Middle East & North Africa

Emirates will serve Dublin with a second daily non-stop flight from 1 September 2014.

Etihad Airways will double its flights between Abu Dhabi and New York City, introducing a second daily service from Saturday, March 1, 2014.

The first of the two Saudi Arabian domestic carriers licensed after public tender in 2012 was unveiled this morning - along with a $2 billion order for Bombardier CSeries aircraft.

Qatar Duty Free (QDF), a subsidiary of Qatar Airways has ushered in the lucky year of the Horse this Chinese New Year with themed promotions all through January and February in 2014.

Travelport has announced the renewal of its long-term distribution agreement with Travel Technology Systems in Kuwait.

Selex ES said it aims to expand its already strong position in Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf and is promoting a range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), air defence, naval and homeland security systems at the show.

Inmarsat says that in-flight testing of its first GX Ka-band I-5 satellite, which was launched on December 8, is going well and it hopes to announce the first air transport customer in the near future.

The Bahrain International Airshow is playing host to not one, but two, examples of the iconic Second World War fighter, both of them painted to commemorate the Spitfire Mk I paid for by public subscription in Bahrain and gifted to the Royal Air Force in 1941.

Bahrain-based Aero Gulf Group announced today that its newly named Sola Engine Centre in Norway - purchased from Pratt & Whitney in late 2013 - can now deliver global operators of CFM56 engines, industry recognised (EGT margin) MRO services.

Global air traffic management group CANSO is planning on its Middle East conference agreeing a Middle East strategy and engagement plan for the region's air traffic management,

Turkey's TAI T-129 ATAK attack helicopter is making its international debut at the Bahrain International Airshow.

Bahrain International Airport has launched a BD30 million ($80 million) programme of short-term enhancements, with an order to replace the airbridges at the Muharraq site.

Lufthansa Technik is exhibiting at Bahrain, and debuting a brand new model of a VIP747-8 – the largest commercial airliner in service today.

A star turn making its show debut is Emirates' ultra-luxurious variant of the ACJ319.

Turkish missile manufacturer Rocketsan is making its debut at the Bahrain airshow, showcasing its family of missiles.

The Bahrain based Aero Gulf Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Khaleeji Commercial Bank of Bahrain (KHCB). The Bank is committed to provide Islamic finance to underpin the far-reaching business growth of Aero Gulf Group, and in particular its operations within the aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul sector.

Swiss-based airline Etihad Regional was launched in Zurich yesterday.

Khartoum Airport has outlined its aspiration to become a major hub for Africa following the signing of a major development contract with a Chinese contractor at the Bahrain Airshow yesterday.

The Royal Saudi Air Force's (RSAF) official demonstration team, the Saudi Hawks, is at the show, revisiting the scene of its first appearance outside Saudi Arabia in February 2000.

Gulf Air announced a deal worth approximately $20 million to refurbish its long-haul Airbus A330s.

Rick Groesch, Lockheed Martin's regional director for the Middle East, was in bullish form at the show describing the company's F-16 upgrade plans.

A revolutionary new gyrocopter made its debut at the Bahrain Airshow, promising to dramatically slash the cost of surveillance missions.

Emirates yesterday launched a scheduled daily service to Kiev, marking its first route to the Ukraine.

Wallan Aviation has said is already anticipating a better year than 2013.

Saudi Ground Services Company says yesterday's announcement of the launch of the new Saudi Gulf airline can only mean good news.