Aviation AI could help with pilot shortage, says Emirates COO Artificial intelligence could allow for planes to fly with just one pilot, an Emirates airline executive has said. This would also help ease the Middle East’s pilot shortage and change how the aviation industry operates. Adel Ahmed Al Redha, chief operating officer of Emirates airline, told AGBI that aircraft operations “might go to maybe one […] September 12, 2024
Aviation Etihad Airways potential IPO unlikely this year The possible initial public offering (IPO) of Etihad Airways is unlikely to happen this year, a media report has said. Regional geopolitical instability and a plan to show investors a strong financial performance in 2024 are key factors delaying the IPO launch, Reuters reported, citing informed sources. An Etihad spokesperson said it does not comment […] September 12, 2024
Aviation Saudi fund loans $55m to expand Bahamas airport Saudi Arabia will provide $55 million financing for the development of an airport project in The Bahamas that will more than double its capacity. The project aims to expand North Eleuthera International Airport’s operational capacity from 300,000 to 700,000 visitors annually, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. The expansion will generate more than 300 direct […] September 10, 2024
Aviation Virgin Atlantic confirms partnership with Riyadh Air Virgin Atlantic has signed a partnership with Riyadh Air, which will start when the new Saudi national carrier launches next year. Riyadh Air has been expected to announce cooperation agreements with other operators. A statement said the partnership would open new destinations in Saudi Arabia and beyond, and would include Virgin’s London-Riyadh route, but gave […] September 5, 2024
Analysis Aviation Qatar Airways’ expansion ‘on a different path from Etihad’ Qatar Airways is reportedly keen to buy more stakes in legacy airlines – a strategy that sounds familiar to anyone who knows the history of Etihad but is likely to have a different outcome, according to aviation experts. Almost a decade ago Abu Dhabi’s flag carrier was running into serious problems with its aggressive expansion […] September 3, 2024
Transport Dubai Aerospace Enterprise buys 23 aircraft for $1.1bn Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Limited, a global aviation services company, has acquired 23 aircraft from multiple companies for $1.1 billion. The company’s aircraft portfolio will have an average age of 3.4 years and an average lease term remaining of 8.8 years on completion of the deal by year-end. These jets are on lease to 13 airlines […] August 28, 2024
Transport Saudia’s new expansion plan to drive global growth Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) intends to increase its fleet from 188 to 300 aircraft by the end of 2032, director general Ibrahim Al-Omar told Socrates, an Arabic language podcast. Saudia ordered 105 aircraft from Airbus in May, with the first batch due for delivery in early 2026. Additionally, the Saudi flag carrier plans to double […] August 28, 2024
Opinion Aviation Emirates’ first Asian store is a sign of its wider ambition Airlines have been veering away from bricks-and-mortar but Emirates has bucked the trend August 26, 2024
Opinion Transport With or without the human touch, DXB is a global leader 'Contactless' is the way to go and Dubai International knows how it's done August 23, 2024
Aviation Emirates buys five A380 jets from London-listed lessor Dubai’s Emirates will buy five A380 jumbo jets leased from London Stock Exchange-listed Doric Nimrod Air Two Limited for $200 million. The leases on the five jumbo jets are expected to end between October 1 and November 30, 2024. Emirates will pay $40 million per jet under the new deal. Doric Nimrod Air Two purchased seven […] August 22, 2024
Aviation UK companies win contracts for new Riyadh airport British and American companies are among those who have won contracts for developing the massive King Salman International Airport in Riyadh. Foster + Partners, a British architecture company, will design the airport’s master plan, which covers a total area of 57 sq km, the state-owned Saudi Press Agency reported, citing the Public Investment Fund-owned King […] August 21, 2024
Aviation UAE airports post 14% rise in passenger traffic The UAE’s airports handled nearly 72 million passengers in the first half of 2024, a 14 percent increase from 63 million a year ago. The breakdown includes 20 million arrivals, 21 million departures, and 30 million transit passengers, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported The General Civil Aviation Authority director-general Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi […] August 21, 2024
Aviation Slice of South Africa’s Airlink bought by Qatar Airways Qatar Airways has acquired a 25 percent stake in the Southern African independent carrier Airlink, expanding its operations further into Africa. The privately-owned, Johannesburg-based Airlink already has a code-sharing partnership with the Doha airline and flies to 45 destinations in 15 African countries. Financial details of the deal were not revealed. Qatar Airways’ group chief […] August 20, 2024
Transport Gaza conflict hits passenger volume at Jordan’s airport The number of passengers at Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan fell 5 percent year on year to 5.1 million in the first seven months of this year, as a result of the ongoing Gaza conflict. Aircraft movement declined by 5 percent, while cargo volumes dropped 35 percent between January and July, Airport International Group, […] August 20, 2024
Opinion Aviation To churn or not to churn: why airlines drop routes The disappearance of 459 routes shows the challenges faced by Middle East airlines August 20, 2024
Aviation Riyadh Air awards $400m ground handling contract Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, has awarded a SAR1.5 billion ($400 million) ground handling services contract in the kingdom as it gears up to launch operations next year. The 4.5-year contract, with an option for a two-year extension, was awarded to Saudi Ground Services Company, which trades on the Saudi stock exchange. Under […] August 13, 2024
Aviation Air Arabia profits slip even as revenues climb Air Arabia’s profits declined in the second quarter of 2024, impacted by rising costs amid economic and geopolitical uncertainties. The UAE’s low-cost carrier reported a 7 percent fall in net profit, down to AED427 million ($116.3 million) from AED459 million in the same period last year. “The aviation industry continued to experience slower yield growth […] August 13, 2024
Opinion Aviation The Gulf will play a major role in sustainable aviation GCC airlines are leading the charge to make flying greener August 12, 2024
Aviation Etihad profit surges 48% on higher passenger volume Etihad Airways said net profit rose 48 percent year on year in the first half of 2024, driven by a rise in passenger numbers and new destinations. The Abu Dhabi-headquartered airline posted a profit of AED851 million ($232 million) in the first six months, up from AED575 million in the same period last year. Total […] August 9, 2024
Aviation Dubai Airports raises 2024 traffic forecast to 91.8m Dubai Airports, the operator of the world’s busiest international hub, has revised its annual passenger forecast for 2024, projecting a record 91.8 million passengers, up from the 91 million forecast in May this year. This revision follows an 8 percent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers during the first six months, totalling nearly 45 million. “We […] August 7, 2024
Aviation Egypt to bring in private airport management Egypt is offering contracts to private companies to manage selected airports in an effort to attract investment into the aviation sector and improve services for travellers. The newly appointed civil aviation minister Sameh Al-Hafni announced the move in a meeting with key ministry officials, and subsequently released them as a statement via the Egyptian cabinet […] August 5, 2024
Transport Middle East airlines report rise in passenger demand Airlines in the Middle East reported a 9.6 percent year-on-year increase in passenger demand in June 2024, according to the International Air Transport Association. Capacity at regional carriers rose 9.4 percent year on year, while the load factor rose marginally to nearly 80 percent. International demand as a whole rose 12.3 percent and average load factor […] August 1, 2024
