After nearly two weeks of tense conflict and grounded flights, Israel reopened its skies for air travel late Tuesday night, signaling a cautious return to normalcy amid a fragile ceasefire with Iran. The Home Front Command lifted all restrictions on gatherings, clearing the way for Israel’s main international gateway, Ben Gurion Airport, and other airports to resume full operations following a 12-day closure of the country’s airspace.

The reopening marks a critical phase in a government-led operation to repatriate between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis stranded abroad while also facilitating departures for those wishing to leave. Israeli airlines have already begun restricted flights in recent days, and now all limits on incoming and outgoing flights, as well as passenger numbers, have been lifted, according to the Israel Airports Authority.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev outlined ambitious plans to ramp up flight capacity, extend airport operating hours, and enable Ben Gurion Airport to function at full capacity around the clock. She reported that since the start of the safe return operation last week, over 100,000 Israelis have returned home, with about 70,000 having departed. On Tuesday alone, 24 flights landed at Ben Gurion, nine at Haifa, and a cruise ship brought nearly 2,000 Israelis back.

Flagship carrier El Al announced it would operate all flights at full seat capacity and waive fees for passengers whose flights were canceled during the conflict. The airline is expanding its schedule and adding destinations, focusing on cities where many passengers remain stranded, including Athens, Rome, Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, and Bangkok. Additional flights to Budapest, Bucharest, Amsterdam, Prague, Madrid, Milan, Warsaw, and Sofia will also begin shortly.

Other Israeli carriers are following suit: Arkia plans to resume its regular summer schedule starting July 1, covering popular destinations such as Rhodes, Crete, Paris, Milan, and New York. Israir is preparing to increase flights to Athens, Larnaca, Varna, Tbilisi, Rome, London, Budapest, and Batumi, contingent on the ceasefire holding.

Despite the reopening, many foreign airlines remain cautious. Several carriers have applied to resume flights, including flydubai, Etihad Airways, Blue Bird, TUS Airways, Red Wings, and Ethiopian Airlines, but most foreign airlines have postponed their return until after the summer or even later, having rerouted aircraft to other markets amid security concerns. The gradual return of international carriers is expected to be slow, as airlines seek more stability before fully restoring routes to Israel.

The ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump on Monday night and effective Tuesday morning, has been tenuous, with Iran launching ballistic missiles hours later, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes. Nevertheless, the lifting of airspace restrictions and the resumption of flights offer a hopeful sign for Israelis eager to resume travel and normal life after days of uncertainty and disruption.

As summer approaches, Israelis are encouraged to plan their vacations with renewed confidence, even as the aviation sector cautiously rebuilds. The reopening of Israel’s skies stands as a testament to resilience amid conflict and a tentative step toward peace and connectivity.

Summer is here, school’s out, and families are gearing up for unforgettable adventures with Emirates, the unrivaled leader in family-friendly air travel. Emirates is rolling out an impressive suite of travel hacks and perks designed to make flying with kids a breeze and a blast.

Priority Boarding and Family-Friendly Perks
Families flying Emirates enjoy priority boarding across all international airports, allowing kids to board first and settle in comfortably without the usual rush. At Dubai International Airport (DXB), a dedicated family check-in area ensures shorter queues during peak times, and from now until 20 July, travelers can enjoy complimentary ice cream for the whole family at four carts in the departures area.

Delicious and Fun Inflight Dining
Emirates serves kid-friendly meals on nearly all routes, featuring favorites like nuggets, mac and cheese, mini burgers, and pizzas, along with healthy snacks and sweet treats. Meals come on personalized trays adorned with Emirates crew and pilot avatars, making mealtime fun and engaging for young flyers.

Award-Winning Inflight Entertainment
Emirates’ acclaimed ice entertainment system offers the biggest screens and a vast library of content tailored for kids. Children can enjoy over 100 movies, including a ‘Wizarding World’ folder with 16 Harry Potter titles, Marvel selections, and popular TV shows from Cartoon Network, CBeebies, and Nickelodeon. New releases like Chicken Jockey will be available starting August 1. Special purple kids’ headphones provide extra comfort for little ears.

Screen-Free Activities and Games
For those moments when screens need a break, Emirates provides ‘Fly with Me’ activity packs filled with puzzles, world maps, drawing tutorials, colouring pages, and collectible cards. Additionally, up to 100 video games are available, including multiplayer options that can be played across seats.

Comfort and Convenience
Kids receive blankets and pillows in every class for cozy naps. For families traveling with infants, organic baby food, milk formula, and baby bottles are available onboard. Infants also get amenity kits with diapers, bibs, lotion, and changing mats. Parents can reserve seats next to safe bassinets or bring approved car seats for added comfort. DXB lounges offer mother and baby care rooms with feeding and changing facilities.

Exclusive Lounges and Services
Emirates’ First and Business Class lounges in DXB feature kids’ play areas with arcade-quality games and PlayStations. For young travelers aged 5-11 flying solo, the Unaccompanied Minors service provides dedicated ground and cabin crew assistance throughout the journey, including a special lounge with video games, Wi-Fi, comfy sofas, and children-only bathrooms.

Travel Gear and Souvenirs
Kids can snag the latest Emirates kit bags backpacks, crossbody bags, and duffle bags designed for ages 7-12, along with toys for younger children. Cabin crew also capture memorable moments onboard with instant Polaroid photos framed in limited-edition Emirates frames, perfect keepsakes for families.

Music and More
Music lovers can enjoy hundreds of channels and onboard Spotify access, catering to all tastes from pop to K-pop. Passengers can create personalized playlists before flying and enjoy a diverse range of podcasts and live news on ice.

Loyalty Program for Young Flyers
Emirates Skysurfers loyalty program allows kids aged 2-17 to earn Skywards Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights, redeemable for flights, upgrades, and kid-friendly events, making every journey rewarding.

With these thoughtful touches and innovative services, Emirates continues to set the gold standard for family travel, ensuring every trip is smooth, entertaining, and memorable for young adventurers and their families alike.

Cairo Airport Company (CAC) has officially launched its Fast Track service at Terminal 2 of Cairo International Airport, aiming to provide travelers with a smoother, more comfortable, and highly efficient airport experience. This new service significantly reduces waiting times by streamlining departure and arrival procedures, aligning with the latest international travel standards.

Passengers begin by visiting a dedicated Fast Track payment counter, where a fee grants access to expedited processing. From there, a service team escorts travelers through all formalities up to passport control, ensuring a seamless journey. For arriving passengers, a dedicated fast lane at immigration counters expedites entry procedures, further enhancing convenience.

The Fast Track service is particularly beneficial for families with young children, offering greater comfort and flexibility during their airport transit. CAC plans to expand this service to all terminals, marking a major upgrade in Cairo International Airport’s offerings to rival leading global airports.

Beyond the official CAC service, travelers at Cairo International Airport can also access a range of VIP and Meet & Assist services provided by various operators, which complement the Fast Track option. These services include personalized meet-and-greet assistance, help with visa processing, priority access through immigration, porter services, buggy transfers between terminals, and private chauffeur-driven transportation to hotels.

Many travelers have praised these VIP services for their efficiency and comfort. Reviews highlight how representatives meet passengers before immigration, assist with visa acquisition, expedite passport control, and coordinate luggage handling and transfers, making arrivals especially smooth even during late-night flights. Prices for such VIP packages typically start around $100 for basic fast-track and lounge access, with more comprehensive packages costing $200 to $300 or more, depending on the level of service and amenities included.

Cairo International Airport, the busiest and largest airport in Egypt, serves as a vital gateway for millions of tourists and business travelers annually. The introduction of the Fast Track service, alongside existing VIP offerings, reflects a broader commitment to improving passenger experience by reducing stress and wait times, and providing tailored assistance to meet diverse traveler needs.

In summary, the new Fast Track service by CAC, combined with a variety of VIP meet-and-assist options, positions Cairo International Airport as a modern, traveler-friendly hub that prioritizes efficiency, comfort, and world-class service standards.

Qatar Airways reaffirmed its position as a global aviation leader at the 55th Paris Air Show, showcasing groundbreaking innovations and securing its ninth Skytrax World’s Best Airline award, a record-setting achievement that underscores its dominance in the industry.

The airline’s exhibit captivated over 300,000 visitors and 2,500 exhibitors from 48 countries with highlights including the revolutionary Qsuite Next Gen, the luxurious Gulfstream G700 from Qatar Executive, and a striking UEFA Champions League livery on a Boeing 777. The Qatar Airways L’Universe Lounge offered an immersive experience featuring AI-driven cabin innovations such as Sama and QVerse, bringing the acclaimed Qsuite atmosphere to life.

Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasized the significance of the event: “The Paris Air Show has always been a global stage for innovation and ambition for the industry, and this year Qatar Airways proudly led the dialogue in aviation excellence. Every milestone achieved this week reaffirms our relentless commitment to excellence and the trust of our passengers who inspire us to continuously raise the bar in global aviation”.

Innovation was a key theme, with Qatar Airways unveiling the rollout of Starlink-powered high-speed Wi-Fi across its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 fleets, positioning the airline at the forefront of in-flight connectivity and digital transformation.

Strategic partnerships formed at the show further solidified Qatar Airways’ leadership:
A multi-crew pilot license (MPL) training program launched with Baltic Aviation Academy and Qatar Aeronautical Academy, aiming to train up to 750 cadet pilots over five years to support fleet expansion.
Collaboration with Barzan Holdings and Satys Aerospace to establish the region’s first widebody aircraft painting facility in Qatar.

A five-year MPL training agreement with F AIR in the Czech Republic to nurture the next generation of pilots.
Partnerships with Chef Yannick Alléno to elevate culinary offerings and with IMG to launch Sport 24 via Starlink, enhancing passenger experience.

A Memorandum of Agreement with Thales to support fleet growth and develop a dedicated in-flight entertainment (IFE) service and maintenance center in Doha, advancing Qatar Airways’ digital transformation journey.

The airline’s exceptional service was recognized with multiple Skytrax awards: World’s Best Airline, World’s Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and Best Business Class Lounge for the Al Mourjan Garden Lounge, highlighting Qatar Airways’ commitment to excellence both in the air and on the ground.
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted praised the airline’s achievements: “Qatar Airways’ ninth World’s Best Airline title is a fabulous achievement. Their excellence across categories, including Business Class and lounge services, reflects the passion and dedication of their team”.

With these accolades and innovations, Qatar Airways continues to set new benchmarks in global aviation, inspiring confidence and loyalty among millions of travelers worldwide and shaping the future of air travel.

Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed al-Meer has provided a detailed account of the airline’s extraordinary response to an unprecedented operational crisis triggered by a missile attack from Iran on a US airbase in Qatar. This incident led to the sudden and complete closure of Qatari airspace on June 23, 2025, forcing the immediate suspension of Qatar Airways’ global operations and causing significant disruption for thousands of passengers.

At approximately 6 PM local time on Monday, June 23, Qatar’s airspace was closed without warning, followed shortly by similar closures in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Hamad International Airport, one of the busiest and most connected hubs worldwide, was effectively brought to a standstill. Nearly 100 Qatar Airways aircraft were either en route to Doha, approaching the airport, or queued for departure when the closures took effect.

In response to the crisis, Qatar Airways swiftly diverted around 90 flights carrying more than 20,000 passengers. These flights were rerouted to multiple international airports, including 25 flights to Saudi Arabia, 18 to Turkey, 15 to India, 13 to Oman, and five to the UAE. Other aircraft were redirected to major hubs such as London, Barcelona, and various airports across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The missile attack itself, launched from Iran targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, activated the country’s air defense systems and prompted decisive action by Qatar’s Armed Forces to protect its territory and people. This heightened security situation compounded the operational challenges faced by the airline.

Inside Hamad International Airport, over 10,000 passengers found themselves stranded in transit, caught amid one of the most complex operational disruptions in aviation history. Many flight crews reached their legal duty limits, and numerous aircraft were grounded at airports with curfews or awaiting clearance to re-enter restricted airspace. The airline’s meticulously planned routing and scheduling systems were instantly disrupted, requiring rapid rewriting of flight paths and passenger itineraries.

Qatar Airways’ immediate priority was passenger care and safety. Once Qatari airspace reopened shortly after midnight on June 24, diverted aircraft began returning to Doha. By 5 AM, the number of passengers in transit had surged to over 22,000. The airline activated its business continuity plans, coordinating logistics for catering, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, and seamless communication with immigration, customs, and airport authorities.

Over 4,600 passengers were accommodated in approximately 3,200 hotel rooms across Doha. Many passengers received onward boarding passes before even leaving the terminal, facilitating smoother transitions once flights resumed. The airline’s teams worked tirelessly to rebook flights, prioritize medical and vulnerable cases, assist families and elderly travelers, and reconstruct complex itineraries that sometimes involved other carriers and expired visas.

In addition to logistical support, Qatar Airways distributed more than 35,000 meals, along with water and comfort kits, providing face-to-face assistance to passengers throughout the transit areas. Contact centers were scaled up globally to handle the surge in inquiries, and a flexible travel policy was introduced, allowing passengers to change or refund bookings without penalty.

By June 24, Qatar Airways had resumed 390 flights as it worked to rebuild its network and restore schedule integrity. Over 11,000 passengers resumed their journeys during the morning wave, with the remaining travelers departing throughout the evening and into June 25. As of June 26, no passengers from the diverted flights remain stranded.

The airline’s recovery efforts were supported by close coordination among ground handlers, airport partners, and internal operations control centers worldwide. This collaborative approach enabled Qatar Airways to stabilize its operations rapidly, reaching 578 scheduled flights by June 25 and moving over 58,000 passengers out of Doha within two days of the crisis.

CEO Badr Mohammed al-Meer expressed profound gratitude to passengers for their patience and understanding during this challenging period. He also commended the professionalism, dedication, and unity of Qatar Airways’ staff and partners, whose tireless efforts ensured the airline could fulfill its responsibility to passengers despite the extraordinary circumstances.

This incident underscores the airline’s commitment to safety, customer care, and operational excellence, even in the face of severe geopolitical tensions and unexpected disruptions. Qatar Airways’ swift and effective response highlights its resilience and readiness to manage crises, maintaining the trust of millions of travelers who rely on its global network daily.

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, reached after nearly two weeks of intense conflict, is bringing a sense of relief and renewed wanderlust to Dubai’s residents. After days of uncertainty and widespread flight disruptions, travel agents across the city report a surge in inquiries and bookings as families and holidaymakers look to salvage their summer plans.

The reopening of Iranian and Iraqi airspaces, even if partial and accompanied by new safety protocols, has been a game-changer for Dubai’s travel industry. “Rebooking has already begun; people feel like this issue is over, and life is returning to normal," said Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Smart Travels. "They are feeling a bit stress-free. Until yesterday, people were apprehensive, but now we're getting normal calls, and travel bookings are flooding back in.”

Just days earlier, the regional mood was far more somber. An attack on Qatar and subsequent airspace closures had left travelers stranded, with the UAE and neighboring countries experiencing significant flight disruptions. But as restrictions ease, optimism is returning.

Commercial flights have started to return to the skies above Israel and Iran, though many airlines continue to exercise caution, rerouting or delaying certain services. UAE carriers, including Emirates and flydubai, are gradually resuming operations. Emirates reported minimal operational impact, having transported 1.2 million passengers over the past two weeks, while flydubai is set to restart flights to Damascus from July 1.

Despite the turmoil, mass cancellations did not materialize. “We didn't have a lot of cancellations, and since people have understood that only if the airline cancels the flight would they get refunds,” Ahmed explained. Only about 2–5% of travelers canceled their trips, mostly those bound for Middle Eastern destinations. “Demand to that sector has dried up. However, South Asian and Southeast Asian destinations are picking up steam,” he added.

With some regional destinations still seen as risky, Dubai travelers are pivoting to safer, more accessible options. Countries like Vietnam, Maldives, and Sri Lanka are now in high demand, thanks to their unaffected flight paths. Meanwhile, interest in Egypt and Jordan has waned, reflecting ongoing apprehension about travel near conflict zones.

Visa-on-arrival destinations such as Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand—are also seeing a spike in popularity. Rashid Abbas, Managing Director of Arooha Travels, noted, “People are going ahead with their travel plans. There is no issue; after yesterday, people felt relieved, and now they’re planning their travels.”

While interest in European holidays remains strong, Schengen visa slot shortages are pushing many bookings to September or later. “People want to go to Europe; there was a lot of demand,” Ahmed said. “But you have to plan six months ahead. If they have plans for December, they will start thinking about it in September, but the slots are usually filled by then.”

Sapna Aidasani, Head of Marketing and PR at Pluto Travels, confirmed that travel activity is rebounding, especially among the Indian diaspora returning home. However, she noted that some routes remain complicated, with airlines like Air India and Air Canada suspending certain services. “A group wanted to go to Uzbekistan, but the current constraints make it harder to fly on those routes.

People are flying to London, though some flights got cancelled. Far East destinations like Thailand, Bali, and Vietnam are popular,” she said.

As Dubai’s travel sector regains momentum, agents and travelers alike remain watchful. While the ceasefire has brought immediate relief, ongoing regional tensions and evolving airline policies mean that flexibility and vigilance are still the order of the day. For now, though, Dubai residents are seizing the opportunity to make the most of their summer albeit with one eye on the headlines.