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.

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.