IATA's latest traffic statistics show that the Middle East is the only region to have posted growth in July. Passenger demand increased by 13.2% and this even extended to freight with a 1% increase.
The Middle East was the only air transport region in the world to grow in July according to the latest figures announced by IATA today. The 13.2% growth in July was slightly better than the 12.9% recorded in June. The growth is fueled by increased capacity and greater market share in traffic between Europe and Asia.
CAE announced today that it has won contracts from prime contractor Airbus Military to provide A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).
Etihad Crystal Cargo, is to launch a twice weekly service from its hub at Abu Dhabi airport to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq from next Tuesday. The service, which commences on September 1 2009, will operate every Tuesday and Thursday, with Etihad deploying one of its A300-600 freighters with a payload of 42 tonnes on the route. Baghdad is Etihad's first cargo-only destination in the Middle East region and this is the first time in its history that the airline has operated any services to Iraq. Des Vertannes, executive vice president cargo said: “We are very proud to launch Etihad's first services to Baghdad and assist in the country's reconstruction. “Trade and business ties between the UAE and Iraq continue to grow and we look forward to building a strong customer base in the country, which is widely considered one of the region's fastest growing markets.” With its fleet of two Airbus A300-600 aircraft and an MD11, Etihad Crystal Cargo has 14 cargo freighter destinations, including Frankfurt Haan, Mumbai, Lagos, Colombo and Milan.
Jazeera Airways has announced that it will be taking off to the UAE's capital from 25 October, 2009, with the launch of non-stop flights to Abu Dhabi from its Kuwait hub.
The first Embraer Lineage 1000 business jet to enter service clocked up more than 180h in its first month, including 110h from the launch customer Al-Faheem of Abu Dhabi.
Given the economic crisis that was truly showing its colours in May, this year's European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) was an unknown quantity. Yet, undeniably, the Middle East stole the show and was again at the forefront of business aviation.
The Sultanate of Oman is the second largest country on the Arabian Peninsula. Rich in natural resources – petroleum, natural gas, copper, fishery and agriculture – it is also a cultural hub with breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches and a traditional approach to tourism. Marcelle Nethersole reports.
Passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport who give more than a cursory glance to the white-painted freighters of Maximus Air Cargo taxying past the terminal may notice the slogan Care By Air on their airframes, writes Alan Dron.
Airport International Group, the Jordanian company in charge of Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), has announced an increase in of 14.14% in aircraft movements for July.
Saudi Arabia is close to signing an agreement to purchase 30 Mi-171B military transport helicopters from Russia, a source familiar with the talks was quoted as saying on Tuesday in a report by news agency AFP.
Private Flight Global has added two new features to its online system for inflight catering management. The company said that with its new intuitive search functionality and its enhanced management reporting tools, allows customers to streamline their catering operations and achieve even greater transparency across their entire catering-related spend.
Etihad's brand new Airbus A340-600 makes its maiden flight between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow tomorrow with a new first class suite furnished by PF Emirates, the joint venture company of Mubadala and the Poltrona Frau Group.
Russian Helicopters has today unveiled the Sapsan – the first Russian FAR-27 turbine helicopter - the centrepiece of the joint venture's display at MAKS airshow.
Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Jordan has enjoyed its busiest month ever according to new figures released by its operator Airport International Group (AIG),
Yemen's regional start-up carrier Felix Airways has signed a seven-year contract with Lufthansa Technik for Total Component Support (TCS) for its Bombardier CRJ fleet.
EgyptAir has selected Rockwell Collins avionics for five A330 aircraft with an option for three additional aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled from August 2010 through 2012.
The Engine Alliance's GP7200 engine has marked a successful first year in service with Emirates. Since entering service in August 2008, the GP7200-powered Airbus A380 has had no in-flight shutdowns, and the engine has demonstrated a departure reliability rate greater than 99.9%.
In spite of the recent economic downturn, Abu Dhabi International Airport has realised double digit passenger growth for July of 10.3%, with over 900,000 passengers travelling through the airport last month. Figures show a total of 923,124 people came through the airport last month, registering a marked increase over the 837,129 passengers seen for the same period last year.
Bahrain's flag carrier Gulf Air has signed a $70m facility with Bahrain Islamic Bank (BIsB). The carrier said this four year medium-term facility will be used to partly finance eight A320 aircraft, which are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter 2009 and first quarter 2010.
Air Arabia announced yesterday that it will introduce a twice-weekly service to the holy city of Medina, Saudi Arabia from Sharjah, UAE on September 1.
