Middle East – Page 12
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NewsIsrair holding ‘intensive’ talks over Smartwings acquisition
Israeli leisure operator Israir Group states that it is conducting “intensive negotiations” with Czech carrier Smartwings’ owners, in order to reach agreement to acquire the airline. Although the company says the tender process has advanced, it reiterates that it might not be the only contender and “does not know” whether ...
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NewsRoyal Jordanian looks to step up to 787-9s
Royal Jordanian Airlines has signalled that it is looking to step up to Boeing 787-9 operations, as it seeks to acquire three of the variant. The airline’s 787 fleet, totalling seven aircraft, entirely comprises the smaller -8 model. But the carrier had previously disclosed that it was seeking to increase ...
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NewsBahrain targets purchase of 24 ex-US Marine Corps AH-1W attack helicopters
Bahrain has requested the purchase of 24 surplus Bell AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters from the USA, via a Foreign Military Sales deal worth an estimated $350 million.
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PodcastAirline Business Podcast: Consolidation challenges, Riyadh Air, C-suite diversity
Graham and Lewis talk through the growing list of consolidation moves within the global industry, discussing why deals take such a long time to get over the line.
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NewsFirst 777-300ER converted freighter lifts off after IAI modification
Israel Aerospace Industries has conducted the maiden flight of its Boeing 777-300ER converted freighter, the first such sortie of the variant after cargo modification. It departed Tel Aviv’s runway 30 just before 09:00 on 24 March, to perform nearly 2h of flight tests over the Mediterranean Sea. IAI undertook the ...
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NewsIndonesia gets first A380 service with Emirates’ Bali up-gauge
Emirates is set to operate its Airbus A380s on daily flights to Bali, making it the first carrier to deploy the superjumbo to Indonesia.
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NewsSaudi Arabia envisions seamless high-tech travel with new Neom airline and airport
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Neom smart-city and sustainable-development project, in the north of the kingdom, is to have its own airline and airport system, which aim to overhaul current travel processes.
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NewsSaudia adds Beijing, Gatwick and Lisbon links in network expansion
Saudia and its low-cost unit Flyadeal will launch services to a long list of international destinations this year, underscoring the group’s continued importance to Saudi Arabia’s aviation roadmap despite the recent creation of a new national carrier. Among the points to be served are several that appear to be new ...
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NewsFlydubai seeks approval for United Airlines codeshare in Gulf region
Middle Eastern carrier Flydubai is formally seeking authorisation for a codeshare arrangement with US carrier United Airlines. The codeshare would initially cover some 20 Flydubai destinations beyond the United Arab Emirates, according to a filing with the US Department of Transportation. Most of these destinations are in Saudi Arabia, but ...
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NewsIraqi Airways prepares to set date for initial 787 delivery
Iraqi Airways is preparing to take delivery of its first Boeing 787, one of 10 due to be introduced by the flag-carrier. The airline states that Boeing has completed technical work on the twinjet. General manager Karim Kazem Hussein states that the airline is to agree a date with the ...
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NewsletterPassenger demand steps up in encouraging start to 2023
Global demand for passenger travel has undoubtedly stepped up in the early months of 2023, as the recovery from Covid-19 continues.
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NewsCanada Jetlines exploring potential partnership with Qatar Airways
Start-up leisure specialist Canada Jetlines is exploring a potential partnership with Qatar Airways that could include non-stop flights between Toronto and Qatar’s capital city of Doha.
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NewsA380 first to carry Emirates’ revised livery design
Middle Eastern carrier Emirates has unveiled a new standard livery for its fleet, which primarily features a modified version of the United Arab Emirates flag design on the fin. The latest livery is the third iteration of the Dubai-based airline’s colour scheme, and includes changes to the wing fences and ...
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NewsBahrain’s air force takes delivery of three Bell 505 trainers
The Royal Bahraini Air Force has taken delivery of three Bell 505 training helicopters via a previously unannounced order.
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NewsSaudi Arabian aviation focus includes optimising air traffic management
Saudi Arabia’s government is complementing its ambitious air transport expansion programmes with an effort to increase airspace efficiency. The Saudi air navigation service SANS oversees some 2 million km² of airspace, controlling traffic primarily through two area centres. SANS has reached a provisional agreement on collaborating with UK counterpart NATS ...
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In depthAirline Business Covid-19 recovery tracker: March 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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AnalysisSaudi aircraft orders underscore home carrier ambitions
Any questions about the ambitions of Saudi Arabia’s newly established Riyadh-based national airline were quickly answered by an opening fleet commitment for up to 72 Boeing 787-9s.
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NewsJazeera to create new Saudi low-cost airline
Kuwaiti budget carrier Jazeera Airways is taking preliminary steps to establish a new operator in Saudi Arabia. Jazeera’s board held a meeting on 12 March at which it approved the plan. “The financial impact will be determined once the establishment and operating licensing procedures [are] finalised,” it states. Jazeera says ...
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NewsRiyadh Air to take up 72 Boeing 787s, Saudia to sign for 49 more Dreamliners
National start-up carrier Riyadh Air is take up to 72 Boeing 787-9s, including plans for firm orders for 39 Dreamliners, as part of a wider Saudi Arabian commitment which will see Saudia also sign for up to 49 more of the widebodies.
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NewsFirst Airbus A380 redelivered to Etihad after pandemic grounding
Gulf operator Etihad Airways has taken redelivery of its first example of an Airbus A380 ahead of returning the ultra-large jet to service this summer.