King Fahd International Airport, Dammam

Qatar Airways has retained a robust network throughout the coronavirus crisis and more routes are scheduled to return over the coming weeks.

British Airways has filed tentative plans to increase its long-haul flying in July.

Routes' weekly update on how airlines and airports across Europe are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Low demand gives the airport the opportunity to move ahead with upgrade work ahead of schedule.

In the second of a three-part feature, Routesonline takes a closer look at the organisations shortlisted in three categories of the World Routes Awards 2019.

This week: World Routes 2019 host Adelaide set for new Kuala Lumpur service; British Airways to resume Dammam; and Xiamen Airlines plans to introduce Chengdu - Cebu route.

Saudi Arabia’s continued economic diversification, growth of the private sector and increasing popularity as a destination for the Middle East MICE industry is directly translating into increased demand for business travel within the region and Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways aim to be well-positioned to boost their positions in this market.

According to its latest schedule update, Saudia will place the 787-9 into passenger operation from February 1, 2016 with its first scheduled flight due to operate as ‘SV1020’ between Jeddah and Riyadh. The type will be used on various frequencies on this route as well as between Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, while links from both Jeddah (daily on the SV588/589 rotation until February 29, 2016) and Riyadh (various frequencies) to Dubai will commence the same day.

Al Qahtani Group (linked to Gulf Air) and Qatar Airways were both selected in late 2012 to bring new competition into the Saudi Arabian domestic market as part of a series of reforms. Both have been working with the local regulator to establish their respective businesses, Saudi Gulf Airlines and Al Maha Airways, but despite an initial suggestion these carriers would take-off by the end of 2013, we are still awaiting their arrival into the local skies.

For the maximum permissible period of seven months from November 7, 2014, the extension of the contract will see Changi Airports International (CAI) continuing to work alongside GACA to strengthen the position of KFIA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A World Routes media briefing confirmed recent reports that Cebu Pacific Air will be inaugurating a three times weekly link between Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam from October 5, 2014. This will be just days after the carrier makes its debut in the country with flights to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh commencing on October 1, 2014.

Private Indian carrier Jet Airways will further strengthen its relationship with minority shareholder Etihad Airways when it launches a fourth route

As low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air accepted delivery of the most-densely configured Airbus A330-300 in Toulouse, France this past week, it emerged