Middle East & North Africa

Etihad today launched a new Apple iPhone application for members of its award-winning loyalty programme, Etihad Guest. It is the first application of its kind to offer real-time loyalty points redemption for its users.
Air Transport

The first pictures have been released of Al Jaber Aviation's (AJA) first aircraft, an A318 Elite, which will now undergo cabin outfitting by Lufthansa Technik at its Tulsa, Oklahoma facility.
Interiors & Connectivity

Under the Patronage of the UAE Ministry of Defense, the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA) held the Middle East Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (MEISR) conference at the Armed Forces Officers Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE today.
Defense

Gulf News reports that a Dubai-bound Airbus A380 has been grounded at Incheon International Airport in South Korea following a technical problem.
Air Transport

President and CEO of MEBAA - the Middle East Business Aviation Association - Ammar Balkar has announced his resignation from the post today.
Business Aviation

StandardAero, a Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) company, has appointed Jeff Manion to the position of Vice President, Global Sales & Customer Service for the company's Business Aviation Sector.
Maintenance & Training

The four-aircraft Viper display team from the UK, flying BAC 167 Strikemaster aircraft, is booked to appear at the Bahrain and Al Ain Airshows in January.
Aerospace

Helicopter Support Inc. (HSI) today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Goodrich Corporation to collaboratively promote an advanced aircraft maintenance solution to the worldwide rotary aircraft market which will give Black Hawk operators across the Middle East a new support system.
Defense

The former head of Harrods Aviation is in a new job and has plans for extending FBO facilities to the Middle East.
Maintenance & Training

Boeing recorded 481 commercial airplane deliveries in 2009, matching the company guidance of 480-485 airplanes. The US company says its commercial airplanes backlog remains strong at 3,375 airplanes. It registered 263 gross and 142 net commercial orders for the year as air travel and freight declined and carriers worldwide experienced severe economic challenges.
Aerospace

Boeing has announced organisation and leadership changes within its Integrated Defense Systems unit that affect the Middle East. The realignment is effective immediately, and the unit will begin operating under a new name: Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
Defense

Associated Air Center, the completions center for transport-category VIP aircraft, and a key business unit of StandardAero, a Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Company, has successfully transitioned their Designated Alteration Station (DAS) to Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) at its Dallas, Texas location.
MRO

Boeing and the UAE Air Force and Air Defence today announced that the UAE has signed a contract for the acquisition of six Boeing C-17 Globemaster III advanced airlifters. The UAE, which announced in 2009 that it would modernize its airlift capabilities with the C-17, is the second Middle East nation to order the airlifter.
Defense

As predicted in Arabian Aerospace last month, Lockheed Martin has secured a key order from Egypt for 20 F-16 Block 50/52s which are likey to secure production until at least 2013.
Defense

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) has taken delivery of an Airbus A318 as part of the expansion of its air support capabilities. At present, the expansion targets about 35 aircraft in total, including fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters.
Aerospace

Emirates is to start flights from to Madrid from 1 August, providing the only scheduled passenger service between Dubai and Spain.
Air Transport

Batelco, Bahrain's leading integrated communications provider, has become a key sponsor for the Bahrain International Airshow which takes place at the Sakhir Airbase from January 21st to 23rd.
Aerospace

Airbus has signaled that it might abandon the delayed €20bn A400M military transport project. The news comes after German newspapers reported that Airbus has drawn up contingency plans to scrap the A400M after months of inconclusive talks with seven European NATO buyers.
Defense

Dubai Duty Free has announced its financial performance figures for 2009. In a year that posed many challenges for the global airport retail sector, the company has bucked the trend by announcing record annual sales of Dhs4.1 billion (US$1.140 billion) representing a 3.76% increase over the previous year.
Airports & Networks

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE launched its air safety incident-reporting programme as part of its new mandate to centralise aviation safety incident reporting across the UAE which took effect from January 1.
Aerospace

National Aviation Services has won a contract to provide aircraft maintenance certification to Qatar Airways at its home base of Kuwait.
MRO

Robert Hersov has been named as Chairman of the newly formed VistaJet Advisory Board.
Maintenance & Training

Turkish Airlines has reportedly made its decision regarding narrowbody fleet renewals and will be ordering 20 Airbus single-aisle aircraft, comprising 14 A321s and six A319s
Air Transport

Kuwait International Aircraft Leasing (KIAL) has taken delivery of a S-76D helicopter from Sikorsky.
Aerospace

Details are emerging of the programme for the fifth edition of the highly acclaimed Middle East Special Operations Commanders Conference (MESOC), which kickstarts the Special Operations Forces Exhibition 2010 (SOFEX-2010) being held in Amman, Jordan, May 10-13.
Maintenance & Training