Emirates has solidified its commitment to French football by renewing its partnership with Olympique Lyonnais through the 2029-2030 season, ensuring the iconic “Fly Better” logo remains on the club’s jerseys and training kits for all domestic and European matches.

The agreement, announced on April 25, 2025, builds on a five-year collaboration that began in 2020, which provided Emirates with extensive branding rights at Groupama Stadium and hospitality perks. This renewal includes amplified visibility across the stadium, marketing campaigns, and exclusive fan engagement opportunities, such as player access and social media activations.

Community-Centric Programs Take Center Stage

A hallmark of the partnership is Emirates’ focus on youth outreach. In December 2024, the airline collaborated with Lyon’s Léon Bérard Cancer Center and Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant to host over 23 children as player escorts during a match against OGC Nice, offering behind-the-scenes access and on-pitch experiences. These initiatives align with Emirates’ broader strategy to foster local connections, leveraging its sponsorship to create “unforgettable moments” for young fans.

Economic and Regional Synergies

Emirates’ daily flights between Dubai and Lyon—operated by Boeing 777s and transitioning to Airbus A350s by June 2025—underscore its investment in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Since launching the Lyon route in 2012, the airline has transported over one million passengers and facilitated cargo operations critical for pharmaceuticals and regional trade. Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, emphasized the partnership’s role in driving tourism and economic growth, calling Lyon a “gateway to global opportunities”.

Leadership Perspectives

John Textor, Olympique Lyonnais’ owner, highlighted the “trust built since 2020” and the shared vision for innovation and fan engagement. The club’s storied history—including seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles and a world-class academy producing talents like Karim Benzema—complements Emirates’ reputation for excellence. Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon’s president during the initial deal, previously praised Emirates as a “premium brand with a proven track record in sports,” a sentiment echoed in the renewed collaboration.

Broader Sports Sponsorship Portfolio

Beyond football, Emirates reinforces its French ties through sponsorships like UAE Team Emirates’ Tour de France campaigns and its role as Official Airline of Roland-Garros. The airline’s global sports strategy, spanning tennis, rugby, and motorsports, reflects its ambition to connect with diverse audiences while supporting community-driven projects.

Riyadh Air is making headlines with its ambitious expansion plans, having recently secured 11 strategic agreements during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. These partnerships will allow the airline to extend its operations to 125 countries, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory.

Collaborations with established entities such as DNATA, Discover the World Momentum, Aviareps, and Satguru Representation Services aim to enhance the airline's global footprint and streamline travel experiences for customers.

Osamah Alnuaiser, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Riyadh Air, stated that these agreements reflect the airline's commitment to becoming a true global player. “These partnerships will push the boundaries of travel for our guests and reinforce our determination to offer exceptional service,” he noted.

The focus will be on improving customer experiences across key regions including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australasia, and Africa, showcasing the rich hospitality that Saudi Arabia is known for.

In addition to enhancing connectivity, Riyadh Air is also focused on technological innovation. The airline has partnered with Loyalty Juggernaut to develop a next-generation loyalty program, which will utilize advanced analytics to deliver personalized rewards and engagement opportunities for travelers. This initiative is aimed at fostering customer loyalty and enhancing overall satisfaction.

Furthermore, Riyadh Air is working with major travel technology distributors like Amadeus and Sabre to implement cutting-edge retail solutions that will streamline the booking process. These technological advancements are intended to modernize the airline's digital strategy and improve the overall customer journey.

As the airline gears up for its inaugural flight later this year, it plans to connect Riyadh with over 100 international destinations by 2030. This ambitious goal aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the economy and significantly boost the tourism sector.

The establishment of Riyadh as a major global aviation hub is expected to attract millions of visitors, contributing to economic growth and positioning the country as a vital player in the international travel market.

In summary, Riyadh Air is poised to transform the landscape of air travel with its extensive partnerships and innovative strategies, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a global tourism destination.

Qatar Airways is ramping up its transcontinental reach, unveiling major expansions to its North and South American routes this summer. The airline will boost its service to Toronto, Canada and São Paulo, Brazil in response to surging demand for international travel.

Starting June 19, Toronto will see an increase to five weekly flights, with plans for daily service by winter. Just days later, on June 25, São Paulo frequencies will rise to 17 flights per week, enhancing the airline’s footprint in South America’s largest city.

Thierry Antinori, Qatar Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the strong passenger response since the carrier’s launch at Toronto Pearson Airport in December 2024. “We proudly announce the increase in flights to meet the growing demand for our award-winning travel experience,” Antinori said.

With Toronto emerging as a vital entry point for Canadian travelers, Qatar Airways’ expanded schedule aims to bolster connectivity to Doha and onward destinations, especially ahead of the busy winter season.

In the south, São Paulo’s status as a strategic hub for both business and leisure is being reinforced. “These expansions underscore our commitment to providing seamless global connectivity through Hamad International Airport,” Antinori noted, referencing the Doha-based hub recently crowned World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax 2025.

Travelers will also benefit from continued access to 55 Latin American destinations through the airline’s partnership with LATAM Airlines, offering smooth onward journeys to cities like Buenos Aires, Lima, Santiago de Chile, and Rio de Janeiro.

With its latest boost in flight frequencies, Qatar Airways is positioning itself as a premier bridge between the Middle East and the Americas — just in time for a global summer of travel.

 Emirates is strengthening its footprint in China with the launch of daily non-stop flights to Hangzhou, marking a strategic expansion into one of Eastern China's key economic hubs.

Starting July 30, subject to government approval, the Dubai-based airline will begin servicing Hangzhou daily, bringing its total number of gateways into mainland China to five. The new route adds to Emirates’ existing operations in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

With this latest addition, Emirates will operate 49 weekly flights to China — including double daily services to Beijing and Shanghai, and daily flights to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and now, Hangzhou.

The move comes as Emirates SkyCargo continues to report robust demand from China, currently transporting around 2,000 tons of cargo weekly. The airline confirms that all routes into the country are operating at full capacity, reflecting the strong rebound in freight movement even as passenger traffic has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels.

Beyond cargo, the new Hangzhou service is expected to enhance connectivity for travelers heading to or from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. The flight schedule is designed to offer smooth two-way connections to 38 destinations in Europe, 22 in Africa, and 11 in the Middle East, including major cities such as Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo, and Johannesburg.

Earlier this year, Emirates became the first Middle Eastern carrier to launch flights to Shenzhen, underlining its commitment to China’s vast and dynamic aviation market. Industry analysts say this latest expansion signals the airline’s confidence in the long-term potential of Chinese outbound travel — and its determination to be at the forefront of that growth.

Saudi Arabia’s budget airline flynas is gearing up for a major market debut as it readies to go public with a 30% stake offering—up to 20% of which is open to retail investors. This IPO positions flynas as the next big name in the GCC aviation sector to join the stock market.

The institutional book-building process is slated to wrap up by May 18, while retail investors can subscribe starting May 28. The final allocation is scheduled for June 3, with the listing date on the Saudi Tadawul exchange to be announced soon.

As the Kingdom aims to diversify and strengthen its capital markets, flynas is riding a wave of regional aviation growth. In just the first nine months of 2024, the airline transported 10.9 million passengers across its 72-destination network, a reflection of its expanding footprint. It has also placed substantial aircraft orders—130 A320neos and 30 A330neos—to fuel future growth.

The airline’s financials are also climbing. Revenues reached SR434 million in 2024, up from SR401 million a year prior, contributing to a full-year revenue tally exceeding SR7.5 billion.

“This IPO offers investors the opportunity to participate in the growth journey of a high-value airline operating within one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets — the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the GCC,” said Bander Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas.

With investor interest in regional aviation heating up, flynas is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the skies—and now, on the stock exchange.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline by seat capacity, is set to launch a daily non-stop service between Dubai and Hangzhou from 30 July 2025, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in mainland China.

Hangzhou will become Emirates’ fifth gateway city in China, joining Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. The route will be operated with a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, offering a weekly capacity of 2,478 seats across business, premium economy, and economy cabins.

The flight schedule is designed to facilitate seamless global connections: EK310 departs Dubai at 09:40 (GST) and arrives in Hangzhou at 22:00 (CST), while the return flight EK311 departs Hangzhou at 00:10 and arrives in Dubai at 04:55.

These timings allow passengers to connect efficiently through Dubai’s hub to 38 destinations in Europe, 22 in Africa, 11 in the Middle East, as well as cities in Brazil and Argentina, including Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo, and Johannesburg.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted that the new route is a pivotal development in the airline’s operations in the Chinese mainland and East Asia.

Hangzhou’s status as a global hub for innovation, e-commerce, and advanced manufacturing makes it a strategic choice for Emirates, aligning with the airline’s broader growth strategy and its commitment to strengthening economic, technological, and cultural ties between the Middle East and China.

The launch of this daily service is expected to significantly boost tourism and business travel between the two regions. Hangzhou, known for its iconic West Lake, UNESCO heritage sites, and as the headquarters of major tech companies, attracts both leisure and business travelers. The new route not only increases passenger options but also enhances cargo connectivity, supporting the region’s fast-growing trade and logistics sectors.

With this expansion, Emirates now operates 49 weekly flights to mainland China, including double daily services to Beijing and Shanghai. The move is seen as a response to increasing demand for connectivity between the Middle East and China’s most dynamic cities, further cementing Dubai’s role as a global aviation hub and Hangzhou’s emergence as a key international gateway in Eastern China