The agreement marks a milestone in building a digital bridge between Türkiye and Malaysia in both public and private sectors.

This collaboration enables Havelsan to introduce its indigenous digital transformation platform, Kovan New Generation Business Management System, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technologies to the Malaysian market. Simultaneously, DNeX’s expertise in trade facilitation, AI applications, and logistics will be leveraged to generate value across various Turkish industries.

Through this partnership, the synergy between Havelsan’s AI capabilities and DNeX’s commercial AI applications will drive the development of next-generation digital solutions tailored to the needs of both nations.

Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar, CEO of Havelsan, said: “Digital transformation directly impacts national competitiveness and security. This strategic partnership with DNeX is a significant step in sharing Türkiye’s digital experience with friendly and allied nations. Our flagship products like Kovan, alongside our AI projects, will deliver tangible value to Malaysia’s digital infrastructure.”

Faizal Sham Abu Mansor, Group CEO of DNeX, added: “Building upon its robust technology foundations in trade facilitation, semiconductor manufacturing, AI solutions, and upstream energy, DNeX is strategically collaborating with Havelsan. By integrating Havelsan 's internationally recognised expertise, including their defence-grade enterprise systems and AI-embedded smart solutions, DNeX aims to significantly advance digital transformation across Malaysia's public and private sectors, fostering innovation and strengthening the economic partnership between Türkiye and Malaysia.”

This strategic modernisation equips EgyptAir with scalable, cloud-native connectivity to meet growing bandwidth, security, and automation demands. With SITA Connect Go, the airline will further strengthen its core infrastructure with secure airport connectivity, infrastructure protection, Secure Service Edge (SSE) management, and enhanced messaging and service assurance. 

EgyptAir’s operations will also benefit from SITA’s Community Departure Control System (DCS), which will help streamline ground processes, driving cost efficiency across its network. Together, these improvements will help EgyptAir reduce reliance on aging legacy systems, increase network visibility, and mitigate operational risks.

“Airlines across the Middle East and Africa are facing a period of rapid change,” said Selim Bouri, President, Middle East & Africa at SITA. “Passenger demand is surging, airports are getting busier, and the pressure to operate more efficiently, securely, and sustainably has never been greater. Against this backdrop, EgyptAir is making a bold move to transform its network infrastructure, giving the airline the speed, resilience and agility it needs to keep pace with market growth and rising traveller expectations. By embracing next-generation connectivity, EgyptAir is future-proofing its operations and strengthening its ability to compete in an increasingly dynamic regional aviation landscape.”

This follows a significant agreement with its UK counterpart, NATS, in collaboration with technology providers Leidos and Indra.

Intelligent Approach is the world’s only time-based separation arrivals management tool. Developed jointly by NATS and Leidos, it uses dynamically calculated time-based spacing to increase runway capacity, reduce delays and minimise carbon emissions.

Saudi Arabia is making major investments in its aviation infrastructure to help drive the Kingdom’s growth ambitions as part of its Vision 2030 strategy, with the intention to triple annual passenger traffic to 330 million, develop two global long-haul connecting hub airports and increase air cargo volume to 4.5 million tonnes. Intelligent Approach, as a way of maximising runway efficiency and reducing controller workload will be instrumental in delivering against those ambitions. 

Abdulaziz Al-Zaid, CEO of SANS, emphasised that this step marks a major milestone in advancing the Kingdom’s aviation sector. He stated: “The implementation of the Intelligent Approach system across Saudi airports will directly increase capacity and elevate operational efficiency, while also playing a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. Through this agreement, we at SANS are proud to be the first in the Middle East to adopt this cutting- edge system, maximising runway utilisation and strengthening our ability to achieve the goals of the national aviation strategy.”

Martin Rolfe, NATS chief executive officer, said: “Intelligent Approach is the world’s leading operational time based separation tool and is delivering significant benefits in every operation where it’s being used, improving resilience, boosting on time performance and minimising emissions, while reducing controller workload. This milestone deployment is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and we’re looking forward to working together with SANS to ensure the project delivers similar benefits for them and for the airlines and passengers using Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah airports.”

Developed with airlines, airports, and industry partners, the roadmap sets a clear path to improve both operational efficiency and traveller satisfaction.

“Baggage is important for travellers. When they check a bag, they expect it to arrive on time. And if it doesn’t, they want to know where it is. That is confirmed by recent IATA polling showing 81% of travellers want better tracking, 74% expect real-time updates on their mobile phones and 67% are willing to switch to electronic bag tags. The Global Baggage Roadmap will move us closer to the automated digital baggage services that travellers want,” said Monika Mejstrikova, IATA’s Director of Ground Operations.

The Roadmap is built around three pillars:

Baggage Information Exchange and Data Standardisation to align how baggage information is shared among airlines, airports, and partners. For passengers, replacing legacy systems like teletype with modern messaging standards will mean faster baggage reconciliation, fewer delays due to data errors, and more reliable service recovery when issues arise. Driving transformation towards this new API-driven baggage messaging standards will significantly reduce the airline industry's annual spending of USD 1 billion on teletype messaging.

Baggage Tracking and Automation to provide visibility throughout the journey. This includes the use of electronic baggage tags, GPS tracking, and robotics that will enable passengers to track their bags in real time and experience smoother transfers and arrivals.

Streamlining the baggage claim process, combating fraud, and enhancing the customer experience so airlines can resolve passenger’s claims faster and have better protections from baggage-related fraud.

“This Roadmap will consolidate the progress of previous initiatives to modernise baggage processes and take a holistic view of where we need to be in 10 years. With the buy-in of all stakeholders we are better placed than ever to improve traveler satisfaction by delivering the digital, automated, and customer-focused service that they get in many other sectors,” said Mejstrikova.

The Global Baggage Roadmap aligns with IATA’s broader efforts to modernise ground operations, enhance safety, and improve the passenger experience. IATA will work closely with stakeholders to develop implementation guidance, provide training, and monitor progress.

The platform lets you manage and interact with orders in real time, without outdated systems that rely on PNLs or PNRs. This puts travellers in charge of their journeys.

Passengers will be able to make changes on-the-go, add services mid-trip, and connect with third-party content in one streamlined experience. Instead of static, pre-booked trips, travel becomes modular, personal, and responsive.

Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said: “Ink is a key partner to Riyadh Air and continues to foster innovation at every step of the journey.  As a like-minded tech-innovator, it is an ideal collaborator as we aim to provide an outstanding digital experience for our guests at their first travel touchpoint.”

The system has already proven its readiness in real-world operations. Riyadh Air achieved its Air Operator Certificate using Ink’s platform, with proving flights across key international cities including Munich, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, and Cairo. All flight handling, check-in, and load control functions were completed using Ink’s digital tools.

Peter Bellew, Chief Operating Officer at Riyadh Air, said: “What we're trying to do with Ink is offer a brilliant service to our customers. For me, our customers are the guests who travel on the aircraft, as well as the teams who work at the check-in desks and departure gates at airports. If they see our system as easy to use, straightforward, and highly reliable, they will be happy to work on their flights and offer even better service to our customers.”

Astrova will be line fit on the eight Boeing 777-9 aircraft that the flag carrier of Ethiopia has on order, with the first scheduled to enter service in 2028.

This deal shows Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova commitment in Africa and highlights Ethiopian Airlines’ long-term vision of providing a cutting-edge experience to its passengers. Astrova will transform Ethiopian Airlines’ in-flight experience by offering passengers a fully immersive experience. This includes industry-leading 4K OLED HDR10+ screens delivering unparalleled high-definition cinema quality visuals and premium quality audio powered by Panasonic Avionics’ latest Bluetooth®* technology.

Each Ethiopian Airlines passenger will have access to up to 100W of USB-C direct current power at their seat, enabling fast charging in all phases of flight to fast charge mobile phones, tablets, compatible laptops, and other personal electronic devices. Panasonic Avionics' newest IFE seat-end solution also includes programmable LED lighting, designed to improve the passenger experience while enabling the airline to fine-tune the cabin environment for optimal comfort and ambiance.

Mesfin Tasew, Group chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines, stated, “Our new 777 fleet marks a significant leap in passenger experience, with innovative and engaging in-flight entertainment playing a key role. Astrova was the natural choice for Ethiopian Airlines, and we are confident it will redefine our inflight offering for years to come.”

Hernan Abbes, Vice President of Global Sales at Panasonic Avionics, said: “We are excited to be supporting Ethiopian Airlines’ growth and vision, and are proud that our Astrova system will be an integral part of their new flagship fleet. Astrova is designed to provide an immersive and unparalleled inflight experience for passengers, and we believe it will help them deliver the highest standards of passenger service.”

The event was powered by next-generation Starlink connectivity and took place on 11 May 2025 during a flight from Doha to London.

The tournament brought together a global roster of top gaming and entertainment talent, including Tfue, Castro1021, Lisa Zimouche, Alodia Gosiengfiao, Dantic, SV2, AJ3, Aameghessib, Danny Aarons, Ffearfful, MattHDGamer, and Slater with a special appearance by Oussifooty as the host. The experience marked a new milestone in the convergence of aviation, entertainment, and technology.

At 35,000 feet, the airline transformed the skies into a competitive gaming arena as two teams — Team Burgundy Oryx and Team Grey Aviators — faced off in a friendly mid-air showdown. Enabled by Starlink’s ultra-fast, low-latency internet, players competed in real-time with uninterrupted gameplay and live updates on Qatar Airways’ social media channels.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “At Qatar Airways, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the sky to deliver an in-flight experience that captures the imagination and makes you feel right at home. This competition represents a bold step into the future of passenger engagement and comfort when flying with Qatar Airways.”

Fans around the world followed the journey through Qatar Airways’ social media platforms, where in-flight highlights and behind-the-scenes footage were shared throughout the flight.

The competition took place as Qatar Airways nears completion of its Boeing 777 fleet upgrade with Starlink connectivity, and just as the airline begins introducing the world’s first Airbus A350 equipped with Starlink. This strategic step will allow more passengers to enjoy fully complimentary, ultra-fast Wi-Fi for streaming, gaming, and working seamlessly at 35,000 feet, further cementing Qatar Airways’ position at the forefront of aviation technology and passenger experience.

Jeddah-based Flyadeal launched seven years ago as a digital-only airline selling tickets via its website, though it has since also connected into online travel agents via direct connect channels.

Speaking on the sidelines of the IATA Aviation Day Middle East North Africa event in Jeddah, Flyadeal chief commercial officer Rogier Van Enk said the carrier is looking at working much more with aggregators, including the traditional GDSs. “We have active conversations now with the GDSs to see whether we want to be on their platform,” he said.

Van Enk says one of the reasons behind the move is to help power its international growth. Flyadeal is expanding rapidly and has plans to triple its 38-strong Airbus A320 fleet to more than 100 aircraft by 2030, including delivery of its first A321neos next year. Having built its presence in the Saudi domestic market, much of this growth will be on international routes.

“Our brand awareness in the Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia] is 95%-plus, so people know who we are. But when you go [international] not everyone knows us. So, you want to be on the shelf,” says van Enk.

The move also aims to help Flyadeal further tap into corporate travellers.

 “We see a lot of corporates already on our flights. But we want to make it easier for corporates to find us, particularly those where employees must book through a travel agency of the company,” he says.  “If we are not on those shelves, then we are going to be missing out on that demand.”

Van Enk joined Flyadeal earlier this year from Finnair, having previously headed up distribution for both the Finnish carrier and British Airways, and he points to a higher dependency on travel agents in the Middle East region.

“Trade are very important partners of airlines in the region,” he says. Flyadeal’s engagement with the travel trade has been further enabled by its recent membership of IATA and payment processing through the association’s Billing Settlement Plan.

“We have a strategy where we try to get the customer in, and once they are flying us, we are laser-focused on keeping them within our ecosystem,” he adds. “But we have a multi-channel distribution strategy. [And] we are going to do it in an LCC way.”

Van Enk says the airline will not “reinvent the wheel” and will look at existing examples where LCCs connect to a GDS. “We will probably find our own version of that,” he says.  “The main goal here is to get the lowest fares to our customers. But we also want to be on the shelves where customers can find us.”

The breach temporarily disrupted access to the airline’s website, mobile application, and several internal operational systems, prompting swift response measures to mitigate its effects.

SAA immediately activated its disaster management and business continuity protocols upon detection of the incident. These actions successfully contained the incident and minimised disruption to core flight operations. They also ensured the continued functionality of essential customer service channels, such as the airline's contact centres and sales offices. Normal system functionality across all affected platforms was restored later the same day.

SAA said it has undertaken all reasonable and lawful steps as a National Key Point, including formally reporting the incident to the State Security Agency (SSA), South African Police Service (SAPS) for criminal investigation and notifying the Information Regulator of South Africa as a precautionary measure under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

Prof. John Lamola, Group CEO of South African Airways, said: "The security and integrity of our business systems and the protection of the consumer data entrusted to us remain our highest priority. In response to the cyber incident that began on May 3rd, we acted swiftly to contain the disruption, restore services, and initiate a comprehensive investigation. Our robust business continuity measures ensured operational stability, particularly for our valued customers. I want to assure all stakeholders, including our partners, customers, and dedicated employees, that we are taking every necessary step to determine the root cause of this incident, strengthen our security framework, and mitigate any potential risks. SAA remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and resilient service."

The multi-year contract covers the installation of HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX Model-S computed tomography scanners in Terminals 1, 2, and 3, aiming to enhance security, operational efficiency, and passenger flow.

These cutting-edge scanners offer high-resolution 3D imaging and allow passengers to keep electronics and liquids in their bags during screening, significantly improving processing time and convenience. Certified by international regulatory bodies such as TSA and ECAC, the systems are equipped with iCMORE automatic object recognition software, in addition to smart lane management and automated tray return systems.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, said: "Dubai continues to lead the world in aviation excellence by investing in the latest security screening technologies. This project strengthens passenger safety, enhances the travel experience, and reinforces Dubai’s reputation as a global aviation hub."

His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, remarked: "Selecting Smiths Detection reflects our commitment to smart infrastructure integration across our airports. It is an investment in operational efficiency and the safety of millions of travellers as we build the airports of the future."

Her Excellency Suzanne Al Anani, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, added: "We are dedicated to developing secure and intelligent airport infrastructure that meets future demands. This project exemplifies our proactive approach to enabling safe, seamless, and high-capacity travel through the integration of smart, advanced technologies."

The Managing Director of Smiths Detection Middle East, Tom Squier added: "We are honoured to collaborate with Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects to help secure one of the world’s busiest airports. Our advanced screening solutions will enhance detection efficiency and support Dubai’s vision for safe and smart air travel."