#Aviation

Etihad Airways flies into 2025 with 1.7m travellers in January

This is an 18 per cent rise on the same period last year

Air Arabia reports 2024 financial highlights Image-courtesy-Air-Arabia

Air Arabia reports record Dhs1.6bn pre-tax profit in 2024

Total turnover for the year surpassed Dhs6.63bn, marking an 11 per cent growth from Dhs6bn in 2023

Middle East: GE Aerospace invests $10m to enhance MRO capabilities

Middle East: GE Aerospace invests $10m to enhance MRO capabilities

The move is part of GE Aerospace’s global $1bn MRO expansion plan, announced in 2024, designed to enhance service capacity across GE Aerospace and CFM engines

Abu Dhabi Airports reports 28% growth in passenger traffic in 2024

Abu Dhabi Airports reports 28% growth in passenger traffic in 2024

The main driver of this growth was Zayed International Airport (AUH), which saw the introduction of 29 new routes, expanding its network to over 125 destinations

Bahrain airport Image courtesy Bahrain Airport Company

Bahrain International Airport kicks off runway maintenance plan

The initial phase of the plan includes several crucial maintenance tasks, including rubber removal, friction testing, asphalt patching and runway remarking

Etihad gauges investor interest as Gulf carriers race towards IPOs

Etihad gauges investor interest as Gulf carriers race towards IPOs

Etihad is looking at a listing this quarter and the airline is said to be targeting both local and international investors

Emirates to debut Premium Economy to Brisbane from Feb

Emirates to debut Premium Economy to Brisbane starting Feb

The service will operate three times a week, marking the addition of Brisbane to Emirates’ growing list of Australian cities offering the upgraded cabin class

dnata invests $31.2m to expand Melbourne Airport facility

dnata invests $31.2m to expand Melbourne Airport catering facility

The construction of the facility is underway, and it is scheduled to be operational in September 2026

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi carries 3.5 million passengers in 2024

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi carries 3.5 million passengers in 2024

The budget carrier carried more than 1.2 million international visitors to Abu Dhabi in 2024, contributing 25 per cent to Zayed International Airport’s point-to-point traffic

Saudi Arabia’s flyadeal set to order Airbus A330neo jets

Saudi Arabia’s flyadeal set to order Airbus A330neo jets

The low-cost carrier is likely to announce the order for the upgraded A330-900 variant in the coming weeks after comparing it with Boeing’s smaller 787-9

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Keeta Drones to boost drone delivery operations

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Keeta Drones to boost drone delivery operations

The agreement focuses on advancing drone-based delivery services in Dubai, with an emphasis on ensuring the highest levels of safety and security in the skies

Dubai aircraft leasing firm DAE to acquire Nordic Aviation Capital

Dubai aircraft leasing firm DAE to acquire Nordic Aviation Capital

The acquisition will be capitalised and funded by internal resources along with committed debt financing

Dubai Duty Free reports record annual sales of Dhs7.9bn in 2024

Dubai Duty Free reports record annual sales of Dhs7.9bn in 2024

DDF plans to continue enhancing its retail operations, with the final phase of renovations in the arrival shops across three terminals scheduled for completion early this year

Air Arabia expands RAK operations with new flights to Tashkent, Moscow

These developments mark a key step in the carrier’s expansion strategy and its role in bolstering the tourism sector in Ras Al Khaimah

flydubai-launches-new-Business-Class-lounge-at-DXB-2-scaled copy

flydubai opens new business class lounge at DXB Terminal 2

The new Business Class Lounge spans 900 square metres and is designed to accommodate over 200 passengers

Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Ardian close acquisition of 15% stake in Heathrow Airport

Saudi Arabia’s PIF acquires 15% stake in Heathrow Airport

Ardian and PIF will acquire 22.6 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, of FGP Topco for a total of $4.12bn

5.2 million passengers to travel through DXB between Dec 13-31

5.2 million passengers to travel through DXB between Dec 13-31

The weekend from December 20-2 will see peak activity, with an estimated 880,000 guests passing through DXB

Global airlines forecast $1tn 2025 revenue despite plane shortage

Global airlines forecast $1tn 2025 revenue despite plane shortage

IATA projected an industry-wide net profit of $36.6bn in 2025, up from the $31.5bn expected in 2024

Airbus expands global footprint with Saudi Arabia HQ

Airbus expands global footprint with Saudi Arabia HQ

The Riyadh HQ will further bolster the aircraft maker’s commercial, defence, space and helicopter businesses in the region and globally

Qatar Airways to relocate global HQ to Msheireb Downtown Doha

Qatar Airways to relocate global HQ to Msheireb Downtown Doha

The new headquarters will be situated in one of Msheireb Properties’ flagship developments, which is owned by the Qatar Foundation

Virgin Australia secures interim nod to start selling new Qatar routes

Virgin Australia secures interim nod to start selling new Qatar routes

The approval allows Virgin Australia to market and sell 28 weekly scheduled return flights between Doha and Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney

Dubai’s Emirates Airline says ‘wings clipped’ by Boeing delays

Dubai’s Emirates Airline says ‘wings clipped’ by Boeing delays

The Middle East’s biggest airline has increasingly voiced its displeasure over delays and uncertainty plaguing the delivery of the 777-9X jets

Dubai’s Emirates takes delivery of first A350-900 aircraft

Dubai’s Emirates takes delivery of first its A350-900 aircraft

The widebody aircraft will officially enter commercial service in January, when it makes its debut flight to Edinburgh

etihad airways to launch 10 new routes in 2024

Etihad Airways to launch 10 new routes in 2025

With a expansion strategy that encompasses new destinations, innovative fleet additions, and top notch customer experience, Etihad is poised to continue playing a crucial role in global aviation

UAE aerospace gets a boost from Mubadala, Safran alliance

UAE aerospace gets a boost from Mubadala, Safran alliance

The agreement will focus on maintenance, manufacturing, advanced materials, and space

Thales' Elias Merrawe on shaping the future of flight

Thales’ Elias Merrawe on shaping the future of flight

The VP – Civil Business for Thales in the Middle East, shares the company’s  commitment to sustainability, its strategic partnerships with UAE entities, and supporting the UAE’s ambitious aviation goals

Dubai International welcomes 68.8m passengers from Jan-Sept '24

Dubai International welcomes 68.6m passengers from Jan-Sept ’24

India maintained its position as the top destination market, with 8.9 million guests in the first nine months, followed by Saudi Arabia with 5.6 million

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways posts 66% rise in nine-month profit

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways posts 66% rise in nine-month profit

The national airline reported a profit after tax of $368m (Dhs1.4bn), up from $222m a year earlier

Dubai begins construction of its first air taxi station near DXB

Dubai begins construction of its first air taxi station near DXB

The state-of-the-art facility is designed to handle around 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers annually

Air Arabia reports Q3 net profit rise of 8% to Dhs564m

The airline launched 22 new routes across its hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan, further strengthening its network and geographic reach