EgyptAir has received its first Airbus A350-900, marking a major milestone in the airline’s fleet modernization program. The new aircraft, registered as SU-GGE, completed its four-hour delivery flight from Toulouse and touched down in Cairo just before 4 p.m. local time. After a technical inspection by EgyptAir’s maintenance team, the jet will begin service on routes to London and Paris for crew training and familiarization.

This arrival signals the start of EgyptAir’s next phase of long-haul expansion. The state-owned carrier plans to deploy the A350 on new routes to North America later this year as it continues to align with the country’s fast-growing tourism industry. The airline’s growth dovetails with a $4.5 billion upgrade program at Cairo International Airport — a key part of Egypt’s broader vision to transform itself into a global travel hub.

New Aircraft for a New Era

EgyptAir first announced an order for 10 A350-900s at the 2023 Dubai Airshow, selecting the type to anchor its North American growth plans. Airbus later confirmed that the airline increased its total order to 16 aircraft. Deliveries will be split into two stages — up to six arriving this year, ten by the end of 2027, and the remaining six from 2030 onward.

The A350s will gradually replace EgyptAir’s Boeing 777-300ERs, which currently serve most of its North American destinations. These include:

• New York (JFK): Daily with Boeing 777-300ERs

• Newark (EWR): Three times weekly with Boeing 787-9s, increasing to daily in 2027

• Washington Dulles (IAD): Twice weekly using 777s and 787s, expanding to daily by 2027

• Toronto (YYZ): Five times weekly with 777-300ERs

Speaking at the 2025 Paris Air Show, EgyptAir CEO Captain Ahmed Adel said this year’s focus will be on integrating the new A350s and phasing out the older 777s starting in November. The airline will then shift its attention to launching new destinations, with Los Angeles (LAX) at the top of the list.

“The first seven A350s will work alongside our 787s on the long-haul network,” Adel explained. “Once we have around eight in service, we’ll start opening new routes — Los Angeles is one we’re really excited about because the numbers are very promising.”

According to OAG data, around 73,000 people traveled between Cairo and Los Angeles in 2025, making it Cairo’s largest unserved route in North America.

Reinventing the Long-Haul Fleet

The A350 is a key element in EgyptAir’s plan to build a younger, more efficient widebody fleet. As of February 2026, the airline’s long-haul aircraft lineup includes:

With room for 350 passengers in a two-class layout, the A350 is well-suited to replace the aging 777-300ERs and to operate new long-range routes such as Cairo–Los Angeles. Some of EgyptAir’s older A330s are also being converted into freighters as the airline expands its cargo operations.

Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation aims to grow the national carrier’s fleet to 125 aircraft by 2030. With 16 A350s and 18 Boeing 737 MAX 8s already on order, EgyptAir is expected to reach nearly 100 aircraft within the decade, with additional widebody orders likely to follow.

Growth Tied to Tourism and Infrastructure

EgyptAir’s expansion mirrors the country’s tourism boom. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported that Egypt hosted 19 million visitors in 2025 — a 21% increase from the year before. Captain Adel noted that the airline’s performance closely follows tourism trends:

“When tourism grows, we grow with it,” he said. “The government’s ambitious tourism plans have a direct positive impact on our operations.”

Still, Cairo International Airport faces capacity challenges. Designed to handle 20 million passengers annually, it now manages more than 30 million. To address this, the government has approved a major $4.5 billion expansion project that will reshape the airport by 2030.

The plan includes the construction of a new Terminal 4 capable of handling 30 million passengers at launch — expandable to 40 million — along with a new runway and upgraded cargo facilities supporting up to one million tons per year.

Together, EgyptAir’s modern fleet and Cairo Airport’s expansion underscore Egypt’s ambitions to become Africa’s leading aviation gateway and a major player in global air travel.

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