The airline is the first in South Africa to trial a free AI-powered travel assistant, designed to transform the customer experience through technology.

At this stage in development, Lindi’s capabilities include being able to book flights for a single passenger, change a name or seat, and provide certain travel information. Customers can access Lindi 24 hours a day, seven days a week via WhatsApp, ensuring more convenient, faster, and simpler assistance with their travel requirements,” said Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair.

“Our ambition at FlySafair has always been to provide an affordable, hassle-free, and punctual flying experience,” said Gordon. “AI and Lindi provide an opportunity to offer what is effectively a free private travel assistant to each customer at scale. We are excited about building on her potential to enhance our customer services.”

“There are a number of AI assistants that have been created by airlines to help with general information about flying and destinations, but Lindi is the first that can assist customers with their bookings. As AI is increasingly integrated into our everyday life, we felt it was a good time to bring this innovative technology to our customers and enable them to benefit from AI practically. Lindi offers a seamless, efficient and human-like service that I am confident will set a new standard in the airline industry,” concludes Gordon.

Air Algérie, ATR’s largest customer in Africa, has been operating ATR aircraft since 2003, with previous acquisitions in 2008 and 2014 and currently operates 12 ATR 72-500s and 3 ATR 72-600s. As the airline gradually commits to reducing its carbon footprint, this new order highlights Air Algérie’s continued confidence in ATR’s efficient aircraft and proven technology.  

Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled between 2026 and 2028. Equipped with latest generation PW127XT engines, the 72-seats ATR 72-600s will be operated by a newly created regional subsidiary of Air Algérie – Domestic Airlines. It will be focused on enhancing connectivity across the nation, especially in the southern regions of the country – areas where air travel is essential for economic and social growth. This further sets ATR as the leader of regional connections and a powerful asset to bring people, businesses, and communities together.  

Hamza Benhamouda, chief executive officer of Air Algérie, commented: “The ATR 72-600 is the right aircraft to help us connect all regions of our country and support national development through reliable and efficient air transport. Its performance on short and thin routes makes it an essential part of our strategy while its fuel efficiency also supports our goal of reducing emissions and building more sustainable operations. By investing in this new fleet and the first ATR 72-600 simulator in Africa, we are also reinforcing our commitment to regional connectivity, operational excellence, and the future of regional aviation in Algeria.”  

Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, chief executive officer of ATR, added: “This order is a powerful endorsement of the ATR 72-600’s capabilities and the value it brings to foster regional connectivity. With its exceptionally low operating costs, fuel efficiency, and ability to perform reliably in diverse and demanding environments like the Algerian climate, the ATR 72-600 is uniquely suited for low-density routes and remote regions. These advantages are precisely why Air Algérie continues to place its trust in ATR after more than 20 years of partnership – our aircraft consistently delivers the performance and adaptability needed to connect communities and support sustainable regional growth.”  

In addition to the aircraft, the acquisition of the ATR 72-600 simulator – to be installed in Air Algérie’s existing training centre – will enhance pilot training capabilities and support the airline’s high standards in operational safety and maintenance excellence.

I-ASC Light is a support tool for airlines to improve safety performance by strengthening safety culture. The new module of I-ASC is an automated survey that evaluates nine key safety culture drivers, provides detailed quantitative and qualitative results by function and organisational level, as well as expert analysis to guide improvements.

Safety culture is the key focus of the IATA Safety Leadership Charter, to which Kenya Airways and 150 other airlines have made a formal commitment. A positive safety culture leads to better safety performance by supporting open reporting and learning, facilitating the effective management of safety risks and creating employee engagement based on trust.

“Safety is our priority. It is ingrained in everything we do and is fostered through a culture of continuous improvement. This is where I-ASC Light is such a valuable tool. We were able to pinpoint key areas for improvement in a clear and structured way. During World Safety Day in April, we shared the results of the I-ASC survey across the airline, with each member of the senior management team signing their own safety charters committing to safety initiatives in the IATA Safety Leadership Charter, which we signed in 2024,” said Allan Kilavuka, group managing director and CEO Kenya Airways.

“The accessibility of I-ASC Light helps airline management teams quickly identify where they should focus in fostering a robust safety culture. As the global pioneer in using the new version of I-ASC, Kenya Airways is enabling concrete actions to meet their commitment to the IATA Safety Leadership Charter and to build a stronger safety culture across the airline,” said Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President Africa and Middle East.

Located at the carrier’s Airport Operations Centre, the new smart gates utilise advanced biometric technology, AI-driven verification and real-time data integration to streamline immigration processes. This provides a faster and more efficient immigration experience for its flight operations, supporting the carrier’s commitment to operational efficiency, especially during busy travel periods.

Thani Alzaffin, Group chief executive officer of emaratech, said: “We are proud to partner with flydubai in pioneering a next-generation, paperless immigration experience for their crew members. Through the integration of AI-powered facial recognition technology, our smart gates seamlessly connect with both flydubai’s and immigration’s platforms, enabling real-time validation and a truly frictionless journey.”

“This initiative reflects emaratech’s continued commitment to redefining border control processes—making them smarter, faster, and more secure. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, we are shaping a future where innovation drives convenience and trust at every checkpoint. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with flydubai across future initiatives that further enhance the travel experience for both passengers and crew,” added Alzaffin.

Mohammed Hareb AlMheiri, Chief Procurement & Technology Officer at flydubai, said: “We are pleased to have partnered with emaratech to implement this innovative solution for our pilots and cabin crew. We always look for opportunities to harness the latest technologies that support our growth and operational efficiencies and with the introduction of these biometric smart gates, this marks another step towards fostering a more seamless, punctual and secure operation as we future-proof our systems.”

When there is a match, airlines and suppliers can connect and take their negotiation offline to agree on specific terms including price and payment terms.

Specifically, the SAF Matchmaker addresses three critical issues:

Efficiency: The availability of a central platform will simplify SAF procurement by making it easier and faster for all parties to connect without additional fees. It will therefore facilitate further development of the voluntary market for SAF purchasing.

Connectivity: SAF producers and suppliers can post available or planned SAF volumes while airlines are able to register their interest in purchasing shown or desired SAF volumes. Subsequent trades will take place outside the platform.

Visibility: The platform carries comprehensive information regarding the available SAF, such as volumes, feedstock used, the location and technology of production, the emissions reductions, as well as compliance with the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) or the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED).

“To reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we need an accessible, transparent, liquid, and efficient SAF market. The SAF Matchmaker is another example of the work that IATA is putting in place to create a fully functioning market for SAF. The SAF Matchmaker platform will accelerate the uptake of SAF by reducing the costs and complexity that airlines face when searching for SAF suppliers,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president sustainability and chief economist.

By integrating Osprey’s next-generation data-led risk intelligence platform, SalamAir enhances its capabilities to proactively manage global security risks in real time, reinforcing the airline’s focus on security, safety, efficiency, and resilience.

“Osprey is proud to support SalamAir’s forward-looking vision,” said Andrew Nicholson, CEO of Osprey Flight Solutions. “This partnership reflects SalamAir’s recognition that real-time, comprehensive risk intelligence is not only essential for operational security, but also for gaining a competitive edge in today’s dynamic aviation environment. We’re thrilled to provide the tools and insights that enable SalamAir to continue setting new benchmarks in security and innovation.”

The partnership will see SalamAir integrate Osprey’s risk analysis into flight planning, operational decision-making, and overall security management systems, further strengthening the airline’s ability to navigate today’s complex security landscape.

Captain. Salim Al Khatri, director of flight operations at SalamAir, added: “At SalamAir, we are constantly evolving and seeking technologies that keep us ahead of the curve. Partnering with Osprey aligns perfectly with our mission to place technology and safety at the core of our operations. With Osprey, we are not just managing risk, we are mitigating it.”

Integrating MTI’s 3D aviation weather visualisation technology with KeyvanAviation’s certified navigation database offers a powerful, professional-grade solution for flight operators. This combination enables dynamic, weather-aware flight planning by overlaying accurate, real-time and forecast weather data onto precise routes and flight plans in a portable 3D environment. 

Powering the Future of Weather-Aware Aviation

The synergy between precise weather forecasting and reliable navigation data supports optimised routing, enhanced fuel efficiency, and improved operational safety. It also enables more effective risk assessment and contingency planning across both manned and unmanned operations, especially in complex or weather-sensitive regions. This integrated solution equips dispatchers, pilots, and UAV operators with the situational awareness needed to manage missions proactively and efficiently.

The collaboration between MTI and Keyvan Aviation marks a significant advancement in integrated flight operations, combining high-precision weather intelligence with certified global aeronautical and navigation data.

As the aviation industry embraces digital transformation and expands into emerging markets such as urban air mobility, advanced air cargo, and autonomous drone operations, this collaboration offers a scalable foundation for innovation. Stakeholders in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and beyond will benefit from enhanced situational awareness, reduced weather-related disruptions, and improved mission planning in complex airspaces. The joint capabilities of MTI and Keyvan Aviation present a forward-looking solution that meets the evolving demands of modern air operations across both traditional and next-generation platforms.

Data is the Foundation of Aviation

Serkan Pusat, aeronautical data production manager of Keyvan Aviation, said: “Reliable and up-to-date aeronautical data is fundamental to the safety, efficiency, and digital transformation of aviation operations. This MoU represents a significant step towards enhancing data-driven aviation capabilities through joint innovation and expertise exchange. We are confident that this collaboration will contribute to the seamless integration of advanced weather analytics into operational flight planning and support more informed, real-time decision-making for aviation stakeholders.”

This agreement sets the course for future inflight entertainment (IFE) innovations to support Qatar Airways’ digital transformation journey, giving the airline access to the most innovative technologies.

In addition, this MoA covers the opportunities for development of a dedicated IFE service and maintenance centre based in Doha, Qatar. The mission of this local Thales facility is to provide rapid access to services such as repair, spare distribution, technical assistance and turnkey maintenance for the full range of Thales IFE products on Qatar’s growing new fleet. The state-of-the-art facility will be designed to ensure the highest standards of operational efficiency.

The purpose of this MoA is to support Qatar Airways’ growth and the expansion of its new fleet. It builds on a strong and long-standing relationship between the two companies. Over the years, Thales has been Qatar Airways’ trusted IFE provider for several aircraft platforms, including their Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and Airbus A350 and A380 aircraft. This partnership was recently expanded to include Qatar Airways’ new A321 NX fleet, which will be equipped with Thales’ award-winning FlytEDGE cloud-native IFE solution.

In alignment with Qatar Vision 2030, this partnership will help drive industry-leading innovations and contribute to the growth of the local aerospace and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) ecosystem by bringing high-skilled jobs to the country.

Qatar Airways Chief MRO officer, Ali Al Saadi said: “We are pleased to witness the continued advancement of our collaboration with Thales. As we strive to maintain the highest standards in aviation technology and operational excellence, it is imperative that we remain at the forefront of innovation. Our partnership with Thales reinforces this ambition and supports our ongoing commitment to delivering industry-leading solutions.”

Yannick Assouad, executive vice-president, avionics, Thales said “We are pleased to grow our partnership with Qatar Airways. This MOA highlights, once again, our mutual dedication to innovative technologies and the highest standards of operational excellence. It paves the way for a local service hub and growing expertise in Doha, bolstering the airline’s future growth ambitions.”

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.”

The partnership will introduce advanced technologies including Agnet Turnaround by Airbus, a smart platform that enables real time coordination of airport operations. This will empower Cluster 2 to streamline workflows, enhance on-time performance and elevate the passenger experience across its network of 22 international and domestic airports.

Through this MoU, Airbus and Cluster 2 aim to raise operational standards, improve situational awareness and drive seamless collaboration between ground staff, security teams and control rooms.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to driving digital innovation in aviation. With Agnet Turnaround, we are enabling smarter, safer and more connected airports that align with the Kingdom’s vision for the future of transportation.”, said Antoun Farra, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in Saudi Arabia.

“Airports are vital gateways to the Kingdom, and digital transformation is at the heart of our strategy. Partnering with Airbus allows us to enhance safety, reduce response times and create a unified operations ecosystem across our airports,” commented Eng. Badr Al-Dalami, chief executive officer of Cluster 2.