A shimmering symbol of modern Doha, The Pearl and its futuristic counterpart, Gewan Island, together represent the boldest expression of Qatar’s vision where luxury living, cultural sophistication, and smart design converge on the Arabian Gulf. These man-made islands are not just about lavish architecture; they reimagine what an urban coastal lifestyle can be.

The Pearl: Doha’s Riviera

Stretching across four million square meters of pristine, reclaimed land, The Pearl Island is Doha’s answer to the Mediterranean Riviera. Lined with European-style promenades, serene canals, and sweeping marinas, it offers an urban retreat infused with cosmopolitan charm.

At its heart lies Porto Arabia, the island’s vibrant marina district. With its palm-fringed waterfront, designer boutiques, and al fresco cafés, it channels the energy of a modern Riviera port elegant yet alive with culture. Just a short stroll away, Medina Centrale pulses with family-friendly vitality. Framed by limestone facades and shaded courtyards, its lively plazas host everything from open-air movie nights to weekend markets.

For those drawn to romance, Qanat Quartier paints a gentler scene. A pastel-hued sanctuary of bridges, canals, and café terraces, it is Qatar’s little Venice—where gondolas glide under arched walkways, and every corner invites you to slow down and savor the moment.

A Culinary Playground

Few places in the region rival The Pearl’s dining diversity. From Michelin-level gastronomy to marina-view bistros, the island curates a global tasting board. Visitors might start their evening with a French tasting menu, continue with Levantine seafood, and finish with handcrafted gelato along the promenade. Restaurants here are not just about food they are part of the island’s social rhythm, where sunset cocktails, weekend brunches, and late-night desserts all find their place.

Life in Motion

Beyond dining and shopping, The Pearl pulses with event-driven energy. Art exhibitions, open-air concerts, international food festivals, and Eid celebrations fill its calendar, turning the island into Doha’s cultural playground. Families find joy in movie theaters and virtual reality lounges, while art lovers and travelers discover a constant rotation of immersive experiences.

The island also leads the way in smart tourism. Through integrated digital systems, visitors can reserve tables, track parking availability, and explore events seamlessly via mobile apps—an effortless blending of innovation and lifestyle convenience.

Gewan Island: A Glimpse of the Future

Just beyond The Pearl’s calm shores lies Gewan Island, Qatar’s new frontier for futuristic tourism and sustainable design. Where The Pearl celebrates refined tradition, Gewan champions innovation and creativity.

Its centerpiece, the Crystal Walkway, holds the Guinness World Record as the planet’s longest air-conditioned commercial promenade. Spanning 11,000 square meters, it’s an immersive realm divided into five “elemental worlds”—Desert, Ice, Forest, Sea, and Machines. Each thematic zone merges art, light, and sound into a multisensory journey, with crystal installations that react dynamically to movement and color.

Gewan’s infrastructure is powered by artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and IoT innovations. Every system from lighting to climate control is designed with sustainability in mind, reflecting Qatar’s growing commitment to eco-forward development.

The Corinthia Gewan Hotel: Defining Coastal Luxury

Anchoring Gewan’s luxury credentials is the soon-to-open Corinthia Gewan Hotel, a destination resort poised to set new standards for hospitality in the Gulf. The property combines 110 rooms and suites with private beach access, a spa sanctuary, multiple fine-dining venues, and a golf course overlooking the sea. With its 1,000-guest ballroom, the hotel is set to become a magnet for international conferences, weddings, and exclusive events.

Two Islands, One Vision

Together, The Pearl and Gewan Islands capture the dual spirit of modern Qatar—heritage interwoven with innovation. The Pearl invites travelers into a Mediterranean-inspired oasis of leisure and culture, while Gewan showcases the next chapter in experiential tourism and sustainable design.

For visitors to Doha, these islands are not mere destinations to admire but experiences to live—where the charm of tradition meets the promise of tomorrow, right on the edge of the Arabian Gulf.

DUBLIN: Aircraft leasing company Avolon has announced a sale-and-leaseback agreement covering up to seven Boeing 737-8200 aircraft with Indian airline Akasa Air.

Under the arrangement announced on August 14, 2026, Akasa Air will sell aircraft from its existing order book to Avolon and lease them back. The structure allows the airline to release capital for other business needs while continuing to operate the aircraft.

The Boeing 737-8200, also known as the 737-8-200, is the highest-density configuration of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 family. The aircraft is certified to accommodate as many as 210 passengers.

Akasa Air operates the aircraft with 197 seats in a single-class configuration. The Indian carrier currently has 17 Boeing 737-8200 aircraft in its fleet.

Akasa Air became the first airline in Asia to operate the 737-8200 in 2023. The latest transaction will allow the carrier to maintain operational use of the aircraft while strengthening its financial flexibility as it continues to expand.

Source: Aero time

PARIS: Cabin crew working for British low-cost airline EasyJet in France began a two-day strike on Saturday, demanding better working conditions and more predictable schedules.

The walkout was called by unions representing EasyJet’s France-based cabin crew after negotiations over employee schedules ended without an agreement, French broadcaster BFMTV reported.

Unions said unpredictable working patterns had placed significant physical and mental strain on employees. They are seeking changes aimed at improving working conditions for cabin crew.

The industrial action is expected to disrupt EasyJet operations across France, with around 100 flights scheduled for the weekend reportedly canceled as a result of the strike.

Reports put participation among EasyJet cabin crew in France at 68%, highlighting the scale of the labor action.

The strike is scheduled to continue for two days as unions press the airline for changes to scheduling practices and broader improvements to working conditions.

Source: Anadolu Ajansı

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Saudi low-cost airline flynas has added a new Airbus A320neo to its fleet, supporting the carrier’s expansion strategy while introducing another aircraft equipped with its latest-generation cabin.

The latest delivery brings the flynas fleet to 68 Airbus aircraft, comprising 62 A320neo jets, two A330s and four A320ceo aircraft.

The aircraft is the second in the airline’s fleet to feature the new-generation cabin, which was introduced earlier this year. The cabin is designed to improve passenger comfort while supporting greater operational efficiency and lower fuel consumption.

The new seats, developed in partnership with Safran, include integrated smartphone and tablet holders, high-speed USB-A and USB-C charging ports with a 60-watt capacity, larger meal tables, dedicated storage for books and magazines, and coat hooks.

Premium-class seats also feature additional legroom, adjustable headrests and a center-seat divider aimed at providing greater comfort for passengers.

The A320neo’s improved fuel efficiency compared with previous-generation aircraft is expected to reduce fuel consumption and operational emissions per seat. The addition therefore supports flynas’ wider sustainability program alongside its fleet growth plans.

The latest aircraft also reflects the airline’s efforts to enhance the onboard experience as it expands its network and responds to growing demand for air travel in Saudi Arabia.

Source: QCAA

DUBAI: Air Arabia reported a 51% decline in first-half net profit to AED 374 million ($102 million), as the Middle East and North Africa’s largest low-cost airline faced significant operational and cost pressures from the ongoing regional conflict.

For the six months ended June 30, 2026, revenue fell 1% to AED 3.48 billion, compared with AED 3.52 billion during the same period last year.

The airline carried more than 8.7 million passengers across its operating hubs, a 14% year-on-year decline. Despite the reduction, its average seat load factor remained at 83%, indicating continued demand for its services despite disruptions to operations.

The impact was more pronounced in the second quarter. Net profit dropped 77% to AED 96 million, while revenue declined 3% to AED 1.68 billion. Passenger traffic fell 23% to more than 3.9 million, reflecting reduced capacity, while the average seat load factor stood at 81%.

Air Arabia said its performance was significantly affected by the regional conflict, which began in February and disrupted aviation operations throughout the remainder of the first half.

Multiple airspace closures, temporary operational restrictions and reduced capacity affected the airline’s network, while record-high fuel prices added to operating costs.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said the airline’s ability to remain profitable despite the disruption demonstrated the resilience of its business model and financial position.

He said the carrier focused on preserving network connectivity, adapting operations to changing conditions and maintaining strict cost controls while protecting operational efficiency.

Despite the difficult operating environment, Air Arabia continued expanding its fleet and network during the first half of the year.

The airline added six aircraft, bringing its fleet to 96 owned and leased Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. It also introduced five new routes across its hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan.

In June, Air Arabia was named “Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline in the MENA Region 2026” by World Finance Magazine as part of its annual Sustainability Awards Programme.

Sheikh Abdullah said the airline remained confident in its underlying business strength as market conditions improve. He added that Air Arabia would continue focusing on responsible network expansion, financial discipline and its value-focused offering while seeking to create sustainable long-term value for stakeholders.

Source: TradeArabia

Turkish Airlines will expand its network in mainland China with the launch of scheduled flights to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, from November 11, 2026.

Chengdu will become the airline’s fourth destination in mainland China after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The new service will provide a direct link between the Chinese city, Türkiye and Turkish Airlines’ wider international network.

With a population of more than 21 million, Chengdu is one of China’s major metropolitan centers and an important hub for trade, logistics and finance. The city is also home to multinational companies operating in sectors including electronics, automotive, aviation, biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

The city has also gained global recognition for its culinary culture. UNESCO has designated Chengdu a “City of Gastronomy,” while attractions such as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding draw millions of visitors each year.

Turkish Airlines CEO Ahmet Olmuştur said China remains an important strategic market for the carrier and that the Chengdu service would further strengthen its presence in the country.

He said the new route is expected to support stronger commercial, cultural and tourism connections between Türkiye and China.

Turkish Airlines will operate three weekly flights from Istanbul to Chengdu on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Return services will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Flights will serve Chengdu Tianfu International Airport using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Each aircraft will offer 300 seats, comprising 30 Business Class and 270 Economy Class seats.

To mark the route launch, Turkish Airlines is offering promotional fares starting at $540 for Economy Class and $1,991 for Business Class for travel between Istanbul and Chengdu. The airline said fares are available through its official website and may vary at sales offices and travel agencies.

Source: TradeArabia