Abu Dhabi’s Stopover Programme, a flagship initiative jointly led by Etihad Airways and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has achieved unprecedented success, setting new benchmarks for visitor numbers, bookings, and economic impact. In the first four months of 2025, the programme recorded 25,000 bookings-a remarkable 47% increase compared to the same period in 2024-while visitor arrivals surged to 44,000, marking a 76% rise over the previous year.

This rapid growth builds on the momentum of 2024, when Abu Dhabi welcomed 85,000 international stopover guests, up from just 12,000 in 2023. Etihad Airways now projects that more than 130,000 stopover guests will visit the Emirate in 2025, highlighting the programme’s accelerating popularity and its ability to attract incremental visitors at an impressive rate.

The Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme is designed to encourage transit passengers to extend their layovers and experience the city’s world-class attractions, luxurious hotels, and vibrant cultural scene. Available exclusively to Etihad Airways passengers, the programme allows travellers to seamlessly add a one- or two-night complimentary hotel stay at premier properties across the city during the online booking process.

The introduction of the Abu Dhabi Pass has further enhanced the experience, offering practical benefits and exclusive discounts at leading attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues. These features make it easier and more appealing for travellers to explore the Emirate’s diverse offerings, from iconic landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi to thrilling theme parks on Yas Island and serene desert landscapes.

The programme’s success is also driven by its broad international appeal, attracting travellers from key markets such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, Japan, and South Korea. Many visitors who initially stopover for a short stay are now returning for longer dedicated holidays, drawn by Abu Dhabi’s unique blend of tradition and modernity. The average length of stay for stopover visitors has increased, with travellers exploring more attractions and spending more time in the Emirate.

This trend not only enriches the visitor experience but also delivers a substantial economic boost to Abu Dhabi, supporting the objectives of the city’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors, create 178,000 new jobs in the tourism sector, and contribute AED 90 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP by 2030.

Industry experts attribute the programme’s popularity to its seamless booking process, strategic partnerships, and the exceptional value it offers through complimentary hotel stays and curated experiences. The collaboration between Etihad Airways and DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in positioning Abu Dhabi as a premier stopover destination, leveraging the airline’s global network and the city’s world-class infrastructure.

This partnership has also fostered innovation in the travel sector, setting new standards for customer experience and destination marketing.

Looking ahead, both organizations have outlined ambitious plans to further enhance the programme, including new partnerships, tailored packages, and expanded offerings. These initiatives are expected to drive continued growth and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global tourism destination. The Stopover Programme is not only transforming the way travellers experience the Emirate but also contributing significantly to the city’s long-term economic and cultural development.

As Abu Dhabi continues to innovate and invest in its tourism sector, the Stopover Programme stands as a shining example of how collaboration between airlines and tourism authorities can create win-win outcomes for travellers, businesses, and the local community. With its record-breaking success, the programme is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of tourism in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Abu Dhabi’s Stopover Programme, a flagship initiative jointly led by Etihad Airways and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has achieved unprecedented success, setting new benchmarks for visitor numbers, bookings, and economic impact. In the first four months of 2025, the programme recorded 25,000 bookings-a remarkable 47% increase compared to the same period in 2024-while visitor arrivals surged to 44,000, marking a 76% rise over the previous year.

This rapid growth builds on the momentum of 2024, when Abu Dhabi welcomed 85,000 international stopover guests, up from just 12,000 in 2023. Etihad Airways now projects that more than 130,000 stopover guests will visit the Emirate in 2025, highlighting the programme’s accelerating popularity and its ability to attract incremental visitors at an impressive rate.

The Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme is designed to encourage transit passengers to extend their layovers and experience the city’s world-class attractions, luxurious hotels, and vibrant cultural scene. Available exclusively to Etihad Airways passengers, the programme allows travellers to seamlessly add a one- or two-night complimentary hotel stay at premier properties across the city during the online booking process.

The introduction of the Abu Dhabi Pass has further enhanced the experience, offering practical benefits and exclusive discounts at leading attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues. These features make it easier and more appealing for travellers to explore the Emirate’s diverse offerings, from iconic landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi to thrilling theme parks on Yas Island and serene desert landscapes.

The programme’s success is also driven by its broad international appeal, attracting travellers from key markets such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, Japan, and South Korea. Many visitors who initially stopover for a short stay are now returning for longer dedicated holidays, drawn by Abu Dhabi’s unique blend of tradition and modernity. The average length of stay for stopover visitors has increased, with travellers exploring more attractions and spending more time in the Emirate.

This trend not only enriches the visitor experience but also delivers a substantial economic boost to Abu Dhabi, supporting the objectives of the city’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors, create 178,000 new jobs in the tourism sector, and contribute AED 90 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP by 2030.

Industry experts attribute the programme’s popularity to its seamless booking process, strategic partnerships, and the exceptional value it offers through complimentary hotel stays and curated experiences. The collaboration between Etihad Airways and DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in positioning Abu Dhabi as a premier stopover destination, leveraging the airline’s global network and the city’s world-class infrastructure.

This partnership has also fostered innovation in the travel sector, setting new standards for customer experience and destination marketing.

Looking ahead, both organizations have outlined ambitious plans to further enhance the programme, including new partnerships, tailored packages, and expanded offerings. These initiatives are expected to drive continued growth and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global tourism destination. The Stopover Programme is not only transforming the way travellers experience the Emirate but also contributing significantly to the city’s long-term economic and cultural development.

As Abu Dhabi continues to innovate and invest in its tourism sector, the Stopover Programme stands as a shining example of how collaboration between airlines and tourism authorities can create win-win outcomes for travellers, businesses, and the local community. With its record-breaking success, the programme is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of tourism in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Emirates has unveiled its newly reimagined Travel Store in Jakarta, Indonesia, a 221-square-meter retail space located in Sequis Tower in the city’s business district, underscoring the airline’s commitment to enhancing the travel experience for Indonesian customers.

The grand opening was officiated by Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for the Far East, alongside H.E. Abdulla Salem AlDhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Indonesia, and other dignitaries, trade partners, and media representatives.

The Jakarta Travel Store is designed as a luxurious, modern lounge offering a seamless blend of comfort, technology, and personalized service. The interior features soft beige sofas and sleek contemporary furnishings that create a relaxed atmosphere where customers can browse a curated selection of exclusive Emirates-branded merchandise and premium travel accessories.

At the heart of the store are four dedicated customer service counters staffed by trained Emirates travel advisors who provide expert assistance with flight bookings, ticketing, Emirates Skywards loyalty program inquiries, and travel planning, ensuring a tailored and elevated service experience from the moment customers enter.

A standout feature is the voice-activated LED selfie screen near the entrance, allowing visitors to take photos with dynamic backdrops of iconic Emirates destinations. These images are instantly accessible via QR codes, eliminating the need for physical prints and integrating interactive technology into the retail experience.

Above a large LED screen showcasing Emirates’ milestones, destinations, and exclusive offers, a striking wall installation of the UAE’s national Ghaf tree symbolizes heritage and endurance, adding cultural significance to the space.

Notably, the Jakarta Travel Store is the first in Emirates’ global network to implement an advanced queue management system. This innovation reduces wait times, offers personalized service especially for Skywards members, and enables customers to provide instant feedback via WhatsApp, marking a new era of digital-first customer care and operational efficiency.

This launch follows similar successful openings in Hong Kong and Manila, reflecting Emirates’ strategic investment in Asia’s travel retail sector. Emirates has served Indonesia for over 30 years, currently operating double daily flights from Jakarta and Denpasar to Dubai, with onward connections to more than 140 destinations worldwide.

The airline also operates the only scheduled daily Airbus A380 service to Bali, significantly increasing seat capacity on this popular route.

Through this new Travel Store concept, Emirates aims to bring its world-class hospitality closer to Indonesian travelers, offering an immersive, end-to-end travel experience that begins well before boarding the aircraft and reinforcing its dedication to innovation, customer-centricity, and premium service in Southeast Asia.

Emirates has solidified its commitment to French football by renewing its partnership with Olympique Lyonnais through the 2029-2030 season, ensuring the iconic “Fly Better” logo remains on the club’s jerseys and training kits for all domestic and European matches.

The agreement, announced on April 25, 2025, builds on a five-year collaboration that began in 2020, which provided Emirates with extensive branding rights at Groupama Stadium and hospitality perks. This renewal includes amplified visibility across the stadium, marketing campaigns, and exclusive fan engagement opportunities, such as player access and social media activations.

Community-Centric Programs Take Center Stage

A hallmark of the partnership is Emirates’ focus on youth outreach. In December 2024, the airline collaborated with Lyon’s Léon Bérard Cancer Center and Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant to host over 23 children as player escorts during a match against OGC Nice, offering behind-the-scenes access and on-pitch experiences. These initiatives align with Emirates’ broader strategy to foster local connections, leveraging its sponsorship to create “unforgettable moments” for young fans.

Economic and Regional Synergies

Emirates’ daily flights between Dubai and Lyon—operated by Boeing 777s and transitioning to Airbus A350s by June 2025—underscore its investment in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Since launching the Lyon route in 2012, the airline has transported over one million passengers and facilitated cargo operations critical for pharmaceuticals and regional trade. Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, emphasized the partnership’s role in driving tourism and economic growth, calling Lyon a “gateway to global opportunities”.

Leadership Perspectives

John Textor, Olympique Lyonnais’ owner, highlighted the “trust built since 2020” and the shared vision for innovation and fan engagement. The club’s storied history—including seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles and a world-class academy producing talents like Karim Benzema—complements Emirates’ reputation for excellence. Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon’s president during the initial deal, previously praised Emirates as a “premium brand with a proven track record in sports,” a sentiment echoed in the renewed collaboration.

Broader Sports Sponsorship Portfolio

Beyond football, Emirates reinforces its French ties through sponsorships like UAE Team Emirates’ Tour de France campaigns and its role as Official Airline of Roland-Garros. The airline’s global sports strategy, spanning tennis, rugby, and motorsports, reflects its ambition to connect with diverse audiences while supporting community-driven projects.

Saudi Arabia’s national airline, Saudia, achieved a 9% year-on-year surge in passenger traffic during the first quarter of 2025, carrying over nine million travelers. Domestic routes led the growth with a 12% increase, serving four million passengers across 27,100 flights—a 4% rise in domestic operations.

International demand climbed 8%, with five million passengers flown on 20,900 flights, reflecting a 2% uptick in overseas services. The airline operated a total of 48,100 flights, up 3%, accumulating 143,600 flight hours, underscoring its expanded operational footprint.

The airline credits its success to a dynamic operational strategy that adapts seat capacity to seasonal demand spikes, supported by a state-of-the-art fleet and a predominantly Saudi workforce trained to meet global aviation standards. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to position the Kingdom as a global aviation hub.

In March 2025, Saudia secured the world’s top on-time performance ranking, achieving 94.07% punctuality for arrivals and 94% for departures during the high-demand Umrah season, as validated by aviation analytics leader Cirium.

Looking ahead, Saudia is accelerating its fleet modernization, with plans to expand from 147 to 265 aircraft through strategic orders. Recent acquisitions include 49 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for long-haul routes and 54 Airbus A321neos for regional connectivity.

Additionally, the Saudia Group finalized an order for 20 Airbus A330neo wide-body jets, with 10 earmarked for its budget subsidiary flyadeal, marking flyadeal’s debut in long-haul markets by 2027. These fuel-efficient additions aim to support Saudi Arabia’s target of serving 330 million annual passengers by 2030.

Passenger experience enhancements remain a priority, with AI-driven virtual assistants now integrated into Saudia’s digital platforms, offering end-to-end travel support. The airline continues to refine its ground and in-flight services, including premium lounges and tailored onboard offerings, to elevate customer satisfaction.

As the Kingdom’s aviation sector expands under Vision 2030, Saudia’s investments in technology, workforce development, and fleet modernization solidify its role as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious connectivity agenda.

Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo, and MASkargo have unveiled plans to establish a pioneering Global Cargo Joint Business, subject to regulatory approvals, in a strategic move set to redefine international air freight operations.

The collaboration will integrate Qatar Airways’ formidable fleet of 28 dedicated Boeing 777 freighters and belly capacity across its 230 passenger aircraft, IAG Cargo’s expansive six-continent network (encompassing British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling), and MASkargo’s Malaysia-based logistics hub, which operates three Airbus A330-200 freighters and serves over 100 destinations worldwide.

By combining resources, the alliance aims to offer customers unprecedented connectivity, leveraging harmonized safety protocols, synchronized digital platforms, and streamlined operational workflows to reduce transit times and enhance routing flexibility. The partnership will also address evolving global trade dynamics, including supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tariff shifts, by pooling expertise in temperature-sensitive shipments, e-commerce logistics, and specialized cargo handling.

Leadership from all three carriers emphasized the venture’s transformative potential: Qatar’s Mark Drusch highlighted plans to deliver “unparalleled service” through shared infrastructure and innovation, while IAG’s David Shepherd stressed the role of unified networks in fostering resilient global trade.

MASkargo’s Mark Jason Thomas underscored commitments to “cutting-edge solutions” tailored to shifting market demands, including sustainable aviation initiatives and AI-driven logistics optimization. The joint business, aligned with Qatar Airways’ existing 25% stake in IAG under the Oneworld alliance, is expected to launch imminently following regulatory clearance, positioning the trio to capitalize on post-pandemic air cargo growth and emerging trade corridors in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.