Five Australian women who were forcibly removed from a Qatar Airways flight and subjected to invasive physical examinations on the tarmac at Doha’s Hamad International Airport in 2020 have won the right to sue the airline after a federal court upheld their appeal.

The women, whose identities remain confidential, were among dozens of female passengers taken off multiple flights and subjected to nonconsensual bodily searches after a newborn baby girl was found abandoned, wrapped in plastic and buried in trash at the airport. This discovery prompted Qatari authorities to carry out the searches as part of an effort to identify the mother and prevent the alleged perpetrators from leaving the country.

The Australian federal court’s unanimous ruling criticized the original judge for dismissing the relevance of the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that governs airline liability for passenger injury or death. The court found that the women’s ordeal occurred while they were still embarking or disembarking from the aircraft, thus the airline could be held liable. The women had been taken off their Sydney-bound Qatar Airways flight 908 at gunpoint and examined in ambulances on the tarmac before being returned to the plane.

Their lawyer, Damian Sturzaker, described the incident as causing lasting psychological trauma including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. He emphasized that his clients have yet to receive an apology or compensation, and expect further evidence to strengthen their negligence claims against Qatar Airways and the airport operator MATAR, which manages Hamad airport. The case is expected to go to trial next year.

The incident sparked international outrage at the time, with Australia’s then foreign minister condemning it as “grossly disturbing” and “offensive.” It remains unclear exactly how many women were subjected to these invasive searches, but at least 13 women from a single flight were examined, with as many as 10 flights potentially affected.

The Qatari government apologized for any distress caused and stated that some airport security staff responsible for the searches were charged. They also charged the mother of the abandoned baby with attempted murder; reportedly she left the country and was of Asian nationality a sensitive issue given the criminalization of sex outside marriage in Qatar.

This landmark legal victory challenges the limits of airline accountability abroad and shines a spotlight on airport security practices that many consider disproportionate and invasive. The women’s fight for justice highlights the complexities of international law and human rights in air travel.

Morocco is embarking on a transformative $4.2 billion investment to modernize its main airports over the next five years, aiming to accommodate a surge in international visitors as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal and Spain. The ambitious plan, officially announced by the Moroccan government in agreement with the national airports authority ONDA, seeks to more than double the country’s airport capacity from 38 million passengers currently to 80 million by 2030.

Central to this overhaul is Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport, Morocco’s busiest aviation hub. Here, a major expansion will include the construction of a new terminal and an additional runway, projected to cost around $2.5 billion and increase capacity by 20 million passengers annually. Other key airports in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez are also slated for upgrades and expansion, spreading the benefits of this infrastructure push across the country.

Funding for the project will allocate 25 billion dirhams ($2.7 billion) toward airport expansions and 13 billion dirhams ($1.5 billion) toward maintenance, modernization, and land acquisition. This comprehensive effort not only prepares Morocco for the logistical demands of hosting a global sports spectacle but also supports the nation’s fast-growing tourism sector, which experienced a record 17.4 million visitors in 2024 a 20% increase from the previous year. Morocco targets attracting 26 million tourists by the World Cup year 2030, further solidifying tourism as a pillar of its economic growth strategy.

The surge in tourism is part of a broader regional trend, with North African destinations like Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia gaining popularity among British travellers, in part due to high-quality yet affordable hotel options that rival those in traditional European hotspots. UK flight routes and accommodation searches to these countries have seen significant increases, indicating a growing market that Morocco’s upgraded airport infrastructure is primed to serve.

As the countdown to the 2030 World Cup continues, Morocco’s airport revamp underscores its determination to leverage the event as a catalyst for broader economic development, positioning the nation as a regional aviation hub and a premier international tourist destination.

Emirates is turning retired aircraft interiors into chic, eco-friendly luggage with its newly launched “Aircrafted by Emirates 2025 Collection.” After the sellout success of its 2023 debut, the Dubai-based airline has unveiled a second limited-edition series featuring 167 handmade bags crafted from materials salvaged during its multi-billion-dollar fleet retrofit project. These unique collector pieces trolley bags, backpacks, and handbags are now available exclusively through the Emirates Official Store, priced between $80 and $350.

The bags are genuine artifacts of aviation history, created from elements reclaimed from Emirates’ iconic Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 planes. Upcycled components include aluminum headrests, genuine leather from First and Business Class seats, and even the faux-fur lining from the Captain’s chair.

All materials undergo thorough laundering, deep cleaning, disinfecting, and conditioning before being transformed into luxury bags enhanced with new linings, functional zippers, and some featuring Emirates seatbelts as straps.

What sets this collection apart is that every piece is handcrafted by Emirates’ team of 14 skilled cabin tailors traditionally responsible for aircraft interior repairs who now work full-time on this sustainable creative initiative. This hands-on approach transforms industrial waste into fashion statements while providing meaningful employment within the airline’s Engineering facility in Dubai.

The Aircrafted initiative is not merely a marketing stunt; it is a direct offshoot of Emirates’ vast retrofit program launched in 2022, aiming to upgrade 219 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft with thousands of new Premium Economy, First Class, and Business Class seats. So far, over 30,000 kilograms of aircraft materials have been repurposed, demonstrating how large-scale aviation projects can embrace circular economy principles with aesthetic and environmental benefits.

Moreover, the project blends luxury fashion with philanthropy. Proceeds from the collection support the Emirates Airline Foundation, benefiting children in need worldwide. The airline’s inaugural Aircrafted collection raised more than $17,000 for this cause, and the 2025 lineup continues this commitment, combining stylish upcycling with social impact.

Emirates’ Aircrafted by Emirates collection offers an inspiring vision for sustainable luxury where heritage, craftsmanship, and eco-conscious innovation meet setting a new standard for the Gulf region and global fashion enthusiasts seeking thoughtful, responsible style.

Five Australian women who were forcibly removed from a Qatar Airways flight and subjected to invasive physical examinations on the tarmac at Doha’s Hamad International Airport in 2020 have won the right to sue the airline after a federal court upheld their appeal.

The women, whose identities remain confidential, were among dozens of female passengers taken off multiple flights and subjected to nonconsensual bodily searches after a newborn baby girl was found abandoned, wrapped in plastic and buried in trash at the airport. This discovery prompted Qatari authorities to carry out the searches as part of an effort to identify the mother and prevent the alleged perpetrators from leaving the country.

The Australian federal court’s unanimous ruling criticized the original judge for dismissing the relevance of the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that governs airline liability for passenger injury or death. The court found that the women’s ordeal occurred while they were still embarking or disembarking from the aircraft, thus the airline could be held liable. The women had been taken off their Sydney-bound Qatar Airways flight 908 at gunpoint and examined in ambulances on the tarmac before being returned to the plane.

Their lawyer, Damian Sturzaker, described the incident as causing lasting psychological trauma including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. He emphasized that his clients have yet to receive an apology or compensation, and expect further evidence to strengthen their negligence claims against Qatar Airways and the airport operator MATAR, which manages Hamad airport. The case is expected to go to trial next year.

The incident sparked international outrage at the time, with Australia’s then foreign minister condemning it as “grossly disturbing” and “offensive.” It remains unclear exactly how many women were subjected to these invasive searches, but at least 13 women from a single flight were examined, with as many as 10 flights potentially affected.

The Qatari government apologized for any distress caused and stated that some airport security staff responsible for the searches were charged. They also charged the mother of the abandoned baby with attempted murder; reportedly she left the country and was of Asian nationality a sensitive issue given the criminalization of sex outside marriage in Qatar.

This landmark legal victory challenges the limits of airline accountability abroad and shines a spotlight on airport security practices that many consider disproportionate and invasive. The women’s fight for justice highlights the complexities of international law and human rights in air travel.

In a bid to enhance security and streamline traffic at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), the airport authority has introduced new entry restrictions limiting the number of accompanying persons per passenger. Effective Sunday, only two individuals will be allowed to accompany or receive passengers at the Departure Driveway and Arrival Canopy areas.

The official notification released by HSIA on Friday highlights that this measure aims to ensure smoother passenger movement, reduce traffic congestion, and strengthen security within the airport premises. The authority has urged visitors to cooperate and maintain orderly conduct while navigating the airport.

Passengers and their companions are encouraged to adhere to the new guidelines to help maintain a safe and efficient environment for everyone at Bangladesh’s busiest international gateway.

In a landmark moment for both its fleet and passenger experience, Etihad Airways has received its first Airbus A321LR at the Airbus Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg a major milestone in the airline’s growth trajectory and a bold step in redefining single-aisle travel.

The new A321LR is the first of 30 such jets set to join the Abu Dhabi-based carrier, ushering in a new era where widebody amenities and luxurious innovations are available on shorter routes. Etihad’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, hailed the delivery as “an extraordinary moment,” emphasizing the airline’s mission to deliver “luxury at every altitude” and across its expanding global network.

Among the jet’s standout features is Etihad’s inaugural narrowbody First Suites cabin—a first for the airline. These private suites offer sliding doors, fully-flat beds, and bespoke design touches reminiscent of the airline’s long-haul flagship products. Window seats are further enhanced by 20-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and companion seating, blurring the line between widebody and narrowbody experiences.

The 14-seat Business Class cabin features a 1-1 herringbone layout akin to widebody flagships, with direct aisle and window access for every guest. Each seat sports a 17.3-inch 4K screen, wireless charging, and Bluetooth connectivity, elevating comfort and privacy on short-haul journeys.

Etihad’s Economy Class also receives a premium upgrade, offering 144 seats with extra space, 13.3-inch 4K seatback touchscreens, USB charging, and Bluetooth connection for personal headphones plus over a thousand hours of content. Increased overhead luggage space also brings widebody convenience to the narrowbody segment.

Airbus Executive Vice President Sales, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, commented on the delivery: “The arrival of Etihad’s first Airbus A321LR symbolizes innovation and partnership, deepening the longstanding bond between Airbus and the UAE. This aircraft sets a new comfort benchmark for single-aisle jets and expands Etihad’s global reach from Abu Dhabi.”

The A321LR is also equipped with next-generation Viasat Wi-Fi, promising lightning-fast speeds reaching 100’s of Mbps for uninterrupted streaming, browsing, and gaming at cruising altitude. This gate-to-gate connectivity will be available on Asian routes from September 2025, ensuring travelers stay productive and entertained throughout their journey.

Set to debut commercially on 1 August 2025 on the Abu Dhabi–Phuket route, the A321LR will soon serve a diverse mix of both short- and medium-haul destinations, including Bangkok, Copenhagen, Milan, Paris, Tunis, Zurich, and more. The aircraft’s arrival is a key pillar in Etihad’s “Journey 2030” vision to reinforce Abu Dhabi as a world-class aviation hub and support the airline’s goal of reaching 38 million annual passengers by 2030.

With another nine A321LRs landing in 2025 and an ambitious slate of 27 new routes in a single year, Etihad is poised to bring the luxury of widebody flying to more travelers and more destinations than ever before—raising the bar for what’s possible in single-aisle aviation.