Egypt and Mozambique have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding technical cooperation in the civil aviation sector, reinforcing aviation ties between the two African nations.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of AFI Aviation Week 2026 in the presence of Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh Elhefny, and Mozambique's Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics, Chinguane Mabote.

The memorandum was signed by Sameh Fawzy, President of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), and Jeremias Chitocueco, Board Member for Technical Affairs at Mozambique's Civil Aviation Authority (IACM).

The partnership is designed to strengthen cooperation between the two aviation authorities in accordance with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Areas of collaboration include air navigation, airport operations, aviation safety and security, and sustainable development.

The two countries will also work together on joint training programmes, capacity-building initiatives, technical exchange visits, and specialised workshops to enhance institutional capabilities and facilitate the sharing of expertise.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Elhefny said the agreement aligns with the political leadership's vision of strengthening cooperation with African countries and advancing regional integration through knowledge exchange and capacity development. He added that the MoU reflects growing confidence in Egypt's civil aviation expertise and highlights the ministry's commitment to using AFI Aviation Week 2026 as a platform to expand strategic partnerships across the continent.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the agreement is expected to support the development of Africa's air transport sector while further strengthening Egypt's role as a leading regional hub for civil aviation.

Source: ZAWYA

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