Top 3 Headlines
Qatar Airways soars to new heights
Qatar Airways has taken home the ‘Best Airline App 2025’ award at the World Aviation Festival, a recognition of its commitment to digital innovation and exceptional user experience. The airline’s app offers a seamless and personalised travel experience, featuring AI-powered cabin crew Sama and a range of mobile services that make flying easier and more enjoyable. The carrier is also making waves in the creative world, partnering with Grammy Award-winning artist Swizz Beatz to launch the Qatar Airways Creative 100. This initiative celebrates influential creatives shaping global culture, with the first list featuring visionaries like Black Coffee, Miles Chamley-Watson, and Kennedy Yanko. This move aims to position Qatar Airways as a forward-thinking airline that’s pushing boundaries in both aviation and art.
Riyadh Air’s big moment
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newest national carrier, has made its debut with the inaugural passenger flight to London Heathrow (LHR) on 26 October. Flight RX401 departed Riyadh King Khalid International Airport at 3:26 am local time and landed at LHR six hours and 48 minutes later, marking a significant milestone for the airline. The flight carried Riyadh Air and Public Investment Fund staff, partners, and invited guests, with plans to operate daily services between Riyadh and London. The airline aims to connect Saudi Arabia to 100 destinations worldwide within five years, aligning with Vision 2030. The next scheduled route is expected to be Dubai. Riyadh Air has placed significant orders with Boeing and Airbus, and its innovative loyalty program, Sfeer, offers shared points and exclusive benefits.
Ryanair expands to boost Jordan’s Tourism
Ryanair has unveiled its largest-ever winter schedule for Amman, with more than 300,000 seats across 18 routes connecting 12 European countries. The expansion marks a complete return to pre-pandemic operations, with 84 weekly flights from Amman and year-round connections to Aqaba, highlighting confidence in Jordan’s tourism potential. The low cost carrier’s strategic investment proposal aims to elevate Jordan’s connectivity, targeting 3 million seats by 2028, 50 direct routes, and new services from Marka Airport. The partnership with Jordan’s government and tourism board aims to position Jordan as a popular Middle East tourism hub, boosting economic growth and creating jobs through increased tourism and aviation infrastructure development.
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Noteworthy
- Abu Dhabi Airports has reported its 18th consecutive quarter of double-digit passenger growth, welcoming 8.49 million passengers between July and September 2025, a 10.1% increase, driven by strong performance at Zayed International Airport and supported by new connections and partnerships.
- Flydubai has signed seven new interline agreements, expanding its global reach and allowing passengers to travel seamlessly to over 300 destinations across Asia and Europe, with enhanced connectivity to popular tourist spots and better travel flexibility.
- Oman Air has officially commenced their second daily flight to London with fares starting from OMR 119 (USD 309).
- Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia, is set to receive 12 new passenger aircraft and purchase cargo planes by 2026, as part of a larger order of 191 aircraft for Saudia and its subsidiary, flyadeal.
- Delta Air Lines is launching a new nonstop flight from Atlanta to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in fall 2026, as part of a strategic collaboration with Riyadh Air to strengthen their positions in the Middle East and support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
- Turkish Airlines has increased flights from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul to 14 weekly, from 26 October, offering two daily departures.
- Pegasus Airlines and Iberia have signed a codeshare agreement, expanding travel options for passengers across Türkiye, Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, with seamless connections to 13 destinations via Iberia flights and access to Pegasus’ domestic routes in Türkiye. Meanwhile, the airline has launched direct flights between Izmir, Türkiye, and Barcelona, Spain, from 24 October, operating twice weekly, with plans to add Sunday flights from 7 December.
- Royal Jordanian Airlines has expanded their Berlin-Amman service, offering a comfortable 4.5-hour flight with premium Crown Class seating and curated menus. Meanwhile Travelport is also expanding their distribution agreement with the airline to include NDC content.
- Oman just opened its doors to Eastern Europe with Salalah Airport’s first direct flight from Belarus, operated by Belavia Airlines.
- Sharjah Airport has reported its highest-ever quarterly passenger total, handling 5.1 million travellers in Q3 2025, a 16.7% increase, driven by new carriers and expanded regional connectivity, positioning it for a record-breaking year.
