From impressive demands and passenger numbers to a new airport, a refurb and route services, there’s no denying travellers can expect more options and enhanced services from MENA airlines and airports.

9.1% increase in global air passenger demand

International Air Transport Association (IATA) shared figures for global air passenger demand in June 2024 which saw an increase of 9.1% compared to 2023. Global capacity increased 8.5% compared to last year. Meanwhile airlines in the Middle East saw a 9.6% increase, with a capacity increase of 9.4%.

IATA Director General, Willie Walsh said, “Demand grew across all regions as the peak Northern summer travel season began in June. And with overall capacity growth lagging demand we saw a very strong average load factor of 85% achieved in both domestic and international operations. Operating with such high load factors is both good and challenging. It makes it even more important for all the stakeholders to operate with equal levels of efficiency to minimize delays and get travelers to their destinations on schedule.”

Emirates’ first retrofitted 777 aircraft takes off to Geneva

The first Emirates Boeing 777 with a nose-to-tail cabin refresh sporting a new look has rolled into service as it heads to Geneva. The aircraft took 37 days for a complete revamp and will be entering service four days ahead of its officially announced deployment schedule. The fresh look includes a new light cream colour palette accentuated by wood panel finishings, upgraded technology for convenience and luxury as well as enhanced ergonomic comfort privacy for Business Class.

To deliver the first Boeing 777 refurbished aircraft, the airline took 37 days and 18,000 manhours to finish; and used a total of 330 sqm of carpets, 340 laminate sheets, 8,000 sqft of leather for First, Business and Premium Economy Class seats, 800 m of fabric for Economy Class seats, and 300 ltr of paint.

3.1M passenger milestone for Gulf Air 

Reflecting an 8.5% increase on last year, Gulf Air has reported a significant passenger volume of 3.1m in the first half of 2024. According to its statistics its capacity has grown to over 4.3m with a 77.9% passenger load factor. Cargo traffic also increased to 41,000 tonnes, up 3.5%. 

This surge is attributed to strategic route expansions in the Asia-Pacific, China, Germany and Bahrain, as well as enhanced service offerings. The positive figures indicate a strong rebound in travel demand, bolstering the airline’s position in the competitive aviation market.

Egypt‘s tourism leaders have their sights set on an ambitious tourism goal and in order to meet it, they have announced plans to outsource the management and operations of the country’s airports to the private sector. 

The Ministry of Civil Aviation believes the private sector is in a better position to manage airport facilities and expects the move to attract investment in Egypt’s aviation industry which could be used to upgrade airport infrastructure, introduce advanced security systems, and expand airline networks. The move was made to help Egypt reach its goal of attracting 30 million tourists by 2028. 

New baggage service centre at Dubai Airports

A new state-of-the-art baggage service centre aimed at enhancing passenger convenience has been opened at Terminal 2 in Dubai International. This facility is designed to expedite the baggage handling process, addressing mishandled or delayed baggage more efficiently.

The service centre is already open and operational as part of Dubai Airports’ ongoing efforts to improve customer experience and streamline airport operations, reflecting the region’s commitment to maintaining high standards in air travel services.

Wizz Air App now available on Huawei’s AppGallery

Wizz Air has launch their Wizz Air app on Huawei’s AppGallery, enabling users to search and book flights, manage reservations, and secure travel deals to Europe and beyond. Designed to enhance the travel experience for passengers, the app features easy flight booking, mobile check-in, and real-time flight status updates. According to the latest company data, Wizz Air notes that the highest percentage of traffic comes from its mobile application with 66% of all users prefering to check their flight options via the app.

The airline also recently welcomed its 132 Airbus A321neo aircraft in a special 20th anniversary livery during a delivery ceremony at the Airbus factory in Hamburg. The new aircraft with tail number 9H-WNM will join the Wizz Air Malta fleet operating across nearly 200 destinations. The livery was designed by Éva Kerényi, the winner of the design competition Wizz Air ran last year. The airline boasts an extensive network of 800 routes spanning across nearly 200 destinations in Europe, Middle East, Central Asia and Africa; and has transported nearly 400 million passengers to date.

Saudia’s new flights to Medan

Saudia announced the addition of Medan as its second Indonesian destination, with four weekly flights between Medan and both Jeddah and Medina starting 31 August. Joining Indonesia’s capital Jakarta as one of the serviced destinations, Saudia is increasing its expansion efforts to connect the Kingdom with the rest of the world. 

This expansion comes after Saudia’s recent agreement with Tibah Airports to increase connectivity for the Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030. The growth also aligns with Saudia’s fleet modernisation, adding 103 aircraft to its current 144, enhancing travel experiences with advanced aviation solutions.