Category Archives: Aviation

flydubai has expanded its presence in Romania with the launch of direct flights to Iasi, becoming the first UAE carrier to offer nonstop service from Dubai. This marks the airline’s second destination in Romania, alongside Bucharest, further strengthening its European footprint. The new twice-weekly service landed at Iasi International Airport to a warm welcome, including a traditional water cannon salute and reception by airport officials and media. With this launch, flydubai now operates 21 weekly flights to Romania, including a planned ramp-up to three daily flights to Bucharest from late October, a move driven by a consistent 16% annual growth in passenger demand since 2012. Iasi, known as Romania’s cultural capital, offers rich heritage and historical landmarks, making it an attractive destination for both leisure and business travellers. The new route opens access to an underserved region, connecting the Moldova area of Romania to the UAE and beyond. This expansion follows flydubai’s recent entry into Chisinau (Moldova) and comes ahead of upcoming launches to Vilnius (Lithuania) and Riga (Latvia), reinforcing the airline’s strategy to connect Dubai with emerging European markets.

Etihad Airways will start new seasonal flights to Palma de Mallorca from 12 June 2026, offering the only direct connection between Asia and the Balearic Islands. The airline will operate three flights a week between Abu Dhabi and Palma de Mallorca until mid-September 2026. This new route gives travellers easy access to Mallorca, Ibiza, and the rest of the Balearic Islands — popular destinations known for their beaches, culture, and nightlife. Flights will be operated using Etihad’s new Airbus A321LR, which offers a comfortable experience for all passengers. First Class features private suites, Business Class offers fully flat beds, and Economy Class provides modern seats, more space, and personal entertainment screens. This is Etihad’s 29th new route and a major step in expanding its European network. The new service is ideal for holidaymakers looking for a relaxing summer getaway with beautiful coastlines, historic towns, and great food.

Royal Air Maroc announces the launch of a new direct flight connecting Zurich, Switzerland, to Casablanca, Morocco. This new route offers travelers a seamless and convenient way to explore opportunities for business, leisure, and cultural exchange between the two vibrant cities. Passengers can now enjoy Royal Air Maroc’s renowned comfort and service on this direct connection, enhancing travel options for Swiss and Moroccan travelers alike. The route is set to strengthen ties between Switzerland and Morocco, boosting tourism and trade while providing an efficient gateway for international connections via Casablanca’s major hub. This strategic launch reflects Royal Air Maroc’s commitment to expanding its global network and improving accessibility for its passengers. Travelers are encouraged to book early to take advantage of this exciting new link bridging Europe and North Africa.

flydubai has inaugurated its twice-weekly service to Chisinau, becoming the only UAE airline to offer direct flights to Moldova. The new route reinforces flydubai’s strategy of connecting underserved markets and expanding its European footprint. “We are pleased to strengthen our connectivity to Europe with the launch of our service to Chisinau,” said Jeyhun Efendi, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai. “Moldova offers our customers more options to explore previously underserved destinations while supporting trade and tourism flows.” Sergiu Spoiala highlighted the significance of the route: “This direct connection to Dubai is a milestone for our airport and Moldova, opening opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange, while fostering closer economic ties with the UAE.” Chisinau, Moldova’s capital, offers historic architecture and parks such as Cathedral Park and Rose Valley Park. The launch is part of flydubai’s wider European expansion, with flights to Iasi starting on 19 September, followed by Vilnius and Riga in December. The carrier now serves more than 135 destinations across 57 countries with a fleet of 94 Boeing 737 aircraft.

Marriott Bonvoy and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More announced a new global partnership, uniting two of the world’s most trusted travel loyalty programmes. This collaboration aims to enhance the travel experience for millions of members by offering expanded benefits, streamlined connectivity, and more rewarding journeys. Under the new agreement, members of both programs will enjoy increased opportunities to earn and redeem points and miles across a broad portfolio of hotels and airlines, reflecting a joint commitment to quality, consistency, and global reach. This strategic alliance highlights both brands’ focus on creating meaningful travel experiences and delivering added value to their loyal customers. The partnership is set to roll out new integrated features in the coming months, making it easier for travelers to enjoy seamless perks across both hospitality and aviation sectors. The announcement comes as travel rebounds globally and loyalty programs play a growing role in consumer decision-making. Both companies have emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of travel.

Turkish Airlines has expanded its Southern Europe network with the addition of Seville, one of Spain’s most prominent tourism hubs. With this launch, Seville becomes the airline’s sixth destination in Spain, joining Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and Bilbao. Starting 17 September 2025, Turkish Airlines began to operate daily flights between İstanbul Airport and Seville Airport, providing passengers with more travel options and enhancing regional connectivity. The new route aims to strengthen tourism and business ties between Turkey and Spain. Known as the heart of Andalusia, Seville is celebrated for its rich heritage, stunning architecture, and renowned Andalusian cuisine. Its cultural significance, stretching from ancient times to the Umayyad civilisation, makes it a prime destination for travellers seeking history, culture, and gastronomy. Commenting on the launch, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, said: “We are delighted to offer our passengers a new travel option with the launch of our Seville flights. Through our strategically located homebase in İstanbul, we will continue bridging cultures and continents worldwide, while creating new opportunities for tourism and business.” The new Seville flights further strengthen Turkish Airlines’ commitment to expanding its global network and connecting passengers to key destinations across Europe and beyond.

Emirates has officially unveiled its fully retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft in South Africa, marking a regional first with the introduction of its highly praised Premium Economy cabin. Now flying to both Cape Town and Johannesburg, the upgraded aircraft reflects Emirates’ continued commitment to delivering world-class travel experiences and strengthening ties with South Africa as it celebrates 30 years of service in the country. Key aviation and tourism leaders, including officials from Wesgro and the South African Civil Aviation Authority, joined Emirates for a guided tour of the aircraft. The refreshed Boeing 777 features four revamped cabin classes: First Class Suites, a redesigned Business Class with a 1-2-1 layout, the all-new Premium Economy, and enhanced Economy Class. The Premium Economy cabin, making its African debut, offers luxurious touches including wide leather seats, generous legroom, footrests, 13.3-inch screens, and exclusive inflight amenities—delivering a Business Class-like experience at accessible fares. This rollout is part of Emirates’ ambitious $5 billion retrofit program, one of the largest in aviation history, aiming to upgrade 219 aircraft. With 67 aircraft already completed, the initiative underscores Emirates’ goal to elevate comfort, design, and service standards across its global fleet.

Air Arabia will increase its flight frequency between Sharjah and Phuket to three flights per day starting 15 December 2025. The expansion comes in response to strong and growing demand for travel to Phuket, one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations. The additional flights aim to provide passengers with greater flexibility and convenience while reinforcing Air Arabia’s presence in the Thai market. In addition to Phuket, Air Arabia also operates non-stop flights from Sharjah to Bangkok and Krabi, strengthening its network coverage across Thailand. The increased connectivity supports both tourism and business travel between the UAE and Thailand. Air Arabia operates a fleet of 83 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, offering value-added services such as SkyTime, its in-flight streaming platform, and SkyCafe, the onboard menu. Passengers can also benefit from the airline’s Air Rewards loyalty program. Tickets for the expanded Sharjah–Phuket flights are now available for booking via Air Arabia’s website, call centre, or travel agencies, providing travellers more options for convenient and affordable connections between the UAE and Thailand.

Etihad Airways announced direct flights to Damascus, Syria, starting June 2026. The new route meets growing demand from travellers in the UAE and GCC seeking convenient access to the historic Syrian capital, while also offering Syrians direct connections to Abu Dhabi. Service to Damascus will operate four times a week on Etihad’s Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring eight Business seats and 150 Economy seats, combining comfort, convenience, and the airline’s renowned hospitality. Passengers can also benefit from seamless onward connections through Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to destinations across Etihad’s global network. The new flights strengthen social and cultural ties between the UAE and Syria, providing greater connectivity for families, communities, and travellers across the region. Damascus marks the 28th new destination announced by Etihad in the past year, as the airline continues its rapid expansion. Passenger numbers have grown over 80% compared to 2022, with the airline on track to reach 38 million passengers annually by 2030.  

Oman Air, recorded its busiest khareef season to date, flying over 200,000 passengers to Salalah between June and August 2025—a 15% increase, when compared to 2024. This milestone highlights growing demand and the airline’s strategic focus on supporting Omani tourism while providing reliable domestic connectivity. The airline expanded its operational capacity with up to 14 daily flights and the deployment of widebody aircraft, increasing seat availability by up to 75% on peak routes. Oman Air maintained its fixed national fare program, with over 70% of passengers taking advantage of the OMR 54 return fare, making the route accessible and attractive for a wide range of travellers. For travel partners and agencies, the surge in traffic represents enhanced opportunities for packaged tours, group bookings, and MICE operations. Oman Air also reinforced its market presence through sponsorship of the Khareef Dhofar Festival, in collaboration with Dhofar Municipality, further positioning the airline as a key enabler for destination promotion and cultural tourism. The airline’s strong operational performance, coupled with route expansion and strategic partnerships, underscores Oman Air’s role as a critical partner for travel trade stakeholders, providing scalable capacity and facilitating growth in inbound and domestic tourism.