Qatar’s air transport sector continued to strengthen in September 2025, maintaining steady year-on-year growth in both passenger traffic and aircraft movements, according to preliminary figures released by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA).

The data showed that aircraft movements reached 23,759 during the month, compared to 22,917 in September 2024 — an increase of 3.7 percent. Passenger numbers also rose to 4.4 million from 4.2 million a year earlier, marking a 5.4 percent gain.

However, air cargo and mail volumes declined slightly, falling by 4 percent to 221,506 tonnes from 230,771 tonnes in the same period last year, reflecting the broader global slowdown in freight demand.

Speaking to The Peninsula, aviation analyst and ICAO Ground Instructor Khamis Abdullah Alkhelaifi attributed the continued rise in passenger traffic to a mix of seasonal factors, corporate travel, and strategic airline expansion. “We expect passenger numbers to continue growing between 4 and 6 percent year-on-year, in line with August’s 6.4 percent rise, supported by robust travel demand across both regional and international markets,” he said.

Alkhelaifi noted that the lingering impact of the summer travel season, combined with an uptick in business travel as global conferences resume, has kept demand strong. He highlighted that Qatar Airways’ ongoing expansion—particularly its growing network across Asia and Africa—has reinforced Doha’s position as a leading global transit hub.

Aircraft movements also grew alongside passenger demand, driven by more frequent services and efficient flight scheduling. “We’re seeing around 3 to 4 percent annual growth in aircraft activity, helped by new routes and additional flights introduced by Qatar Airways and other carriers,” Alkhelaifi added.

Meanwhile, the modest decline in air cargo mirrored global patterns of weakening trade. “The 3 to 5 percent decrease reflects worldwide trends,” Alkhelaifi explained. “Lower industrial output, improved supply chain stability, and the cost competitiveness of sea freight have reduced reliance on air shipping.”

September typically sees a slowdown following the busy summer period, as family holidays wind down and schools reopen. Airlines adjusted their capacity accordingly, cutting some leisure-focused services while maintaining strong business and regional connectivity.

“Although leisure travel softens after the summer, business and regional segments remain healthy, which helps balance overall traffic,” Alkhelaifi said.

He expects air travel to pick up again toward late October and continue rising through the end of the year, as Qatar’s aviation sector benefits from its growing global connectivity and strategic network development.

SalamAir has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first-ever airline base, marking a major step in the airline’s expansion and strengthening direct international connectivity from Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially serve three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. Bookings opened on August 26, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The base follows SalamAir’s expanded operations during the 2026 Khareef season, when the airline increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route to as many as 15 daily flights during peak periods.

The airline also introduced special domestic fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting from OMR 9.99, supporting affordable travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The new base is expected to extend SalamAir’s role beyond the Khareef season by supporting year-round travel demand among residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar while offering more direct access to key regional and international destinations.

Operations from Salalah will be supported by SalamAir’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional flexibility to support growing demand across its network.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights linking Salalah with Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s wider strategy to expand its network from key airports across Oman, develop underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand while supporting the growth of the Sultanate’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Source: ZAWYA

Kenya Airways is expected to announce details of potential new investors within weeks as the loss-making carrier seeks fresh capital to ease debt pressures, return grounded aircraft to service and fund its restructuring programme.

Chairman Kiprono Kittony said the airline has received interest from both local and international investors willing to provide capital and other resources.

The planned investment comes as Kenya Airways faces rising fuel costs, maintenance delays and shortages of spare parts that have constrained capacity despite strong passenger demand.

The carrier reported a pre-tax loss of 15.92 billion Kenyan shillings ($123 million) in the first half of 2026, compared with a loss of 12.17 billion shillings in the same period a year earlier.

Kenya Airways said fuel costs increased 72% during the first half of 2026 amid the Middle East conflict, with fuel accounting for up to half of its overall costs. The conflict also disrupted the delivery of spare parts and maintenance services.

Kittony said investors from the United States, China, South Africa and Singapore had expressed interest. The airline plans to conduct a transparent process because it is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

He said Kenya Airways expects to secure both a capital-raising partner and a strategic aviation partner.

A key element of the restructuring plan will involve strengthening the airline’s balance sheet, potentially including the conversion of principal debt owed to the Kenyan government and a consortium of local banks into equity.

The Kenyan government is currently the airline’s largest shareholder. Kittony stressed that maintaining significant government ownership would be important to preserving Kenya Airways’ status as the country’s national carrier.

Source: ZAWYA