Global air travel demand saw modest growth in February, with a 2.6% year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, new routes include Saudia’s increased frequencies between Saudi Arabia and London, and Turkish Airlines’ reconnecting Turkey with Syria. Flynas is set for an IPO on the Saudi bourse, and Morocco has announced a $1.5 billion expansion of Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport. Abu Dhabi Aviation will also introduce electric air taxi services with Archer’s ‘Midnight’ aircraft, and British Airways is boosting Saudi-UK connectivity with increased flights.

Gatwick to Bahrain flights launched ahead of Grand Prix

F1 fans can now fly directly from Gatwick Airport to Bahrain thanks to Gulf Air. The three-times-weekly service, which began on March 30, will transport fans from Sussex to the Arabian Gulf island, with over 100,000 expected to attend the Bahrain International Circuit. The new route is a first for Gatwick and will provide greater connectivity to the Middle East, with British fans set to travel in support of drivers Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and George Russell.

IATA launches sustainable aviation fuel registry

IATA has launched a global Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry, aimed at accelerating the aviation industry’s decarbonisation efforts. The platform enables airlines and stakeholders to record SAF transactions transparently, facilitating the development of a global SAF market and supporting the industry’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. With over 30 early users already onboarding, the registry is set to play a critical role in the transition to more sustainable aviation practices, and will operate on a cost-recovery basis under the Civil Aviation Decarbonisation Organisation (CADO) from April 2027.

Emirates’ new MEL-DXB flight and express delivery solution

Emirates has introduced a third daily non-stop flight between Melbourne and Dubai, featuring its newly retrofitted four-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The aircraft includes six First Class suites (featuring floor-to-ceiling privacy doors, virtual windows, and fully flat beds), 38 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 256 Economy Class seats, with Melbourne being the first Australian city to offer Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin across all its services.

In addition, the carrier has launched Emirates Courier Express, a new end-to-end express delivery solution designed to provide faster, direct global deliveries. With average delivery times under 48 hours, the service uses Emirates’ extensive global network and high flight frequencies to reduce transit time and handling. Initially launched in seven markets, Emirates Courier Express has the potential to expand to any destination within Emirates’ flight network.

Saudia enhances European connectivity with seasonal flights to Vienna and Athens​

Saudia has initiated direct seasonal flights to Vienna, Austria, and Athens, Greece, as part of its European network expansion strategy. The Vienna service operates three times weekly from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, with plans to include departures from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport starting in June. Similarly, the Athens route offers three weekly flights from Riyadh, with Jeddah flights commencing in June 2025. These additions are among 11 new destinations Saudia plans to introduce this year, including Venice, Nice, Malaga, and Bali.

Qatar Airways to resume Doha-Kigali flights

Qatar Airways will restart its Doha to Kigali flights on 14 May 2025, ending a three-year suspension and reintroducing vital connectivity to Rwanda’s capital. The airline will operate four weekly flights using the 168-seat Airbus A320-200, replacing the larger Boeing 787-8 previously used on the route. With annual outbound capacity from this route potentially contributing up to 2.5% of Rwanda’s 2023 tourist arrivals, the development offers significant potential for travel professionals looking to build tailored itineraries that highlight Rwanda’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultural appeal.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launches direct flights to Bucharest Băneasa and Varna

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has expanded its Eastern European network by introducing direct flights to Bucharest Băneasa Airport in Romania and Varna in Bulgaria. Flights to Bucharest Băneasa operate four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while services to Varna are available three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Oman Air receives approval for Muscat-Tashkent flights

On 2 April 2025, the Uzbekistan Aviation Agency granted Oman Air an operating permit to commence regular flights between Muscat and Tashkent. This approval stems from the bilateral air travel agreement between Uzbekistan and Oman. The airline plans to operate these flights using Boeing 737 aircraft. This development is expected to enhance connectivity between the two nations, fostering increased travel and economic ties.

Pegasus Airlines to launch direct flights from Graz to Istanbul

Pegasus Airlines has announced the introduction of a new direct service connecting Graz Airport (GRZ) in Austria to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) in Turkey, starting 30 May 2025. The airline will operate three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays using Airbus A320 aircraft. Wolfgang Grimus, CEO of Graz Airport, noted that this route not only provides direct access to Istanbul’s rich cultural and historical attractions but also offers onward connections to over 30 destinations within Turkey and international locations.

flynas receives approval for 30% IPO on Saudi Exchange​

Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has approved flynas to list 30% of its shares on the Saudi Exchange. The airline will offer 51,255,568 shares, with a prospectus detailing financial statements and management information to be published before the subscription period. In 2023, flynas reported revenues of SAR6.3 billion (USD1.68 billion), a 32% increase from the previous year. The airline’s major shareholders include Kingdom Holding Company (37%) and the Public Investment Fund (17%). Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, owner of Kingdom Holding, indicated that the IPO aims to raise approximately SAR7.5 billion (USD2 billion). This development aligns with flynas’s plans to expand its fleet, following recent orders for Airbus aircraft.

SalamAir reports 78% on-time performance in Q1 2025, with strong March rebound

SalamAir has released its On-Time Performance (OTP) results for the first quarter of 2025, reporting a 78% OTP across 3,156 flights and 748,269 passengers. This figure marks a 10% decline from Q4 2024, attributed primarily to adverse weather and flight diversions in January and February. March performance, however, reached 92%, significantly above the global benchmark of 85%, demonstrating the airline’s recovery. CEO Adrian Hamilton-Manns acknowledged the early-year challenges and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to transparency and customer communication. SalamAir began publishing OTP results in Q3 2024 and plans to continue quarterly updates. OTP figures include all delay causes, offering customers a clear view of airline reliability.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to launch direct flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced the introduction of a new non-stop route connecting Zayed International Airport to Almaty, Kazakhstan, starting 3 June 2025. The service will operate three times a week, enhancing connectivity between the UAE and Kazakhstan. Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, stated that this expansion reflects the airline’s commitment to providing affordable and reliable travel options while supporting Abu Dhabi’s growth as a hub for tourism and business. With the addition of Almaty, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi now serves 30 destinations directly from Zayed International Airport, offering travellers a broad range of regional and international travel options.

Cairo International Airport reports passenger traffic growth for March 2025

In March 2025, Cairo International Airport experienced a notable increase in air traffic, handling a total of 2,289,881 passengers across 18,154 flights. This represents a 7% rise in passenger numbers and a 2% increase in flights compared to March 2024. Departing passengers numbered 1,089,892 on 9,059 flights, while arrivals reached 1,199,989 on 9,095 flights, marking an 8% growth in arriving passengers.

Riyadh Air partners with Viasat for free in-flight connectivity on Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Riyadh Air has selected Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, to provide complimentary in-flight connectivity for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. Powered by Viasat’s advanced, multi-orbit satellite network, the service will offer loyalty members seamless streaming, web browsing, and gaming from gate to gate. Non-members can access the service by enrolling onboard through a brief sign-up process.

Earlier this week…

Global air travel demand sees modest growth in February

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a 2.6% year-on-year increase in global passenger demand for February 2025, with international demand rising 5.6%. However, domestic demand fell 1.9% and air cargo demand declined 0.1% compared to February 2024. IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, notes that factors such as the leap year and lunar new year affected traffic growth, and warns of concerns over rising trade tensions.

flydubai resumes direct flights between Dubai and Pisa

flydubai has announced the resumption of direct flights between Dubai and Pisa, starting from 1 April 2025. The airline will operate three flights per week from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB) to Pisa International Airport (PSA). This service allows travellers to explore Italy’s Tuscany region and offers passengers from Italy access to flydubai’s extensive network, including destinations like Mombasa, Langkawi, Penang, the Maldives, Salalah, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar. The low cost carrier now serves five destinations in Italy: Catania, Milan-Bergamo, Naples, Olbia (seasonal), and Pisa. The airline’s network spans over 130 destinations across 55 countries, utilising a fleet of 88 Boeing 737 aircraft. ​

Turkish Airlines expands routes

Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary AJet are set to reconnect Turkey with Syria, with AJet launching direct flights from Istanbul and Ankara to Damascus starting 21 April 2025. This move follows Turkish Airlines’ reinstatement of its Istanbul-Damascus route in January, indicating improving conditions for international travel to Syria.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines has also introduced flights to Ohrid, North Macedonia, its second destination in the country after Skopje. The airline operates four weekly reciprocal flights between Istanbul Airport and Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport, aiming to boost tourism, business, and cultural exchanges with this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Saudia expands global reach

Saudia has secured 14 weekly slots at London Heathrow Airport through a lease agreement with Virgin Atlantic, enabling the airline to increase its flight frequencies between Saudi Arabia and London. The carrier has also launched a scheduled service to Bali, its second destination in Indonesia, with three weekly flights from Jeddah. This launch is part of Saudia’s 2025 expansion plan, which includes introducing 11 new destinations and increasing its global footprint to over 100 destinations. The airline has also reported a 10% increase in passengers, with expanded flight services and increased connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Saudia’s expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy, aiming to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030, and create 1.6 million jobs.

flynas set for IPO on Saudi bourse

Saudi low-cost carrier flynas has received regulatory approval to float nearly a third of its shares on the Saudi stock exchange. The airline will sell 51.3 million shares, equivalent to 30% of its stock, in an initial public offering (IPO) on the Saudi bourse. The approval is valid for six months, and Flynas has already secured a sharia-compliant loan to acquire new aircraft. The IPO is the latest in a series of listings on the Saudi bourse, with Flynas reporting a 32% increase in annual revenue to SAR6.3 billion ($1.7 billion) in 2023.

Morocco announces $1.5 billion expansion of Casablanca Mohammed V Airport

Morocco will invest $1.5 billion to expand Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport, aiming to boost capacity and support tourism growth. The project, approved by King Mohammed VI, is part of a broader $4.6 billion plan to upgrade airport infrastructure across the country. Upon completion, the airport will accommodate 40 million passengers annually, up from its current capacity of 10 million. Key components include a new Terminal 3, expansion of existing terminals, and upgrades to runways and support infrastructure. The investment supports Morocco’s ambition to attract 26 million tourists annually by 2030. The airport, managed by ONDA, is a hub for Royal Air Maroc and plays a vital role in linking Africa to Europe and the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi Aviation to introduce electric air taxi services with Archer’s ‘Midnight’ aircraft

Abu Dhabi Aviation has partnered with Archer Aviation to launch electric air taxi services in the UAE, utilizing Archer’s ‘Midnight’ eVTOL aircraft. The initiative aims to provide rapid, point-to-point transportation on busy routes, such as between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, reducing travel times to under 30 minutes. The ‘Midnight’ aircraft is designed for short urban trips, accommodating a pilot and four passengers, and is noted for being significantly quieter than traditional helicopters. This collaboration reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to advancing urban air mobility and integrating sustainable transportation solutions into its infrastructure.

British Airways boosts Saudi-UK connectivity

British Airways is increasing its Riyadh to London Heathrow service from seven to 13 flights per week for the summer season, offering customers more flexibility and onward connections within its global network. The expansion will provide over 80,000 additional seats, strengthening connections between the UK and Saudi Arabia, and supporting growing demand from business and leisure travellers.