Middle East & North Africa

Qatar's former foreign minister Khalid al-Attiyah has been named as the new state minister for defence affairs in a cabinet reshuffle yesterday.

Qatar Cargo's freighter planes will fly between Qatar and Hungary every week on Thursday and Sunday, commencing 3 March 2016.

Iran has signed an agreement with Airbus Industrie for the acquisition of 118 aircraft critical to its fleet renewal plans, reports Ch-aviation.

Gulfstream Aerospace has said it has recently earned approved maintenance organization (AMO) from the civil aviation authority of Qatar.

Boeing's 737 MAX 8 made its first flight yesterday (US time) beginning the comprehensive flight-test programme on schedule.

Etihad Airways has picked up two leading global financial accolades at separate award functions in London within a week.

Rolls-Royce is feeling the benefit of the lifting of sanctions against Iran with a series of new orders for powerplant.

Flydubai recently launched its new website, offering an enhanced browsing experience to inspire customers to explore its network of 89 destinations.

Kish Air is set to acquire two Airbus A321s as part of its fleet modernisation.

The inaugural Middle East Aviation Careers Conference and Exhibition (MEAC), will be held on the 8th-10th March, in parallel with Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2016.

TAV Airports increased its revenue by 10% to EUR 1079 million in 2015. The company has posted EUR 210 million in net profit.

Space exploration has been identified as a key area of co-operation between the UAE and India. The sector was singled out among a draft of collaborative agreements between the two countries during this week's key UAE mission to India led by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Panasonic Avionics Corporation has announced that Panasonic has signed another multi-year contract for Telesat satellite capacity.

Etihad Airways has announced a 63 per cent increase in full-year passenger traffic with partner Jet Airways to and from India reinforcing the strength of the equity tie-up and the airline's commitment to one of world's largest travel markets.

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE, has announced delivery of two leased Airbus A320 aircraft to AtlasGlobal to expand the Turkish carrier's fleet.

Qatar Airways hosted guests and visitors today on the opening day of the Singapore Airshow 2016 on board its state-of-the-art fleet.

Etihad Airways has been presented with Airline of the Year 2016 award by the prestigious US-based aviation industry publication Air Transport World (ATW).

Airbus has reported a good aircraft order start to 2016.

AMAC Aerospace Switzerland has provided support in the launch of a new commercial operator in the industry and specifically to the Middle East region.

AAR has been selected by Vision Systems for retrofit programme in Middle East, Africa, Asia, and North America.

Defence and security company Saab has introduced its GlobalEye multi-role airborne surveillance system.

Airways Aviation is celebrating the launch of the Kuwaiti Cadet EASA fATPL Programme with Kuwait Airways and welcomes the inaugural class of trainee pilots at its Spanish flying school.

The UAE Space Agency has announced that it has discussed future cooperation means with a delegation from The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Iran and Russia are stepping up their military cooperation following meetings this week between the two countries defence chiefs.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has awarded a AED3.4 billion (US $919 million) grant to Bahrain to cover more than 80% of the Kingdom's international airport expansion.