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.

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