Signed during Farnborough International Airshow in the presence of  President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, Chairman of the Board of NAS Holding Ayed Al Jeaid, flynas Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Bandar Almohanna, and Airbus Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Aircraft, Christian Scherer.

The new aircraft will join the carrier’s all Airbus fleet serving international, domestic and regional routes. The new A330-900 aircraft will boast a two-class configuration, accommodating up to 400 passengers.

"We are excited to further strengthen our long-standing partnership with Airbus," said Bander Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas. "The A320neo Family provides exceptional operational performance and environmental benefits, allowing us to offer unique, low-cost travel experiences. Additionally, the A330neowill enhance our long-haul capabilities with its advanced technology and efficiency while supporting our growth plans and Saudi Arabia’s pilgrim programme."

Airbus chief executive officer, commercial aircraft, Christian Scherer said: "We are delighted to expand our partnership with flynas through this significant milestone for both A320neo and A330-900 aircraft. The A330neo will allow flynas to further grow into widebody markets by building on the A320, benefiting from Airbus’ unique commonality. Both aircraft types offer flynas the perfect versatility and economics to expand into new markets while offering their passengers the latest cabin experience and comfort. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with flynas as they embark on this exciting new chapter."

Al-Meer, the new head of Qatar Airways, revealed his group was in the advanced stages of the deal with an as-yet unnamed airline at the Doha Economic Forum in mid-May.

“I asked our legal people that question four or five days ago if we are able to announce at the Farnborough Air Show as promised a few months back, but they told me they are at the final stages of signing all documents,” he explained.

“If the air show was in two or three weeks, we would have been able to do it,” said Al-Meer.

No details are available yet on the identity of the carrier or the size of the investment, however, industry speculation has inevitably turned to South African carriers with Airlink, and flag carrier South African Airways mentioned.

Speaking about the carrier’s motivation for the deal, Al-Meer said: “As you know, Qatar Airways has a very big network in Africa where we serve more than 30 destinations. We see the growth in the eastern and western parts of Africa.

“In the northern parts of Africa, we have a very successful collaboration with Royal Air Maroc. The only missing area we want to invest in is central Africa and the south part of Africa,” he said.

“In central Africa we have been in discussion and negotiations for a very long time with the government of Rwanda. We are establishing a partnership with RwandAir, plus we are building a new hub for Rwanda. We will own equity in both the airline and the airport.

“So, the central part of Africa is now taken care of by our investment partnership with Rwanda. The last missing part of the equation is the south part of Africa. And this is where this airline [comes in]…as the southern part of Africa is important for us to create this network and cover every city in the country,” he said.

The awards, organised by FlightGlobal, were held in London on July 21, 2024. Elbers was recognised for his ‘exceptional’ strategic leadership at IndiGo and his ‘significant’ contribution to the industry. 

Elbers said: “I am truly honoured to receive the Executive Leadership Award for Asia-Pacific at the 2024 Airline Strategy Awards in London yesterday eve. It is a testimony to the 100+ million customers annually choosing to fly IndiGo and a recognition of the strategic choices we made post Covid-19 on Network, Fleet, Customer Experience, Digital and so on. “Strategy without execution is a hallucination”, hence this award is attributed to the unwavering dedication and professionalism of my 35,000 IndiGo colleagues.”

The event is being held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng, South Africa on 16 & 17th September 2024.

“Times Aerospace Events is delighted with exhibitor, delegate and speaker demand for Aviation AFRICA 2024, which is officially hosted by the Government of South Africa and the Ministry of Transport and led by the South African Civil Aviation Authority,” said Mark Brown, CEO of Times Aerospace Events.

“This is the first time the event has taken place in South Africa, and it comes at an important time as the country recovers and rebuilds from the turbulence of the past few years,” said Brown.

Supported by the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), “We expect the 2024 event will be a sell-out as repeat major sponsors such as Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Rolls-Royce and De Havilland arrive with a strong presence alongside some significant new names such as the Government of Gabon and ATS Technic of the United Arab Emirates.”

“Aviation AFRICA 2024 includes some exciting new features, such as the co-location of the African Business Aircraft Association’s Annual General Meeting. We are delighted to welcome AfBAA to the show,” explained Brown.

A high-level array of speakers from across Africa and beyond, will feature at this year’s Aviation AFRICA Summit, which has the theme ‘Bridging Skies and Leveraging Growth’. The two-day Summit brings together leaders from the region’s airlines, the regulators, airports, OEMs and companies large and small across the whole support and supply chain.

Details of the event can be found on www.aviationafrica.aero

The reveal will be held at the Qatar Airways Discover Lounge for visitors to experience the future of business travel with the World’s Best Airline and World’s Best Business Class.

Qatar Airways’ Group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “We are highly anticipating this year’s Farnborough International Airshow and as the Best Airline in the World we are confident that the reveal of our latest business class offering will be a huge draw for the global aviation community. We also look forward to welcoming visitors to our installations and onboard our aircraft which will be on display, to experience what we offer.”

Aviation Week Network's award-winning editorial team will be bringing their audience the latest from this year's largest airshow, and we're offering Times Aerospace readers the opportunity to get the news, analysis and insight delivered direct to your inbox.

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The accolade acknowledges Ethiopian Airlines' pivotal role in distributing emergency gear throughout Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the delivery of essential medical supplies and saving countless lives.

The conference was jointly held by Livelihood Development International Initiatives (LDII), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and other partners aimed at building a unified frontier for responding to future global pandemics.

Ethiopian Airlines GCEO, Mesfin Tasew said: "We are honoured to receive this prestigious recognition for our significant contribution worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. This recognition is a testament to our commitment, dedication and hard work of our team members, the airline community, and the stakeholders who worked tirelessly with us to keep our operations running smoothly during those difficult times. This award gives us another courage to stay committed to serving our customers and communities, even during unprecedented challenges."

Mesfin emphasised the airline's adaptability and unwavering commitment. “Every flight carried is more than just supplies; it carried hope and life. We remain committed to using our global network and expertise to empower."

Ethiopian Airlines played a crucial role in re-configuring approximately 25 passenger aircraft into dedicated cargo freighters. The airline conducted over 470 charter repatriation flights, reuniting more than 63,000 citizens with their families, and loved ones. In collaboration with governmental entities, non-profit organisations, and international agencies, Ethiopian Airlines facilitated the transportation of millions of tons of personal protective equipment, medical apparatus, vaccines, and other essential supplies across Africa and beyond.

Scheduled to be held from 19th to 21st of November 2024 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) Air Expo Abu Dhabi 2024 anticipates drawing 18,000 visitors and over 250 manufacturers and suppliers.

With over 37 years of operational experience, Sanad’s partnership with the Air Expo Abu Dhabi underscores its continued dedication to the advancement of the aerospace industry in the UAE. As a key sponsor, Sanad is set to play an integral role in the conference and exhibition, showcasing its latest accomplishments and contributions to the aerospace industry.  

Mansoor Janahi, managing director and Group CEO of Sanad said: "We are thrilled to support the Air Expo Abu Dhabi 2024. Our participation reflects our commitment to advancing aerospace excellence and innovation and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s stature as a global aviation hub.”

AAD is the largest aerospace and defence exhibition and air show on the African continent, holding a flagship status in South Africa's, and the continent's, defence industry calendar.

The trade show has continued to grow with each edition and will once again bring together some of the world’s major industry players to showcase the latest technological innovations in aviation, aerospace, and defence industries. It will also provide a platform for engaging in dialogue and discourse on international defence, aerospace, and related best practices.

This year’s event is set to attract over 30,000 trade visitors who will have the opportunity to engage with more than 300 exhibitors from the aerospace and defence sectors.

Representing the aerospace, aviation, space, and defence sectors, the premier thought leadership forum will aim to accelerate investments to drive greater sustainability, youth engagement and innovation for the industry.

The Summit is a CEO-led, critical meeting of the world's aerospace supply chain that brings together sector and government leaders at the highest level for strategy development and partnerships. The two-day event will take place on 25-26 September at the St. Regis, Saadiyat Island Resort in the UAE capital – Abu Dhabi.

Since its first edition in 2012, the Global Aerospace Summit has solidified the UAE’s position as a leading hub for aerospace, with the aviation industry becoming a major driver for economic growth.

The 2024 edition will centre on several objectives designed to drive the industry forward and address global aerospace concerns, exploring new ways to enhance technological and strategic capabilities, attract investment, strengthen domestic SMEs in the aerospace supply chain and emphasise environmental responsibility.

Panel sessions will focus on developing the country’s defence industry system, investing in the region’s thriving aviation sector, embracing environmental responsibility for a greener future and optimising airport infrastructure for future growth.

High-level speakers include Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security at the UAE Government, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Chief Information Security Officer of Riyadh Airports, and Laila Odina, CEO of Riga International Airport.

With Abu Dhabi a hub for economic development, the summit will explore ways to build aerospace clusters and ecosystems, foster international partnerships, and invest in research and development to drive innovation and value across the UAE.

Timothy Hawes, managing director of Informa Markets, commented: “The Global Aerospace Summit is a world-class platform for the creation of new opportunities and collaborations that help to transform the industry.

Abu Dhabi is today a global capital for aerospace, aviation, space and defence and is the preferred location for international industry leaders and decision-makers to align with global aerospace carbon net zero strategies. Underlined by innovations, the Global Aerospace Summit is the perfect platform to convene the world towards next-generation features. Through greater strategic dialogue and analysis on the challenges and prospects within these sectors, we can establish greater sustainability, efficiencies and resilience for the future.”

Lynette Tan, CEO of Space Faculty, comments: "The Global Aerospace Summit is a pivotal platform driving crucial investments and fostering essential conversations in sustainability, innovation, and the empowerment of the next generation of aerospace leaders. At Space Faculty, we are dedicated to creating a global collaborative environment where ground-breaking ideas can thrive, ensuring a sustainable and innovative future for the industry."

Other key themes include global business aviation trends, such as supersonic travel and sustainability initiatives, as well as critical issues in liquidity, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and supply chain resilience for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Alongside this, it will delve into advancements in space exploration and military space investments, the connectivity opportunity presented by satellite broadband, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, electric propulsion, hydrogen-powered aircraft, and more.

Inspiring and nurturing the next generation of aerospace leaders will be a primary focus for the event. The NextGen Leaders initiative will form a key part of the event, a programme that supports the UAE’s Emiratisation objectives. NextGen fosters talent development and magnifies the potential of the region’s brightest minds. Through this platform, the Summit will close the gap between young talent and industry leaders, ensuring the right level of skills, knowledge and capabilities are transferred to the next generation of aerospace specialists.

One of the other key features will be VISTA, offering a sector specific platform for start-ups ready to shake up the world of the aerospace industry. VISTA will be a dedicated area at the event to introduce global start-ups who have the potential to revolutionise the industry with companies ranging from crypto to eVTOLS. Start-ups will have the opportunity to benefit from industry leading content on the Innovation Hub stage, as well as get a chance to pitch their solution live in front of an esteemed panel of investors.