This week’s aviation wrap is all about soaring records, strategic partnerships, the anticipation of new routes and impending launches, and the spirit of giving thanks.

Etihad to drop bombshell announcement

Etihad Airways is keeping everyone at the edge of their seats with the 10 new destinations they are about to announce next Monday, 25 November. Yes, you read that right. A whopping TEN new destinations! More clues will be provided on their social media channels this Friday keep all of us guessing … and hoping.

Meanwhile, the airline has also announced the ending of its codeshare and frequent flyer partnership with Virgin Australia, effective 1 June 2025. This is due to Qatar Airways Group’s 25% stake in Virgin Australia, and the introduction of new long-haul routes between Australia and Doha. However, Etihad Airways remains committed to the Australian market and has plans to increase flight frequencies to Sydney and Melbourne for the 2025 summer season.

Emirates takes great food and gratitude to the skies

To celebrate the season of gratitude, Emirates will be offering Thanksgiving traditions on flights to and from Dubai and the USA, from 23-30 November. Traditional festive fare will also be served in the lounges of Dubai, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

First Class passengers can enjoy a gourmet feast with dishes like smoked salmon, turkey leg roulade, and apple fritters, while Business Class travellers and Premium Economy Class passengers can look forward to tender sliced turkey with all the trimmings and pumpkin desserts. Economy Class passengers will be offered eqully deliciohs delicious meals featuring roasted chicken, cranberry jus, and pumpkin mousse. The airline is also offering special Thanksgiving treats in its onboard lounges on select A380 flights.

Riyadh Air secures 2500+ slots and more financing

Riyadh Air has secured 2,574 slots at King Khalid International Airport, allowing the airline to launch its operations in mid 2025. According to the slot coordinator, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), the airline had requested 97,130 slots at RUH, but has been allocated 2,574 slots. The allocation, however, represents 100% of the slots Riyadh Air requested for the upcoming IATA summer season starting on 30 March 2025. The ACL report also outlined the carrier’s ambitious operations on Mondays and Sundays, with 352 aircraft movements and up to 374 aircraft movements on the busiest days. To maximise efficiency, Riyadh Air has allocated its slots, with concentrated activity during the peak hours of 11:00 to 12:00 and 22:00 to 23:00.

At the same time, the airline has also secured financial assistance from Emirates NBD. Joining seven other financial institutions to provide a SAR5 billion ($1.3 billion) revolving credit facility to Riyadh Air, the funding will support the airline’s highly-anticipated launch, fleet expansion, and infrastructure development.

DXB on track to break records in 2024

Dubai International (DXB) has shared that it’s on track to break its annual passenger traffic record. The first nine months of 2024 saw the airport welcoming 68.6 million passengers, a 6.3% YoY increase. Driven by increased direct traffic, the growth reflects the city’s growing appeal. In terms of top markets, India leads as the top source, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UK, Pakistan, and the USA. London remains the top city destination, and Riyadh is showing significant growth. DXB forecasts welcoming 23.2 million passengers in Q4, given Dubai’s vibrant winter calendar and increased air connectivity.

Gulf Air partners with Amazon Web Services and Lumofy

The Gulf Air Group (GFG) has teamed up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to leverage the power of cloud technology to foster creativity and improve operational efficiency. By harnessing AWS’s cloud services, AI, and machine learning capabilities, GFG aims to enhance its digital infrastructure, elevate passenger experiences, and optimise processes.

At the same time, the aviation group has also partnered with Lumofy, a leading provider of AI-driven talent management solutions, to improve the efficiency and performance of its workforce through innovative skill development programs. The platform will allow GFG to streamline performance evaluation processes, generate data-driven insights, and tailor empowering learning experiences for its employees.

Turkish Airlines partner with Proflight Zambia, adds Peru, celebrates 10 years for its Montreal-Istanbul route

Turkish Airlines has partnered with Proflight Zambia to provide their passengers more connections between both networks domestically and globally. For inbound travellers to Zambia, this means easier connections to popular destinations like South Luangwa National Park and Victoria Falls. To accommodate the anticipated increase in demand, Proflight Zambia is preparing to upgrade its fleet and aviation infrastructure.

Meanwhile, following its successful launch to Santiago, Chile, Turkish Airlines is now adding Peru to its route map starting June 2025. This. While a direct flight between Istanbul and Lima may not be immediately feasible there are plans to implement an initial stopover strategy in São Paulo.

The airline also recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of its Montreal-Istanbul route, with a statement from the airline saying, Turkish Airlines has been “steadily expanding its reach and connecting more passengers between Montreal and Istanbul every year.”

Oman Air empowers SMEs, files to resume Singapore, and adds more Mumbai flights

Oman Air celebrated Oman’s 54th National Day by hosting more than 30 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at its headquarters, so they can showcase their products and services to Oman Air employees. On show were various Omani products, including traditional crafts and local delicacies that highlight the Sultanate’s rich cultural heritage. Through its Vendor Development Program, Oman Air provides SMEs with the necessary tools and resources to improve their business capabilities, while meeting the airline’s standards. The program is one way the airline is helping to stimulate economic growth, create more jobs, and foster a thriving business ecosystem in Oman.

Meanwhile, Oman Air has filed to resume daily flights between Muscat and Singapore starting September 2025. This direct service last operated in May 2017. Also, from 17 December the airline will add two more direct weekly flights to Mumbai, bringing the total number of weekly flights between Muscat and Mumbai to 12. The airline has also been confirmed to join the oneworld alliance on 30 June 2025.

Qatar Airways Cargo partners with MASkargo

Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo have joined forces to enhance global cargo connectivity and efficiency. A partnership that commenced in October 2024, the airlines are already enjoying significant success, facilitating the movement of more than 2,400 tonnes of cargo, including perishables and pharmaceuticals. Enabling faster transit times, improved reliability, and increased capacity for all sorts of goods, the partnership leverages the strategic hubs of Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) offering seamless connections and state-of-the-art handling facilities.

flynas launches three weekly Madinah-Cairo flights

flynas is launching three weekly direct flights between Madinah and Cairo as part of a wider “We Connect the World to the Kingdom” strategy to expand its network and support Saudi Arabia’s National Civil Aviation Strategy. Beginning 11 December 2024, these direct flights will operate on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The airline currently operates flights between multiple Saudi cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, and Al-Ula) and various Egyptian destinations (Cairo, Sohag, Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, and El Alamein). The addition of this new route will further strengthen connectivity between the two countries and facilitate travel for pilgrims and tourists.