Emirates has reached a major milestone in its onboard connectivity programme, recording more than one million customer connections to its Starlink-powered inflight Wi-Fi service within seven months of its introduction.

The airline said passengers have consumed more than one petabyte of data since the service was launched, with many travellers praising the internet speeds and describing the experience as outperforming home broadband connections.

More than 60 Starlink-equipped Emirates flights now operate each day, allowing passengers to access complimentary high-speed internet throughout their journey. Customers are using the service to stream entertainment, participate in video calls, browse social media, play online games and stay connected with family, friends and colleagues while flying.

The rapid uptake reflects the airline's ongoing rollout of next-generation connectivity, which is currently available on 33 Boeing 777 aircraft and three Airbus A380s. Emirates said additional aircraft are being fitted with the system every week as installations continue across its fleet.

Emirates has been an early adopter of inflight internet technology, having introduced onboard connectivity on the Airbus A380 when first-generation systems provided less than 1 Mbps of total aircraft bandwidth. The airline already offers complimentary Wi-Fi for messaging, email, web browsing and social media on most flights.

The latest Starlink technology significantly expands those capabilities. Airbus A380 aircraft equipped with the system can deliver more than 2 Gbps of combined bandwidth, enabling passengers in every cabin class to enjoy seamless internet access, including live video calls and high-definition streaming while cruising at 40,000 feet.

Following the successful deployment on the Boeing 777 fleet, Emirates has extended Starlink to its Airbus A380 aircraft. Each A380 is fitted with three Starlink antennas designed to provide reliable coverage across the aircraft's double-deck configuration and large passenger capacity, improving network performance for travellers in all cabins.

The airline also plans to introduce Live TV streaming through its award-winning ice inflight entertainment system, complementing the streaming already available on passengers' personal devices.

To accelerate the rollout, Starlink installations are now being carried out at Emirates Engineering facilities in Dubai, helping expand access to ultra-fast onboard connectivity across more aircraft.

The connectivity upgrade forms part of Emirates' broader investment in enhancing the passenger experience. Alongside one of the aviation industry's largest fleet retrofit programmes, the airline continues to modernise its cabins and onboard services.

So far, 128 Emirates aircraft have completed comprehensive cabin refurbishments, featuring the introduction of Premium Economy, upgraded Business and First Class cabins, refreshed Economy seating and enhanced ice entertainment systems offering more than 6,500 channels of content.

Source: ZAWYA

Al Alamein International Airport has recorded strong growth in passenger activity this year, with traveller numbers rising by 57% compared with the same period in 2025, as Egypt advances preparations for the second edition of the Egypt International Air Show (EIAS 2026) scheduled for September.

According to Egypt’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), the increase highlights the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen its civil aviation sector through infrastructure upgrades and expanded airport capacity aimed at meeting growing tourism, business and investment demand.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is continuing development projects at Al Alamein International Airport as part of a broader strategy to establish New Alamein City as a major hub for tourism, commerce and international events. The airport is being enhanced to manage higher passenger volumes and support the successful hosting of the upcoming aviation and aerospace exhibition.

EIAS 2026 is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, the Egyptian Air Force and the Egyptian Space Agency.

The IDSC said the event is expected to further elevate Egypt’s profile within the global aviation and aerospace sectors while encouraging investment, fostering strategic partnerships and facilitating the exchange of advanced technologies.

Official data showed that passenger traffic at Al Alamein International Airport reached 266,600 travellers in 2026, compared with 169,500 during the corresponding period of 2025. Aircraft movements also increased significantly, rising by approximately 26% to 3,190 flights from 2,540 flights a year earlier.

The airport currently hosts operations from 15 airlines, including Etihad Airways, flydubai, flynas, Air Cairo and Saudia. Its international network has expanded further during the 2026 summer season with the arrival of new carriers such as Romania’s TAROM, Poland’s Enter Air, Bulgaria’s BH Air and Gulf Air.

Authorities expect the number of airlines serving the airport to grow to 26 by the end of the summer season, reflecting rising international interest in Egypt’s North Coast and the growing importance of New Alamein as a destination for tourism, investment and major global events.

Source: Daily News Egypt

Abha International Airport has reached a new operational benchmark after processing more than 130 flights in a single day, setting a record for the highest daily traffic volume in the airport’s history.

The milestone was achieved on July 5, when the airport, managed by Cluster2 Airports, handled a total of 132 flights. The day's operations included 117 domestic services and 15 international flights.

According to Cluster2 Airports, the increase reflects strong travel demand during the summer season, supported by efficient airport operations and a rise in visitor arrivals. The operator noted that the Asir region’s seasonal events, scenic landscapes and cultural attractions have contributed significantly to growing passenger numbers.

The airport operator said the achievement aligns with the goals of the Aviation Programme under Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The initiative is focused on increasing airport capacity, improving passenger experience and raising operational efficiency across the Kingdom’s aviation network.

The latest record highlights the continued growth of air travel in southern Saudi Arabia as authorities work to strengthen the country's aviation infrastructure and tourism sector.

Source: TradeArabia

Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Airways have launched the Fast Pass biometric service, introducing facial recognition technology to streamline the passenger departure experience and reduce reliance on physical travel documents.

Developed in partnership with technology provider SITA, the system enables travellers to pass through key airport checkpoints using facial recognition instead of repeatedly presenting boarding passes or identification documents.

The rollout is among the largest biometric passenger initiatives in the Middle East and one of the most extensive globally, integrating more than 700 biometric touchpoints into a unified travel journey while incorporating security and data protection measures throughout the process.

Passengers can enrol in the Fast Pass programme through self-service check-in kiosks at Hamad International Airport or via the Qatar Airways mobile app. Once registered, they can access dedicated biometric lanes at check-in, baggage drop, security screening and boarding gates, using their face as their boarding credential.

The facial recognition process takes only a few seconds, helping to reduce waiting times and minimise document checks, particularly during peak travel periods. The service is voluntary, with conventional processing remaining available and airport staff on hand to assist passengers.

The introduction of Fast Pass comes as demand for biometric travel solutions continues to grow. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a majority of travellers now favour biometric identification over traditional paper documents.

As part of Hamad International Airport's wider Innovation Roadmap, the new system supports the airport's transition towards more efficient and digital passenger processing. Airport officials said the Fast Pass platform will be expanded to additional touchpoints over time, with plans to make the technology available to other airlines operating from HIA in the future.

Source: ZAWYA

Egypt is expected to reveal the first results of its airport public offering programme before the end of the year, according to a report by the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), citing the regional director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

The IFC, which is serving as the Egyptian government's strategic adviser on the initiative, said progress has been made in restructuring the programme aimed at increasing private-sector involvement in the management and operation of the country's airports.

The initiative covers 11 airports, with Hurghada Airport among the first facilities planned for offering to private operators.

As part of its advisory mandate, the IFC is carrying out technical and financial evaluations, designing public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks, and promoting investment opportunities to domestic and international investors. The programme aligns with Egypt's broader economic reform strategy and the government's State Ownership Policy Document.

The airport offering initiative is intended to improve operational performance, enhance passenger services and attract fresh investment into Egypt's aviation sector by expanding the role of private operators.

According to NBK, successful implementation of the programme is expected to boost infrastructure investment, strengthen the efficiency and competitiveness of Egypt's air transport industry, and reinforce investor confidence in the country's ongoing economic reform agenda.

Source: ZAWYA