Top 3
Riyadh secures Routes World 2026
Riyadh has been chosen to host the 31st World Route Development Forum (Routes World 2026), the leading global event for future air connectivity. The event is by Tahaluf and will be led by GACA, with the Saudi Tourism Authority, the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), and Matarat Holding as partners.
Saudi Arabia has seen rapid aviation growth with 128 million passengers in 2024 (up 25% compared to pre-pandemic) and 66.7m passengers in H1 2025. With Riyadh Air launching this year and King Salman International Airport targeting 120m passengers by 2030, it’s a fitting host for the global aviation event.
Emirates takes the court as Real Madrid Basketball’s main sponsor
Emirates has signed a multi-year deal to become the Official Main Sponsor of Real Madrid Basketball, marking its debut in European basketball. The airline’s ‘Fly Better’ branding will appear on jerseys, training kits, staff apparel, and across Movistar Arena Madrid, extending Emirates’ long-standing partnership with Real Madrid CF.
The agreement also brings hospitality access, youth clinics, and global marketing rights, while boosting Emirates’ visibility in the Liga ACB, EuroLeague, and Copa del Rey. Already a global force in basketball through its NBA partnership, Emirates now strengthens its ties with Spanish sport, where it also operates 28 weekly flights to Madrid and Barcelona.
Etihad carries record 2M passengers in August 2025
Etihad Airways has set a new record, carrying over 2 million passengers in August 2025, a 22% YoY increase and its highest-ever monthly total. The airline achieved a 91% load factor, up from 89% last year, supported by an expanded fleet of 112 aircraft serving 81 destinations.
August also saw the debut of Etihad’s A321LR, the first in the region to feature First Class suites and lie-flat Business seats on medium-haul routes. Year-to-date, Etihad has flown 14.2 million passengers, up 18% from 2024, as it continues to expand its network with more than 20 new routes confirmed.
Noteworthy
- Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will launch non-stop flights twice per week to Assiut, Egypt starting 4 November, 2025. This expands its Egypt network to three cities alongside Cairo and Alexandria.
- China Eastern Airlines have announced flights between Muscat and Beijing using Airbus A330-300 aircraft from 30 November, 2025. Flights will operate twice per week on Sundays and Wednesdays.
- SalamAir will restart its Chattogram-Muscat flights from 18 September, while flydubai will resume services on 26 October, restoring Oman-Bangladesh connectivity.
- Royal Air Maroc (RAM) will deploy more than 660 extra flights for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, boosting capacity by 50% to accommodate an expected 500,000 or more fans.
- Wizz Air is reviving its Abu Dhabi-Larnaca route from 15 November, 2025, with four flights per week starting Dhs100. Although Wizz Air Abu Dhabi closed in 2025, Wizz Air Hungary and Malta continue to operate multiple UAE routes.
- Kuwait Airways has launched 20% discounts on tickets for retirees and 15% for a companion across all classes and destinations. The offer applies to bookings from 9 September to 30 November, 2025, for travel until 15 May, 2026.
- Oman Air has appointed Kumail Al Musawi as Chief People Officer, bringing 26 years of HR and organisational development experience. He will lead talent, culture, and performance initiatives to support Oman Air’s transformation strategy.
- SalamAir also operated a record 962 flights between Muscat, Sohar, and Salalah during Khareef 2025, up 46% from 2024. Seat capacity rose 37% to 192,540, with Omanis making up nearly 70% of passengers, boosted by a special OMR48 fare.
