Aviation Qatar Airways announces record profit but risks remain State-owned Qatar Airways announced record profits in the year to March 31 after carrying more passengers and using its seat capacity more efficiently. Net income jumped almost 30 percent to QAR7.9 billion ($2.2 billion) in the 2024-25 fiscal year, an increase of more than QAR1.7billion on the year before. Passenger numbers rose almost 8 percent […] May 19, 2025
Aviation Saudi’s air passenger numbers up, but off target Saudi Arabia recorded a 15 percent rise in air passenger numbers year on year in 2024, below the pace needed to achieve an ambitious target by 2030. Last year 128 million passengers travelled through the kingdom’s airports, according to the General Authority for Statistics. Of these, 69 million were international travellers, while 59 million were […] May 19, 2025
Transport Neom-backed Volocopter delays rollout of air taxis German air taxi company Volocopter, a partner in Saudi Arabia’s Neom giga-project, has delayed the launch of passenger services until next year, as it focuses on emerging from insolvency following its acquisition by new Chinese owners. Borja Blond, CEO of the joint venture between Neom and German manufacturer Volocopter, had said in 2023 that Neom […] May 19, 2025
Analysis Aviation Flydubai CEO says demand exists to quadruple India flights Flydubai believes it has the capacity to quadruple its flights to India, saying the demand is there. However, Delhi’s protectionist aviation policies remain a stumbling block to the Gulf’s biggest low-cost carrier by fleet size, as well as other UAE airlines. Flydubai currently operates 30 flights a week from Dubai to eight Indian cities. “India […] May 16, 2025
Aviation Etihad Airways commits $15bn for 28 Boeing jets Etihad Airways has invested $14.5 billion in 28 Boeing aircraft. Since 2023, the UAE’s national airline has grown its fleet as part of a long-term strategy to double in size by 2030. The agreement includes a mix of Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft, powered by GE Aerospace engines and supported by a services package, […] May 16, 2025
Aviation Emirates in talks with Musk’s SpaceX for in-flight WiFi Emirates airline is reportedly in talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer in-flight WiFi services. The Dubai carrier aims to offer Starlink service on its widebody fleet, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources. Starlink is a low-orbit satellite network offering high-speed broadband services, particularly in areas with limited internet connectivity. Emirates has 250 aircraft and has placed orders […] May 16, 2025
Analysis Aviation Flynas to test appetite for airline IPOs as Gulf rivals look on Low-cost carrier Flynas is preparing to go public on the Saudi Exchange this month in a deal that is being watched not only by investors but also by Gulf rivals considering their own listings, analysts have told AGBI. Among them is Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, whose long-anticipated initial public offering could be shaped by Flynas’ […] May 14, 2025
Aviation Rebuilt Mosul airport expects first passengers next month Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Al-Sudani will be among the passengers who will fly into the Northern Mosul airport in June for the first time since the facility was devastated by Daesh militants more than 10 years ago. The airport is scheduled to be put back in operation next month nearly three years after a project […] May 14, 2025
Aviation Air Arabia turnover rises despite challenges UAE low-cost airline Air Arabia said turnover registered a double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2025 despite fuel price volatility, currency fluctuations and supply chain challenges. Revenue rose 14 percent year on year to AED1.8 billion ($490 million), as passenger volume increased 11 percent annually to nearly 5 million, the Sharjah-headquartered airline said in a […] May 14, 2025
Aviation Trump dismisses concerns over Qatari plane gift US president Donald Trump has dismissed ethical concerns about his decision to accept a Boeing 747-8 jet as a gift from the Qatari royal family. Trump said it would be “stupid” to turn down the generous offer. The $400 million luxury plane, which would be outfitted to serve as Air Force One, would be one of […] May 13, 2025
Aviation Prince Alwaleed’s Flynas seeks $1.1bn in Saudi IPO Saudi budget airline Flynas is looking to raise as much as SAR4.1 billion ($1.1 billion) in an initial public offering (IPO) that started this week to finance expansion. The IPO price range was set at between SAR76 and SAR80 per share, implying a market capitalisation of as much as $3.65 billion. The airline, which is […] May 12, 2025
Aviation Trump plans to use Qatari 747 as Air Force One US President Donald Trump’s administration intends to accept a Boeing 747-8 plane as a gift from the Qatari royal family that would be outfitted to serve as Air Force One, according to a source briefed on the matter. The luxury plane, which would be one of the most valuable gifts ever received by the US government, […] May 12, 2025
Aviation Algeria’s new domestic airline set to take off Algeria is pushing ahead with plans to start a domestic airline to tap into a growing market for local air travel, the North African country’s transport minister said. In comments reported by the local media, Said Sayoud told Algeria’s parliament this week that the national carrier Air Algerie – which will own the domestic airline […] May 9, 2025
Infrastructure Tenders launched for $35bn Al Maktoum International Dubai plans to award major infrastructure contracts at Al Maktoum International Airport this year as construction accelerates on what will become the world’s largest airport, a senior government official said. Tenders for an automated people mover system and baggage handling infrastructure have already been floated and are expected to be awarded before the end of […] May 9, 2025
Aviation Emirates Group delivers record annual profit Emirates Group, Dubai’s flagship aviation conglomerate, has posted record annual earnings on the back of a surge in international travel, rising cargo volumes and declining fuel costs. The state-owned group, which includes long-haul carrier Emirates airline and global airport services provider Dnata, reported a profit of AED20.5 billion ($5.6 billion) for the financial year ending […] May 8, 2025
Aviation Qatar Airways lines up Boeing order for Trump visit Qatar Airways is reportedly preparing to order about 100 wide-body aircraft from US manufacturer Boeing during President Donald Trump‘s visit to the Gulf. The state-backed airline is looking to include an option for an additional 100 planes in the deal, Bloomberg reported, without identifying its sources. Corporate deals announced during the visit on May 13-16 […] May 7, 2025
Analysis Aviation Kuwait’s aviation industry loses altitude as foreign airlines exit Kuwait’s ambitions for its aviation industry are faltering as a growing number of international carriers quit the market and airport upgrades are delayed. British Airways ceased its daily service from London in March, ending more than 60 years of operations. This follows withdrawals from Kuwait International Airport (KWI) by at least 14 other airlines since 2019, […] May 6, 2025
Aviation Profitable Flynas to launch IPO this month Low-cost carrier Flynas will launch a share sale on the local stock exchange this month in the latest in a series of initial public offerings (IPOs) by Saudi companies. The subscription will run from May 28 to June 1, 2025, according to the company’s prospectus. The airline, part owned by billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, is selling […] May 6, 2025
Aviation Kuwait Airways fires CEO after authority disapproval The CEO of state-owned Kuwait Airways, Ahmad Al-Kreebani, has been fired and replaced by Abdulwahab Al-Shatti. Al-Shatti took over the job on Sunday, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. Kreebani’s dismissal after two years in the job followed a decision by the country’s civil aviation authority to withdraw its approval for his […] May 5, 2025
Aviation Emirates signs agreement with Greek air carrier Aegean Greece has signed an outline deal with Dubai’s Emirates that includes a codeshare agreement with Greek air carrier Aegean, the country’s Tourism Ministry said on Friday, as it seeks to attract more tourists all year round. The codeshare agreement will expand travellers’ access to popular destinations, including the islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes, the […] May 2, 2025
Real Estate Dubai’s DXB site to become prime real estate opportunity Dubai International Airport will become one of the emirate’s most valuable real estate assets once operations shift to the new Dubai World Central airport within the next decade. The DXB site, located in the densely developed Al Garhoud district and spanning 2,900 hectares (7,200 acres), will eventually cease operations as Dubai consolidates air traffic at […] May 1, 2025
EXCLUSIVE Aviation Expect commercial jet shortages until 2030, warns Flyadeal CEO The head of Saudi low-cost carrier Flyadeal has warned that deliveries of in-demand commercial jets to the aviation industry will be severely constrained until the end of the decade. Flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway told AGBI that despite having eight Airbus A320 aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2025, the airline is planning on receiving only five. […] May 1, 2025
