Category Archives: Aviation

Emirates wins the title of  ‘Best Airline’ at the inaugural edition of the Arabian Travel Awards Saudi Arabia 2025. “We are delighted to be named as the ‘Best Airline’ at the inaugural Arabian Travel Awards in Saudi Arabia. Our continued investments in our product and services enables us to deliver on our promise to help our customers truly ‘fly better’ to Dubai and beyond.” Khalid Al Zarooni, Emirates’ Vice President Commercial Operations, Saudi Arabia.

Air India Express has rolled out its monthly ‘PayDay Sale’, offering special fares across its domestic and international network. In the Gulf sector, travellers can book Lite fares (zero check-in baggage fare) starting from AED323, OMR22.8, BHD47, QAR468, KWD28 and SAR286. Flight bookings at these special fares can be made on the airline’s award-winning website, www.airindiaexpress.com, mobile app and on all major booking channels till 1st March 2026. The special fares are valid for domestic and international travel from 3rd March to 8th October 2026.   Country-wise lowest fares Country Currency Sector LITE FARE* VALUE FARE UAE AED SHJ-STV 323 355 OMAN OMR MCT-BOM 22.8 23.2 BAHRAIN BHD BAH-CCJ 47 48 QATAR QAR DOH-COK 468 500 KUWAIT KWD KWI-BLR 28 30 SAUDI ARABIA SAR DMM-DEL 286 313 *Fares subject to availability   The airline offers Zero Convenience Fees on all bookings made using net banking on both its website and mobile app. Additionally, guests booking Flex fares on the website or mobile app can also avail Zero Convenience Fees. Flex Fare offers free date changes up to three days prior to departure, a 20 kg baggage allowance on domestic flights and 35 kg on international flights, as well as a prime seat and lite bite. The airline’s website offers fab deals for loyalty members, including 25% off Business Class fares with best-in-class legroom, complimentary ‘Gourmair’ hot Meals, extra check-in baggage allowance and ‘Xpress Ahead’ priority services. Members of the Tata NeuPass rewards programme can also enjoy an additional discount of upto ₹300 on flight bookings made on the airline’s own website and mobile app. Business Class seats are available on over 40 brand new Boeing 737- 8 aircraft that Air India …

flyadeal is expanding operations from its recently set-up Madinah base with the launch of three domestic routes, effective 1 March 2026. The introduction of scheduled flights to Jazan on the Red Sea coast in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia; Qassim, known for its date farms, in the heart of the Kingdom; and Arar, an agricultural centre and capital of the Northern Borders Province, takes the number of domestic and international destinations operated non-stop from Madinah to 10. flyadeal already serves the domestic cities of Abha, Al Hofuf, Dammam, Riyadh and Tabuk, along with Cairo and Istanbul direct from Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “Two months ago flyadeal established Madinah as our fourth operational base in Saudi Arabia to provide consumers with greater connectivity to and from the Holy City. “We increased our capacity by 40 per cent and are now adding a further three routes to quickly grow to 10 domestic and international destinations from Madinah that reflects our commitment to offer more choice and diversity. “Given the importance of Madinah as the second holiest city in the Islamic world and key gateway for pilgrims, our expanded schedule supplements flyadeal’s dedicated year-round Umrah and upcoming Hajj flights from several countries direct to Madinah.” The three new routes take flyadeal’s frequency up to 94 flights a week to and from Madinah. flyadeal operates an Airbus A320 featuring 186 all-Economy Class seats in a 3 – 3 configuration and spacious interiors on all its scheduled services. The airline has rapidly developed into the Middle East’s fastest growing carrier operating its young fleet from bases in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah and Dammam to more than 30 seasonal and year-round …

Etihad Airways will introduce its flagship A380 to Bangkok for the first time this October, bringing The Residence, the world’s only three-room suite in the sky, to Thailand and significantly increasing capacity on one of its most popular leisure routes. The aircraft will operate on Etihad’s evening daily service between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Bangkok (BKK), further strengthening connectivity between Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe. With its upper deck featuring The Residence, First Apartments, lounge, and refined Business with fully-lie flat seats, as well as a welcoming and comfortable Economy cabin, the A380 is more than an aircraft – it’s a destination in itself. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We’ve seen huge excitement around where our next A380 would fly – and Bangkok has been one of the most requested destinations. It’s a city that blends energy, culture and world-class hospitality, making it the perfect match for our flagship aircraft. “The A380 transforms the journey into part of the holiday itself. From The Residence – the world’s only three-room suite in the sky – and our private First Apartments, to the spacious Business lie-flat seats and thoughtfully enhanced Economy cabin, every guest experiences something special onboard. “With the A380 flying to Bangkok, we’re offering greater choice and significant additional capacity on one of our most popular leisure routes. Guests can immerse themselves in Thailand’s beaches and vibrant city life, or choose to extend their trip with a stopover in Abu Dhabi – turning one holiday into two and discovering everything our home city has to offer.” The A380’s introduction comes ahead of the peak winter travel season, supporting sustained demand for travel …

According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, developed in partnership with Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, Middle East air passenger demand is projected to grow by 23% between 2025 and 2030, driven by ambitious national tourism strategies, record airport performance, and unprecedented aircraft investment throughout the GCC. The region’s four largest carriers, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Saudia, have placed nearly 780 aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, underscoring long-term confidence in global demand. Meanwhile, Middle East airlines collectively account for 12% of all new unfilled aircraft orders worldwide, with GCC carriers responsible for 93% of those orders, according to the report. The expansion of fleet capacity is directly reflected in the scale of global connectivity now achieved by Middle Eastern carriers. The Middle East’s aviation and cruise industries are entering a phase of global expansion, solidifying the region’s status as a major international travel hub. These industries are set to be the focus of attention at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 4-7 May. Qatar Airways serves more than 170 destinations worldwide, while Etihad Airways is set to operate a fleet of over 110 aircraft, connecting to more than 90 destinations as of the end of 2025. Emirates currently flies to 140 destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific, and Saudia operates direct services to over 90 international destinations. Together, these networks underscore the region’s growing role as a global aviation super-connector, linking markets across six continents with increasing frequency and reach. Furthermore, Dubai-based Maldivian airline, Beond, has recently announced plans to set up operations in Bahrain, strengthening the …

Riyadh Air announced Cairo as a key addition to its growing network, with daily services to begin soon from Riyadh aboard its new state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This vital route strengthens the airline’s mission to connect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with major global hubs and deliver a world-class travel experience, directly supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Following the “Pathway to Perfect” operational readiness phase , Riyadh Air is set to accept delivery of its first aircraft in the coming weeks and poised to launch commercial service to London, Dubai and Cairo soon after. The Egyptian capital has been strategically chosen for its as a significant flight path due to immense demand. Flights between Riyadh and Cairo are among the busiest in the world with a recorded 2.7 m passengers last year. Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, stated, “The launch of our commercial service to Cairo marks a true beginning of our journey to connect Riyadh to the world, and the world to Riyadh. This route has been carefully selected to serve a key market that aligns with our ambition to become a global destination and a significant contributor to Vision 2030. We look forward to welcoming our guests aboard our state-of-the-art Dreamliners to experience our distinctive Saudi hospitality and redefine the future of air travel.” This high-demand route underscores Riyadh Air’s commitment to establishing a network that supports Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and tourism goals, while facilitating seamless travel for pilgrims, tourists, and business travelers alike. As the vibrant heart of the Kingdom, Riyadh is rapidly emerging as a dynamic center for business, culture, and tourism, serving as a pivotal gateway to Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and ambitious future. …

Emirates, the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline, brought its vision of accessible travel to Istanbul through its “Travel Rehearsal” programme, hosting autistic children and their families at Istanbul Airport (IGA). The initiative, which is gradually being rolled out across 17 airports in Emirates’ global network, allows participants with disability to experience every stage of the travel journey in a supportive and structured environment. As part of Emirates’ “Accessible Travel for All” approach, the Travel Rehearsal program aims to make air travel more predictable and comfortable for individuals on the autism spectrum. By familiarizing families with airport procedures and onboard environments ahead of time, the programme helps reduce anxiety and build confidence before an actual flight. Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support, emphasized that accessibility is a core standard across every stage of the customer journey: “Accessible travel is not a single initiative for Emirates; it is a systematic approach embedded into every step of the journey. Through the Travel Rehearsal program, we aim to eliminate pre-flight uncertainty for children with autism and their families, making the airport and aircraft experience more predictable and reassuring. Our Istanbul implementation demonstrates that accessibility is not only about assistance — it is about independence, confidence, and dignity.” Emirates became the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline after more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff completed specialized autism awareness training. The program equips employees with in-depth knowledge of the autism spectrum, common misconceptions, challenges faced during travel, and personalized support strategies tailored to individual passenger needs. Highlighting the airline’s ongoing responsibility, he continued: “Accessibility is not a finished goal — it is a commitment that continues to evolve. As the …

Oman Air is expanding its international network with the launch of direct flights between Muscat and Tashkent, commencing 1 June 2026. The new service will operate twice weekly, offering guests convenient access between the two capitals and strengthening connectivity between Oman and Central Asia. It’s the eighth new route the airline has announced since December. As Uzbekistan’s capital and largest city, Tashkent is an increasingly popular tourist destination, renowned for its unique culture, historic sites and monuments, and recreational parks. The new route is also expected to support inbound tourism to Oman while strengthening bilateral business and cultural ties between the two countries. Positioned along the historic Silk Road, Oman and Uzbekistan share rich heritage and cultural depth, offering travellers the opportunity to explore two culturally distinctive yet historically connected destinations. Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “The launch of Tashkent reflects Oman Air’s continued focus on building a commercially sustainable network that balances point-to-point demand with strategic growth markets. Central Asia represents a region of increasing relevance for both inbound and outbound travel, and the new service is designed to support Oman’s broader tourism ambitions by attracting visitors from Uzbekistan and the wider region. We look forward to welcoming guests from Uzbekistan to experience Oman’s renowned hospitality, and to offering our guests seamless access to one of Central Asia’s most compelling destinations” Operating twice weekly, the 4-hour flight will provide a convenient option for both leisure and business travellers. Guests will experience Oman Air’s premium onboard service, modern fleet and signature Omani hospitality throughout their journey.

flynas announced the availability of more than 1.7 million seats during Ramadan 1447H, marking a 20% increase in seat capacity compared to the same period last year, across its domestic and international network. This increase comes in response to the growing demand during the Umrah season and the holy month of Ramadan, as flynas aims to provide wider and more flexible travel options for pilgrims and passengers, in line with the noticeable annual surge in travel during this period. The expanded capacity reflects the continued execution of flynas’ growth and expansion strategy, which focuses on doubling its fleet and expanding its destination network. It also reaffirms the airline’s vital role in supporting the objectives of the civil aviation sector under Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in connecting the world to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and facilitating seamless access for the guests of the Two Holy Mosques.

Chapman Freeborn has appointed Gabrielius Morkunas as Chief Financial Officer, strengthening the company’s executive leadership with extensive international finance expertise and a strong focus on strategic business partnering and sustainable growth. Gabrielius brings a strong background in international finance and leadership, having begun his career at global organizations such as KPMG and Western Union. Over the past eight years, he has served in CFO roles across multiple industries, including retail, e-commerce, and financial services, leading leading strategic finance initiatives and major business transformation projects. As Chief Financial Officer, Gabrielius will focus on building efficient finance structures and processes across the business, supporting both strategic priorities and day-to-day operational needs as the company continues to scale globally. Joining from complex, fast-paced and highly regulated environments, Gabrielius’ experience aligns closely with Chapman Freeborn’s global operations and long-term growth ambitions. He is also currently completing his Executive MBA. “I’m excited to join the Chapman Freeborn team and strongly believe finance should be a strategic partner to the business, helping translate ambition into sustainable performance,” said Gabrielius Morkunas, Chief Financial Officer at Chapman Freeborn. “I look forward to working closely with teams across the group and contributing to the company’s continued growth and success.” “Gabrielius brings a valuable combination of international finance expertise and strategic leadership,” said Saska Gerasimova, Chapman Freeborn Group CEO. “His experience across diverse sectors and complex operating environments will play an important role as we continue to strengthen our global platform, support transformation initiatives and drive sustainable growth.”