Qatar authorities close airspace for safety of citizens, residents and visitors
Aviation
Airlines
Revealed: Skytrax names world’s best airlines for 2025
Skytrax reveals 2025 World Airline Award winners with a Middle East national carrier taking top prize
Air India
DGCA warned Air India for flying Airbus planes that breached safety rules
The aviation regulator said three Air India Airbus were in active operation despite delayed mandatory inspections on ‘critical emergency equipment’
Aviation
Emirates travellers can now hail Uber Rides and earn more miles under new partnership
Emirates and Uber plan to develop an integrated booking experience that combines Uber Rides Vouchers with flight bookings for airport transfers or in-city rides
Air India
Air India to cut international flights on widebody aircraft by 15%
26 out of its 33 Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft have been cleared after enhanced safety inspection, and it is also conducting similar checks on its entire Boeing 777 fleet
Al Maktoum International
Serco secures $134.8mn contract extension with Dubai Airports
After serving the two Dubai airports for the past six years, the new guest relations contract runs until December 2030
Aviation
Riyadh Air announces Blacklane chauffer service for passengers in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh Air and Blacklane team up to offer chauffer service for Business Elite and Business Class passengers
A350F
Saudi-based AviLease orders 77 Airbus jets at Paris Air Show
Saudi Arabia aircraft lessor AviLease orders up to 77 Airbus aircraft—including A320neo and A350F models
airport baggage
Middle East airports outperform as airlines face $5bn baggage challenge
Airlines lost $5bn to mishandled baggage in 2024, but the Middle East reported one of the world’s lowest rates, thanks to smart tech, automation, and real-time tracking
Aviation
Etihad growth continues with 19% passenger uplift to 1.7m in May
Etihad Airways carried 8.4m passengers in the first five months of 2025
Aviation
Emirates, Bahamasair partner to launch Caribbean connectivity via Florida gateways
Emirates’ customers will enjoy baggage allowance when flying on Bahamasair to the three destinations
Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways expands Karachi flight routes
The UAE carrier will provide 28 weekly services on the Abu Dhabi-Karachi route, with tickets now available for purchase
Aviation
Trump’s Middle East visit brings an order windfall for Boeing in May
With orders for 303 aircraft, it was the best month since December 2023; It includes a 160-aircraft order from Qatar Airways and 28 from Etihad
Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways launches new flights to Prague, Warsaw in Central Europe expansion
Prague and Warsaw join Etihad’s European network as the airline prepares to welcome 16 new destinations throughout 2025
Australia
Virgin Australia all set to return to stock market with a $442.8mn IPO
Bain Capital will sell about 30% of its stake in the airline at a price of $1.87 per share; Qatar Airways to retain 23% stake in the company
aircraft leasing
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise signs $300mn unsecured term loan
Dubai-based aircraft leasing company signs major financing agreement with Bank of China
air cargo
Qatar Airways, IAG, and MASkargo to launch new joint cargo business soon
The Joint Business, which promises to open fresh trade opportunities across the world, is targeting a formal launch date in late 2025