TAAG Angola Airlines has successfully completed a specialized live animal transport operation, carrying two adult lions weighing approximately 200 kilograms each from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Lagos, Nigeria, via Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) in Luanda.
Aer Lingus is accelerating the rollout of Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet, as customers embrace the introduction of the free, innovative technology to stream, work and game onboard at 35,000 feet. Aer Lingus introduced Starlink on its first aircraft, Airbus A330 EI-EIN, back in March 2026, giving customers access to free, high-speed, low-latency internet in the air. Since then, the airline has continued its Starlink rollout and now all transatlantic flights to and from Shannon Airport are equipped with Starlink.
Emirates SkyCargo has completed the transport of Altair-1, the UAE’s first commercial AI-enabled earth observation satellite. Part of Orbitworks’ Altair constellation, the movement of the satellite highilghts a landmark achievement in the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in space and advanced technologies. Altair-1 was flown on an Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 freighter aircraft from Dubai (DWC) airport to Los Angeles (LAX) ahead of its scheduled launch in October 2026.
barq and Riyadh Air have signed a strategic agreement to develop a comprehensive payment technology solution for the airline. The long-term partnership will support Riyadh Air’s commercial operations through an integrated, secure, and scalable payments ecosystem.
Etihad Airways today announced a new seasonal service between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg, starting 17 December 2026 and operating four times a week until 21 March 2027. The new service will create Gothenburg’s first direct air link to the Middle East and Asia, connecting Sweden’s west coast directly with Abu Dhabi and providing some of the fastest one-stop journeys to sought-after destinations across India and Asia through Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub.
Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, announces a frequent flyer partnership with Taiwan-based STARLUX Airlines’ COSMILE loyalty programme. The partnership marks the next stage in the airlines’ strategic relationship, building on the codeshare agreement signed in June 2025 and the launch of Etihad’s direct services to Taipei in September last year. From 4 August, Etihad Guest members can redeem Etihad Guest Miles for flights in Business and Economy cabins across STARLUX’s network, giving them expanded access to destinations across Asia, North America, and Europe; including onward connections to popular destinations such as Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle in the US and Okinawa, Kobe and Nagoya in Japan.
Virgin Atlantic customers can now watch a new collection of dementia-friendly short films curated by Women Over 50 Film Festival (WOFFF), as the airline continues its partnership with the festival for a third year. The new collection marks the third year of the partnership and will be available throughout the year on Virgin Atlantic’s in-flight entertainment platform, Vera. The films have been selected to offer a calm, engaging and accessible viewing experience for passenger’s people living with dementia, who may find full-length films, complex plots or fast-paced editing harder to follow during a flight. The collection can also support families, friends and carers travelling together by offering a shared viewing experience that feels gentle, manageable and inclusive.
The Latvian national airline airBaltic today outlines the key elements of its business plan following its approval by the company’s Supervisory Board. The plan is designed to strengthen airBaltic’s long-term competitiveness, establish a sustainable capital structure, support its future development and maintain reliable connectivity for Latvia and the wider region.
Emirates has welcomed its two millionth passenger at London Stansted Airport, marking a significant milestone for the airline’s third London gateway since first launching services in 2018. To mark the occasion, one lucky customer on EK66, Jeanne Fostel, received an upgrade to Business Class and an Emirates Skywards Gold membership, providing access to a range of premium travel benefits including complimentary lounge access, additional baggage allowance, complimentary seat selection and bonus Skywards Miles. Eleven additional passengers on the same flight were also upgraded to Emirates Skywards Silver membership, unlocking benefits including complimentary Business Class Lounge access in Dubai, extra baggage allowance and bonus Skywards Miles.
From free date changes to industry-first comprehensive travel insurance, Emirates continues to give customers greater flexibility and more choice, as well as the ability to tailor their travel plans for more peace of mind, from booking to the moment they arrive at their destination.
The companies shaping the future of global business aviation are choosing MEBAA Show 2026, underlining the event’s position as the Middle East’s leading business aviation exhibition and reinforcing the region’s growing importance within the global aviation industry. Taking place from 8–10 December 2026 at DWC, Dubai Airshow Site, the 11th edition of MEBAA Show will bring together aircraft manufacturers, operators, charter companies, FBOs, MRO providers and technology innovators from more than 100 countries. Their collective presence not only reflects more than the strength of the event itself, it also demonstrates the industry’s confidence in the UAE as one of the world’s most dynamic and resilient business aviation markets.
Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has been ranked the world’s most on-time airline for arrivals in July 2026, according to the latest monthly report from Cirium, the global aviation analytics provider. The airline recorded an on-time arrival rate of 87.24% after operating 16,406 flights during the month. The ranking comes during the peak summer travel season, making it particularly significant as airlines worldwide manage higher flight volumes and increased operational complexity. Despite these demands, Saudia maintained the highest level of operational reliability among airlines globally.
flyadeal, the Saudia Group’s fast-growing low fare carrier, today announced Mumbai as its second gateway in India, opening bookings for non-stop flights between Riyadh and Mumbai beginning October 3, 2026. This builds on flyadeal’s recent entry into the Indian market as the airline inaugurated its service to Hyderabad on July 3, 2026.
flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, announced that it has signed a unified framework agreement for government travel services with the Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority (EXPRO), on behalf of government entities, in its capacity as the competent authority for unified strategic procurement under the Government Tenders and Procurement Law. The agreement will enable flynas to provide government travel services within the low-cost aviation sector to government entities, marking the first time in the company’s history that it has entered into such an agreement.
Kyte, a leading provider of airline distribution technology, today announced a new partnership with Volotea, the European airline connecting small and medium-sized cities across the continent. Through the partnership, Volotea’s full range of flight products and ancillary services will be available through Kyte’s travel distribution platform, enabling travel sellers to access and book the carrier’s content seamlessly. Founded in 2011, Volotea established itself as one of Europe’s most distinctive low-cost airlines, specializing in connecting regional destinations that are often underserved by traditional carriers. The airline serves more than 100 destinations across Europe and carries millions of passengers annually through its extensive network.
AirAsia MOVE (MOVE) and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) have entered a strategic partnership to encourage international travellers to experience more of South Korea by extending their journeys beyond Seoul, promoting the country’s vibrant domestic tourism network through destination-led campaigns, curated travel experiences and exclusive offers. The partnership is built on the shared commitment of MOVE and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) to encourage travellers to explore more of South Korea beyond its main gateway cities. By connecting international visitors with South Korea’s diverse domestic destinations, the collaboration aims to make regional experiences more accessible while showcasing the country’s unique landscapes, cultures and local communities.
As travellers increasingly seek meaningful experiences throughout their journeys, airports are evolving from places people pass through into places that help shape the travel experience itself. The latest ASQ Global Traveller Survey highlights growing demand for more human-centred, personalised and memorable airport experiences, as passengers look beyond efficiency alone. Reflecting this shift, Iceland’s KEF Airport is reimagining the role of the airport with the launch of its Bless Programme, the world’s first on-site airport tour series, and creating meaningful engagement for visitors of all ages, with children and parents invited to help shape a more family-friendly airport experience.
Air Charter Scotland is delighted to welcome the Scottish Government’s continued investment in Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services from Wick John O’Groats Airport, securing a full year of essential regional connectivity with Aberdeen, while introducing a new service between Wick and Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city - and Air Charter Scotland’s home. Tickets go on sale next week for an enhanced network that includes weekly return services between Wick and Aberdeen and three weekly return services between Wick and Glasgow, covering the period 15 August 2026 to 14 August 2027.
Avelo Airlines reached a major milestone, flying its 10 millionth Customer just five years after redefining affordable air travel in as America’s most convenient airline. Since launching on April 28, 2021, as the first new U.S. carrier in nearly 15 years, Avelo has ushered in a new era of affordable, reliable, and easy travel for millions of Customers nationwide.
American Airlines and Infinium today announced its first delivery of electro sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) to a commercial airport for use in a commercial passenger flight, marking a major milestone in the decarbonization of aviation. The eSAF was allocated to an American flight that departed Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) and landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), demonstrating the real-world deployment of next-generation, drop-in sustainable aviation fuel.