Emirates has celebrated UAE–Kuwait Week with a range of special onboard experiences that paid tribute to the deep cultural and historical ties between the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Passengers flying on the airline’s 30 weekly services between Dubai and Kuwait were treated to a menu inspired by traditional Gulf flavors. The offerings included a Pistachio Rahash Tart available across all cabins, a Gahwa Tart served in First and Business Class, and a Toffee Date Cake for those travelling in Premium Economy and Economy Class.

Dedicated announcements onboard also highlighted the significance of the occasion and the close relations between both nations.

Throughout the week, Emirates spotlighted Kuwaiti entertainment and music on its inflight system, featuring popular TV series and movies such as Gergasha, Fath Hesab, Al Sohba Al Holwa, and Darb Al Zalag, along with music albums by well-known artists including Abdallah Al Rowaished, Mutref Al Mutref, and Nabeel Shuail.

On 2 February, flight EK855 symbolically underscored the spirit of UAE–Kuwait friendship. The flight was operated by Kuwaiti Captain Husain Alabdulmohsen and Emirati First Officer Ishaq Abdulla, reflecting the cooperation and shared values that unite the two nations.

Kuwait has been an integral part of Emirates’ network since 1989, when it became one of the airline’s first Gulf destinations, initially served by two weekly Boeing 727 flights. Today, Emirates operates 30 weekly services with a modern fleet that includes the latest Emirates A350s and revamped Boeing 777s, almost all of which feature the carrier’s well-received Premium Economy cabin.

Over the years, Emirates has carried more than 16 million passengers on over 81,000 flights between the two countries. Kuwait also counts over 268,000 members in Emirates Skywards, the airline’s loyalty programme.

Kuwait was among the first markets to welcome Emirates’ Airbus A350 when the aircraft joined the fleet in January 2025. The airline now operates two daily A350 flights between Dubai and Kuwait, offering an upgraded experience with quieter cabins, wider aisles, advanced lighting that helps minimize jet lag, and Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice.

Expanding connectivity across both networks, Emirates and Kuwait Airways entered an interline agreement last year. The partnership gives Kuwait Airways passengers access to 19 destinations within the Emirates network — including routes to the U.S., Japan, China, Australia, and South Africa — while Emirates customers benefit from enhanced travel options across Kuwait Airways’ regional network, covering destinations such as Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.

In addition to passenger services, Emirates continues to play a key role in supporting trade between the two countries. The airline operates a weekly freighter to Kuwait, and in the past five years, Emirates SkyCargo has carried more than 165,000 tonnes of goods, including fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and courier shipments. These flights also help Kuwaiti businesses export their products worldwide through the airline’s global network via Dubai.

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.