Middle East & North Africa

Saudia has added a new direct route between King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and London Heathrow Airport.

Emirates has deployed its retrofitted Boeing 777 on flights EK656/657 and EK660/661 between Dubai and Malé.

Saudia is maintaining its traffic growth forecast at 7-8% in 2025 after reviewing the impact on travel demand after the Iran-Israel missile attacks in mid-June.

British Airways’ Gatwick-based subsidiary airline BA Euroflyer has added Rabat to its route network, marking the airline’s first connection between the two capitals.

In March, the Royal Navy swopped a Wildcat HM2 anti-surface helicopter deployed to the region aboard HMS Lancaster, with support from a RAF C-17A Globemaster. Alan Warnes reports.

Dubai Airports has launched DXB Greet & Go, a new smart pickup service at Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3.

Emirates will launch its Premium Economy class on flights to and from Kolkata, effective 18 July 2025.

The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) faces a looming supply crunch that could derail its First Phase, warns a new report by carbon market intelligence firm Sylvera.

Emirates has signed an MoU with Crypto.com to explore ways to integrate Crypto.com Pay within its payments systems.

AerFin, an aviation asset specialist that buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and parts, is collaborating with a Middle Eastern investor on the acquisition of four A320neo aircraft.

Emirates has officially launched regular A350 operations to Dammam, making it Emirates’ first destination in Saudi Arabia to be served by the all-new Airbus A350.

Emirates’ latest analysis of global booking data and search patterns reveals the top 25 travel destinations in July and August - with Vietnam sitting on top.

Airbus chief executive, Guillaume Faury, remains convinced of the potential for hydrogen-powered aircraft despite the manufacturer pushing back its aspirations to develop such an aircraft in time for a 2035 entry into service, reports Graham Dunn.

Air Arabia has announced the launch of its latest route connecting Sharjah with the German city of Munich.

Air Algérie has made an order for 16 brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft, as well as an ATR 72-600 full-flight simulator – the first of its kind in Africa.

The Emirates Group’s efforts to align with this year’s UN call to end plastic pollution are on display at its annual sustainability event ‘Tomorrow Takes Flight.'

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) will resume its nonstop service between Munich and Casablanca from October 2025.

Etihad Cargo has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Ezhou Huahu Airport during Air Cargo Europe 2025.

Boeing has appointed Stephen Parker as president and chief executive officer of its Defence, Space & Security (BDS) business, effective immediately.

flydubai has partnered with emaratech, a leading technology organisation in the UAE, to implement smart border control solutions for its pilots and cabin crew.

Emirates’ highly anticipated Airbus A350 is now a regular sight at Muscat International Airport, with the start of regular daily services between Dubai and Muscat.

Etihad Airways has touched down in Atlanta for the first time, expanding its U.S. footprint.

The UK’s Manchester Airport fought hard to become IndiGo’s first European long-haul destination.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has issued the world’s first regulatory framework for hybrid operations, enabling both electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs) and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on the same infrastructure.

Etihad Airways will add flights to Salalah, Oman, from 21 May 2026, and Krakow, Poland, from 15 June 2026.