Middle East & North Africa

Etihad Airways has stepped up its recruitment strategy to employ more UAE nationals going forward

Flydubai is planning to increase its reach into the Russian territories by launching two new routes and increasing frequency on others.

The US and Saudi Arabia have signed an open skies agreement, which the US State Department says will expand air service and encourage vigorous price competition by airlines while safeguarding aviation safety and security.

Etihad Airways today reported its most successful first quarter to date, with revenues up 21.2% to $770m (Q1 2010: $635m), attributable to strong performances in both passenger and cargo traffic.

The Oman Air Training Centre has been awarded a much-coveted place in the International Air Transport Association (IATA's) Middle East 2011 top 10 authorised training centre listings, the airline said today.

Egyptian carrier Nile Air has begun a three times a week service between Alexandria and Jeddah

Utah-based parts manufacturer Metalcraft Technologies which had provided metal for the Dubai-owned Emivest SJ-30 light jet has bought the assets of the now bankrupt Emivest Aerospace.

Turkey's Onur Air has signed a series of new long term agreements with MRO provider Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT).

Arianespace is on track for a rescheduled April 22 liftoff of its Ariane 5 mission with the Yahsat 1A satellite.

Boeing has achieved multiple qualifications for its worldwide network of 787 training campuses.

Etihad Airways today announced that it will feature Masdar City, one of the world's most sustainable cities, as part of its new 'Essential Abu Dhabi' on-line travel guide which is designed to provide business and leisure travellers with important information about the emirate.

EgyptAir has begun flights on the Cairo- Bangkok route flying the newest B777-300ER as the airline fights back from the major drop in passenger numbers following the uprising earlier this year

Oman Air has announced that 2010 was the most successful year to date for its Desert Operations, carried out on behalf of Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO).

The international aviation and commercial law firm Gates and Partners is to open a new office in Dubai as soon as regulatory formalities are completed

Louis Gallois, chief executive of EADS the parent company of Airbus visited Al Ain to see first hand how the Mubadala manufacturing subsidiary Strata is progressing.

Badr Al-Olama, an Emirati national, has been appointed deputy chief executive of Strata, the advanced composites manufacturer based in Abu Dhabi

Organisers of the Syrian Air Show which was due to be held in Damascus at the end of May have announced that the show is to be postponed for a year.

Turkish Technic has announced it has selected spares support specialist A J Walter Aviation to provide full PBH and leased stock services to the growing THY B777-300ER aircraft fleet.

Bahrain's Gulf Aviation Academy has appointed engineer, Mahmood Al-Balooshi as chief operations officer effective 21st April.

Alsalam Aircraft Company has been awarded a new contract - for a second time - to provide C-130 technical support services to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).

Qatar Airways received a commemorative plaque from Airbus following a comprehensive retrofit project, which saw the cabins of five Airbus aircraft being upgraded to include new features.

Al Bateen Executive Airport, the Gulf Region's first and only dedicated private aviation airport operated and managed by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), has announced an 18% increase in commercial aircraft movements in the first quarter of 2011 versus the same period last year.

The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT for the United Arab Emirates Air Force has successfully completed its maiden flight following conversion of the aircraft in Madrid.

Gulf Air has become the first airline in the world to incorporate hand held IFE equipment into a fixed seatback.

Gulf Air has increased its frequency to the fashion and business capital of Italy from four to six flights per week with a 117% increase in total seat capacity.