Middle East & North Africa

Emirates is launching special offers for trips to Dubai. For a limited time, each ticket purchased on www.Emirates.com will include complimentary tickets to Dubai Parks and Resorts – the Middle East's largest integrated theme park destination.

Iran is proving to be an increasingly popular destination with air travellers, experiencing growing passenger numbers from around the world – a trend that looks like continuing during 2017, according to a study by ForwardKeys, the leading travel intelligence analyst.

The Etihad Aviation Group Board of Directors has said that James Hogan will step down as president and chief executive officer of the company in the second half of 2017.

Iran Air has announced the signing of a codeshare agreement with Lufthansa, reports ch-aviation.

Abu Dhabi-based GI aviation has formally arrived on the scene to launch the “light” business aviation market to the UAE and Gulf region.

Jet Aviation, that operates across the Middle East, has acquired Ross Aviation's Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Royal Jet has received a new Boeing 787-8.

Etihad Airways has unveiled plans for the deployment of its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to key Levant and Far East markets in 2017.

SR Technics, a MRO service provider that has offices in Dubai, has announced the redelivery of an Airbus wide-body aircraft with a full VVIP cabin

Emirates is offering travellers from the UAE special fares to its 12 US destinations.

AIM Composites' Test Laboratory has recently been awarded approval by the authority of the NADCAP Management Council for Non Metallic Materials Testing (NMMT). AIM Composites is part of the AIM Altitude Group, which has a base in the Middle East.

Kuwait Airways has been given the green light to access KWD600 million dinars (USD1.96 billion) in capital funding from the Kuwaiti General Reserve Fund (KGRF), report ch-aviation.

Oman Air has announced both of its daily Muscat to London flights will arrive at and depart from Terminal 4 at London Heathrow Airport from January 31, 2017.

Gulf Air has rolled out the airline's revamped Falcon Corporate Programmes: Falcon Corporate Plus and Falcon Corporate Loyalty – tailored offerings that will benefit both employers and employees in companies, making business trips more profitable for all parties.

The Royal Jordanian booth at the 37th international Madrid tourism trade fair FITUR was the focus of a large number of visitors, particularly with the presence of Samuel García, the Spanish professional football player who recently joined C.D. Leganés team.

Oman Air has unveiled a new state-of-the-art Grooming Centre at its headquarter building.

Qatar Airways has been awarded best long haul airline at the 2017 Business Travel Awards held in London at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane.

France's Aigle Azur is planning to make its Middle Eastern debut later this summer, reports ch-aviation.

More than a hundred Indian and Emirati employees at Emirates Group joined hands to commemorate India's 68th Republic Day. The employees, who represent different backgrounds and specialities, lined up in a '68' formation to mark the special occasion.

For the sixth year in a row, Business France, the national agency for the international development of the French economy, will be running the French Pavilion at Aircraft Interiors & MRO Middle East, which will take place in Dubai on February 8-9, 2017.

The Tunisian- French Academy for Civil Aviation Security and Safety Training (AFSAC)- in cooperation with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) - is organising a training managers meeting in Tunis on 13- 14 February for AFRAA members. The theme of the event is: “Training for the future of aviation in Africa- Creating synergies through strategic partnership.”

Jordanian MRO provider Joramco – now 80% owned by Dubai's DAE – has won a surprise contract from German carrier Lufthansa.

SaudiGulf – the new Saudi Arabian domestic carrier will make its first revenue flight on Saturday 28 January when it makes the first of three daily flights between Riyadh and Jeddah.

The first F15-Saudi Advance fighter has begun operations with the Royal Saudi Air Force, the Saudi Press Agency has reported. The new variant is part of the RSAF plans to upgrade its fleet of fighter jets, ushering in a new era in the capabilities and readiness of Saudi Arabia's air force.

Manufacturer of prefabricated, portable structures, Rubb, will be showcasing the latest technology in rapid deployment 'super structures' at the biennial International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), taking place 19-23 February 2017 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).