Latest news with #AirlineIndustry
Khaleej Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Etihad Airways celebrates first flight to Atlanta
Etihad Airways has touched down in Atlanta for the first time, expanding its US footprint and connecting the cultural and commercial heart of the US Southeast with Abu Dhabi and beyond. The launch marks another milestone in Etihad's North American expansion. Etihad's first flight from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport touched down on July 2, making Atlanta the fifth US gateway in Etihad's global network, joining New York City, Chicago, Washington DC, and Boston. Guests travelling from Abu Dhabi benefit from the convenience of the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport — the only one of its kind in the region. This allows passengers to clear US immigration and customs before departure, arriving in the United States as domestic travellers and saving valuable time on arrival. The newly launched route meets the growing appetite for travel between the UAE and the US, catering to business travellers, vacationers, and those visiting friends and family. The Atlanta route launched with four flights per week, but record-high load factors and remarkable early bookings have prompted Etihad to fast-track expansion, with daily flights set to commence from November 2025. Demand from both leisure and corporate segments has exceeded expectations, firmly validating Atlanta's position as a key market for Etihad. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said, 'Atlanta is a dynamic city with deep cultural, economic and aviation significance. This new service enhances access to the southeastern United States while offering seamless connections across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Asia. 'With US Preclearance at Zayed International Airport, guests can enjoy the convenience of arriving in Atlanta as domestic travellers. We're delighted to bring our award-winning experience to guests travelling to and from Atlanta.
Skift
02-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
AirAsia Plans Hub in Saudi or Ras Al Khaimah to Tap Europe-Bound Traffic
With new long-range aircraft, AirAsia wants a second try at setting up in the Gulf. AirAsia plans to open a new hub in the Gulf before the end of the year to tap Europe-bound traffic and boost Southeast Asia–Middle East connectivity, CEO Tony Fernandes said in an interview with Dubai Eye radio. The Malaysian low-cost carrier is considering four airports for its expansion, including Ras Al Khaimah and a destination in Saudi Arabia. 'We are in discussion with four cities, to be absolutely fair and transparent … [but] I don't want to make any comment right now on who we are talking to. But I can be very open that countries that are interested in us and [those] we are interested in … includes Saudi Arabia, [and] Ras Al Khaimah as well,' Fernandes said. He ruled out Dubai and Sharjah as possible options. 'Sharjah is well served by a very good airline, Air Arabia. And Dubai wouldn't be somewhere that we looked at. That's a big airport, a complicated airport,' he said. 'Dubai wouldn't really benefit from an AirAsia. It's so successful already. But other Emirates, other places in the Gulf would benefit tremendously from the traffic we could bring both ways,' Fernandes added. Why Ras Al Khaimah or Saudi? Connecting with Europe is an important part of the strategy, and new long-range aircraft makes it possible. "[We have an] Airbus 321 Long Range and the second one is a 321XLR. That allows us with one stop to probably get to most of the world,' Fernandes said. 'We want to extend our successful Asian operation to the world and allow people in South-East Asia and Asean and people in Europe to go to places.' Europe is a huge market for Ras Al Khaimah. In the first quarter of this year, the emirate's largest international source markets were Russia, the UK, and Kazakhstan. Poland, Germany, Belarus, and the Czech Republic were all in the top 10. (Russia is Ras Al Khaimah's largest source market by far, accounting for 27% of all visits during the quarter, or 47,000 people.) AirAsia's parent company Capital A has signaled a wider push into Saudi Arabia, with plans announced in May to grow its network to Riyadh and Dammam and ramp up Kuala Lumpur–Jeddah flights. 'We believe the new Riyadh route is projected to serve close to one million two-way passengers by 2026 and more than seven million by 2030, reflecting strong demand for increased connectivity between Asean and the Gulf region," Fernandes said in May. Of the 29.7 million international tourists visiting Saudi last year, 2.4 million came from Europe. Asia Pacific, the MENA region, and the GCC were much larger markets, bringing in 9.7 million, 8.4 million, and 8 million visitors, respectively. Fernandes said that a big benefit of being in the region is its geography, "right in the middle of the world." The goal would be to create a new connections hub in the region. "I have been fascinated with Emirates and what they've done in connecting the world. But they are a full-service airline, I am trying to do what no other low-cost airline has done - to create a connecting airline, where you can go from one point to another point through a hub." "The Gulf is right in the middle of the world. My aim is to use a narrow-body aircraft to reach most of the world." Who Would Fund it? According to the Financial Times, Fernandes also met with Gulf officials at the recent Paris Air Show to pitch the regional hub, shrugging off geopolitical volatility. Asked if the new Gulf operation might include a local partner or sovereign backing, Fernandes told the radio station it was not essential. 'But it's nice to have … we have to treat these two things as independent,' he said. This is not AirAsia's first Gulf foray. AirAsia X exited Abu Dhabi in 2010 for operational reasons, and later explored a Gulf-focused low-cost carrier concept. Tony Fernandes will be speaking on stage at the Skift Global Forum 2025, taking place September 16-18. Watch Tony Fernandes Speak at Skift Global Forum East 2024 What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Travel Weekly
26-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
American plans new Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club in Miami
American Airlines plans to build a new Flagship lounge and expand its Admirals Club footprint at Miami International Airport. The new lounges will nearly double American's Miami lounge space. The carrier currently offers an Admirals Club at Gate D15 and Flagship and Admirals Club lounges at Gate D30. American plans to convert the current Flagship Lounge into an expanded Admirals Club while building out a new Flagship space. American said that further construction details and timing would be announced at a later date. The carrier in May opened Flagship and Admirals Club lounges at Philadelphia International Airport. Source: Business Travel News
Wall Street Journal
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Israel's El Al Says It Has Suspended Flights to and From Israel
Israeli carrier El Al says it has suspended its flights to and from Israel because of the current security developments and in accordance with directives from the state's security and aviation authorities regarding the closure of Israeli airspace.
Asharq Al-Awsat
04-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia's flynas Successfully Completes Final Allocation of IPO Shares
Saudi Arabia's flynas has successfully completed the final allocation process for its initial public offering (IPO) shares, setting a minimum allotment of 10 shares for each individual subscriber. This IPO is considered the first of its kind for a Gulf airline in nearly 20 years. flynas will become the third Gulf airline to go public, following the listings of Air Arabia in the UAE and Jazeera Airways in Kuwait. In a statement, the company confirmed that any surplus subscription funds - if any - will be refunded to individual subscribers no later than June 5. The company will be listed on the Saudi stock exchange once regulatory procedures are completed. Saudi Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser stated on the X platform that the IPO of the first Saudi airline on the stock market, along with the high oversubscription rates, 'reflects the high level of confidence in the Kingdom's aviation sector, which is witnessing remarkable developments and unprecedented annual growth rates, increased air traffic and connectivity, as well as significant investments in infrastructure, all supported by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.' 'Congratulations to flynas on the successful IPO and listing. The aviation sector will continue to enhance its developmental role in supporting the national economy and expanding investment and growth opportunities, in partnership with the private sector,' he added. The individual investor subscription period, which began on May 28 and lasted for three days, saw the participation of 666 investors, with a final offering price of 30 riyals per share. Total demand from this segment reached approximately SAR 2.868 billion ($746.5 million), resulting in a coverage ratio of 349.70%. Meanwhile, flynas reported a net profit of SAR 148 million ($39.4 million) for the first quarter of this year, marking a 1% decrease compared to the net profit of SAR 149 million recorded in the same period last year. However, the company's adjusted net profit increased by 78%. In a statement, the company attributed the decline in profit to exceptional gains of 66 million riyals recorded in Q1 2024 from a sale and leaseback transaction, which did not recur in the current quarter. Operating profit rose by 78%, and the company generated revenues of SAR 1.8 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a 6% increase, supported by improved ticket yields and growth in ancillary revenues. The company stated that its revenue increased by 5% to reach SAR 1.8 billion during the first three months of 2025, attributing the growth to stronger ticket yields and increased ancillary income.
