All Middle East news – Page 12
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NewsAir Arabia maintains strong momentum through second quarter
Middle Eastern budget carrier Air Arabia has turned in a 78% rise in first-half net profit, reaching Dhs801 million ($218 million), on revenues of more than Dhs2.8 billion. The Sharjah-based airline disclosed the performance after a strong second quarter during which it made a net profit of Dhs459 million – ...
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NewsIsrael’s El Al starts services with first reconfigured 777-200ER
Israeli flag-carrier El Al has restored to service the first Boeing 777-200ER to be reconfigured with an interior similar to its 787 fleet. The initial aircraft began operating in August, the airline has disclosed. It has six 777s and plans to reconfigure the cabins of four of them. El Al ...
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NewsEl Al claims highest second-quarter profit since privatisation
Israeli flag-carrier El Al has turned in the highest second-quarter pre-tax profit since the company’s privatisation two decades ago. El Al states that it achieved a pre-tax profit of $58.8 million for the three months to 30 June, based on revenues of just under $630 million. The revenue figure rose ...
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NewsALAFCO progresses with transfer of aircraft portfolio to Macquarie
Kuwaiti lessor ALAFCO has completed the transfer of nearly half the 53 aircraft it agreed to sell to Macquarie Airfinance Group. ALAFCO states that 24 aircraft had been sold through moving to the buyer the lessor’s interests in special-purpose companies holding the airframes. Sale of these aircraft has generated net ...
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NewsOman Air points to integration with SalamAir under restructuring initiative
Oman Air has indicated that closer ties with SalamAir are likely under a restructuring plan outlined by the flag-carrier’s chairman. The restructuring is intended to resolve continuing losses and mounting debts which have burdened the carrier since the Omani government withdrew from Bahrain-based Gulf Air in 2007 to concentrate on ...
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NewsExpanding Jazeera Airways turns in profitable first half
Kuwaiti budget carrier Jazeera Airways is fitting lightweight seats to its expanding fleet, and intends to open additional routes before the end of this year. Jazeera turned in a KD6.27 million ($20.4 million) net profit for the first half. Although this was some 15% down on last year’s interim, the ...
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InterviewHow agile Air Serbia is finding a profitable growth path
When it comes to examples of airlines exiting the Covid-19 crisis as bigger, more confident operations, Air Serbia is a compelling case, even as it grapples with the capacity constraints that are being felt across the industry.
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NewsIsraeli operator Israir to introduce another pair of A320s
Israir Group’s board has approved the introduction of another pair of Airbus A320s to develop the Israeli operator’s fleet. The two aircraft will be dry-leased and arrive in 2024, according to the company, if an agreement is finalised. Israir Group says the decision is part of a management plan to ...
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NewsQatar’s Typhoon deliveries reach half-way point, BAE says
BAE Systems has reached the mid-way point in its delivery of 24 Eurofighter Typhoons to Doha, with 12 examples now having been handed over to the Qatar Emiri Air Force.
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InterviewHow Flyadeal set early pace in Saudi growth story
While the arrival of new entrants is grabbing headlines this year as part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to create a new global aviation hub and triple passenger numbers by 2030, growth has been part of the story since day one for Flyadeal and its chief executive Con Korfiatis.
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NewsEtihad Airways unveils new route to US gateway
Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways is to open another US route, with services to Boston from spring next year. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier says the connection will take the number of US cities it serves to four. Etihad already operates to New York, Chicago and Washington, and also flies to ...
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NewsIsrael’s El Al receives long-deferred final 787-8
Israeli flag-carrier El Al has finally taken delivery of the last Boeing 787 from its original order, bringing its fleet of the twinjets to 16. The aircraft is s 787-8 variant (4X-ERD) and arrived in Tel Aviv from Seattle on 31 July. It was subsequently put into operation on routes ...
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NewsIsrair Group agrees six-month extension to Smartwings negotiations
Israeli operator Israir Group has agreed a six-month extension to the deadline for completing negotiations over its proposed acquisition of Czech carrier Smartwings. Israir Group says the 180-day extension – which commences on 4 August – has been agreed with Smartwings shareholders. The negotiations between the parties concern particular aspects ...
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NewsBahrain takes delivery of first single-seat F-16 Block 70 fighter
Lockheed Martin has delivered its first single-seat Block 70-model F-16 to Bahrain, with the transfer announced in late July.
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AnalysisWhy Etihad is bringing Airbus A380s back online
While the move by Etihad Airways to return the Airbus A380 into service for the first time since the pandemic is primarily a way of increasing its capacity options, it also marks a step towards the renewed growth ambitions of the Middle East carrier.
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NewsIberia enters BA and Qatar Airways joint venture
Iberia has become part of the joint venture between by fellow Oneworld carriers British Airways and Qatar Airways, expanding what had already been described by its founders as “the world’s largest airline joint business”.
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NewsIraqi Airways to auction old 747s parked at Tunisian airport
Iraqi Airways is putting up for auction a pair of Boeing 747s which have been parked at Tozeur-Nefta airport in western Tunisia. One of the two is a 747SP (YI-ALM) while the other is a 747-200 (YI-AGP). Both aircraft were manufactured in 1982 and are fitted with Pratt & Whitney ...
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NewsSaudi Arabia to obtain Baykar’s Akinci UAV
Turkish aerospace firm Baykar Technology has signed a deal with Saudi Arabia for its Akinci unmanned air vehicle (UAV).
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In depthAirline Business Covid-19 recovery tracker: July 2023 update
Our regular examination of the latest global data for several key airline market indicators, including traffic and capacity in passenger and cargo markets, in-service and stored fleets, jet fuel costs, and share price trends for the world’s largest groups.
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NewsEmirates aims to cut catering waste with pre-order service
Middle Eastern carrier Emirates is aiming to cut food waste by offering a pre-order service for on-board catering. The airline is to introduce the service initially in the business-class cabin on flights between Dubai and the three main London airports from 25 July. It will enable passengers to select meal ...