Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo, and MASkargo have unveiled plans to establish a pioneering Global Cargo Joint Business, subject to regulatory approvals, in a strategic move set to redefine international air freight operations.

The collaboration will integrate Qatar Airways’ formidable fleet of 28 dedicated Boeing 777 freighters and belly capacity across its 230 passenger aircraft, IAG Cargo’s expansive six-continent network (encompassing British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling), and MASkargo’s Malaysia-based logistics hub, which operates three Airbus A330-200 freighters and serves over 100 destinations worldwide.

By combining resources, the alliance aims to offer customers unprecedented connectivity, leveraging harmonized safety protocols, synchronized digital platforms, and streamlined operational workflows to reduce transit times and enhance routing flexibility. The partnership will also address evolving global trade dynamics, including supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tariff shifts, by pooling expertise in temperature-sensitive shipments, e-commerce logistics, and specialized cargo handling.

Leadership from all three carriers emphasized the venture’s transformative potential: Qatar’s Mark Drusch highlighted plans to deliver “unparalleled service” through shared infrastructure and innovation, while IAG’s David Shepherd stressed the role of unified networks in fostering resilient global trade.

MASkargo’s Mark Jason Thomas underscored commitments to “cutting-edge solutions” tailored to shifting market demands, including sustainable aviation initiatives and AI-driven logistics optimization. The joint business, aligned with Qatar Airways’ existing 25% stake in IAG under the Oneworld alliance, is expected to launch imminently following regulatory clearance, positioning the trio to capitalize on post-pandemic air cargo growth and emerging trade corridors in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines have unveiled a new strategic alliance designed to significantly improve air travel links between Doha and Manila, commencing on June 16, 2025. Under this agreement, Philippine Airlines will operate daily nonstop flights connecting Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport.

Qatar Airways will place its flight code on these seven weekly services during the initial stage, thereby expanding travel options and enhancing connectivity for passengers.

The flights are scheduled to depart Manila at 6:50 PM, arriving in Doha at 11:40 PM, perfectly timed to facilitate smooth transfers onto Qatar Airways’ extensive global network, which spans more than 170 destinations across Africa, the Americas, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

In the reverse direction, Philippine Airlines will operate a daily service leaving Doha at 1:30 AM and landing in Manila at 4:15 PM, enabling convenient onward connections for travelers arriving from various parts of the world.

Philippine Airlines will utilize its long-range Airbus A330-300 aircraft for this route, featuring a two-class cabin layout with 18 lie-flat Business Class seats and 341 Economy Class seats. This partnership is expected to not only broaden travel choices for both business and leisure travelers but also to strengthen economic and cultural ties between Qatar and the Philippines, providing particular benefits to the large Filipino expatriate community working in Qatar.

During the announcement, Qatar Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, emphasized the airline’s commitment to enhancing global connectivity and fostering stronger bilateral relations through this partnership. Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines’ President and COO, Captain Stanley K. Ng, highlighted how the collaboration will help expand PAL’s international reach and stimulate tourism, trade, and investment between the two countries.

Looking forward, the two airlines plan to deepen their cooperation by exploring joint marketing initiatives and potentially integrating their frequent flyer programs. Such integration would allow passengers to earn and redeem loyalty points across both carriers, offering greater value and convenience.

This codeshare agreement complements Qatar Airways’ existing network of partnerships with major global airlines, reinforcing its role as a premier international connector while maintaining high standards of service and passenger experience.

 

Saudi Arabia’s national airline, Saudia, achieved a 9% year-on-year surge in passenger traffic during the first quarter of 2025, carrying over nine million travelers. Domestic routes led the growth with a 12% increase, serving four million passengers across 27,100 flights—a 4% rise in domestic operations.

International demand climbed 8%, with five million passengers flown on 20,900 flights, reflecting a 2% uptick in overseas services. The airline operated a total of 48,100 flights, up 3%, accumulating 143,600 flight hours, underscoring its expanded operational footprint.

The airline credits its success to a dynamic operational strategy that adapts seat capacity to seasonal demand spikes, supported by a state-of-the-art fleet and a predominantly Saudi workforce trained to meet global aviation standards. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to position the Kingdom as a global aviation hub.

In March 2025, Saudia secured the world’s top on-time performance ranking, achieving 94.07% punctuality for arrivals and 94% for departures during the high-demand Umrah season, as validated by aviation analytics leader Cirium.

Looking ahead, Saudia is accelerating its fleet modernization, with plans to expand from 147 to 265 aircraft through strategic orders. Recent acquisitions include 49 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for long-haul routes and 54 Airbus A321neos for regional connectivity.

Additionally, the Saudia Group finalized an order for 20 Airbus A330neo wide-body jets, with 10 earmarked for its budget subsidiary flyadeal, marking flyadeal’s debut in long-haul markets by 2027. These fuel-efficient additions aim to support Saudi Arabia’s target of serving 330 million annual passengers by 2030.

Passenger experience enhancements remain a priority, with AI-driven virtual assistants now integrated into Saudia’s digital platforms, offering end-to-end travel support. The airline continues to refine its ground and in-flight services, including premium lounges and tailored onboard offerings, to elevate customer satisfaction.

As the Kingdom’s aviation sector expands under Vision 2030, Saudia’s investments in technology, workforce development, and fleet modernization solidify its role as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious connectivity agenda.

Etihad Airways is substantially expanding its African network by doubling its flights to Nairobi, Kenya, to 14 weekly services starting 15 December 2025. This move comes less than a year after the airline resumed the Nairobi route, reflecting strong demand and the city’s importance as a key East African hub.

Alongside Nairobi, Etihad is introducing four new direct routes from Abu Dhabi to African cities including Addis Ababa (7 weekly flights from 8 October), Algiers (4 weekly from 7 November), Tunis (3 weekly from 1 November), and the seasonal route to Al Alamein (2 weekly flights from July to September).

The airline is also increasing frequencies on existing routes: Casablanca and Johannesburg will see daily Boeing 787 services starting 1 August, while flights to Seychelles, operated in partnership with Air Seychelles, will rise to six weekly from 24 May. This codeshare agreement allows Etihad customers to enjoy consistent services such as baggage allowance, complimentary meals, inflight entertainment, and loyalty mileage accrual on all flights.

Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, highlighted a “holistic approach” to Africa that combines fleet expansion, frequency increases, and strategic partnerships, notably with Ethiopian Airlines and Air Seychelles. These collaborations underpin the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity across Africa and linking the continent seamlessly with global destinations through Abu Dhabi.

By the end of 2025, Etihad will have doubled its African footprint, increasing weekly flights from 39 to 57 and expanding its served cities from four to eight. This growth supports Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a premier tourism and business hub, with Etihad aiming to attract over one million visitors to the UAE capital by 2025. The expanded network opens access to diverse African markets and tourist destinations, strengthening economic and cultural ties between Africa and the Middle East.

 

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has released detailed traffic statistics for March 2025, highlighting a period of significant growth and expansion. The airline carried 1.6 million passengers during March, representing a 14% year-on-year increase compared to March 2024, and contributing to a total of 5 million passengers in the first quarter of 2025—a 16% rise from 4.3 million in the same period last year.

This surge in passenger numbers was supported by a 10% increase in fleet size, with Etihad operating 98 aircraft in March, up from 89 a year earlier. The number of destinations served also grew, rising from 69 to 73 over the past year.

The airline achieved a passenger load factor of 87% for the first quarter, up from 86% in Q1 2024, indicating strong demand and efficient capacity management. However, the load factor for March specifically was 82%, slightly down from 84% in March 2024, reflecting the impact of rapid capacity expansion.

CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the airline’s momentum, noting that nearly 20 million passengers were welcomed over the 12 months ending March 2025.

Etihad’s network expansion strategy has been a key driver of this growth. In March alone, the airline announced two new routes and increased flight frequencies, bringing the total number of new destinations scheduled for 2025 to 16. Recent and upcoming additions include routes to Algiers, Atlanta, Chiang Mai, and El Dabaa, among others, as part of a broader push to strengthen Etihad’s global footprint.

The airline’s focus on customer experience has also paid off, with March 2025 recording the highest-ever customer satisfaction scores in Etihad’s history, reflecting its commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience.

Industry analysts note that Etihad’s robust growth in both passenger numbers and network reach positions it among the fastest-growing global carriers. The airline’s ongoing investments in fleet modernization, route expansion, and service enhancements are expected to sustain its upward trajectory throughout 2025.

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has marked a significant achievement by transporting 5 million passengers during the first three months of 2025. This impressive figure highlights the airline's robust growth trajectory and its position as a leading global carrier. The airline's performance was particularly notable in March, when it welcomed 1.6 million passengers, representing a substantial 14% increase compared to the same period last year.

This growth was accompanied by an average passenger load factor of 87% for the quarter, indicating high demand for Etihad's services across its network.

Etihad's success is attributed to several strategic initiatives, including the expansion of its operating fleet size by 10% and the introduction of new routes. The airline has announced plans to add 16 new destinations throughout 2025, further enhancing its global reach and connectivity. This expansion is part of Etihad's broader strategy to increase flight frequencies and improve passenger convenience.

For instance, the airline will introduce triple-daily services to Milan starting in November 2025 and increase its Bangkok flights to four times daily from February 2026. These developments underscore Etihad's commitment to providing passengers with more options and seamless travel experiences.

In addition to its operational growth, Etihad has also focused on enhancing customer satisfaction. The airline reported record-breaking customer satisfaction scores in March, reflecting its dedication to delivering high-quality services. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, emphasized that nearly 20 million passengers were served in the 12 months leading up to March 2025, highlighting the airline's consistent growth and strong market presence.

As Etihad continues to expand its network and improve its offerings, it is well-positioned to maintain its competitive edge in the global aviation market. The airline's emphasis on innovation, customer experience, and strategic partnerships will likely play a crucial role in its future success.