As global consumers increasingly prioritize health, nutrition, and wellbeing through a return to minimally processed, natural foods, Emirates is charting a new course in plant-based dining.

In celebration of Veganuary, the airline has confirmed that new culinary concepts are in development, highlighting whole, farm-to-fork ingredients and authentic cooking traditions. The refreshed plant-based menu will debut onboard in 2027.

Unlike the growing trend of using engineered meat substitutes, Emirates’ latest initiative focuses on real ingredients that deliver honest flavor, texture, and nourishment. The project is led by a team of chefs dedicated to creating dishes that are vibrant, satisfying, and rooted in global culinary heritage.

“Our focus now is on legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and seasonal vegetables as the central elements of every dish,” said Doxis Bekris, Emirates’ Vice President of Food & Beverage Design. “These ingredients naturally offer depth, variety, and nutrition without relying on ultra-processed alternatives.

We’re drawing inspiration from culinary traditions that have always embraced plant-forward dining—Mediterranean mezze, Levantine grain salads, Asian noodle bowls, and African stews. It’s a genuine, culturally rich approach.”

Bekris added that while lab-based protein substitutes have their place, Emirates is steering toward “real food” that aligns with its long-term sustainability goals and customers’ growing demand for transparency. “Our guests want to know what they’re eating—and to feel confident it’s both good for them and good for the planet. This shift isn’t about what’s missing from the plate, but about what’s gained in authenticity, creativity, and flavor,” he said.

Expanding vegan offerings in the sky

Emirates currently serves over half a million vegan meals annually, with a diverse menu of 488 plant-based recipes offered across 140 destinations worldwide. This marks a 60% increase in vegan recipes since 2024, demonstrating the airline’s continuing dedication to sustainability and choice.

Interest in vegan cuisine continues to rise alongside passenger traffic. In 2025, the routes with the highest demand for vegan options were London, followed by Sydney, Bangkok, Melbourne, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mumbai, Bali, and Singapore. Emirates attributes some of the demand to non-vegan travelers who select plant-based meals inflight, viewing them as lighter and easier to digest.

Vegan meals can be pre-ordered up to 24 hours before departure on all flights and across all classes of travel. On several high-demand routes, plant-based dishes have also been integrated directly into the main menu. Similar offerings are available throughout Emirates’ lounges, ensuring a consistent experience from the terminal to the skies.

Culinary excellence across every cabin

Reflecting its commitment to high-quality dining experiences, Emirates offers vegan options in every cabin, complemented by plant-based beverages including vegan milk.

The airline supports its “farm-to-fork” philosophy through Bustanica, the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm and a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering. The facility supplies fresh, chemical-free leafy greens—such as lettuce, arugula, spinach, and mixed salad varieties—directly to Emirates’ kitchens.

• Economy Class: Meals include pumpkin frittata with sautéed mushrooms and tomato concassé or spinach cannelloni with tomato basil sauce, followed by desserts like vegan chocolate mousse cake or carrot cake with coconut cream.

• Premium Economy: Highlights include kimchi fried rice with roasted pumpkin and oyster mushrooms, paired with coconut cake topped with pineapple compote and pistachios.

• Business Class: Passengers can enjoy braised mushrooms in five-spice soy sauce with jasmine rice and pak choi, along with desserts such as coconut panna cotta with raspberry mousse or vegan chocolate tofu cheesecake.

• First Class: The elevated menu features pumpkin and barley risotto with rocket and caramelized walnuts and quinoa salad with grilled aubergine, courgette, and red pepper coulis. Desserts include strawberry tart with vanilla custard and pistachios or sticky date pudding with salted caramel sauce and vegan cream cheese.

Thoughtfully crafted vegan lounges in Dubai

At Dubai International Airport, Emirates operates seven premium lounges in Terminal 3—three each for First and Business Class travelers, along with a shared Emirates Lounge accessible to all premium customers. Each features an extensive range of vegan options, from Baharat- and turmeric-spiced kofta in coconut gravy to à la carte breakfast offerings like warm amaranth porridge with green apples, grapes, raspberries, and walnuts in the First Class Lounge.

A standout favorite among frequent travelers is the Emirates Green Burger, crafted from soya and flax seeds and served with a signature sauce and pickled cucumbers—an example of how the airline elevates vegan dining with flavor, balance, and innovation.

Emirates and Real Madrid CF have agreed to extend their partnership until 2031, continuing one of the most high-profile sponsorship relationships in global football and reinforcing a collaboration that will span nearly two decades.

The airline has been associated with the Spanish club since 2011, with the partnership elevated in 2013 when Emirates became the official jersey sponsor. Under the renewed agreement, Emirates will remain the Official Main Sponsor and Official Airline Partner for both the men’s and women’s teams.

Its branding will continue to feature prominently on match jerseys, training gear, and staff apparel across major competitions, including La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. The renewed deal also secures the distinction of being the longest-running jersey sponsorship in La Liga history.

Beyond kit sponsorship, the agreement includes expanded brand presence at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, access to club training facilities, and continued use of the Emirates Lounge, a premium hospitality space designed for guests, partners, and customers. The collaboration also extends to Real Madrid’s youth system, supporting player development at grassroots level.

In addition, Emirates will maintain and deepen its involvement in basketball through a separate multi-year extension, under which it will serve as the Official Main Sponsor of Real Madrid’s basketball team until 2031.

Boutros Boutros, Executive Vice President for Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand at Emirates, said the partnership reflects the airline’s long-standing engagement with football and its global fan base.

He highlighted that the collaboration has helped bring supporters closer to the sport through exclusive experiences and global fan engagement initiatives, while also strengthening Emirates’ presence in Spain.

Since launching its first flight to Madrid in 2010, Emirates has expanded its operations in the Spanish market, now operating five daily services across Madrid and Barcelona. The airline has also broadened its global connectivity via Dubai and introduced updated onboard products for passengers travelling to and from Spain.

Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez described the renewed agreement as a continuation of a strong and enduring relationship built over many successful years, noting the shared achievements between the two organisations.

Over the course of their partnership, Emirates and Real Madrid have collaborated on a range of marketing and fan engagement initiatives, including specially branded aircraft liveries, player-themed aircraft decals, matchday activations, and exclusive supporter experiences.

Emirates has also deployed dedicated aircraft for club-related charter operations, including Boeing 777 aircraft used for Spanish Super Cup travel between Madrid and Jeddah.

The airline maintains a broad portfolio of football sponsorships, which includes partnerships with Arsenal FC, AC Milan, Real Madrid CF, S.L. Benfica, and Olympique Lyonnais, along with a Platinum Partnership with FC Bayern Munich. It also serves as title sponsor of the Emirates FA Cup and supports the UAE Pro League.

Beyond football, Emirates’ global sponsorship strategy spans multiple sports, including tennis, rugby, basketball, sailing, cycling, golf, horse racing, cricket, and Australian Rules Football. The airline says its portfolio is designed to connect international audiences with major sporting events, clubs, and competitions worldwide.

Source: ZAWYA

Oman Air is considering a fresh aircraft acquisition programme aimed at replacing aging planes and supporting future network expansion, according to Chief Executive Officer Con Korfiatis.

Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Korfiatis said the airline is particularly interested in narrowbody aircraft equipped with lie-flat business-class seats. Such aircraft would allow the carrier to operate long-haul services more efficiently while serving premium travellers on routes including Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul.

Korfiatis noted that Oman Air has increasingly deployed narrowbody aircraft on longer international routes in recent years, marking a shift from its previous operating model.

“Something we’ve done in the last couple of years that we weren’t doing in the past is long-haul flights with narrowbody aircraft,” he said. “We see an opportunity to serve the market with this product.”

The CEO did not provide details on the number of aircraft under consideration or the timeline for any potential order.

Oman Air also played a significant role during the regional disruption caused by Iranian airstrikes following the US-Israeli conflict involving Iran. The airline, alongside authorities in Oman and Saudi Arabia, helped facilitate alternative travel arrangements for thousands of passengers seeking to leave the Gulf region.

According to Korfiatis, passenger volumes surged to four or five times normal levels during the crisis, creating unprecedented operational challenges for the airline and airport facilities.

“To have that many people come across the border for flights, it certainly operationally challenged us in ways we haven’t seen,” he said. “We’ve never seen our airport so full.”

The carrier introduced additional support measures, including bus transportation for travellers who arrived at border crossings without onward transport. In some cases, passengers were required to purchase tickets before entering Oman.

Korfiatis said many travellers who temporarily stayed in Oman while awaiting flights could return in the future, potentially supporting the airline’s long-term transformation strategy.

The expansion plans come as Oman Air reported its first profit in 15 years. In April, the airline announced an operating profit of RO3.2 million for 2025, marking a major milestone in its financial recovery.

“Oman Air’s turnaround marks a defining moment for the airline,” Korfiatis said during a media briefing.

He attributed the improved performance to tighter cost controls and a focus on sustainable growth. The airline reduced bank debt by RO27 million, the first decline since 2009, while lowering cost per seat by 6%.

Passenger traffic also strengthened significantly, with Oman Air carrying 5.8 million travellers in 2025, an 8% increase compared with the previous year. The airline recorded a load factor of 82%, while point-to-point traffic rose by 34%, reflecting growing demand across its network.

“Our network strategy is delivering results, particularly in point-to-point traffic,” Korfiatis said.

Source: ZAWYA

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the introduction of a new direct passenger route linking Addis Ababa with Mauritius, scheduled to commence on 12 July 2026. The move is part of the carrier's broader strategy to strengthen connectivity across Africa and support economic and tourism growth throughout the region.

The new service will operate three times a week, offering direct connections between Ethiopia's capital and Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. Flights are scheduled on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Under the timetable, flight ET887 will depart Addis Ababa at 8:50 a.m. and arrive in Mauritius at 3:20 p.m. The return service, flight ET886, will leave Mauritius at 4:15 p.m. and land in Addis Ababa at 8:45 p.m.

Prior to the launch of the nonstop service, Ethiopian Airlines connected passengers to Mauritius through interline and codeshare arrangements via regional gateways such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Antananarivo. The direct route is expected to shorten travel times and provide more convenient access for passengers traveling between Mauritius and destinations served by the airline's extensive network.

The airline said the new connection is designed to facilitate tourism, business travel, and trade while strengthening economic ties between Mauritius and other African markets.

“We are delighted to launch this direct flight service to Mauritius, making it easier for Africans and other international tourists to visit this beautiful African island destination, while also enhancing business and trade opportunities,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew.

He added that expanding the airline's African network remains a key priority, supporting its long-term objective of improving connectivity among African nations and strengthening links between the continent and the rest of the world.

According to Ethiopian Airlines, the route reflects its ongoing commitment to expanding intra-African air links through its Addis Ababa hub. The carrier expects the service to provide smoother onward connections across its African and international network while contributing to increased tourism and commercial activity between Mauritius and other destinations across the continent.

Bookings for the new route are now available through Ethiopian Airlines' sales and reservation channels ahead of the July launch.

Source: ZAWYA

Etihad Airways is placing additional orders for widebody aircraft as the Middle Eastern carrier prepares for increased operational activity, expecting flight volumes to rise by around 8% by June 15 compared with the same period last year, according to Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves.

Speaking on the sidelines of a global meeting of airline executives held in Brazil on Saturday, Neves said the Abu Dhabi-based airline is acquiring widebody jets in double-digit numbers. However, he did not provide further details regarding the exact size of the order.

He noted that Etihad is in the process of restoring flight services following reductions implemented in March, when regional instability linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran contributed to higher fuel costs and operational adjustments.

Neves said the airline currently has no intention of reducing costs through further flight cuts, emphasizing that maintaining operational capacity is central to efficiency.

“The biggest cost we have is an empty plane,” he said. “So the way I cut cost is I don’t have empty planes.”

Source: ZAWYA

Jazeera Airways, the Kuwaiti low-cost carrier, has announced a seasonal fare promotion offering reductions of up to 30% on both one-way and return tickets across its international network.

The campaign runs from June 7 to June 13 and can be accessed using the promotional code J9SUMMER. Travel under the discounted fares is valid for journeys scheduled between June 15 and September 30.

According to the airline, the offer covers a wide selection of destinations across Europe, Türkiye, and other regions within its network, as part of efforts to tap into increased demand during the summer travel season.

A company representative said the promotion aligns with its broader seasonal campaign, “Don’t Just See the World. Feel It.” The initiative is designed to encourage passengers to engage more deeply with destinations by experiencing their culture, landmarks, and local atmosphere.

The spokesperson highlighted a range of featured destinations, including Prague, Tbilisi, Antalya, Salalah, London, Milan Bergamo, and Istanbul, describing them as key summer travel options for customers seeking diverse leisure experiences.

Destinations included in the offer span London Luton, Milan Bergamo, Prague, Budapest, Kraków, Sarajevo, Larnaca, and Tivat in Europe, alongside Turkish cities such as Istanbul (Sabiha Gökçen), Trabzon, and Antalya.

The airline stated that the promotion is part of its wider summer strategy to increase passenger volumes during the peak holiday period. It added that recent network expansion efforts continue to focus on leisure travelers as well as passengers visiting friends and relatives across the Gulf region and beyond.

Source: ZAWYA