Middle East & North Africa

Saudi Arabian start-up carrier Riyadh Air says that its first 787-9 has left Boeing’s assembly line in Charleston, South Carolina.

Etihad Cargo has partnered with Atlas Air, which will provide a Boeing 777 freighter capacity to support the growth of Etihad Airways’ freight and logistics arm

As part of its Airports 2030 strategy, the Moroccan Airports Authority has awarded contracts for expansions at Marrakesh Menara and Agadir Al Massira airports.

Air Algerie’s new local subsidiary Domestic Airlines has begun services, taking off from the county’s capital Algiers for its first flight on Aug. 22.

Abu Dhabi-based VVIP business jet operator RoyalJet is undergoing a significant leadership shake-up following the sudden departure of CEO Shafiul Syed.

Gama Aviation’s Sharjah FBO has become the first facility in the Middle East to achieve Stage 3 accreditation under the IS-BAH.

Turkey’s iGA Istanbul Airport says it is “on track” to achieving net zero emissions across all ground operations by 2050.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia has granted business jet operator VistaJet the approval to conduct domestic flights within the Kingdom.

Dubai-based cargo startup SolitAir has introduced a new scheduled service to Kuwait as it works to grow its Middle East network.

The CEO of Etihad Airways is keen to explore new market opportunities in different geographies, but says there will be no return to buying stakes in airlines.

Etihad is planning to open a slew of routes using its new Airbus A321LRs over the coming years, opening services that would not be viable without the aircraft.

Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves speaks to Aviation Week on the delivery flight of its first Airbus A321LR.

Etihad plans to take delivery of 10 Airbus A321LRs this year, a further 10 in 2026 and five slated for delivery each year in 2027 and 2028.

Saudia is maintaining its traffic growth forecast at 7-8% in 2025 after reviewing the impact on travel demand after the Iran-Israel missile attacks in mid-June.

The UK’s Manchester Airport fought hard to become IndiGo’s first European long-haul destination.

Geopolitical tensions on the subcontinent have spilled into civil aerospace, with Air India looking to “adjust plans” and shift maintenance work on its widebody aircraft away from Turkish Technic over Turkiye’s support for Pakistan.

Kingdom Holdings Company, a major Saudi Arabian based investment group, is in negotiations to take a substantial equity stake in Global Airlines, the UK-based start-up Airbus A380 operator.

Senior executives from RwandAir and its holding company Aviation Travel and Logistics (ATL) say the long-touted deal for Qatar to take a 49% stake in the Rwandan flag carrier is on track to be signed “within a few months."

LIFT Aircraft Middle East and Advanced Mobility Hub have made a milestone in the pursuit of sustainable air transport. Chloe Greenbank reports.

If there was ever any doubt about the intention of the United Arab Emirates to establish clear leadership in the advanced air mobility sector and to transform urban transportation, then events this last week in Dubai and Abu Dhabi put them firmly to bed.

The difference in the Middle East compared to elsewhere in the world is that growth has not been broad based throughout the region.

With fighter recapitalization decisions made, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and others turn their attention to helicopter capacity.

The U.S. Navy said the system reached the IOC milestone in December.

Media reports are saying Syrian airspace could reopen to commercial flights anywhere between the next few days and Dec. 18.

This year’s MEBAA Show has a ‘refreshed’ agenda focusing on sustainability and technological advancements.