Category Archives: Aviation

Chapman Freeborn’s UAE office exceeded its monthly targets across passenger, cargo and ACMI charter operations in January 2026, marking a strong start to the year for the company’s IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa) region. According to the company, all three operational divisions reported performance above plan, supported by steady regional charter demand, cross-team collaboration, and disciplined execution across operational units. While January results represent only the first month of the year, they indicate stable operational activity across the UAE hub. The passenger charter division achieved the highest performance, reaching 140% of its January target under the leadership of Claudia Krajhanzl. The cargo division, led by Gerhard Coetzee, reached 170% of its monthly target, driven by a mix of regional logistics demand and intercontinental charter shipments. The ACMI division, headed by Daniel Huggins, recorded 107% of target, reflecting ongoing airline demand for short-term capacity and operational support. “The strong start to the year reflects both market demand and the experience of our regional teams,” said Linas Dovydenas, President – IMEA at Chapman Freeborn. “Although it is still early in the year, these results give us confidence that our UAE operations are well positioned to support customers as charter aviation needs continue to evolve across the region.” Chapman Freeborn expects charter demand across the IMEA region to remain dynamic through 2026, supporting the company’s broader operational objectives for the year ahead. Airlines, logistics operators, and corporate customers are expected to continue relying on flexible charter capacity to respond to changing operational requirements.

In the presence of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and within the framework of cooperation and strategic investment agreements between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Investment and the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, flynas has signed an agreement with the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation to establish a new commercial airline under the name “flynas Syria.” “flynas Syria” will conduct commercial air transport operations in accordance with approved regulations and standards, ensuring full compliance with the highest aviation safety and security requirements. All necessary licensing and operational procedures are currently being finalized in coordination with the relevant authorities. The new carrier will be a joint venture, with 51% ownership held by the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport and 49% by flynas. Operational activities are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. The new airline will operate flights to several destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. This expansion aims to bolster air traffic to and from Syria, enhance regional and international connectivity, and meet the growing demand for air travel. On this occasion, H.E. Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi Minister of Investment, stated: “This step is part of our commitment to supporting high-quality cross-border investments. The aviation sector is a key enabler of economic development, and the establishment of ‘flynas Syria’ serves as a model for constructive investment cooperation. This partnership enhances economic integration and market connectivity, and supports development goals by advancing air transport infrastructure, ultimately serving the mutual interests of both nations and promoting regional economic stability”. In this context, His Excellency Omar …

Turkish Airlines carried 7.6 million passengers in January 2026, marking a 10% increase in available seat capacity compared with the same period last year. The airline also reported higher cargo volumes and fleet growth, signalling sustained operational momentum at the start of the year. According to its January 2026 traffic results, the carrier recorded a total load factor of 84%. International load factor stood at 83.7%, while domestic load factor reached 87.5%, reflecting steady demand across both segments. The number of international-to-international passengers increased by 10.8%, rising from 2.8 million in January 2025 to 3.1 million in January 2026. Overall available seat kilometres (ASK) grew by 10%, reaching 23.7 billion during the month, up from 21.5 billion in the same period last year. Cargo and mail performance also showed robust growth. The airline transported 178.3 thousand tonnes in January 2026, representing an 18.8% increase compared with January 2025. By the end of January 2026, Turkish Airlines’ fleet comprised 522 aircraft, underscoring continued expansion in line with its capacity growth strategy.

flydubai announced the launch of double-daily flights to Bangkok, bringing its operations to Thailand to 28 weekly flights. The new service will commence on 15 September 2026, operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB) to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok. The addition of double-daily flights to Bangkok marks flydubai’s second destination in Thailand, complementing its existing operations to Krabi and reinforcing the carrier’s commitment to expanding connectivity between Dubai and Southeast Asia. Don Mueang Airport is one of two international airports serving Bangkok. Located just north of the city centre, Don Mueang Airport is a key gateway for business and leisure travellers, offering convenient access to the vibrant Thai capital and its surrounding regions. Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “Thailand remains a very popular destination for both leisure and business travel. The launch of our double-daily service to Bangkok reflects continued demand across our network and underscores our commitment to providing our customers with more convenient and flexible travel options. With our flights operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International and in codeshare with Emirates, passengers can enjoy seamless connectivity through Dubai’s world-class aviation hub from destinations across the GCC, Europe and beyond.” With the launch of this service, flydubai continues to expand its network, now spanning more than 135 destinations. The carrier’s growing footprint underscores Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub, providing passengers from the GCC, Europe and beyond with convenient one-stop connections via Dubai. Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at flydubai, said: “We are pleased to strengthen our presence in Thailand with the launch of double-daily flights to Bangkok and ​ look forward to welcoming passengers on board to enjoy …

Oman Air is expanding its network with the launch of a new direct service to Sochi, further strengthening connectivity between Oman and Russia. Starting 2 July 2026, the airline will operate weekly year-round flights to the popular Black Sea resort city, offering travellers seamless access to one of Russia’s leading leisure hubs. Known as the ‘Russian Riviera’, Sochi is celebrated for its distinctive blend of seaside resorts, mountain scenery and mild climate, making it an attractive destination across seasons. The new service complements Oman Air’s expanding Russia network and responds to growing demand from Russian travellers choosing to visit Oman. The airline operates scheduled services between Moscow and Muscat with up to 11 flights per week, in addition to charter flights between Moscow and Salalah, which were launched in December 2025. Together with an expanding network – which has seen the launch of multiple new routes in recent months – and the airline’s success in growing point-to-point traffic, Oman Air is further positioning Oman as a primary destination, playing a pivotal role in stimulating tourism revenue and supporting adjacent sectors. “Our network continues to evolve as we identify opportunities to connect Oman with high-potential markets,” said Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air. “The launch of Sochi builds on the strong performance of our Moscow services and reflects growing point-to-point demand between Russia and Oman. By expanding access to Oman through strategically added destinations, we are actively supporting tourism growth and contributing to Oman’s broader economic diversification goals.” With flights operating weekly throughout the year, the Muscat-Sochi service enhances bilateral connectivity and reinforces Oman’s position as an attractive, accessible destination in the region. The route will be operated by …

Oman Air announced the launch of a new direct service between Dubai and Salalah, commencing 3 July 2026. Operating three times per week year-round, the route will further strengthen connectivity to the Dhofar Governorate while expanding travel options for both residents and international visitors in time for khareef season. The introduction of the service reflects growing demand between Salalah and Dubai and underscores Oman Air’s continued commitment to enhancing domestic connectivity and strengthening regional corridors across the GCC. Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “The launch of our Dubai-Salalah service highlights our strategic commitment to strengthening regional connectivity in line with Oman’s national priorities. Demand for access to and from Salalah continues to grow and we are adding capacity where we’re able to, providing more choices for travel while actively supporting tourism growth and economic activity in the Governorate. Oman Air remains a key enabler of connectivity and economic diversification under Oman Vision 2040.” Continuing to serve Oman’s most popular destinations with a focus on frequency and reliability, Oman Air has consistently increased capacity in response to rising demand. In January 2026, available seats to Salalah increased by 20% compared to the previous year. During the 2025 khareef season, capacity was increased by 15%, enabling greater access for visitors during the peak tourism period. The airline also recently launched its first direct Moscow–Salalah charter service, targeting the growing Russian leisure market and expected to bring more than 7,000 visitors to the Governorate, providing a meaningful boost to tour operators and local businesses. Further schedule enhancements, including expanded services during Ramadan, will continue to provide guests with increased flexibility and travel options throughout the year.

beOnd announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain to explore the establishment of a Bahrain-based Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The LOI creates a framework for long-term collaboration in airline operations, workforce development, maintenance, and innovation. It reflects shared goals to boost Bahrain’s appeal as a premium destination and connecting hub between Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. “Bahrain’s aviation legacy spans nearly a century and has consistently positioned the Kingdom as a regional centre of excellence in the region,” said Tero Taskila, CEO of beOnd. “Establishing a Bahrain-based airline is a natural next step in our multi-jurisdictional strategy. Together, we have the opportunity to build a premium aviation platform that strengthens connectivity, develops specialised talent, and supports innovation across the travel value chain.” “We are delighted today to sign a partnership agreement between the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, and beOnd, and we were pleased to have beOnd present with us during the launch of our national aviation strategy of the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications in the Kingdom of Bahrain. “It was an opportunity for us to showcase the partnership and to share our part in its realization. We look forward to having beOnd aircraft with a Bahraini AOC. It’s a pleasure to have beOnd as part of the aviation ecosystem and the Kingdom of Bahrain.” beOnd plans to operate and base up to ten premium-configured aircraft in Bahrain by 2030, serving high-value leisure and business markets. Over its first five years of operations in Bahrain, the airline projects a contribution …

Emirates and Loong Air have signed an interline agreement, increasing Emirates’ footprint in China and offering the airline’s customers access to additional cities beyond its own gateways. Starting immediately, Emirates customers will have access to 22 points across China operated by Loong Air via Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The cities span several regions across East, Northeast, South, Central, and Southwest China. The partnership offers customers the simplicity of booking multi-airline itineraries with a single fare, along with one seamless baggage policy and consistent fare conditions throughout their journey. Emirates’ expanded reach in China will further enhance connectivity for leisure and business travellers alike, unlocking convenient access to key domestic hubs including Zhengzhou, Changchun, Haikou, Xiangyang, and Dazhou. Tickets can be purchased on www.emirates.com, Online Travel Agencies (OTA’s) and with all major GDS’ via travel agents. Customers booking through Emirates’ official website can also enjoy the convenience of online payment methods such as WeChat Pay and Alipay. The launch of an interline agreement with Loong Air is part of Emirates’ ongoing commitment to the Chinese market. Last year, the airline launched flights to two new destinations – Shenzhen and Hangzhou, and has further enhanced its product offerings by deploying its award-winning Premium Economy on these new routes, in addition to bringing back its iconic A380 on Shanghai flights. Emirates has been operating in the Chinese mainland since 2004. Today, the airlineserves five major cities with 49 weekly flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou using a mix of A380s, A350s and Boeing 777s. In addition to Loong Air, Emirates is also partnered with Air China, China Southern Airlines and Sichuan Airlines, offering customers access to more than 110 points in China …

Dubai Airports announced that Dubai International (DXB) welcomed 95.2 million guests in 2025, up 3.1% year on year, marking the busiest year in the airport’s history and the highest annual international passenger traffic ever recorded by any airport. More significantly, 2025 was defined not by a single peak, but by sustained performance at record levels. DXB achieved its busiest day, month, quarter and year on record, operating at the edge of physical capacity while consistently delivering operational excellence. What would represent extraordinary strain elsewhere has become part of DXB’s normal operating rhythm. December closed as the busiest month in DXB history, with 8.7 million guests, up 6.1% year on year. The fourth quarter was also the busiest ever, with 25.1 million guests, an increase of 5.9% compared to the same period in 2024. Total flight movements reached 118,000 in Q4, up 5%, bringing the annual total to 454,800 a rise of 3.3% year on year. Despite continued growth in movements, average passengers per movement remained strong at 214, reflecting sustained deployment of larger aircraft and high load efficiency. The annual load factor stood at 77.6%, a marginal adjustment of 0.5 percentage points. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, “Airports are often defined by moments of intensity, but long-term performance is defined by how well those moments are sustained. In 2025, DXB showed that record traffic is no longer an exception, but part of its operating reality. That consistency at scale reflects the maturity of the system and the strength of collaboration across our oneDXB airport community to deliver excellence under growing demand. We expect traffic to approach 99.5 million in 2026, supported by close coordination across the sector and …

Gulf Air has further expanded its summer 2026 network with the launch of two new seasonal leisure destinations, Málaga, Spain, and Al Alamein, Egypt, offering passengers from Bahrain and across the GCC additional holiday options. Both routes will operate twice weekly, providing direct access to two popular coastal destinations and enhancing connectivity through Bahrain International Airport (BIA). Flights to Málaga (AGP) will run from 17 June to 25 September 2026, while services to Al Alamein (DBB) will operate from 18 June to 30 August 2026. Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer, Martin Gauss, said: “Summer travel demand continues to grow, particularly for leisure destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean. Our Málaga and Al Alamein flights further expand our seasonal network, offering customers attractive travel choices while strengthening Bahrain’s role as a regional hub. Our focus remains on aligning our network with customer preferences and delivering convenient, reliable flights during peak travel periods. The new flights build on Gulf Air’s recent 2026 summer network expansion, reflecting the airline’s continued focus on leisure travel in response to growing demand for seasonal destinations. The airline previously announced the return of its seasonal services to Geneva (GVA) and Nice (NCE), operated with a stop in Milan (MXP). Bookings are now open across all official Gulf Air channels, including gulfair.com, the mobile app, the Contact Centre, and travel agents.