Shaeb Alnuaimi, Etihad’s director of airport operations, said: “We are looking forward to hosting millions of guests at Zayed International Airport as they head off on their summer holidays, including those flying on our seasonal routes to Malaga, Antalya, Santorini, Nice, and Mykonos.”

“At every stage of the journey, we’re focused on delivering the highest standards of safety, comfort, and service. Whether it’s our modern fleet, award-winning hospitality, or thoughtful travel experiences, our guests can expect a smooth and enjoyable journey from the moment they check in.”

This reinforces its commitment to operational excellence, passenger experience, and long-term economic growth.

ACSA's national maintenance programme has prioritised high-impact infrastructure, including sewerage systems, ablution facilities, and fire escapes. These efforts are complemented by enhanced safety and hygiene protocols in high-traffic and sensitive areas to improve security and user experience.

At O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), a phased refurbishment of ablution facilities is in progress, covering male, female, baby-change, and accessible amenities. This project, which began in December 2024, is scheduled for completion by December 2025. It will significantly enhance passenger comfort and hygiene standards.

ACSA chief executive officer Mpumi Mpofu said that many of the current projects are scheduled for completion between late 2025 and 2027. She emphasised that ACSA continues to invest in infrastructure that supports the aviation sector's long-term growth and operational resilience.

"This programme is a strong signal of ACSA's recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic," said Mpofu. "It reflects our return to financial sustainability and our ability to reinvest in critical infrastructure that will serve the aviation industry and the broader economy for years to come."

Major Refurbishment and Capacity Enhancement Projects

In addition to maintenance activities, ACSA is undertaking an ambitious programme of infrastructure upgrades across key operational areas designed to modernise infrastructure, improve operational resilience, and accommodate future growth. Highlights include:

• Jet Fuel Infrastructure at ORTIA: The installation of a new 20-inch jet fuel feeder line and the implementation of Jet Fuel Redundancy Phase 1 will boost reliability and supply continuity. These projects are complemented by the replacement of backup power generators at the airport to ensure uninterrupted critical operations.

• Passenger Loading Bridges (PLBs): Refurbishment and replacement projects at multiple sites, including structural repairs and upgrades to control systems and canopy covers. Key milestones are targeted for completion from November 2025 through 2026.
• Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS): A phased replacement of UPS units to strengthen energy resilience at critical touchpoints. Completion is scheduled for 2026.
• People Movers: Ongoing replacement and refurbishment of escalators and lifts to address long-standing operational inefficiencies, with several escalator installations already complete and the overall programme concluding in 2027.
• Instrument Landing and Weather Systems: Replacement of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS), with most milestones due by the end of 2026, enhancing aviation safety and compliance.
• Terminal and Roofing Works: From HVAC upgrades and terminal roof waterproofing to replace sprinkler systems and airside enhancements, these projects contribute to a safer, more comfortable airport experience.
• Fuel Systems and Fire Infrastructure: Significant refurbishment of fuel receipt meters, hydrants, and booster pumps is underway, ensuring safety and reliability in critical systems.

Named the “World’s Best Leisure Airline” at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards and recognised as the second-largest airline in Canada, Air Transat will launch non-stop flights between Toronto and Istanbul starting December 6. The service will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

As of 2024, Canadian citizens can travel to Türkiye without a visa—a development that opens new doors for tourism and business relations between the two countries. The new route is expected to make a significant contribution to Türkiye’s tourism sector, especially to Istanbul, while also establishing a strong business travel link between Canada and Türkiye.

Headquartered in Canada, Air Transat operates a fleet of 44 modern aircraft, flying to 62 destinations across 29 countries, including Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, and the United States.

This new airport infrastructure will now accommodate higher traffic international flights, specifically to Lisbon, São Paulo, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Windhoek, São Tomé, and Maputo, which join the domestic and regional destinations of Brazzaville and Kinshasa already based at the new airport.

AIAAN, with its modern facilities and expanded capacity, is prepared to handle an increasing volume of air traffic, offering users and passengers greater comfort, efficiency in travel processes, enhanced control and security, diverse services, high-quality facilities, and improved customer service.

The decision to transfer TAAG's international flight operations to Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport follows an Executive Decree and reflects the strategic vision of the Government of Angola to position Luanda/Icolo e Bengo as a hub and gateway for people and goods across the African continent and for North-South and East-West connections worldwide.

In parallel, a communication plan targeting customers, passengers, partners, authorities, diplomatic corps, and other stakeholders is currently underway.

"We are excited about this chapter where we transfer our commercial passenger services to Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport. This is a relevant step in our strategy to enhance the customer experience and operational efficiency, as all logistics and fleet will be centralised at AIAAN, offering multiple and positive synergies," said Nelson Rodrigues de Oliveira, CEO of TAAG Angola Airlines.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) have signed a One-Stop Security Agreement.

The agreement is aimed at enhancing the experience of transit passengers by streamlining security procedures at Saudi Arabia airports.

Under the agreement, passengers travelling from UK airports via Saudi Arabia will no longer be required to undergo security screening during transit. Security procedures completed at UK airports will be recognised at Saudi airports, allowing for faster connections and reduced transit times, while maintaining the highest international standards of aviation safety and security.

This marks a strategic step in positioning Saudi Arabia as a global aviation hub, supporting the goals of the Saudi Aviation Strategy and Vision 2030 to enhance air connectivity and facilitate seamless international travel.

Mohammed Al-Fawzan, executive vice president for Aviation Security at GACA, noted that “This agreement reflects the high level of trust and alignment between the security frameworks of both countries,” said Mohammed Al-Fawzan, Executive Vice President for Aviation Security at GACA.

He added: “It is expected to enhance the passenger journey by reducing wait times and eliminating redundant security checks. It will also improve airport and airline efficiency by shortening turnaround times and strengthening operational coordination through the exchange of best practices and risk data.”

The five-year extension builds on a longstanding guest experience partnership over six years, following the successful delivery of an initial five-year term and a one-year extension.

As part of the agreement, Serco will continue to provide guest experience services across all elements of the passenger journey at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). This includes the deployment of guest experience ambassadors, passenger processing teams, traffic marshals, chauffeurs and lounge hosts for VIP services.

With more than 1,500 Serco employees currently operating at the airports, the team plays a pivotal role in supporting the movement of over 93 million passengers per year, helping to deliver a seamless, safe and welcoming experience for travellers, from arrival to departure.

Anthony Kirby, Serco’s Group chief executive officer, said: “This significant retention indicates our continued superb delivery of customer experience to Dubai Airports. I am very proud of our expertly trained people who work with passion and commitment to provide great services and innovative solutions at this best-in-class aviation hub. Cementing our ongoing relationship until at least 2030 will allow us to grow our services from this contract and deploy our capabilities across our transport business.”

Majed Al Joker, chief operating officer of Dubai Airports said: “This renewed partnership with Serco comes at a time when guest expectations are higher than ever, and the scale of our operations continues to grow. At DXB and DWC, we see every interaction as an opportunity to create a positive and lasting impression. Serco’s dedicated teams are an extension of that vision, bringing professionalism, empathy, and consistency to some of the most crucial touchpoints along the journey. As we look ahead to welcoming more that 96 million guests this year, this collaboration will play a key role in ensuring our airports remain among the most guest-centric in the world.”

In addition, iGA Istanbul Airport has maintained its position as Europe’s most connected airport in terms of direct connectivity, holding the same title in both 2024 and 2025.

iGA Istanbul Airport has claimed the top spot in the 2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report, published by Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), overtaking long-time leader Frankfurt Airport to become the world’s most connected global hub.

According to the report—developed with SEO Amsterdam Economics—iGA Istanbul Airport has increased its global hub connectivity by 59% compared to 2019. This leap has pushed it ahead of major international hubs, with Dallas Fort Worth and Frankfurt ranking second and third, respectively. Frankfurt, which previously held the top position, has seen a 21% decline in global connectivity over the same period.

ACI EUROPE attributes iGA’s rise to several key factors, including Turkish Airlines’ expansive global network, Istanbul’s geographic advantage as a natural crossroads between continents, the airport’s high operational capacity, and pro-growth aviation policies from the Turkish government.

The report also highlights iGA’s continued dominance in the Direct Connectivity category, where it retains the top spot in Europe for a second consecutive year. Compared to 2019, iGA has increased its number of direct air connections by 13%, having moved from fifth place before the pandemic to become Europe’s most directly connected airport.

Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of iGA Istanbul Airport, commented: “With our growing network, strategic location, and focus on service excellence, Istanbul has cemented its role at the heart of global aviation. This recognition is not only a milestone for our airport, but a point of pride for Türkiye and our region.

“The ACI EUROPE report confirms that iGA is a key global hub—not just regionally, but on the world stage. Our performance in both direct and connecting routes reinforces our position as a critical link in international air travel.

“We’ve responded proactively to the evolving demands of the post-pandemic landscape, investing in infrastructure, digital innovation, and passenger experience. Looking ahead, we remain committed to growing sustainably, driving connectivity, and delivering a world-class journey for all our passengers.”

Since launching UK operations in March 2024, Air Peace has been operating flights into London Gatwick but has had its eyes on operating to London Heathrow.

Last September, Nigeria’s minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, wrote a letter to the UK aviation authorities requesting slots for Air Peace at Heathrow, which was initially rejected citing the applications were submitted too late for the scheduling seasons.

“On the international scene, daily flights from Lagos to London are going on, so we’ll start from October, and from then on, we will start Abuja -London flights as the British Authority has granted Air Peace access to Heathrow directly, said chairman of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema. “We appreciate President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for their support. If our safety record is dented, there will be problems.”

He added: “We shall be running seven days a week, that is, four days to Heathrow and three days to Gatwick Airport from Abuja. If you are not good, foreign airlines won’t allow you to fly there commercially.”

The terminal spans 8,000 square meters, and handling capacity will increase to 60,000 tons per year. Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Jaafer Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and numerous guests, the facility was ceremoniously inaugurated. The cargo terminal will significantly strengthen Jordan's position as a major logistics hub in the Middle East.

“AHS Jordan's mission is to transform the cargo terminal at Queen Alia International Airport into a leading hub for regional and international trade. To achieve this goal, we rely on advanced automated handling technologies from market leader Lödige Industries to streamline cargo processes, create a safe working environment and meet the growing demands of our customers now and in the future”, says Dominique Ceulemans, managing director at AHS Jordan.

The fully equipped new cargo terminal enables AHS/Menzies in Amman to automate cargo handling and provide its customers with a high-performance service for long-term growth at Queen Alia International Airport. The delivered systems include a fully automated storage system for 136 Unit Load Devices (ULDs) with an Elevating Transfer Vehicle (ETV) to ensure reliable, fast and efficient storage and retrieval processes. Furthermore, the facility features ergonomic construction/break workstations (EWS), storage racks to maximise shipping capacity and a ULD control system for seamless monitoring with material own management in conjunction with the latest Cargo Management System from Menzies.

“It is a great honour for us to be the cargo handling technology partner for this ambitious project, and we are extremely proud to support AHS/Menzies in the Kingdom of Jordan in achieving their future goals and improving their cargo capacities”, says Guy Walker, Managing Director of Lödige Systems Middle East. As a service partner, Lödige Industries remains closely engaged with the system for the long term and ensures reliable, smooth opera on with high-quality maintenance services.

This partnership aims to revolutionise the global distribution of perishable goods and ensure that fresh produce reaches consumers in optimal condition.

Acting general manager, Peter Musola, said: "The partnership will leverage KAHL's state-of-the-art cool chain facilities alongside Lift Cargo's extensive client base. Together, we will create a seamless cool chain that minimises spoilage, reduces waste, and enhances the overall quality of perishable goods, elevating product freshness for our customers."  

The horticulture sector is one of the largest contributors to Kenya's economy, generating approximately 1.29 billion in annual export earnings, according to the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA). Flowers alone account for more than 70% of these exports, with Europe serving as the primary market.  

"Kenya's horticultural sector is one of the most vital components of our economy, and we are committed to supporting it through innovative logistics solutions," added Musola.   

"We are thrilled to partner with KAHL said Mr. Silas Kashindi, managing director of Lift Cargo Limited. This partnership with KAHL will not only improve the efficiency of our supply chain but also empower local growers by providing them with better access to markets and enhanced value for their products."