Emirates and Real Madrid CF have agreed to extend their partnership until 2031, continuing one of the most high-profile sponsorship relationships in global football and reinforcing a collaboration that will span nearly two decades.

The airline has been associated with the Spanish club since 2011, with the partnership elevated in 2013 when Emirates became the official jersey sponsor. Under the renewed agreement, Emirates will remain the Official Main Sponsor and Official Airline Partner for both the men’s and women’s teams.

Its branding will continue to feature prominently on match jerseys, training gear, and staff apparel across major competitions, including La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. The renewed deal also secures the distinction of being the longest-running jersey sponsorship in La Liga history.

Beyond kit sponsorship, the agreement includes expanded brand presence at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, access to club training facilities, and continued use of the Emirates Lounge, a premium hospitality space designed for guests, partners, and customers. The collaboration also extends to Real Madrid’s youth system, supporting player development at grassroots level.

In addition, Emirates will maintain and deepen its involvement in basketball through a separate multi-year extension, under which it will serve as the Official Main Sponsor of Real Madrid’s basketball team until 2031.

Boutros Boutros, Executive Vice President for Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand at Emirates, said the partnership reflects the airline’s long-standing engagement with football and its global fan base.

He highlighted that the collaboration has helped bring supporters closer to the sport through exclusive experiences and global fan engagement initiatives, while also strengthening Emirates’ presence in Spain.

Since launching its first flight to Madrid in 2010, Emirates has expanded its operations in the Spanish market, now operating five daily services across Madrid and Barcelona. The airline has also broadened its global connectivity via Dubai and introduced updated onboard products for passengers travelling to and from Spain.

Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez described the renewed agreement as a continuation of a strong and enduring relationship built over many successful years, noting the shared achievements between the two organisations.

Over the course of their partnership, Emirates and Real Madrid have collaborated on a range of marketing and fan engagement initiatives, including specially branded aircraft liveries, player-themed aircraft decals, matchday activations, and exclusive supporter experiences.

Emirates has also deployed dedicated aircraft for club-related charter operations, including Boeing 777 aircraft used for Spanish Super Cup travel between Madrid and Jeddah.

The airline maintains a broad portfolio of football sponsorships, which includes partnerships with Arsenal FC, AC Milan, Real Madrid CF, S.L. Benfica, and Olympique Lyonnais, along with a Platinum Partnership with FC Bayern Munich. It also serves as title sponsor of the Emirates FA Cup and supports the UAE Pro League.

Beyond football, Emirates’ global sponsorship strategy spans multiple sports, including tennis, rugby, basketball, sailing, cycling, golf, horse racing, cricket, and Australian Rules Football. The airline says its portfolio is designed to connect international audiences with major sporting events, clubs, and competitions worldwide.

Source: ZAWYA

Turkish Airlines has signed a strategic agreement with CFM International to strengthen engine maintenance capabilities and support the expansion of its Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

The long-term services agreement will cover the airline group's entire LEAP-1B engine fleet, including engines already ordered and delivered, spare engines, units installed on leased aircraft and potential future options. The combined total exceeds 600 engines operated by Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary, AJet.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during a ceremony in Istanbul by Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Murat Şeker; Turkish Technic CEO and Board Member, Mikail Akbulut; and Safran CEO Olivier Andriès. Safran is one of the two parent companies of CFM International.

The agreement also includes a material services arrangement to support the development of an engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Türkiye.

Şeker said the partnership would help Turkish Airlines accommodate fleet and network growth while improving operational efficiency. He added that the expanded services agreement would provide the technical expertise and long-term support required to develop LEAP engine maintenance capabilities.

Akbulut said the agreement would enable Turkish Technic to undertake comprehensive LEAP engine maintenance. He also reaffirmed the company's commitment to investing in engine services alongside its existing aircraft and component maintenance operations.

Andriès described the MoU as another milestone in a relationship with Turkish Airlines that has lasted nearly four decades. He said the agreement reflected both companies' ambitions to support the airline's growth and fleet expansion, while promoting an open MRO ecosystem offering flexible, competitive services to improve operational performance and control costs.

GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp Jr. also welcomed the agreement, highlighting Turkish Airlines' extensive international network and its confidence in CFM engines. He said the partnership would build on the companies' established relationship as the airline expands its Istanbul operations and engine maintenance capabilities.

Turkish Airlines currently operates 96 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft powered by CFM56-7B engines and 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft equipped with LEAP-1B engines.

CFM said it had delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines during the 10 years since the engine entered service, with the fleet accumulating over 100 million flight hours. The manufacturer continues to introduce upgrades, including a high-pressure turbine durability kit designed to extend time on wing and a reverse bleed system (RBS).

The agreement is expected to strengthen Turkish Airlines' long-standing relationship with CFM International and support the integration of newly ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into its expanding fleet. The planned engine MRO facility will also enhance Turkish Technic's ability to provide comprehensive maintenance services.

Source: Turkish Airlines

Oman Air has entered into a codeshare agreement with Finland’s Finnair, expanding travel options for passengers flying between Oman, Europe and Australia.

The deal represents the airline’s first partnership of this nature since it officially joined the Oneworld global airline alliance in June 2025.

Under the agreement, passengers will be able to reach Helsinki via London Heathrow Airport, where Oman Air operates 11 weekly flights from its main hub in Muscat.

The partnership will also cover Finnair-operated services connecting Helsinki with Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Milan and Rome, providing passengers with additional options for travelling between major European cities and the Finnish capital.

The agreement extends beyond Europe to Australia, with connections to Melbourne available via Bangkok. Oman Air operates two daily flights to the Thai capital, creating further opportunities for passengers travelling between the Middle East and Australia.

Rohan Patel, Head of Partnerships and Alliances at Oman Air, described the agreement as a significant strategic move towards maximising the benefits of the airline’s Oneworld membership.

He said the partnership had helped Oman Air broaden its customers’ travel options, making it easier for them to reach Helsinki and connect with destinations across Finnair’s wider network.

Source: Oman News Agency

Jazeera Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo in Kuwait, marking the start of a major fleet expansion programme as the airline celebrates 21 years of operations.

The aircraft is the first delivery under the carrier’s order for 26 Airbus aircraft. Chief Executive Officer Barathan Pasupathi accompanied the jet on its inaugural flight, J921, from Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, to Kuwait.

A welcoming ceremony in Kuwait was attended by Jazeera Airways Vice Chairman Mohammad Almousa, representatives of the Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Interior, as well as the airline’s management and employees.

Almousa said the decision to accept the aircraft on schedule was deliberate, despite Kuwait’s airport having been closed for two months during the year. He noted that the aircraft is owned by Jazeera Airways, financed by Kuwaiti banks and expected to consume around 20% less fuel per seat than the previous generation.

He credited the airline’s employees with maintaining operations through what he described as its most difficult year since its first flight in 2005, adding that the delivery reflected confidence in Kuwait and the airline’s workforce.

Pasupathi described the arrival as a significant milestone, highlighting the company’s commitment to long-term growth, operational resilience and the development of Kuwait’s aviation market.

He said the aircraft acquisition represented more than an addition to the fleet, reflecting the airline’s ambition to strengthen its competitive position through modern aircraft, an improved passenger experience and an expanding route network.

New Aircraft Targets Efficiency and Passenger Comfort

The A320neo incorporates Airbus technology designed to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and lower noise levels compared with previous-generation aircraft.

Passenger features include lightweight, ergonomically designed RECARO seats and larger overhead baggage compartments, providing additional cabin storage and making boarding more convenient.

Jazeera Airways expects the aircraft to support operational efficiency while improving the onboard experience for passengers.

Fleet and Network Expansion Plans

The airline aims to increase its fleet to 50 aircraft by 2030 and expand its network to 100 destinations. Its plans include strengthening existing routes, adding capacity and developing further connections across its markets.

The latest delivery follows a period of significant regional aviation disruption earlier in the year, during which the airline worked to maintain and restore operations.

Jazeera Airways said its broader development strategy focuses on fleet growth, network expansion, digital innovation and continued investment in its workforce and infrastructure.

Pasupathi said each new aircraft would create additional opportunities to connect people, communities and markets. He added that further deliveries would support product improvements and a wider network.

The airline currently operates across more than 50 destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. It said the new aircraft reinforces its focus on a modern and efficient fleet, accessible air travel and sustainable growth, while contributing to the development of Kuwait’s aviation sector.

Source: TradeArabia

Qatar Airways has reduced its daily flight frequency to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as disruptions continue to affect its services to the Kingdom.

The airline said flights to and from Jeddah International Airport (JED) have been cut from seven daily services to four.

Meanwhile, flights connecting Doha with Riyadh (RUH) and Dammam (DMM) remain suspended through October 24, 2026, inclusive.

Qatar Airways has advised passengers to contact the airline within 48 hours of their scheduled departure to confirm the latest flight arrangements, warning that schedules remain subject to change.

Travellers can also visit the airline’s official website or use its mobile app to manage bookings and access updated flight information.

Source: The Peninsula

Air India has launched a company-wide cost-cutting initiative as financial losses, airspace restrictions and high jet fuel prices add pressure to its turnaround efforts, according to an internal memo from CEO Tewolde Gebremariam to employees.

The airline has established a dedicated cross-functional team to identify savings across its operations and introduced stricter controls on spending approvals. The initiative also includes an employee programme designed to reward ideas that reduce costs or generate additional revenue.

The measures come as Air India seeks to return to profitability and rebuild confidence in its safety standards. The carrier reported a loss of more than $2 billion in the fiscal year ended March and has faced regulatory scrutiny following a fatal crash in June 2025 that killed 260 people.

In August, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that the airline was seeking approximately $1.5 billion in fresh equity funding from its owners, Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.

Operational Challenges Add to Financial Pressure

Air India has faced a series of operational difficulties, including safety and compliance shortcomings. These have included operating aircraft without valid certifications, while Pakistan's airspace ban and conflict-related disruptions in the Middle East have forced longer flight routes, cancellations and reductions in international services.

The airline's fleet modernisation programme has also encountered obstacles. Shortages of seats and other components have delayed cabin upgrades, while Air India is seeking to defer deliveries of hundreds of aircraft on order to manage expenditure.

These challenges confront Gebremariam as he attempts to overhaul the carrier, which has not reported a profit since returning to private ownership in 2022.

In his memo, the CEO called on employees to make cost-conscious decisions and strengthen accountability throughout the organisation. The new initiative is intended to encourage staff at all levels to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and increase revenue.

The cost-control measures form part of Air India's broader effort to manage financial pressures while addressing operational challenges and advancing its long-term turnaround plans.

Source: Reuters