It’s the latest move by flyadeal towards further integration with national flag carrier Saudia, which codeshares on its entire domestic and international network.

Steven Greenway, flyadeal CEO, said: “Joining AlFursan was just a matter of time for flyadeal. We’ve scaled our operations significantly across Saudi Arabia and internationally that now give members of the AlFursan loyalty programme more travel options with great flexibility to earn and redeem reward miles on flyadeal’s rapidly growing network.

“Being the leading loyalty programme in the Kingdom, AlFursan has developed a diverse membership and partnership base for which we are delighted to be joining. With the sharp rise in the number of tourists, business travellers and pilgrims to, from and within Saudi Arabia, we are creating a dynamic aviation ecosystem built on demand, appeal, choice and loyalty.”

Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan, added: “We are focused on expanding our member base while introducing exceptional partnerships such as the one with flyadeal, to enhance the programme and offer more exclusive rewards than ever before. This includes increasing our partner network and launching new features designed to provide more options for members to earn and redeem their reward miles. Our goal is for AlFursan to be the most rewarding loyalty programme in Saudi Arabia, and one of the best globally.”

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."  

The collaboration makes Air Arabia the first airline in the region to offer stablecoin-based payments, underscoring the carrier’s commitment to offering innovative digital solutions to its customer base. 

As the UAE’s first AED-backed stablecoin, AE Coin is pegged 1:1 to the UAE Dirham, ensuring price stability, security, and low transaction fees. With this integration, Air Arabia’s customers can now select the AEC Wallet at checkout when booking via Arabia’s website, offering a new convenient payment alternative that align with the UAE’s vision of a digital-first economy.

Adel Al Ali, Group chief executive officer, Air Arabia said: “We are proud to partner with Mbank to introduce AE Coin as a secure and innovative payment option for our customers. At Air Arabia, we are committed to embracing digitalization across our operations, and this partnership reflects our efforts to enhance our customer experience through technology. The newly introduced payment option through AEC Wallet reflects our ongoing efforts to adopt smart solutions that bring greater value, choice and flexibility to our growing customer base.”

Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Mbank, commented: “We are proud to partner with Air Arabia to offer AE Coin as a payment option for travelers. Air Arabia’s strong reputation as a leading low-cost carrier operator serving a diverse customer base aligns perfectly with our mission to provide accessible, secure, and affordable digital payment solutions to our community. Through this partnership, we are not only enhancing the booking process but also contributing to the UAE’s broader goal of creating a truly inclusive, digitally empowered financial ecosystem.”

This is part of its extensive ground fleet renewal programme, under which EKFC plans to introduce 120 next-generation vehicles over five years. In total, 92 aircraft catering trucks will be added to the EKFC fleet within the next 12 months, with the first vehicles slated for introduction later this year. 

The new Volvo FL 250 4X2 Euro 6 aircraft catering trucks will feature advanced sensors and monitoring systems to enhance efficiencies on the ground for loading and unloading tasks, in addition to improving overall emissions reductions with the adoption of the latest Euro diesel engine technologies. 

EKFC will also collaborate with Mallaghan, FAMCO and Volvo Trucks on a Proof-of-Concept electric aircraft catering truck, the first in the catering provider’s fleet, and a regional first in sustainable aviation catering equipment. The electrified aircraft catering truck will be optimised for ground catering operations at Dubai International, putting EKFC at the forefront of testing and prototyping the latest technologies and laying the groundwork for emission-free ground catering operations in the coming years with fleet electrification and automation.  The electric aircraft catering truck is expected to begin operating by the summer of 2026.

Shahreyar Nawabi, chief executive officer of Emirates Flight Catering said: “We are excited to embark on the complete modernisation of our fleet of aircraft catering trucks. This fleet investment is a key part of our broader strategy to implement industry leading initiatives, keep pace with ever-growing demand, and strengthen EKFC’s value proposition to our airline customers as a dedicated culinary partner delivering exceptional operational performance at our busy Dubai hub.  It also reflects our strong confidence in the long-term growth prospects and continued market leadership of Dubai's aviation sector. 

“We’re also investing in the latest technologies and working closely with Mallaghan and Volvo Trucks to empower a future towards a fully electrified aircraft catering truck fleet, enabling us to reduce our carbon footprint while continuing to deliver top-notch operational performance on the ground. The integration of the first electric aircraft catering truck next summer will mark a milestone for EKFC, reinforcing our commitment to more sustainable operations and pushing the boundaries of innovation.” 

Ronan Mallaghan, chief executive officer at Mallaghan, added: “We are pleased to partner with Emirates Flight Catering in this landmark fleet renewal, delivering its largest ever order of high loaders and introducing the first electric high loader of its kind to the region.”

The new office will enable them to work more closely with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and industry partners in the region, support ongoing transformation, and continue building a strong, connected ATM community.

Saad Alkahtani has been named as Director for the Middle East. He will be based in Riyadh and lead its regional strategy and engagement.

The CEO of Saudi Air Navigation Services, Abdulaziz Al-Zaid, said: “The signing of this MoU marks an important milestone in our efforts to enhance air navigation services across the region. Hosting the CANSO Middle East Regional Office in the Kingdom reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to regional leadership and global cooperation in the aviation sector.”

CANSO Director General, Simon Hocquard added: “This partnership with SANS is a great example of regional collaboration and shared ambition. By establishing a permanent base in Riyadh, we’re showing our long-term commitment to supporting the Middle East’s ATM ecosystem and contributing to its growth and innovation.”

The refurbishment marks a significant investment in the airline’s retail presence.

Located in the heart of Deira, the Travel Shop first opened its doors in 2011, offering customers a wide range of services. Customers visiting the shop can book flights, make changes to their travel plans, access UAE visa services and choose flydubai Holidays packages, assisted by flydubai’s experienced service agents.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer at flydubai, said: “this investment in our Travel Shop in Dubai reflects flydubai’s continued evolution as a brand and our ambition to provide a smooth travel experience from the very first customer interaction, reflecting the hospitality of Dubai which we carry in our name. As we expand our network and enhance our onboard offering, it is equally important to elevate our service standards on the ground and the renovated shop is a tangible expression of that commitment.”

The agreement enables members of both Etihad Guest and the TAP Miles&Go programme to earn and redeem their respective loyalty currency on either carrier.

Etihad Guest members are able to redeem their miles on flights, worldwide hotel stays and holidays, or shop from a variety of products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop. TAP Miles&Go member miles can be spent on flights and a range of additional offers such as TAP Store items.

Mark Potter, managing director Etihad Guest, said: “We’re delighted to launch our frequent flyer partnership with TAP Air Portugal, offering our members even more ways to earn and redeem their miles across the airline’s network in the Americas, Europe and Africa. We’re devoted to expanding our Etihad Guest offering and rewarding our loyalty members wherever they travel. We look forward to welcoming TAP Miles&Go members on Etihad Airways and offering them the ability to earn or redeem their miles when they choose to travel across our expanding network.”

This partnership follows the strategic codeshare established between the carriers in 2023.

Vista Verve received the Gold Award for Business Class Meal Service ware at the TravelPlus Airline Awards, while the airline’s in-flight entertainment system, Vista, was named Best IFEC South Asia 2025 at the PAX Readership Awards.

Under the partnership, dnata will provide comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution support to both carriers across the UAE, excluding Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for Air India. This localised approach will improve accessibility for travellers and trade partners while supporting the Air India group’s broader growth plans in the region.

Air India operates 82x weekly flights from the UAE to India, while Air India Express connects five cities—Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah—with over 240x weekly flights from the UAE. The UAE represents the single-largest international market for Air India Express and remains one of the most significant global markets, serving millions of Indian expatriates and other travellers.

Kaizad Postwalla, Head of International Sales – GMEA & North America, Air India, said, “The UAE is a key market in our international network. We are pleased to partner with dnata, whose deep understanding of the region and proven track record in travel services will help us better connect with customers, drive demand, and enhance service delivery in the market.”

Emirates Skywards members can now earn and redeem Miles on all flights operated by AEGEAN and its subsidiary, Olympic Air, to 162 destinations across Europe, Middle East and North Africa.

Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, divisional senior vice President Emirates Skywards: “We’re pleased to enhance our partnership with AEGEAN to provide members with reciprocal loyalty benefits. This strategic collaboration will offer more than 38 million frequent flyer members a chance to earn and redeem Miles while exploring more than 200 destinations across our joint network. We look forward to opening new opportunities for Skywards members, and welcoming Miles+Bonus members onboard Emirates to experience our world-class products and renowned ‘fly better’ promise.”

Elias Mandroukas, deputy chief commercial officer, Digital and Marketing AEGEAN, said: “We are delighted to take our partnership with Emirates to the next level, creating new opportunities for our Miles+Bonus members to travel even further and enjoy seamless experiences across a truly global network. This collaboration not only enhances the value of our loyalty program but also reinforces our commitment to offering meaningful benefits and greater flexibility to our customers. We look forward to welcoming Emirates Skywards members onboard and providing them with the high-quality service AEGEAN is known for.”