Sip, save, and soar is the theme for this week’s round up as the Middle East’s airlines continue to one-up each other with new partnership, offers and campaigns.

Gulf Air offering lower fares on UK-SIN route while boosting services to Singapore

Gulf Air is set to compete on the popular UK-SIN routes with its new connections via Bahrain, offering attractive fares that are lower than that of established non-stop carriers. From 27 October, the airline will operate flights from Heathrow and Manchester on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with economy return fares from London starting from around US$700 and business class at US$2,635. From Manchester, economy fares start from US$722 business class at US$2,640. The flights involve a stopover in Bahrain of almost five hours from London and four hours from Manchester. Gulf Air’s daily Singapore flights will undoubtedly also strengthen its Asian connectivity, complementing existing services to Manila and Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Muscat International Airport saw a 4.7% increase in passengers, serving 9,764,530 travelers from 73,137 flights, in the first nine months of 2024. This growth was mirrored at other Omani airports, with Salalah Airport witnessing a 6.8% rise to 1,230,326 passengers, Sohar Airport receiving 62,842 passengers, and Duqm Airport welcoming 44,753 passengers. Oman’s tourism boom continues, with over two million visitors in the first half of 2024. Regionally, Middle Eastern carriers experienced a 4.9% year-on-year increase in demand in August 2024.

Emirates unveils exclusive Moët & Chandon champagne lounge, expands freight fleet with five new 777s

Thanks to a 32-year partnership with Moët Hennessy, Emirates has launched the Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge in its Concourse B Business Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport. The elegant lounge features a stunning golden wave design and offers four premium Moët & Chandon champagnes, paired with meticulously crafted canapés. Emirates’ master chefs and champagne experts collaborated to create a bespoke menu based on three principles: minimalist ingredients, flavor harmony, and visual appeal. Travellers can now look forward to a learning experience, while enjoying champagne and canapé pairings before their flight. The menu features four champagnes: Moët Impérial, Rosé Impérial, Grand Vintage 2013, and Nectar Impérial, each paired with four carefully selected dishes. Access to the lounge and pairing menu is complimentary for Business Class passengers in Terminal 3.

Meanwhile, the airline has expanded its cargo capacity with a firm order for five more Boeing 777 freighters, scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2026. This brings their total pending deliveries to 14 Boeing 777Fs by the end of 2026. In addition, the airlines has secured a multi-year lease extension for four existing Boeing 777Fs with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise. By December 2026, Emirates SkyCargo will operate a fleet of 21 production-built Boeing 777 freighters, significantly growing their current fleet of 11 units. This investment addresses the surging demand for Emirates’ air cargo services, driven by Dubai’s rising prominence as a trusted global logistics hub.

Turkish Airlines is “pawsitively” flying high

Turkish Airlines has released an entertaining video highlighting its pet-friendly policies, while showcasing the beauty of Istanbul. The clip follows Michael, a globe-trotting cat, as he travels business class to Turkey for a feline friend’s birthday. Along the way, Michael and his feline friends explore Istanbul’s iconic sights. Beyond the entertainment value, the video informs viewers about Turkish Airlines’ pet travel services. These include a dedicated pet check-in counter, online booking options, and detailed information on travel costs and regulations for domestic and international journeys. The airline’s ‘Traveling with Pets’ webpage provides further guidance on in-cabin pet policies and other essential information for travellers with pets.

Saudia-HRSD partnerhip to boosts loyalty rewards

Saudia has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) to offer exclusive benefits to beneficiaries of the HRSD’s employee loyalty program, “DOAM.” This partnership aims to provide enhanced travel experiences and rewards to DOAM members including flight discounts and other travel perks. The partnership strengthens Saudia’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s social development and enhances the travel experience for HRSD’s loyalty program members.

flyadeal teams with Coursera to upskill workforce

flyadeal, a rapidly expanding low-cost carrier in Saudi Arabia, has partnered with Coursera, a global online learning platform, to reskill its workforce in essential areas such as technology, customer service, and finance. This strategic collaboration responds to the World Economic Forum’s prediction that 44% of workers’ skills will undergo significant changes within the next five years due to technological advancements. The partnership also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to develop a skilled workforce capable of driving economic growth and diversification. According to flyadeal’s Chief People Officer, Hanan Badri, this investment in upskilling will empower employees to evolve in their careers and contribute to the company’s dynamic growth.

Qatar Airways debuts world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777

Qatar Airways has made history by operating the world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 aircraft, offering ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet to passengers from gate to gate, completely free of charge. This milestone solidifies Qatar Airways’ position as an industry leader in in-flight connectivity. Initially targeting three Starlink-equipped aircraft, the airline now plans to upgrade 12 Boeing 777-300s by the end of 2024 and its entire Boeing 777 fleet by 2025, with its Airbus A350 fleet following in summer 2025. Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink provides reliable internet access worldwide, allowing passengers to stay connected, stream entertainment, and work efficiently at 35,000 feet. Qatar Airways’ Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasized the airline’s commitment to providing an unparalleled in-flight experience, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk promised continuous improvements to the service.

flynas and VCM’s carbon offset partnership

flynas has partnered with the Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company (VCM) to promote environmental sustainability and carbon offsetting. Through this partnership, flynas will participate in VCM’s carbon credit trading platform, launching in November 2024, and introduce a voluntary carbon offset program for passengers on domestic and international flights. This initiative reinforces flynas’ commitment to global sustainability, building on its membership in the United Nations Global Compact and partnership with the United Nations World Tourism Organization. flynas has also partnered with the Saudi Investment Recycling Company to explore waste management solutions, demonstrating its dedication to reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly practices.

Etihad to offer daily flights to Dusseldorf and Copenhagen

Etihad Airways will be flying daily services to Dusseldorf, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark, starting 1 October 2025. The Dusseldorf route will increase from its current schedule to daily flights year-round, adding four weekly flights, while the Copenhagen route will also see an enhancement from its current four-times-weekly operations. The enhanced frequencies will facilitate stronger business ties and cultural exchange between the regions. Dusseldorf and Copenhagen offer a range of experiences, from fashion and art to historical charm and contemporary design. With increased flight options, travellers can explore these destinations with more flexibility and ease.

Queen Alia International Airport sees passenger decline in September

Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) reported a 14.2% decrease in passenger traffic in September 2024, with 721,508 passengers compared to the same month last year. Aircraft movements and cargo handling also declined, down 11.9% to 5,956 and 6.5% to 5,713 tonnes, respectively. Year-to-date passenger numbers dropped 6.4% to 6,790,593, while aircraft movements decreased 5.9% to 56,625. Despite regional tensions impacting traffic, QAIA’s cargo operations saw a 19.2% increase to 57,753 tons year-to-date. QAIA plans to strengthen airline partnerships and expand destination offerings to ensure a seamless and welcoming journey for passengers.