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

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

Qatar Airways has announced a major expansion of its international network, restoring services to 26 destinations as it continues to rebuild and strengthen global connectivity. The move will see the airline operate to more than 160 destinations during the Summer 2026 season, reinforcing its position as one of the world's largest international carriers.

The Doha-based airline said it has been steadily restoring routes since March 2026, when it resumed operations to more than 60 destinations. The latest expansion forms part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing travel options and improving connectivity for passengers worldwide.

Recognized by Skytrax as the World's Best Airline 2025 for a record ninth time, Qatar Airways highlighted its focus on safety, operational reliability, and passenger experience. The carrier achieved an on-time performance rate of 84.42% in 2025, earning Cirium's Platinum Award for Operational Excellence.

Passengers travelling through the airline’s hub at Hamad International Airport benefit from extensive retail, dining, and lifestyle offerings available through Qatar Duty Free. Frequent flyers can also earn and redeem Avios through the airline’s Privilege Club loyalty programme.

The carrier continues to enhance onboard connectivity through Starlink technology. More than 140 aircraft in its fleet are now equipped with the high-speed internet service, making Qatar Airways the world's largest operator of Starlink-enabled widebody aircraft. Customers in both Premium and Economy cabins can access internet speeds of up to 500 Mbps per aircraft.

As part of its latest expansion, Qatar Airways will launch services to Port Sudan from 2 July and restore flights to several destinations across Africa. These include Kigali in Rwanda with two weekly services, Seychelles with four weekly flights, and Marrakesh in Morocco with daily operations.

In the Americas, the airline will resume flights to Caracas and Bogotá from 22 July, followed by the return of Philadelphia services from 1 August. Boston will initially receive four weekly flights, increasing to daily service to accommodate travel demand linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026™, for which Qatar Airways serves as an official airline partner.

Additional increases in service to FIFA World Cup host cities include Los Angeles, where frequencies will rise from four to seven weekly flights; Miami, increasing from seven to 10 weekly services; and San Francisco, growing from four to seven weekly flights.

Across Asia and the Pacific region, Qatar Airways is reinstating services to Adelaide, Almaty, Auckland, Baku, Osaka, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Tokyo Haneda, and Yerevan. Most destinations will receive between four and seven weekly flights, with Tokyo Haneda scheduled to increase from four to seven weekly services beginning 1 August.

The airline is also expanding its European footprint with restored operations to Belgrade, Brussels, Budapest, Düsseldorf, Helsinki, Lisbon, Oslo, Prague, and Zagreb. Several routes will initially operate four times weekly before increasing frequencies later in the summer schedule.

The latest additions underscore Qatar Airways’ ongoing efforts to strengthen international connectivity and meet growing travel demand across key global markets.