EgyptAir has received its first Airbus A350-900, marking a major milestone in the airline’s fleet modernization program. The new aircraft, registered as SU-GGE, completed its four-hour delivery flight from Toulouse and touched down in Cairo just before 4 p.m. local time. After a technical inspection by EgyptAir’s maintenance team, the jet will begin service on routes to London and Paris for crew training and familiarization.

This arrival signals the start of EgyptAir’s next phase of long-haul expansion. The state-owned carrier plans to deploy the A350 on new routes to North America later this year as it continues to align with the country’s fast-growing tourism industry. The airline’s growth dovetails with a $4.5 billion upgrade program at Cairo International Airport — a key part of Egypt’s broader vision to transform itself into a global travel hub.

New Aircraft for a New Era

EgyptAir first announced an order for 10 A350-900s at the 2023 Dubai Airshow, selecting the type to anchor its North American growth plans. Airbus later confirmed that the airline increased its total order to 16 aircraft. Deliveries will be split into two stages — up to six arriving this year, ten by the end of 2027, and the remaining six from 2030 onward.

The A350s will gradually replace EgyptAir’s Boeing 777-300ERs, which currently serve most of its North American destinations. These include:

• New York (JFK): Daily with Boeing 777-300ERs

• Newark (EWR): Three times weekly with Boeing 787-9s, increasing to daily in 2027

• Washington Dulles (IAD): Twice weekly using 777s and 787s, expanding to daily by 2027

• Toronto (YYZ): Five times weekly with 777-300ERs

Speaking at the 2025 Paris Air Show, EgyptAir CEO Captain Ahmed Adel said this year’s focus will be on integrating the new A350s and phasing out the older 777s starting in November. The airline will then shift its attention to launching new destinations, with Los Angeles (LAX) at the top of the list.

“The first seven A350s will work alongside our 787s on the long-haul network,” Adel explained. “Once we have around eight in service, we’ll start opening new routes — Los Angeles is one we’re really excited about because the numbers are very promising.”

According to OAG data, around 73,000 people traveled between Cairo and Los Angeles in 2025, making it Cairo’s largest unserved route in North America.

Reinventing the Long-Haul Fleet

The A350 is a key element in EgyptAir’s plan to build a younger, more efficient widebody fleet. As of February 2026, the airline’s long-haul aircraft lineup includes:

With room for 350 passengers in a two-class layout, the A350 is well-suited to replace the aging 777-300ERs and to operate new long-range routes such as Cairo–Los Angeles. Some of EgyptAir’s older A330s are also being converted into freighters as the airline expands its cargo operations.

Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation aims to grow the national carrier’s fleet to 125 aircraft by 2030. With 16 A350s and 18 Boeing 737 MAX 8s already on order, EgyptAir is expected to reach nearly 100 aircraft within the decade, with additional widebody orders likely to follow.

Growth Tied to Tourism and Infrastructure

EgyptAir’s expansion mirrors the country’s tourism boom. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported that Egypt hosted 19 million visitors in 2025 — a 21% increase from the year before. Captain Adel noted that the airline’s performance closely follows tourism trends:

“When tourism grows, we grow with it,” he said. “The government’s ambitious tourism plans have a direct positive impact on our operations.”

Still, Cairo International Airport faces capacity challenges. Designed to handle 20 million passengers annually, it now manages more than 30 million. To address this, the government has approved a major $4.5 billion expansion project that will reshape the airport by 2030.

The plan includes the construction of a new Terminal 4 capable of handling 30 million passengers at launch — expandable to 40 million — along with a new runway and upgraded cargo facilities supporting up to one million tons per year.

Together, EgyptAir’s modern fleet and Cairo Airport’s expansion underscore Egypt’s ambitions to become Africa’s leading aviation gateway and a major player in global air travel.

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.