From a phasing out a particular first class to additional routes, record-breaking passenger numbers and airport redevelopment, the Middle East aviation scene is anything but quiet.
Emirates Group celebrates female Emirati talent
The Emirates Group is celebrating Emirati women’s achievements in aviation and travel. Comprising 38% of the Emirati workforce, with a record number joining last year, the Group has also seen a 20% growth in Emirati women in leadership roles, with more than 200 in senior positions.
To support their growth, the Group offers mentorship and training programs, including leadership programs with top universities. They’re committed to female representation and advancement, partnering with organizations like Nafis and PwC Academy.
flyadeal celebrates 30 million passengers with up to 30% off all flights
flyadeal is celebrating flying 30 million passengers with a 3-day sale offering up to 30% off all routes. Valid for travel between 1 September and 31 December 2024, bookings must be made by 29 August. The airline reached the 30 millionth passenger milestone on 26 August and rewarded the passenger, Abdulaziz Al Zahrani with a SAR1,000 travel voucher. Since launching in 2017, the carrier has grown rapidly, now operating 33 aircraft across 30 domestic and international destinations, with plans for further expansion.
Commenting on the occasion, Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal said, βItβs been a fantastic journey reaching the momentous 30 million passenger mark in just a short few years, demonstrating consumer confidence in flyadeal as we continue to fulfill our mandate of supporting national efforts to make flying accessible and enjoyable for all. In celebration, our promotional offer of up to 30 per cent fare savings on every domestic and international route over three days is a big thank you to all our customers and a welcome to first-time fliers to experience flyadeal.β
Oman Air unveils Business Studio, receives B787-9, offers up to 30% off flights
In response to changing demands and global consumer trends, Oman Air is introducing a new Business Studio cabin, replacing its First Class product, The Business Studio will offer a spacious layout and lie-flat seats; Wi-Fi connectivity; affordable fares and redefined service approach. Notable features include 82″ pitch; privacy walls; 23″ personal screen and Γ la carte dining. The new cabin will be available on London and Bangkok services from 9 September 2024.
Meanwhile, the airlines has received its first Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner of the year, with two more to follow. This addition brings the airline’s Dreamliner fleet to ten, with eight more scheduled to arrive by 2027. The new aircraft features a two-class layout and will be deployed across key routes, supporting Oman Air’s focus on financial sustainability, premium experience, and advancing Oman’s tourism and connectivity goals.
Until 5 September, travellers can enjoy up to 25% off business and economy class tickets across Oman Air’s entire network. Travel must be completed between 1 September 2024 and 31 March 2025.
Qatar Airways partners with Maldivian
Qatar Airways has partnered with Maldivian, the national carrier of the Maldives to offer passengers the ability to book both Qatar Airways and Maldivian flights in the one booking, with the option to include domestic flights to 17 destinations in the Maldives. This interline partnership provides a smooth connection at Velana International Airport, with coordinated flight schedules and competitive fares. The partnership aims to boost tourism to the Maldives, offering travelers more choice and enhanced access to the country’s islands.
UAE airports traffic surge, while national carriers fly to 606 destinations
According to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), UAE airport passenger traffic surged 14.2% in H1 2024, with 71.75 million passengers compared to 62.79 million in the same period last year. With growth driven by infrastructure investments, digital transformation, and regulatory enhancements, key stats include arrivals of 20.27 million passengers, departures of 21.09 million; transit passengers of 30.39 million and air cargo traffic of 2.16 million tonnes. GCAA aims to expand and grow the sector, ensuring safety and security.
Adding to the growth, the UAE’s national carriers are expanding, serving 606 destinations gloabbly, a 3.4% YoY increase; and passenger traffic is projected to reach 140 million. Etihad aims to reach 125 destinations by 2030 and has added 10 new destinations this year, while Emirates is also increasing capacity, introducing upgraded Boeing 777 aircraft to select routes and modernising 80 more planes. flydubai is adding seven new aircraft and 130+ pilots by year-end, and adding new routes to Basel, Riga and Tallinn; and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is expanding its operations with a modern fleet to meet increasing demand.
Dubai Airports expecting influx, recognises youth contributors
Dubai Airports has introduced a new “Youth Award” category in its annual oneDXB Chairman’s Awards to recognize and nurture the next generation of aviation leaders. The award acknowledges their contributions to creating an exceptional guest experience at Dubai International Airport. The announcement was made at an event organized by the oneDXB youth committee, where young talent gathered to connect, collaborate, and showcase their role in shaping the future of aviation. The event included team-building activities, design thinking training, and insights from leaders on the importance of youth in driving progress and innovation.
Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expecting 3.43 million passengers between 21 Aug and 2 Sep, with average daily traffic of 264,000 passengers and the peak day being 1 Sep with 291,000 passengers.
Emirates prepares to welcome high volume of unaccompanied minors
Emirates has been preparing for a busy period with its Unaccompanied Minors Service, with more than 900 children expected to travel solo. The service ensures a safe and supervised journey for children aged 5-11, from check-in to destination. It includes a dedicated lounge with games, Wi-Fi, and snacks; support from trained Emirates specialists throughout the journey; priority boarding and introduction to cabin crew; in-flight entertainment and meals; assistance with special dietary requirements and seat preferences; and even a polaroid photo as a keepsake.
Parents can book the service up to 12 hours before departure, and children aged 12-15 can also use the service for an additional fee. Emirates has transported over 120,000 unaccompanied minors in the past 5 years, with the majority being British, Indian, American, Filipino, and French nationals.
Turkish Airlines adds 25 new routes, launches sports subsidiary, finances in Yuan
Turkish Airlines is expanding its route network with 25 new destinations, including 23 international cities across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, and two new domestic destinations within Turkey. The carrier has also launched a new sports subsidiary, THY Spor Anonim Εirketi, to manage and expand its sports activities. The company will oversee sports activities previously handled by the THY Sports Club, providing a more formal structure. Not only does the move solidifies Turkish Airlines’ presence in the sports industry, but it also marks a strategic shift for the airline, leveraging its brand into the sports world and formalizing its sports-related ventures.
Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines has become the first non-Chinese carrier to finance aircraft purchases in Chinese Yuan, diversifying its foreign exchange portfolio and strengthening its position in the Chinese market. The airline financed three new Airbus A350s in yuan through Chinese leasing companies, demonstrating growing Turkey-China cooperation in aviation. They have also just successfully completed financing two Airbus A350 aircraft in Swiss Franc, with KfW IPEX-Bank under the support of European Export Credit Agencies.
Riyadh Airport breaks passenger traffic records
King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh set a new record for passenger traffic, handling 3.5 million passengers in July 2024, a 400,000 increase from the previous record in June. The airport also saw a single-day record of 130,000 passengers on 1 August. Despite global aviation challenges, KKIA maintained high on-time departure rates (88% in June, 84% in July) and achieved a 91% seat occupancy rate in July, showcasing its operational efficiency and commitment to service excellence.
Hamad International Airport breaks record
Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) had its busiest month ever in July 2024, serving 4.73 million passengers, a 10.2% increase from last year. This surge was driven by increased flight frequencies, Qatar Airways’ expanded network, and seasonal summer operations. Aircraft movement rose by 3.9%, with a high load factor of 82.8%, indicating efficient capacity utilization. The top destinations were London, Bangkok, and Dubai, with India, the US, and Saudi Arabia being the top countries. This milestone solidifies DOH’s position as a leading global aviation hub.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport project advances
The King Salman International Airport Development Company has signed contracts with four major contractors: Foster+Partners (design), Jacobs (engineering), Mace (construction), and Nera (air traffic management). The project involves redeveloping the existing King Khalid International Airport into a larger airport with six runways and new terminals, covering 57 square kilometers. This is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’ program, which aims to invest up to $100 billion in transportation infrastructure.
flynas adds three new cities, launches revamped app and graduates 170 pilots
From 1 September, flynas will operate direct flights between Saudi Arabia and UAE, connecting Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, and Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah – becoming the only Saudi airline serving four major UAE airports, and offering more than 1,500 weekly flights to more than 70 destinations.
The carrier has also launched a revamped mobile app with 13 new features including trending destinations; search and check-in shortcuts; ancillary upsell and dynamic navigation; enhanced onboarding experience with a two-factor authentication; as well as a streamlined 5-step booking flow with saved passenger data and more payment options.
Finally, flynas has also graduated 170 Saudi pilots (123 co-pilots and 47 captains) in 18 months, achieving 100% Saudization for co-pilots. CEO Bander Almohanna emphasized the airline’s commitment to empowering Saudi talent through programs like “Future Pilots” and “Future Engineers.” flynas plans to hire more than 1,000 Saudi pilots in the next five years, and doubling its fleet to 160 aircraft by 2030.
Gulf Air meets EASA requirements
Gulf Air has passed the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) audit, confirming its commitment to high safety and quality standards. The audit allows Gulf Air to perform maintenance on its Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 fleet, including engines and components, and expands its maintenance capabilities to regional and European airlines operating through Bahrain International Airport. The biennial audit ensures compliance with European civil aviation regulations and global safety benchmarks, validating Gulf Air’s maintenance activities and workforce competency. Gulf Air has consistently passed the audit since 2005, demonstrating its dedication to safety and quality.
Abu Dhabi-India connectivity boost
Abu Dhabi Airports has announced the launch of three new direct routes by IndiGo, connecting Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to Mangaluru, Tiruchirappalli, and Coimbatore in India. This expansion brings the total number of IndiGo-operated routes to 13, strengthening connectivity between the Emirate and Indian destinations. The move aims to create accessible links for families, businesses, and travelers, building on the successful partnership between Abu Dhabi Airports and IndiGo.
flydubai launches direct flights to Kerman, Iran
flydubai will start direct flights from Dubai to Kerman, Iran on 9 September, operating twice weekly on Mondays and THursdays. This marks the resumption of international flights to Kerman after nearly 10 years, connecting the city to more than 150 countries. The flights are expected to boost local businesses, tourism, and the economy, with potential to increase to daily schedules due to Kerman’s industries, tourism opportunities, and agricultural exports.
Kam Air to expand flights from Khost, Afghanistan to the UAE and Saudi
Kam Air, Afghanistan’s largest private airline, will soon launch new flights from Khost International Airport to destinations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The airline currently operates two weekly flights from Khost to the UAE and will be adding routes to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Abu Dhabi expanding connectivity and travel options from Khost.
