Etihad Airways has achieved a major milestone in its expansion journey, now operating 300 scheduled passenger flights per day — a more than 20% year-on-year increase that underscores surging global demand and positions the Abu Dhabi-based carrier among the fastest-growing full-service airlines worldwide.

The airline’s 300 daily flights, all scheduled passenger services, highlight Etihad’s growing role in connecting people and cultures while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s status as one of the world’s most connected cities.

“This milestone reflects one of the fastest growth trajectories in the global airline industry,” said Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations and Guest Officer at Etihad Airways. “It’s a testament to our team’s dedication and the trust of our guests. We’re expanding our destinations, fleet, and workforce to make Etihad the airline everyone wants to fly.”

In September 2025 alone, Etihad carried 1.9 million passengers — up 21% from the same month last year — maintaining a robust 89% load factor. Over the first nine months of 2025, passenger numbers reached 16.1 million, an 18% increase year-on-year, demonstrating both strong demand and efficient network deployment.

Customer satisfaction remains at record highs, supported by continual investment in airport services, digital innovation, and onboard experiences. The airline’s consistently high Net Promoter Score reflects its ability to maintain premium standards even amid rapid expansion.

Etihad’s remarkable growth is being powered by one of its most ambitious expansion years. Network capacity rose 25% year-on-year in September, bolstered by fleet growth and 31 new route launches across 2025 — including Medan, Phnom Penh, Addis Ababa, and Krabi. The carrier now serves nearly 90 destinations worldwide, with European routes seeing a 35% surge in flights this summer.

The fleet has expanded to 115 aircraft, up from 96 a year ago. This includes new Airbus A350s, Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and A321LRs featuring private First Suites and lie-flat Business Class seats — setting new benchmarks for comfort and innovation on medium-haul routes.

Etihad’s operations are anchored by its state-of-the-art home base at Zayed International Airport (ZIA), which accommodates up to 45 million passengers annually. The airport’s advanced biometric systems and streamlined design allow travelers to move from kerb to gate in as little as 12 minutes, while premium lounges and facilities enhance every stage of the journey.

Etihad’s growth is fueled by its people. In the first half of 2025, the airline added 1,700 new employees — including over 100 pilots and 1,000 cabin crew — and promoted more than 1,100 staff across departments.

Earlier this year, Etihad launched its UAE National Talent Strategy to attract and develop Emirati professionals across aviation and corporate disciplines. The initiative aims to double the Emirati workforce within five years, ensuring nationals play a leading role in the airline’s continued success.

As Etihad continues to expand its global footprint, its focus remains clear: operational excellence, sustainable growth, and world-class service — connecting more people, more places, and more possibilities than ever before.

Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of their Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity under Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy.

The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and enables the two airlines to expand travel options for domestic and international passengers.

As part of the first phase, Riyadh Air has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), allowing the carriers to implement their codeshare across their respective technology platforms.

Under the RX-SV codeshare, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator on selected Saudia-operated flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to six domestic destinations: Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk.

The agreement will give Riyadh Air passengers access to additional destinations worldwide through convenient connections in Riyadh. For example, travelers from Dammam can connect via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Riyadh to Medina.

By using Saudia’s frequent services between Riyadh and the six codeshare destinations, Riyadh Air will offer passengers more convenient connections aligned with the arrival and departure schedules of its flights at Riyadh.

Both airlines operate within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, enabling passengers to benefit from streamlined connections, single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage to their final destinations.

The first phase represents a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers and supports the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to expand its global aviation network.

Source: aaco.org

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