Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier, has announced it will restart direct flight services from Terminal 5 at Kuwait International Airport beginning Sunday, April 26. The move follows an official decision by the country’s civil aviation authority to reopen airspace after a 55-day suspension.

Flight operations had been halted since February 28 due to heightened regional tensions and reported Iranian attacks on Kuwait. The reopening marks a significant step toward restoring normal air travel in the country.

Chief Executive Officer Barathan Pasupathi said the airline is prepared to resume services and reconnect Kuwait with international destinations. He described the return of operations as a meaningful moment, not only for the airline but also for passengers seeking to reunite with family and resume travel plans.

During the suspension, Jazeera Airways maintained limited connectivity by operating flights through airports in Saudi Arabia, specifically Qaisumah and Dammam. This contingency effort involved relocating over 500 staff members, repositioning 14 aircraft, and transferring essential operational equipment. The airline also established a temporary processing facility in the Mishref area to manage passenger services, including documentation, baggage handling, and ground transport to Saudi airports.

With operations resuming, the airline has opened bookings for its initial schedule of direct flights. Destinations planned for the first week include Amman, Beirut, Mumbai, Cairo, Kochi, Damascus, Delhi, Dubai, and Istanbul. Some services will continue to operate via Dammam until full capacity is restored at Kuwait International Airport.

Pasupathi expressed appreciation to both Kuwaiti and Saudi authorities for their cooperation during the disruption. He noted that collaborative efforts enabled the airline to continue serving passengers despite the challenging circumstances.

The airline indicated that services will be gradually expanded as operations stabilize. Passengers traveling through Terminal 5 can expect streamlined processes and modern facilities designed to improve overall travel experience.

Jazeera Airways reaffirmed its focus on reliability, affordability, and strengthening regional and global connectivity as it resumes full operations ahead of the summer travel season.

Source: ZAWYA

MUNICH: A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 operating a flight from Munich to Hanoi returned to the German airport after the aircraft triggered warnings for a possible tail strike and low tyre pressure shortly after takeoff, Vietnam’s aviation authority said Sunday.

The aircraft remained airborne for more than two hours to burn fuel before landing back at Munich, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24. The aircraft had reportedly overrun the runway during takeoff.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said the warnings indicated possible contact between the aircraft’s tail and the runway, along with low tyre pressure.

Vietnam Airlines initially described the return as the result of a “technical issue.” The airline said all 271 passengers and 16 crew members were safe.

Munich Airport said the aircraft could not taxi away from the north runway under its own power after landing and remained stranded, affecting airport operations.

The CAAV said it was coordinating with the German investigation authority and seeking timely information about the incident and the investigation.

German authorities are leading the investigation in accordance with international aviation rules. Vietnam’s Council for the Investigation of Serious Incidents and Aircraft Accidents will assist with the inquiry, the CAAV said.

The incident remains under investigation, with authorities expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the takeoff warnings and the aircraft’s subsequent return to Munich.

Source: Reuters

DUBLIN: Aircraft leasing company Avolon has announced a sale-and-leaseback agreement covering up to seven Boeing 737-8200 aircraft with Indian airline Akasa Air.

Under the arrangement announced on August 14, 2026, Akasa Air will sell aircraft from its existing order book to Avolon and lease them back. The structure allows the airline to release capital for other business needs while continuing to operate the aircraft.

The Boeing 737-8200, also known as the 737-8-200, is the highest-density configuration of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 family. The aircraft is certified to accommodate as many as 210 passengers.

Akasa Air operates the aircraft with 197 seats in a single-class configuration. The Indian carrier currently has 17 Boeing 737-8200 aircraft in its fleet.

Akasa Air became the first airline in Asia to operate the 737-8200 in 2023. The latest transaction will allow the carrier to maintain operational use of the aircraft while strengthening its financial flexibility as it continues to expand.

Source: Aero time

PARIS: Cabin crew working for British low-cost airline EasyJet in France began a two-day strike on Saturday, demanding better working conditions and more predictable schedules.

The walkout was called by unions representing EasyJet’s France-based cabin crew after negotiations over employee schedules ended without an agreement, French broadcaster BFMTV reported.

Unions said unpredictable working patterns had placed significant physical and mental strain on employees. They are seeking changes aimed at improving working conditions for cabin crew.

The industrial action is expected to disrupt EasyJet operations across France, with around 100 flights scheduled for the weekend reportedly canceled as a result of the strike.

Reports put participation among EasyJet cabin crew in France at 68%, highlighting the scale of the labor action.

The strike is scheduled to continue for two days as unions press the airline for changes to scheduling practices and broader improvements to working conditions.

Source: Anadolu Ajansı

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Saudi low-cost airline flynas has added a new Airbus A320neo to its fleet, supporting the carrier’s expansion strategy while introducing another aircraft equipped with its latest-generation cabin.

The latest delivery brings the flynas fleet to 68 Airbus aircraft, comprising 62 A320neo jets, two A330s and four A320ceo aircraft.

The aircraft is the second in the airline’s fleet to feature the new-generation cabin, which was introduced earlier this year. The cabin is designed to improve passenger comfort while supporting greater operational efficiency and lower fuel consumption.

The new seats, developed in partnership with Safran, include integrated smartphone and tablet holders, high-speed USB-A and USB-C charging ports with a 60-watt capacity, larger meal tables, dedicated storage for books and magazines, and coat hooks.

Premium-class seats also feature additional legroom, adjustable headrests and a center-seat divider aimed at providing greater comfort for passengers.

The A320neo’s improved fuel efficiency compared with previous-generation aircraft is expected to reduce fuel consumption and operational emissions per seat. The addition therefore supports flynas’ wider sustainability program alongside its fleet growth plans.

The latest aircraft also reflects the airline’s efforts to enhance the onboard experience as it expands its network and responds to growing demand for air travel in Saudi Arabia.

Source: QCAA

DUBAI: Air Arabia reported a 51% decline in first-half net profit to AED 374 million ($102 million), as the Middle East and North Africa’s largest low-cost airline faced significant operational and cost pressures from the ongoing regional conflict.

For the six months ended June 30, 2026, revenue fell 1% to AED 3.48 billion, compared with AED 3.52 billion during the same period last year.

The airline carried more than 8.7 million passengers across its operating hubs, a 14% year-on-year decline. Despite the reduction, its average seat load factor remained at 83%, indicating continued demand for its services despite disruptions to operations.

The impact was more pronounced in the second quarter. Net profit dropped 77% to AED 96 million, while revenue declined 3% to AED 1.68 billion. Passenger traffic fell 23% to more than 3.9 million, reflecting reduced capacity, while the average seat load factor stood at 81%.

Air Arabia said its performance was significantly affected by the regional conflict, which began in February and disrupted aviation operations throughout the remainder of the first half.

Multiple airspace closures, temporary operational restrictions and reduced capacity affected the airline’s network, while record-high fuel prices added to operating costs.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said the airline’s ability to remain profitable despite the disruption demonstrated the resilience of its business model and financial position.

He said the carrier focused on preserving network connectivity, adapting operations to changing conditions and maintaining strict cost controls while protecting operational efficiency.

Despite the difficult operating environment, Air Arabia continued expanding its fleet and network during the first half of the year.

The airline added six aircraft, bringing its fleet to 96 owned and leased Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. It also introduced five new routes across its hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan.

In June, Air Arabia was named “Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline in the MENA Region 2026” by World Finance Magazine as part of its annual Sustainability Awards Programme.

Sheikh Abdullah said the airline remained confident in its underlying business strength as market conditions improve. He added that Air Arabia would continue focusing on responsible network expansion, financial discipline and its value-focused offering while seeking to create sustainable long-term value for stakeholders.

Source: TradeArabia