Middle East – Page 13
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NewsEmirates offers VIP charter flights with Phenom from Dubai
Middle Eastern carrier Emirates is introducing a regional charter service with Embraer Phenom 100 business jets out of Dubai’s Al-Maktoum airport. The airline is offering the Phenom for on-demand flights to destinations within the Gulf region, including those outside of the Emirates network. Emirates says the four-seat aircraft provides privacy, ...
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NewsGlobal airline passenger traffic closes to within 4% of pre-Covid levels
Global airline passenger traffic was at 96.1% of 2019 levels in May this year, as the industry neared parity with pre-Covid levels of demand after three years of deficit.
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NewsRussian fighters intercept American UAV over Syria, in latest Middle East incident
The US Air Force’s Middle East headquarters says Russian fighter aircraft conducted an unsafe intercept of an American MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle over Syria, marking the latest incident in the conflicted airspace where both countries are operating.
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NewsDoubling of passenger revenue drives Qatar Airways profit
Qatar Airways posted a net profit of QR4.4 billion ($1.2 billion) for the year ending 31 March 2023 on turnover boosted by a doubling of passenger revenues.
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NewsIran taken to United Nations court over Ukrainian 737 shootdown
Four countries have collectively filed to initiate proceedings before the United Nations International Court of Justice over the destruction of a Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 shot down over Tehran. Ukraine, Sweden, Canada and the UK have submitted a joint application against Iran alleging violation of obligations following the loss ...
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NewsIsrair pays deposit to advance Smartwings acquisition talks
Israir Group has paid a €500,000 ($544,000) deposit in favour of Chinese firm CITIC Group, as part of the Israeli operator’s negotiations to take over Czech airline Smartwings. CITIC is linked to the Chinese economics ministry and holds just over 49.9% of Smartwings. Israir Group has been negotiating with Smartwings’ ...
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NewsIsrael announces plans for 25 more F-35 fighters
Israel plans to order an additional 25 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters, which will allow it to stand up a third squadron of the type.
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NewsEl Al would have avenue to SkyTeam membership under Delta co-operation pact
Israeli flag-carrier El Al could potentially join the SkyTeam alliance with Delta Air Lines’ support, following a strategic co-operation agreement sealed between the two airlines. El Al and Delta will implement reciprocal codeshares and loyalty benefits as part of the tie-up, which is intended to offer more convenient connections between ...
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NewsIsrair granted extension to Smartwings talks with Chinese investors
Israeli leisure operator Israir Group has been granted an extension to complete negotiations with Chinese interests regarding its proposed acquisition of Czech carrier Smartwings. Israir Group says the extension will run to 3 July. Aspects of the discussions include the deposit of €500,000 ($547,000) in favour of CITIC Group, which ...
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NewsAfter 14 years, first Iraqi Airways 787 touches down in Baghdad
Iraqi Airways has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787, one of 10 that the Baghdad-based airline has on order. The Iraqi government originally reached the agreement for the twinjets in late 2009. “As domestic and international air traffic gains momentum, it’s crucial that our Iraqi Airways fleet matches ...
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In depthConfident industry aims to prove airport operational woes were last year’s story
The most frequently used word at IATA’s Ground Handling Council meeting in Abu Dhabi in mid-May was ‘confident’. It was a common message from airlines, airports and ground service providers alike as they predict that this year there will not be a repeat of the often-catastrophic operational delays seen at some airports in summer 2022.
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NewsIAI touts improved Heron Mk II as ‘new kid in town’
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is seeing strong interest in its unmanned air vehicle product line, with the Heron Mk II front and centre at its Paris air show exhibit.
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NewsRafael touts ‘more accurate end-game’ with Sky Spear missile
Rafael has used the Paris air show to unveil a new long-range air-to-air missile named Sky Spear.
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InterviewAl Baker on Airbus, the supply chain, and orders
Akbar Al Baker, one the airline industry’s most outspoken leaders, delivered his views on its relationship with Airbus, persisting supply chain problems, and the need to bolster the carrier’s orderbook in a quickfire media roundtable at the Paris air show today.
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NewsIsrael’s El Al expands 787 fleet with lease of another pair
Israeli flag-carrier El Al has reached a lease agreement with Irish-based AerCap covering a pair of Boeing 787-9s. The aircraft will be delivered to the airline in the second quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. The carrier says the lease period is 15 years. El Al’s lease ...
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NewsOman’s SalamAir steps up to long-haul with A330neo fleet
Omani carrier SalamAir is to lease three long-haul aircraft from Irish-based lessor Avolon later this year. SalamAir is introducing three Airbus A330neo twinjets with the first scheduled to arrive in October. The lease is the subject of a letter of intent signed at the Paris air show. ...
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NewsSaudi low-cost operator Flynas firms up orders for 30 A320neos
Saudi low-cost operator Flynas has firmed up order for 30 Airbus A320neos, which will allow it to grow its international network.
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NewsRiyadh Air debuts livery at Paris air show
Saudi Arabian start-up Riyadh Air is displaying its livery for the first time at the Paris air show on a Boeing 787-9 on the static display.
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NewsUSA deploys F-22s to Middle East, citing Russian activity
Following recent encounters with Russian aircraft that Washington describes as “increasingly unsafe”, the Pentagon has sent an unspecified number of Lockheed Martin F-22 fighters to a location in the Middle East.
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NewsMiddle East’s Texel Air sets up Auckland-based cargo carrier
Middle Eastern freight operator Texel Air is to establish a Pacific region sister carrier, which will be based at Auckland in New Zealand. Texel Air is located in Bahrain and uses a fleet comprising several variants of Boeing 737 freighter: two 737-800s, two 737-700s and a 737-300. It states that ...