Emirates has once again redefined excellence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, marking its most successful presence to date with record visitor numbers and nearly 40 strategic partnerships forged across the global travel ecosystem. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 to May 1, the event brought together over 55,000 industry professionals from 161 countries and featured more than 2,800 exhibitors, making it the largest edition in ATM’s 32-year history.

Record-Breaking Engagement and Showcase of Innovation

Emirates’ stand was the centerpiece of ATM 2025, welcoming a staggering 27,000 visitors over the four-day event. Attendees experienced firsthand the airline’s latest innovations, including the new-generation A350 Business Class and Premium Economy seats, the signature Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa, and a dedicated showcase of sustainability and accessible travel initiatives.

The presence of high-profile guests, including UAE royal dignitaries such as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, underscored the airline’s leadership in shaping the future of global travel.

Forging the Future Through Strategic Partnerships

Emirates announced nearly 40 strategic partnerships, spanning tourism boards, ministries from 21 countries, technology partners, cruise lines, airlines, and rail operators. Among the most notable collaborations were the extension of the long-term partnership with MSC Cruises and a new agreement with Hapag-Lloyd, both aimed at reinforcing Dubai’s status as a premier cruise hub and enriching the air-sea travel experience for passengers.

Emirates also reinforced its executive partnership with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), further solidifying its leadership in the luxury cruise segment.

In the aviation sector, Emirates expanded its global reach through new interline and codeshare agreements. The airline explored the framework for an interline agreement with Kuwait Airways and began discussions on reciprocal codesharing with Philippine Airlines.

Emirates also officially activated its codeshare partnership with Condor, granting Condor passengers access to 13 Emirates destinations via Dubai, including popular leisure spots such as Bali, Bangkok, Phuket, and Cape Town. Additionally, a new codeshare agreement with Air Seychelles was established, further broadening Emirates’ network and offering seamless connectivity for travelers across continents.

Elevating the Passenger Experience

Emirates unveiled a fleet of retrofitted aircraft featuring refreshed interiors, with upgraded A380s now serving key routes to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Nice, and Perth, and renovated Boeing 777s deployed on routes to Madrid, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Frankfurt, and Dublin. These enhancements are part of Emirates’ ongoing mission to deliver a refined, luxurious travel experience and to position itself at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.

Empowering the Travel Ecosystem

Recognizing the diverse needs of the global travel market, Emirates launched a series of initiatives aimed at empowering different travel segments. The airline hosted its first-ever travel industry workshop series, partnering with seven tourism boards and attracting over 350 trade partners from 15 countries.

These workshops, alongside more than 600 industry meetings and networking sessions, provided a platform for knowledge exchange and fostered deeper collaboration within the travel sector. Emirates also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with American Express Middle East, exploring new offerings for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Middle East and North Africa. This partnership is expected to deliver tailored payment solutions and exclusive incentives, further supporting the region’s vibrant SME sector.

A Vision for Tomorrow’s Tourism

The announcements at ATM 2025 reflect Emirates’ ambitious vision for the future of international travel, perfectly aligned with the event’s theme, “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity.” By leveraging its extensive network, cutting-edge technology, and strategic partnerships, Emirates is not only elevating the passenger experience but also driving the growth of global tourism.

As the airline celebrates its 40th year of operations, its bold innovations and collaborative approach signal a new chapter in the evolution of international travel.

A Platform for Global Dialogue and Collaboration

Emirates’ presence at ATM 2025 was not limited to product launches and partnership signings. The airline played a pivotal role in fostering dialogue and collaboration among global tourism stakeholders. Emirates welcomed delegations from around the world, including a high-profile visit from Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, and renewed longstanding relationships with organizations such as the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), IDP Education, and Huawei.

These engagements reflect Emirates’ holistic approach to tourism development, encompassing everything from student travel and business events to digital innovation and destination marketing.

As the global travel industry continues to recover and evolve, Emirates’ leadership at ATM 2025 sets a powerful example for how visionary thinking, strategic partnerships, and customer-centric innovation can drive the future of tourism forward

Delhi Airport is rapidly carving out its place as a premier international transit gateway, emerging as one of the fastest-growing hubs for passengers connecting between international flights. According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported by GMR Aero and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), transfers between international flights at the airport skyrocketed by an astonishing 244% in just two years—from 3.88 lakh passengers in FY 2023 to an impressive 13.4 lakh in FY 2025.

This explosive growth underlines Delhi’s rising prominence on the global aviation map. The airport now boasts the strongest direct connectivity to North America and Europe among airports in South and Southeast Asia, thanks in large part to its strategic location along the vital East–West corridor. This makes it a natural and convenient stopover for long-haul travelers transiting between continents.

Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “The exponential growth of 244% in International-to-International transfers at Delhi Airport is a strong testament to our emergence as a global transit hub. This achievement is the result of our focused efforts and commitment to providing seamless connectivity, best-in-class infrastructure, and a world-class passenger experience. Aligned with the Government of India’s strategic vision to position Delhi as a leading international transit gateway, we have been continuously working to build a hub that connects continents.”

The airport’s overall transfer traffic also showed solid growth, reaching 2.03 crore passengers in FY 2025—a 30.6% increase from FY 2023. Domestic-to-domestic transfers grew steadily as well, rising 15.9% to 1.05 crore passengers over the same period. A notable driver of this boom has been airline route expansion—IndiGo’s new services linking Bangkok and Phuket to Central Asian cities like Almaty, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Baku fueled nearly 500% growth on the Central Asia-Thailand corridor.
With both Air India and IndiGo planning to add more wide-body aircraft and launch new routes, the surge in transfer passengers is expected to accelerate even further.

Delhi Airport’s ability to handle the surging transfer volume owes much to its robust infrastructure development and passenger-centric services under the ambitious Phase 3A expansion project.

The specialized International-to-International transfer zone has nearly doubled in size, featuring additional frisking booths, X-ray machines, food and beverage outlets, and retail shops, enabling quicker and smoother transit for international passengers. Dedicated transfer desks, buggy services inside Terminal 3, porter assistance, and optional lounge access all enhance passenger convenience for seamless onward connections.

Exclusive lounges like Encalm Privé at Terminal 3 arrivals offer travelers the chance to rest, refresh, and recharge with power naps, showers, and refreshments. The Holiday Inn Express within Terminal 3’s International wing provides comfortable overnight accommodations equipped with blackout shades, mini-bar, climate control, television, and bedding—perfect for long layovers.

Real-image terminal maps accessible via QR codes at Terminals 1 and 3 guide travelers efficiently to transfer desks, boarding gates, and baggage areas. Delhi’s Airport Express (Orange Line) and Magenta Line link terminals with central Delhi, supported by metro stations at Terminals 1 and 3 and Aerocity. Free shuttle buses operate every 10 minutes between terminals for added ease.

Passenger experience is further enhanced by the “DEL Vibes” cultural program at Terminal 3, which offers live classical music, dance, and crafts daily, while biometric kiosks expedite e-visa processing. Color-coded signage simplifies navigation, further easing transfers.

With its 244% spike in international-to-international transfers, Delhi Airport stands out as a reliable and attractive choice for transit passengers worldwide. Backed by extensive route networks, strategic airline partnerships, and integrated passenger services, it is connecting India more closely to the world than ever before.

Serving approximately 150 global destinations, Delhi Airport is the sole Indian airport ranked among the top 10 hub airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region, as per Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East’s 2024 Air Connectivity Ranking.

As investments in infrastructure continue and airline expansions gather pace, Delhi Airport is well on its way to becoming a truly world-class transit gateway—uniting continents and cultures through seamless travel experiences.

Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is set for a transformative expansion with Adani Airports investing nearly ₹10,000 crore to vastly improve facilities, capacity, and connectivity. The airport’s annual passenger handling capacity will almost double from 8 million to 14 million by 2026–27, driven by the completion of Terminal 3, Phase 2, along with upgraded infrastructure.

A parallel taxi track will increase flight movements from 17 to 24 per hour, reducing congestion and improving operational efficiency. The runway is being extended from 2,744 meters to 3,514 meters, enabling wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 to operate directly from Lucknow. This enhancement is expected to open nonstop long-haul flights to Europe and the US.

Cargo operations are also receiving a significant boost, with a target to increase capacity to 50,000 metric tonnes within the next five years. Currently, the airport connects to 42 nonstop destinations—31 domestic and 11 international with plans to add more international routes including direct flights to Vietnam and Singapore. The expansion combines modern technology, art, and culture to create a seamless and comfortable travel experience and aims to establish Lucknow as a major aviation hub in northern India while supporting regional economic growth.

Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) has welcomed the Syrian airline Fly Cham to its growing network, officially launching new flights to the emirate on August 28, 2025. This significant addition highlights Sharjah Airport’s expanding role as a regional travel hub, boosting connectivity between the UAE and Syria and offering passengers enhanced travel options.

The inaugural Fly Cham flight touched down at Sharjah Airport amid a ceremony attended by key officials including Dr. Ahmed Al Hmoudi, Director of Customer Service at SAA, and Hamdi Khalaf, Commercial Director of Fly Cham. The airline will operate five weekly flights between Damascus and Sharjah with convenient afternoon timings, along with two weekly early morning flights linking Aleppo and Sharjah. The aircraft of choice for these routes is the Airbus A320, known for its comfort and efficiency.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of SAA, emphasized the importance of these new services in meeting the rising demand for travel between Syria and the UAE. “The launch of Fly Cham flights is a valuable addition to our ongoing expansion and highlights the strength and quality of our airport’s infrastructure and services,” he stated. Al Midfa also noted that the new routes provide vital flexibility for passengers to maintain family ties and conduct business, affirming SAA’s commitment to delivering safe, seamless, and world-class travel experiences.

From Fly Cham’s perspective, CEO Captain Moussa Boutros described the partnership with Sharjah Airport as a strategic step for regional growth. “Our confidence in Sharjah’s world-class facilities and services makes it the ideal choice to offer safe, reliable, and competitively priced travel options,” he said. Boutros highlighted that the collaboration aims to support growing demand and deepen ties between Syria and the UAE.

Sharjah Airport continues to attract international airlines by adopting advanced technologies and tailoring services to meet diverse needs. With ongoing expansion projects targeting an increase in annual capacity to 25 million passengers by 2027, the airport is poised to reinforce Sharjah’s position as a leading aviation, tourism, and economic hub in the region. The Fly Cham launch stands as a testament to this vision, enriching the airport’s route network and enhancing its role in regional connectivity and economic development.

In a significant move ahead of Malaysia’s 68th National Day celebrations, authorities will close the airspace surrounding Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) every morning from 8 a.m. to noon starting Tuesday, August 26, for six consecutive days. This temporary closure is to facilitate rehearsals by the Royal Malaysian Air Force for the much-anticipated aerial flypast during the National Day parade on August 31.

The morning airspace closure aims to ensure smooth, uninterrupted practice sessions, which are a highlight of the country’s annual patriotic festivities. The Royal Malaysian Air Force's precision and spectacle in the sky are eagerly awaited each year, symbolizing national pride and unity.

In response to the closure, Malaysia Airlines announced adjustments to its flight schedules to accommodate the restricted airspace period. Passengers departing KLIA are urged to arrive at least four hours before their revised flight times to allow ample time for check-in procedures and mandatory travel document verification at various checkpoints within the airport.

The airline also emphasizes the importance of travelers verifying their travel documents and entry or exit requirements through official channels prior to their journey, ensuring a hassle-free experience during this busy time.

As Malaysia prepares to honor its 68th year of independence, these measures highlight the elaborate planning and coordination behind the celebrations, promising a memorable National Day both on the ground and in the skies.

Dubai International Airport's Terminal 1 is set to welcome a transformative upgrade that promises to greatly enhance the travel experience for millions of passengers. Recognizing the surging demand with over 92 million travelers passing through the airport in 2024, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched an ambitious project to widen and upgrade the crucial access bridge to Terminal 1.

The existing bridge, which currently accommodates three lanes, will be expanded to four lanes through the construction of a new steel box girder bridge integrated with a composite concrete slab. This innovative engineering approach not only delivers enhanced structural efficiency but also enables swift construction without disrupting the busy traffic flow on Airport Street or requiring temporary supports beneath the bridge.

Stretching a total of 171 meters, with a 70-meter main span, the expanded bridge will increase vehicle capacity by 33%, rising from 4,200 to 5,600 vehicles per hour. This substantial boost in capacity aims to dramatically reduce congestion and shorten journey times, offering smoother access to one of the world's busiest international airports.

Beyond widening the bridge, the project features comprehensive upgrades including road pavement improvements, infrastructure service enhancements, landscaping to blend with the surrounding environment, and new street lighting to improve safety and visibility.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of RTA, emphasized the importance of this development as part of Dubai’s larger vision to future-proof its transportation network and strengthen connectivity between vital corridors and the airport. This initiative falls under broader efforts by the RTA that have already delivered several major infrastructure upgrades along Airport Street ranging from additional bridges and tunnels to expanded road capacity all geared toward supporting Dubai’s standing as a global travel and business hub.

As Dubai International Airport continues to break records as the world's busiest for international passengers, the Terminal 1 bridge expansion underscores the city's commitment to excellence in transportation infrastructure. Travelers can look forward to a safer, faster, and more seamless journey to and from DXB, reiterating Dubai’s role as a premier gateway for global connectivity.

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