Category Archives: Aviation

Boeing and Gulf Air have announced an agreement for the purchase of 12 787 Dreamliner jets with options for six more as the Bahrain-based airline looks to further develop its international network. Once finalized, this order will bring the carrier’s firm order book to 14 of the versatile widebody jets and will support 30,000 jobs across the U.S. Bahrain Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joined Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope and Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi to witness the signing. “This agreement marks a transformative step in Gulf Air’s strategic growth journey as we expand our global footprint and modernize our fleet with one of the industry’s most advanced and efficient aircraft,” said Khalid Taqi, chairman of Gulf Air Group. “The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has proven to be an exceptional aircraft for our long-haul operations, and this new order reflects our confidence in its performance, passenger appeal and contribution to our sustainability goals. We are proud to deepen our partnership with Boeing and reaffirm our commitment to positioning Bahrain as a key global aviation hub.” The 787 Dreamliner, recognized for its fuel efficiency, range and passenger experience, already serves as the backbone of Gulf Air’s long-haul operations connecting over 50 destinations. With 10 787 airplanes in service, the airline is well-positioned to grow its network, serving new and existing markets across Asia, Europe and the U.S. “We are excited to build on our more than 60-year partnership with Gulf Air as we deliver the market-leading 787 Dreamliner to help the airline serve more passengers and connect more destinations,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO …

Ethiopian Airlines launched its new daily passenger service connecting Addis Ababa with Abu Dhabi. The inaugural flight marks a significant milestone in Ethiopian Airlines’ efforts to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and Gulf region. Speaking at the ceremony, Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, stated, “The launch of our new service to Abu Dhabi reflects Ethiopian Airlines’ strategic commitment to connecting Africa with the world. Through our collaboration with Etihad Airways, we are creating more opportunities for trade, investment, and tourism between our nations while offering our passengers expanded choice and convenience. This partnership is a powerful example of what can be achieved when two national carriers come together to unlock mutual growth.” This new daily service to Abu Dhabi expands Ethiopian Airlines’ already extensive operations in the Gulf region. The airline currently operates over 100 weekly passenger flights to 13 destinations across the Middle East and Gulf. In June 2025, Ethiopian also launched a new four-times-weekly passenger service to Sharjah. With the Addition of Abu Dhabi, Ethiopian now operates flight to/from four airports in three cities in the UAE: Dubai, Dubai International Airport DXB & Al Maktoum International Airport DWC (cargo), Sharjah, now Abu Dhabi, the futuristic Zayed International Airport. This new route is part of a landmark joint venture agreement between Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways, designed to foster closer cooperation between the two carriers. The agreement supports joint development and expansion of routes between Ethiopia and the UAE and strengthens connectivity across their respective global networks. Ethiopian Airlines continues to fulfill its mission to bring Africa closer to the world through superior connectivity, service excellence, and strategic partnerships.

Turkish Airlines signed a comprehensive codeshare agreement with South Africa-based Airlink to strengthen its presence on the African continent. The agreement, which will take effect on 1 August 2025, was signed at a ceremony held at Airlink’s Head Office in Johannesburg, with the participation of senior executives from both companies. This strategic collaboration will significantly expand guests’ travel options by integrating Turkish Airlines’ unparalleled global network with Airlink’s extensive domestic and regional routes across South Africa and its region. The partnership enables seamless multi-sector travel on a single ticket, offering greater convenience and flexibility for international and regional travelers. Under the new agreement, Turkish Airlines will place its “TK” flight code on Airlink-operated flights, allowing smooth connections from Turkish Airlines’ services into Cape Town and Johannesburg to a wide range of South African and regional destinations. Commenting on the agreement Turkish Airlines Chief Investment & Strategy Officer Levent Konukcu stated; “As Turkish Airlines, we give importance to this cooperation with Airlink so as to enhance our connectivity in South Africa and the region. We aim to improve our partnership to maximize the travel opportunities offered to our guests. We believe that this partnership will not only bring benefits to both carriers from a commercial perspective but also improve the cultural and tourism relations between the two countries.” Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht said: ”This collaboration with Turkish Airlines represents a significant opportunity to deepen ties between the two airlines. The agreement is a further endorsement of Airlink’s brand, while for our respective customers, it means more convenient travel options, with world-class service and easier access to destinations across our combined and extensive route networks.” With this collaboration, Turkish Airlines will not only …

According to Cirium flyadeal was number one in the Middle East and Africa category. Cirium’s June data also showed flyadeal recorded a 99.2 per cent completion rate meaning minimal cancellations throughout the month. With sister airline Saudia topping the global airlines category at 91.33 per cent – the top 10 per cent of all passenger airlines by capacity – flyadeal emerged as the most punctual overall when considering all carriers published in Cirium’s June 2025 report. OTP measures flight punctuality within 15 minutes of scheduled arrivals. Almost eight years old, flyadeal operates more than 200 scheduled flights a day from three bases in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “In September last year flyadeal secured Number 1 status as the world’s best for operational performance. Today we are celebrating again being the world’s most punctual airline based on all airlines in Cirium’s monthly data. This is an incredible achievement as we’ve continued to grow capacity, the number of passengers flown and introduced new domestic and international routes. “With this comes the need for consistency. Every month since the beginning of the year, flyadeal has maintained great consistency being the number one low-cost airline for punctuality in the Middle East that demonstrates our continued focus on safe and reliable operations. “As we celebrate Saudia topping the global airlines category, in June, our OTP was the adjudged the best among all airlines in the Middle East and Africa in what was one of the busiest months of the year operating scheduled flights and Hajj charters. Congratulations go to flyadeal colleagues and our airport partners across the network for their dedication and commitment to maintain our operations at …

SAUDIA has taken a step forward in its digital transformation journey by moving to more guest-centric operations by translating traditional booking records (PNRs) and electronic tickets into Orders. This paves the way for a more personalized and smooth travel experience. An Order is a single, dynamic record of everything the traveler has purchased for their journey. It provides a real-time, consolidated view of all services, enabling the airline to better serve the traveler at every touchpoint – from booking and payment to fulfillment and servicing. By adopting Order capabilities, SAUDIA is fast-tracking its ability to deliver more flexible offers, tailor-made pricing, and fully digital servicing. This transformation marks a foundational step in the airline’s broader ambition to redefine guest experience and operational agility through data-driven retailing. The milestone was achieved using Amadeus’ smart bridging capabilities, which translate traditional records from SAUDIA’s existing Amadeus Altéa Passenger Service System (PSS) into single order records in its new Amadeus Nevio environment. Performing Smart bridging means SAUDIA can begin to operate with orders, accelerating the benefits of the airline retailing transformation in the new Amadeus Nevio environment for its guests while ensuring business continuity with existing traditional infrastructure. “SAUDIA is committed to delivering the highest standard of guest experience and technology innovation is crucial to this objective. Moving to single Orders means we can gain a better understanding of our guests, what they’ve purchased from us, and our partners across the entire journey. Orders are the foundation for a more connected travel experience.” Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer, SAUDIA, “SAUDIA is one of the airlines leading the industry with its ambitious transformation program. Moving to Orders with smart bridging is an important milestone that …

Qatar Airways announced the resumption of three weekly flights to Aleppo, Syria from 10 August 2025. The flights will be increased to four weekly flights from 1 September 2025. Qatar Airways operations to the city first began in 2011. The airline resumed flights to Damascus in early 2025, making Aleppo the second Syrian destination to connect to the airline’s global network. Qatar Airways flights to Aleppo (ALP) From 10 August, the airline will resume three weekly flights to Aleppo. Departing every Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday: Doha (DOH) to Aleppo (ALP) – Flight QR414: Departure 08:30, Arrival 11:40 Aleppo (ALP) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR415: Departure 13:55, Arrival 17:00 From 01 September, the airline will increase to four weekly flights to Aleppo. Departing every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday: Doha (DOH) to Aleppo (ALP) – Flight QR414: Departure 08:30, Arrival 11:40 Aleppo (ALP) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR415: Departure 13:55, Arrival 17:00 Aleppo will join Qatar Airways’ vast network of more than 170 global destinations. The resumption represents the airline’s commitment to increasing connectivity in the region and the world through Qatar Airways’ award-winning hub, the world-class Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar. Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can make their trips more rewarding by collecting Avios on their flights as well as shopping and dining at Qatar Duty Free at Hamad International Airport. Members can spend their Avios on travel and lifestyle rewards of their choice including bidding on money-can’t-buy experiences with Privilege Club Collection. Qatar Airways, a benchmark for excellence in the industry, remains a prominent leader in global connectivity and operates to over 170 destinations worldwide. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile application.

Etihad Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with Greek regional carrier SKY express, opening access to 24 Greek island destinations and three additional Eastern Mediterranean cities for customers travelling via Athens. The partnership, effective 14 July 2025, builds on the strong performance of the existing interline cooperation between the two airlines and significantly expands Etihad’s reach across the Greek islands and broader Eastern Mediterranean region. Under the codeshare agreement, Etihad will place its code on SKY express-operated flights beyond Athens, providing seamless access to Greece’s most popular island destinations including Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, and Kos, alongside sought-after destinations such as Corfu, Paros, and Thessaloniki. The partnership complements Etihad’s daily service to Athens by expanding connectivity exclusively via Athens as the gateway, positioning the Greek capital as a strategic hub for onward island travel. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “This partnership with SKY express opens exciting new possibilities for our customers to discover Greece beyond Athens. SKY express’s comprehensive island network perfectly complements our Athens service, giving travellers seamless access to some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful destinations through a single booking.” Gerasimos Skaltsas, Chief Commercial Officer at SKY express, said: “The collaboration with Etihad is a strong vote of confidence in SKY express, reinforcing our position as a reliable partner and significantly enhancing our connectivity. Passengers can now enjoy seamless access to the largest network of Greek destinations, served by the youngest fleet in Greece. Together, we are dedicated to making Greece a sought-after, year-round destination for visitors from around the world.” The codeshare arrangement allows customers to book connecting flights with streamlined check-in processes and automatic baggage transfers to their final destination. …

flyadeal has launched its summer seasonal flying programme with the return of popular destinations in Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The fast-growing Saudi low-cost airline welcomes back the Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm El Sheikh; the Turkish hot spot of Trabzon; Baku and Tbilisi, the capital cities of Azerbaijan and Georgia respectively; and the cultural city of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzogovina, to its summer network. Saudi Arabia’s youngest and region’s fastest growing low-cost airline is operating a total of 10 routes across the five summer destinations from bases in Riyadh and Jeddah over a 10-week period during the holiday season. With cooler climes than the intense summer heat of the Kingdom, the seasonal additions provide a great retreat for families and independent travellers during the busy two months ahead. Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “With the summer holiday rush getting into full swing, we are delighted to reintroduce our popular seasonal services for a third consecutive summer flying programme. We look forward to welcoming back our seasoned travellers and first-time passengers to these exciting destinations for a short break or longer holiday.” The seasonal capacity comes on top of flyadeal’s recently-introduced year-round scheduled services from the Kingdom to Alexandria and Assiut in Egypt; and Istanbul’s second airport of Sabiha Gökçen. flyadeal has been catapulted into the region’s fastest growing airline with a current fleet of 39 Airbus A320 family aircraft serving over 30 seasonal and year-round destinations in Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. The airline is set to more than triple in size in fleet and destinations served by 2030. Tickets are bookable via flyadeal’s Mobile App, website www.flyadeal.com and through travel …

flynas has launched a dedicated check-in counter for children and their families, making it the first and leading family-friendly airline in Saudi Arabia by creating a fun, stress-free, and engaging travel experience for kids and their families as part of flynas’s commitment to inclusivity in travel and serving all segments of society. Under the slogan “Make Them the Stars of the Journey”, the first check-in counter located at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, in the domestic terminal has been inaugurated for the first phase. It has been designed to enhance the overall customer experience, featuring a dedicated area for children during the check-in process that offers a range of engaging activities tailored to families. The pioneering initiative offers a custom-built, child-height counter with colorful branding and visuals of Fernas mascot. The area features branded barriers with fun illustrations and welcoming signage designed to greet children. Flynas-trained staff offer warm, playful interactions and personalized service tailored to families. Additionally, kids are privileged with customized boarding passes, specifically designed for children. flynas is committed to inclusivity in travel and serving all segments of society in line with its 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 with the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. flynas operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 2000 weekly flights …

Etihad Airways is set to enhance its Kolkata service with the introduction of the next-generation Airbus A321LR, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market. Starting 26 September 2025, all Etihad flights between Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (CCU) will be operated by the state-of-the-art A321LR, offering guests an upgraded travel experience across all cabin classes. The aircraft is equipped with luxury First Suites, fully lie-flat Business seats, and a cutting-edge Economy class featuring ultra-modern 4K touchscreens and high-speed Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the journey. The Airbus A321LR is designed to bring wide-body comfort to a single-aisle aircraft, offering enhanced space, privacy, and premium amenities. The First Suites provide an exclusive experience with forward-facing fully-flat beds in a 1-1 configuration, while Business Class features 14 lie-flat seats, ensuring maximum comfort on medium-haul routes. Economy Class passengers will enjoy next-generation seating, complete with advanced in-flight entertainment and connectivity, making every journey more enjoyable. Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said: “India is a key market for Etihad, and we are delighted to elevate our Kolkata service with our latest A321LR aircraft. With this upgrade, our guests can now enjoy a superior travel experience, whether in our luxurious First Suites, Business Class lie-flat seats, or next-generation Economy cabin. This investment underlines our ongoing commitment to providing world-class service and greater connectivity across the Indian subcontinent.” The new A321LR aircraft brings enhanced efficiency and comfort, making Etihad the premier choice for travellers between Abu Dhabi and Kolkata. The airline continues to strengthen its footprint in India, offering passengers greater access to Etihad’s growing global network. For bookings and more information, visit etihad.com.