Top 3 Headlines
Riyadh Air partners with Blacklane for luxury chauffeur service
Riyadh Air has teamed up with global chauffeur company Blacklane to offer complimentary luxury transfers for Business Elite, Business Class, and eligible loyalty members within a 50km radius of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Announced at the 2025 Paris Airshow, the partnership integrates Blacklane’s services into Riyadh Air’s booking platform, enhancing end-to-end travel with seamless ground-to-air experiences. Guests can also book Blacklane rides globally.
UK flyers to skip second security checks in Saudi transit
Travel between the UK and Saudi Arabia just got smoother. A new One-Stop Security Agreement means UK passengers transiting via Saudi airports, like Riyadh or Jeddah, will no longer undergo a second security screening.
The change, announced by the UK government and Saudi’s GACA, significantly shortens layover times and eases connections to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It also benefits GCC travellers using UK airports for long-haul flights.
Air Arabia opens new city check-In at Al Barsha Mall
Air Arabia has launched its second City Check-in facility in Dubai, located at Al Barsha Mall, expanding its UAE network to 14 centres. Open daily from 10am to 10pm, the service allows passengers flying from Sharjah and Zayed airports to check in, drop bags, and collect boarding passes 48 to 8 hours before departure for an AED 20 fee.
Travellers can also purchase extra baggage, select seats, and modify bookings. The facility aims to ease airport congestion and enhance convenience ahead of the summer rush, in line with Air Arabia’s customer-first growth strategy.
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Noteworthy:
- Saudia has launched new seasonal routes to Al Alamein, Egypt and Salalah from 17 June, expanding summer travel options for regional tourists.
- Rolls-Royce has secured major orders for 142 aircraft engines, with a significant share supporting aviation growth in Saudi Arabia.
- Jazeera Airways will restart direct flights between Kuwait and Abha from July, restoring a vital travel link for business and tourism.
- Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has launched direct flights to Gabala, Azerbaijan on 17 June, becoming the first airline to connect the UAE and Gabala.
- Royal Air Maroc will retrofit its 737 fleet with flatbeds and expand Boeing MAX deliveries, aiming to elevate passenger comfort and capacity.
- EgyptAir has expanded its fleet with additional Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines to support its wide-body operations.
- flydubai has resumed direct flights from Dubai to Minsk on 17 June, re-establishing a popular route for business and leisure travellers.
- Morocco now hosts over 150 aerospace companies, cementing its position as a rising industrial hub for the aviation sector.
- flynas will launch direct flights connecting Baku and Trabzon to Medina starting July 2025, targeting rising demand from pilgrims and tourists.
- Emirates and Uber have signed a strategic partnership to integrate ride services with flight bookings for a seamless travel experience.
