Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has made a significant move in expanding its flight network by launching new direct flights to Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. This strategic addition marks the airline's 29th destination and underscores its commitment to providing affordable and convenient travel options from the UAE capital.

The flights will operate six times a week, commencing on June 1, 2025, between Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan. This new route is expected to boost tourism and business travel between the UAE and Armenia, offering passengers a seamless journey to explore the rich cultural and historical heritage of Yerevan.

The flight schedule has been carefully planned to accommodate a variety of travel needs. On Mondays and Wednesdays, flights will depart from Abu Dhabi at 14:05, arriving in Yerevan at 17:25, with return flights departing Yerevan at 18:15 and landing back in Abu Dhabi at 21:25. On Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, flights will depart Abu Dhabi at 09:00, reaching Yerevan at 12:20, with return flights leaving Yerevan at 13:10 and arriving in Abu Dhabi at 16:20.

All flights will be operated using the modern Airbus A320 aircraft, which offers a comfortable travel experience with amenities like 'SkyTime' for in-flight streaming and 'SkyCafe' for onboard catering. This ensures that passengers can enjoy a range of entertainment options and delicious meals during their journey.

Yerevan, often affectionately referred to as the "Pink City" due to its distinctive pink tufa stone buildings, offers a unique blend of ancient history and vibrant contemporary culture. Visitors can marvel at the stunning architecture of Republic Square, enjoy breathtaking views from The Cascade, and delve into the nation's rich history at museums like the History Museum of Armenia.

With this new direct connection, travelers can now easily experience the unique charm of Yerevan, explore its culinary scene, and discover its ancient winemaking traditions. The city's vibrant atmosphere, combined with its historical landmarks and cultural events, makes it an attractive destination for both leisure and business travelers.

The launch of these direct flights is also expected to enhance economic ties between the UAE and Armenia by facilitating easier travel for business travelers. It will provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to explore new markets and strengthen existing partnerships.

Additionally, the tourism sector in both countries is likely to benefit from increased visitor traffic, as travelers from the UAE and other parts of the Middle East can now easily access Armenia's beautiful landscapes, historical sites, and cultural festivals. Overall, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi's new route to Yerevan is set to open up exciting possibilities for travelers and businesses alike, fostering greater connectivity and cooperation between the two regions.

British Airways has officially launched its Summer 2025 schedule, reintroducing direct flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Tbilisi, Georgia—two destinations that had been absent from its route map for years. The new routes aim to enhance connectivity between the UK and Asia while offering travelers expanded options for leisure and business trips.

Kuala Lumpur: A Gateway to Asia-Pacific

Flights to Kuala Lumpur resumed on April 1, 2025, marking the airline's return to Malaysia after a five-year hiatus. The daily service departs London Heathrow at 9:10 PM local time and arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 5:20 PM the following day. Operated by Boeing 787-900 aircraft, passengers can select from four cabin classes: World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Club World (business), and First.

Return fares start at £574. British Airways has also expanded its codeshare partnership with Malaysia Airlines, enabling seamless connections to over 17 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Tbilisi: Europe Meets Asia

The Georgian capital of Tbilisi returns to British Airways’ route network after a 12-year gap. Flights operate four times weekly from London Heathrow, departing at 9:25 PM local time and arriving at Tbilisi International Airport at 5:30 AM the next day. The service offers two cabin options: Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy), with fares starting from £244.

Georgia’s rich cultural heritage, picturesque landscapes, and claim as the birthplace of wine—boasting an 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition—make it a compelling destination for travelers seeking unique experiences.

Expanded Network Highlights

Beyond Kuala Lumpur and Tbilisi, British Airways has increased its flight frequency to Tokyo Haneda Airport, now operating twice daily for a total of 14 weekly flights. These services utilize Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787-900 aircraft with three cabin options.

Additionally, the airline will launch three new routes to Italy next month: Rimini from London Heathrow (starting May 15), Salerno from London Gatwick (starting May 22), and Olbia from London City Airport (starting May 25). British Airways is also boosting capacity on its Riyadh route, adding over 80,000 seats compared to last year.

Neil Chernoff, Chief Planning and Strategy Officer for British Airways, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded schedule: “We’re delighted to welcome Malaysia and Georgia back to our network… These new routes mean more choice for customers traveling for work or pleasure across Europe, Asia, and beyond.” With these additions, British Airways continues to strengthen its global reach while offering passengers enhanced travel experiences.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is on the cusp of a historic financial turnaround, poised to report its first annual profit in over two decades. This remarkable recovery follows an extensive restructuring process initiated in 2023, during which the Pakistani government removed Rs671 billion worth of liabilities from PIA's balance sheet.

These liabilities included Rs268.7 billion in bank debt, Rs170 billion in government debt, Rs188.3 billion in legacy operating liabilities, Rs44 billion in employee liabilities, and Rs26 billion in non-core assets. As a result, PIA's negative equity dramatically decreased from Rs698 billion to just Rs45 billion by April 2024, alleviating the airline from its heavy debt servicing burden that previously consumed one-third of its cash inflow.

The airline's management attributes this turnaround to targeted reforms implemented over the past three years. A key component was a 30% reduction in the workforce, bringing the total number of employees to 7,104 as of February 2025. Additionally, PIA withdrew from loss-making international routes and improved aircraft utilization to enhance operational efficiency.

These operational reforms, combined with the financial restructuring, have positioned PIA for profitability after years of struggling with significant financial losses. The airline's return to profitability is a significant achievement, especially considering it had reported a loss of Rs104.5 billion in 2023.

PIA's financial recovery has also reignited privatization efforts. The government has transferred approximately 75% of PIA's liabilities to state books, making the airline more attractive to potential investors. Several parties that had previously shown interest have reengaged with the process, and the Privatization Commission expects initial bids later this month.

Secretary Usman Bajwa has expressed optimism about receiving binding offers, indicating a positive outlook for the privatization process. However, privatization remains a contentious issue in Pakistan, facing strong opposition from labor unions and nationalist political parties.

The government's divide and sell strategy, which involves isolating PIA's liabilities from its core airline business through the creation of PIA Holding Co., aims to make the airline more appealing to investors while ensuring operational stability.

Despite the positive financial outlook, PIA still faces significant challenges. The airline operates with a limited fleet, as only 19 out of 32 aircraft are currently in service, with six out of 12 Boeing 777s grounded due to financial constraints. Additionally, employee concerns and political sensitivities surrounding privatization continue to pose hurdles.

The ITF and its affiliated unions have called for a halt to the privatization process until meaningful dialogue with trade unions occurs. As PIA moves towards profitability, it has begun expanding its operations, resuming flights to Skardu from key cities and planning to restore key international routes.

The airline's future success will depend on addressing these ongoing challenges, maintaining operational improvements, and navigating the complex political landscape surrounding the national carrier's future.

The government's efforts to privatize PIA are also influenced by external pressures, particularly from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has emphasized the need to divest loss-making state-owned enterprises. This pressure underscores the importance of PIA's financial recovery and privatization in the broader context of Pakistan's economic reforms.

As PIA continues on its path towards financial stability and potential private sector involvement, it sets the stage for a potential transformation of Pakistan's aviation landscape. The success of this transformation will not only impact PIA but also contribute to the country's economic development and competitiveness in the global aviation industry.

Emirates has launched Emirates Courier Express, a cutting-edge delivery service that promises to redefine express shipping by treating packages with the same care and efficiency as passengers. Backed by nearly four decades of expertise in global logistics, this end-to-end solution leverages Emirates’ vast network of over 140 destinations and its fleet of more than 250 widebody aircraft to ensure unmatched speed, reliability, and flexibility.

Unlike traditional hub-and-spoke logistics models, the service adopts a direct-to-destination approach, minimizing transit times and reducing handling by transporting packages straight from origin to destination.

The service offers two tiers: next-day urgent delivery for time-sensitive shipments up to 30 kg and a two-day premium option for larger shipments up to 70 kg. Emirates Courier Express operates entirely on a digital platform featuring advanced tracking systems that provide real-time updates and seamless integration into customer software.

Businesses can register online to access the service, which is exclusively tailored for B2B transactions. Individual customers are directed to Emirates Delivers, the airline's existing B2C logistics platform launched in 2019.

During a year-long pilot phase, Emirates successfully transported thousands of packages across seven key markets—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, South Africa, and the UK—with an average delivery time of less than 48 hours. The airline plans rapid expansion to additional markets wherever its flights operate.

Emirates has also partnered with local logistics providers to ensure smooth customs clearance and first- and last-mile delivery, offering businesses a reliable door-to-door solution.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, described the launch as an evolution in global shipping, emphasizing that the service sets a new benchmark for reliability and efficiency. He noted that Emirates Courier Express is designed to handle seasonal volume spikes while maintaining cost stability and providing bespoke solutions for specialized shipments such as temperature-sensitive goods.

Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation at Emirates SkyCargo, highlighted the innovation behind the service We challenged traditional logistics processes to create faster and more efficient solutions. Emirates Courier Express reflects our commitment to pushing boundaries in express delivery.

Powered by SmartKargo’s cloud-based technology platform—the same partner behind Emirates Delivers—the service integrates cutting-edge digital tools for seamless operations.

At launch, Emirates Courier Express positions itself as a game-changer in express logistics with plans for continuous innovation and expansion. The initiative underscores Emirates’ commitment to leveraging its infrastructure and expertise to meet the growing demands of cross-border shipping while delivering exceptional care and efficiency worldwide.

Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia have officially received the green light from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to proceed with their five-year integrated alliance, marking a transformative step in Virgin Australia's re-entry into long-haul international travel.

The approval paves the way for Virgin Australia to launch 28 weekly flights between Australia and Doha starting in June 2025, utilizing aircraft and crew wet-leased from Qatar Airways. Initially, these flights will connect major Australian cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha, with Melbourne services expected to commence in December 2025.

Through Qatar Airways' hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha, passengers will gain seamless access to over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, significantly expanding travel options for Australians.

The partnership is set to bolster competition in the aviation market by offering travelers increased connectivity, competitive pricing, and enhanced service quality. It also includes reciprocal loyalty benefits for frequent flyers through Qatar Airways' Privilege Club and Virgin Australia's Velocity program.

Members of these programs will enjoy expanded earning and redemption opportunities, further incentivizing travel under this alliance. Economically, the collaboration is projected to generate approximately AU$3 billion in value over the next five years, delivering substantial benefits to Australia's tourism industry and broader economy.

In addition to its commercial impact, the alliance will create new job opportunities within the aviation sector. Virgin Australia plans to send 20 pilots and 40 cabin crew on secondment to Qatar Airways in 2025 as part of the agreement. This move not only supports workforce development but also strengthens ties between the two airlines.

Sustainability is another key focus of the partnership, with both companies committing to initiatives such as advancing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technologies to reduce environmental impact.

This final approval follows the Australian Government's earlier endorsement of Qatar Airways acquiring a 25% stake in Virgin Australia. The strategic partnership is expected to redefine international travel for Australian passengers while fostering innovation and growth within the aviation industry. With this alliance now fully approved, both airlines are poised to deliver a new era of connectivity, convenience, and collaboration for travelers across Australia and beyond.

As Eid Al Fitr approaches, Emirates is gearing up to meet the anticipated surge in travel demand by significantly boosting its flight schedule. The airline has announced plans to operate 17 additional flights to several key destinations across the Middle East and GCC from March 26 to April 6.

This strategic move is designed to accommodate the over 371,000 passengers expected to travel with Emirates during the Eid holiday period. The extra flights will provide travelers with greater flexibility and convenience, allowing them to visit family and friends or explore popular destinations such as Dubai, Bangkok, Phuket, the UK, and the US.

The additional flights will be distributed across several routes, with six extra flights scheduled between Dubai and Amman, five between Dubai and Dammam, four from Jeddah, and two from Kuwait. This expansion not only reflects Emirates' commitment to meeting the rising demand for travel during this festive period but also underscores its dedication to providing passengers with a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

To further enhance this experience, Emirates will offer a special Eid menu on select flights, featuring traditional dishes like chicken madhbi and pistachio cake. This thoughtful gesture is part of the airline's broader efforts to celebrate the spirit of Eid Al Fitr with its passengers.

The timing of these additional flights is particularly strategic, as Eid Al Fitr is expected to be celebrated on either March 30 or March 31, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. This period is traditionally a time for family reunions and travel, and Emirates is well-positioned to facilitate these journeys.

By offering more flights and enhanced amenities, Emirates aims to make this Eid Al Fitr a memorable and enjoyable experience for its passengers. The airline's proactive approach to managing peak travel periods highlights its reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction, reinforcing its position as a leading carrier in the region.