Qatar's emergence as a powerhouse for international gatherings continues to accelerate, with officials confirming that the Gulf nation now hosts over 80 major global events each year across fields as diverse as diplomacy, technology, sports, trade, and culture.

Mubarak Ajlan Mubarak Al Kuwari—Executive Director at the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences (PCOC)—explained that these high-profile events are strategically coordinated to align with Qatar’s National Vision, making the country a global nexus for dialogue, innovation, and cooperation.

Record-Breaking Attendance and Economic Impact

Landmark conferences, such as the Doha Forum and Qatar Economic Forum, attracted more than 8,500 attendees from over 160 countries, with international participants making up nearly half the turnout. Meanwhile, Web Summit Qatar 2025 witnessed a record-setting surge with over 25,000 participants—including 1,520 startups and hundreds of investors—temporarily transforming Doha into a worldwide beacon for entrepreneurship and cutting-edge technology.

This relentless calendar of international events has had a transformative effect on both tourism and the broader economy. In just the first quarter of 2025, Qatar welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors, a 25% increase compared to 2023. Hotel bookings soared, with nearly 10 million room nights sold during the past year and average occupancy rates reaching 71%.

Major events such as festivals, conventions, and sporting championships have contributed to a projected QR124.2 billion boost to the national economy in 2025, supporting 350,000 jobs and setting new records for international visitor spending.

Key Events on Qatar’s 2025 Calendar

Highlighting its diverse events portfolio, Qatar’s calendar this year features:

• FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 (November 15-27)
• Formula 1 Qatar Airways Grand Prix (November 28-30)
• Doha Film Festival (November 20-28)
• FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 (December 1-18)
• Doha Forum (December 6-7)
• Major technology expos like Web Summit Qatar 2025 and MWC25 Doha
• Cultural extravaganzas such as the Qatar International Art Festival and local food festivals.

The country will also co-host the Second World Summit for Social Development with the United Nations and the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final—further proof of its expanding influence on the global stage.

A Hub for All: Accessibility and Visitor Growth

Qatar’s development as a top global event host is matched by unprecedented accessibility: 51% of international visitors arrive by air, 34% by land, and 15% by sea, reflecting a deliberate strategy to enhance connectivity. The hospitality sector’s growth is further buoyed by the country’s reputation for safety—Doha was recently ranked the world’s second safest city—and the positive legacy of high-profile events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

With initiatives targeting diverse source markets and continuous infrastructure investment, Qatar’s events industry is forecast to expand by over 11% annually, reaching nearly $4.65 billion by 2032. Industry analysts and officials alike agree—the nation’s transformation from a “small desert nation” to a “trusted international partner and connectivity hub” is well under way.

Qatar’s remarkable model positions it as a leading destination not only for large-scale global events but also for collaborative exchange and economic vitality in the years to come.

For the first time, Air New Zealand’s iconic koru logo will land in Nova Scotia, as the airline’s latest Airbus A321neo forgoes its usual route through the Middle East, opting for a transatlantic trek fueled by shifting global tensions and logistical opportunity.

When Air New Zealand acquires new aircraft from Airbus’s German factories, delivery flights have traditionally threaded through aviation hubs in the Middle East and Asia common pitstops include Oman, Malaysia, and Australia. But ongoing hostilities and rising risk near Iran and Israel have forced the carrier to chart an entirely different path.

This week, the carrier’s shiny new A321neo (registration ZK-NNI) will swap its routine desert stopovers for the unfamiliar runways of Halifax, Canada, marking a historic first for the airline.

The geopolitical tremors shaking the Strait of Hormuz led Air NZ to reroute. While the skies above Dubai and Doha still thrum with flight traffic, the airline’s chief safety and risk officer, Nathan McGraw, says the ongoing unpredictability in the region isn’t worth the gamble.

“We continuously conduct risk and safety assessments for our flights and with the ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East, and some airspace restrictions, we made the decision to fly the aircraft home via Canada and the United States,” says McGraw.

Choosing North America wasn’t just about safety. Air NZ has daily operations in North America, giving the carrier a reliable support network for its newest jet.

Some delivery flights in recent years have stopped in Gander, Newfoundland—the small Canadian airport immortalized in the musical Come From Away. This time, Halifax gets the nod. McGraw points to Swissport, a trusted ground handler already stationed in Halifax, and the carrier’s existing presence in Vancouver, as logistical reasons for the switch.

Navigating the North Atlantic’s buzzing flight paths, Air NZ relies on advanced planning software to map the most efficient route. “It’s like a highway in the sky, with several lanes of traffic,” McGraw explains. “Our tool, FlightKeys, picks the best track factoring in winds, fuel, and traffic, helping us cross over safely to Halifax.”
The new route stretches 21,078 km—about 1,000 km longer than the familiar Muscat-to-Auckland journey. That solitary stretch means burning an additional 2.7 tonnes of fuel. “We’ll be carrying a full tank for each leg—except the shortest, between Samoa and Auckland,” states McGraw.

Getting the plane home takes nearly a week due to mandatory rest periods. The trip starts with four pilots from Hamburg to Halifax, then three pilots cover the remaining legs, stopping in Vancouver, Honolulu, Apia, and finally landing in Auckland. Alongside the crew, only engineers and a programme manager hitch a ride, as the jet’s empty cabin speeds climbs and eases logistics.

As the A321neo arcs over unfamiliar North American skies and touches down in the maritime chill of Nova Scotia, Air New Zealand reaffirms its deep commitment to safety—even if it means rewriting the flight plan. With its homeland in sight at the end of a longer journey, this latest delivery flight is a high-tech testament to adapting in an unpredictable world.

Qatar Navigation (Milaha) and Qatar Airways Group have cemented a strategic alliance by signing a five-year agreement for comprehensive warehousing and logistics services—a key milestone in the collaboration between these two national champions of Qatar. Under this partnership, Milaha will deliver end-to-end supply chain solutions encompassing warehousing, inventory management, and distribution support, leveraging advanced logistics technologies and real-time visibility tools tailored to Qatar Airways Group’s evolving needs.

The partnership highlights a mutual commitment to operational excellence and superior service quality, reinforcing Milaha’s standing as the preferred logistics partner for major entities in Qatar and the region. Qatar Airways Group selected Milaha after a competitive evaluation process, impressed by Milaha’s robust digital infrastructure, integrated systems, and consistent track record in providing reliable and customer-centric logistics solutions.

Cutting-edge technologies, including automated inventory tracking, data-driven performance analytics, and sophisticated warehouse management systems, will underpin seamless coordination and enhance service delivery across Qatar Airways’ supply chain. This technological edge represents a significant step forward in creating resilient, efficient logistics operations aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030’s goals of building world-class, technology-enabled, and sustainable supply chain capabilities.

Milaha Group CEO Fahad bin Saad al-Qahtani expressed pride in the partnership, emphasizing the foundation of mutual trust and a shared vision for service excellence. He highlighted the agreement’s role in positioning Milaha as a strategic enabler of national connectivity and global competitiveness through dependable logistics solutions. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed al-Meer noted that the collaboration strengthens supply chain resilience and supports the airline’s global expansion, further contributing to the nation’s vision for sustainable growth.

This long-term agreement not only deepens the strategic alliance between two of Qatar’s flagship companies but also underscores their dedication to innovation, infrastructure investment, and human capital development. Together, Milaha and Qatar Airways are driving forward Qatar’s ambitions to be a leading regional and international hub for logistics and aviation services, delivering world-class operational standards and continuing the nation’s journey towards economic diversification and sustainability.

Shares of Singapore Airlines (SIA) took a sharp tumble in early trading on July 29, plunging as much as 8.6 percent following the announcement of a steep 59 percent decline in the group’s first-quarter net profit for the financial year 2025/26. The stock closed down 7.4 percent at $7.04, marking the largest intra-day drop since August 2024, with heavy trading volume of 38.5 million shares.

SIA reported net profit of S$186 million for the three months ended June 30, down from S$452 million a year earlier. This sharp fall was driven primarily by lower interest income and significant losses shared from associates, chiefly Air India, in which SIA owns a 25.1 percent stake. Air India’s financial results were newly included from December 2024 after the full integration of Vistara into Air India, whereas they were absent from the prior year’s first quarter results, explaining part of the steep decline.

Despite the profit setback, the group recorded strong operational performance: total revenue rose 1.5 percent to S$4.79 billion, supported by record passenger numbers. SIA and its subsidiary Scoot carried a combined 10.3 million passengers in the quarter, a 6.9 percent increase year-on-year, with passenger load factor improving slightly to 87.6 percent as growth in traffic outpaced capacity expansion.

 However, passenger yields fell 2.9 percent due to intensified competition amid capacity increases by other airlines. Cargo revenue also declined amid falling yields and wider capacity over cargo demand.

Analysts pointed to the drag on SIA’s bottom line from Air India’s continued losses and the lingering impact from the Air India Flight 171 crash in June, which led to flight cuts and a reported 20 percent drop in bookings on domestic and international routes. Market reactions included downgrades by several analysts, with target prices lowered and warnings of potential further losses from Air India.

Nonetheless, some experts remain cautiously optimistic about SIA’s outlook, noting stabilizing passenger yields and ongoing strengths in brand, service, and innovation that should help the airline to navigate current market challenges and transition towards renewed growth.

In summary, Singapore Airlines faces near-term headwinds from associate losses and competitive pressure on yields despite solid travel demand and record passenger traffic, reflecting a mixed outlook amid volatile global and regional aviation market conditions.

The US Department of State has rolled out a significant update to its visa policies, tightening the rules for those seeking entry into the country. As of September 2, 2025, nearly all nonimmigrant visa applicants  including children under 14 and adults over 79   will be required to appear in person for a consular interview, a sharp reversal from the previous, more lenient waiver provisions.

Until now, many applicants could bypass the rigorous in-person interview step by qualifying for a visa interview waiver   often through an online eligibility screening, followed by the convenience of mailing in application materials rather than scheduling a visit to the Embassy.

That changes with the new directives, which supersede policies introduced just months ago in February. Now, only select categories of travelers will remain eligible to apply without the standard interview, marking a tightened security and verification protocol by US authorities.

There are exceptions to the tougher rules. The following applicants may still qualify for the interview waiver under specific criteria:

• Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials: Those applying under classifications such as A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding certain attendants and staff), G-series, NATO categories, or TECRO E-1 for official or diplomatic missions.
• Renewals of B-1, B-2 Visas or Border Crossing Cards: Travelers renewing a full-validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa, or Mexican Border Crossing Card within 12 months of expiration provided they were at least 18 years old when the last visa was granted. Additional conditions include applying from their home country or residence, a clean visa refusal history (unless previously remedied), and no signs of ineligibility.

Despite these exceptions, consular officers retain the authority to request an interview for any applicant at their discretion, further emphasizing the department's commitment to rigorous immigration screening.
For the vast majority of nonimmigrant visa hopefuls, planning an in-person Embassy visit will now be standard. The overhaul aims to enhance security, but it will also likely increase wait times and logistical demands for travelers and families seeking entry to the United States.

As always, applicants are advised to check eligibility during the online registration process. The site’s updated questionnaire will determine whether a person will be directed to schedule an interview or can proceed via the waiver program  now reserved for the narrow categories outlined above.

Visa seekers are urged to review the new guidelines thoroughly and prepare for in-person interviews as the default pathway to US entry starting this September.

Türkiye’s leading airports, Istanbul and Antalya, recently shattered single-day passenger traffic records amid ongoing rapid growth in air travel and tourism.

On July 26, Antalya Airport welcomed 225,118 passengers, surpassing its previous peak of 223,217 set in August 2024. The breakdown included 203,348 international and 21,770 domestic travelers. Antalya also handled 1,217 flights that day 1,074 international and 143 domestic matching its highest-ever number of aircraft movements. The surge followed the opening of new terminal facilities earlier in 2025, designed to accommodate increased demand in this popular Mediterranean tourist destination.

The very next day, July 27, Istanbul Airport reached an unprecedented 272,132 passenger movements in 24 hours the busiest single day ever recorded by a European airport. This historic milestone reinforced Istanbul Airport’s status as a European aviation powerhouse. The airport began simultaneous triple runway operations in April 2025, becoming the first in Europe with this capability and second worldwide after the U.S. This advanced infrastructure supports high traffic volumes and operational efficiency.

Istanbul Airport served nearly 80 million passengers in 2024, making it Europe’s largest and second-busiest airport. It also became Europe’s busiest air cargo hub last year, according to the Airports Council International Europe’s 2024 report. Moreover, weekly Eurocontrol data consistently ranks Istanbul Airport among Europe’s top airports by daily flights. The airport's passenger traffic in the first half of 2025 totaled around 39.1 million, with 8.1 million domestic and 30.9 million international passengers. Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul also recorded significant traffic, with over 22 million passengers in the same period.

Across Türkiye, the total number of air passengers reached approximately 108.8 million in the first six months of 2025, with domestic flights serving 46.6 million passengers and international flights 62.2 million. Key tourism hubs such as Antalya, İzmir, and Muğla collectively hosted about 23.9 million passengers in this period. Antalya Airport alone handled 9.57 million passengers in the first five months of 2025, underscoring its growing importance in Türkiye’s tourism infrastructure.

The country’s airports are also focusing on environmentally friendly operations to balance growth with sustainability. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu emphasized the role of these airports in boosting Türkiye’s tourism and trade sectors while maintaining efficient and eco-conscious operations.

This context of expanding infrastructure, record-breaking passenger numbers, and strategic development highlights Türkiye’s increasing significance as a global aviation hub connecting Europe, Asia, and beyond. The combined growth at Istanbul and Antalya airports exemplifies the dynamic rise of Türkiye's air travel network poised for further expansion in the coming years.