M Raja Kishore has taken over as the new director of Chennai Airport, following the transfer of his predecessor CV Deepak to Delhi, where he will serve as the Regional Director at the Regional Control Scheme. Raja Kishore brings extensive experience from his previous roles, including as the Regional Executive Director of airports in the North-Eastern states and as director of Tirupati Airport. Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Raja Kishore is expected to leverage his experience to navigate Chennai Airport through its ongoing operational demands and growth.

The leadership change follows administrative decisions aligned with regular transfer policies, compounded by Deepak completing over two years of service at Chennai Airport. Deepak’s tenure was marked by notable incidents, including in August 2025 when an Air India flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi made an emergency landing at Chennai due to a technical snag.

The delayed landing sparked criticism from senior Congress leader and MP KC Venugopal, who alleged that the airport authorities did not permit the aircraft to land immediately, forcing it to circle in the skies for an extended period. The incident escalated to parliamentary discussions, putting a spotlight on Chennai Airport’s crisis management and operational protocols.

Raja Kishore’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Chennai Airport continues to expand passenger capacity and enhance infrastructure, maintaining its status as one of India’s key aviation hubs. The airport serves as a major gateway to South India, handling both domestic and international traffic, and faces ongoing challenges related to increasing flight volumes, security, and service quality.

Stakeholders expect Raja Kishore to focus on strengthening operational efficiency, improving customer service, and addressing critical infrastructure enhancements. His prior experience with Tirupati Airport and overseeing airports in the North-East is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives to managing Chennai Airport’s dynamic environment.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which oversees Chennai Airport operations, has emphasized that such administrative transfers are part of broader efforts to optimize leadership placements across India’s airport network, ensuring best practices and professionalism.

As Raja Kishore settles into his new role, all eyes remain on how Chennai Airport will navigate future challenges, enhance passenger experiences, and support India’s growing aviation sector.

Etihad Airways has achieved a historic milestone in August 2025 by carrying more than 2 million passengers in a single month for the first time ever, marking a 22% year-on-year increase compared to August 2024. The airline reported a passenger load factor of 91%, up from 89% last year, underscoring strong demand and efficient use of capacity.

Etihad’s operating fleet expanded to 112 aircraft, serving 81 passenger destinations, with the introduction of the new Airbus A321LR that brings First Class suites and lie-flat Business seats to narrow-body medium-haul routes for the first time in the region. Year-to-date, the airline has carried 14.2 million passengers, an 18% rise from the same period in 2024, maintaining an 88% average load factor.

On the financial front, Etihad reported its strongest-ever half-year performance for the first six months of 2025. Profit after tax surged by 32% to AED 1.1 billion (USD 306 million) compared to the previous year, driven by robust demand, operational productivity, and improved yields in both passenger and cargo sectors.

Total revenue climbed 16% year-on-year, with passenger and cargo revenues growing 16% and 9%, respectively. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose 24% to AED 2.7 billion (USD 739 million), with the EBITDA margin improving to 20%, up one percentage point from 2024.

Etihad carried 10.2 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a 17% increase year-on-year, supported by a 14% rise in available seat kilometres (ASK) and an improved average load factor of 87%. In July, the airline surpassed the milestone of 20 million passengers over the previous 12 months, doubling its 2022 total and confirming its status as the fastest-growing airline in the region.

Fleet expansion continues with the delivery of its sixth Airbus A350, the return of a seventh A380, and a landmark order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft, reflecting strong long-term growth ambitions. July saw Etihad add five new jets including its first A321LR, marking the highest number of aircraft deliveries ever received in one month.

As of mid-2025, Etihad serves nearly 90 destinations worldwide, with 27 new routes launched or announced this year alone. This growth enhances Abu Dhabi’s position as a major global hub, increasing connectivity and attracting millions of visitors. Customer satisfaction also improved across airport services, onboard experience, and digital platforms, with the airline’s First Class Net Promoter Score consistently high at 80—among the best in the industry—while maintaining stable unit costs despite service upgrades.

CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that this record-breaking month and half-year reflect the trust travelers place in Etihad’s people and their commitment to delivering extraordinary service. The airline's strategy focuses on sustainable expansion, investing in premium experiences, and connecting more travelers through Abu Dhabi, positioning the emirate as a vibrant destination for global visitors.

Additionally, Etihad hired over 1,700 new employees in the first half of 2025, including more than 100 pilots and 1,000 cabin crew, supporting its rapid growth and operational excellence.

These results mark a new era of growth, investment, and service leadership for Etihad Airways as it continues to set new standards in aviation, fueled by strategic fleet expansion, network growth, and a superb customer experience.

Emirates has once again strengthened its status as a global aviation leader after winning two prestigious accolades at the 2026 Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Global Passenger Choice Awards. The Dubai-based carrier was honored with the titles of  World Class Airline 2026 and Best Global Entertainment, reflecting its continuous efforts to deliver exceptional customer service, cutting-edge products, and innovative passenger experiences across its network.

The results were announced during the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO held in Long Beach, California, one of the airline industry’s most anticipated annual gatherings.

The World Class Airline recognition is considered one of the highest distinctions in commercial aviation, reserved for airlines that excel in areas such as passenger safety, sustainability, health and well-being measures, service consistency, and global operations. The award is based on a comprehensive evaluation conducted by industry experts in collaboration with Yates and Partners, as well as verified passenger feedback collected through professional auditing of traveler reviews. This recognition places Emirates among the top global carriers that set benchmarks for excellence in airline standards.

In addition, Emirates’ victory in the category of Best Global Entertainment further underscores its long dominance in inflight entertainment. The airline’s award-winning ice system, regarded as one of the most advanced in the world, offers more than 6,500 channels of movies, TV shows, documentaries, music, podcasts, games, and even live sports broadcasts.

Available in multiple languages and updated regularly, the entertainment system has become a defining feature of the Emirates travel experience and a major differentiator for the brand. Passengers also benefit from high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity onboard, allowing them to stay connected throughout their journey, a feature increasingly demanded by today’s travelers.

The APEX Global Passenger Choice Awards are especially noteworthy in the aviation industry as they are based on real passenger experiences and independently audited evaluations rather than solely subjective jury decisions. Millions of travelers worldwide share ratings on nearly 600 airlines each year through TripIt®, feeding into the data that determines winners.

This combination of passenger feedback and independent verification ensures that the accolades reflect genuinely outstanding performance and consistency in airline operations.

For Emirates, these awards come at a time when the airline is actively expanding and modernizing its fleet while also upgrading its services in line with evolving customer expectations. Over the past year, Emirates has introduced retrofitted aircraft with refreshed cabins, including its latest Premium Economy class, offering a new level of comfort.

The airline has also expanded its culinary offerings, elevated beverage services across cabins, redesigned lounges, and strengthened its renowned multicultural crew training programs to deliver more personalized care on board.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, welcomed the honors, describing them as a testament to the carrier’s unwavering focus on delivering an unmatched customer journey from ground to sky. He highlighted the airline’s commitment not only to luxury and service innovation but also to sustainable aviation, noting Emirates’ steps toward investing in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, testing alternative fuels, and integrating environmentally conscious features in its products and ground operations.

The recognition also positions Emirates strongly against its global competitors, such as Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, all of which are known for high service standards and premium offerings. By maintaining excellence in both overall travel experience and in-flight entertainment, Emirates consolidates its place as a benchmark airline for premium international travelers seeking comfort, reliability, and consistency.

Looking ahead, Emirates will continue to enhance its global connectivity as it expands into new destinations throughout 2026, with routes planned in markets across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The airline is also preparing to welcome next-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-9, both of which will introduce new levels of efficiency and customer experience to its long-haul journeys. These developments are expected to further strengthen Emirates’ position as a leader in passenger satisfaction and an airline that continuously invests in the future of travel.

Turkish Airlines (THY) reported carrying 60.7 million passengers during the first eight months of 2025, achieving an overall load factor of 82.7%, reflecting steady growth and strong demand. Passenger numbers increased by 5.8% year-over-year, driven in part by a 10.3% rise in international-to-international transfer passengers, which reached 23.1 million.

The airline’s load factor improved by 0.6 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024, with international flights operating at an 82.3% load factor and domestic flights at 86.7%. Turkish Airlines’ available seat kilometers (ASK) also grew by 6.4%, climbing to 179.2 billion from 168.5 billion in the previous year. Additionally, cargo and mail volumes increased by 5.4% to 1.4 million tons, highlighting growth in its freight operations. The carrier’s fleet expanded to 501 aircraft by the end of August.

In August 2025 alone, Turkish Airlines carried 9.4 million passengers, an 11.9% year-over-year jump. International transfer passengers surged by 17.3% to 3.49 million, with the passenger load factor rising 0.9 percentage points to 86.7%. That month, international flights achieved an 86% load factor, while domestic flights reached 92.6%. Available seat kilometers rose 8.2% to 25.3 billion, and cargo and mail volumes increased by 10.5% to over 191,100 tons.

These figures illustrate Turkish Airlines’ ongoing expansion and operational efficiency, underlining its status as a leading global carrier connecting numerous international and domestic destinations with a growing fleet and robust passenger and cargo demand.

Emirates, the world's largest international airline, will deploy its Airbus A350 aircraft on the daily Dubai-Hangzhou route starting October 26, 2025. This deployment comes just three months after Emirates inaugurated the Hangzhou service, reflecting the airline’s commitment to offering an elevated travel experience on its newest mainland China destination.

Flight EK310 departs Dubai International Airport at 04:15 local time and arrives in Hangzhou at 16:00. The return flight EK311 leaves Hangzhou at 00:10 and lands in Dubai at 06:10. The A350 represents the first new aircraft model to join the Emirates fleet since 2008, adding to the existing fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s serving China.

The Emirates A350 features the airline’s latest signature interiors, with spacious cabins boasting high ceilings and wider aisles. The aircraft is designed to enhance passenger comfort with seamless technology touchpoints and state-of-the-art inflight entertainment.

Importantly, the A350 introduction to Hangzhou also brings Emirates’ Premium Economy cabin to this route, expanding premium travel options. Premium Economy provides a Business Class-like experience with spacious leather reclining seats fitted with full leg and footrests, adjustable headrests, in-seat charging, side cocktail tables, 13.3-inch screens, complimentary pillows and blankets, amenity kits on select flights, and exclusive sparkling wine (Chandon Vintage Brut 2017).

The aircraft configuration includes 312 seats across three classes: 32 next-generation Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout, and 259 Economy Class seats arranged 3-3-3.

Passengers can book tickets via emirates.com, the Emirates App, contact centres, travel agents, and Emirates retail stores. Chinese customers can also use WeChat Pay on emirates.com.

 Turkish Airlines has officially resumed direct flights to Misrata, Libya’s third-largest city, following a suspension of more than 10 years. This return complements the airline’s existing Libyan services to Tripoli and Benghazi, expanding its growing footprint across the African continent.

The route, suspended in January 2015 due to regional instability, now operates three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays using Boeing 737-78D aircraft. Flight TK1145 departs Istanbul at 11:30 a.m., arriving in Misrata at 2:25 p.m. local time, while the return flight TK1146 leaves Misrata at 4:25 p.m., arriving in Istanbul at 7:15 p.m.

Mahmut Yayla, Senior Vice President of Sales for Region II at Turkish Airlines, expressed enthusiasm about reconnecting with Misrata, a city sharing deep historical ties with Türkiye. He noted the airline’s commitment to meeting increasing travel demand driven by Africa’s economic growth and highlighted ongoing efforts to diversify gateways on the continent.

To mark the route’s reopening, Turkish Airlines offers promotional fares for tickets purchased by September 9, 2025, with prices starting at $349 one-way from Istanbul to Misrata and $249 for the return trip. These fares apply to travel until November 30, 2025, and may vary based on the point of purchase.

This reopening aligns with Turkish Airlines’ strategy to reinforce Istanbul’s role as a global aviation hub connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa, while strengthening its presence in emerging markets in Africa.