The Saudi capital, Riyadh, is set to host the 31st edition of the prestigious Routes World conference from October 18 to 20, 2026. The event, supported by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority, Saudi Airports Holding Company, the Air Connectivity Program, and organized by the "Alliance" company, promises to be a landmark gathering for the global aviation industry.

Routes World is recognized as the premier international forum dedicated to the future of air transport routes worldwide, bringing together airlines, airports, tourism stakeholders, and aviation decision-makers. The conference serves as a critical platform for discussing strategies to enhance global air connectivity, stimulate tourism growth, and support international travel.

Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, Chairman of GACA and the Saudi Airports Holding Company, highlighted the significance of hosting Routes World 2026 in Riyadh. He stated that the event marks a pivotal milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey to cement itself as a global aviation hub connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Al-Duailej emphasized the rapid growth of the Saudi aviation sector, driven by substantial investments in infrastructure aligned with the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030 for tourism and economic development.

"Hosting this global event in Riyadh reflects the Kingdom’s substantial progress as a worldwide aviation center and a leading tourist destination," he noted. "It coincides with Saudi Arabia’s preparations for Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, underscoring the Kingdom’s capacity to host major international events and enhance air connectivity for these landmark occasions."

Fahad Humaid Aldeen, CEO and Board Member of the Saudi Tourism Authority, expressed pride in Saudi Arabia’s growing stature as a top destination for tourism and air connectivity. He revealed that the Kingdom welcomed over 116 million visitors in 2024, marking a 6% increase compared to 2023, with air connectivity playing a vital role in enabling this unprecedented tourism boom thanks to Saudi Arabia’s strategic position at the crossroads of global travel.

Majid Khan, Executive Director of the Air Connectivity Program, noted his organization’s enthusiasm in partnering for Routes World 2026. He emphasized the event’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s national strategic ambitions in tourism and aviation, highlighting the conference as an opportunity to showcase promising prospects for the future of travel.

Stephen Small, General Manager of Routes, praised the exceptional growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, emphasizing the $40.95 billion spent by international visitors in 2024 alongside the Kingdom’s strategic location and modern aviation infrastructure, which together make it an ideal host for this prestigious conference.

Looking ahead, King Salman International Airport in Riyadh aims to handle 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050. Simultaneously, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is undergoing multi-phase expansions to increase its capacity from approximately 50 million passengers currently to a range between 80 and 114 million by 2030, reaching 100 million by 2035.

Beyond infrastructure, Saudi Arabia is also investing in new airlines and advanced facilities, including the upcoming launch of Riyadh Airlines by the end of 2025, which will serve over 100 international destinations.

The air transport sector in Saudi Arabia recorded record growth in 2024, exceeding 128 million passengers across the Kingdom’s airports—a 15% increase from the previous year and 25% above pre-pandemic levels. This robust momentum continued into the first half of 2025 with 66.7 million passengers handled across 467,000 flights and 575,000 tons of air freight processed, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally.

Pakistani low-cost carrier Fly Jinnah has launched direct non-stop flights between Dubai and Lahore, with operations commencing on October 29, 2025. The new service will operate twice weekly, every Wednesday and Sunday, connecting Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore with Dubai International Airport. This route makes Dubai the second UAE destination served by Fly Jinnah from Lahore, alongside Sharjah, offering travelers enhanced connectivity to two major UAE cities.

Fly Jinnah, a joint venture between Pakistan’s Lakson Group and the UAE’s Air Arabia Group, operates a modern fleet of six Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline emphasizes comfort and value, providing passengers with spacious economy-class legroom, an onboard menu, extra legroom seating options, free in-flight streaming through its “SkyTime” entertainment service, and a loyalty program called "Air Rewards" which allows passengers to earn and redeem points.

Besides the Dubai and Sharjah services, Fly Jinnah’s international network includes direct flights from Lahore to key Saudi Arabian cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, as well as connections to Bahrain. This expanding network places Fly Jinnah as a growing competitor in the region’s low-cost carrier market, catering primarily to the Pakistani diaspora and business travelers who seek affordable and reliable travel options between Pakistan and the Middle East.

The twice-weekly Dubai flights open new opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Pakistan and the UAE. Bookings for these flights are available via Fly Jinnah’s official website, call centers, and authorized travel agencies, reinforcing the airline’s goal to facilitate smooth and accessible travel for its passengers.

Overall, Fly Jinnah’s launch of Dubai-Lahore flights complements its robust international route portfolio and demonstrates the airline’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the Gulf region while maintaining strong service standards and affordable pricing for travelers

American Airlines has disbursed $32 million in boarding pay to flight attendants between April and August 2025, marking a significant shift in how the Fort Worth-based carrier compensates its crew for ground duties. This new pay policy addresses long-standing inequities in flight attendant compensation by recognizing the value of time spent during boarding—a historically unpaid, yet highly demanding, part of their workday.

Traditionally, U.S. airlines, including American, only paid flight attendants for time spent in the air. Ground activities such as boarding, deplaning, and waiting between flights—often referred to as “sits”—were unpaid, creating financial challenges especially for junior staff handling multiple short-haul flights daily. To offset this, airlines increased base hourly rates, benefiting senior crew members who flew extended international routes, while newer attendants faced fragmented schedules and uncovered ground duties.

The new boarding pay policy at American Airlines pays flight attendants at 50% of their regular hourly flight rate for the time spent boarding passengers, starting from gate arrival until aircraft pushback. This change particularly benefits junior crew members with lower seniority who typically work short domestic segments. According to the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the boarding phase is among the most stressful and busiest times for crew, involving coordination, passenger interaction, and safety checks.

Industry context shows that American Airlines is part of a growing trend toward equitable ground compensation. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and regional carrier SkyWest have also introduced boarding pay, reflecting a broader shift in the U.S. aviation sector to better align compensation with actual work performed. APFA has praised these moves but continues to push for more comprehensive pay reforms that include all ground duties such as deplaning, layovers, and airport tasks.

In addition to boarding pay, American Airlines and the APFA recently implemented a new rule addressing prolonged “sits”—periods on the ground exceeding two and a half hours without flying. Under the agreement, flight attendants earn pay for extended waits at a rate of one minute for every two minutes of additional ground time. Between April and May 2025, this provision compensated 18,000 attendants, offering critical financial relief and discouraging airline scheduling practices that could cause fatigue and inefficiency.

Labor experts suggest that while boarding pay increases operational costs, it also improves crew morale, motivation, and potentially enhances service quality during peak boarding periods. American Airlines benefits from a more engaged workforce and improved retention, particularly among newer employees. However, ongoing negotiations face challenges as airlines seek to balance these costs with potential adjustments to flying pay rates, which has raised concern among senior long-haul crew members worried about income loss.

Looking ahead, APFA advocates for extending paid compensation across all ground activities to fully acknowledge flight attendants’ comprehensive work efforts. Other carriers and unions are closely watching American Airlines’ experience as boarding pay may set a new industry standard for fairer, more transparent crew compensation in U.S. aviation.

This recent policy and union contract progress underline important steps toward improving working conditions and financial fairness for flight attendants amid increasing operational demands.

Cathay Pacific has announced a temporary suspension of all flights between Hong Kong and Kathmandu from Monday, September 15 through Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The airline cited safety concerns after a thorough assessment of the situation in Kathmandu and took the decision "out of an abundance of caution." Services are expected to resume on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

This move comes after an incident during protests in Kathmandu where Cathay Pacific staff were allegedly manhandled amid vandalism, notably at the Hotel Hyatt. The airline operates one daily flight on this route using Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with flight timings typically departing Hong Kong at 19:15 and arriving in Kathmandu at 21:45, and the return flight leaving Kathmandu at 23:00 arriving Hong Kong early next day.

Passengers affected by the suspension are being offered full flexibility under the airline's ticket-waiver policy. They can either rebook their flights for travel from October 1 onward or opt for a full refund. However, Cathay Pacific acknowledged that alternative flights are limited, which may make rebooking challenging. Passengers are advised to contact their travel agents or Cathay Pacific's customer care for assistance with cancellations, refunds, or rescheduling.

The suspension includes passengers traveling directly from Hong Kong to Kathmandu as well as those transiting through Hong Kong from Australia or other locations. The airline stated it is closely monitoring political developments in Nepal and will reassess the situation for potential flight resumption after the suspension period.

This flight suspension disrupts travel plans especially close to the festive season, impacting many travelers heading to Nepal. Cathay Pacific expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and appreciated customers' understanding during this period.

Source details are from the official airline notices and news reports dated September 11-14, 2025, including statements from Cathay Pacific and coverage by The Himalayan Times and other news outlets.

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.