Airlines News Page 65
SriLankan Airport and Ground Services Rolls Out Self-Check-In Service for Customer Airlines
SriLankan Airlines’ Airport and Ground Services, the sole ground services provider at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA)‚ is rolling out its self-check-in service for passengers of customer airlines ahead of the winter travel high season, which is expected to bring over 300,000 tourists to the island in December alone. The initiative, made possible by the airline’s IT team, follows the installation of 20 new self-check-in kiosks at the departure terminal last month, bringing the total to 28 and boosting airport efficiency and the overall passenger experience in line with Sri Lanka’s tourism development efforts.
IndiGo Deepens Network in Madhya Pradesh
IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, today announced new daily, direct flights between Indore and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, starting 22 December 2025. This new route makes IndiGo the first carrier to offer direct connectivity between the two cities. The flights on this route will be operated using IndiGo’s ATR aircraft, offering affordable and reliable travel experience to its customers. With this new service, IndiGo will connect Rewa to its vast destination network, offering convenient onward connections to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Lucknow, and Nagpur. Bookings are now open on IndiGo website (www.goIndiGo.in), the IndiGo mobile app, and across authorized travel partners.
SWISS Airbus A350 takes off for Boston on first full ‘SWISS Senses’ flight
SWISS’s first Airbus A350 HB-IFA departed from Zurich for Boston at 18:37 last (Thursday) evening on its first revenue long-haul flight. The event marks a further milestone for the airline: travelers on the Zurich-Boston route can now enjoy in full the completely new cabin and enhanced inflight service of the new ‘SWISS Senses’ long-haul air travel concept in all seating classes. SWISS’s first Airbus A350 will continue to be deployed on short-haul services, too, over the next few weeks, to train crews on the new twinjet as efficiently as possible. Montreal will be the new SWISS A350’s second long-haul destination.
Air Canada Elevates the North American Travel Experience with a Comprehensive Fleet Upgrade
Air Canada, Canada’s largest airline and flag carrier, has announced its most comprehensive cabin renewal program yet, designed to make every flight across North America more comfortable, more connected, and more consistent for customers and crew members. Spanning Air Canada mainline, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express, this multi-year investment reimagines the onboard experience with new interiors, next-generation technology, and thoughtful details inspired by customer and co-worker feedback. This includes the industry’s most comprehensive Fast, Free Wi-Fi offering, sponsored by Bell.
Etihad and Vietnam Airlines Launch Codeshare and Frequent Flyer Partnership
Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines are strengthening travel ties between the UAE and Vietnam with the launch of a new codeshare partnership. The agreement enhances Etihad’s recently launched service between Abu Dhabi and Hanoi. Etihad guests can now access key domestic Vietnamese destinations as well as popular destinations across Asia, with the convenience of a single ticket for the entire journey, one check-in, and automatic baggage transfer throughout. Abu Dhabi becomes the effortless bridge linking Vietnam to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
Emirates SkyCargo and LODD Autonomous sign MoU to explore drone-powered delivery solutions
Emirates SkyCargo and LODD Autonomous signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, to explore the development and deployment of next generation air cargo solutions. The agreement was signed by Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President and Rashid Al Manai, Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous. Under the terms of the MoU, Emirates SkyCargo and LODD Autonomous will collaborate to validate the use of VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft across the airline’s vast global network, through feasibility studies, regulatory engagement and live demonstrations. Leveraging over four decades’ expertise in the global movement of goods, Emirates SkyCargo will participate in LODD’s experimental operations through to the end of 2027, providing insight to inform design and development, with a view toward commercial deployment in regional and global markets.
TAP AIR PORTUGAL POSTS PROFIT OF €126 MILLION IN THE THIRD QUARTER
TAP recorded a positive net profit of 126 million euros in the third quarter of this year and made a profit of 55.2 million euros in the first nine months of 2025. Until September (9M25), TAP carried a total of 12.7 million passengers, which represents an increase of 2.9% compared to the same period in 2024 (9M24). The number of flights operated registered a slight year-on-year growth of 0.7%, in line with the previous period. Capacity increased 3% compared to 9M24, while RPKs grew 4.6%, resulting in a 1.3 p.p. improvement in Load Factor, which reached 84.2% in 9M25.
Riyadh Air Accelerates ‘Pathway to Perfect’ with Landmark Technical, Training, and Travel Agreements
At Dubai Airshow 2025, Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, today announced a comprehensive suite of technical, training, and travel partnership agreements designed to rapidly scale its operations and enhance the passenger experience. These pivotal collaborations encompass a major expansion of its A321neo fleet support through new engine orders and state-of-the-art pilot simulators, technology and comprehensive maintenance & digital operations for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. An array of strategic travel MoUs signed with key agencies align to cement Riyadh Air’s position as a digital-native, future-focused airline, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
flydubai signs MoU for 75 Boeing 737 MAX Airplanes
Boeing and flydubai announced today the airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its fourth 737 MAX purchase. The agreement for 75 orders and 75 options will enable flydubai to modernize its fleet and further expand its growing network.
Gulf Air Increases Boeing 787 Dreamliner Order
Boeing and Gulf Air announced today the airline has finalized a firm order for 15 787 Dreamliners with options for three more as the Bahrain-based carrier looks to further develop its international network. The order adds three Boeing 787s to the airline’s commitment this July(opens in a new tab) and brings Gulf Air’s order book to 17 of the versatile widebody jets. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow by Martin Gauss, chief executive officer of Gulf Air, and Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing
Etihad Airways enhances guest experience with expanded Viasat partnership
Etihad Airways will deploy Viasat’s next-generation connectivity solution, Viasat Amara, across its entire fleet as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver a world-class guest experience. The expansion, announced today by the Abu Dhabi-based airline and Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, builds on a successful multi-year collaboration. Onboard Etihad aircraft, Viasat will power high-speed connectivity that enables guests to access streaming subscriptions on personal devices, to view Live TV on the aircraft seatback IFE screens—providing a variety of news and sports channels for guests’ enjoyment—and to utilize applications for social media scrolling, browsing, shopping, and more.
Emirates and flydubai: Rewarding travellers through partnership and enhanced connectivity
The Emirates and flydubai partnership exemplifies industry-leading collaboration, seamlessly connecting millions of travellers across an extensive global network while rewarding Emirates Skywards members through the joint loyalty programme.