Middle East & North Africa

Royal Air Maroc has signed a five-year contract for the flight planning solution Lido/Flight from Lufthansa Systems and has opted for an additional core component of the Integrated Operations Control Center (IOCC) Platform.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

Cavotec Middle East, the UAE-based subsidiary of global engineering group Cavotec MSL, has won a contract by Bahwan Engineering Company for the design, supply and installation of 95 pop-up pit systems at the new Muscat International Airport development. Cavotec's pop-up pit systems have been chosen over conventional products due in large part to their advanced technology, reliability and proven track record in the aviation industry.
Airports & Networks

Passengers on Emirates flights - and soon on Turkish - will be able to purchase pre-paid in-flight mobile services, designed to offer passengers greater convenience
Interiors & Connectivity

Airline Services Components Ltd (ASC) has appointed a new Regional Sales Manager to oversee existing customers and develop new business in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Maintenance & Training

Bell Helicopter has significantly reduced direct operating costs for 407 operators by removing a series of life limited parts in its maintenance manual.
MRO

US President Barack Obama's administration is ready to notify Congress of plans to offer advanced aircraft to Saudi Arabia - as part of the biggest ever US arms deal - worth up to US$60bn, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
Defense

Gulf Air is believed to be one of the targets for a new massive airline group being headed by British Airways
Air Transport

HP Middle East today announced that Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon's national carrier, has signed an agreement that will help add new capabilities and value to MEA's business operations in the region.
Emerging Technologies

Michael Kuhn, previously CFO of DC Aviation, will assume the post of Chief Executive Officer and head of operations for Germany's leading provider of business jets which has been developing a regular client base in the Middle East.
Airports & Networks

The Middle East and Asia are leading the recovery in international tourism, data from the UN World Tourism Organisation show.
Airports & Networks

The UPS freighter that crashed into in Dubai last Friday had been under the control of Bahraini air traffic control (ATC) as it had been unable to communicate with Dubai because of radio failure.
Air Transport

Chromalloy announced today that it has launched a comprehensive new web-based catalogue that will help gas turbine engine operators and maintenance professionals reduce the time spent searching for parts and repairs.
MRO

JetEx Flight Support is rapidly developing its network throughout Ukraine as it builds on the success of its 24-7 multi-lingual operation at Airport Kiev.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

Commercial Airline
Aerospace

Air Arabia has announced plans to connect its two north African bases, Casablanca and Alexandria, from next month.
Airports & Networks

Etihad Airways is celebrating the maiden commercial flight of its first female captain, Sophie Blanchard.
Maintenance & Training

Boeing is "actively" looking at potential acquisition opportunities in response to a changing security environment and will not rule out a merger with another large defense contractor, Boeing's head of defense said yesterday.
Defense

Boeing's Military Aircraft (BMA) business is about to undergo a major reorganisation, including consolidating the organization from six divisions to four. The realignment of the organization will take effect on Oct. 1.
Defense

Commercial Airline
Aerospace

DAE is investing in upgrading facilities at its StandardAero facility for business aviation in Springfield, Illinois in the USA.
Business Aviation

Bulgaria's BH Air has signed an aircraft and landing gear maintenance services contract with Turkish Technic, to cover RIB-5 inspection (modification and corrosion repair as required) of three A320s and landing gear overhaul for specified aircraft.
MRO

Qatar Airways has introduced its flagship Boeing 777 aircraft for the first time on one of its European routes, operating daily between London Heathrow and its Doha hub.
Airports & Networks

As Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, approaches Oman Air has put together some special deals for those who want to celebrate by visiting relatives or holidaying in the Middle East and beyond.
Air Transport

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority in conjunction with conference organiser Naseba are to host another Doha Aviation Summit following the success of the event last year.
Aerospace

Etihad Crystal Cargo has begun scheduled services with its first Airbus A330-200 freighter aircraft, operating from Abu Dhabi to Tripoli in Libya.
Airports & Networks