Air Arabia signed a US$350 million finance deal from a syndicate of two GCC banks to support acquisition of 10 new Airbus A320 aircraft.  The airline signed the deal with senior representatives of Qatar National Bank S.A.Q. (QNB Group) and Commercial Bank International (CBI). The financing facility is to support the purchase ...

Middle East, May 21, 2013

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) will be increasing weekly number of flights departing from and arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport during the summer.  During the period, the airport will receive 1,065 flights a week, a 15% increase compared to the 956 weekly flights during the summer months of 2012. The ...

Middle East, May 20, 2013

Etihad Airways announced its intent and finalised the agreement to acquire three airport services companies. This agreement will accelerate and consolidate development of in-flight catering services, ground handling and cargo operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The three companies include Abu Dhabi Airport Services (ADAS), Abu Dhabi In-Flight Catering (ADIFC), and ...

Middle East, May 20, 2013

Dnata has acquired the remaining 50% of Servair Airchef in Italy, taking its total ownership to 100%.  The company also provides aircraft cleaning services at seven Italian airports. “The full acquisition of this business reflects Dnata's long term strategy to further invest in its core business," said Stewart Angus, divisional senior vice ...

Middle East, May 19, 2013

JetBlue Airways (JBLU) and Emirates recently announced intent to expand their current partnership to include bilateral codesharing, pending FAA and DOT regulatory approval and subject to receipt of foreign government operating authority.  Under the expanded agreement, JetBlue will place its airline code on all flights currently operated by Emirates between the ...

Middle East, May 16, 2013

The inaugural flight of Etihad Airways to Amsterdam took off recently from Abu Dhabi airport.  The launch of the service marks an important development in the strategic partnership between Etihad Airways and KLM. The new daily service between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam will ensure the two airlines will offer a combined ...

Middle East, May 16, 2013

Qatar Airways' private jet division Qatar Executive strengthened its maintenance services for Bombardier aircraft in Qatar and the Middle East.  This was achieved after Qatar Civil Aviation Authority granted regulatory approvals to conduct base maintenance services for Bombardier Challenger 604 and 605s and the manufacturer's Global series of aircraft. The subsidiary has ...

Middle East, May 14, 2013

Air Arabia has witnessed a positive first quarter ending 31 March 2013. The airline reported a net profit of AED59m for the three months and registering an increase of 20%. The current profit is up AED49m in the corresponding quarter of 2012. In the first quarter of this year, the airline ...

Middle East, May 14, 2013