Etihad Airways has wrapped up 2025 with a remarkable achievement, securing more than 25 prestigious international awards across various categories including customer experience, safety, design, and innovation. This stellar performance highlights the airline's dedication to operational excellence and exceptional service as it continues to strengthen its position in the global aviation industry.

Key Milestones for Etihad in 2025

Etihad made history by becoming the first Gulf airline to earn the Seven-Star PLUS Safety Rating from Airline Ratings, marking a significant milestone as only the fourth airline globally to achieve this prestigious recognition. This honor underscores the airline's unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety and operational excellence.

The airline’s stellar year was further highlighted by three major wins at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Bahrain. Etihad took home titles for World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience, World’s Leading Airline Economy Class, and World’s Leading Airline Lounge Business Class, with the latter recognizing its Premium Lounge at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.

Regional and Global Recognition

In addition to its global accolades, Etihad dominated at the Middle East World Travel Awards, where it won five regional titles, including Middle East’s Leading Airline in Customer Experience and Middle East’s Leading Airline in Economy Class. The airline was also lauded for Inflight Entertainment, its Business Class Lounge, and its Cabin Crew, which exemplified the professionalism and exceptional service provided by Etihad’s team.

At the same time, APEX awarded Etihad with Five-Star Global Airline status for 2026, recognizing it as one of the world’s elite carriers. The AirHelp Score 2025 placed Etihad second globally with an impressive 8.07 out of 10, a nine-place jump from the previous year.

Investment in Excellence

Etihad’s dedication to enhancing the customer experience is further demonstrated through its billion-dollar investments in fleet upgrades and service improvements. In 2025, the airline introduced the Airbus A321LR, offering lie-flat seating and premium service on mid-range routes, and continued to operate its iconic A380 aircraft, featuring The Residence, the only three-room suite in commercial aviation.

Etihad’s commitment to sustainability also played a role in its success, with eco-friendly designs and the introduction of biodegradable items and sustainable packaging on board. These initiatives reflect the airline’s dedication to making travel more environmentally responsible while enhancing the overall guest experience.

Excellence in Design and Service

Etihad’s excellence extends beyond operations and safety to include outstanding onboard design and catering. At the Skytrax World Airline Awards, Etihad won Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East, further cementing its reputation for culinary excellence at 40,000 feet. The PAX International Awards also honored the airline for its children’s amenity kit, which features Warner Bros. Superheroes designs.

The airline’s design-forward approach was recognized with the Design Airline of the Year award by The Design Air, celebrating Etihad’s innovative approach to cabin interiors and service offerings.

Operational and Cargo Excellence

Etihad’s commitment to operational and business excellence was also acknowledged at the Aviation Business Middle East Awards, where it received the Customer Experience Initiative of the Year award. Meanwhile, the airline’s cargo division earned two honors at the STAT Times International Awards for Air Cargo Excellence, including Logistics Middle East’s Air Cargo Operator of the Year.

Looking Ahead

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, expressed pride in the airline’s success, saying, "Winning over 25 international awards in a single year is extraordinary recognition of our entire Etihad family’s passion and commitment to excellence." He emphasized that these accolades reflect the airline’s ongoing growth, exceptional service, and the dedication of its team, which has driven Etihad to new heights in 2025.

Etihad’s success is a testament to the airline’s focus on providing unparalleled travel experiences, from the ground to the skies. As it moves forward into 2026, Etihad remains committed to raising the bar in aviation, continuing to bring the world to Abu Dhabi, and offering its guests world-class service and innovation.

2025 Awards Summary:

• Seven-Star PLUS Safety Rating – Airline Ratings

• World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience – World Travel Awards

• World’s Leading Airline Economy Class – World Travel Awards

• World’s Leading Airline Lounge Business Class – World Travel Awards

• Middle East’s Leading Airline Customer Experience – Middle East World Travel Awards

• Middle East’s Leading Airline Economy Class – Middle East World Travel Awards

• Five-Star Global Airline Status – APEX

• Second Place Globally, AirHelp Score 2025 – AirHelp

• 5th Safest Full-Service Airline in the World – Airline Ratings

• Aviation 100 MAE Airline of the Year 2025 – Airline Economics

• Best First Class Onboard Catering in the Middle East – Skytrax

• Best Cabin Crew – Business Traveller Middle East

• Best Economy Class – Business Traveller Middle East

• Best in Seat Comfort Award – APEX Future Travel Experience EMEA

• Design Airline of the Year Middle East – The Design Air

• Warner Bros. Superheroes Children's Amenity Kit – PAX International Awards

Qatar Airways has cautioned passengers that refund processing times may be extended due to ongoing operational pressures, while emphasizing that teams are actively working to handle requests as efficiently as possible.

The airline confirmed that travelers holding confirmed bookings with departure dates between February 28 and April 30, 2026, can opt either to request a full refund or modify their travel dates without penalty.

According to the carrier, refunds returned to the original method of payment could take as long as 28 working days to complete. Passengers are advised to monitor their email for updates after submitting a request, as this will provide the latest status of their application.

Qatar Airways noted that reimbursement amounts will reflect the unused portion of the ticket. Any additional services purchased, such as seat selection, will be processed and refunded separately.

Customers looking for further information or support with their bookings are encouraged to consult the airline’s official travel updates portal for the most recent guidance.

Source: Zawya

India is set to abolish temporary limits on domestic airfares from Monday, according to a government directive reviewed by Reuters, as the aviation sector shows signs of recovery and carriers face mounting cost pressures.

The fare restrictions were introduced in December after widespread flight cancellations by leading airline IndiGo led to a spike in ticket prices across the market. The government intervened to stabilise fares during a period of reduced capacity.

In its latest order, the civil aviation ministry said operating conditions have improved, pointing to restored flight capacity and a return to more stable operations. The directive, dated Friday and examined by Reuters on Saturday, has not been officially released. Officials from the ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Airlines had called for the removal of the caps, saying the controls were contributing to substantial revenue losses while operating expenses continued to rise. Higher jet fuel prices, partly driven by the conflict involving Iran, have added to the financial strain.

Although airlines have not disclosed specific loss figures, analysts at HSBC estimate that a $1 per barrel increase in fuel prices could raise IndiGo’s annual fuel costs by roughly 3 billion rupees.

Under the temporary rules, fares for flights up to 500 kilometres were capped at 7,500 rupees ($80.07), while routes between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres—including New Delhi to Mumbai—had a maximum fare of 15,000 rupees.

Despite lifting the caps, the government has directed airlines to keep ticket prices fair and transparent, ensuring they reflect market conditions without harming passenger interests.

Source: Khaleej Times

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced plans to begin non-stop services between Singapore and Riyadh from June 2026, marking a significant step in its Middle East network expansion. The airline intends to operate the route four times a week using its Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft.

The aircraft will be configured with 303 seats, including 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy Class, offering passengers a two-cabin travel option.

Pending regulatory approval, flight SQ498 will depart Singapore at 18:20 local time on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving in Riyadh at 21:45. The return service, SQ499, is scheduled to leave Riyadh at 23:00 on the same days, landing in Singapore at 12:15 the following day.

From 25 October 2026, minor schedule adjustments will take effect. Departures from Singapore will shift to 17:40, arriving in Riyadh at 21:35, while return flights will depart Riyadh at 22:50 and arrive in Singapore at 11:50 the next day.

Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer of Singapore Airlines, said the move reflects Riyadh’s growing economic significance. He noted that the Saudi capital’s rapid development and strong business environment position it as a key destination in the region. He added that the new route could also enhance collaboration with partner airlines, providing customers with broader travel options across the Middle East.

Riyadh will become the second Saudi destination served by the SIA Group, complementing Scoot’s existing four-times weekly flights to Jeddah.

As the capital and financial hub of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh offers a mix of cultural and modern attractions. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as Diriyah and Masmak Fortress, alongside museums, high-end hotels, and diverse retail and dining experiences.

Ticket sales for the new service will be introduced gradually through Singapore Airlines’ distribution channels, subject to final approvals.

Philippine Airlines has suspended all flights between Manila and the Gulf hubs of Dubai and Doha until April 30, leaving thousands of overseas Filipinos and other travellers rushing to adjust their plans.

The flag carrier’s decision, driven by heightened security risks and airspace uncertainties in parts of the Middle East, extends an earlier series of short-term cancellations and effectively wipes out PAL’s Dubai (PR 658/659) and Doha (PR 684/685) services for the rest of April.

For affected passengers, PAL is offering a range of options. Travellers can rebook to a later date once services resume, with the airline waiving rebooking fees in line with its current advisories. Those who no longer wish to push through with their trip may opt to convert the value of their ticket into a travel credit for future use, or request a refund subject to the fare conditions.

Passengers are urged to first check if their flight falls within the suspension period using PAL’s online manage booking facility or by contacting the carrier’s customer service channels. From there, they can decide whether to secure the earliest possible rebooked flight after April 30, bank their ticket value for a later trip, or cancel altogether.

Travel agents and community groups in the Gulf are also advising Filipino workers and residents to consider alternative routings on other airlines while PAL’s Middle East operations are on hold, especially for those with urgent travel needs such as contract changes, medical emergencies or planned vacations.

With the situation in the region still fluid, Philippine Airlines has encouraged passengers to monitor its official advisories regularly, noting that any further extensions, resumptions, or special flights will be announced through its website and social media channels.

Saudia announced an increase of 20 flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Red Sea destination during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Carried out in coordination with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Red Sea destination, the move raises the total number of round-trip services on these routes to 44.

The expanded schedule is part of a broader partnership between Saudia and the STA designed to promote Saudi tourist sites and support the tourism sector’s development. Officials said the collaboration focuses on offering travelers more convenient flight options and enhancing the onboard experience.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism ambitions, which include a target to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030.