Tucked alongside the tranquil Wadi Musheireb and framed against Doha’s sleek modern skyline, Souq Waqif stands as a vibrant emblem of Qatar’s rich trading heritage. This historic marketplace, with its iconic mud-brick architecture and lively streets, invites visitors into a world where time-honored traditions meet bustling contemporary life. Here are twelve compelling reasons why Souq Waqif should be at the top of any traveler's Doha itinerary.

Explore the Glittering Gold Souq

Step into a dazzling world of craftsmanship in the Gold Souq, where sparkling necklaces, rings, and exquisite headpieces are lovingly created by skilled artisans. Whether looking for a statement piece or a subtle treasure, the Souq promises gold jewelry for every taste and budget.

Discover the Art of Falconry

Falconry is much more than a sport in Qatar it’s a treasured cultural legacy. At the Falcon Souq, visitors can meet these majestic birds up close, learn about their care and training, and understand their symbolic significance in Qatari tradition.

Say Hello to Camels and Arabian Horses

Visit the camel pen to see these gentle desert animals’ playful personalities firsthand. Meanwhile, the nearby Emiri Stables showcase elegant Arabian horses, often seen patrolling the Souq’s winding lanes, adding a living layer of heritage to the atmosphere.

Shop Unique Handicrafts

Venture through Souq Waqif’s labyrinthine alleys and discover a rich array of handcrafted goods—from intricately embroidered textiles and traditional footwear to antique artifacts and musical instruments like the oud, resonating with local history.

Immerse Yourself in Local Artistry

The Souq Waqif Art Centre is a hub for artistic expression. Witness craftsmen working on vibrant wood carvings, hand-painted tiles, and beautiful lanterns. Visitors can also join hands-on workshops to create original pieces imbued with Qatari spirit.

Follow the Exotic Spice Trail

The air in the spice section is perfumed with scents of saffron, za’atar, sumac, and dried black lemons. Engage with knowledgeable shopkeepers who eagerly share stories and guidance on selecting the perfect spices to spice up your kitchen.

Step Into Qatar’s Pearling Past

Pearl shops here serve as windows into a bygone era when pearling was Qatar’s economic lifeline. Former divers recount gripping tales of their underwater ventures while showcasing stunning pearls in hues of white, pink, and grey.

Discover Traditional Beauty Secrets

Souq Waqif offers a treasure trove of local beauty products like oudh, musk, and argan oil. Skilled henna artists provide intricate tattoos, allowing visitors to wear a piece of Qatari cultural identity.

Savor Authentic Flavors

Culinary delights abound from lively street food stalls to refined restaurants. Taste local specialties such as savory samosas, stuffed vine leaves, and sweet delicacies like kunafa and baklava. And don’t miss the iconic karak tea, a warming spiced milk tea beloved by locals.

Experience Souq Life at Night

As twilight falls, the Souq becomes a social heart of the city. Relax with Arabic coffee or fresh fruit juice at roadside cafés, enjoy flavored shisha, or watch locals engrossed in backgammon games and live sports broadcasts.

Dine Like Royalty at Paris

Step inside Parisa, a restaurant that radiates grandeur with mesmerizing mirrorwork and antique glass lanterns. Its Persian cuisine blends rich spices and flavors, creating an unforgettable dining experience that feels truly regal.

Celebrate Culture With Live Performance

During the cooler months, the Souq bursts with energy from festivals featuring costume parades, vibrant street performances, and exhibitions celebrating Qatari heritage—especially during events like Shop Qatar and Eid.

Getting There

Souq Waqif is conveniently reachable by car, taxi including Uber and Karwa and directly by the Gold Line metro’s Souq Waqif station. Ample underground parking is also available for those driving.

Souq Waqif offers a captivating glimpse into Doha’s past and present a place where every corner holds a story, every scent sparks curiosity, and every encounter connects visitors with Qatari culture in the most authentic way .

Malaysia Aviation Group, the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, is considering whether to introduce a green tax on passengers to help cover the rising cost of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), potentially adding to airfares.

Group chief Capt. Nasaruddin A. Bakar said Monday that the company was examining different options as airlines worldwide seek to reduce carbon emissions while facing high SAF prices and limited supplies.

“We are looking at all options,” Nasaruddin told The Associated Press on the sidelines of an aviation sustainability conference. He stressed that both passengers and airlines needed to be able to afford the transition to cleaner fuel.

Singapore, Malaysia’s neighbour, has already announced a government-mandated green aviation levy set to take effect in January 2027. Charges will vary according to destination and cabin class, making Singapore the first country to announce such a measure.

The aviation sector faces growing pressure to address its environmental impact as global air travel demand increases. The International Energy Agency estimates that aviation accounts for about 2.5% of annual global carbon emissions, while the UN-backed International Civil Aviation Organization has established a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

According to the aviation organisation, sustainable aviation fuel could reduce the industry's emissions by around 65%.

SAF is typically made from renewable materials, including used cooking oil, waste fats and agricultural residues. It can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft without requiring changes to their engines.

However, its widespread adoption remains constrained by higher production costs, limited manufacturing capacity and restricted access to sustainable raw materials.

The International Air Transport Association estimates that SAF currently represents less than 1% of global jet fuel consumption, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing airlines as they work towards their emissions targets.

Source: Associated Press

SalamAir has entered into a distribution agreement with travel technology company Amadeus as the Omani low-cost airline steps up efforts to expand its international presence and reach new customer segments.

Under the agreement, travel sellers connected to the Amadeus Travel Platform will gain access to SalamAir's fares and services, allowing the airline to expand its distribution network and improve the availability of its products across global markets.

Steven Allen, chief commercial officer of SalamAir, said the partnership would support the airline's growth ambitions by strengthening its international market presence and making its services more accessible to travellers seeking affordable air travel.

The agreement forms part of SalamAir's broader strategy to diversify its sales channels, increase its global visibility and respond to rising travel demand across its expanding network.

Maher Koubaa, executive vice-president of the Travel Unit and managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Amadeus, said the partnership reflected the company's commitment to supporting the low-cost airline sector. He added that Amadeus' technology solutions were designed to help low-cost carriers expand and compete in international markets.

Source: Oman Daily Observer

Emirates is expanding its Dubai-Durban schedule with 14 additional flights during the 2026-27 festive season, offering travellers more options during one of the busiest periods of the year.

The additional services will operate as a second daily flight between December 17 and 23, 2026, and January 2 and 8, 2027. The airline will deploy a three-class Boeing 777 on the route.

Flight EK2535 will depart Dubai at 04:00 and arrive in Durban at 10:30. The return service, EK2536, will leave Durban at 12:15 and land in Dubai at 22:30.

Emirates' existing daily flights, EK775 and EK776, will continue to operate according to their regular schedules.

The airline is also providing flexible booking options to help passengers manage changes to their travel plans. Customers booking flights to Dubai can change their travel dates an unlimited number of times without fees across all cabin classes. For tickets to other destinations, passengers are entitled to one complimentary date change.

Emirates' Hold My Fare service allows customers to reserve a ticket price for 24 hours at no additional cost. The airline has also reduced its refund fees.

Source: TradeArabia

Lufthansa has increased fuel loading on flights bound for Frankfurt Airport as a precautionary measure amid tighter jet fuel supplies caused by reduced pipeline capacity.

The airline said on Thursday that the move was intended to manage potential supply constraints at Germany’s largest aviation hub. Airport operator Fraport confirmed that routine maintenance was under way on a pipeline supplying jet fuel to the airport.

Fraport said the maintenance had been factored into its operational planning and was not expected to cause a fuel supply bottleneck. Alternative supply routes and sufficient storage capacity were helping to mitigate potential disruption.

“The airport's operational capability is therefore not affected,” Fraport said.

Lufthansa said it was not currently anticipating any flight cancellations as a result of the situation.

German newspaper Bild first reported the additional fuelling measures, citing internal instructions reportedly issued to Lufthansa pilots on selected routes. The practice, known as “tankering”, involves carrying more fuel than required for a flight so that an aircraft needs less or no refuelling at its destination.

According to Bild, the additional fuel carried by Airbus A320-family aircraft is limited to eight tonnes to ensure the planes can still be towed on the ground. The measures primarily affect short-haul services, although some long-haul flights are increasingly being included.

The precautionary steps are intended to give Lufthansa greater flexibility in managing its fuel requirements while pipeline maintenance continues at Frankfurt Airport.

Source: Reuters

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