In a move to strengthen its global connectivity, Qatar Airways has announced the addition of two new destinations in South America to its extensive route network - Bogotá, Colombia and Caracas, Venezuela.

The airline will commence direct flights to Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport and Caracas' Simón Bolívar International Airport starting from June 2025. Both new routes will be operated with the airline's state-of-the-art Airbus A350 aircraft, offering passengers superior levels of comfort and an unparalleled travel experience.

Qatar Airways are thrilled to be expanding our presence in the vibrant South American market with the addition of Bogotá and Caracas to our global network," said His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways. "As one of the fastest growing economies in the region, Colombia and Venezuela present tremendous opportunities for both business and leisure travelers. This strategic move will further cement Qatar Airways' position as a leading global airline and connectivity provider."

Flights to Bogotá will operate four times per week, while the Caracas route will be served three times weekly. The new services will provide seamless connectivity for passengers traveling between South America and Qatar Airways' extensive network across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

This announcement marks another milestone in Qatar Airways' ambitious global expansion plan. The award-winning airline currently flies to over 150 destinations worldwide and continues to invest in strengthening its footprint across key markets around the world.

Emirates Airlines is preparing to host a spectacular Easter celebration from April 18 to April 21, 2025, offering a joyous experience for travelers across its various routes and lounges. This event welcomes passengers in First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class to partake in the festive spirit of Easter.

During this celebration, Emirates will serve a delightful assortment of Easter-themed meals on flights to destinations such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, and the USA. Travelers can anticipate classic Easter offerings, including hot cross buns and Easter bread, alongside indulgent desserts like carrot cake drizzled with a rich très leches sauce and chocolate mousse paired with raspberry gel and hazelnut fudge.

Young passengers will also receive cheerful Easter egg-shaped cookies, adding a playful touch to their journey. In the A380 Onboard Lounge, passengers can enjoy festive cupcakes and traditional simnel fruitcake topped with marzipan.

For those flying on routes to Russia and Greece, Emirates will celebrate Orthodox Easter from April 18 to April 20, featuring a unique menu for First and Business Class passengers. This special menu includes herb-crusted lamb served with crispy roasted potatoes, baby carrots, and tzatziki, as well as kulich bread, a sweet treat traditionally enjoyed during Orthodox Easter.

Across Emirates' network of lounges, passengers will find an array of classic Easter dishes available from April 18 to April 21. Highlights include tender lamb chops served in saffron and orange jus in the First Class Lounge, and a hearty lamb stew with potatoes and dried fruits in the Business Class Lounge. A selection of Easter-themed desserts, including cookies and assorted chocolates, will also be available.

In addition to these culinary delights, Emirates will provide a wide range of entertainment options, featuring over 6,500 channels on its acclaimed ice entertainment system. Passengers can enjoy family-friendly films like Wicked and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, as well as beloved classics from Disney and the complete Harry Potter series. Engaging children’s programming from networks such as Sesame Street and Bluey will also be featured.

Through this Eggstravagant Easter celebration, Emirates aims to foster a festive and enjoyable atmosphere for all travelers, ensuring their journey is both memorable and filled with holiday cheer.

The United Arab Emirates has declared it will resume commercial flights to Syria, signaling a major step toward reestablishing ties between the two countries after years of disruption caused by the Syrian conflict. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that preparations are underway to restart passenger and cargo air services, aiming to facilitate travel and trade and strengthen bilateral relations.

This announcement comes shortly after Syrian President Ahmed Al Shara’s historic visit to the UAE—the first since he assumed office in December 2024—where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During their discussions, the UAE leader emphasized his country’s dedication to supporting Syria’s reconstruction efforts and pledged comprehensive assistance to help rebuild the war-torn nation.

The decision to resume flights is both a practical and symbolic move, reflecting the warming diplomatic and economic relationship between Abu Dhabi and Damascus.

Flights between the UAE and Syria were suspended in 2012 amid the outbreak of the Syrian civil war and escalating security concerns. The restoration of air links aligns with a broader regional trend of Arab states reengaging with Syria following the political changes in Damascus in late 2024. Other airlines, including Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways, have recently resumed flights to Syria, and Syrian Airlines launched its first international commercial flight to Sharjah earlier this year.

Although the exact date for the UAE-Syria flights to resume has not been finalized, carriers such as flydubai and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi have shown interest in operating routes to Syria once safety and regulatory conditions are met. The renewed air connectivity is expected to enhance tourism, trade, and family visits, particularly benefiting the sizable Syrian expatriate community in the UAE.

Despite these positive developments, Syria continues to face economic challenges due to ongoing Western sanctions, which remain a significant obstacle to full recovery even as diplomatic efforts to ease these restrictions gain momentum.

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.