• Air Arabia shareholders approve 20% dividend for FY2023

    SHARJAH, UAE – Air Arabia shareholders approved the distribution of a 20 percent cash dividend for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (FY2023), at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The dividend, which is equivalent to 20 fils per share, underscores another year of record financial performance for the...
  • Middle East commercial aircraft services market to grow to US$28bn

    Abu Dhabi, UAE--The MENA region's commercial aircraft services market will more than double in value by 2042, according to Airbus’ latest Global Services Forecast (GSF). Growing to US$28 billion from US$12 billion, and registering a 4.4 percent average annual growth, the regional expansion will surpass the global average growth of...
  • European airlines witness a rise in profits in 2023

    LONDON, UK – Europe's aviation industry is extending its bounceback from the Covid pandemic, as British Airways owner IAG and Franco-Dutch rival Air France-KLM posted bumper 2023 profits on Thursday. The sector is flying at cruising altitude on pent-up demand after emerging from the dark days of Covid, which grounded planes...
  • UAE airports surpass 134 million passenger mark in 2023: GCAA

    Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said Thursday that the UAE's airports surpassed 134 million passenger mark in 2023 and are projected to reach 140 million by 2024. He attributed this achievement to the robustness and competitiveness of the UAE...
  • Saudi Arabia, China sign MoU to develop air transport cooperation

    Beijing, China - Saudi Arabia and China on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop air transport cooperation. The MoU was signed between General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Dauilej,  and Civil Aviation Administration of China Administrator Song Zhiyong. It is part of the ongoing...
  • Rolls-Royce back into profit

    The engine maker swung to profit of $3bn from a loss of $1.64bn in 2022.
  • flydubai net profit $572m

    This is the carrier's strongest-ever performance.
  • Boeing readies for competition with China’s first passenger plane

    Singapore, Singapore - Boeing said Wednesday it was preparing to compete with China's first domestically produced passenger plane, which was showcased for the first time to international buyers at Asia's biggest airshow. The single-aisle C919 aircraft made its international debut this week at the Singapore Airshow, featuring in both flying and...
  • Dubai to host the world’s biggest ‘airport industry show’ in May

    Dubai, UAE-- In the month of May scores of airport developers, officials, and suppliers from around the world will troop into Dubai to participate in the world’s largest annual event dedicated to the airport industry. The 23rd edition of the three-day B2B event at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC),...
  • Passenger traffic could exceed earlier figures, says Dubai Airports’ CEO

    DUBAI, UAE – The airport here has "every chance" of breaking its record for passenger traffic this year after surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2023, Dubai Airports' CEO told AFP on Monday. Dubai International, the world's busiest airport for international passengers for nearly a decade, hit 87 million visits in 2023, beating...
  • Boeing expects Q1 hit from MAX troubles

    The airline backs intensified oversight from the FAA.
  • Abu Dhabi Airports appoints Elena Sorlini as Managing Director and CEO

    Abu Dhabi, UAE - Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of Abu Dhabi's five commercial airports, has announced the appointment of Elena Sorlini as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Sorlini transitions into the role permanently after serving in an interim capacity since June 2023. Since joining Abu Dhabi Airports,...
  • Number of visitors to Qatar rises 31.9 percent in December, says report

    DOHA, QATAR - The total number of inbound visitors to the country reached about 519 thousand in December 2023, recording a monthly increase of 31.9 percent (compared to November 2023), and an annual decrease by 15.4 percent (compared to December 2022). The new issue of Qatar Monthly Statistics bulletin, released...
  • Air cargo demand rebounds in 2023 amid economic uncertainty

    Geneva, Switzerland-- Air cargo demand rebounded in 2023 with a particularly strong fourth quarter performance despite economic uncertainties, according to new data for global air-freight market released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). As per the new data full-year demand reached a level just slightly below 2022 and 2019....
  • DAE, Turkish Airlines ink pact

    Turkish Airlines will take on lease 10 Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
  • Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX9 resumes flight

    The voyage comes after the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday announced a maintenance and inspection program to clear the MAX 9 to resume service. The FAA grounded 171 MAX 9 planes with a similar configuration to the one in the January 5 incident, in which a door plug blew out...
  • Boeing faces heat over quality control after Alaska Airlines fiasco

    The Alaska Airlines episode represents the most serious operational problem for Boeing since two crashes on 737 MAX 8 planes in 2018 and 2019 resulted in 346 causalities and led to a lengthy grounding of the jet.
  • Saudi GACA issues air carrier, airport classifications for December 2023

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued its monthly classification index for air transport service providers, based on the number of complaints filed with GACA by travelers during December 2023. According to GACA, 1,308 complaints were filed by travelers on Saudi air carriers last December....
  • Akasa Air orders 150 Boeing planes

    Akasa Air will buy 737 MAX planes, which no Indian airline uses.
  • Emirates to recruit 5,000 crew members in 2024

    DUBAI, UAE â€“ Emirates will hire 5,000 people as it awaits the arrival of its fleet of Airbus A350s. The airline is inviting fresh graduates with internships or part-time jobs on their résumés, those with a year or so of hospitality or customer service experience, and individuals keen to embark on...
  • PIF’s diverse investments transform Saudi economy

    From sports and gaming to pharmaceuticals and aviation, the Saudi Public Investment Fund's strategic initiatives are shaping a dynamic future for the the Kingdom's economy.
  • Biggest fuel refinery plant of Africa begins production

    Lagos, Nigeria - Africa's biggest diesel and aviation fuel refinery built by the continent's richest man has started production, the company said on Saturday, calling it a "big day for Nigeria". The 650,000 barrel-per-day Dangote refinery could be a game changer when fully operational by helping end Nigeria's reliance on fuel...
  • Air cargo demand up 8.3 percent in November 2023, says IATA

    GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for November 2023 global air cargo markets indicating the strongest year-on-year growth in roughly two years. This is partly due to weakness in November 2022, but also reflects a fourth consecutive month of strengthening demand for air cargo. Global...
  • flynas flies over 11m passengers in 2023, up 28 percent from 2022

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – flynas reported record results for its performance in 2023 compared to the previous year 2022, with a historic increase in the number of passengers to over 11.1 million passengers, growing more than 28 percent. The LCC has taken delivery of 19 new aircraft during 2023, upscaling...
  • Bahrain kicks off roadshow in China to boost tourism sector

    Manama, Bahrain--The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BETA) began a roadshow in Shanghai and Guangzhou, China, involving prominent travel, tourism, aviation, and hotel sectors.  The roadshow aims to promote Bahrain as a prominent tourist destination in regional and global markets, enhancing the sector's contribution to the gross domestic product in...
  • 15% increase in air traffic at UAE airports during COP28, says GCAA

    ABU DHABI, UAE – Airports in the country witnessed a 15 percent increase in air traffic during the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) held at Expo City Dubai, said Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi. In a statement to the Emirates News Agency...
  • Lufthansa orders planes for $9 bn

    The airline ordered 40 planes each from Boeing and Airbus.
  • Turkish Airlines to buy 355 planes from Airbus

    Istanbul, Turkey - Turkish Airlines said on Friday it has decided to order 355 Airbus aircraft over the coming decade as it seeks to become the world's largest carrier. "It was decided to purchase 355 aircraft from Airbus," Turkish Airlines chief executive Bilal Eksi said in a social media statement. "I...
  • Faster hydrogen production needed for energy transition: WTO

    Abu Dhabi, UAE-- In order to speed up the energy transition there must be a fast increase in the production of green hydrogen, according to a joint report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and World Trade Organisation (WTO). The report published on December 9 provides insights into global...
  • UAE’s GCAA signs MoUs with Brazil, Switzerland in air-transportation sector

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Brazil and Switzerland to strengthen cooperation in the field of air transportation with Brazil and Switzerland. The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the UAE delegation's participation in the fifteenth ICAO...
  • Airlines expected to carry 4.7 billion passengers in 2024: IATA

    "Some 4.7 billion people are expected to travel in 2024, an historic high that exceeds the pre-pandemic level of 4.5 billion recorded in 2019," IATA said in its traditional review of industry trends as the year draws to a close.
  • Turkish Airlines, Riyadh Air ink MoU

    The pact will benefit customers of both the airlines.
  • ENOC and Neste sign MoU to drive sustainable aviation fuel initiatives

    Dubai, UAE--ENOC Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Neste, the world's leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), in a pivotal step towards exploring the possibilities of supplying and purchasing of SAF regionally in the coming years. This ambitious goal underscores ENOC's proactive approach to fostering a...
  • Eve Air Mobility, flynas ink MoU

    The firms will explore starting eVTOL services in Saudi Arabia.
  • Saudi Arabia’s PIF to buy 10 percent stake in London’s Heathrow airport  

    Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund is to buy 10 percent of London's Heathrow airport from Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial, whose departure from the hub leaves Qatar as its biggest shareholder. Ferrovial said it was offloading its 25 percent stake for nearly US$3 billion, with the other 15 percent going to...
  • Every industry should be held accountable on climate, says COP28 president

    Paris, France - The president of a pivotal UN climate summit defended on Saturday the large presence of industry representatives at the negotiations, saying private sector engagement was essential to curb global heating. "Everyone needs to be part of this process and everyone needs to be held responsible and everyone needs...
  • Sustainable aviation fuel production lags behind demand: IATA official

    Dubai, UAE -- The current production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) represents less than 1 percent of the sector's demand, despite the production and usage accelerating threefold in 2023 compared to the previous year. This has led to significant investments in the field, with airlines committing to purchasing available quantities...
  • Progress in Starship test launch, but ship and booster explode

    "Such an incredibly successful day," a SpaceX announcer said. "Even though we did have a… rapid unscheduled disassembly of both the Super Heavy Booster and the ship." The largest rocket ever built blasted off from the company's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas shortly after 7:00 am local time.
  • Sharjah Civil Aviation Department and WFP sign aviation-safety agreement

    Sharjah, UAE--The Sharjah Civil Aviation Department (SCAD) and the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) have signed an agreement to improve aviation safety throughout the world via capacity-building and education. The agreement was signed at the Sharjah SCAD's headquarters. Officials from both organisations, including Sharjah's Department of Civil Aviation Chairman...
  • Dubai plans bigger airport as passenger traffic continues to increase

    "Once we've reached about 120 million (passengers a year), which is what we think our total capacity at DXB (Dubai International) is at the absolute maximum with everything optimized, we are going to need a new airport," Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said.
  • Emirates, Safran sign pacts worth $1.2bn

    Latest generation Safran Seats for new Emirates Airbus fleet part of the deal.
  • US$3.2bn worth deals signed on first two days of Dubai Airshow 2023

    DUBAI, UAE – Tawazun Council announced the signing of 11 deals, worth US$1.8 billion (AED 6.9 billion), with local and international companies on the second day of the Dubai Airshow 2023. Tawazun Council is an independent government entity that works closely with the Ministry of Defense and security agencies to...
  • UAE’s Tawazun Council signs deals worth $1.27bn at Dubai Airshow

    Dubai, UAE - UAE's Tawazun Council, an independent government entity that works closely with the Ministry of Defense and security agencies to maximize value through acquisition systems, announced signing of nine deals worth $1.27 billion with local and international companies on day 1 of the Dubai Airshow 2023. The announcement...
  • Jet fuel sales to reach over billion gallons by end of 2023: ENOC

    Dubai, UAE--ENOC Group will reach more than one billion gallons of jet fuel sales at the end of this year by supplying more than 153,000 commercial, military, and general aviation flights around the world. The company made the announcement on the sidelines of the 18th edition of Dubai Airshow, which...
  • Emirates, flydubai among Boeing’s big customers at Dubai Airshow

    Emirates, the Middle East's biggest airline, made the largest purchase with its $52 billion order for 55 Boeing 777-9s, 35 777-8s and five 787 Dreamliners. The 777-9s are expected for delivery in 2025 and the 777-8s are scheduled for 2030.
  • Lufthansa Q3 profit $1.3bn

    38 million passengers travelled with the group's airlines in the third quarter.
  • Saudia records 50 percent growth in operations during Umrah season

    JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - From the start of the month of Muharram until the end of Rabi' Al-Awwal, Saudia Airlines transported 814,000 Umrah performers to and from Saudi Arabia, a 50 percent increase over last year, according to a press release issued by Saudia. Its commitment to operate during the...
  • Boeing posts Q3 loss

    The firm trims full-year forecast for deliveries of the 737.
  • Qatar Airways’ CEO to quit

    Akbar Al Baker led the state-owned airline for over 25 years.
  • Air Arabia launches non-stop flights between UAE’s Sharjah, Egypt’s Giza

    SHARJAH/ ABU DHABI, UAE -  Air Arabia announced the launch of a new route operating between Sharjah and Giza city in Egypt. The non-stop flights will connect Sharjah International Airport with Sphinx International Airport with a frequency of five weekly flights starting from  December 6, 2023. Group Chief Executive Officer,...
  • Archer to launch its all-electric air taxi service across UAE

    ABU DHABI, UAE - Archer Aviation on Tuesday announced that it has entered into an agreement with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) with plans to commence air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi in 2026. As part of this initiative, ADIO plans to support Archer with incentives for establishing its first...