Etihad Airways has officially opened its new U.S. Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport, enhancing the travel experience for passengers flying to the United States. The lounge, which opened on December 30, 2024, is strategically located just steps away from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, allowing eligible guests to relax after completing their U.S. entry formalities before boarding their flights.

The lounge is designed to provide a serene environment, featuring a refined selection of beverages and light dining options, which complements Etihad's premium travel experience. Notably, select flights offer the convenience of direct boarding from the lounge, further streamlining the travel process for guests.

John Wright, Chief Operations & Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, emphasized that this new lounge represents a significant milestone in the airline's commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for its guests. He noted that Zayed International Airport is the only hub in the Middle East to offer this time-saving U.S. Preclearance service.

Access to the U.S. Preclearance Lounge is available for travelers flying in The Residence, First or Business Class, as well as for Platinum and Emerald members of the Etihad Guest program. Additionally, access can be purchased at the lounge, subject to availability.

Etihad Airways currently operates nonstop flights to four U.S. destinations: Boston, Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C. The airline is set to expand its services with the launch of flights to Atlanta in July 2025, further solidifying its presence in the North American market.

On May 12, Qatar Airways flight QR-289, an Airbus A330-300 registered A7-AEO, encountered a hydraulic fluid leak after landing at Václav Havel Airport Prague, causing the aircraft to stop on runway 12 and remain there for about 30 minutes before being towed off. The green hydraulic fluid spill led to the closure of the runway for approximately one hour while cleanup crews worked, resulting in the cancellation of the return flight QR-290 and widespread disruptions to other incoming flights.

The incident forced several flights to divert: Hainan Airlines flight HU7937 from Beijing rerouted to Berlin before eventually landing in Prague, while SunExpress and Finnair flights from Antalya and Helsinki respectively were diverted to Dresden Airport in Germany, experiencing delays of up to nearly two hours. This cascade of diversions underscored the significant operational impact of the hydraulic leak.

In addition to the Prague event, Qatar Airways faced another technical issue on the same day when flight QR-243 from Doha to Istanbul declared an emergency due to an engine problem during descent, safely landing after holding for 45 minutes. A separate April 28 incident involved a brake system failure on flight QR-528 from Doha to Chennai, which also landed safely after emergency procedures were enacted.

These incidents highlight recent technical challenges faced by Qatar Airways, emphasizing the critical importance of prompt response and safety protocols in aviation operations.

The government has announced a second attempt to close Runway 28/10 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport starting June 15 for a crucial upgrade of its landing instruments, aiming to avoid the severe disruptions witnessed during April’s failed closure. The shutdown will last approximately 90 days, during which airlines have been advised to proactively plan flight cancellations to prevent the operational chaos that unfolded earlier this year.

In April, the closure intended to upgrade the runway’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) to CAT III B standards-which would improve landing capabilities in Delhi’s frequent fog-was aborted after just a few weeks due to overwhelming flight delays and scheduling turmoil. The airport, handling around 1,400 flights daily, struggled to operate efficiently on its remaining three runways, compounded by uncoordinated airline schedules and adverse weather.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu convened a high-level meeting with all stakeholders, including airline representatives, the Airports Authority of India, and Delhi International Airport Ltd, emphasizing the need for meticulous advance planning. Airlines have been instructed to prepare for cancellations and propose measures to minimize passenger inconvenience during the runway’s three-month closure.

The timing of the closure has been strategically chosen to coincide with a relatively lean travel period following the vacation season, aiming to reduce the impact on passengers. This proactive approach reflects lessons learned from the April disruption, where the absence of a regulatory mechanism to enforce flight reductions exacerbated delays and confusion.

Officials remain committed to completing the runway upgrade, which will extend the runway lighting from 650 to 900 meters and enhance landing safety in low-visibility conditions, ultimately improving Delhi’s airport capacity and operational resilience.

Passengers and airlines are urged to stay informed and cooperate fully to ensure a smoother transition during this essential infrastructure enhancement phase.

In a strategic move to tackle soaring operational costs triggered by Pakistan’s ongoing airspace closure, Air India has begun routing select North America-bound flights through Mongolian airspace. This new routing primarily affects flights departing from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, especially those headed to the United States and Canada.

Among the affected services are Air India flights to San Francisco and Vancouver, with some flights now incorporating a technical stop in Kolkata. This stopover helps the airline maintain operational flexibility, comply with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations on crew duty hours, and avoid expensive European layovers.

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace since April 24, 2025, has forced Air India to seek alternative routes for its 71 weekly North American flights, 54 of which originate from Delhi. The airline’s network includes major US cities such as Chicago, New York, Washington, San Francisco, and Newark, as well as Canadian destinations Toronto and Vancouver.

By utilizing Mongolian airspace, particularly for flights operating along the Pacific corridor, Air India aims to reduce the extended flight times and fuel consumption caused by detours around Pakistan. This approach also minimizes exposure to high landing fees and operational costs associated with European stops. The technical halt in Kolkata further supports compliance with crew duty time limitations on ultra-long-haul flights, allowing the airline to extend crew working hours legally without breaching regulations.

Air India’s Managing Director and CEO, Campbell Wilson, confirmed these temporary route adjustments in a recent staff communication, highlighting the company’s ongoing efforts to restore direct operations by exploring viable alternatives within India and beyond.

This rerouting strategy emerges amid heightened geopolitical tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, after which India banned Pakistani airlines from its airspace starting April 30. While cross-border hostilities have paused, airspace restrictions remain, compelling airlines like Air India to adapt swiftly to maintain service levels and operational viability.

Through these innovative routing changes, Air India demonstrates resilience and adaptability, ensuring continued connectivity between India and North America despite complex geopolitical challenges and regulatory constraints.

International Airlines Group (IAG), the powerhouse behind British Airways, is making aviation history with a record-setting order for 71 long-haul aircraft from industry giants Airbus and Boeing-a move set to reshape the skies over the next decade.

British Airways will be the primary beneficiary, taking delivery of 44 of these new jets, including a substantial fleet of 32 Boeing 787-10s. These fuel-efficient aircraft are poised to become the backbone of BA’s future long-haul operations, complementing the 13 787-10s already in service. The remainder of the order will be distributed among IAG’s other leading airlines: Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL.

This landmark deal, one of the largest widebody aircraft orders ever placed by a European airline group, follows 18 aircraft ordered earlier in March and caps off 18 months of intense negotiations with both manufacturers. Despite the announcement coming on the heels of a new US-UK trade deal, IAG confirms that the agreement was not a direct result of trade negotiations.

The order is strategically split: one-third of the jets are earmarked for growth, while the rest will replace aging aircraft-especially British Airways’ 21-year-old Boeing 777-200ERs-and phase out short-term leases at LEVEL. Deliveries are scheduled from 2028 to 2033, with some aircraft, including A350s and 777-9s, arriving as early as 2027, pending shareholder approval in June.

British Airways’ new aircraft will feature the latest in passenger comfort and efficiency, though final cabin configurations are yet to be confirmed. The March orders also include six Airbus A350-1000s (for routes not requiring First Class) and six Boeing 777-9s, which will become BA’s largest twinjets once certified. The airline has also secured options for up to 10 additional Boeing 787s.

Powering this new fleet, General Electric engines will be installed on all Boeing aircraft, while Rolls-Royce engines will drive the Airbus jets.

Other IAG airlines will also benefit: 21 Airbus A330-900neos are set for Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL, supplementing the six A350-900s ordered for Iberia in March. The group has also retained purchase rights for 13 more A330-900neos.

IAG’s CEO, Luis Gallego, hailed the deal as a milestone in the group’s transformation, emphasizing its commitment to strengthening airline brands, enhancing customer experience, and driving long-term shareholder value. The news comes as IAG reported a robust 9.6% revenue growth in its latest quarterly results, reflecting strong demand across all markets, especially in premium cabins.

Meanwhile, Boeing is working to restore confidence and ramp up production following a turbulent 2024, aiming for 38 737 MAX jets per month. The arrival of these next-generation aircraft is expected to elevate the onboard experience, boost efficiency, and open up new long-haul destinations for IAG’s airlines.

With this bold move, IAG is not just renewing its fleet-it’s charting a course for the future of European aviation, promising passengers “Skybound Dreams, Earth Unseen” as they soar toward new horizons.

Pakistan has officially reopened its airspace to all commercial, cargo, and military flights after a period of heightened conflict with India, marking a significant move toward regional stability. The closure, which lasted several days, was implemented in response to a sharp escalation in hostilities that saw both nations exchange missile strikes and conduct military operations along their shared border.

The airspace shutdown caused widespread disruption, with hundreds of flights canceled or rerouted, affecting not only travelers between Pakistan and India but also international airlines whose routes traverse South Asian airspace.

The breakthrough came after a ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10, 2025, following intense diplomatic mediation involving the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations. The ceasefire called for an immediate halt to all military activities and the reactivation of communication hotlines between the two countries’ militaries.

Officials in Islamabad stated that the decision to reopen the airspace was made in coordination with civil aviation authorities and after ensuring that security risks had subsided.

Airlines have welcomed the announcement, as the closure had forced many to take costly and time-consuming detours, leading to increased fuel consumption and operational expenses. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other regional carriers have begun restoring their regular flight schedules, though authorities caution that it may take several days for operations to return to normal as aircraft and crews are repositioned.

The airspace reopening is expected to have a positive impact on the economies of both countries, restoring vital trade and travel links and allowing for the resumption of business and tourism activities. Analysts note that while the ceasefire and reopening are encouraging developments, the underlying issues-particularly the dispute over Kashmir-remain unresolved.

Nevertheless, the move is being seen as a hopeful sign that both nations are willing to take steps toward de-escalation and dialogue, with the international community urging continued engagement to build on this progress and prevent future crises.