Middle East & North Africa

There is increasing traffic between Kazakhstan and the Middle East. The country celebrated the 20th anniversary of its independence from the former Soviet Union last December. Marcelle Nethersole travelled to see how it is reinventing itself as prosperous and modern and how the national airline, Air Astana, is helping to achieve these ambitions.

One of the first areas in the region to benefit from the latest air traffic management technology is Dubai. Alan Peaford looks at how Dubai World Central is adopting the new systems.

As debate rages throughout the Middle East about a single Arab sky for air traffic management, Rob Coppinger looks at the progress Europe and the USA have made on programmes to transform their air traffic management with new technologies and asks what lessons can be learned?

The fourth of the new routes into Iraq by low cost airline flydubai was completed today with the inaugural flight to Najaf.

With six months of preparation, an intensive 10 day logistics program and a three-day onsite operation, BAS - the Bahrain Airport Services business - has successfully concluded the management of the ground handling services for the Bahrain International Airshow 2012 (BIAS).

Muscat International Airport continues to be under strain as passenger numbers continue to increase as construction of new terminal buildings are still awaited.

Strata in Al Ain is welcoming a further 62 Emirati nationals to the workforce following the graduation of the students rom an intensive 10 month course to qualify them as composite aircraft technicians.

Gulf Air has appointed Ghanim Monzer Alsukhon as its new country manager for Jordan.

Pegasus Airlines, which added lots of new international flights to its network in 2011, has now launched flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city.

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced it received positive results in an independent passenger survey carried out by the global airline industry's governing body, International Air Transport Association (IATA), despite a difficult 2011.

Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC) announced today that Jim Maslowski, president, will retire from his positions with Hawker Beechcraft on Jan. 31.. Upon retirement, Maslowski will continue as a consultant to HBDC and its business development efforts with the title of vice chairman.

Gama Aviation and Sharjah Airport have signed the deal, outlined in Arabian Aerospace last week, which gives the business aviation and services company the responsibility for all business aircraft handling at Sharjah's international airport.

As Gulf-based airlines continue their rapid expansion, ATC organisations in the region face rising volumes of flights, both within and transiting the area. Already, as Alan Dron reports, capacity constraints are being experienced.

The Gulf's major summit on air transport training – Gulf Aviation Training Event – ended with a memorandum setting out the way the region's industry professionals should take command of their future. Conference director Captain Ed Davidson sums up the outcomes.

Alan Peaford talks to Talal Al Zain, the chief executive of Mumtalakat, the investment organisation dedicated to creating value on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Iraq's aviation system is going through a phase of reconstruction. The airport industry across the country is earmarked for an estimated $50 billion over the next few years, while in the Kurdistan region Erbil International Airport has led the way. Keith Mwanalushi reports.

Alan Peaford looks at the prospects for air transport in the country as it goes through its post-war transition.

As the Americans withdraw from Iraq, Rob Coppinger looks at the legacy left behind and considers how the country's defence forces will develop.

EADS announced today that Airbus chief Tom Enders to take over the role of CEO of the group when Louis Gallois steps down at the end of his five-year mandate.

Emirates Airline has been voted 2012 Airline of the Year in an industry poll of airlines, financial institutions, lessors and investors. The airline beat off competition from leading carriers including Singapore Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Lufthansa in the Aviation 100 poll, receiving 15% of the 11,000 votes cast.

Saudi Aviation Flight Academy (SAFA) has invited the International Association of Flight Training Professionals (IAFTP) to conduct the first operational test of its electronicCV (eCV) at SAFA's new pilot training academy near Riyadh.

Abu Dhabi-based Yahsat is preparing to launch its second satellite into orbit within the next two months.

Tunisia's department of civil aviation (DGAC) has certified the Safe Flight Academy (SFA)'s Ascent flight trainer.

Etihad has signed a firm order for two additional A330-200F freighter aircraft to meet its growth plans in the cargo market.

Support for service and parts supply will be a key topic of discussion at the MRO Middle East event. Bombardier has made no secret of the fact it wants to return to the top spot in customer satisfaction when it comes to support and Phil Nasskau finds out it is working on enhancing its support services in the region.