Aviation Emirates explores more China destinations Emirates intends to fly to more cities in China this year. The airline plans to start daily flights to Shenzhen using Boeing’s widebody 777 jets by mid-year, Bloomberg said, citing informed sources. The launch date has been postponed multiple times due to delivery delays from Boeing and Airbus and a retrofit programme, the sources said. In addition, […] February 23, 2025
Aviation Riyadh Air start may be further delayed The start of Saudi Arabia’s new government-owned airline Riyadh Air could be delayed yet again. Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas told a Saudi investment conference in Miami that the airline would start operations “by the end of the year”. But he was not more specific. Last month, the carrier pushed back its launch date by […] February 21, 2025
Aviation SalamAir to expand fleet as budget travel demand rises SalamAir, Oman’s first low-cost airline, plans to expand its fleet with 10 new aircraft over the next three years amid a rising surge in budget travel, the company said in a statement. The airline has formally requested 10 Airbus A320 aircraft with multiple leasing companies to support its growth strategy over the coming five years, […] February 21, 2025
Video length: 05:22 VIDEO Aviation Fares rise to fund airlines’ switch to greener fuels Passengers will bear the brunt as airlines undertake the multi-trillion-dollar transition to greener fuels, aviation experts have said. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) allows airlines to reduce their carbon emissions by up to 80 percent without modifying engines – but it is three to five times more expensive than traditional jet fuel. These extra costs “will […] February 19, 2025
Aviation Etihad Airways’ profit more than triples to almost $500m Etihad Airways’ net profit more than tripled last year to $476 million, the company said on Wednesday as the carrier pushes ahead with plans for an initial public offering. The earnings were boosted by $5.7 billion in passenger revenue and $1.1 billion in cargo revenue, the company said, also citing “significant operational efficiency improvements”. “Looking […] February 19, 2025
Aviation Passenger traffic rises 13% in Jordan’s largest airport Passenger volumes at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), Jordan’s largest airport, recovered in January, the Jordan Times reported. Data from the airport’s operator Airport International Group (AIG) showed that QAIA received 784,992 passengers last month, a 13 percent year-on-year increase. Aircraft movements grew 5 percent year on year to 6,061 flights, but air freight traffic […] February 19, 2025
Aviation Australia likely to approve Qatar Airways-Virgin deal The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is leaning towards approving a five-year deal between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia, allowing them to sell long-haul return flights starting in June, the watchdog said. The approval, if granted, will allow the two airlines to commence 28 new weekly return flights between Doha and Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. […] February 18, 2025
Aviation UAE begins mapping corridors for air taxis and cargo drones The UAE has started mapping air corridors and preparing the regulatory framework to allow piloted and autonomous air taxis and cargo drones to take to the skies. The General Civil Aviation Authority and two entities from the Advanced Technology Research Council – Technology Innovation Institute and Aspire – will map out the routes and rules […] February 14, 2025
Aviation Regional tensions fail to dampen Air Arabia’s ascent Fourth-quarter profit of Air Arabia, which trades on the Dubai Financial Market, rose 56 percent despite regional tensions and effective cost control, the company said. The low-cost airline, in which the government of Sharjah also has a stake, reported a net profit of AED351 million ($95.6 million) in the last quarter of 2024, compared to […] February 14, 2025
Aviation Abu Dhabi-backed Archer to develop hybrid defence aircraft Archer Aviation, the California-based air taxi operator, has raised $300 million in a new funding round that involved institutional investors including funds and accounts managed by BlackRock. Archer, which describes itself as an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) developer, said the capital raise will accelerate the development of its aircraft and a new defence […] February 13, 2025
Aviation Three vertiport locations identified in Abu Dhabi Al Bateen, Yas Island and Khalifa Port have been identified as locations for developing vertiports in Abu Dhabi after 14 potential sites were accessed. A detailed feasibility study has been submitted to the Abu Dhabi government following discussions with more than 34 government entities, according to a joint statement from LODD, an Abu Dhabi-based AI-powered drone […] February 12, 2025
Transport Arab airlines criticise EU over cost of green fuel policy Arab airlines have criticised the European Union for its policy on cleaner aviation fuels, which they say could drive their costs up by more than a quarter over the next eight years. The Arab Air Carriers’ Organisation (AACO) says the EU’s aviation sustainability policies involve inconsistencies that unfairly penalise non-European airlines and drive up costs […] February 11, 2025
Aviation Airbus expects Middle East aircraft fleet to double by 2043 Aircraft manufacturer Airbus expects fleet size in the Middle East to more than double in the 18-year period to 2043, the world’s third-fastest rate after China and the Asia-Pacific region. In its latest Global Market and Services Forecast, Airbus said Middle East demand, led by airlines in the Gulf, is estimated at 3,740 new aircraft […] February 11, 2025
Opinion Aviation Aircraft shortages lead Gulf carriers to brace for disruption The global aviation industry is feeling the weight of supply chain disruptions February 10, 2025
Aviation Jazeera Airways to cut costs and double passengers by 2029 Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways plans to add more seats to its aircraft, expand its fleet and cut costs as part of a new five-year strategy to almost double the number of passengers in 2029. Adding seats this year will raise the average number per aircraft to 180 by the third quarter, the airline CEO Barathan Pasupathi […] February 6, 2025
Tourism Morocco aims to double airport capacity by 2030 Morocco expects airport traffic to reach 60 million passengers by 2030 and 90 million by 2035, according to a government official. The growth from 32 million passengers in 2024 is expected as a result of the 2030 Fifa World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, Morocco World News reported, quoting transport and […] February 6, 2025
Aviation Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways cuts losses as revenues rise Low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways, which trades on the Kuwaiti stock exchange, narrowed its fourth-quarter 2024 loss on rising revenue and operational efficiency. Net loss narrowed by 42 percent year on year to KD4.2 million ($13.6 million) in the final quarter, as operating revenue climbed 15 percent year on year to KD45.1 million. Passenger numbers grew 9 […] February 4, 2025
Aviation Riyadh Air in talks to buy 50 more widebody aircraft Saudi Arabian airline Riyadh Air, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is in talks with US and European planemakers for 50 additional widebody aircraft, according to a news report. The airline is evaluating the Airbus 350-1000 and Boeing 777X models, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed informed sources. The carrier is eager to secure delivery slots, […] February 4, 2025
Aviation DXB passenger traffic hit record high of 92m in 2024 Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest international airport, received 92.3 million passengers in 2024, the highest annual traffic to date. The 6 percent year on year rise was driven by sustained growth throughout the year, capped by an exceptionally busy last quarter, Dubai Media Office said in a statement. December emerged as the busiest […] January 31, 2025
Banking and Finance Adia-backed bidders close in on Malaysia Airports buy-out A $4.2 billion bid to buy out Malaysia Airports backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia), the emirate’s biggest sovereign wealth fund, has moved a step closer. Shareholder acceptance of the bid is above 95 percent. The offer is by a consortium called the Gateway Development Alliance (GDA), which is led by Malaysia’s sovereign […] January 29, 2025
Opinion Aviation Riyadh Air’s launch delay is a blow to Vision 2030 Expect scrutinised focus on the broader progress towards Saudi Arabia's grand plans January 27, 2025
Aviation Oman Air cuts fleet size by 29% to reduce losses Oman Air, the Gulf state’s flag carrier, last year cut its fleet size by 29 percent year on year to 32 aircraft, lowering its operational cost as part of its turnaround strategy. The airline carried 5.4 million passengers, down 13 percent year on year. Annual Ebitda rose by 40 percent to OR24 million ($62.2 million), […] January 27, 2025
