Middle East & North Africa

Cessna is cutting back production on its CJ, Sovereign and Citation X lines and introducing enforced leave for its workforce to match the reduced demand.

The US National Transportation Safety Board has called for the redesign of a component in Rolls-Royce's Trent 800 series engines following the two thrust rollback events on Boeing 777 aircraft last year.

Austrian-based VistaJet has said it sees a significant proportion of its major order for Bombardier business jets being based in the Middle East.

European private aviation company, Vistajet has appointed Dr Elias Maroun as Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Middle East.

European regional aircraft manufacturer ATR, whose aircraft are in service with Oman Air and Iran Air has announced a new control display deal with Barco.

US helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky has successfully demonstrated new technology designed to enable safer helicopter landings in blinding conditions including brownouts

Riyadh-based Al Saif Group has been named an authorised sales representative for Embraer in Saudi Arabia to promote the full line up of Embraer's executive jets.

Start-up premium carrier Wataniya Airways's chief executive George Cooper has said he expects the carrier to break even in 2011 in line with its three-year business plan.

Startup no frills carrier flydubai will start services from Dubai International Airport's revamped terminal 2 when it starts operations this year.

Kayala Airline the luxury carrier from Saudi Arabia's National Air services will suspend operations next month because of increasing costs and reduced demand.

Terminal 2 at Dubai International has undergone a major refurbishment, extending check-in and boarding facilities, revitalising the interior and exterior decor, plus offering more dining choices.

Qatar Airways has been given the regulatory go-ahead from the Australian authorities to launch services to Australia and has also said it will further expand its operations in India and Europe from the start of its Northern Winter 2009 schedules.

The Arab Air Carriers Association has announced that Oman Air is to launch four new long haul destinations during 2009.

MRO giant Lufthansa Technik has revealed it expects the current economic downturn affecting the aviation industry to last well into 2011 - with the effects being felt for even longer

Jordanian MRO supplier, JorAMCo, has successfully won the contract for heavy maintenance services for Kuwait Airways long-haul aircraft.

Aerospace in the Middle East will see an investment of $25 billion in IT infrastructure over the next five years, an industry expert says.

Thai Airways has launched direct flights to Kuwait after six years of Kuwait via Dubai to Bangkok operations. The first flight will touch down on March 29.

Emirates will reduce services on its Beijing and Shanghai routes to ensure better utilisation of its fleet.

Etihad Airways and Australia's Qantas have inked a codeshare agreement that comes into effect on March 29 this year.

Emirates has unveiled its dedicated technology and entertainment corner called e-zone, located in the business class lounge at Dubai International's Terminal 3.

Air Arabia has announced that it will begin flights to Goa in India from April 16.

Kuwait and Dubai-based low-cost airline Jazeera Airways has announced the launch of its newest route from Kuwait to the north-eastern Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor.

Experts from the Middle East business aviation sector have expressed their confidence that the market will continue to grow during this year.

UAE based luxury charter operator Royal Jet, has opened a new charter brokerage service based in Dubai to source appropriate aircraft for charter through a network of carefully audited operators.

Etihad Airways has become the first carrier in the Gulf to use IAE's V2500 SelectOne engine with its recent delivery of an Airbus A320.