Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has announced that approximately 114 daily flights, accounting for about 7.5% of total daily aircraft movements, will be cancelled from June 15 to September 15 as part of a major upgrade to runway 10/28.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport, the largest and busiest in India, handles around 1,450 aircraft movements per day. The closure of runway 10/28 for the upgrade will reduce daily movements by this amount during the three-month period.

DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar explained that the cancellations, which are higher than the usual 3-4% daily cancellations, have been coordinated in advance with airlines to minimize disruption. Flights have been rescheduled to reduce cascading delays and provide passengers ample time to make alternative arrangements.

The runway upgrade involves installing an advanced Instrument Landing System (ILS) to make the runway compliant with CAT III-B operations, a precision landing system that enables aircraft to land safely in very low visibility conditions such as dense fog. This enhancement aims to improve operational reliability during the fog season.

Originally scheduled for April-May, the upgrade was postponed due to unexpected wind pattern changes causing severe flight delays. Following directives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the runway was reopened on May 6, and the upgrade rescheduled for June 15 to September 15, with agreement from all airlines.

The airport has four runways and two operational terminals (T1 and T3), with T2 currently closed for maintenance. The upgrade is expected to enhance safety and operational efficiency during adverse weather conditions, particularly winter fog, by improving landing capabilities on runway 10/28.

Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updated flight schedules and make necessary travel arrangements in advance.

Etihad Airways is set to elevate the travel experience between Sydney and Abu Dhabi with the introduction of its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on select flights starting October 1, 2025. These aircraft feature one of the airline’s most luxurious business class cabins, offering 44 private suites designed to provide the comfort and exclusivity of first class within a business class setting.

Each business suite is equipped with sliding privacy doors, fully flat beds, and advanced in-flight entertainment systems, ensuring passengers can relax and arrive refreshed after the long-haul journey. The A350-1000’s cutting-edge design also contributes to a quieter, more comfortable cabin atmosphere, with features such as larger windows and improved air filtration.

Technologically advanced and environmentally efficient, the A350-1000 is constructed from lightweight carbon polymer materials and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. This combination reduces fuel consumption by approximately 25% and lowers carbon emissions, making it one of the most eco-friendly aircraft in operation.

Initially, the A350 will complement the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Sydney-Abu Dhabi route, with both aircraft offering the premium business suites. From January 31, 2026, all ten weekly Etihad flights from Sydney will be operated exclusively by the A350, while Melbourne flights will continue daily on the 787-9.

Passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi will benefit from the recently opened Zayed International Airport, which has been acclaimed as the world’s most beautiful airport. The $4.8 billion facility incorporates advanced AI technologies, including facial recognition and smart passenger processing systems, allowing travelers to move swiftly from curbside to gate in as little as 12 minutes.

With this upgrade, Etihad Airways promises Australian travelers a seamless blend of luxury, innovation, and sustainability, ensuring that their journey is as exceptional as their destination.

Emirates, the UAE’s flagship carrier, has once again been recognized among the world’s top airlines, securing the No. 4 position in the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, announced at the Paris Air Show. The rankings saw Qatar Airways retain the top spot for a record ninth time, followed by Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Japan’s All Nippon Airways rounded out the top five, with Emirates reaffirming its place among the global elite.

The Skytrax awards, based on feedback from over 22 million passengers worldwide, highlight excellence across cabin service, onboard experience, staff hospitality, and innovation. Emirates’ high placement reflects strong loyalty and satisfaction from UAE travelers, especially on long-haul and premium routes.

In addition to its Skytrax success, Emirates was also named ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ for the twelfth consecutive year at the 2025 Business Traveller Middle East (BTME) Awards. The airline swept three additional categories: Best First Class, Best Premium Economy Class, and Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East. These accolades underscore Emirates’ ongoing investments in fleet upgrades, onboard product innovation, and premium ground services.

Emirates’ brand value soared to $8.4 billion in 2024, making it one of the top five most valuable airline brands globally and the most valuable outside the US. The airline’s ambitious cabin retrofit program, launched in 2022, continues in 2025 with 51 aircraft already refurbished and a target of 219 upgrades. Emirates has also received its first Airbus A350, equipped with next-generation products, and plans to serve over 70 cities with upgraded aircraft by year-end.

This year, Emirates is expanding its A350 network to seven new destinations across four continents, including Tunis, Amman, Istanbul, Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, Baghdad, and Oslo. This strategic move further strengthens Emirates’ dominance in premium air travel and global connectivity.

Emirates’ achievements align with the UAE’s broader economic and developmental momentum. In 2024, the UAE welcomed 150 million airport passengers and hosted over 30 million guests in its hospitality sector a testament to the nation’s growing status as a global travel hub. The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has set ambitious goals for 2025, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and global partnerships to solidify the country’s position as a model for growth and progress.

The top five airlines in the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards are Qatar Airways in first place, followed by Singapore Airlines in second, Cathay Pacific in third, Emirates in fourth, and ANA All Nippon Airways in fifth. Other notable winners include Lufthansa, recognized as the World’s Most Family-Friendly Airline and for the Best First Class Lounge; Austrian Airlines, awarded Best Airline Staff in Europe; and Eurowings, named Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe.

Emirates’ continued recognition, fleet expansion, and premium service enhancements position it at the forefront of global aviation as the UAE pursues even greater achievements in 2025 and beyond.

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has reiterated that fees paid for exit and re-entry visas are strictly non-refundable, even if the visa is canceled—a policy that has been reconfirmed as thousands of expatriates plan their summer travel. This clarification was issued following a public inquiry from a resident, to which Jawazat responded unequivocally: “If the exit and re-entry visa is cancelled, the fees are non-refundable”.

Under current regulations, a single exit and re-entry visa costs 200 Saudi riyals and is valid for up to two months, with an additional 100 riyals for each extra month, provided the resident’s permit (iqama) remains valid. For multiple exit and re-entry visas, the fee is 500 riyals for up to three months, and 200 riyals for each additional month.

Notably, for residents who are already outside the Kingdom and need to extend their visas, the extension fees are doubled—200 riyals per month for a single visa and 400 riyals per month for a multiple visa.

The process for issuing, canceling, or extending these visas is managed digitally through the Absher platform. To cancel a visa, users must log in, access “Services for Sponsors,” select the relevant individual, and confirm the cancellation; however, the fee remains non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation.

Recent regulatory updates have also introduced higher fees for expatriates outside Saudi Arabia, including doubled extension charges and increased costs for renewing residency permits (Iqama) abroad. Penalties for not using or canceling a visa within the allowed time can be steep, starting at 1,000 riyals for the first offense and rising to 3,000 riyals for repeated violations. Overstaying outside Saudi Arabia after a visa expires incurs a fine of 100 USD per month.

These rules apply to all visa holders, including professionals, domestic workers, and dependents, and are part of broader changes to residency and travel regulations aimed at streamlining processes and ensuring compliance. Authorities urge residents to carefully plan their travel and visa applications, as changes or cancellations will not result in a refund of paid fees.

An easyJet flight from Geneva to Edinburgh was forced to declare a mid-air emergency and return to Geneva shortly after takeoff on Sunday evening due to a bird strike, cutting the journey short and causing flight cancellation.

The Airbus A320, flight EZY3294, took off from Geneva Airport around 6:06 PM local time but encountered a bird strike during its initial climb. The pilots immediately declared an emergency and circled near Geneva before safely landing back about 40 minutes after departure. The bird strike caused a technical defect on the aircraft that maintenance crews could not quickly resolve, leading easyJet to cancel the flight rather than attempt repairs, prioritizing passenger safety above schedule adherence.

EasyJet issued formal notices to affected passengers, apologizing for the inconvenience and providing information on rebooking options and accommodations for those impacted. Emergency services attended the aircraft upon landing as a precaution, and all passengers disembarked safely without incident.

This incident adds to a recent string of easyJet emergencies in mid-June 2025. Two other flights were forced to make emergency landings within days: one from Paphos to Bristol diverted to Izmir due to smoke detection, and another from Manchester to Enfidha diverted to Paris Orly for unspecified reasons. Both flights landed safely with no injuries reported.

These events underscore the operational challenges airlines face in ensuring safety amid technical issues and environmental hazards like bird strikes. EasyJet's response in following established emergency protocols demonstrates its commitment to passenger safety despite the disruption to travel plans.

In summary, the Geneva-to-Edinburgh easyJet flight's emergency return following a bird strike highlights ongoing aviation safety vigilance during the busy European summer travel period, with the airline taking all necessary precautions to protect its passengers.

Vietnam’s aviation authority has taken the unprecedented step of temporarily closing Tho Xuan Airport in Thanh Hoa Province after a series of unauthorized drone sightings near the runway raised serious safety concerns and disrupted flight operations over several days.

The suspension began at 6:00 p.m. on Monday and will last until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, affecting at least 10 civilian flights. This move follows three consecutive days of drone incursions near the airport, which forced multiple flight diversions and delays. On Sunday alone, two Vietjet Air flights from Ho Chi Minh City were rerouted one to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport and the other to Vinh Airport in Nghe An Province.

Authorities described the situation as “increasingly complex and difficult to control,” prompting the urgent suspension of all flights in and out of the airport. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has directed airport officials to work closely with air traffic controllers, police, and military units to detect and neutralize unauthorized drones.

The Thanh Hoa People's Committee has been tasked with investigating the breaches and holding violators accountable. Joint patrols have been deployed in nearby residential areas to prevent further incidents and raise public awareness about aviation safety regulations.

Vietnamese law strictly prohibits any unmanned aerial vehicles within an 8-kilometer radius of airports, especially near takeoff and landing zones. This ban includes drones, flycams, sky lanterns, kites, balloons, laser pointers, and signal flares. Violators face fines ranging from VND 3 million to VND 40 million ($115–$1,530) and confiscation of their equipment.

Tho Xuan Airport, located in Sao Vang Town, north-central Vietnam, is a joint civil-military facility handling 10 to 15 commercial flights daily alongside military operations. The recent drone incidents have exposed vulnerabilities in airport security and prompted urgent measures to safeguard civil aviation safety in the region.