A luxury Boeing 747-8, once the prized possession of the Qatari royal family, was officially gifted to the United States this week, with the Pentagon confirming it will serve as a new Air Force One for President Donald Trump. The deal, reportedly valued at around $200 million, was finalized Wednesday after days of speculation—making it likely the largest foreign gift ever accepted by the US federal government.

The US Air Force now faces the urgent task of retrofitting the opulent “flying palace” to meet the rigorous security demands of presidential transport. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated: “The secretary of defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations. The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the president of the United States.”

Experts warn that converting the jet into a secure presidential aircraft will be both costly and time-intensive, requiring advanced missile defense systems and technology to protect against nuclear threats. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink emphasized the commitment to safety: “We will make sure that we do what’s necessary to ensure security of the aircraft.”

The move comes as Boeing struggles with delays in delivering two new, custom-built 747-8s for the Air Force One program, now expected no earlier than 2027. The Qatari gift offers a temporary solution, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have voiced concerns about rushed security upgrades under presidential pressure. Senator Tammy Duckworth expressed worries over potential corners being cut on operational security if the aircraft is pushed into service too quickly.

After President Trump’s term, reports indicate the jet will be donated to the Trump presidential library, allowing him continued access as a private citizen—raising questions under the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which bars officials from accepting foreign gifts. However, White House lawyers have deemed the arrangement legally permissible.

Qatar’s prime minister has dismissed any suggestion the gift is meant to influence US policy, calling such claims unfounded: “I don’t see any, honestly, a valid reason for that.”

With the White House eager to put the new Air Force One into service as soon as possible, the world is watching to see if this unprecedented gift will soar above controversy or land in the midst of political turbulence.

Istanbul Airport has once again claimed the title of the world’s best international airport, securing the top spot in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious “World’s Top 10 International Airports” ranking for the second consecutive year.

The announcement was made by Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, who hailed the recognition as a “double success” for the airport. In addition to maintaining its global title, Istanbul Airport also recorded its highest-ever daily flight count on July 18, with 1,695 air traffic movements.

“This year, Istanbul Airport scored an impressive 98.57, up from last year’s 95.79,” Travel + Leisure noted, calling the achievement “extra impressive,” especially considering the airport ranked seventh just two years ago with a reader score of 83.36.

Airports in the survey were evaluated by readers based on key criteria such as accessibility, check-in experience, security procedures, dining options, shopping, and overall design. Istanbul Airport’s continued dominance reflects its rapid evolution into a global aviation powerhouse since entering the ranking in 2021 — the first Turkish airport ever to do so.

Operated by IGA, the airport has demonstrated significant operational milestones. In April, it became the first in Europe and second globally to operate three runways simultaneously, following only the United States. In 2024, it handled nearly 80 million passengers, solidifying its position as Europe’s largest and second-busiest airport, according to the State Airports General Directorate (DHMI).

Istanbul Airport is not only a leader in passenger traffic but also in air cargo. It was named Europe’s busiest cargo hub by Airports Council International (ACI) in its 2024 Annual Traffic Report. Weekly data from Eurocontrol consistently ranks it among Europe’s top airports for daily flights.

With a seamless blend of cutting-edge infrastructure, operational excellence, and world-class passenger amenities, Istanbul Airport continues to redefine global standards in aviation.

Hamad International Airport (DOH) maintained a robust and stable operational performance in the first half of 2025, reflecting its resilience amid evolving global travel dynamics. As the gateway to Qatar, the airport saw a notable increase in point-to-point travel to Doha, with passenger traffic rising by 2.3% between January and June 2025, underscoring the city's growing status as both a tourism and business hub.

During the same period, Hamad International Airport served 25.9 million passengers, marking a slight year-on-year dip of 0.45%, while cargo volumes totaled 1.2 million tonnes (-1.68% Y-o-Y), and aircraft movements reached over 136,000 (-1.71% Y-o-Y). These figures remain in line with regional trends and reflect the airport’s ability to sustain momentum despite the leap year comparison to 2024.

Beyond numbers, Hamad International Airport continued its commitment to enhancing the passenger journey. The airport’s recent expansion – including the opening of Concourses D and E – significantly boosted capacity, adding 17 new contact gates and increasing boarding bridges by 40%. These enhancements eliminated an estimated 350,000 bus transfers, streamlining terminal-to-aircraft transitions and offering a more seamless travel experience.

The terminal’s inclusive design further elevates passenger comfort, featuring barrier-free pathways, hearing loops, spacious seating areas, and dedicated services such as family lanes and e-gates for travelers with disabilities. These initiatives demonstrate the airport's focus on accessibility and thoughtful service.

Adding to its signature ORCHARD indoor tropical garden, Hamad International Airport also unveiled a permanent art collection by renowned artists Gillie and Marc. These installations not only enrich the airport’s ambiance but also serve as a reminder of the need to protect endangered wildlife, blending travel with cultural and environmental consciousness.

As it continues to evolve, Hamad International Airport stands as a model of operational excellence and passenger-centric innovation in the global aviation sector.

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) has once again achieved a major milestone, earning the distinction of being the world’s most punctual airport in June 2025 with an impressive on-time performance rate of 90.41%. This recognition was announced by Cirium, a global leader in aviation analytics, reinforcing KKIA’s reputation for operational excellence and reliability on the international stage.

Third Top Ranking in 2025

This marks the third time in 2025 that KKIA has secured the number one global ranking for punctuality, having previously attained this accolade in March and April. Such consistency underlines KKIA's commitment to maintaining world-class standards in flight operations and passenger experience.

Cirium Report and Methodology

Cirium compiles its punctuality rankings through a comprehensive analysis of data from airlines, air traffic control systems, and airport feeds across the globe. The rankings reflect the proportion of flights departing or arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled times—a widely accepted industry standard. This robust methodology guarantees transparency and accuracy, providing a valuable benchmark for industry stakeholders and travelers alike.

Saudi Vision 2030 and Aviation Strategy

KKIA’s consistent top performance aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious strategy to transform its aviation sector and cement Riyadh as a top-tier logistics and travel hub. Ongoing investments in new infrastructure, enhancements in efficiency, and elevated customer service standards have all contributed to this achievement.

Additional 2025 Milestones and Recognitions

• Skytrax 2025 Awards: KKIA climbed to 24th place globally in the Skytrax World Airport Awards, an 11-position improvement, becoming the highest-ranking Saudi airport ever. The airport also received honors for “Best Airport Staff in the Middle East,” third globally for the “Best New Terminal,” and fourth for airports in the 30–40 million passengers category.

• Environmental Leadership: Earlier in 2025, KKIA became the first airport in Saudi Arabia to reach Level 4 Transformation under the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, marking a significant step toward sustainability and a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 205010.

• Expanding Connectivity: 2025 saw the launch of direct flights from Virgin Atlantic and US-Bangla Airlines, strengthening air links between Riyadh and key international destinations such as Toronto and Dhaka, further cementing KKIA's role as a global gateway.

• Domestic Excellence: KKIA maintained top rankings within Saudi Arabia for passenger traffic and flight punctuality, driven by ongoing modernization and expanded passenger services.

Saudi Airlines Also Excel

In June 2025, Saudia was named the world’s most punctual airline, with a 91.33% on-time arrival rate and a 90.69% on-time departure rate, according to Cirium. Saudia’s low-cost carrier, flyadeal, led the Middle East and Africa with a 91.77% punctuality rate, adding further prestige to Saudi Arabia’s aviation achievements.

iGA Istanbul Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport have formalized a Sister Airport agreement, uniting two of the world’s most prominent aviation hubs in a partnership designed to foster collaboration and innovation across multiple facets of airport operations. The agreement was signed during a ceremony at O’Hare’s Terminal 5 on June 20, 2025, attended by executives from both airports and Türkiye’s Consul General in Chicago, Tahir Bora Atatanır.

The partnership aims to facilitate joint projects in airport management, operations, customer service, planning, and sustainability, reflecting the shared commitment to advancing global connectivity and excellence in passenger experience.

Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of iGA Istanbul Airport, highlighted the strategic importance of this alliance for expanding iGA’s presence in North America and strengthening its global network. He noted that the cooperation is expected to yield mutual benefits in both passenger and cargo transportation, leveraging the airports’ roles as major international gateways.

iGA Istanbul Airport, ranked the seventh busiest in the world by passenger numbers in 2024 and the ninth by aircraft movements, serves as Türkiye’s largest airport and a major hub for Turkish Airlines, offering nonstop service to over 330 destinations—including 14 in the United States. Similarly, O’Hare is recognized as the best-connected airport in the United States and a critical hub for Star Alliance carriers.

The agreement is particularly significant given the strong business and cultural ties between Chicago and Istanbul. The Chicago metropolitan area is home to approximately 5,000 Turkish nationals, with over 20 Turkish investors and 12 Turkish firms operating in the city, while eight Chicago-based companies maintain a presence in Türkiye. This partnership is expected to further enhance trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two cities.

Michael J. McMurray, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation, emphasized that the Sister Airport agreement will elevate bilateral relations between the United States and Türkiye and help maintain Chicago’s status as a global transportation hub. The partnership is also supported by World Business Chicago, whose President & CEO, Phil Clement, underscored the unique position of Istanbul as a city bridging Europe and Asia, and the value of deepening international ties for Chicago’s diverse economy and global reach.

The Sister Airport agreement establishes joint working groups focused on sharing best practices in airport management, customer service, planning, operations, and sustainable development. This is iGA Istanbul Airport’s first such partnership in the Americas, complementing its existing alliances with major airports in Asia and Europe, including Incheon, Beijing, Shanghai, and Copenhagen.

For the Chicago Department of Aviation, this marks its tenth Sister Airport agreement, further expanding its international network.

Both airports anticipate that the collaboration will position them to capitalize on growing passenger and cargo volumes, reinforcing their roles as vital nodes in the global aviation network and setting a foundation for ongoing innovation and connectivity

Sharjah Airport has announced its full readiness to accommodate the significant increase in passenger traffic expected during the peak summer travel season. From July 1 to 15, 2025, the airport anticipates welcoming over 800,000 travelers, reflecting a substantial rise compared to previous years. This surge is driven by increased tourism, holiday travel, and business activities in the region.

To manage this influx, the Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) has implemented a comprehensive operational plan developed in collaboration with airlines, ground handling companies, security agencies, and health authorities. The plan focuses on enhancing passenger experience by streamlining check-in, security screening, and boarding processes. Additional counters and staff have been deployed to reduce wait times, while advanced biometric and automated systems are being utilized to expedite passenger flow.

Customer service teams are working tirelessly around the clock to provide assistance, answer inquiries, and guide passengers through the airport’s smart services and innovative technologies, such as contactless check-in kiosks and real-time flight information displays. The airport has also expanded its lounge capacities and improved amenities to ensure comfort during waiting periods.

In line with global health and safety standards, Sharjah Airport continues to enforce rigorous sanitation protocols, including frequent cleaning of high-touch areas and mandatory mask policies where applicable. Health screening procedures remain in place, and the airport has coordinated with local health authorities to facilitate COVID-19 testing and vaccination verification as required by destination countries.

Security measures have been upgraded to incorporate the latest technologies and intelligence-sharing practices, ensuring passenger safety without compromising efficiency. The airport’s infrastructure has been enhanced to support the increased traffic, including expanded parking facilities and improved ground transportation links to and from the airport.

Passengers are strongly advised to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure to allow sufficient time for check-in and security procedures. It is also recommended that travelers verify their flight details and any travel advisories directly with their airlines prior to arriving at the airport, as schedules may be subject to change during this busy period.

The Sharjah Airport Authority remains committed to delivering the highest standards of service and safety, reinforcing Sharjah Airport’s status as a key regional and international travel hub. Continuous monitoring and adjustments will be made throughout the peak season to maintain operational excellence and ensure a smooth travel experience for all passengers. For further information and updates, travelers can visit the official Sharjah Airport website or contact their airline customer service centers.