Civil Aviation

Abu Dhabi,16th May 2025: Etihad Airways is further expanding its fleet with confirming an order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft. Since 2023, the airline has steadily grown its fleet as part of a long-term strategy to double in size by 2030. This reflects Etihad’s ongoing approach to aligning its fleet with evolving network and operational needs. The agreement includes a mix of Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft, powered by GE engines and supported by a services package. These aircraft are expected to join the fleet from 2028 onwards and will support Etihad’s existing plans for growth in connectivity, operational efficiency, and guest experience. “This commitment reflects our approach of carefully managing our fleet and expanding in line with demand and our long-term network plans,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways. “Since 2023, we’ve made consistent additions to our fleet, and this latest step ensures we continue to meet our future requirements.” Etihad is currently finalising a detailed plan that will shape the airline’s strategy through to 2035. The additional Boeing aircraft will form part of that evolving roadmap, ensuring the airline is well positioned to deliver extraordinary customer experiences and to remain financially self sustainable. “This addition reflects Abu Dhabi’s ongoing investment in aviation as a key enabler of connectivity, tourism, and trade,” said Neves. “Etihad’s continued growth supports broader economic opportunity in the UAE and beyond.”

Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 5th May 2025: Uzbek carrier Air Samarkand has operated its latest international scheduled service, to the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv, and announced a doubling of weekly capacity from July to meet surging customer demand. The new weekly service operated for a first time on Sunday with a modern Air Samarkand Airbus A330 aircraft and will continue every Sunday. The first flight departed from Samarkand in Uzbekistan on schedule at 06:00 am and arrived in Tel Aviv five and a half hours later, at 09:25 am local time. The return service departed from Tel Aviv at 11:20 am, arriving back in the historic city of Samarkand at 18:40 pm local time. Given high levels of passenger demand, Air Samarkand used the inaugural service to announce a doubling of route capacity starting from July, with a second return to be operated on every Thursday. Services will be operated by Airbus 330 (with 313 seats) or Airbus A321 (194 seats) aircraft according to load factors. “The opening of regular flights to Tel Aviv represents an important step in the development of ties between Uzbekistan and Israel,” said Zafar Butayev, CEO of Air Samarkand. “We are seeing steady interest in this route from tourist, pilgrim and business travellers, and are delighted to confirm a second service starting from July. This will meet growing demand for a convenient and competitive direct service that links our two culturally rich cities and represents another important step forward in the expansion of the Air Samarkand route network,” he said. These latest developments coincide with recent initiatives to strengthen the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Israel across trade, migration, and other social and economic spheres. Tel Aviv is the latest part of Air Samarkand’s strategy to expand its international route network. In 2025, the airline plans to increase the frequency of services to key destinations and add new international city destinations. It continues to develop its fleet by investing in modern aircraft and improving customer service to strengthen its position in the Central Asian market. In 2024 Air Samarkand began its first scheduled services in March to the Turkish capital of Istanbul, and subsequently opened destinations to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the UAE, the religious Saudi cities of Jeddah and Medina, the tourism hot-spots of Nha Trang and Phú Quốc in Vietnam, and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt from both Samarkand and Tashkent.

Delhi, 2nd May 2025: Air India and Air India Express have announced the appointment of dnata as their General Sales Agent (GSA) and Representative Agency (RA), respectively, in the UAE. The agreement was formally signed at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. Under this partnership, dnata will provide comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution support to both carriers across the UAE, excluding Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for Air India. This localised approach will improve accessibility for travellers and trade partners while supporting the Air India group’s broader growth plans in the region. Air India operates 82x weekly flights from the UAE to India, while Air India Express connects five cities—Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah—with over 240x weekly flights from the UAE. The UAE represents the single-largest international market for Air India Express and remains one of the most significant global markets, serving millions of Indian expatriates and other travellers. Kaizad Postwalla, Head of International Sales – GMEA & North America, Air India, said, “The UAE is a key market in our international network. We are pleased to partner with dnata, whose deep understanding of the region and proven track record in travel services will help us better connect with customers, drive demand, and enhance service delivery in the market.” Dr. Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, added, “Our collaboration with dnata marks another step in expanding our commercial presence in the region. As our network and fleet grow, this partnership will help us stay closer to our customers and offer them even more reliable and seamless travel options to and from India.” Simon Woodford, Vice President Global Air Services at dnata Travel Group, commented, “Air India group is offerig increasingly accessible and affordable options for leisure and business travel between the UAE and India. We represented Air India in Dubai for passenger sales for almost 50 years between 1967 and 2014 and are delighted to now be appointed by the Air India group, as its operations continue to grow and support millions of travellers.” With a growing network of 45 domestic and 43 international destinations served by Air India, and 38 domestic and 17 international destinations by Air India Express, the Air India group continues to invest in partnerships and service enhancements that bring India closer to the world.

Mumbai, 1st May 2025: AirAsia has introduced a new Auto Visa Check (AVC) feature on the AirAsia MOVE app and airasia.com, enabling seamless online check-in for international routes that require a visa and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This innovation is part of the airline’s efforts to simplify the journey for its guests across the region by avoiding wait times and easing congestion at airport check-in counters. Until now, travellers flying to countries with visa requirements were required to check in or re-check in at the airport for manual visa verification. With this innovative AVC feature, guests can verify their visa in real time during online check in, up to 14 days and until one (1) hour before scheduled departure time, from the comfort of their home or while on the go. How to use AVC for seamless check-in: 1. Launch the AirAsia MOVE app or visit airasia.com 2. Select your flight to check in 3. When prompted, scan the sticker visa on your passport or upload the e-visa 4. Get your e-boarding pass once your visa is verified 5. If not*, head to the check-in counter for a manual document check For guests travelling with hand-carry luggage only, they may proceed directly to the boarding gate using their e-boarding pass (where applicable) or reprint their boarding pass at the self-service kiosk if needed. Guests with checked baggage may print their bag tags at the kiosk and drop their bags at the designated baggage drop counter.

Mumbai, April 30th, 2025: Vietnam Airlines has launched the upgraded wide-body operations on the Mumbai-Hanoi route and will now operate four weekly flights using Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 aircraft.The inaugural wide-body flight departed from CSMIA Mumbai amidst much fanfare and celebrations among the dignitaries, airport officials, and representatives from Vietnam Airlines and its India GSA, Aeroprime Group. Speaking at the launch event, Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager India at Vietnam Airlines, said, “We are thrilled to begin this exciting new chapter in our India operations. Upgrading to wide-body aircraft on the Mumbai-Hanoi route underscores our dedication to delivering unparalleled comfort and convenience to Indian travelers. We look forward to welcoming more passengers onboard and strengthening the vital air bridge between India and Vietnam.” This upgrade is a strong testament to Vietnam Airlines’ growing commitment to the Indian market, providing travelers with best-in-class amenities such as spacious full-flat beds in business class, in-flight entertainment across all classes, gourmet meal options including specially curated Indian cuisine, and world-class Vietnamese hospitality. Adding to this, Abhishek Goyal, CEO & Executive Director of Aeroprime Group, commented, “Vietnam has rapidly emerged as a preferred destination for Indian travelers, and with this upgrade, Vietnam Airlines is perfectly positioned to meet the growing demand, enhancing connectivity between India and Vietnam and setting a new benchmark for travel experience in this sector.” Vietnam Airlines currently operates 14 flights weekly from Delhi and Mumbai to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and with the introduction of wide-body aircraft on the Mumbai-Hanoi sector, the airlines has positioned itself as the preferred carrier for travel between India and Vietnam. Additionally, Vietnam Airlines has announced the commencement of direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad, beginning in May.

Abu Dhabi, 28th April 2025: Etihad Airways is setting a new standard for single-aisle flying with the debut of its all-new Airbus A321LR, delivering wide-body comfort on short and medium-haul routes. Etihad’s A321LR represents a leap forward in guest experience and innovation, bringing Etihad’s signature luxury and a true First class experience to narrowbody flying. “The A321LR is an amazing aircraft which proves our commitment to luxury, customer experience, and connectivity,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. “With our new First Suites, 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct-aisle access, and upgraded Economy, we’ve taken the luxury experience which we are famed for on our widebody fleet and adapted it to offer guests the same experience in a single-aisle aircraft – all while keeping them seamlessly connected with superfast, streaming Wi-Fi throughout the journey. More broadly, the A321LR marks a transformational moment for Etihad as we accelerate toward our Journey 2030 vision: doubling our fleet size, tripling our passenger numbers, and opening 16 new destinations in 2025 alone.” An Extraordinary Experience inEvery Cabin Etihad’s A321LR introduces an all-new First Suite – a private,enclosed space with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, elevated dining, and bespoke design touches.With only two exclusive First suites on board, guests will enjoy an intimate, ultra-premium experience normally reserved for long-haul widebodies. This marks the first time Etihad brings the full widebody First experience to a narrowbody aircraft, redefining luxury on short and medium-haul routes. The new Business cabin features widebody-style seats, all forward facing with direct aisle access(1-1) in a herringbone layout with 14 fully-flat 78” beds. Each seat includes a 17.3” 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, and ample personal storage, ensuring a seamless, connected journey. In Economy, 144 thoughtfully designed seats offer up to 5” recline, enhanced ergonomics, and generous space. At 18.4” wide, it’s one of the widest Economy seats in the industry, providing wide-body comfort to the narrow-body aircraft. Every guest enjoys a 13.3” 4K touchscreen, USB charging, and access to Etihad’s next-generation entertainment system. Etihad’s aircraft are equipped with Viasat’s advanced, multi-orbit ready system, which is capable of speeds of up to 1 Gbps, and available from gate-to-gate where permitted.All guests have access to streaming, social media, surfing and gaming onboard, in addition to live television throughout the cabin. Expanding Horizons Etihad’s first A321LR enters service on 1 August 2025, with ten aircraft joining the fleet this year. The aircraft will fly from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to destinations including Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich.

Toulouse: April 24, 2025: Saudia Group announced a new aircraft deal with Airbus to enhance its fleet by adding up to 20 new wide-body A330neo aircraft, 10 of which are firm orders for flyadeal, the Group’s low-cost carrier. Renowned for its efficiency, long range, and exceptional versatility, the A330neo model aligns perfectly with the Group’s strategy to broaden its operational reach and introduce more destinations. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027, with the final aircraft arriving in 2029. The signing ceremony was held at the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, in the presence of H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, and Christian Scherer, CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business. The deal was signed by Saleh Eid, Vice President of Fleet Management at Saudia Group, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, stated: “Today’s deal marks a pivotal milestone in our ambitious strategy to modernize and expand our fleet. It builds on last year’s historic deal with Airbus for 105 aircraft. This step aligns with our national strategies under Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to connect 250 destinations and facilitate the travel of over 330 million travelers and 150 million tourists by 2030.” He added,“This deal supports Saudia Group’s plans to grow and improve its operations. It adds to the modernization of our fleet, improves aircraft maintenance, and makes our overall operations more efficient.” Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales for the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus, said: “Saudia Group’s A330neo order for flyadeal marks a key step in advancing the Kingdom’s aviation ambition to unlock long-haul markets and attract new customers. The A330neo’s proven versatility, new-generation efficiency, and excellent passenger experience will perfectly support Saudia Group’s strategic growth and solidify their position as a global aviation leader. We look forward to seeing this versatile champion fly in flyadeal colours.” Saudia Group currently operates a fleet of 194 aircraft, serving commercial aviation, cargo operations, and logistics services. The Group is set for significant expansion, with 191 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in the coming years. This expansion will further support national economic growth and contribute to key strategic initiatives and major events aimed at bringing the world to Saudi Arabia.

Mumbai, 24th April 2025: Air Astana has celebrated 20 years of connecting Kazakhstan and India with the launch of new three times a week service from Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, to Mumbai on 20th April 2025. During a reception in Mumbai marking the launch of the new service, Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana Group commented, “With the Indian economy growing strongly, Air Astana is delighted to launch services to Mumbai, a vibrant and flourishing metropolis driven by trade, finance and enterprise. Business and leisure travellers will now be able to experience the excellence of Air Astana’s in-services when flying between Kazakhstan’s and India’s most commercial cities.” Since entering the Indian market in 2004, the airline has steadily expanded its presence and currently operates nine weekly flights to Delhi from Almaty, with a regular increase in frequencies during the summer.

Abu Dhabi,21st April 2025: Etihad Airways is significantly expanding its African network with new destinations and increased frequencies, reinforcing its commitment to the continent’s growing demand for air connectivity. Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, commented: “At Etihad, we have long recognised the need to strengthen our presence in Africa. Over the past year, we have been focusing on a holistic approach that enhances our presence by expanding our fleet, increasing frequencies, and forming key partnerships.” “We’re encouraged by the positive early results and are pleased to announce the expansion of our Nairobi service to 14 weekly flights, as well as the increase of our Seychelles service to six weekly flights in partnership with Air Seychelles. We’re also introducing daily 787 services to Casablanca and Johannesburg.” “Together with Air Seychelles and our groundbreaking relationship with Ethiopian Airlines, these strategic partnerships form a key foundation as we add four new direct routes to Africa from Abu Dhabi this year, underlining our growing commitment to service the dynamic continent.”

Singapore, 17th April 2025: All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) will begin operating revenue-sharing flights between Singapore and Japan from September 2025, with the joint fare products for these services going on sale in May 2025, further deepening their commercial partnership. This will enable ANA and SIA to offer customers additional value beyond the existing codeshare partnerships with a greater variety of fare options, enhanced coordination of flight schedules between Singapore and Japan, and seamless connectivity between the Star Alliance carriers. Both airlines are also working to offer enhanced reciprocal benefits for ANA Mileage Club and KrisFlyer frequent flyer members, including the ability to earn miles on an expanded number of booking classes on ANA and SIA flights. Both airlines will also work to align corporate programmes to bolster the offering to business travellers. Subject to regulatory approvals, ANA and SIA also intend to expand the scope of the joint venture to include other key markets beyond Japan and Singapore such as Australia, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Since signing their commercial joint venture agreement in January 2020, ANA and SIA have significantly expanded their codeshare arrangement, offering customers more travel options between Japan and Singapore, and beyond. ANA customers have access to 25 destinations across SIA’s network, up from 12 previously[1]. SIA customers can seamlessly connect to 34 destinations across ANA’s network, up from nine previously, including ANA’s domestic flights to 30 destinations in Japan[2]. Shinichi Inoue, Chief Executive Officer, All Nippon Airways, said,“This joint venture with Singapore Airlines is more than a strategic alliance, it embodies ANA’s vision to usher in a new era of customer experience that redefines expectations. Just as ANA is dedicated to consistently exceeding expectations and upholding the highest standards, so too is Singapore Airlines, and this joint venture will be a testament to that commitment. Through this powerful synergy of two leading Asian airline brands, we are confident that we will set a new benchmark for service and customer experience that will change the way passengers view air travel.“ Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “This strategic partnership between Singapore Airlines and All Nippon Airways brings together two of Asia’s pre-eminent carriers. With our extensive network coverage and industry leading products and service, we can leverage our combined strengths to significantly enhance our offerings to customers. “The joint fare products, revenue sharing flights, and expanded codeshare arrangements are just the start. As we align our frequent flyer and corporate travel programmes and add more markets to our commercial joint venture agreement, we can offer even greater value, better connectivity, and an exceptional experience for customers traveling between Singapore and Japan, and beyond.”