Finnair has suspended all flights to Doha from June 19 to June 23, 2025, with flight AY1982 on June 24 also cancelled, as a direct response to heightened security risks in the Middle East. The airline’s decision follows a comprehensive risk assessment of regional airspace, particularly over Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Israel.

 This comes after Finnair had already begun rerouting flights to avoid these areas, which increased flight times by about an hour and ultimately contributed to the suspension of the route.

Approximately 2,700 passengers are affected by the disruption, which impacts Finnair’s daily Helsinki-Doha service a key route for connections to Asia, Africa, and Oceania through its partnership with Qatar Airways. Finnair has assured customers that all affected passengers are being contacted directly via SMS and email. The airline is offering rebooking on alternative flights or refunds, though it warns that limited availability may mean rebooking takes longer than usual.

The suspension reflects a broader trend among international carriers to avoid airspace deemed high risk, especially as the situation in the Middle East has deteriorated in recent weeks. The escalation of hostilities, including strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and retaliatory missile launches, has led to widespread airspace closures and forced airlines to adapt quickly to evolving threats.

Finnair is also avoiding Israeli and Iranian airspace until further notice and has suspended operations in Ukrainian airspace, highlighting the widespread impact of geopolitical instability on its network.

This latest disruption follows a series of operational challenges for Finnair in 2025, including significant flight cancellations in late May and early June due to strikes by ground handling staff. These labor disputes have compounded the airline’s operational difficulties, resulting in the highest proportion of flight cancellations among European carriers so far this year.

Finnair’s strategic cooperation with Qatar Airways, established in 2022, has already undergone changes, with the suspension of routes between Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Doha earlier in 2025. The current suspension leaves only the Helsinki-Doha flights operated by Finnair, further underscoring the fragility of international air links amid ongoing regional and operational challenges.

The airline has stated that it will reassess the situation after Midsummer, on June 23, and continues to closely monitor developments, working with authorities and partners to determine when flights can safely resume. Finnair emphasizes that passenger safety and operational security remain its highest priorities as it navigates these unprecedented disruptions.

Air Arabia, one of the UAE’s leading low-cost carriers, is set to launch a new direct route from Sharjah International Airport to Munich, Germany, starting December 15, 2025. This exciting development offers travelers an affordable gateway to one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, with one-way fares starting at just Dhs794 and round-trip tickets from Dhs1,393.

The timing of the launch is perfect for those eager to experience Munich’s famous Christmas markets, historic landmarks, and cultural highlights such as the English Garden, Oktoberfest festivities, and live football matches at the Allianz Arena. Munich, a key economic and cultural hub in southern Germany, is a strategic addition to Air Arabia’s expanding European network, which already includes destinations like Vienna, Athens, Milan Bergamo, Krakow, Warsaw, and Prague.

Air Arabia will operate daily non-stop flights using its modern Airbus A320neo aircraft, known for fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. The airline’s CEO, Adel Al Ali, emphasized that the new route underscores Air Arabia’s commitment to providing affordable, value-driven travel options while supporting long-term growth. He highlighted Munich’s appeal to both business and leisure travelers and expressed enthusiasm about welcoming passengers onboard for a seamless travel experience.

This new service enhances connectivity between the UAE and Germany, complementing existing routes operated by Emirates and Etihad to German cities including Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Hamburg. Munich Airport officials have welcomed the route, noting its importance in strengthening ties between the Gulf region and Germany.

Passengers can book their flights through Air Arabia’s website, call center, or travel agencies, and enjoy onboard amenities such as the free SkyTime streaming service and the SkyCafe buy-on-board menu. The launch of the Sharjah–Munich route not only broadens travel choices but also supports tourism, business, and cultural exchange between the two regions, marking a significant milestone in Air Arabia’s European expansion strategy.

Turkish Airlines has expanded its complimentary “Touristanbul” program, offering international transit passengers with layovers of 6 to 24 hours at Istanbul Airport (IST) a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich history and culture without leaving the airport experience behind.

Eligible travelers can choose from six different daily tours, each led by professional guides and including transportation by shuttle bus directly from the airport.

One of the highlights of the program is a visit to Bozdağ Film Studios in Beykoz, a sprawling 200-acre complex renowned for producing popular Turkish historical TV dramas like "Diriliş: Ertuğrul" and "Kuruluş: Osman."

This studio is the largest in Europe and the third-largest in the world, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at life-sized sets that recreate different eras of Turkish history.

Beyond the film studio, the various tour routes cover Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Blue Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace, Hippodrome, Taksim Square, Grand Bazaar, and the Galata Bridge, with photo stops and guided commentary throughout.

Passengers can also enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine—such as fire-cooked soup and hand-pounded rice pudding—at local restaurants, and participate in cultural workshops like glassmaking and archery.

All meals, museum entrance fees, and transportation are included at no cost, and the tours are available every day of the year, with 19 different routes offered weekly. To participate, passengers must have a Turkish Airlines ticket with a layover of 6 to 24 hours, and must register at the Touristanbul desk at least 30 minutes before the tour begins.

The program is designed to ensure travelers return to the airport with ample time for their connecting flights, transforming what could be idle hours into a memorable cultural experience.

Etihad Guest, the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, has expanded its highly popular competition, The Extraordinary Challenge, by increasing the total prize pool to over 20 million Etihad Guest Miles following an unprecedented surge in participation.

Initially, the challenge offered 5 million miles to the first member to visit all 15 of Etihad’s newly launched destinations, with second and third place receiving 3 million and 1 million miles, respectively. However, due to overwhelming demand, Etihad has now added 12.5 million additional miles, opening the door for more than 200 winners in total.

The competition, which runs until May 25, 2026, is open to both new and existing Etihad Guest members. Participants must travel to or from 15 specific new year-round destinations, including cities such as Addis Ababa, Atlanta, Prague, and Taipei, within a 12-month period. The race is based on speed and dedication—the fastest members to complete all 15 routes win the largest prizes, while tie-breakers are resolved by the earliest registration date.

In addition to the top three grand prizes, Etihad has introduced "The Extraordinary Milestones" category: the first 100 members to visit five new destinations will receive 25,000 miles each, and the first 100 to reach ten destinations will earn 100,000 miles each. This expansion aims to reward both the most ambitious travelers and those making significant progress, with members able to track their journeys and standings on a live digital leaderboard.

Mark Potter, Managing Director of Etihad Guest, commented, “We’ve seen an amazing response across the globe since we launched The Extraordinary Challenge, and expect to see over 50,000 member sign-ups as more destinations come online. Having seen the desire and determination of so many, we wanted to reward Etihad Guest members even more by giving flight to their ambition with more prize miles and potential for 200 additional winners”.

Sohar International and its Islamic banking division, Sohar Islamic, have announced a new partnership with SalamAir, Oman’s prominent budget airline, to bring substantial savings to their customers on domestic travel. Under this collaboration, credit cardholders from Sohar International and Sohar Islamic can enjoy up to 40% off, while debit cardholders receive a 15% discount on SalamAir flights within Oman.

The offer covers popular routes such as Muscat to Salalah, Masirah, Duqm, and the newly introduced Sohar to Salalah flights, with bookings available from June 22 to August 31, 2025, for travel between July 1 and August 31, 2025.

To take advantage of these discounts, eligible customers must book their tickets through SalamAir’s official website, applying special promo codes provided by the banks and using their Sohar cards for payment. The partnership was officially launched at a signing event on June 17, 2025, at Sohar International’s headquarters, highlighting a shared vision to blend financial services with lifestyle benefits and support Oman’s national tourism strategy outlined in Vision 2040.

Bank officials, including Abdul Qadir Al Sumali, stressed that the initiative is designed to go beyond simple discounts, aiming to create a more integrated experience for customers by connecting banking with travel. Steven Allen, SalamAir’s Chief Commercial Officer, noted that the airline is committed to making domestic travel more affordable, especially during the busy Khareef season in Salalah.

SalamAir, which operates a growing fleet of Airbus aircraft and serves over 80 flights daily, is also investing in digital upgrades, such as a new WhatsApp ticketing service. The airline has introduced fixed fares for Omani nationals on key routes to further support local travelers.

This partnership not only delivers significant value to Sohar International and Sohar Islamic customers but also contributes to the wider goals of enhancing domestic tourism and strengthening collaboration between Oman’s banking and aviation sectors.

Air Arabia has launched a major summer mega sale, offering one-way fares starting from just Dh149 for select destinations across its network. The promotion is available for bookings made between June 30 and July 6, 2025, with travel permitted from July 14 to September 30, 2025—a period that covers the busy summer holiday season and is ideal for families and travelers looking for affordable getaways.

The discounted fares apply to a wide variety of routes from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Travelers departing from Sharjah can fly to Bahrain and Muscat for as low as Dh149, while fares to Dammam, Riyadh, Salalah, and Kuwait start at Dh199. Routes to Abha, Tabuk, and Yanbu are available from Dh298, Doha from Dh399, Jeddah and Medinah from Dh449, and Taif from Dh574.

For those heading to South Asia, Abu Dhabi to Chennai fares start at Dh275, Kochi at Dh315, Dhaka at Dh499, and Chattogram at Dh549. From Sharjah, travelers can book flights to Ahmedabad from Dh299, Delhi from Dh317, Mumbai from Dh323, Thiruvananthapuram from Dh325, and Kathmandu from Dh449. These special rates are especially appealing for the large South Asian expatriate community in the UAE.

Air Arabia’s summer sale comes as the airline reports strong financial growth, with a net profit of Dh355 million in the first quarter of 2025—a 34 percent increase year-on-year. The airline also saw a 14 percent rise in turnover to Dh1.75 billion and carried more than 4.9 million passengers in the first three months of the year, achieving an average seat load factor of 84 percent.

The airline is also expanding its network, with the resumption of direct flights between Sharjah and Damascus starting July 10, 2025, operating twice daily. All fares in the promotion are one-way and include surcharges, but airport taxes may not be included and are subject to change. Seats are limited and are expected to sell out quickly, so travelers are encouraged to book early to secure the best deals.

For passengers needing flexibility, Air Arabia allows modifications or cancellations of bookings online, via its call center, or at sales offices, though fare differences and terms may apply