Riyadh Air, the newly launched national airline of Saudi Arabia, is in advanced discussions with both Boeing and Airbus to place a major order for widebody passenger aircraft, sources familiar with the matter have revealed.

The order, which could total up to 50 planes, is part of Riyadh Air's ambitious plans to rapidly expand its long-haul international route network and cement the kingdom's position as a global aviation hub.

According to the sources, the airline is evaluating Boeing's 777X and 787 Dreamliner families, as well as Airbus' A350 and A330neo models. A final decision on the order composition and split between Boeing and Airbus is expected in the coming months.

"Riyadh Air is committed to building a world-class global airline that can connect Saudi Arabia to key markets around the world," said the airline's CEO, who requested anonymity. "This major widebody order will form the backbone of our long-haul fleet as we work to make Riyadh a premier international travel destination."

The potential order comes as Saudi Arabia undertakes an ambitious economic and social reform program, known as Vision 2030, which includes significant investments in the country's aviation and tourism sectors. Riyadh Air was launched last year as a key part of this strategy.

Industry analysts see the widebody order as a major vote of confidence in the future of Saudi aviation. "This order would cement Riyadh Air's position as a rising force in global aviation and solidify Saudi Arabia's emergence as an important new player on the international stage," said aviation consultant Peter Smith.

Should the order materialize, it would represent a significant boost for both Boeing and Airbus as they compete for market share in the strategically important Middle East region.

The United Arab Emirates has declared it will resume commercial flights to Syria, signaling a major step toward reestablishing ties between the two countries after years of disruption caused by the Syrian conflict. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that preparations are underway to restart passenger and cargo air services, aiming to facilitate travel and trade and strengthen bilateral relations.

This announcement comes shortly after Syrian President Ahmed Al Shara’s historic visit to the UAE—the first since he assumed office in December 2024—where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During their discussions, the UAE leader emphasized his country’s dedication to supporting Syria’s reconstruction efforts and pledged comprehensive assistance to help rebuild the war-torn nation.

The decision to resume flights is both a practical and symbolic move, reflecting the warming diplomatic and economic relationship between Abu Dhabi and Damascus.

Flights between the UAE and Syria were suspended in 2012 amid the outbreak of the Syrian civil war and escalating security concerns. The restoration of air links aligns with a broader regional trend of Arab states reengaging with Syria following the political changes in Damascus in late 2024. Other airlines, including Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways, have recently resumed flights to Syria, and Syrian Airlines launched its first international commercial flight to Sharjah earlier this year.

Although the exact date for the UAE-Syria flights to resume has not been finalized, carriers such as flydubai and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi have shown interest in operating routes to Syria once safety and regulatory conditions are met. The renewed air connectivity is expected to enhance tourism, trade, and family visits, particularly benefiting the sizable Syrian expatriate community in the UAE.

Despite these positive developments, Syria continues to face economic challenges due to ongoing Western sanctions, which remain a significant obstacle to full recovery even as diplomatic efforts to ease these restrictions gain momentum.

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's ambitious new flag carrier, has officially received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), signaling its readiness to commence operations. This milestone follows an extensive certification process involving test flights and regulatory compliance checks.

While the airline initially planned to launch in mid-2025, production delays for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners have pushed the operational debut to the fourth quarter of the year. Riyadh Air is leasing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to facilitate pilot and crew training while awaiting delivery of its fleet.

Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air is central to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, aiming to diversify the economy and establish Riyadh as a global aviation hub. The airline has secured orders for 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with options for 33 more, alongside an order for 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

These planes will enable Riyadh Air to connect over 100 cities across six continents by 2030, bridging gaps in Saudi Arabia’s international air connectivity. The fleet will be powered by advanced GEnx-1B engines, offering significant fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

Riyadh Air’s dual-livery designs reflect its modern and culturally inspired branding, featuring indigo and lavender themes inspired by Arabic calligraphy and Bedouin aesthetics. The airline plans to offer a three-class configuration—business, premium economy, and economy—emphasizing luxury and innovation while avoiding traditional first-class cabins. Strategic partnerships with major carriers like Delta Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines will further extend its reach globally.

As Saudi Arabia invests heavily in infrastructure projects like King Salman International Airport, Riyadh Air is set to play a pivotal role in attracting millions of visitors annually. The airline’s ambitious plans include contributing $20 billion to non-oil GDP growth and creating over 200,000 jobs. With its maiden flights expected by late 2025, Riyadh Air is poised to redefine air travel in the region and compete with established Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Emirates has breathed new life into the world’s oldest Airbus A380, marking a significant achievement in the aviation industry. The aircraft, registered as A6-EDF, holds historical significance as the seventh A380 ever built, with a Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 007. Originally manufactured in February 2006 and delivered to Emirates in December 2009, the superjumbo is now 19.1 years old—making it nearly twice the average age of Emirates’ fleet of A380s.

After being grounded for five years at Dubai World Central Airport due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced demand for long-haul travel, A6-EDF was ferried to Dubai International Airport in December 2023 for extensive maintenance and testing. On March 29, 2025, the aircraft successfully completed a rigorous test flight lasting 3 hours and 30 minutes before officially returning to commercial service on April 3, operating flight EK925 from Dubai to Cairo.

Emirates has strategically deployed the aircraft on shorter regional routes such as Dubai-Cairo and Dubai-Jeddah to manage its operational challenges. Older aircraft like A6-EDF tend to consume more fuel and require higher maintenance costs, but Emirates’ decision to bring it back into service is economically sound since its acquisition costs have been fully depreciated over time.

The aircraft features a three-class configuration with 517 seats, including 14 luxurious first-class suites, 76 business-class seats, and 427 economy seats—representing one of Emirates’ earlier cabin layouts designed for high-capacity routes.

As the largest operator of Airbus A380s globally, with a fleet of 121 superjumbos, Emirates continues to demonstrate its commitment to maximizing the value of its iconic double-deckers. The revival of A6-EDF not only showcases Emirates’ ability to adapt its fleet management strategy but also highlights the enduring importance of the A380 in its operations.

Despite challenges associated with aging aircraft, Emirates remains focused on leveraging the versatility and passenger appeal of the A380 while maintaining its reputation for excellence in global air travel. This milestone reinforces Emirates’ position as an innovator in aviation and a steward of one of the world’s most recognizable aircraft types.

Emirates Airlines has taken a major step in advancing sustainability by joining the Aviation Circularity Consortium (ACC), a global initiative dedicated to promoting circular economy practices in aviation. This partnership, announced on April 7, 2025, includes SL Metals, a leading distributor of aluminum alloys, and aims to decarbonize the aviation supply chain while fostering innovative solutions for resource efficiency and waste reduction.

Emirates’ involvement supports the ACC’s mission to reshape the lifecycle of aircraft materials, from production to retirement, in alignment with its 2050 Industry Roadmap launched in November 2024.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Emirates has already implemented circular solutions such as cabin interior upcycling, inflight waste reduction programs, and the use of sustainable materials. By joining the ACC, the airline intends to expand these efforts and contribute to developing cutting-edge technologies for managing retired aircraft responsibly.

Ahmed Safa, Emirates Group’s Head of Engineering & MRO, emphasized the urgency of addressing the growing number of retired aircraft through sustainable end-of-life solutions. He highlighted that this collaboration would help extend fleet lifespans and reduce waste while accelerating aviation’s transition to a circular economy.

SL Metals complements these efforts by bringing expertise in aluminum sourcing and efficient material use. The company’s CEO, Sam Tan Yee Leong, noted that aluminum production accounts for 3% of global industrial CO2 emissions, underscoring the importance of responsible sourcing and sustainable practices across the supply chain.

Through its participation in the ACC, SL Metals aims to advance best practices in aluminum use and support initiatives that build a resilient aviation supply chain.

The ACC unites key stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem—airlines, regulators, manufacturers, and suppliers—to drive meaningful progress toward decarbonization. Emirates is only the second airline to join this consortium, highlighting its leadership in sustainable fleet management and its commitment to reducing environmental impact.

This partnership reinforces industry-wide recognition of circularity as a critical component for achieving long-term sustainability goals in aviation.

Thai Airways has recently unveiled a revised baggage policy for Economy Class passengers, marking a strategic shift in how the airline manages luggage allowances. Effective April 1, 2025, the new policy will see a reduction in the checked baggage allowance for certain Economy Class tickets.

Specifically, passengers holding tickets in fare classes K, S, V, W, and L, which fall under the Saver and Standard fare families, will now be entitled to a maximum of 23 kilograms of checked baggage. This change reflects a decrease from the previous allowance of 25 kilograms, aligning with industry trends to optimize baggage handling and reduce operational costs.

However, passengers who have booked tickets in other Economy Class fare classes, such as T, Q, H, M, B, Y, N, and X, will continue to enjoy a more generous allowance of 30 kilograms. This tiered approach allows Thai Airways to cater to different types of travelers, offering flexibility based on the fare category.

The airline maintains a weight-based baggage allowance system, which means passengers can bring multiple pieces of luggage as long as the total weight does not exceed the specified limit. This policy applies to both domestic and international flights, ensuring consistency across all routes.

The adjustment does not affect the number of pieces allowed; rather, it focuses on the maximum weight per piece for the affected fare classes. Passengers who require additional baggage capacity can purchase extra allowance, providing them with the flexibility to accommodate more luggage if needed.

This move is part of Thai Airways' broader strategy to enhance passenger experience while adapting to evolving travel demands and operational efficiencies. By refining its baggage policy, the airline aims to streamline its services, improve customer satisfaction, and maintain its competitive edge in the global aviation market.