Top 3 Headlines
Virgin Australia returns to long-haul with daily Doha flights
Starting 12 June, Virgin Australia will re-enter the long-haul market in Qatar by operating daily Boeing 777-300ER flights to Doha, using aircraft and crew leased from Qatar Airways. The move allows Qatar Airways to expand in the Australian market without breaching bilateral limits. Services from Sydney launch first, followed by Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne, scaling the combined Virgin-Qatar network to 10 daily Australia-Doha flights by December. This strategic move boosts competition against Emirates and Singapore Airlines while reviving Virgin’s Middle East footprint after its exit from Abu Dhabi in 2017.
World’s first luxury private aviation postgrad program takes off
Les Roches and Jetex have launched the first postgraduate program in luxury private aviation, starting September 2025. The one-year course spans Marbella, Crans-Montana, and Abu Dhabi, blending Swiss academic instruction with Jetex-hosted internships in the UAE, a global hub for private aviation.
The program equips students with real-world skills in guest services, flight coordination, and aviation leadership. Graduates benefit from job placement opportunities at Jetex, access to Les Roches’ global alumni network, and a fast-track into one of hospitality’s fastest-growing sectors. Applications are now open for candidates under 30 with a university degree.
Turkish Airlines soars to record-breaking 1,369 daily flights
Turkish Airlines has set a new all-time high with 1,369 scheduled flights in a single day, surpassing its previous record of 1,292. CEO Bilal Eksi celebrated the milestone as a sign of Türkiye’s aviation growth and the airline’s rising global stature. Operating in 131 countries with a fleet of 477 aircraft, Turkish Airlines is now among the world’s most connected carriers and was recently valued at $1.98 billion by BrandDirectory.
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Noteworthy:
- Flynas plans major expansion across its four operational hubs (Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Dammam) to boost capacity and connectivity while expanding its summer schedule.
- Qatar Airways teams up Chef Ross Lusted, the owner of a top Sydney restaurant to elevate inflight dining with premium Australian cuisine at 30,000ft.
- Queen Alia International Airport has welcomed new SunExpress flights between Antalya and Amman enhancing travel links between Jordan and Turkey.
- Airbus will showcase an A321XLR in full Riyadh Air livery at the Paris Air Show 2025, highlighting their growing partnership.
- Oman Air is set to join the Oneworld alliance on June 30, 2025, granting members access to its route map and reciprocal tier benefits after a years-long membership process.
- Sharjah Airport marked Eid Al Adha with cultural celebrations and seamless travel services, including fresh floral arrangements, thoughtfully curated souvenirs and decor for arriving guests.
- Air Nostrum has launched seasonal summer routes linking Spain and Morocco. The Malaga-Tangier route will operate twice per week until 28 June, three times per week from 1-18 July, and five times per week between 19 July and 31 August.
- DAE Capital has leased two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Royal Air Maroc as part of the Moroccan airline’s fleet modernisation strategy.
- Bahrain has become the first all-A350 destination in the Emirates network, reflecting a shift towards modernised fleet deployment.
- Etihad Airways is boosting connectivity with Pakistan by increasing its Abu Dhabi-Karachi flight frequencies to four daily, while also expanding its global reach through a strategic codeshare partnership with Ethiopian Airlines.
