Middle East
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News
Saudia and Air France-KLM to explore 787 engine MRO venture under co-operation pact
Middle Eastern carrier Saudia is entering a maintenance partnership with Air France-KLM which will focus on engine work. The two sides will explore a joint venture for GE Aerospace GEnx engines which power Boeing 787s. Under the pact Saudia envisions awarding at least 50% of GE Aerospace GE90 work to ...
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News
Pentagon confirms A-10 strikes in Syria, claiming defence of US forces
Although the Pentagon has denied taking any part in the rebel offensive against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Washington says it conducted what are described as “self-defence strikes” in Syria against unspecfied threats to US forces and their partners.
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News
Flyadeal chief aims for widebody decision by year-end
Flyadeal chief executive Stephen Greenway expects to make a decision on its plan to bring in widebodies by the end of the year, as the Saudi budget carrier continues to ponder a choice between operating new and used aircraft.
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News
Absence of El Al competition spurs hi-tech firms to plan 777 charter to Newark
Absence of competition on Israeli-US routes has spurred a group of hi-tech corporate interests to set up an alternative air transport operation for the first quarter of 2025. The operation, which has been branded TechAir, involves leasing or chartering a widebody aircraft – the current proposal is a wet-leased Boeing ...
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News
Emirates takes delivery of first A350-900
Middle Eastern carrier Emirates has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, one of 65 which will be introduced by the operator. The twinjet (A6-EXA) departed Toulouse for Dubai at around 17:00 on 25 November. It headed north, passing briefly through southern UK airspace before turning east to fly over ...
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News
Etihad includes Atlanta, Hong Kong and Taipei in 10-route network expansion
Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways has included the US gateway of Atlanta, and the Asian cities of Hong Kong and Taipei, in a newly-unveiled network expansion. Etihad has listed 10 new destinations to be served by the Abu Dhabi-based carrier beginning next year. Its expansion will include several other Asian ...
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Analysis
How the global military fleet shapes up in our 2025 World Air Forces review
Our annual World Air Forces directory – published in association with Embraer – details the military aircraft fleets of 161 nations, and analyses the main events of the last 12 months.
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News
El Al purchases 777 airframe to secure spare engines for operational fleet
Israel’s El Al has purchased a Boeing 777 fuselage in order to have spare engines available for its fleet of the twinjet type. The airline disclosed the acquisition as it released third-quarter financial results. El Al says it was purchased from a “foreign company” for a consideration of $7.3 million, ...
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News
Royal Jordanian to open new US gateway route next year
Royal Jordanian Airlines is to open a new transatlantic service to Washington DC ahead of the summer season next year. The Oneworld alliance carrier states that it will fly the nonstop route from Amman twice-weekly. Royal Jordanian will deploy Boeing 787s for the service. It will bring to four the ...
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News
El Al benefits in third quarter as regional jitters keep competitors away
Israeli flag-carrier El Al’s third-quarter revenues topped $1 billion as the airline continued to benefit from the depleted competition out of Tel Aviv. Demand generated a $308 million surge in revenues for the three months including $36 million for the cargo sector. El Al’s pre-tax profit for the three-month period ...
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News
Long-haul routes copying ‘green’ shipping corridors could drive SAF economic case: researchers
Concentrating sustainable aviation fuel use on a small number of dense long-haul routes would accelerate development of commercial supply chains, a new research paper has concluded. Such “green flightpaths” would demonstrate economic viability, the paper states, and drive the large-scale investment needed for broader take-up of sustainable fuels. The research ...
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News
US F-35Cs complete first known combat mission
Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters from the US Marine Corps took part in recent US strikes against targets in Yemen, marking the first known combat flight for the carrier-based variant of the stealth fighter.
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News
Bahrain still considering Cobra fleet renewal deal with surplus Bell AH-1Ws
Bahrain’s military fleet renewal could be set to advance further, with a potential acquisition of ex-US Marine Corps (USMC) Bell AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters still in the mix.
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News
L3Harris prepares F-16’s Viper Shield EW system for flight-tests
L3Harris is anticipating the launch of a flight-test campaign involving its Viper Shield electronic warfare (EW) system – technology that will play a key role in protecting new Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters operated by nations including Bahrain.
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News
Etihad’s nine-month net profits up two-thirds after strong summer period
Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways is crediting a strong summer season, following network expansion, for a substantial improvement in profitability at the nine-month mark. The Abu Dhabi-based operator – which has extended its network to 83 destinations – says it also achieved “significant growth” in its cargo activities, especially during ...
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News
UAE air force welcomes its fourth A330 MRTT tanker
Airbus Defence & Space has delivered its latest A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) to the United Arab Emirates, boosting the Gulf nation’s fleet of the type to four examples.
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News
MEA stays profitable even as Lebanon faces ‘biggest crisis’
Lebanese flag-carrier Middle East Airlines is claiming a full-year net profit of $88.8 million for 2023, despite the economic stresses on the country and the initial indications of regional conflict. MEA says the profit figure – up 85% from 2022 – follows a 20% increase in passenger revenues, to $725 ...
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News
Pakistan displays JF-17 Block III fighter at Bahrain show
The Pakistan air force’s (PAF’s) JF-17 Thunder fighter is making a repeat appearance at the show, with three of the jets in attendance – including one in the Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex-developed type’s new Block III standard.
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News
RBAF shows off new Bell 505 training helicopter
One of the Royal Bahraini Air Force’s (RBAF’s) new Bell 505 training helicopters is making the type’s debut appearance at the show, within the static display.
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Analysis
Bahrain’s strengthened air force stars at home show
Manama’s strengthened military capability is proudly on display at the Bahrain air show, with its air force’s newest and most capable-ever combat aircraft to take a starring role.