Middle East & North Africa

H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), led an official delegation from the UAE on a four-day visit to China.

Dassault Aviation presented the first United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rafale combat aircraft at Istres air force base (South France) at the end of January. This first Emirati F4 Rafale, will remain at Dassault Aviation’s Flight Test Centre for flight tests.

Turkish technology company Havelsan and Romania-based technology company Karel Europe have signed an MoU to develop solutions based on advanced technologies in the defence sector aiming to provide integrated, high-tech solutions to meet the needs of the Romanian defence industry.

Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are rapidly pressing ahead with plans to launch services by the new generation of electrically-powered eVTOL aircraft.

Etihad plans to take delivery of 10 Airbus A321LRs this year, a further 10 in 2026 and five slated for delivery each year in 2027 and 2028.

Turkish technology company Havelsan and UAE-based defence company Calidus have signed an agreement to develop advanced training systems tailored to the B-250 light attack aircraft.

Etihad Airways has taken delivery of the first of 30 Airbus A321LRs ushering in a new era of “luxury redefining” service.

The World Defense Show (WDS) has already secured 90% of its exhibitor space for its upcoming 2026 edition.

Emirates will deploy its newly refurbished Boeing 777 aircraft to/from Madrid starting from 16 September.

Emirates SkyCargo has become the first carrier in the Middle East to adopt PayCargo’s solution.

Flyadeal has taken delivery of its 40th aircraft in a ceremony attended by employees flown specially to France for the handover.

Gulf Air and the New Terminal One at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport have unveiled a long-term strategic partnership, positioning the airline for future growth.

Two years on from being unveiled at IDEX 23, the Jeniah (Arabic for ghost) UCAV has clearly evolved. The first significant modification to the model, which is a newer version from 2023, is the electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) positioned under the nose.

BAE Systems has signed an MoU between the Türkiye and the UK Government for the potential purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

Volar Air Mobility Holding Company and Falcon Aviation Services have signed an MoU to launch a new era of sustainable aviation in the UAE through the certification, deployment, and commercialisation of the RX-series Electric Aircraft.

Embraer registered a US$29.7 billion backlog in the second quarter of 2025 (2Q25) – the highest level ever recorded by the company.

The Emirates Group has launched a recruitment drive to power its next era of innovation and expansion.

Etihad Airways has flown more than 20 million passengers in a 12-month period, for the first time in its history.

‘Emirates First’ has officially opened at Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB), offering a ‘luxurious’ airport experience for Emirates’ First-Class customers and Skywards Platinum members.

Saudi’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced that a consortium led by UAE-based Air Arabia, along with Kun Investment Holding and Nesma Holding, has won the bid to operate a new carrier.

Emirates will introduce a third daily flight to Mauritius starting 1 December 1. The additional service will be operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft.

Algerian authorities have recently taken commitments to boost the air transport sector and strengthen synergies between Air Algérie and Tassili Airlines.

Emirates is set to operate a third daily service to Dublin this winter starting from 26 October 2025.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has commenced its services to Sialkot in Pakistan directly from Zayed International Airport.

A rebuilt Mosul Airport (OSM) has been formally reopened by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, reports Aviation Week.