Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi has once again cemented its reputation as a global leader in passenger experience by being named the "Best Airport at Arrivals Globally" for the third consecutive year at the 2024 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, organized by Airports Council International (ACI) World.

This accolade highlights AUH’s dedication to providing seamless and exceptional arrival experiences, supported by its state-of-the-art facilities and innovative passenger services. In 2024, the airport welcomed nearly 29 million passengers, showcasing its ability to handle increasing demand while maintaining world-class standards.

The recognition comes as part of ACI’s ASQ program, which evaluates airports based on real-time feedback from travelers, covering over 30 key performance indicators such as efficiency, comfort, and overall satisfaction.

Nearly 700,000 surveys were conducted globally in 2024, making the ASQ Awards a trusted benchmark for excellence in customer experience. ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci praised AUH for setting a new standard for excellence and exceeding passenger expectations.

AUH’s success is underpinned by significant investments in infrastructure and technology. The airport recently completed upgrades to its terminals and expanded its airline network, enhancing connectivity and capacity.

Additionally, it is pioneering a "document-free" travel initiative through biometric technology integration, aiming to become the world’s first fully document-free airport by the end of 2025. These advancements align with Abu Dhabi’s broader vision for digital transformation and economic growth.

Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, expressed pride in the achievement, emphasizing the team’s commitment to delivering memorable first impressions of Abu Dhabi. The airport also plays a vital role in supporting the emirate’s Economic Vision 2030 by fostering tourism, commerce, and foreign investment.

With its strategic location between eastern and western trade routes and cutting-edge facilities like the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC), AUH is positioned as a premier global aviation hub.

In addition to this accolade, AUH has been recognized for its architectural beauty and operational excellence. The airport continues to break records, including handling over 92,000 passengers in a single day in August 2024.

As it looks toward the future, Zayed International Airport remains committed to redefining passenger journeys through innovation, sustainability initiatives like energy-efficient systems, and inclusivity-focused services that cater to diverse traveler needs.

Riyadh Air, the Saudi Arabian startup airline backed by the Public Investment Fund, has expressed its willingness to purchase Boeing aircraft originally intended for Chinese airlines, should those deliveries be blocked due to the intensifying trade war between the United States and China.

CEO Tony Douglas stated at the Arabian Travel Market conference in Dubai that the airline had made it clear to Boeing that it would be ready to take all available jets if China’s suspension of Boeing deliveries persists, a move prompted by reciprocal tariffs between the two economic giants.

China recently ordered its airlines to halt the acceptance of new Boeing jets in response to the U.S. imposing tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese imports. In retaliation, Beijing levied 125% duties on American goods, including aircraft, making Boeing jets financially unviable for Chinese carriers. This standoff has left dozens of Boeing planes undelivered, with some already repatriated to the United States, and has prompted Boeing to seek alternative buyers in a tight global jet market.

Riyadh Air, which plans to launch operations later this year, has been rapidly expanding its fleet and workforce. The airline has already placed orders for up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 60 Airbus A321neo jets, and intends to announce an additional wide-body aircraft order this summer.

With nearly 500 employees hired and plans to double its staff within a year, Riyadh Air aims to capitalize on regional demand, particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council, and is positioning itself as a key player ready to absorb aircraft sidelined by global trade tensions.

Qatar Airways is reportedly preparing to place a substantial order for about 100 widebody aircraft from Boeing, with the possibility of securing options for an additional 100 jets, according to a detailed Bloomberg report. This significant purchase is expected to be officially announced during U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East, underscoring the deal’s importance both commercially and politically.

The order will primarily feature Boeing’s newest widebody models, including the 777X and 787 Dreamliner, which are designed to enhance long-haul operational efficiency, passenger comfort, and overall fleet modernization.

The Boeing 777X, available in the 777-8 and 777-9 variants, offers seating capacities ranging from approximately 395 to 426 passengers in a typical two-class layout, with impressive ranges of up to 8,745 nautical miles for the 777-8 and 7,285 nautical miles for the 777-9. This aircraft incorporates cutting-edge technology such as advanced aerodynamics, composite wings with folding wingtips, and the latest GE9X engines, resulting in fuel savings and emissions reductions of around 10% compared to previous models.

Additionally, the 777X boasts a wider cabin with larger windows, higher ceilings, and improved cabin pressurization and humidity, all contributing to a more comfortable passenger experience.

Currently, Qatar Airways operates a fleet that includes 64 Boeing 777s and several 787 Dreamliners, both recognized for their spacious interiors, state-of-the-art entertainment systems, and premium business class offerings like the Qsuite. The 787 variants provide business class seats that convert into fully flat beds up to 80 inches long, personal entertainment screens, onboard Wi-Fi, and innovative features such as electronically dimmable windows.

The 777 series accommodates up to 42 business class seats and nearly 400 economy seats, delivering a high level of comfort and amenities for travelers.

This forthcoming order will allow Qatar Airways to phase out older 777s and Airbus A380s, supporting the airline’s ambitious plan to boost its annual passenger capacity from 50 million to 80 million within the next five to six years. By investing in the latest aircraft technology, Qatar Airways aims to maintain its status as a leader in long-haul travel with one of the most modern and efficient fleets worldwide.

If finalized, this deal would represent one of the largest widebody aircraft purchases in recent history and reinforce Boeing’s position in the competitive global aviation market.

Qatar Airways is ramping up its transcontinental reach, unveiling major expansions to its North and South American routes this summer. The airline will boost its service to Toronto, Canada and São Paulo, Brazil in response to surging demand for international travel.

Starting June 19, Toronto will see an increase to five weekly flights, with plans for daily service by winter. Just days later, on June 25, São Paulo frequencies will rise to 17 flights per week, enhancing the airline’s footprint in South America’s largest city.

Thierry Antinori, Qatar Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the strong passenger response since the carrier’s launch at Toronto Pearson Airport in December 2024. “We proudly announce the increase in flights to meet the growing demand for our award-winning travel experience,” Antinori said.

With Toronto emerging as a vital entry point for Canadian travelers, Qatar Airways’ expanded schedule aims to bolster connectivity to Doha and onward destinations, especially ahead of the busy winter season.

In the south, São Paulo’s status as a strategic hub for both business and leisure is being reinforced. “These expansions underscore our commitment to providing seamless global connectivity through Hamad International Airport,” Antinori noted, referencing the Doha-based hub recently crowned World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax 2025.

Travelers will also benefit from continued access to 55 Latin American destinations through the airline’s partnership with LATAM Airlines, offering smooth onward journeys to cities like Buenos Aires, Lima, Santiago de Chile, and Rio de Janeiro.

With its latest boost in flight frequencies, Qatar Airways is positioning itself as a premier bridge between the Middle East and the Americas — just in time for a global summer of travel.

 Emirates is strengthening its footprint in China with the launch of daily non-stop flights to Hangzhou, marking a strategic expansion into one of Eastern China's key economic hubs.

Starting July 30, subject to government approval, the Dubai-based airline will begin servicing Hangzhou daily, bringing its total number of gateways into mainland China to five. The new route adds to Emirates’ existing operations in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

With this latest addition, Emirates will operate 49 weekly flights to China — including double daily services to Beijing and Shanghai, and daily flights to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and now, Hangzhou.

The move comes as Emirates SkyCargo continues to report robust demand from China, currently transporting around 2,000 tons of cargo weekly. The airline confirms that all routes into the country are operating at full capacity, reflecting the strong rebound in freight movement even as passenger traffic has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels.

Beyond cargo, the new Hangzhou service is expected to enhance connectivity for travelers heading to or from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. The flight schedule is designed to offer smooth two-way connections to 38 destinations in Europe, 22 in Africa, and 11 in the Middle East, including major cities such as Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo, and Johannesburg.

Earlier this year, Emirates became the first Middle Eastern carrier to launch flights to Shenzhen, underlining its commitment to China’s vast and dynamic aviation market. Industry analysts say this latest expansion signals the airline’s confidence in the long-term potential of Chinese outbound travel — and its determination to be at the forefront of that growth.

Saudi Arabia’s budget airline flynas is gearing up for a major market debut as it readies to go public with a 30% stake offering—up to 20% of which is open to retail investors. This IPO positions flynas as the next big name in the GCC aviation sector to join the stock market.

The institutional book-building process is slated to wrap up by May 18, while retail investors can subscribe starting May 28. The final allocation is scheduled for June 3, with the listing date on the Saudi Tadawul exchange to be announced soon.

As the Kingdom aims to diversify and strengthen its capital markets, flynas is riding a wave of regional aviation growth. In just the first nine months of 2024, the airline transported 10.9 million passengers across its 72-destination network, a reflection of its expanding footprint. It has also placed substantial aircraft orders—130 A320neos and 30 A330neos—to fuel future growth.

The airline’s financials are also climbing. Revenues reached SR434 million in 2024, up from SR401 million a year prior, contributing to a full-year revenue tally exceeding SR7.5 billion.

“This IPO offers investors the opportunity to participate in the growth journey of a high-value airline operating within one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets — the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the GCC,” said Bander Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas.

With investor interest in regional aviation heating up, flynas is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the skies—and now, on the stock exchange.