A recent report by Oliver Wyman indicates that the commercial aviation fleet in the Middle East is set to expand significantly, with an annual growth rate of 5.1% projected from 2025 to 2035.

This surge outpaces the global average of 2.8% for the same period. By 2035, the region's fleet is expected to reach around 2,557 aircraft, increasing its share of the global commercial fleet from 5.3% to 6.7% as the total global fleet is anticipated to exceed 38,000 aircraft.

The expansion is primarily driven by heightened demand for short-haul flights, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which together dominate over 60% of the regional market.

Saudi Arabia is enhancing its domestic travel, which makes up 45% of its total seat capacity, while the UAE focuses on boosting international travel. This growth aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying its economy and attracting 150 million tourists annually by that year.

The report also notes a shift towards narrow-body aircraft, which are expected to rise from 43% to 47% of the total fleet over the next decade due to their fuel efficiency. Although the number of wide-body aircraft will also increase, it will do so at a slower rate, reaching 1,307 by 2035.

In addition to fleet growth, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) spending in the region is projected to grow from $16 billion in 2025 to $20 billion by 2035, reflecting the increasing number of aircraft.

This trend highlights the Middle East's strategic efforts to enhance its aviation sector, which is essential for achieving broader economic goals and improving regional connectivity.

Overall, the Middle East's commercial aviation market is on a solid growth path, driven by strong demand from both full-service and low-cost airlines, solidifying the region's position as a significant player in the global aviation industry.

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's ambitious new flag carrier, has officially received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), signaling its readiness to commence operations. This milestone follows an extensive certification process involving test flights and regulatory compliance checks.

While the airline initially planned to launch in mid-2025, production delays for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners have pushed the operational debut to the fourth quarter of the year. Riyadh Air is leasing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to facilitate pilot and crew training while awaiting delivery of its fleet.

Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air is central to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, aiming to diversify the economy and establish Riyadh as a global aviation hub. The airline has secured orders for 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with options for 33 more, alongside an order for 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

These planes will enable Riyadh Air to connect over 100 cities across six continents by 2030, bridging gaps in Saudi Arabia’s international air connectivity. The fleet will be powered by advanced GEnx-1B engines, offering significant fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

Riyadh Air’s dual-livery designs reflect its modern and culturally inspired branding, featuring indigo and lavender themes inspired by Arabic calligraphy and Bedouin aesthetics. The airline plans to offer a three-class configuration—business, premium economy, and economy—emphasizing luxury and innovation while avoiding traditional first-class cabins. Strategic partnerships with major carriers like Delta Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines will further extend its reach globally.

As Saudi Arabia invests heavily in infrastructure projects like King Salman International Airport, Riyadh Air is set to play a pivotal role in attracting millions of visitors annually. The airline’s ambitious plans include contributing $20 billion to non-oil GDP growth and creating over 200,000 jobs. With its maiden flights expected by late 2025, Riyadh Air is poised to redefine air travel in the region and compete with established Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Emirates has breathed new life into the world’s oldest Airbus A380, marking a significant achievement in the aviation industry. The aircraft, registered as A6-EDF, holds historical significance as the seventh A380 ever built, with a Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 007. Originally manufactured in February 2006 and delivered to Emirates in December 2009, the superjumbo is now 19.1 years old—making it nearly twice the average age of Emirates’ fleet of A380s.

After being grounded for five years at Dubai World Central Airport due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced demand for long-haul travel, A6-EDF was ferried to Dubai International Airport in December 2023 for extensive maintenance and testing. On March 29, 2025, the aircraft successfully completed a rigorous test flight lasting 3 hours and 30 minutes before officially returning to commercial service on April 3, operating flight EK925 from Dubai to Cairo.

Emirates has strategically deployed the aircraft on shorter regional routes such as Dubai-Cairo and Dubai-Jeddah to manage its operational challenges. Older aircraft like A6-EDF tend to consume more fuel and require higher maintenance costs, but Emirates’ decision to bring it back into service is economically sound since its acquisition costs have been fully depreciated over time.

The aircraft features a three-class configuration with 517 seats, including 14 luxurious first-class suites, 76 business-class seats, and 427 economy seats—representing one of Emirates’ earlier cabin layouts designed for high-capacity routes.

As the largest operator of Airbus A380s globally, with a fleet of 121 superjumbos, Emirates continues to demonstrate its commitment to maximizing the value of its iconic double-deckers. The revival of A6-EDF not only showcases Emirates’ ability to adapt its fleet management strategy but also highlights the enduring importance of the A380 in its operations.

Despite challenges associated with aging aircraft, Emirates remains focused on leveraging the versatility and passenger appeal of the A380 while maintaining its reputation for excellence in global air travel. This milestone reinforces Emirates’ position as an innovator in aviation and a steward of one of the world’s most recognizable aircraft types.

Emirates Airlines has taken a major step in advancing sustainability by joining the Aviation Circularity Consortium (ACC), a global initiative dedicated to promoting circular economy practices in aviation. This partnership, announced on April 7, 2025, includes SL Metals, a leading distributor of aluminum alloys, and aims to decarbonize the aviation supply chain while fostering innovative solutions for resource efficiency and waste reduction.

Emirates’ involvement supports the ACC’s mission to reshape the lifecycle of aircraft materials, from production to retirement, in alignment with its 2050 Industry Roadmap launched in November 2024.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Emirates has already implemented circular solutions such as cabin interior upcycling, inflight waste reduction programs, and the use of sustainable materials. By joining the ACC, the airline intends to expand these efforts and contribute to developing cutting-edge technologies for managing retired aircraft responsibly.

Ahmed Safa, Emirates Group’s Head of Engineering & MRO, emphasized the urgency of addressing the growing number of retired aircraft through sustainable end-of-life solutions. He highlighted that this collaboration would help extend fleet lifespans and reduce waste while accelerating aviation’s transition to a circular economy.

SL Metals complements these efforts by bringing expertise in aluminum sourcing and efficient material use. The company’s CEO, Sam Tan Yee Leong, noted that aluminum production accounts for 3% of global industrial CO2 emissions, underscoring the importance of responsible sourcing and sustainable practices across the supply chain.

Through its participation in the ACC, SL Metals aims to advance best practices in aluminum use and support initiatives that build a resilient aviation supply chain.

The ACC unites key stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem—airlines, regulators, manufacturers, and suppliers—to drive meaningful progress toward decarbonization. Emirates is only the second airline to join this consortium, highlighting its leadership in sustainable fleet management and its commitment to reducing environmental impact.

This partnership reinforces industry-wide recognition of circularity as a critical component for achieving long-term sustainability goals in aviation.

Thai Airways has recently unveiled a revised baggage policy for Economy Class passengers, marking a strategic shift in how the airline manages luggage allowances. Effective April 1, 2025, the new policy will see a reduction in the checked baggage allowance for certain Economy Class tickets.

Specifically, passengers holding tickets in fare classes K, S, V, W, and L, which fall under the Saver and Standard fare families, will now be entitled to a maximum of 23 kilograms of checked baggage. This change reflects a decrease from the previous allowance of 25 kilograms, aligning with industry trends to optimize baggage handling and reduce operational costs.

However, passengers who have booked tickets in other Economy Class fare classes, such as T, Q, H, M, B, Y, N, and X, will continue to enjoy a more generous allowance of 30 kilograms. This tiered approach allows Thai Airways to cater to different types of travelers, offering flexibility based on the fare category.

The airline maintains a weight-based baggage allowance system, which means passengers can bring multiple pieces of luggage as long as the total weight does not exceed the specified limit. This policy applies to both domestic and international flights, ensuring consistency across all routes.

The adjustment does not affect the number of pieces allowed; rather, it focuses on the maximum weight per piece for the affected fare classes. Passengers who require additional baggage capacity can purchase extra allowance, providing them with the flexibility to accommodate more luggage if needed.

This move is part of Thai Airways' broader strategy to enhance passenger experience while adapting to evolving travel demands and operational efficiencies. By refining its baggage policy, the airline aims to streamline its services, improve customer satisfaction, and maintain its competitive edge in the global aviation market.

Emirates has taken a significant step in supporting early education by donating 187 special edition 'Aircrafted KIDS by Emirates' backpacks to three non-profit organizations in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 25, 2025. This initiative is part of Emirates' broader commitment to fostering educational development among underprivileged children and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 4, which aims to ensure quality education for all.

The beneficiary organizations carefully selected for this donation are Kanan, a center for abandoned children and destitute women in Dhaka; Thikana (Shelter Home) in Jashore; and Ahsania Mission Shishu Nagari in Panchagarh. These institutions were chosen for their dedication to creating nurturing and inspirational spaces for disadvantaged youths to continue their education in safe environments18.

The backpacks, which are part of the 'Aircrafted by Emirates' collection, are uniquely crafted from upcycled materials from Emirates' iconic A380 and B777 aircraft that have undergone refurbishments. This innovative approach not only promotes sustainability but also gives children a tangible connection to the airline's history17.

Each backpack is filled with essential school supplies, including stationery and learning materials, to support the students' educational journey18.

Mansoor Alsuwaidi, Airport Services Manager for Emirates in Bangladesh, emphasized the airline's commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves. He expressed hope that these resources would enable the children to learn, grow, and build brighter futures18.

This initiative in Bangladesh is part of a larger global distribution effort by Emirates. The airline has been repurposing over 50,000 kilograms of materials from 191 aircraft undergoing cabin refreshes, with the potential to provide up to 50,000 kilograms of waste fabrics for upcycling7.

Similar donations have been made in other countries, including a recent distribution of 107 Aircrafted KIDS bags to an NGO in Lahore, Pakistan4.

The Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), which oversees some of the beneficiary organizations, is one of the largest NGOs in Bangladesh. Founded in 1958, DAM provides education to more than 60,000 children in non-formal schools, focusing primarily on rural areas and urban slums2. 

Their Children's Learning Centers (CLCs) project, which partners with Education Above All Foundation, aims to provide quality basic education to 40,000 Bangladeshi children who are currently out of school25.

Emirates' initiative not only addresses the immediate educational needs of these children but also inspires them to aim higher, fostering a sense of confidence and empowerment. By sharing a piece of its history through these upcycled bags, Emirates is promoting sustainability and reinforcing its role as a responsible global citizen, making a lasting impact on the communities it serves178.