GACA and Volar to build UAE’s first Green Aviation Technology Center
Montreal, Canada -- The General Civil Aviation Authority (GACA) and Volar Air Mobility have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the UAE's first Green Aviation Technology Hub, marking an important step in the country's efforts towards environmental sustainability and aviation innovation. "The signing of the MoU took place...
Boeing suspends 777X flight tests after part failure, its latest quality control issue
New York, United States - Boeing has suspended flight testing of its new 777X wide-body jet after identifying the failure of a part connecting the engine to the body of the aircraft, the latest in a long line of quality control issues for the troubled US aerospace giant. "During scheduled maintenance,...Abu Dhabi Airports, Paris Airports to expand air transport infrastructure
Abu Dhabi, UAE-- Abu Dhabi Airports has expanded its existing collaboration with Paris Airports Group (ACG) to focus on collaborating on the creation of the ground infrastructure needed to provide advanced air transport applications in Abu Dhabi. Based on the agreement signed between the two parties on the sidelines of...Flying’s never been safer, risk of death halving every decade: MIT study
Washington, United States -- Flying can be a nerve-wracking experience for many people -- but a new study out Thursday finds commercial air travel keeps getting safer, with the risk of death halving every decade. The fatality rate fell to 1 per every 13.7 million passenger boardings globally in the 2018-2022...GACA and SBJBC strengthen saudi-UK aviation ties in London roundtable
Led by GACA President, the meeting featured the British Ministry of Transport, the SBJBC, and key aviation industry leaders.Saudi Arabia records 16% growth in air travel in first half: GACA
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The number of air passengers in Saudi Arabia increased by 17 percent during the past six months to 62 million, compared to 53 million during the same period last year, the Kingdom's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said. The number of flights also reached approximately...2024 Global Aerospace Summit: Accelerating aerospace innovation
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Representing the aerospace, aviation, space, and defense sectors, the premier thought leadership forum will aim to accelerate investments to drive greater sustainability, youth engagement and innovation for the industry.The Summit is a CEO-led, critical meeting of the world's aerospace supply chain that brings together sector and...Boeing offered 737 MAX plea deal, lawyer of crash victims’ families says
Washington, United States - The US Justice Department is offering Boeing a plea deal that will allow it to avoid a trial related to two deadly 737 MAX crashes, a lawyer for the victims' families said Sunday, expressing outrage. Details of the deal, which requires Boeing to pay a fine and...Boeing to check undelivered 787s due to fastener issue
New York, United States - Boeing said Thursday it is examining fasteners on some undelivered 787 jets after discovering problems with their installation in the latest manufacturing shortcoming to face the company. The aviation giant, which faces intensified scrutiny from regulators following recent incidents and manufacturing difficulties, said planes already in...Saudia Group in ‘landmark’ deal for 105 Airbus planes
In a wide expansion of aviation services, Saudi Arabia's top airline Saudia Group has place an order of 105 aircraft from Airbus. Saudia airline will receive 54 A321neo aircraft, while budget offshoot Flyadeal will acquire 12 A320neo and 39 A321neo planes, they said in a statement.Etihad reports record Q1 profit
Total revenue increased by $269 million in the same period.Air Arabia Egypt marks its first flight to Istanbul
CAIRO, Egypt – Air Arabia Egypt on Sunday commenced its first non-stop flight from Cairo International Airport to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. Upon arrival at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, the flight was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute and a welcome ceremony, a press release said....flynas receives 50th jetliner out of 120 Airbus A320neo ordered
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – flynas, the Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and the world, celebrated taking delivery of the 50th airplane out of a large order for Airbus A320neo jetliners at a reception held at King Khalid International Airport here. The company is...Emirates retains fourth most valuable airline brand status
Dubai, UAE -- UAE carrier Emirates defended its title as the fourth most valuable airline brand, with a staggering 30 percent increase in brand value, reaching $6.6 billion, according to Brand Finance, a brand valuation consultancy. With global travel recovering after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, airline brands in the Middle East have...Passenger air traffic has reached pre-pandemic levels, says ICAO
MONTREAL, CANADA – In the first quarter of 2024, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) projected that passenger air traffic levels will be around 2 percent higher than in 2019, with airlines expected to sustain their operating profitability seen in 2023. Demand this year is forecast to be around 3...Will sign US$13.7bn deal with Airbus, says Korean Air
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – South Korean flag carrier Korean Air said on Thursday it will sign a US$13.7 billion deal with Airbus to purchase 33 A350 series aircraft to strengthen its long-term fleet operations. The move comes after the European Union approved the airline's takeover of smaller rival Asiana -- conditional...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 – 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 Â
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...