The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging the aviation industry to strengthen the integration of people, technology and global standards to support further improvements in safety as new operational and technological challenges emerge.

Speaking at the opening of the IATA World Safety and Operations Conference 2026 in Istanbul, IATA Director of Safety Mark Searle said aviation has become significantly safer over the past decade, but continued progress remains necessary.

Searle said the fatal accident rate has improved from one accident per 3.5 million flights to one per 5.6 million flights over the past 10 years. However, 394 people were still killed in aviation accidents in 2025, highlighting the need for continued efforts to reduce risk.

IATA identified several priorities related to the aviation workforce. These include structured knowledge transfer through mentoring and succession planning, combining the operational experience of established professionals with the digital and artificial intelligence skills of newer employees, and maintaining a safety culture in which employees can report hazards, mistakes and near misses without fear.

Searle said the industry’s established reporting culture has been developed over decades and must be preserved as experienced professionals leave the workforce and a new generation takes on responsibility.

On technology, IATA said innovations such as artificial intelligence can improve risk identification and decision-making, but safety systems must remain resilient if technology becomes unavailable, degraded or compromised.

Searle pointed to the increasing disruption of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals as an example of why technological systems need to be supported by redundancy, established procedures, training and human judgment.

IATA also called for more consistent implementation and oversight of international safety standards. The association said many existing challenges result not from a shortage of standards but from differences in how they are applied and monitored.

Searle said the next major improvement in aviation safety would depend on ensuring that existing standards are properly understood, implemented and overseen consistently across the industry.

IATA called for stronger regulatory oversight focused on areas presenting the greatest risks, improved compliance by states with international obligations, particularly regarding conflict-zone information and accident reporting, and regular updates to safety standards as technology and operational practices evolve.

The association said people, technology and standards must work together to strengthen the resilience of the aviation system, including in areas such as runway safety, GNSS interference, conflict zones and accident investigations.

Source: TradeArabia

KLM is preparing to cancel selected flights over the coming months as delays in aircraft maintenance and repairs leave more aircraft unavailable than anticipated.

The cancellations will run from 26 October 2026 until early March 2027. The Dutch airline aims to keep additional long-haul aircraft available as reserves to reduce last-minute schedule changes and improve operational reliability.

A KLM spokesperson told Dutch broadcaster NOS that the aircraft shortage has been caused by unplanned maintenance requirements, damage repairs and scheduled maintenance work taking longer than expected. Delays in spare-parts deliveries have also contributed to the situation.

In some cases, KLM has been operating services with aircraft different from those originally scheduled.

The airline has not yet disclosed the number of flights that will be cancelled or identified the affected destinations.

KLM said it would select flights for cancellation based on minimising the impact on passengers and providing opportunities for rebooking. The approach is intended to deliver a more reliable schedule throughout the winter period.

Source: QCAA

Qatar Airways has announced the cancellation of additional flights scheduled for October 11, 2026, citing operational reasons, as disruptions affecting services between Doha and Riyadh continue.

The latest travel alert adds to previously announced cancellations affecting flights on October 9 and 10. The airline said it is continuing to monitor its operations and provide passengers with updated travel information through its official channels.

Three Flight Pairs Cancelled

The Qatar Airways flights cancelled for October 11 are:

• QR1170/1171
• QR1172/1173
• QR1236/1237

The cancellations affect services between Doha and Riyadh in both directions.

Qatar Airways said the safety of its passengers and crew remains its highest priority while it manages the operational situation.

Passengers Advised to Check Before Travel

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been advised to check the latest information through the Qatar Airways website or mobile application.

Travellers are also encouraged to verify their individual flight status before heading to the airport, as further operational updates could affect scheduled services.

Qatar Airways has indicated that additional information will be provided through its official channels as the situation develops.

Further Updates Expected

The October 11 cancellations follow the airline’s earlier cancellation announcements for October 9 and 10. Information concerning services between Doha and Riyadh may be updated as Qatar Airways issues further notices.

Passengers are advised to rely on the airline’s latest official updates for changes to their flight schedules, booking arrangements and travel plans.

Dubai-based airline flydubai has cancelled flights to Riyadh and Yanbu until October 10, while services to Abha will remain suspended until October 11 as regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel in Saudi Arabia.

A flydubai spokesperson confirmed the cancellations, saying the airline was closely monitoring developments and coordinating with relevant authorities. The carrier said passengers would receive updates on schedule changes through its official communication channels.

The suspensions follow attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said on Friday that three Saudi nationals had been killed and several others injured in two separate attacks.

According to the authority, the first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second struck an aircraft operated by Saudia. Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attacks. Airport operations subsequently resumed.

flydubai has advised affected passengers to visit the Manage Booking section of its official website, flydubai.com, to review available refund and rebooking options. Customers who purchased tickets through travel agents have been advised to contact their agents directly.

The airline apologised for the disruption and said it would continue to communicate relevant updates to passengers as the situation develops.

Source: Gulf News

DOHA — Qatar Airways has cancelled eight flights between Doha and Riyadh scheduled for October 10, citing operational reasons, as several other airlines announce cancellations affecting travel to the Saudi capital.thepeninsulaqatar+1

The Qatar Airways cancellations cover four return-flight pairs: QR1170/1171, QR1240/1241, QR1238/1239 and QR1164/1165. The airline said the safety of its passengers and crew remained its highest priority and advised travellers to check its website or mobile app for the latest flight updates.

Etihad Airways has also cancelled flights EY551 and EY552 between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh on October 10. The carrier cited operational disruptions at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and warned that further schedule changes were possible.gulfnews+1

Flydubai said its flights to Riyadh would remain cancelled up to and including October 10, according to a spokesperson quoted by The National..

Indian carriers Akasa Air and Air India Express have extended cancellations of flights to and from Riyadh until October 10, citing the evolving security situation. Akasa Air said affected passengers could choose a full refund or reschedule at no additional cost, while Air India Express offered complimentary rescheduling or a full refund.

Philippine Airlines has also cancelled its Riyadh–Manila return service scheduled for October 10, citing the developing situation in the region.

Some services remain scheduled

The cancellations do not amount to a complete suspension of flights to Riyadh. Air Arabia flights G9151 and G9154 were listed as operating as scheduled for October 10 in an October 9 report by Gulf News. Those listings remain subject to change.

Passengers booked to or from Riyadh are advised to confirm their flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.

Air Arabia will launch a new nonstop service between Sharjah International Airport and Amman City Airport (ADJ) in Jordan on November 15, 2026.

The new route will operate four times a week, making Amman City Airport the second airport in Jordan’s capital served by Air Arabia from Sharjah. The service will complement the airline’s existing flights to Queen Alia International Airport, strengthening air connectivity between the UAE and Jordan.

Air Arabia Group Chief Executive Officer Adel Al Ali said the new route represents an important addition to the airline’s Jordan operations and will provide passengers with access to a second airport in Amman.

The new service also expands Air Arabia Group’s existing presence in Jordan. The group currently operates nonstop flights from Zayed International Airport to both Amman City Airport and Queen Alia International Airport, while Alexandria International Airport also offers direct services to Amman City Airport.

Source: WAM