Air Canada says it is preparing for one of its busiest travel periods of the year, expecting to welcome more than 2.3 million customers between December 18, 2025 and January 4, 2026.

The airline plans to operate over 18,000 flights to more than 180 destinations worldwide during the holiday window. Air Canada estimates it will handle around 130,000 customers per day, with volumes expected to surpass 140,000 during peak travel days.

Air Canada says frontline teams across its network will provide additional assistance in terminals, with particular attention for customers with accessibility needs, families travelling with young children, and unaccompanied minors.

Tom Stevens, Air Canada’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Service Operations, said holiday travel can be stressful due to heavy demand and unpredictable weather, adding that teams are positioned to help customers feel confident and comfortable throughout their journey.

In Canada, the airline is also offering small seasonal touches at select airports, including complimentary festive snacks from December 18 to 24, featuring onboard-style treats.

Air Canada highlighted a range of upgrades introduced in 2025 to improve the travel experience, including fast, free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan members (sponsored by Bell) on select North American and sun routes, along with complimentary beer, wine and premium snacks on certain services. The carrier has also opened Air Canada Cafés at Montréal-Trudeau and Vancouver domestic terminals.

The airline is encouraging travelers to use the Air Canada mobile app for day-of-travel updates such as flight status, gate changes and real-time baggage tracking, designed to give customers more control during busy travel days.

Air Canada is adding holiday-themed dining options in lounges and onboard throughout December. In select Maple Leaf Lounges, the airline says customers can expect regional Canadian favourites and seasonal desserts.

On select international outbound flights, Air Canada plans to introduce festive menu items across cabins, including holiday snacks in Economy and Premium Economy, and seasonal Signature Class meals and drinks.

For December 25, the airline says children 12 and under on select routes may receive a small holiday keepsake. Air Canada is also promoting a holiday-focused selection of titles on its in-flight entertainment system.

Beyond the holiday rush, Air Canada says it is planning new routes, new aircraft with redesigned cabins and additional customer-focused products and services in 2026.

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