It’s a record-breaking aviation update this week with soaring profits, significant growth, new passenger records, inaugural flights and even a new airline. Here’s the latest.
Etihad’s 9-month profits skyrocket by 66%
Etihad Airways has reported strong financial results for the first nine months of 2024 with profits skyrocketing 66% compared to the same period last year, reaching AED 1.4 billion (US$ 368 million). Carrying nearly 14 million passengers (a 35% YoY increase), passenger revenue soared 21% while maintaining a high load factor, while cargo revenue increased by 21%. Etihad’s success is thanks to operational efficiency and enhanced passenger experience through initiatives like new aircraft and expanded partnerships. Detailed story here.
Emirates signs with SailGP for five years, highlights benefits of partnership with flydubai
Emirates has signed an exclusive 5-year five-year global partnership with SailGP, thus continuing to title sponsor the Dubai Sail Grand Prix and will become the title sponsor of the Great Britain SailGP Team’s home event in Portsmouth. Apart from significant brand visibility, the carrier will also contribute to community programs and offer exclusive hospitality experiences for fans.
The airline has also shared the seven ways its partnership with flydubai benefits travellers. They include an expanded to 225+ destinations in 100+ countries; 275+ codeshare flights daily; seamless travel experience from check-in to baggage transfers, and optimised flight schedules; access to Emirates’ world-class lounges; a unified Emirates Skywards program with enhanced benefits; Emirates Skywards’ enhanced travel experiences; and a continuous expansion of the combined network.
BOC Aviation to lease six A321neos to Turkish Airlines
BOC Aviation has announced a deal to lease six Airbus A321neos to Turkish Airlines, to be delivered in 2027. This announcement comes as Turkish Airlines faces ongoing issues with Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G-JM engines, which have grounded 35 of its A321neo fleet. This had led the airline to reduced its A321neo operations by 9.1% in November 2023. Last year, Turkoish Airlines operated 4,100 A321neo flights, but that number dropped to 3,727 flights this month. In total, there are 373 fewer flights and 76,385 fewer seats.
SalamAir permanently slashes fares to Salalah
Oman’s SalamAir airline just slashed reduced between Muscat and Salalah. Starting 1 December, travellers can enjoy one-way flights from OMR 9.99. The permanent change is aimed to encourage more people to explore different areas of Oman. SalamAir will also be introducing new services that provide more flexibility and convenience for its passengers.
flydubai debuts at Bahrain International Airshow
flydubai debuted its newly retrofitted Boeing 737-800 aircraft at the Bahrain International Airshow. Having The airline has invested in a multi-million dollar retrofit program to enhance the passenger experience with upgraded cabins featuring lie-flat seats in Business Class and improved inflight entertainment in Economy Class. This move highlights flydubai’s commitment to providing a comfortable and enjoyable flight experience for its customers.
Gulf Air partners with Jaramco
Gulf Air has partnered with Joramco, a leading MRO provider, to enhance Gulf Air’s MRO capabilities and strengthen its position in the aviation industry. The collaboration builds on the two organisations’ long-standing, exclusive partnership which saw Joramco successfully complete more than 250 heavy maintenance checks on Gulf Air’s fleet at its facility in Amman over the last 15 year. Under this MoU, Joramco will provide essential maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Gulf Air’s fleet. The collaboration will also see the establishment of a new aircraft hangar in Bahrain, enabling Gulf Air to expand its in-house MRO services.
Valo Aviation launches jet operation in Bahrain
Valo Aviation has launched its jet operations in the Kingdom, with the aim of becoming a full-service provider with 15 managed aircraft in the next two years. Based in Manama, the airline’s name draws on dual meanings of ‘value’ in Arabic and ‘light’ in Finnish. Led by CEO Hanna Hakamo, Valo Aviation, will specialise in aircraft chartering and management services, with Kuwaiti-owned Gulfstream G550 as its inaugural managed aircraft.
Saudia partners with Choice Hotels
Saudia’s AlFursan loyalty program has strengthened its offerings with a partnership with Choice Hotels, allowing AlFursan members to join Choice Privileges, and earning reward miles for their stays at Choice Hotels worldwide. By joining Choice Privileges, AlFursan members can access a wider range of travel and accommodation options, including access to thousands of hotels across the globe.
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Earlier this week
Dubai starts construction of air taxi station
Dubai has started the construction of its first aerial taxi vertiport, with oprations set to launch in early 2026. Approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, this state-of-the-art facility will accommodate landings, charging and charging for flying taxis. The vertiport is expected to handle around 42,000 landings and welcome 170,000 passengers annually. The station will be operated by Joby Aviation in collaboration with Skyports. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority will oversee the integration of flying taxi services with existing transportation modes.
Damac Properties ventures into aviation with luxury airline
Dubai’s Damac Properties has announced the launch of its own luxury airline, branded Damac Air, which will target high-net-worth individuals seeking exclusive travel experiences. The airline, expected to launch in the near future, will focus on private and premium services, complementing Damac’s portfolio of high-end real estate offerings. This venture marks Damac’s expansion beyond real estate and reflects a growing trend of diversified investments within the UAE.
Etihad improves digital experiences for travellers
Etihad Airways has upgraded its digital platforms, enhancing customer convenience through new features on its website and mobile app. The updates include localised payment options, improved self-service tools, and loyalty program advancements, offering a more intuitive booking experience with fare searches and language options. Specific enhancements for Indian customers include Hindi language support and payment methods to suit regional preferences. Etihad‘s commitment to innovation allows frequent feature updates, enabling quick responses to customer needs.
Emirates adds chauffeur service in Riyadh and wins “Best Airline” award
Emirates has launched a premium chauffeur-drive service for First and Business Class passengers in Riyadh, enhancing the travel experience for Saudi-based customers. Delivering customers for free within 100km of the airport adds a new luxury offering to incentivise travellers.
This initiative aligns with Emirates’ commitment to delivering superior service in the region and comes on the heels of the airline receiving a “Best Airline” award at the 2024 ULTRAs, highlighting its leadership in luxury air travel. The service is expected to cater to growing demand among premium travellers in Riyadh, allowing passengers an easier transition from airport to city in style and comfort.
Riyadh Air plans major aircraft order for 2025, launches digital platform
In a move to modernise its fleet and enhance operational efficiency, startup Riyadh Air plans to finalise a deal to purchase ‘dozens’ of twin-aisle Airbus and Boeing planes in the first two quarters of 2025 according to Reuters. Adding to last year’s order of 39 Boeing 787s and 2024’s order of 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft, this investment aims to meet increasing travel demands while focusing on sustainable aviation solutions. The new fleet is expected to introduce more fuel-efficient aircraft, marking a step toward Riyadh Air’s ambitious sustainability goals while supporting expanding route networks.
Meanwhile, the airline has also launched a new digital platform that aims to revolutionise the travel experience. The cutting-edge platform allows travellers to book flights, accommodation, transportation, and entertainment options all in one place. By leveraging AI technology, the platform aims to offer personalised recommendations and options, including fast-track services for delayed passengers. The carrier’s digital offering sets a new standard for the aviation industry, providing a one-stop-shop for various travel needs.
flyadeal launches Cairo-Madinah and Jeddah-Sohag flights, expands services in Dammam
flyadeal has launched its Madinah to Cairo flights, catering to both Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and leisure travellers. Hours before, flyadeal also commenced direct flights from Jeddah to Sohag, Egypt, enhancing connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The new route (Flight F3 777) offers an affordable and convenient travel option that expand’s flyadeal’s flights to Egypt to 44. The new connections are expected to boost tourism and business travel between the two countries, facilitating cross-border cultural and economic exchange in flyadeal’s largest single international market.
The airline had also announced the expansion of its services in Dammam, adding more flights to meet rising passenger demand. This network boost aligns with flyadeal’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Saudi Arabia’s domestic market while offering budget-friendly travel options. By enhancing connectivity to and from Dammam starting from January 2025, the carrier aims to serve as a viable option for travellers within the Kingdom.
Eurowings launches Berlin-Jeddah route
Eurowings has inaugurated a new direct route connecting Berlin and Jeddah, expanding the network between Europe and the Middle East. This route will offer passengers a convenient, nonstop option for business and tourism travel between Germany’s Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, two markets with strong economic and cultural ties. The addition of this route reflects Eurowings’ commitment to meeting demand in underserved markets and adds to its daily flights to Dubai.
Jeddah Airport sets new daily passenger record
On 6 November, Jeddah Airport set a new daily passenger record, handling 161,189 travellers. This milestone reflects increased travel demand in the Kingdom and Jeddah Airport’s capacity to accommodate large passenger volumes. The figure includes 81,195 departures and 79,994 arrivals across 817 flights. This included more than 132,000 bags processed across its average 34 flights an hour.
flydubai adds flights to second Nepal destination
flydubai has announced its inaugural flight to Bhairahawa (Gautam Buddha International Airport) in Nepal on 9 November. Operating from Dubai International’s Terminal 2, these flights will operate daily to cater to the growing demand between the UAE and Nepal. As a popular destination for both tourism, Nepal sees high travel volumes from the UAE. This increase in frequency will provide more options for travellers, enhancing connectivity and supporting flydubai’s commitment to the South Asian market.
Saudia reports significant Q3 growth
According to its latest performance report, Saudia recorded growth in operational performance during Q3 2024 driven by increased passenger numbers and expanded route offerings. With demand for both domestic and international travel on the rise, Saudia capitalised on strategic initiatives, including fleet expansion and an on-time performance rate of 87.8%. Increasing flight operations by 9% and their network to 100 destinations across four continents, Saudia is likely to continue its positive growth trends into 2025.
Also, beginning 2 December 2024, the airlines will bring back its direct flights from Riyadh to Athens, Greece.
Air Arabia achieves record Q3 profit
Air Arabia has reported a record 8% YoY profit growth of AED564 million. The airline’s robust financial performance is attributed to strategic network expansion, new aircraft and operational efficiencies. Known for its budget-friendly offerings, Air Arabia continues to perform strongly in the competitive low-cost market, appealing to cost-conscious travellers across the Middle East and beyond. The positive results highlight the airline’s resilience and adaptability despite navigating gropolitical challenges and airspace restrictions in some part of the region for the last year.
Turkish airports reports October surge and introduces new Visa Card
Airports across Turkey recorded over 20.9 million passengers in October, highlighting a 4.5% YoY increase according to Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure. The data reflects 32,000 international flights and 9,000 domestic flights transporting 6.8 million passengers (a rise of 3%) were attributed to Istanbul Airport alone.
This comes at a time when Turkish Airlines introduces its new Miles&Smiles Visa Signature Card, offering travellers exclusive rewards and benefits. This Turkish Airlines and Visa partnership aims to enhance customer loyalty by providing luxury perks tailored for frequent flyers.
Turkish Airlines reveals destinations for Lucky 7 campaign
Turkish Airlines has named the seven destinations of its latest “Lucky 7” campaign. Travellers from the UAE can now take advantage of a AED500 discount on one-way and return flights to Accra, Bologna, San Francisco, Tbilisi, Nice, Trabzon, and Kayseri. Bookings must be made by 30 November 2024, and travel completed by 31 October 2025. Agents and travellers are reminded of the airline’s “Stopover Istanbul” program, which grants passengers laying over for 20 hours or more a complimentary hotel stay. For shorter layovers between 6 and 24 hours, passengers can take advantage of complimentary guided tours through TourIstanbul.
