This strategic addition increases Kenya Airways' London frequency to 10 weekly flights.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, said that the Nairobi-Gatwick service will enable Kenya to significantly grow visitor numbers, diversify its tourism products, and scale up multi-destination travel across the country.

“These developments will deliver tangible benefits to our hoteliers, tour operators, and entrepreneurs in the broader travel ecosystem across the country. The ripple effects will be felt in employment, income generation, and in the continued diversification of our tourism economy.” She said.

“More importantly, it breathes life into the Kenya-UK Economic Partnership Agreement by enhancing the mobility of goods, services, investments, and people, thereby fostering stronger diplomatic ties between our nations,” she added.

Speaking at the launch event, Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the new route. "This inaugural flight to Gatwick is not just about adding a new destination; it's about opening more doors for trade, tourism, education, and strengthening the vital connections between Kenya and the UK." 

The new service is operated using Etihad’s next-generation Airbus A350-1000, a fuel-efficient, environmentally advanced aircraft offering a quieter ride, and the airline’s latest onboard product on key long-haul routes.

The Atlanta route launched with four flights per week, but high load factors and early bookings have prompted Etihad to fast-track expansion, with daily flights set to commence from November 2025. 

Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer at Etihad Airways, said: “Atlanta is a dynamic city with deep cultural, economic and aviation significance. This new service enhances access to the southeastern United States while offering seamless connections across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Asia.

“With U.S. Preclearance at Zayed International Airport, guests can enjoy the convenience of arriving in Atlanta as domestic travellers. We’re delighted to bring our award-winning experience to guests travelling to and from Atlanta. 

“It also means we’re excited to welcome even more guests to our amazing home in Abu Dhabi. U.S. travellers are already curious about what the city has to offer: from beautiful beaches and fantastic theme parks to world-class cultural experiences and mouthwatering cuisine. The response to this route has been phenomenal – the strength of early bookings has been so impressive that we’ve already announced daily flights starting later this year. It’s a clear sign that travellers are eager to discover everything Abu Dhabi has to offer.” 

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.”

Woodroofe said touting the region’s large catchment area, a £1.3 billion ($1.8 billion) investment programme that has transformed the airport’s product and ample capacity as a “golden trio” of attributes that attracted the Indian carrier to Manchester Airport.

“The Manchester Airport network development team has been on a crusade to get a direct service to India for a decade,” said Woodroofe. IndiGo inaugurated a three times weekly service operating Boeing 787-9s between the northern UK city and Mumbai on 1 July.

There is an “incredibly strong” relationship between India and the UK, which will be deepened by the two countries recently signing a new free trade agreement, while in another important move the Indian Government opened a consulate in Manchester earlier this year, he noted.

“There are half a million people in my catchment area of 23 million who are of Indian heritage. We know there are 300,000 people flying annually to Mumbai today [from Manchester’s catchment] using various routes and IndiGo can go after that,” said Woodroofe.

“You need a solid 100,000 passengers [a year] to make a long-haul route work so with 300,000 we are absolutely convinced this route is going to be a success,” he said.

Woodroofe noted that the competition for IndiGo’s service was intense, as the airport battled with other European secondary cities such as Milan and Barcelona and the capitals of smaller countries. “Manchester Airport can really compete now because we’ve just transformed Terminal 2, which is where IndiGo flies from, creating a great passenger experience,” he said.

In addition, the opening of Terminal 2 means Manchester, which has two runways, has the terminal capacity to handle 45 million passengers, he noted. The airport handled 31.1 million passengers in its financial year to the end of March 2025, an 8% rise over the previous year. This is the first time it has exceeded 30 million passengers in a calendar year.

Woodroofe, who became the managing director in mid-2022, has overseen the renovation of the airport. “My commitment to our board was if you give me the money to transform Manchester Airport then we will grow it,” he said.

“While the catchment has historically been strong the product hasn’t been. Now it is and that helps to build our competitive edge, and we can hold our head high amongst our European competitors,” he stated.

“We are proud to be the global gateway to the north [of the UK] where over 50 airlines connect to over 200 destinations,” said Woodroofe.

The airport is forecasting traffic growth of 3% this year, but as the investment programme concludes the ambition is to accelerate and reach 37 million passengers annually by 2030, with a stretch target of 40 million, he said.

Connecting in Mumbai

Speaking about the new Mumbai service, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers stressed that this route and its other European launches are designed to create strong connecting traffic flows over its Mumbai hub.

“The geographical position of India has long been taken by others when it comes to creating great transfer hubs,” said Elbers, referring to the hubs created by the Gulf carriers.

IndiGo’s large domestic network to and from Mumbai plus its widening range of destinations in south-east Asia, the Gulf and South Asia, give multiple connectivity options for travellers.

Continuously adding to its Indian domestic network and adding regional connectivity are the “building blocks” created by IndiGo’s strategy to develop its “Indian foundations”, said Elbers.

“So, the moment we plug in new long-haul flights like this one it is not to Mumbai only, it also connects to all these dozens of Indian destinations from Mumbai,” he noted.

At the Manchester end of the route, IndiGo is finalising partnership deals with Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines with the emphasis on transatlantic route connections. These partnerships will “really help us to address some of the seasonality in the market”, added Elbers.

Although the Mumbai-Manchester service only had 27 booking days from its announcement, the initial loads were healthy, and forward bookings are “very positive”.

“The market response is good, and we are not spending millions on marketing,” said Elbers. “We have a very pragmatic approach at IndiGo on doing these things.”

The Manchester launch, and that of Amsterdam the following day, are “part of a holistic strategy, vision and objective,” stated Elbers.

“That objective is we become a global aviation giant by 2030. To achieve that [we think about] how we deal with codeshares, how do we build up certain destinations?”

“For some of these things, you can spend half your life studying and making the analysis. I feel at IndiGo we have a great can-do mentality [where] we start to implement it, and we'll refine it later.”

The launch of Manchester and Amsterdam will help IndiGo develop its international strategy and it will learn and adapt, explained Elbers.

“They will help us better understand how to build on some of that connectivity, where can we be stronger and where we can fine tune our distribution,” he said.

Speaking at the launch of IndiGo’s first European services to Manchester, Elbers told Aviation Week: “All airlines, whenever a tragedy like this happens, are reviewing all the steps they do internally. [It is] not changing things, per se, because you don't know what exactly happened, but within the aviation space safety is something you always have a on top of the priority list.”

“First and foremost, what happened is a human tragedy and I conveyed condolences immediately after the accident to all the families involved, and the colleagues of Air India. At the end of the day, we are all part of one aviation fraternity,” said Elbers.

“When it comes to what happens [next], I don't think any airline CEO would speculate or would guess. My humble view is you must stay out of that, and you wait for what the investigation will tell us.”

In the wake of the crash, “the Indian government had announced a set of measures to be taken and additional checks to be done,” explained Elbers. “We are fully compliant with any additional checks or inspections, and we are in touch with the regulator as well as with the manufacturer.”

As the aircraft operator Norse is the prime contact with Boeing while IndiGo is the prime contact point for the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Civil Aviation.

“We have our own procedures and processes which, of course, we constantly evaluate, but until it's clear what caused this tragedy you cannot just start changing things,” added Elbers.

In addition to the comments of Elbers, IndiGo issued this statement: “The spirit of aviation is one of resilience, constant improvement, innovation and a relentless focus on safety.

“At IndiGo, these values guide everything we do, dedicated towards ensuring a safe, secure, and reliable air travel experience for everyone. Safety is a top priority in aviation and a continuous journey of improvement, despite the industry's high safety record.

“Decades of sharing knowledge, learning from both advancements and even from tragic accidents, have shaped the aviation industry into what it is today.

“Aviation transports millions worldwide each day under strict safety protocols. It is considered one of the safest modes of transportation. It is vital that this trust continues to be upheld and strengthened with every flight.”

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.”