and despite receiving 12 aircraft this year, we remain 20 aircraft behind our original projections.” “The continued interest from our financing partners highlights the strength of our business model and our commitment to contributing to the UAE’s leadership in global aviation. Looking ahead, these aircraft will enable us to unlock new destinations, optimise our operations and play an even greater role in supporting Dubai’s growth as an international aviation hub,” added Al Ghaith. The favourable response to the airline’s financing Request for Proposals (RFPs) and its ability …

The Ascott Limited (Ascott)is scaling its global resort footprint through asset-light expansion. Recent signings across the Middle East and Asia reflect Ascott’s strategic expansion into key leisure hotspots. These include iconic beach destinations such as Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah’s premier man-made coral island known for its pristine beaches. Ascott is also entering Patong Beach in Phuket and Jimbaran Beach in Bali. In Vietnam, Ascott is growing its presence in Phu Quoc, voted the world’s second-best island , and Nha Trang, an established coastal city often dubbed the “Riviera of the South China Sea”. The company is also capitalising on emerging opportunities in fast-growing destinations such as Cam Ranh, an up-and-coming aviation and leisure hub, and Sam Son, a rising domestic and regional tourism hotspot. Additionally, Ascott is entering Labuan Bajo, Indonesia – the gateway to Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In South Korea, it is tapping demand in Gangneung, the leading east coast destination and host of the 2018 Winter Olympics.Ascott signed 11 new resorts in the past 10 months secured via management and franchise agreements. These represent about 5% of its global portfolio of over 1,000 properties, reflecting a strategic focus on the fast-growing leisure segment . This momentum is driven by Ascott’s multi-typology brand strategy, which adapts well-loved brands such as Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Somerset, The Crest Collection and The Unlimited Collection for resort settings. This approach enables efficient scaling in high-potential destinations while fulfilling lifestyle aspirations of its growing Ascott Star Rewards membership and delivering brand-led solutions that drive long-term value for property owners.

Commissioned by the Al Ain Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), the China Visitors Summit (CVS) connects the Chinese travel trade with leading tourism suppliers from across Abu Dhabi and the UAE on 28 – 29 August with TravTalkME as media partners. With over 300 delegates expected, CVS is more than an event — it’s a an important network opportunity. To date, 156 top-tier travel industry buyers from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have been confirmed. This makes the CVS the largest China inbound travel industry workshop ever produced outside of China. “The China Visitors Summit is more than a business event — it’s where relationships are built, partnerships are formed, and destinations open their doors to one of the world’s most important travel markets. Abu Dhabi and Al Ain provide the perfect stage for connecting Chinese travel buyers with the region’s best hospitality and tourism offerings.” Alexander Glos, CEO, China i2i Group. Since 2017, we have been building lasting partnerships through 39th editions of the CVS in destinations worldwide. In addition to Abu Dhabi, the CVS will also take place in Baku, Azerbaijan and Barcelona, Spain later this year. Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2026 global schedule.

In July 2025, Etihad carried 2.0 million passengers, a 19 per cent increase compared to July 2024, when the airline flew 1.7 million guests. The passenger load factor rose to 90 per cent, up from 89 per cent in the same month last year, reflecting strong demand and efficient capacity management. Etihad’s operating fleet now stands at 111 aircraft, supporting a growing network of 81 passenger destinations, up from 76 a year earlier. These figures underscore the airline’s ongoing investment in fleet and route development. Etihad welcomed 12.2 million passengers year-to-date, a 17 per cent increase over the same period in 2024. The average passenger load factor for 2025 so far is 88 per cent, compared to 86 per cent in the previous year. The airline’s rolling 12-month total has reached 20.3 million passengers, further solidifying its position among the region’s fastest-growing carriers. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We continue to see strong momentum in our performance, with passenger numbers in July growing by 19 per cent year-on-year. “Our rolling 12-month total has surpassed 20 million for the first time in our history reflecting the trust our customers place in our service and the strength of our network. “Our fleet expansion continues with the notable arrival of our first A321LR. July was a record month, with five new aircraft joining Etihad, including two Boeing 787s, an Airbus A350-1000, an A320, alongside the inaugural A321LR. These additions reflect our commitment to growth and boosting capacity across our global network.”

Miral welcomed 26 senior hospitality management students from Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy Les Roches, for an immersive learning experience at Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The visit formed part of the students’ Methods of Research Inquiry course in the Bachelor’s in Global Hospitality Management program, with Miral supporting them in applying research skills to address workplace challenges and develop practical solutions for hospitality businesses. The session provided a valuable opportunity to bridge academic theory with real-world application, nurturing future leaders in hospitality, tourism, and guest experience management. It also contributed to the students’ academic research projects focused on operational excellence and customer experience. As a world-class institution offering the same globally recognized hospitality education as Les Roches campuses worldwide, Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches equips students with the skills, knowledge, and industry exposure needed to excel in the dynamic hospitality sector. This initiative reflects Miral’s long-term commitment to education, talent development, and industry engagement, while supporting national strategies to drive sustainable economic diversification and innovation within the sector. The initiative falls under the Education and the Arts, Culture & Tourism pillars of Miral’s Group Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy and reflects Miral’s commitment to empowering future tourism and hospitality professionals through purposeful, real-world learning. The programme was divided into three key parts, starting with a presentation introducing students to Ferrari World’s strategic positioning, guest experience innovation, and career pathways in marketing, communications, and experience management. Following the presentation, the students conducted observational research across the theme park, applying their learnings to understand how data-driven decisions enhance guest satisfaction, operational excellence, and experience design. For the final round, the students took the stage to present their insights and strategic findings to a …

AirAsia X (AAX) announced a long-awaited route to Istanbul, Türkiye, a city where East meets West. Travellers from Singapore can now access the heart of Türkiye with smooth connectivity via Kuala Lumpur. The new service between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul will commence on 14 November 2025 with four weekly flights, strengthening AAX’s global footprint and offering more affordable travel options to one of the world’s most iconic destinations. This strategic launch marks AAX’s long-anticipated entry into Europe, opening a vital gateway linking Southeast Asia to Europe via one of the world’s most historically rich and geographically unique destinations. Straddling two continents across the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul offers travellers the rare opportunity to experience the best of both worlds. The airline will operate from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), a major hub with connections to over 117 international and 40 domestic destinations. This provides guests from Southeast Asia even greater onward travel options, while giving travellers from Istanbul and beyond seamless access to AirAsia’s network of 130 destinations at unbeatable value. Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X said: “Istanbul has always been a dream destination for many of our guests, and its launch marks another proud moment in our journey to rebuild stronger than ever. Hot on the heels of our recent expansion into Central Asia, this long-awaited route takes us one step closer to delivering longer connectivity across continents. As the only city in the world built on two continents, Istanbul perfectly captures our vision to bridge Asia and beyond through affordable, medium-haul travel. This is a strategic decision that strengthens our network, creates more pathways for business collaboration, and enhances access to new experiences for travellers around the world. With …

Dubai International (DXB) is gearing up for a busy end to the summer holidays, with families returning from vacation and students travelling back to Dubai ahead of the new academic year. Between 13 and 25 August 2025, DXB is expected to welcome more than 3.6 million guests, with daily averages reaching 280,000. The busiest day is forecast for Friday, 15 August, with traffic set to exceed 290,000. The back-to-school surge follows a record-breaking first half of 2025, which saw Dubai welcome 9.88 million international overnight visitors, a 6% increase year-on-year—and DXB handle over 46 million guests, reaffirming its position as the world’s biggest international airport. Dubai Airports is working with the oneDXB community including airlines, control authorities, and commercial and service partners, to ensure a seamless, stress-free journey for every guest during this busy travel period. Here are some top essential tips and guidance to help guests navigate the airport with ease. Arrivals tips for a smooth welcome at DXB: For those travelling with families, children over the age of 12 can use Smart Gates to speed up the passport control process. Keep passports, boarding passes, and any necessary visas handy to speed up clearance. Make the most of the DXB experience with various amenities in lounges, dining and shopping outlets, and duty-free. Use the Dubai Metro, with stations conveniently located at DXB’s Terminals 1 and 3. Guests can also choose from a variety of other transport options, including Uber, Careem, RTA taxis, or car rentals. Enhanced support is available for People of Determination, including marked accessibility routes, discreet assistance for guests wearing Sunflower Lanyards, and a dedicated Assisted Travel Lounge in Terminal 2.  

Oman Air and Turkish Airlines announced a strategic Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) Partnership to enhance the travel experience for their loyalty members from across the globe. With this partnership, members of each programme will access expanded mileage accrual opportunities across a broader global network. As of 1 August 2025, Turkish Airlines connects members of Miles&Smiles, its 21+ Million member-strong loyalty programme, to Muscat, Salalah and Khasab in Oman, and across the Oman Air network. In addition, members of Oman Air’s loyalty programme, Sindbad, will gain access to Turkish Airlines’ vast global network, with new earning opportunities across Türkiye, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia and, the Americas. “This latest loyalty agreement, part of our ongoing partnership, is a meaningful step in expanding the value of our Sindbad programme and strengthening Oman Air’s international reach,” adds Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer at Oman Air. “We look forward to offering our guests even more rewarding travel experiences around the world.” “Miles&Smiles becomes even more accessible with this agreement,” says Ahmet Olmuştur, Chief Commercial Officer at Turkish Airlines. “This partnership opens doors for our leisure and business travelers, simplifying their global journeys and making each trip a remarkable story.” This latest partnership demonstrates the airlines’ shared commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences for their respective guests. In addition to enhancing its loyalty offerings, Oman Air continues to grow its global footprint, with new destinations like Rome and Amsterdam and increased frequencies on key routes like London and Moscow, while continuing to strengthen codeshare partnerships with leading international carriers.

The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) celebrates its 20th anniversary in the UAE this year, cementing its position as the region’s leading platform for hospitality and tourism investment with TravTalkMe as media partner. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, they foresee continued growth in secondary cities, mixed-use projects, branded residences, and tech integration, alongside rising ESG priorities. Their consensus: hospitality’s future will reward those who blend innovation with authentic guest experiences. Founded by The Bench, FHS has become a global meeting ground for leaders, innovators, and investors to connect, collaborate, and define the industry’s future. To mark the milestone, Chairman Jonathan Worsley invited six members of the exclusive FHS Club to share insights on the sector’s evolution. Leaders from Radisson Hotel Group, HVS, Accor, Hilton, Taiba Investments, and JLL highlighted the industry’s shift from asset-heavy to agile, diversified, and experience-led models, driven by sustainability, technology, and emerging markets.  

The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) will host the 68th Annual Convention & Exhibition of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) from 17 to 19 September 2025, further deepening its strategic partnership with one of the emirate’s most important source markets. Held under the theme “Business with Goodness,” the convention will bring together a wide cross-section of India’s travel trade industry, including travel agents, tour operators, airlines, hospitality leaders, and tourism boards, to explore new growth avenues and reinforce bilateral ties. As one of the year’s most significant industry events, the convention highlights Abu Dhabi’s rising profile as a global hub for tourism, trade, and business events. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “India continues to be a key priority market for us, not only in terms of visitor volume but also in long-term strategic collaboration. We are honoured to welcome TAAI’s esteemed members to Abu Dhabi and look forward to showcasing our destination’s remarkable evolution across world-class cultural icons, family attractions, luxury, adventure, and business travel offerings. This convention is an opportunity to build shared value and lasting partnerships across both our markets.” Sunil Kumar, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), said: “It is a proud moment for TAAI to bring the 68th Annual Convention to the dynamic city of Abu Dhabi in collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi. Our theme, “Business with Goodness,” reflects our shared vision of building meaningful partnerships rooted in trust, purpose, and progress. This convention will not only provide an enriching platform for knowledge-sharing and networking but also offer our members an immersive experience into Abu Dhabi’s diverse cultural, leisure, and business landscape. We …