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.

Facing heightened trade pressures from Washington, Bangladesh is taking bold steps to head off a looming tariff shock that threatens its crucial export industries. The government has dramatically escalated orders for American-made aircraft and increased key agricultural imports in hopes of bridging the growing U.S. trade gap and persuading the Trump administration to back off steep new duties.

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman announced the uptick in purchases on Sunday, citing both urgent domestic needs and the rapidly shifting trade landscape. “We need new aircraft urgently, possibly within the next couple of years,” Rahman told reporters, explaining that the initial plan to buy 14 planes from Boeing has swollen to 25. The expanded order signals Bangladesh’s willingness to spend big on U.S. products as part of a broader strategy to narrow its $6 billion trade deficit with America a deficit now at the heart of escalating tensions.

But aircraft are only part of the story. Alongside the Boeing deal, Bangladesh has signed a major agreement to import U.S. wheat, with 700,000 tonnes set to arrive each year for the next five years. Imports of soybean oil and cotton vital ingredients for Bangladesh’s food processing and garment export sectors are also climbing.

Officials hope these measures will improve trade relations and soften the impact of what many here call a “looming crisis”: threatened U.S. tariffs as high as 35%, a move that could price Bangladeshi garments out of one of their largest global markets.

The country’s export sector, especially ready-made garments, is acutely vulnerable. The threat of sweeping tariffs has rattled manufacturers and policy makers alike, spurring the government into these swift, high-profile purchases of American goods. By diversifying its imports and investing in American products, Bangladesh hopes to show goodwill and convince Washington that punitive trade measures would be counterproductive.

As the stakes rise, Bangladeshi officials are keenly aware that resolving trade tensions with the U.S. is not just about economic figures; it’s about preserving hundreds of thousands of jobs at home and ensuring the future competitiveness of key industries. For now, all eyes remain on Washington—and on the tarmac, where new U.S.-built aircraft will soon be touching down.

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.

A consortium led by UAE-based Air Arabia has won the license to establish and operate Saudi Arabia’s newest national low-cost carrier, headquartered in Dammam. The consortium, which includes Saudi partners Nesma Group and KUN Holding, was awarded the project by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and will operate out of King Fahd International Airport.

While the airline’s official name has yet to be announced, it is widely expected to carry the Air Arabia Saudi Arabia brand, following the company’s pattern of regional expansions such as Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and Air Arabia Egypt.

According to the initial roadmap, the airline aims to serve 24 domestic and 57 international destinations with a fleet of 45 aircraft by 2030. The project targets reaching 10 million passengers, boosting tourism, and supporting the economic development of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, hailed the achievement as a milestone for regional aviation: “As a leading low-cost airline operator, this marks a key milestone reaffirming our commitment to support the Kingdom’s aviation growth. With our economic model and regional expertise, we aim to deliver a reliable, affordable travel experience for passengers.”

The announcement comes at a dynamic time for the region’s aviation market. Just days ago, Wizz Air announced its exit from Abu Dhabi after five years, sparking a reshuffle among low-cost carriers. Air Arabia responded swiftly, revealing plans to increase its Abu Dhabi capacity by 40% in 2025. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways added seven new destinations—previously served by Wizz Air—including key cities in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector is riding a wave of rapid expansion. According to GACA’s Air Traffic 2024 Report, passenger numbers surged by 15% last year to 128 million, split between 59 million domestic and 69 million international travelers.

Adding to the country’s growing aviation reputation, travel tech firm AirHelp recently ranked Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport as the 10th best airport globally, with four Saudi airports making it into the world’s top 12.

The launch of the new Air Arabia-backed airline is expected to further cement Saudi Arabia’s position as a major aviation and tourism hub, aligning with its broader Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification and infrastructure development.