Top 3
Riyadh Air x Kayanee’s in-flight wellness collection
Riyadh Air has partnered with Saudi wellbeing brand Kayanee to launch an exclusive in-flight wellness collection for Business Elite, Business, and Premium Economy guests. The new amenity kits feature Kayanee skincare essentials including hand and body lotions, face creams, and lip balms with additional pulse oils and facial mists for premium cabins. Guests will also receive bespoke loungewear, designed for comfort and sustainability, presented in reusable pouches and tote bags.
In a first for the region, Premium Economy passengers will also enjoy Kayanee-designed loungewear tops, marking a new benchmark in mid-cabin travel.
Emirates’ $8 million training centre for cabin crew
Emirates has launched the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence in Dubai, a new $8 million facility designed to train nearly 25,000 cabin crew in world-class service and fine dining. The centre features eight tech-enabled classrooms, a 170-seat restaurant and lounge, and presentation kitchens for hands-on training.
Modelled on Michelin-star hospitality standards, and developed in collaboration with Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, the programme covers premium guest engagement, table service, culinary presentation, and wine education through the L’art du Vin initiative. More than 10,000 crew members will complete training by year-end.
Dubai pushes toward a fully cashless future with airline partnerships
Dubai has taken another major step toward its goal of becoming a cashless city, as Emirates, flydubai, and the Dubai Department of Finance (DOF) join forces to expand digital payment adoption across the tourism and travel sector.
The new MoU will integrate smart payment systems across visitor touchpoints, simplify transactions for millions of travellers, and promote digital-first experiences from booking to arrival. The partners will develop joint awareness campaigns, workshops, and incentive programmes to encourage tourists to go fully cashless, supported by DOF’s government network and the airlines’ global digital infrastructure.
Noteworthy
- Qatar Airways has expanded its partnership network with Aer Lingus and LEVEL, adding 18 new routes to the U.S. and South America through Barcelona and Dublin. The move allows passengers seamless connections to cities like Boston, New York, Buenos Aires, Miami, and Santiago, while earning Avios through Privilege Club.
- Bahrain’s Gulf Air has relaunched direct Bahrain to New York (JFK) flights after nearly three decades, operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The service, part of the carrier’s 75th anniversary expansion, aims to boost tourism and business links while competing with regional giants like Emirates and Qatar Airways
- LCC flyadeal has begun daily services to Damascus International Airport from Riyadh and Jeddah. The move reestablishes long-suspended connectivity, providing vital links for relocated Syrian citizens in Saudi Arabia and supporting regional economic and humanitarian recovery.
- Jazeera Airways has resumed four flights per week from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The relaunch included celebrations in Abu Dhabi, and Terminal 5 in Kuwait International.
- After a 10-month suspension, flydubai is resuming daily flights from Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport. The service restores a key air bridge between Bangladesh and the UAE, meeting high passenger demand among expatriates and business travellers.
- From 1 October, 2025, SalamAir has restricted in-flight use of power banks to comply with international aviation safety standards. Passengers may carry one power bank under 100Wh, while larger units up to 160Wh require prior approval, and those above 160Wh are banned.
- Abu Dhabi Airports and Hafeet Rail signed a strategic agreement to link Al Ain International Airport with Oman’s Sohar via the UAE-Oman rail network. The project aims to boost cross-border logistics, trade, and passenger transport.
- Oman Air has cut 1,100 jobs and retired its entire Airbus A330 fleet, as well as two Boeing 787-8s, to streamline operations and reduce costs. The airline will now focus on a smaller, more efficient fleet of 737 MAXs and 787-9s, with measured growth planned through 2027.
- Royal Jordanian will increase its Amman-Washington Dulles service to three weekly flights from 24 December, 2025, using Boeing 787 aircraft.
- Turkish Airlines has announced plans to begin flights to Yerevan, Armenia, reflecting warming relations after decades of strained diplomacy. The move follows recent high-level meetings between Turkish and Armenian officials and could mark a step toward reopening long-closed borders.
