Top 3 Headlines
Aisle-rushers beware on flights to Türkiye
Türkiye has introduced fines of up to $70 for airline passengers who unbuckle seat belts, stand, or open overhead bins before the aircraft has come to a complete stop. This means the sport of who can unbuckle and stand in the aisle the quickest has come to an end. The new civil aviation rules have come into place after passenger complaints and while enforcement is yet to be seen, the policy sends a clear message, sit tight, stay buckled, and wait your turn, or risk paying the price.
Emirates expands network, creates football ties, and brings in passenger perks
Emirates will resume flights to Damascus from 16 July, over a decade after suspending operations in 2012. Starting with three weekly flights and expanding to daily by late October, the route will be served by a Boeing 777-200LR. The carrier has also expanded its East Asia footprint with two new routes via Bangkok to Da Nang, Vietnam, and Siem Reap, Cambodia
The carrier recently signed a sponsorship deal with Al Ain FC ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the US. The partnership includes branding on kits, stadium visibility, and exclusive hospitality rights, reinforcing Emirates’ long-standing support for UAE football and its wider global sports sponsorship strategy.
Finally, to mark Eid Al Adha, Emirates is offering free ice cream to passengers at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 every weekend through to 20 July, with red-striped carts serving mango, chocolate, strawberry, passionfruit and raspberry flavours from noon to 6pm.
Etihad upgrades Sydney route with A350 and private suites
Etihad Airways will introduce its Airbus A350-1000 on Sydney-Abu Dhabi flights starting 1 October 2025, fully replacing current aircraft by the end of January 2026. The new A350 features 44 Business Class suites with sliding doors, lie-flat beds, wireless charging, and 327 upgraded Economy seats.
This shift boosts premium seat capacity by over 20%, improving comfort and privacy on the popular route. The A350 offers 25% lower fuel burn, enhancing sustainability while delivering a next-gen experience for travellers heading to Australia and beyond.
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Noteworthy …
- Gulf Air has introduced new amenity kits in collaboration with Bahraini brand GAIA, featuring sustainable materials and Rituals of Jing skincare products to mark the airline’s 75th anniversary. Plus, after a 13-year hiatus, Gulf Air is resuming direct flights between Bahrain and Nairobi five times a week.
- Jazeera Airways is preparing to restart direct flights from Kuwait to Damascus, aiming to reconnect communities and meet the demand from the 200,000-strong Syrian expatriate population in Kuwait.
- IATA’s 82nd Annual General Meeting will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 6 to 8 June 2026, hosted by LATAM Airlines Group.
- On 22 May 2025, Bahrain Airport Services honoured over 160 employees with 10 to 35 years of service during its Annual Employee Long Service Award Ceremony at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain.
- Cebu Pacific will lease two Airbus A320 aircraft to Saudi’s flyadeal during July and August 2025, allowing both airlines to optimise capacity during their respective peak seasons.
- EgyptAir has extended leases on five Boeing 777-300ERs until November 2026 and is refurbishing cabins on 19 Boeing 737-800s and two Airbus A330-200s.
- Royal Jordanian has accepted its first Airbus A320neo from lessor Avolon, marking a significant step in modernising its fleet and improving fuel efficiency.
- Riyadh Air has announced a strategic partnership with Air France, aiming to expand its global network and offer enhanced connectivity to passengers.
- Ethiopian Airlines has launched a new passenger flight service to Sharjah, UAE, increasing its presence in the Middle East.
- Flydubai has officially become the first UAE carrier to resume flights to Damascus after a 12-year hiatus.
