Top 3 Headlines
Emirates and flydubai go big
The Dubai Airshow 2025 delivered headline-grabbing aircraft deals, with Emirates placing a massive US$ 38 billion order for 65 additional Boeing 777-9s, while flydubai made history by ordering up to 150 Airbus A321neos, its first-ever Airbus purchase and a strategic shift away from its exclusively Boeing narrowbody fleet. Building on the momentum, Emirates also announced plans to equip all 232 of its Boeing 777s and A380s with free, ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi, completing retrofits by mid-2027 to create the world’s largest Starlink-enabled wide-body fleet. Meanwhile, sustainability took centre stage as Dubai Airports, dnata and flydubai unveiled a world-first “Sustainability Showcase”, demonstrating how a fully eco-efficient aircraft turnaround can be achieved through low-emission equipment, biofuels, and innovative ground operations.
Etihad Airways expands fleet with 32 Airbus aircraft order
Etihad Airways has announced a major expansion of its widebody fleet with 32 additional Airbus aircraft, including A350-1000s, A350F freighters, and A330-900s, with deliveries starting in 2027. This follows an earlier agreement for 28 Boeing widebody aircraft, bringing Etihad’s total new widebody orders for 2025 to 60. The airline’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, said the move demonstrates Etihad’s agility and expansion model, securing early access to scarce long-haul capacity and supporting the airline’s growth trajectory. The new aircraft will feature Etihad’s next-generation First, Business, and Economy cabins, as well as Viasat high-speed internet, ensuring a world-class product experience for passengers.
Flyadeal crew soar as licensed tour guides – a regional first!
Flyadeal has introduced cabin crew as certified tour guides in a groundbreaking regional initiative. Ten crew members have completed comprehensive training in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, enabling them to promote the Kingdom’s culture and history to international visitors. This pioneering program aims to support Saudi Arabia’s goal of welcoming 150 million visitors by 2030, as part of its economic diversification strategy. The airline’s CEO, Steven Greenway, said the program demonstrates flyadeal’s efforts to support the Kingdom’s tourism industry, with crew members serving as frontline cultural representatives.
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Noteworthy
- Gulf Air has finalized a firm order for 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options for three more, expanding its international network and strengthening long-haul operations, with the agreement signed at the Dubai Airshow.
- Airbus forecasts the Middle East’s in-service fleet will more than double from 1,480 aircraft in 2024 to 3,700 by 2044, driven by strong passenger traffic growth of 4.4% annually and a need for 4,080 new aircraft deliveries, including 1,700 widebody jets, over the next 20 years.
- Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Jordan reported a 23.8% surge in passenger traffic to 836,066 in October 2025, with year-to-date passenger numbers reaching 8.1 million, a 9% increase from the same period last year.
- Red Sea International Airport (RSI) has partnered with Enova, a joint venture between Majid Al Futtaim and Veolia, to manage the airport’s facilities maintenance, focusing on sustainability and efficiency, and creating around 250 local jobs.
- Oman Airports has become the first airport operator globally to roll out Wi-Fi 7, offering faster speeds, stronger security, and more reliable connectivity across the country’s airports, in partnership with Huawei.
- Kuwait Airways has signed a joint cooperation agreement with the Visit Kuwait platform to support and develop tourism in Kuwait, offering exclusive travel deals and highlighting the country’s tourist, cultural, and social attractions.
- Qatar Airways has equipped over 100 widebody aircraft with Starlink’s high-speed Wi-Fi, ahead of schedule, offering passengers fast and seamless connectivity on over 200 daily flights to key destinations.
- Middle East Airlines (MEA) has launched a new low-cost carrier, expected to boost Lebanon’s tourism by offering affordable flights to key international destinations, making the country’s cultural, historical, and natural attractions more accessible.
