Middle East & North Africa

Qatar Airways made a host of exciting announcements to kick-start day one of the Middle East's biggest travel show in Dubai today.

Embraer and Uber are to explore the concept of an ecosystem—dubbed Uber Elevate Network—that will allow the potential development and deployment of small electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOLs) for short urban commutes. The announcement was made in Dallas, Texas, in the opening session of the Uber Elevate Summit.

Pegasus Airlines is launching five new destinations from London Stansted, including Grozny, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod and Volgograd in Russia and Abu Dhabi.

Jazeera Airways is inviting travellers to book early with its seasonal travel fares available until 13 May 2017.

Qatar Airways is to launch a daily flight from Cardiff Airport to its hub in Doha, Qatar, in 2018.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, received two official government delegations from Australia and Greece at Arabian Travel Market, the region's largest travel industry event.

Workers at the Italian national carrier Alitalia have voted against job cuts aimed at salvaging the cash-strapped Italian airline, pushing it toward administration for the second time in a decade.

The Ministry of Tourism of Egypt and Egyptian Tourism Authority is stepping up its activities to bring tourists back to Egypt – especially from the Arab countries.

Oman Air has revealed in its annual report an operating loss of 80% to RO120 million ($312 million) last year, and a net loss of almost RO130 million.

Emirates has said all its flights to Spain will be operated by the A380.

TAV Airports Holding has announced its First Quarter 2017 EBITDA of EUR77 million and revenue of EUR227 million.

Etihad Airways has announced all 14 weekly flights on the popular Abu Dhabi – Sydney route will be operated with its flagship A380 aircraft, effective October 29.

Etihad Airways and strategic partner Jet Airways, India's full-service premium international carrier, have signed an agreement with the Government of Maharashtra to promote tourism to the western Indian state.

Royal Jordanian and Navblue have expanded their technology partnership with the selection of Navblue's N-Flight Planning Solution.

Qatar Airways plans to introduce a fifth daily non-stop service from Doha to Bangkok from 1 June, 2017.

Emirates Airlines won four accolades at the ‎Business Traveller Middle East 2017 Awards this week.

Gulf Air has partnered with VFS Global, the largest visa service provider in the world, to facilitate visa issuance for passengers flying to Bahrain. The online visa facility will launch this summer on gulfair.com.

Flydubai was named “Best Low-Cost Airline serving the Middle East” at the 2017 Business Traveller Middle East Awards held in Dubai on 23 April.

Etihad Airways has hosted a special reception in Abu Dhabi to mark the UAE launch of 'Runway to Runway', the airline's rewards programme specially designed to support the fashion community's international travel requirements.

Emirates will provide an all-A380 service from Melbourne when it upgrades its third daily flight from the Australian city, EK408 and EK409, from a Boeing 777-300ER to an A380 operation.

It has been reported that Israeli air strikes have hit an arms depot operated by the Lebanese Hezbollah group near Damascus airport.

Gulf Air has appointed Voyager as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in Georgia to represent the airline and sell Gulf Air services and products on its behalf.

Flydubai is adding Batumi in Georgia, Qabala in Azerbaijan and Tivat in Montenegro to its summer network.

Flydubai's chief executive officer Ghaith Al Ghaith has received the Leadership Award at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) that took place today at Madinat Jumeirah.

Gulf Air recently hosted key members of Bahrain's travel trade industry at a dinner and networking event, aimed at informing guests of the airline's latest developments and customer-focused initiatives.