Emirates carried 55.6 million passengers in 2025, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest international airline, as travellers flew across nearly 180,580 flights during the year. The Dubai-based carrier also placed orders for 73 new aircraft, underlining its long-term focus on growth, fleet renewal, and customer experience.

In a year that marked 40 years since Emirates launched operations in October, the airline said 2025 was defined by a clear vision aimed at shaping the future of global travel through sustained operational and service excellence.

One of the key milestones was the entry into service of Emirates’ first Airbus A350 in early January. The A350 network expanded rapidly, with 16 aircraft now serving 18 cities, forming a core part of the airline’s next-generation fleet strategy.

Emirates also continued to strengthen its presence in Asia, launching daily non-stop flights to Shenzhen and Hangzhou in mainland China. In Southeast Asia, the airline introduced new services to Da Nang in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia via Bangkok, further enhancing regional connectivity.

Fleet upgrades remained a priority in 2025, with Emirates introducing additional Airbus A350s and rolling out refurbished Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, all featuring its Premium Economy cabin. The cabin is now available on more than 100 aircraft, serving nearly 70 cities and accounting for around 40 percent of the airline’s passenger fleet.

At the Dubai Airshow in November, Emirates announced plans to deploy Starlink satellite internet connectivity across 232 aircraft, starting with its Boeing 777 fleet. The airline said it will become the world’s first carrier to operate Airbus A380 aircraft equipped with Starlink in early 2026. By the end of next year, more than 123 aircraft are expected to offer complimentary high-speed connectivity for streaming, browsing, entertainment, and work across all travel classes.

Beyond operations, Emirates expanded its global brand presence through nine major sports sponsorship agreements announced in 2025. These included a seven-year partnership with FC Bayern Munich, making Emirates a Platinum Partner of the German football club, extensions with World Rugby through 2035, and a new partnership with European Professional Club Rugby, linking the airline to more than 70 million rugby fans worldwide. Additional agreements covered Real Madrid Basketball, AC Milan, Olympique Lyonnais, the ATP Tour, and continued support for UAE Team Emirates XRG.

The airline also launched Emirates Courier Express, which quickly expanded to serve 10 international markets. Emirates said the service currently achieves an average delivery time of up to three days, with further expansion planned in 2026.

Meanwhile, Emirates Skywards marked its 25th anniversary in 2025, growing to 37 million members across 190 countries. Over the past two decades, the loyalty programme has distributed nearly 400 billion reward miles through more than 100 partners, covering 1,400 flight destinations and 30,000 hotels. Emirates said members now redeem over 800 flight rewards daily, with one upgrade processed every minute, while around 78,000 new members join each week.

On the social responsibility front, Emirates’ Aircrafted KIDS initiative distributed more than 3,700 handcrafted backpacks to underprivileged children in eight countries across Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East in 2025. The airline said the programme will expand to additional countries next year.

Emirates also strengthened its leadership in accessible travel, becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline after training more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff. New initiatives included the launch of an Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub, expanded airport rehearsal programmes for children with autism in 17 cities, and additional onboard features to support passengers with mobility, visual, and hearing impairments.

The year concluded with Emirates winning 25 international awards, including multiple “Best Airline” titles from leading travel and aviation platforms, reinforcing its position at the top of the global airline industry.

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.