Gulf airlines may increasingly expand their technology operations in India as they seek to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption and digital transformation while gaining access to a large pool of skilled professionals.

The potential shift comes as airlines worldwide invest more heavily in AI, data analytics and automation to improve operational efficiency, customer services, aircraft maintenance, revenue management and administrative functions.

The move by Australia’s Qantas to explore transferring up to 1,000 positions to India through a potential outsourcing partnership with Accenture could offer a model for Gulf carriers considering similar arrangements.

Airlines in the Gulf already operate extensive digital transformation programmes, making India an attractive option for selected technology and shared-services activities. Qatar Airways, for example, has expanded its use of AI and data analytics through partnerships with Google Cloud and other technology providers.

The airline also maintains technology operations in India, including a Combined Delivery Center in Ahmedabad, where it has recruited professionals specializing in digital transformation and AI.

A Doha-based aviation expert said Indian technology centres could enable Gulf airlines to establish teams specializing in AI development, data science, cybersecurity, software engineering, financial technology and automation without locating every specialist position in higher-cost aviation hubs such as Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.

India’s expanding Global Capability Centre ecosystem further strengthens the case. According to ET Insights, offshore technology centres in India generated an estimated $98.4 billion in revenue during fiscal 2026, while more than 2,100 GCCs employed approximately 2.36 million professionals.

These centres have increasingly moved beyond traditional back-office services into areas such as artificial intelligence, engineering, software development, finance and research.

For Gulf airlines, shifting selected technology functions to India could offer access to engineers and AI specialists, round-the-clock technical support, lower operating costs and greater flexibility to expand teams as new applications emerge.

Potentially transferable functions include data processing, software development, application maintenance, AI model development, customer analytics, finance support and selected human resources activities.

However, such outsourcing would not necessarily extend to core aviation operations. Safety-critical activities, flight operations, aircraft maintenance decisions and functions requiring direct regulatory coordination would continue to require local oversight and specialist teams.

Major Gulf airlines are already developing AI capabilities. Etihad Airways, for instance, established an AI Academy with Microsoft to train employees and identify opportunities to apply artificial intelligence across operations and customer services.

Saudi Arabia is also strengthening its technology relationship with India. The two countries have signed a memorandum of cooperation covering digitisation, electronic manufacturing and emerging technologies including AI, cloud computing, robotics and the Internet of Things.

Saudia’s expanding ties with India could provide another avenue for technology cooperation. The Saudi national carrier signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Air India in July covering broader commercial and operational collaboration and stronger connectivity between the two countries.

For Gulf carriers, the potential advantage of using India extends beyond cost savings. Expanding technology operations there could help airlines build AI capabilities more quickly while allowing their Gulf headquarters to focus on strategy, customer experience, network planning and core aviation functions.

Any such expansion would also require careful management of cybersecurity, passenger-data protection, regulatory compliance and the security of sensitive aviation systems.

The emerging model could therefore involve a distributed technology workforce rather than a simple transfer of jobs. Strategic and operational leadership could remain in the Gulf, while India becomes an important base for AI engineering, software development and digital support.

As Gulf airlines compete to strengthen their position in next-generation aviation technology, India’s large technology talent pool could play an increasingly important role in their AI and digital strategies.

Source: Qatar Tribune

Royal Jordanian Airlines and Air China have signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing to strengthen air transport cooperation between Jordan and China and expand connectivity between the two markets.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of King Abdullah II’s visit to China, according to a statement issued by Royal Jordanian on Saturday.

The memorandum covers expanded commercial and operational cooperation, greater competitiveness in international markets and potential new air routes between the two countries.

As part of the agreement, the airlines will examine codeshare opportunities on several key routes and seek to make greater use of their respective hubs in Amman and Beijing. The arrangement is intended to provide passengers with more travel options and smoother connections across the two carriers’ networks.

The two airlines will also explore cooperation in areas including interline agreements, product and service training, brand promotion and operational support.

Their cooperation will extend to ground handling, air cargo and in-flight catering at their respective hubs, with the aim of maintaining high service standards.

Royal Jordanian Vice Chairman and CEO Samer Majali said the agreement was an important step in the airline’s strategy to strengthen its presence in China and the wider Far East, describing Air China as a strategic partner.

Majali said Beijing could serve as a gateway to wider Asian markets, while Amman plays an important role as a hub for the Levant. He added that deeper commercial cooperation and potential codeshare arrangements could help expand Royal Jordanian’s network and improve passenger connectivity.

He also highlighted the importance of the partnership in supporting the planned direct air route between Amman and Beijing.

Qu Guangji, General Manager of China National Aviation Holding Corp. and President of Air China, said the two airlines already have an established relationship and significant potential to deepen their cooperation.

Qu said Air China would fully support Royal Jordanian’s plans to launch nonstop flights between Amman and Beijing. He added that stronger cooperation could contribute to tourism, business and cultural exchanges between Jordan and China.

The memorandum is expected to provide fresh momentum to aviation cooperation and the development of the air transport markets in both countries.

Royal Jordanian and Air China plan to continue expanding their partnership, with the longer-term objective of creating a stronger air link between Jordan and China and supporting greater travel, trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Qatar Airways has become the first airline in the world to operate Starlink-equipped Boeing 787-9 aircraft, further expanding its position as the operator of the world’s largest Starlink-enabled widebody fleet.

The airline has also completed the installation of Starlink connectivity across its Boeing 787-8 fleet in seven months, bringing the total number of Starlink-equipped widebody aircraft in its fleet to 150.

Qatar Airways said it remains on schedule to complete Starlink installation across its entire Boeing 787 fleet by the end of 2026.

The latest milestone follows the airline’s completion of Starlink rollouts across its Boeing 777 fleet in nine months and Airbus A350 fleet in eight months. Qatar Airways now operates what it describes as the world’s first and largest Starlink-equipped fleets of the Boeing 777, Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.

Starlink-equipped aircraft offer passengers Wi-Fi speeds of up to 500 Mbps, allowing them to work, communicate, access online services and stream content while in flight.

Qatar Airways was the first airline to introduce Starlink connectivity on long-haul and ultra-long-haul services across six continents. The complimentary, gate-to-gate connectivity is being expanded across its global network, covering destinations in the Americas and Australasia, as well as major gateways in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Since launching Starlink onboard in October 2024, more than 23 million passengers have used the service across more than 86,000 Qatar Airways flights.

The airline said its Starlink widebody installation programme has now surpassed 83% completion, with as many as 323 Starlink-equipped flights operating each day.

The expansion is part of Qatar Airways’ broader effort to make high-speed onboard connectivity a standard feature of its passenger experience and allow travelers to remain connected throughout their journeys.

Source: TradeArabia

Air Arabia will launch four weekly nonstop flights between Sharjah International Airport and Katowice International Airport in Poland from December 17, 2026, further expanding its European network.

The new service will be operated with Airbus A320neo aircraft, making Katowice Air Arabia’s third destination in Poland from Sharjah after Kraków and Warsaw Chopin.

The airline said the route will provide travelers with a convenient and affordable connection between the UAE and southern Poland while supporting tourism, business and economic ties between the two markets.

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said the addition of Katowice would give passengers more travel options and strengthen the airline’s presence in Europe.

He said the carrier would continue expanding its European network in response to changing travel demand while maintaining a focus on reliable and value-oriented air services.

Artur Tomasik, CEO of Katowice Airport, welcomed the new route, saying Air Arabia would significantly improve the airport’s international connectivity.

He expects strong two-way passenger traffic, giving residents of southern Poland greater access to Air Arabia’s wider network through Sharjah.

The new service will also provide convenient connections via Sharjah to several destinations across Asia, while making Poland more accessible to UAE residents traveling for business and leisure.

Source: WAM

Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Program (ACP), in partnership with national carrier Saudia, is expanding seat capacity on several international routes during 2026 as the Kingdom seeks to strengthen connections with key global markets.

The additional capacity is intended to accommodate rising travel demand, improve access to Saudi Arabia and provide passengers with a wider range of flight options, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Connectivity between Saudi Arabia and China has been expanded through additional services on two routes.

The Guangzhou-Jeddah route will receive one additional weekly flight, increasing the frequency to four flights per week. The expanded service will provide more than 124,000 seats annually in both directions.

The Beijing Daxing-Riyadh route will also gain one additional weekly service, raising the frequency to three flights per week and increasing annual capacity to more than 93,000 seats in both directions.

Air links between Saudi Arabia and the United States have also been strengthened. Three additional weekly flights have been added to the New York-Jeddah route, increasing the total to seven weekly services and providing more than 211,000 seats annually in both directions.

The ACP said the expanded services form part of its continuing cooperation with Saudi national airlines to develop international routes and improve connectivity with priority markets.

The initiative is also aimed at attracting more international visitors, responding to growing passenger demand and offering travelers greater flexibility.

The program supports the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy and Aviation Sector Strategy, which are aligned with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Air Connectivity Program was established to support the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry by strengthening links with international markets, developing existing routes and introducing new destinations.

The Kingdom aims to establish air links with 250 international destinations by 2030.

As an executive enabler of the National Tourism Strategy and Aviation Program, ACP works with government and private-sector partners across the tourism and aviation sectors to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global tourism destination.

Source: TradeArabia