Middle East & North Africa

Airlines may have their challenges with passengers but spare a thought for the regions cargo carriers which face the unknown every day. Jill Stockbridge reports.

Yesterday the UAE - represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) - signed an open Air Services Agreement (ASA) and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Sierra Leone, the Emirates News Agency has reported.

DubaiSat-1, the UAE-owned and operated earth observation satellite, has relayed images of the Holy Cities of Mecca, Medina and Al Quds from outer space.

A leading aviation maintenance provider is looking for an aircraft maintenance planner

Being a part of one of the largest companies in Turkey made all the difference for Istanbul-based MNG Technic, as it enabled sufficient capital expenditure during the recession to build a massive new maintenance hangar that has transformed the company's prospects.

The fight to gain and retain customers is on but are airlines managing their relationship well. Jill Stockbridge meets a man who knows.

While Airbus and Bombardier go head-to-head for the updated narrowbody market, Boeing had stayed quiet. Alan Dron looks at just why that may be.

Bombardier executives at the Paris Air Show were buoyed by several order announcements for the slow-selling CSeries – but will they be enough to guarantee a strong future for the aircraft? Alan Dron reports.

Jordan's national carrier still turns a profit but needs new equipment and allies. Alan Dron reports.

Airbus believes that the environmental commitment and related economic advantages of the A320neo are vital to the MENA region's expanding LCCs and other operators. Ian Goold reports.

Originally slated to start operations on 30 November this year, the new services to the capital cities of Baku and Tbilisi will now begin on 1 February 2012. Qatar Airways has cited 'operational reasons' as being behind its decision to postpone the launch date of its new flights to Azerbaijan and Georgia to early next year.

The third Aviation Asset Management in the Middle East Summit will coincide with the Dubai Airshow. When it takes place on November 10 at the Novotel hotel at the World Trade Centre.

Three US astronauts touched down in Emirates' First Class Lounge on this week before lifting off again on Emirates' flights to Houston and New York.

Gulf Air has announced it has launched 'Cloud Computing' to boost its business performance and customer services.

Bahrain national carrier Gulf Air has introduced cloud computing technology to its business practices – the first Bahriani company to adopt the technology.

Saudi Arabian Airlines has become the latest of a group of national carriers to propose to pay a large settlement fee in the New York courts against claims that it had conspired to fix the price of cargo

Royal Air Maroc formally became the launch customer of the ATR 72-600 turboprop when a delegation from Casablanca attended a special handover ceremony at Toulouse on Friday.

Boeing today received FAA and EASA certification for the new 747-8 Freighter, passing two of the final landmarks on the airplane's journey to entry into service with launch customer Cargolux, which is 35% owned by Qatar Airways.

A partnership that began through working together on the Emirates A380 terminal in Dubai has resulted in a permanent acquisition.

Online premium news service Air Transport Intelligence has warned that delivery of China's first ARJ21 regional jet will be delayed for a year or more following flight test problems.

Turkish Technic has received European Aviation Safety Agency Part 21 certification for producing aircraft cabin parts.

Etihad Airways today announced Lynette Dobson from Abingdon, England, as the lucky winner of two tickets to the Maldives through its 'Escape to Paradise' Facebook competition.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that air traffic movements in the UAE grew at a rate of 7.3% in July 2011 compared to the same month last year. The GCAA monthly report indicated that total air traffic movements in July 2011 were 58,620 with an average of 1,891 air traffic movements per day.

Gulf Air has announced its new winter schedule 2011 and new improvements the Bahrain carrier has made.

Sabre Travel Network has announced it has appointed Harald Eisenaecher to senior vice president of Sabre Travel Network, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He officially starts with Sabre on 1 September 2011.