All Middle East articles
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NewsEl Al to reconfigure final 777 and return it to operation
Israeli flag-carrier El Al has opted to reconfigure another Boeing 777-200ER, a decision which will restore its fleet to six of the twinjet type. The airline has been refurbishing some of its 777s with a higher-density layout of 313 seats – featuring business, premium-economy and economy cabins – and aligns ...
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NewsRussia has air-to-air missiles with nuclear warheads
A report by the US Defense Intelligence Agency suggests that Russia has deployed an air-to-air missile with a nuclear warhead.
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NewsElbit to provide DIRCM systems for Israeli AH-64s, UH-60s
Elbit Systems has secured a $55 million contract from the Israeli government to provide new self-protection systems for the nation’s Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk transport helicopters.
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NewsUS accepts Qatari 747-8I BBJ for presidential transport
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has accepted a Boeing 747-8I Boeing Business Jet from Qatar to serve as Air Force One, a mission that will require extensive modifications.
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NewsAbu Dhabi’s Etihad turns in record first-quarter profit
Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways has posted its highest first-quarter net profit, up 30% to Dhs685 million ($187 million), which it attributes to strong demand and efficiency gains. Passenger and cargo activity drove a 15% rise in revenues to Dhs6.6 billion, the Abu Dhabi-based airline states. Its fleet has increased ...
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NewsHigh demand keeps El Al financial performance strong in first quarter
Israeli flag-carrier El Al’s first-quarter financial performance has improved, even upon the unusually-high figures from last year, as strong demand for the airline’s flights persisted. El Al says the demand continued to be “significantly higher” than the supply of seats it could offer – generating average load factors above 94%, ...
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NewsQatar Airways details investments in Virgin Australia and Airlink
Qatar Airways Group has disclosed that the consideration for its 25% shareholding in Virgin Australia amounted to just under QR1.87 billion ($513 million). It acquired the interest in March this year, having obtained Australian regulatory approval the month before. At the point of acquisition, says the airline, Virgin Australia had ...
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NewsEtihad Airways poised to open new US gateway next year
Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways is opening a new transatlantic destination next year with services to the US city of Charlotte. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier will operate four-times weekly to the North Carolina city from 4 May 2026. Etihad says it will deploy Boeing 787s on the route. Charlotte will ...
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NewsEtihad places order for 28 Boeing widebodies
Etihad Airways is to purchase 28 Boeing 777X and 787s, in the latest boost to the airframer’s backlog a day after it scored its largest widebody order yet.
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NewsQatar PM says 747-8I BBJ gift to USA still under “legal review”
Doha’s plan to gift a Boeing 747-8I Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to the USA for use as a presidential transport is still under review, as the Trump administration lists big aerospace defence deals in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
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Analysis‘No better time’ for Aeralis launch commitment, CEO Crawford says
Aeralis stands ready to drive forward with its groundbreaking modular aircraft programme, with the UK start-up saying that securing a first customer commitment in the coming months will enable it to deliver an operational advanced jet trainer early next decade.
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NewsFlynas valued at up to $3.6bn as it proceeds with IPO for 30% share
Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flynas has been valued at SR13-13.7 billion ($3.5-3.6 billion) by the pricing of its initial public offering. Flynas recently launched the IPO to sell a 30% shareholding in the company through a mix of divestment of current capital and issue of new stock. It states that ...
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NewsSaudi lessor AviLease seals first direct order with batch of 737 Max jets
Saudi Arabian lessor AviLease has disclosed that it is ordering up to 30 Boeing 737 Max 8 twinjet, its first direct agreement with an airframer. Deliveries of the jets are set to take place up to 2032. Boeing says the agreement covers 20 firm aircraft plus options on a further ...
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NewsUAE cleared to buy six CH-47F Block II helicopters
The US government has cleared the possible sale of six Boeing CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters to the United Arab Emirates.
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NewsEmirates extends fleet refurbishment to more 777s as delivery delays persist
Middle Eastern carrier Emirates has expanded its aircraft refurbishment programme to another 28 Boeing 777-300ERs, as a result of fleet-renewal delays. The airline has 170 Boeing 777-9s on order plus 35 777-8s. “Our first 777-9 isn’t expected until 2027 and we remain in contact with Boeing on our order backlog,” ...
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NewsNew UAE corporate tax barely ruffles Emirates full-year financial performance
Emirates Group has paid its first corporate tax under a new United Arab Emirates business law, but the change in legislation barely affected its full-year financial performance. The UAE finance ministry unveiled the 9% corporate tax in January 2022, stating that it would apply to companies whose financial year began ...
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NewsYemenia Airbus fleet heavily damaged during Israeli air strike on Sana’a airport
Yemeni flag-carrier Yemenia states that three of its aircraft have been damaged during an Israeli Air Force attack on the capital’s Sana’a international airport. Israeli fighters carried out the attack after Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport came under missile fire from the Iranian-backed Houthi movement. The air force claims to ...
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NewsSaudi Arabian budget carrier Flynas initiates IPO to sell 30% stake
Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flynas is to proceed with an initial public offering, under which it will sell shares representing 30% of its capital. Flynas secured approval for the offering from the kingdom’s Capital Market Authority at the end of March. The airline intends to sell 33.8 million existing shares ...
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NewsEmirates to open fifth mainland Chinese destination
Middle Eastern carrier Emirates is expanding its mainland China reach with a fifth destination, intending to operate to Hangzhou. Emirates plans to open the daily Dubai-Hangzhou service on 30 July – subject to government confirmation – and deploy Boeing 777-300ERs on the route. Deputy president Adnan Kazim says the expansion ...
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NewsQatar Airways identified as launch customer for Mammoth 777-200LR converted freighter
Qatar Airways’ cargo division is to be the launch customer for the Boeing 777-200LR freighter conversion programme established by US-based Mammoth Freighters. The disclosure follows the initial test flight of the prototype converted aircraft (N705DN), designated the 777-200LRMF, following its modification at Aspire MRO in Fort Worth. Mammoth says it ...