Emirates has once again redefined excellence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, marking its most successful presence to date with record visitor numbers and nearly 40 strategic partnerships forged across the global travel ecosystem. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 to May 1, the event brought together over 55,000 industry professionals from 161 countries and featured more than 2,800 exhibitors, making it the largest edition in ATM’s 32-year history.

Record-Breaking Engagement and Showcase of Innovation

Emirates’ stand was the centerpiece of ATM 2025, welcoming a staggering 27,000 visitors over the four-day event. Attendees experienced firsthand the airline’s latest innovations, including the new-generation A350 Business Class and Premium Economy seats, the signature Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa, and a dedicated showcase of sustainability and accessible travel initiatives.

The presence of high-profile guests, including UAE royal dignitaries such as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, underscored the airline’s leadership in shaping the future of global travel.

Forging the Future Through Strategic Partnerships

Emirates announced nearly 40 strategic partnerships, spanning tourism boards, ministries from 21 countries, technology partners, cruise lines, airlines, and rail operators. Among the most notable collaborations were the extension of the long-term partnership with MSC Cruises and a new agreement with Hapag-Lloyd, both aimed at reinforcing Dubai’s status as a premier cruise hub and enriching the air-sea travel experience for passengers.

Emirates also reinforced its executive partnership with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), further solidifying its leadership in the luxury cruise segment.

In the aviation sector, Emirates expanded its global reach through new interline and codeshare agreements. The airline explored the framework for an interline agreement with Kuwait Airways and began discussions on reciprocal codesharing with Philippine Airlines.

Emirates also officially activated its codeshare partnership with Condor, granting Condor passengers access to 13 Emirates destinations via Dubai, including popular leisure spots such as Bali, Bangkok, Phuket, and Cape Town. Additionally, a new codeshare agreement with Air Seychelles was established, further broadening Emirates’ network and offering seamless connectivity for travelers across continents.

Elevating the Passenger Experience

Emirates unveiled a fleet of retrofitted aircraft featuring refreshed interiors, with upgraded A380s now serving key routes to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Nice, and Perth, and renovated Boeing 777s deployed on routes to Madrid, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Frankfurt, and Dublin. These enhancements are part of Emirates’ ongoing mission to deliver a refined, luxurious travel experience and to position itself at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.

Empowering the Travel Ecosystem

Recognizing the diverse needs of the global travel market, Emirates launched a series of initiatives aimed at empowering different travel segments. The airline hosted its first-ever travel industry workshop series, partnering with seven tourism boards and attracting over 350 trade partners from 15 countries.

These workshops, alongside more than 600 industry meetings and networking sessions, provided a platform for knowledge exchange and fostered deeper collaboration within the travel sector. Emirates also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with American Express Middle East, exploring new offerings for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Middle East and North Africa. This partnership is expected to deliver tailored payment solutions and exclusive incentives, further supporting the region’s vibrant SME sector.

A Vision for Tomorrow’s Tourism

The announcements at ATM 2025 reflect Emirates’ ambitious vision for the future of international travel, perfectly aligned with the event’s theme, “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity.” By leveraging its extensive network, cutting-edge technology, and strategic partnerships, Emirates is not only elevating the passenger experience but also driving the growth of global tourism.

As the airline celebrates its 40th year of operations, its bold innovations and collaborative approach signal a new chapter in the evolution of international travel.

A Platform for Global Dialogue and Collaboration

Emirates’ presence at ATM 2025 was not limited to product launches and partnership signings. The airline played a pivotal role in fostering dialogue and collaboration among global tourism stakeholders. Emirates welcomed delegations from around the world, including a high-profile visit from Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, and renewed longstanding relationships with organizations such as the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), IDP Education, and Huawei.

These engagements reflect Emirates’ holistic approach to tourism development, encompassing everything from student travel and business events to digital innovation and destination marketing.

As the global travel industry continues to recover and evolve, Emirates’ leadership at ATM 2025 sets a powerful example for how visionary thinking, strategic partnerships, and customer-centric innovation can drive the future of tourism forward

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.