Emirates Airlines is preparing to host a spectacular Easter celebration from April 18 to April 21, 2025, offering a joyous experience for travelers across its various routes and lounges. This event welcomes passengers in First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class to partake in the festive spirit of Easter.

During this celebration, Emirates will serve a delightful assortment of Easter-themed meals on flights to destinations such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, and the USA. Travelers can anticipate classic Easter offerings, including hot cross buns and Easter bread, alongside indulgent desserts like carrot cake drizzled with a rich très leches sauce and chocolate mousse paired with raspberry gel and hazelnut fudge.

Young passengers will also receive cheerful Easter egg-shaped cookies, adding a playful touch to their journey. In the A380 Onboard Lounge, passengers can enjoy festive cupcakes and traditional simnel fruitcake topped with marzipan.

For those flying on routes to Russia and Greece, Emirates will celebrate Orthodox Easter from April 18 to April 20, featuring a unique menu for First and Business Class passengers. This special menu includes herb-crusted lamb served with crispy roasted potatoes, baby carrots, and tzatziki, as well as kulich bread, a sweet treat traditionally enjoyed during Orthodox Easter.

Across Emirates' network of lounges, passengers will find an array of classic Easter dishes available from April 18 to April 21. Highlights include tender lamb chops served in saffron and orange jus in the First Class Lounge, and a hearty lamb stew with potatoes and dried fruits in the Business Class Lounge. A selection of Easter-themed desserts, including cookies and assorted chocolates, will also be available.

In addition to these culinary delights, Emirates will provide a wide range of entertainment options, featuring over 6,500 channels on its acclaimed ice entertainment system. Passengers can enjoy family-friendly films like Wicked and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, as well as beloved classics from Disney and the complete Harry Potter series. Engaging children’s programming from networks such as Sesame Street and Bluey will also be featured.

Through this Eggstravagant Easter celebration, Emirates aims to foster a festive and enjoyable atmosphere for all travelers, ensuring their journey is both memorable and filled with holiday cheer.

Emirates Airlines is preparing to host a spectacular Easter celebration from April 18 to April 21, 2025, offering a joyous experience for travelers across its various routes and lounges. This event welcomes passengers in First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class to partake in the festive spirit of Easter.

During this celebration, Emirates will serve a delightful assortment of Easter-themed meals on flights to destinations such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, and the USA. Travelers can anticipate classic Easter offerings, including hot cross buns and Easter bread, alongside indulgent desserts like carrot cake drizzled with a rich très leches sauce and chocolate mousse paired with raspberry gel and hazelnut fudge.

Young passengers will also receive cheerful Easter egg-shaped cookies, adding a playful touch to their journey. In the A380 Onboard Lounge, passengers can enjoy festive cupcakes and traditional simnel fruitcake topped with marzipan.

For those flying on routes to Russia and Greece, Emirates will celebrate Orthodox Easter from April 18 to April 20, featuring a unique menu for First and Business Class passengers. This special menu includes herb-crusted lamb served with crispy roasted potatoes, baby carrots, and tzatziki, as well as kulich bread, a sweet treat traditionally enjoyed during Orthodox Easter.

Across Emirates' network of lounges, passengers will find an array of classic Easter dishes available from April 18 to April 21. Highlights include tender lamb chops served in saffron and orange jus in the First Class Lounge, and a hearty lamb stew with potatoes and dried fruits in the Business Class Lounge. A selection of Easter-themed desserts, including cookies and assorted chocolates, will also be available.

In addition to these culinary delights, Emirates will provide a wide range of entertainment options, featuring over 6,500 channels on its acclaimed ice entertainment system. Passengers can enjoy family-friendly films like Wicked and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, as well as beloved classics from Disney and the complete Harry Potter series. Engaging children’s programming from networks such as Sesame Street and Bluey will also be featured.

Through this Eggstravagant Easter celebration, Emirates aims to foster a festive and enjoyable atmosphere for all travelers, ensuring their journey is both memorable and filled with holiday cheer.

In a significant move toward restoring full diplomatic and economic relations, the United Arab Emirates has announced it will resume commercial flights to Syria, more than a decade after suspending air travel amid the Syrian civil war.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed that preparations are currently underway to relaunch both passenger and cargo services, in a step officials say will enhance travel, boost trade, and reinforce growing ties between Abu Dhabi and Damascus.

The announcement follows a landmark visit by Syrian President Ahmed Al Shara to the UAE—his first since taking office in December 2024—where he held high-level talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During their meeting, Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to Syria’s post-war recovery, pledging comprehensive support for reconstruction and economic revitalization.

“The resumption of flights is a clear signal of our intent to deepen cooperation,” a senior UAE official said. “It’s a practical measure with symbolic weight, reflecting the evolving relationship between our two nations.”

Flights between the UAE and Syria were halted in 2012 due to security concerns and the escalating conflict that engulfed the region. The move to restore connectivity aligns with a broader trend among Arab states that are reengaging with Syria, following recent political shifts in Damascus.

Regional carriers such as Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways have already resumed limited services to Syrian cities, and earlier this year, Syrian Airlines launched its first international commercial flight to Sharjah, marking a cautious but notable return to global air routes.

While no official restart date has been announced, budget airlines flydubai and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi have expressed interest in operating flights to Syria, pending regulatory approvals and safety assessments.

The renewed air links are expected to significantly benefit the large Syrian expatriate community in the UAE, many of whom have been separated from families or faced difficulties traveling home. It also promises to create new avenues for tourism and trade in a country seeking economic revival.

However, Syria’s path forward remains challenged by international sanctions, particularly those imposed by Western nations. These sanctions continue to hamper full economic recovery, even as diplomatic momentum builds for their gradual easing.

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.