Middle East & North Africa

The head of the UAE’s air traffic control service has explained how his country has largely kept its airspace open since the outbreak of hostilities in the Gulf this year.

Jazeera Airways expects that underserved traffic flows between London and the Indian subcontinent can support its return to the UK.

Saudia has announced plans to receive 12 new aircraft by the end of 2026, pushing its total fleet to 161 aircraft.

If Gulf governments were to address the asymmetry between international compliance obligations and the absence of a domestic framework, it could prove a renewed incentive for further emissions intensity reductions.

EgyptAir resumed service to Los Angeles for the first time in more than two decades, as the carrier accelerates its North American expansion with A350-900s.

Saudia has taken delivery of its first A321XLR and will become the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to operate Airbus' extra-long-range narrowbody.

Swissport has signed a binding agreement to acquire Swiftair Maroc, a cargo handling specialist at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport.

Qatar Airways is significantly expanding its African presence with the announcement of three weekly flights to Port Sudan International Airport (PZU), Sudan.

Air Arabia reported an earnings hit in the first quarter which it attributed to disruptions from the ongoing conflict in the Gulf.

The Middle East is poised to become a center for lower-emission aviation following an agreement between DHL Express and Dubai-based SAF One.

Asia-Pacific MRO operators are likely to see a rise in demand as airlines advance some aircraft maintenance, spurred by capacity cuts.

Flydubai has announced a new direct passenger service between Dubai and Benghazi.

Qatar Airways will add two South American points to its network in July with the launch of service to Bogota, Colombia, and Caracas, Venezuela.

Turkey is planning to add defensive electronic warfare capabilities to its Steel Dome air defense umbrella.

Kuwait’s aviation sector is beginning to recover after months of disruption that saw Kuwait International Airport come under attack from Iran.

Oman Airports has signed a memorandum of understanding with Algiers Airport Services and Infrastructure Management Company (SGSIA).

Jetex and iGA Istanbul Airport have officially inaugurated the Jetex iGA Terminal in Istanbul.

The Emirates Group remains positive on its outlook after posting a record $6.6 billion profit in its 2025–26 annual report.

Marcelle Nethersole talks to Basil Gygax, TrueNoord Sales Director Africa, Middle East & CIS

The UAE Space Agency has extended the Emirates Mars Mission (Hope Probe) to 2028. This adds three more years to its original operational life to continue studying the Martian atmosphere.

The abrupt drop in capacity on routes to and from the Middle East has impacted India’s airlines due to the importance of this traffic flow to their networks.

DAE reported an “exceptional” first quarter, despite the onset of the Gulf conflict two-thirds of the way through the period, CEO Firoz Tarapore said.

Construction of the new service center is advancing at Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI), with the facility on track to open in the second half of 2026.

MRO providers reported that demand remained intact in the first month of the Gulf war as civil aviation settled into a wary pattern of reduced volume and schedule adjustments

When war broke out in Iran at the end of February, the Middle East's aviation industry was plunged into its most severe disruption since the early days of Covid-19.