Riyadh Air has officially commenced domestic operations, operating its first flight between Riyadh and Jeddah on Sunday, June 15, marking a significant step in the carrier's expansion strategy within Saudi Arabia.

The inaugural service departed from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Among those travelling on the flight were Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Riyadh Air board member Raid Ismail, and several senior figures from the Kingdom's aviation sector.

Upon arrival in Jeddah, the delegation was welcomed by Jeddah Airports Company (JEDCO) Chairman Raed Al-Mudaiheem, Chief Executive Officer Mazen Johar, along with representatives from government bodies and airport security authorities.

The newly launched route initially operates with two daily services connecting the Kingdom's two largest cities. Riyadh Air plans to increase the schedule to three daily flights beginning June 18, followed by four daily flights from July 2 as passenger demand continues to grow.

The expansion comes as air travel between Riyadh and Jeddah remains one of the busiest domestic markets globally. Data from aviation analytics company OAG ranked the corridor as the world's fifth-busiest domestic route in 2025, offering approximately 9.8 million seats during the year.

Riyadh Air said the additional capacity will contribute to national development goals by supporting tourism growth, facilitating business travel, and strengthening economic activity across Saudi Arabia.

Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas described the launch as a major milestone for the airline, highlighting its role in building a comprehensive network that will connect Saudi Arabia with destinations worldwide. He added that the Riyadh-Jeddah service caters to both business and leisure travellers while supporting the aviation and connectivity objectives outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.

JEDCO CEO Mazen Johar said the new operation demonstrates the coordination and integration of Saudi Arabia's aviation sector and will provide passengers with greater travel flexibility and improved service options.

He also noted that King Abdulaziz International Airport handled more than 14.8 million passengers through nearly 84,000 flights during the first quarter of 2026, underlining continued growth in airport operations and passenger traffic.

Source: ZAWYA

Air Arabia, described as the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, has announced the introduction of a new direct flight route connecting Sharjah with Aleppo. The service is scheduled to begin on July 4.

The airline confirmed that the Sharjah–Aleppo route will operate on a daily basis, aiming to provide passengers with increased travel convenience and improved scheduling flexibility. The move forms part of its broader strategy to expand affordable air connectivity across key regional markets.

With the addition of Aleppo, Air Arabia further strengthens its presence in Syria, complementing its existing network that includes 21 weekly flights between Sharjah and Damascus, as well as three weekly services between Abu Dhabi and Damascus.

Group Chief Executive Officer Adel Al Ali stated that Syria continues to be an important destination within the carrier’s network. He added that the new service to Aleppo, alongside existing operations to Damascus, is intended to enhance accessibility for passengers while also supporting stronger economic and tourism links between the United Arab Emirates and Syria.

Source: ZAWYA

Kuwait Airways has introduced services to four new destinations as part of its Summer 2026 flight programme, adding Vienna, Sarajevo, Trabzon, and Salalah to its expanding international network.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Abdulwahab Al-Shatti told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the newly added routes are among key stations in the airline’s updated network and are witnessing strong demand from passengers.

He said the expansion reflects the airline’s continued efforts to align with customer expectations by offering a wider range of travel options suited to different preferences and needs.

Al-Shatti also noted that Kuwait Airways is actively pursuing its broader strategy to grow its international footprint and increase travel choices during the peak summer season.

According to him, the destinations were selected after a detailed assessment of market demand and evolving travel trends, making them a strategic addition to the airline’s Summer 2026 operations.

He added that the national carrier remains focused on improving service quality and enhancing the overall passenger experience, while reinforcing its role in connecting Kuwait with major global destinations.

Source: ZAWYA

Qatar Airways Group has achieved a significant recovery milestone, restoring its network to 85 percent of pre-crisis capacity while introducing two new executive leadership positions aimed at strengthening operations and enhancing customer experience.

The achievement coincides with the launch of the airline’s Summer 2026 schedule, which features more than 140 daily departures from Doha and connections to over 160 destinations worldwide. The recovery target had been established earlier this year during a period of regional disruption that affected a substantial portion of the carrier’s network, with the Group aiming to reach the 85 percent mark by mid-June.

As part of its long-term growth strategy, Qatar Airways has identified three key priorities: delivering a premium passenger experience across all customer touchpoints, expanding passenger and cargo operations through a modernized fleet and the next generation of Qsuite cabins, and investing in workforce development, succession planning, and future-ready skills.

To support these objectives, the Group has created the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Customer Officer. Both executives will report directly to Group Chief Executive Officer Hamad Al-Khater.

Abdulla Ali, a Qatari national currently serving as Senior Vice President of Ground Services, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, he will oversee the Group’s operational functions under a unified leadership structure, with responsibility for performance, accountability, and safety standards. Ali brings extensive experience in airline, airport, and network operations, as well as a strong track record in leading high-performing teams.

The newly created Chief Customer Officer role will be filled by Calum Laming, who holds Irish and British nationality. Laming most recently served as Chief Customer Officer at British Airways from 2022 until earlier this year. He has also held senior customer-focused leadership positions at major international carriers, including Etihad Airways and Air New Zealand. His responsibilities will include aligning the airline’s brand and customer-facing services to ensure a consistent and high-quality travel experience.

Commenting on the appointments, Group Chief Executive Officer Hamad Al-Khater said the additions to the leadership team would help accelerate decision-making, strengthen the company’s commitment to service excellence, and reinforce a customer-centric approach across the organization. He also emphasized the importance of developing talent and supporting the continued growth of the Group’s workforce.

Ali and Laming are scheduled to assume their new positions on November 1, 2026.

Source: ZAWYA

SalamAir, Oman’s budget airline, is looking to broaden its international footprint with a stronger focus on India while also preparing to establish a new operational base in Salalah, according to its chief executive Adrian Hamilton-Manns.

Speaking to The Observer, Hamilton-Manns said the airline is evaluating additional Indian destinations including Goa and Navi Mumbai, with the latter aimed at increasing flight frequency into the wider Mumbai region. He added that further expansion depends on ongoing discussions with civil aviation authorities regarding bilateral air service agreements.

The airline is also considering other Indian cities such as Hyderabad, Nagpur, and Guwahati, alongside potential routes to Nepal and Kolkata. However, the immediate priority, he noted, is increasing frequencies on existing services before launching new destinations.

Hamilton-Manns said SalamAir sees strong growth potential in India, describing it as a key market due to its scale and familiarity with low-cost travel. He added that expanding passenger traffic through Muscat Airport requires more aggressive network development from airlines.

On fleet constraints, he said around 33% of SalamAir’s aircraft are currently grounded due to engine availability issues. Despite this, the carrier expects to add three aircraft this year, bringing its total fleet to 18 once deliveries and reactivations are completed.

He said improved fleet availability would unlock significant growth opportunities, particularly in high-demand markets such as India.

Network expansion plans

SalamAir is also moving ahead with a series of new international routes. The airline plans to launch services to Vienna on June 24, Medan on July 12, Kigali on July 21, and Mogadishu in September. However, the planned launch of Damascus has been delayed due to ongoing security uncertainties.

Fuel costs and market conditions

Hamilton-Manns noted that rising fuel prices have pushed up operating costs and contributed to higher fares across the industry. He said while demand for travel remains strong, higher ticket prices can limit recovery for airlines, as many passengers booked earlier at lower fares when fuel prices were higher.

He also said SalamAir has been partially insulated from regional disruptions, although it previously suspended operations to Iraq and Iran. The airline has also adjusted its Gulf network, with changes including the closure of Doha operations while continuing flights to Bahrain and Dubai.

Salalah base development

Looking ahead, SalamAir plans to strengthen its domestic presence by establishing a base in Salalah. The next aircraft to join the fleet will be named “Salalah,” and two aircraft are expected to be stationed there to operate new routes.

Hamilton-Manns said the airline intends to launch services from Salalah to destinations in India and Pakistan as part of its broader expansion strategy.

Source: ZAWYA

Kuwait Airways has introduced direct services to Mykonos, adding the popular Greek island to its seasonal summer schedule as part of a broader effort to enhance its leisure travel offerings.

The new route will operate two times a week, with flights scheduled on Sundays and Thursdays. The addition comes under the airline’s summer operations plan, which features a selection of tourist destinations designed to cater to diverse passenger preferences during the peak travel period.

Speaking on the launch, Abdulwahab Ibrahim Al-Shatti, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Airways, said the decision reflects the airline’s continued focus on strengthening its seasonal network and offering passengers a wider range of international travel options.

He noted that Mykonos remains one of Europe’s most sought-after summer destinations, known for its natural scenery and strong appeal among holidaymakers.

Al-Shatti also highlighted that the airline is consistently working to upgrade its services and broaden its destination portfolio to keep pace with changing customer expectations, aiming to deliver a smooth and comfortable travel experience.

He further explained that the new route aligns with Kuwait Airways’ summer operational strategy, which is focused on improving connectivity between Kuwait and key global tourism cities while offering passengers greater flexibility in travel choices.

Source: ZAWYA