This week in aviation, several notable developments highlight the industry’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and expanding global connectivity. From new unique culinary initiatives to exciting new partnerships and route expansions, the sector continues to adapt and thrive. Here’s the latest.

Turkish Airlines serves ‘first bread’ and announces new flights

Turkish Airlines will serve passengers the ‘first bread’ made from wheat sourced from Göbeklitepe, an ancient site in Şanlıurfa, Türkiye. Göbeklitepe, believed to be the birthplace of agriculture, is famous for its archaeological significance, dating back 12,000 years. This unique offering aims to enhance the passenger experience by providing a taste of Turkey’s rich baking traditions.

The airline has also announced four new flights per week from Istanbul to Santiago, Chile which will include a stopover in Brazil. In another milestone, Turkish Airlines has secured its first sustainability loan to fund two A321NEO aircraft, reinforcing its commitment to eco-friendly practices and financial growth in a competitive market.

Etihad celebrates 20 years in India

Etihad Airways is commemorating two decades of operations in India, a key market that has seen substantial growth in air travel demand. Since its inaugural flight to Mumbai in 2004, Etihad has expanded its services to more than 50 flights per week to India and 11 gateways in India. In celebration, the airline will be using its Airbus A380 between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi three times per week until the end of 2024. 

Emirates supports Asia Rugby and celebrates Oktoberfest 

Emirates Airlines has announced its support for Asia Rugby, becoming the title sponsor in a multi-year deal aiming to broaden the sport’s appeal across 36 countries in the region. By investing in rugby, Emirates seeks to engage a diverse audience and promote active lifestyles. Concurrently, the airline is celebrating Oktoberfest onboard and in its lounges, offering passengers a taste of German culture with themed meals and festivities between 21 September and 6 October. This dual initiative not only enhances the travel experience but also reinforces Emirates’ commitment to cultural events and sports, connecting with travellers on multiple levels.

This also comes at a time where Emirates is adding a fourth daily flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, from 1 March, 2025.  This new service, operated on a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, will provide an additional 708 seats per day. Emirates has established a strong partnership with South African Airways and expanded cargo capacity, supporting the local economy and tourism industry.

Gulf Air adjusts Singapore services  

Gulf Air has announced the discontinuation of its Singapore-Bangkok flights, a strategic move in response to shifting demand patterns. While the airline aims to optimise its operations, it will continue to serve Singapore with a direct daily route to Bahrain. Passengers affected by this change can still choose this route through Singapore Airlines, Thai Lion Ai, Thai Airways, and Jetstar Asia. 

Air Sial expands to Saudi Arabia

Air Sial has launched new flights to Saudi Arabia, enhancing connectivity for travellers from Pakistan. With a focus on comfort and affordability, Air Sial aims to provide a reliable option for passengers seeking to travel for business or leisure. The flights starting from 30 October will land and depart from Riyadh twice per week. The new routes are expected to foster stronger ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, catering to a significant expatriate population.

flyadeal launches flights to Iraq

Saudi airline flyadeal has commenced new flights to various Iraqi destinations, responding to increasing travel demand in the region. In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency, the airline said, “the company intends to increase the number of flights and make them daily to include and extend to all Iraqi airports in order to accommodate the large numbers of Iraqi pilgrims and visit the multiple options and flights in order to facilitate the departure of Iraqi citizens wishing to perform Umrah and visit the Kingdom.”

Qatar Airways partners with UEFA and implements pager bans

Qatar Airways has become the official airline partner of UEFA Champions League, further solidifying its presence in global sports sponsorship. This partnership is designed to enhance brand visibility and engage with football fans worldwide. To celebrate, UEFA Champions League fans can get exclusive promotions with up to 12% off on fares from the Qatar Airways Privilege Club. 

In a separate development, the airline has also implemented a ban on walkie-talkies and pagers on board, as a precautionary measure in light of recent security concerns in the region. This includes in carry-on and checked luggage. These actions reflect Qatar Airways’ commitment to passenger safety while fostering strong ties with the sports community.

Dubai begins air taxi station construction  

Dubai is set to begin construction on its first air taxi station, marking a significant step towards integrating urban air mobility into the city’s transportation infrastructure. This innovative project is expected to revolutionise urban travel by offering a faster and more efficient way to navigate the city.

The air taxi initiative which will see four-seat aircraft capable of speeds up to 320km/h and aligns with Dubai’s vision of becoming a leader in smart city technologies. As construction progresses, residents and visitors can look forward to a new era of aerial transport in 2026. 

Saudia unveils new lounge

Saudia has introduced a luxurious First and Business-class check-in lounge at its Jeddah hub in Terminal 1 of the King Abdulaziz International Airport. The new lounge offer a range of amenities, including gourmet dining options and private areas for relaxation, ensuring comfort before flights. Most importantly the lounge will have 10 dedicated check-in counters to streamline the travel experience for its premium passengers.  

Riyadh Air partners with Sutherland  

Riyadh Air has announced a partnership with digital transformation leader Sutherland to become the world’s first fully digital airline. Aimed at streamlining its business processes as it prepares for launch next year, Riyadh Air will leverage Sutherland’s expertise in operational and financial excellence as it works to expand to 100 destinations by 2030. 

Direct Bhutan to Dubai flights started twice per week

Royal Bhutan Airlines, Drukair, has launched a new direct route between Dubai and Paro, Bhutan, starting on 28 October, with two weekly flights. This route aims to strengthen connectivity and boost tourism between Bhutan and Dubai, especially targeting travellers from the UAE and GCC regions. The launch event included notable officials and representatives from Bhutan and Dubai. Drukair also plans to introduce direct Kuwait to Bhutan flights by next summer, further expanding its network in the Gulf region.