Middle East & North Africa

Egyptair and leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) have taken delivery of the first Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) commercial jetliner to join the Egyptian national carrier's fleet.

Tunisia has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for the purchase of two C-130J Super Hercules airlifters with an initial three years of logistics support.

Gulf Air customers travelling from Bahrain to Larnaca in Cyprus today were introduced to the latest additions to the Gulf Air fleet as they flew on the inaugural flight of the airline's new Embraer E-170 AR aircraft.

Boeing and Turkish Airlines have finalised an order for 20 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. The order includes 10 737-800s and 10 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplanes.

Emirates is continuing its strategic push into Africa with an announcement today that it is to launch direct services to Dakar, Senegal.

Gulf Air has taken delivery of the two Embraer 170 regional jets that it announced it would be taking in a special lease deal at the Bahrain Air Show in January

The looming pilot shortage across the aerospace industry can be tackled by career mapping and better planning by airlines, according to industry experts.

Strata, the aerostructures business launched by Mubadala and based at Al Ain, is set to take a place among the top three businesses of its kind by 2015.

The ATR 42-600 pre-series aircraft successfully took to the sky for the first time today in Toulouse.

Bahrain Customs Authorities honoured the DHL Express Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) with a 'Certificate of Appreciation' for the company's dedication to the growth of Bahrain's logistics industry and continuous cooperation with the Bahrain Customs Authorities over the last 30 years.

The inaugural Aerospace & Defence Training Show (ADTS) was officially opened today at Dubai's Airport Expo by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai's Department of Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group.

Etihad Airways is expanding the range of services it offers business and leisure travellers with the launch today of its new destination management company – Hala Abu Dhabi.

IATA has appointed former Gulf Air chief commercial officer Willy Boulter as regional VP for Asia Pacific.

Banc of America Leasing has appointed Alex Badran as managing director and head of sales for International Corporate Aircraft Finance (ICAF).

Oman Air made aviation history today when it became the first airline in the world to offer both mobile and broadband Internet on board its flights.

A date has been set for the opening of the World's largest airport.

Commercial aircraft component supplier Avtrade has signed a partnership deal with Arabian Jets, the Saudi Arabian-based aviation consultancy firm.

Abu Dhabi investment company, Mubadala, is carrying out a review of its two maintenance providers ADAT (Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies) and SR Technics.

Two of the biggest names in European aerospace have come together to create a new business to repair and maintain nacelles for Middle Eastern fleets.

Beagle Aerospace is expected to tie up a partnership with a Middle East company during the show, further growing the British company's presence in the region.

Dubai's low cost airline Flydubai, has announced a brace of GCC routes to kick off what it describes as a very busy year of route announcements for the carrier.

Turkish Technic is at the MRO show in Dubai in bullish mood as it prepares to break ground on a $300 million plus expansion of its Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) business.

Traffic between Dubai and Beijing has grown so much, that Emirates is now planning to schedule an A380 onto the route with effect from August 1.

Airline Services Ltd has appointed a Regional Sales Manager dedicated to the Middle East as it looks to grow its customer base in the region.

Bahrain's Gulf Air has selected TRAX Maintenance software to manage its MRO operations.