Top 3 Headlines
Emirates expands AI strategy with OpenAI deal while launching new signature series
Emirates has entered a strategic collaboration with OpenAI to accelerate AI adoption across the airline, including the enterprise-wide rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise. The partnership will focus on developing practical use cases, building an internal AI champion network and creating an AI Centre of Excellence. Emirates says the initiative will help strengthen operations, address commercial challenges and enhance customer experience.
Separately, Emirates has also launched the Emirates Signature Series, a collection of authenticated, signed football jerseys from long-standing partner clubs such as Real Madrid, AC Milan and Arsenal. The jerseys, featuring signatures from players including Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric and Bukayo Saka, are available at the refurbished Emirates Official Store and Bootroom Collection outlets in Dubai. Proceeds will support the Emirates Airline Foundation and club-linked charitable initiatives.
Qatar Airways and Google test inflight AI film production
Qatar Airways and Google have launched the “Sky Studio Challenge,” an experiment that produced full AI-generated commercials during a single 15-hour flight from Doha to Atlanta AI filmmakers PJ Accetturo and Torey Kohara. The project used the airline’s high-speed, free Starlink connectivity, marking the first time films were generated, edited and published at 35,000ft .
The challenge relied on Google’s latest Gemini video and image models, and the airline says the activation demonstrates the practical capabilities of its expanding Starlink service, which supports data-heavy workflows normally limited to the ground. The finished films were uploaded before landing and are now available on Qatar Airways’ YouTube channel, with public engagement determining that ‘Above the Clouds’ was the winner.
Etihad expands Asia links with Vietnam partnership and new Tokyo A380 route
Etihad Airways is deepening its Asian network through a new codeshare and frequent-flyer partnership with Vietnam Airlines while also announcing A380 services to Tokyo from June 2026.
The codeshare adds seamless connections from Etihad’s Abu Dhabi-Hanoi service to key Vietnamese cities and wider Asian destinations, with loyalty members of Etihad Guest and Lotusmiles now able to earn and redeem miles across both networks. Vietnam Airlines passengers will also gain access to six destinations beyond Abu Dhabi, including Bahrain and Cairo.
Separately, Etihad will deploy its A380 on daily Abu Dhabi-Tokyo Narita flights from 16 June 2026, increasing capacity on a route with strong business and leisure demand. Tokyo joins the airline’s A380 network alongside London, Paris, Toronto and Singapore.
Noteworthy
- Qatar Airways is adding nearly 3,000 extra flights this winter, boosting frequencies to Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Shanghai and Singapore, plus more than 15 other key cities. The upgrades include more weekly flights and A380 service to Singapore, strengthening global connectivity via Doha.
- Kuwait Airways will operate four additional flights to London on 1, 21, 25 and 29 December to meet strong winter demand. The airline says London remains one of its most important and heavily booked routes.
- Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah airports processed 108.59 million passengers in the first nine months of 2025, with full-year traffic expected to reach around 159 million. DXB led with 70.1 million passengers, while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah both reported double-digit growth driven by new routes and airlines.
- Oman Air is offering up to 20% off Business and Economy fares to over 40 destinations for bookings made by 30 November 2025, for travel between 15 January and 31 March 2026. The airline will also resume Muscat-Zurich in summer 2026 with three weekly flights.
- Saudi Arabia is pushing ahead with electric air taxis. Partnering with Archer Aviation, Joby Aviation and Ehang, the plan is to roll out electric air taxis (eVTOLs) linking airports, city centres and Red Sea resorts. Saudi Arabia also plans to add three new airlines to its existing carriers Saudia, Riyadh Air, flynas and flyadeal to supercharge connectivity and tourism. One will be a low-cost carrier based in Dammam with a planned 45-aircraft fleet by 2030, another will be based in Madinah focused on religious tourism, while details of the third airline are still to be revealed.
- Etihad Airways has reported a strong October, carrying 2 million passengers, up 28% YoY, and maintaining an 88% load factor. The airline has now reached 18.1 million passengers year-to-date, supported by a growing fleet of 120 aircraft and a network exceeding 100 destinations.
