Top 3 Headlines
Air China launches direct Beijing Capital – Abu Dhabi service
Air China has inaugurated a new four-times-weekly direct service between Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Zayed International Airport (AUH), using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The route enhances air connectivity between the UAE and China, linking one of the world’s largest carriers with Abu Dhabi’s fast-growing airport, which welcomed a record 32.5 million passengers in 2025. The new service anchors Abu Dhabi’s role as a strategic westbound gateway for Chinese airlines and offers expanded access via both of Beijing’s main international gateways (PEK and PKX).
New codeshare partnerships
Turkish Airlines and Air Montenegro have formalized a codeshare partnership, enhancing connectivity between Turkey and Montenegro, with Turkish Airlines placing its code on Air Montenegro’s Istanbul-Tivat/Podgorica services and Air Montenegro reciprocating on Turkish services to Dubai and Baku. Meanwhile, Oman Air has expanded its codeshare with Royal Jordanian to include US-bound services, adding American city links to its network from mid-January.
Riyadh opens International Terminal 2 at King Khalid Airport
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor (Emir) of Riyadh Region, has inaugurated International Terminal 2 at King Khalid International Airport (RUH), marking completion of upgrades to both International Terminals 1 and 2. The expansion boosts combined annual capacity from around six million to roughly 14 million passengers and enhances infrastructure, passenger experience and operational efficiency in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
Noteworthy
- Etihad has announced scheduled operations to Charlotte, North Carolina, beginning in March, reinforcing transatlantic connectivity.
- Gulf Air will introduce seasonal services to Málaga and Al-Alamein in its 2026 summer network plan. Also, the airline has announced the roll out of Starlink high-speed internet across its entire fleet from mid-2026.
- Kuwait Air has unveiled 11 destinations for its 2026 summer schedule, expanding its leisure and regional connectivity footprint.
- SalamAir has operated its first flight to Port Sudan, opening new access to Sudan’s Red Sea region.
- Oman is moving ahead with plans to introduce an air-taxi service by 2027, aimed at boosting domestic and regional urban air mobility.
- Pegasus Airlines has launched direct flights between Istanbul and Ljubljana. Slovenia is the airline’s 55th country in its growing network of international destinations.
- flyadeal reported a 33% rise in passenger numbers for 2025, exceeding 10 million travelers as it expands its route network and operations.
- flynas has confirmed six new scheduled routes in its 2026 network expansion and introduced a new preferred seat selection service branded “Find My View”.
- Tickets are now available for the upcoming Farnborough International Airshow, the industry’s flagship aerospace event.
