As the world continues to evolve and grow, Qatar stands out as a vibrant destination that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, Qatar is set to become an even more exciting place to visit and live in April.

The month promises to be filled with a wide array of events that cater to diverse interests, from spectacular festivals and sporting competitions to cultural exhibitions and musical performances. Here's a glimpse into what April has in store for Qatar

As April unfolds, Qatar is poised to become a vibrant hub of diverse events, offering something for everyone. The month begins with the Eid Al-Fitr celebrations, which will be marked by spectacular festivities across the country. One of the highlights will be the Lusail Sky Festival, taking place at Al Saad Plaza in Lusail City from April 3 to 5.

This festival promises to dazzle audiences with breathtaking aerial displays, including acrobatic aircraft formations, drone parades, glider performances, laser displays, and fireworks. The event will create a festive atmosphere unlike any other, drawing in crowds from all over to witness the mesmerizing sky shows.

In addition to these celebrations, malls across Qatar will host a variety of activities designed to entertain both children and adults. Lagoona Mall will offer fun workshops for children from March 30 to April 4, providing a creative outlet for young minds. Meanwhile, Mall of Qatar will present A Wonderland of Soapy Bubbles from March 30 to April 5, featuring mesmerizing bubble performances that will captivate audiences of all ages.

Place Vendôme Mall will host "The Smurf-tastic Fair" from March 31 to April 15, bringing the beloved Smurfs characters to life in an interactive and immersive experience. Doha Quest will also offer festive attractions for all ages from April 1 to 5, ensuring that everyone has a memorable time during the Eid celebrations.

April will also be filled with exciting sporting events that will attract enthusiasts from around the world. The Lusail International Circuit will host the 2025 MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar from April 11 to 13, drawing in the world's top motorcyclists for a thrilling competition. The Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour 2025 will take place from April 15 to 19, highlighting the growing popularity of padel as a sport.

Additionally, the 17th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup – Taishan will run from April 16 to 19 at the Aspire Dome, featuring some of the world's best gymnasts competing in various disciplines. Other notable sporting events include the Al Maha Island Aquathlon and the Al Zubarah Race on April 19, followed by the Beach Sports Festival at Aspire Park from April 20 to 26, which will offer a range of beach activities for participants and spectators alike.

On the cultural and creative front, Qatar will host Qumra 2025 at the Museum of Islamic Art from April 4 to 9. This event brings together filmmakers and creatives from around the world to share ideas, learn from each other, and showcase their work. The BilAraby Summit will take place from April 19 to 20 at Multaqa – Education City Students Centre, focusing on developments in the Arab media industry and providing a platform for networking and collaboration.

The EcoGreen Expo and the 2nd Edition of the Earthna Summit for a Sustainable Future will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from April 22 to 25. These events will highlight innovations in sustainability and clean energy, attracting experts and enthusiasts interested in environmental solutions.

Music enthusiasts will have plenty to look forward to as well. Concerts featuring Abdulaziz Al-Duwaihi and Hisham Mahrous will take place at U Venue on April 4, offering a unique blend of music styles. The TUL8TE Concert will be held at Doha Golf Club on the same day, providing another exciting musical experience.

The Disney Musical Show: The Magic Box will run from April 3 to 12 at the Qatar National Convention Centre, offering a Disney-inspired musical experience for all ages. Other musical highlights include Candlelight: Mozart & Chopin Classics, which will bring classical music lovers together to enjoy timeless compositions, and Anirudh’s Hukum World Tour concert on April 11, featuring the renowned Indian composer and singer.

Additionally, Ed Sheeran's concert on April 30 at Lusail Multipurpose Hall promises to be a major draw, attracting fans from across the region.

Lastly, comedy fans can enjoy the 3a Ka3ba improve comedy show on April 26, which will offer a hilarious evening of improvisational comedy. Classical music lovers can experience the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony on the same evening, providing a sophisticated and enriching musical experience. With such a diverse range of events, April promises to be an exciting month in Qatar, offering something for everyone to enjoy.

In a landmark moment for both its fleet and passenger experience, Etihad Airways has received its first Airbus A321LR at the Airbus Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg a major milestone in the airline’s growth trajectory and a bold step in redefining single-aisle travel.

The new A321LR is the first of 30 such jets set to join the Abu Dhabi-based carrier, ushering in a new era where widebody amenities and luxurious innovations are available on shorter routes. Etihad’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, hailed the delivery as “an extraordinary moment,” emphasizing the airline’s mission to deliver “luxury at every altitude” and across its expanding global network.

Among the jet’s standout features is Etihad’s inaugural narrowbody First Suites cabin—a first for the airline. These private suites offer sliding doors, fully-flat beds, and bespoke design touches reminiscent of the airline’s long-haul flagship products. Window seats are further enhanced by 20-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and companion seating, blurring the line between widebody and narrowbody experiences.

The 14-seat Business Class cabin features a 1-1 herringbone layout akin to widebody flagships, with direct aisle and window access for every guest. Each seat sports a 17.3-inch 4K screen, wireless charging, and Bluetooth connectivity, elevating comfort and privacy on short-haul journeys.

Etihad’s Economy Class also receives a premium upgrade, offering 144 seats with extra space, 13.3-inch 4K seatback touchscreens, USB charging, and Bluetooth connection for personal headphones plus over a thousand hours of content. Increased overhead luggage space also brings widebody convenience to the narrowbody segment.

Airbus Executive Vice President Sales, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, commented on the delivery: “The arrival of Etihad’s first Airbus A321LR symbolizes innovation and partnership, deepening the longstanding bond between Airbus and the UAE. This aircraft sets a new comfort benchmark for single-aisle jets and expands Etihad’s global reach from Abu Dhabi.”

The A321LR is also equipped with next-generation Viasat Wi-Fi, promising lightning-fast speeds reaching 100’s of Mbps for uninterrupted streaming, browsing, and gaming at cruising altitude. This gate-to-gate connectivity will be available on Asian routes from September 2025, ensuring travelers stay productive and entertained throughout their journey.

Set to debut commercially on 1 August 2025 on the Abu Dhabi–Phuket route, the A321LR will soon serve a diverse mix of both short- and medium-haul destinations, including Bangkok, Copenhagen, Milan, Paris, Tunis, Zurich, and more. The aircraft’s arrival is a key pillar in Etihad’s “Journey 2030” vision to reinforce Abu Dhabi as a world-class aviation hub and support the airline’s goal of reaching 38 million annual passengers by 2030.

With another nine A321LRs landing in 2025 and an ambitious slate of 27 new routes in a single year, Etihad is poised to bring the luxury of widebody flying to more travelers and more destinations than ever before—raising the bar for what’s possible in single-aisle aviation.

Etihad Airways is ramping up its expansion in 2025 by adding seven new routes that will enhance Abu Dhabi’s connectivity across the Gulf, Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. This strategy is designed to drive more direct point-to-point traffic to Abu Dhabi, positioning the city as a key hub for tourism, culture, and trade.

The new destinations include Almaty in Kazakhstan, Baku in Azerbaijan, Bucharest in Romania, Medina in Saudi Arabia, Tbilisi in Georgia, Tashkent in Uzbekistan, and Yerevan in Armenia. Flights to Medina will begin on November 9, 2025, operating six times a week, while services to the other six cities will start from early March 2026, with weekly frequencies ranging between four and ten flights.

Etihad’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, highlighted that these destinations connect Abu Dhabi to rapidly growing and culturally rich regions, stimulating tourism and economic activity. He noted the diversity of attractions these cities offer, from Medina’s religious significance to the vibrant urban culture of Baku and Almaty, and the historic depth of Tbilisi, Yerevan, and Bucharest.

 In total, Etihad will have added or announced 27 new routes in 2025, reflecting a significant milestone in its network growth and commitment to Abu Dhabi’s development as a global travel center.

Earlier in the year, Etihad launched routes to Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, and Atlanta, with 13 more additions expected later in 2025. The airline also revealed seasonal summer destinations for 2026, including Krakow in Poland, Salalah in Oman, and Kazan in Russia, targeting peak travel periods.

Each new city brings unique appeal: Medina attracts pilgrims with its spiritual heritage and iconic mosques; Bucharest offers elegant architecture and lively urban life; Tbilisi balances old-world charm and modern vibrancy; Yerevan boasts ancient history and a rich cultural scene; Baku stands out with its striking mix of tradition and futuristic design; Almaty provides a blend of natural alpine beauty and cosmopolitan buzz; and Tashkent offers a combination of historic sites and contemporary developments.

These additions will simplify travel to and from Abu Dhabi for business, leisure, and pilgrimage travelers alike, supported by Etihad’s world-class service and seamless connections. This expansion underlines Etihad’s vision of solidifying Abu Dhabi as a premier international aviation hub linking diverse regions around the globe.

Riyadh Air is ramping up preparations to finally launch its long-awaited Boeing 787 flights, following an extended period on the sidelines. As the calendar moves past the midpoint of 2025, the new Saudi Arabian carrier remains optimistic that it will take to the skies before the year concludes.

If current plans hold, Riyadh Air aims to inaugurate service to two European cities by the end of 2025. This marks the start of a broader expansion strategy, with more global destinations expected to be added as additional 787s and other aircraft join the fleet.

The journey to launch has been anything but smooth for Riyadh Air. Securing an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the General Authority of Civil Aviation in April 2025 was a major milestone, following a rigorous six-month testing campaign. However, the celebration was short-lived: just days after receiving the AOC, the airline announced another postponement, pushing the anticipated first flight to the fourth quarter of 2025.

This latest delay scrapped earlier plans for a Q3 debut. In fact, Riyadh Air’s inaugural flight was originally expected much sooner, but a series of setbacks have kept the airline grounded.

A significant factor behind the repeated delays has been Boeing’s well-publicized delivery challenges. Riyadh Air, like many other airlines worldwide, has struggled to receive new aircraft on schedule. These industry-wide setbacks have forced airlines to reconsider fleet plans, delay retirements of older jets, and, in Riyadh Air’s case, postpone the launch of scheduled passenger operations.

Despite the hurdles, Riyadh Air remains committed to its vision of becoming a major player in international aviation. With regulatory approval secured and preparations underway, the airline is poised to make its long-anticipated debut—pending timely aircraft deliveries and the resolution of industry supply chain issues.
As the end of 2025 approaches, all eyes are on Riyadh Air to see if it can finally turn plans into reality and begin connecting Saudi Arabia to the world.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is set to launch a new direct flight service connecting Zayed International Airport and Sialkot International Airport in Pakistan, starting July 17, 2025. This exciting development will see the airline operate three weekly flights, enhancing connectivity between the UAE capital and one of Pakistan’s key industrial hubs.

The new route will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with flight 3L 311 departing Abu Dhabi at 1:35 a.m. and arriving in Sialkot at 6:00 a.m. The return flight, 3L 312, will leave Sialkot at 6:50 a.m., landing in Abu Dhabi at 9:20 a.m. This schedule is designed to cater to the growing demand from business travelers and the large expatriate community linking the two regions.

Sialkot, located in the northeast of Punjab province near the Kashmir hills and Chenab River, is renowned as a vital industrial and export center in Pakistan. The new service will expand Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s footprint in Pakistan beyond its existing routes to Faisalabad and Multan, providing passengers with more options for direct and affordable travel.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi operates a modern fleet of 12 Airbus A320 aircraft, known for their efficiency and passenger comfort. The airline offers value-added services such as free in-flight streaming through ‘SkyTime’ and affordable onboard catering with ‘SkyCafe.’ Additionally, travelers can benefit from the ‘Air Rewards’ loyalty program, allowing them to earn and redeem points.

Tickets for the new Abu Dhabi–Sialkot flights are now available for booking via Air Arabia’s website, call center, and authorized travel agencies, marking a significant boost in air connectivity between the UAE and Pakistan’s thriving industrial regions.

Qatar Airways has officially resumed direct flights between Doha and Malta, with four non-stop services each week starting July 2, 2025, further strengthening its extensive global network and enhancing international connectivity.

The flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, departing Doha at either 08:45 or 14:05 and arriving in Malta later the same day or the following morning, depending on the schedule. Return flights from Malta to Doha are similarly structured, with departures at 10:15 or 17:05 and an average flight time of just over five hours.

This route re-establishes Malta as the 50th European destination in Qatar Airways’ network for the northern summer of 2025, providing travelers from Asia-Pacific markets—including China, India, Japan, and the Philippines—greater access to the Mediterranean. The service is expected to boost tourism to Malta’s capital Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the islands of Gozo and Comino.

Travelers from Malta will benefit from seamless connections to Qatar Airways’ network of over 170 destinations worldwide, including 42 weekly flights to Australia. The airline’s proposed partnership with Virgin Australia, pending regulatory approval, is set to further expand connectivity options for passengers.

Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasized the importance of the Malta route in reinforcing economic ties and supporting tourism, highlighting Malta’s appeal with its rich history, cultural sites, and sun-soaked coastline. Malta International Airport and the Malta Tourism Authority have both welcomed the airline’s return, citing the positive impact on regional connectivity and tourism potential.

Qatar Airways remains the only Middle Eastern carrier offering non-stop flights between Doha and Malta, utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft with both Economy and Business Class options. Bookings for the new service are now open.