Facing heightened trade pressures from Washington, Bangladesh is taking bold steps to head off a looming tariff shock that threatens its crucial export industries. The government has dramatically escalated orders for American-made aircraft and increased key agricultural imports in hopes of bridging the growing U.S. trade gap and persuading the Trump administration to back off steep new duties.

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman announced the uptick in purchases on Sunday, citing both urgent domestic needs and the rapidly shifting trade landscape. “We need new aircraft urgently, possibly within the next couple of years,” Rahman told reporters, explaining that the initial plan to buy 14 planes from Boeing has swollen to 25. The expanded order signals Bangladesh’s willingness to spend big on U.S. products as part of a broader strategy to narrow its $6 billion trade deficit with America a deficit now at the heart of escalating tensions.

But aircraft are only part of the story. Alongside the Boeing deal, Bangladesh has signed a major agreement to import U.S. wheat, with 700,000 tonnes set to arrive each year for the next five years. Imports of soybean oil and cotton vital ingredients for Bangladesh’s food processing and garment export sectors are also climbing.

Officials hope these measures will improve trade relations and soften the impact of what many here call a “looming crisis”: threatened U.S. tariffs as high as 35%, a move that could price Bangladeshi garments out of one of their largest global markets.

The country’s export sector, especially ready-made garments, is acutely vulnerable. The threat of sweeping tariffs has rattled manufacturers and policy makers alike, spurring the government into these swift, high-profile purchases of American goods. By diversifying its imports and investing in American products, Bangladesh hopes to show goodwill and convince Washington that punitive trade measures would be counterproductive.

As the stakes rise, Bangladeshi officials are keenly aware that resolving trade tensions with the U.S. is not just about economic figures; it’s about preserving hundreds of thousands of jobs at home and ensuring the future competitiveness of key industries. For now, all eyes remain on Washington—and on the tarmac, where new U.S.-built aircraft will soon be touching down.

A new chapter is set to take flight in Saudi Arabia’s aviation landscape with the announcement of a Dammam-based low-cost airline, led by UAE’s Air Arabia in partnership with Saudi firms Kun Investment Holding and Nesma Group. Far from just adding another budget carrier to an already bustling market, this initiative is a strategic move deeply aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic transformation plan, aiming to diversify the economy, boost tourism, and stimulate regional development.

Dammam, home to King Fahd International Airport Saudi Arabia’s third-largest and a crucial gateway for the Eastern Province, will serve as the airline’s headquarters. This marks a significant pivot from the usual Riyadh and Jeddah focus, placing Dammam at the heart of expanded connectivity efforts. The new carrier is designed to unlock the airport’s untapped potential as a hub linking underserved Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities like Abha, Jazan, and Tabuk with the Gulf capitals Doha, Manama, Kuwait City, and Sharjah, enhancing both domestic and regional access.

The airline is set for an ambitious start with a fleet of 45 aircraft, targeting to serve 81 destinations (24 domestic and 57 international), and plans to transport up to 10 million passengers annually by 2030. This expansion is expected to create over 2,400 direct jobs, boosting the local economy and increasing travel options with affordable fares and greater seat capacity.

Saudi Arabia’s domestic air travel demand has surged past 62 million passengers in 2023, fueled by growing religious tourism and the rise of mega leisure projects like NEOM and AlUla. The new airline aims to cater to these evolving travel patterns by providing competitive, budget-friendly flights that stimulate latent demand in ways the existing full-service carriers do not.

This move comes amid a robust aviation ecosystem supported by heavy investments over SR50 billion into airport modernization and privatization initiatives that tackle infrastructure bottlenecks, making the environment ripe for low-cost carrier growth. With two-thirds of Saudi Arabia’s 35 million population under 35 and rising consumer preferences toward budget travel, the regional aviation market is expanding rather than cannibalizing existing players like Flynas and flyadeal.

The Air Arabia-led consortium, combining regional low-cost expertise and local governance, symbolizes a mature approach to Gulf aviation partnerships. It contrasts with the less successful ventures by foreign carriers lacking regional rooting, emphasizing the importance of cost discipline, fleet strategy, and market alignment to thrive in the Kingdom.

In essence, this new Saudi low-cost airline launching from Dammam is a calculated strategic lever not a gamble to energize the Eastern Province, strengthen regional connectivity, and underpin the Kingdom’s economic diversification through tourism and transport. Its success will hinge on local responsiveness, disciplined operations, and the ability to integrate seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s broader national vision.

This pioneering airline, expected to begin flights by late 2026, is more than a carrier it is a bold statement on Saudi Arabia’s evolving aviation ambitions and a beacon for the future of budget travel in the region.

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.