Travel News Page 292
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.
Emirates signs MOU with Rolls-Royce to conduct engine MRO on its own A380 fleet from 2027
Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Emirates and Rolls-Royce today at the Dubai Airshow 2025, Emirates will perform Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) for the Trent 900 engines powering its own A380 fleet from 2027. Emirates has also extended the TotalCare service agreement with Rolls-Royce for its A380s into the 2040s. Emirates will build a new facility with the first induction forecast from 2027. Emirates will complete fan case repairs at the facility, and Rolls-Royce will maintain module repair capability within the global network.
flydubai selects GE Aerospace digital solutions to elevate flight safety and pilot performance
flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, and GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) announced at the Dubai Airshow an agreement to deploy GE Aerospace’s SaaS advanced flight operations software solutions, Safety Insight and FlightPulse, across its entire fleet. The integration will enable flydubai to improve operations by leveraging advanced analytics to enhance flight safety and efficiency
flynas launches the “Literature Journey” Initiative
flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, announced launching the “Literature Journey” initiative, aimed at reinforcing Saudi cultural content and supporting the production of Saudi litterateurs, through reproducing and publishing it on flynas’ social media accounts, as part of the company’s sustainability and social responsibility programs that adopt initiatives with a sustainable impact on society. flynas has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Abdullah bin Idris Cultural Center to collaborate in the field of culture. Under the agreement, the center will nominatie literary texts for the initiative, and flynas will digitally reproduce and promote the content across its digital platforms.
El Albergue Ollantaytambo honoured with World’s Leading Small Sustainable Destination 2025
Peruvian heritage eco-lodge El Albergue Ollantaytambo has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Small Sustainable Destination 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
Ecoventura honoured with World’s Leading Sustainable Guest Experience title at WSTHA
Cruise provider Ecoventura has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Sustainable Guest Experience 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
ECOFRY honoured with World’s Leading Small Sustainable Organisation 2025 title
ECOFRY, a provider of high-performance cooking oil solutions for hospitality venues, has been recognised with the title of World’s Leading Small Sustainable Organisation 2025 by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA). The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
HILTON ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF HILTON BAHRAIN CITY CENTRE HOTEL & RESIDENCES
Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Bahrain City Centre Hotel & Residences, introducing a new era of residential-style living and world-class hospitality in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Ideally located in the heart of Manama’s Al Seef District, this new property blends the comforts of home with the sophistication of Hilton hospitality. Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, officially inaugurated the property. The opening marks a new milestone in Bahrain’s luxury hospitality scene.