The skies over Dubai are set to make history as the Dubai Airshow 2025 becomes the first edition to feature electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in its flying display. This debut marks a major leap for both the event and the future of aviation, giving audiences a glimpse into the next generation of urban air mobility.

With over 200 aircraft on display—its largest lineup ever—the airshow will showcase a full spectrum of commercial, military, private, and unmanned aerial vehicles, along with cutting-edge aerospace technologies. The event underscores Dubai’s growing reputation as a global testbed for aviation innovation, hosting spectacular aerial displays and first-time appearances from leading manufacturers.

The inclusion of eVTOL aircraft aligns with Dubai Airshow’s strong focus on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) this year. The AAM zone will feature pioneering technologies, infrastructure developments, and regulatory advances driving the future of flight.

“Every edition of Dubai Airshow raises the bar for global aerospace,” said Tim Hawes, Managing Director at Informa Markets. “The eVTOL showcase isn’t just about aircraft—it’s about what’s possible when vision and technology meet.”

This year’s edition will also feature COMAC’s C919 and C929, making their Middle East debut, alongside the Embraer KC-390 Millennium, Airbus A350-1000, and Boeing 777-219ER.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event will run from November 17–21 at Dubai World Central, hosting over 1,500 exhibitors, 490 delegations, and 350 speakers from nearly 100 countries—cementing its place as the largest and most future-focused airshow in its history.

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