The Middle East will see the strongest growth of any global region in available long-haul airline seats in September, adding 22,000 extra seats per day, according to the latest statistics from OAG. The OAG FACTS report for September 2012 reveals an expected five per cent growth in available seats to and from the Middle East, compared to September 2011, with 13.1 million anticipated in the month.

According to a new poll from a flight comparison website, flight attendants have topped a poll of sexiest professions for women; while firefighters clinched the top spot for their male counterparts. The sexiest professions of men and women, according to Britons, have been revealed in the results of a new poll by a flight comparison site Jetcost.co.uk.

Officials at the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia have confirmed they will allow foreign airlines to operate domestic flights in the country in order to rivitalise the aviation industry. At present price caps in the Middle Eastern destination make it unfeasible for international airlines to offer flights in the country.

The CAA data shows that during April to June 2011, the overall on-time performance (defined as the proportion of flights arriving or departing early or up to 15 minutes late) of scheduled flights at the ten UK airports monitored was 82%, four percentage points higher than in the second quarter of 2010.

Flight comparison engine Fly.com saw a record five million flight searches in July, an increase of 46 per cent from the same period last year. The news comes as the site unveils a new look and feel, intended to simplify the flight comparison experience. 

The International Air Transport Association has reported improving global aviation climate for May led by surging demand in the BRIC economies. Passenger traffic rose 6.8% compared to the same month last year, and 4% higher than the beginning of the year.