Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – At the annual Women in Aviation General Assembly, two of flyadeal’s dynamic female leaders took center stage, sharing their inspiring journeys and encouraging young women to explore diverse career paths within the aviation industry.

Rawan Aljehani, Head of Digital, Data & Business Intelligence, and Hazar Hafiz, Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, provided attendees with a glimpse into their professional experiences at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The conference, which gathered over 300 delegates from leading aviation companies, educational institutions, and young women aspiring to join the industry, highlighted the importance of non-cockpit roles that are shaping the future of aviation. As part of the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East, Rawan and Hazar’s stories were powerful testimonies to the opportunities available for women in all areas of the aviation sector.

Rawan Aljehani, a data scientist and business intelligence specialist, emphasized how aviation’s technological side is an ideal environment for women to showcase their full potential. “Aviation needs more women with technical expertise. These roles will define the future of airlines, airports, and aviation systems,” Rawan stated.

With over eight years at flyadeal, Rawan has been at the forefront of driving the airline’s digital transformation and adopting business intelligence tools that enhance the airline’s commercial performance and strategic decision-making.

Hazar Hafiz, who recently transitioned into the role of Head of Marketing and Customer Experience at flyadeal, shared her passion for customer-centric roles. “In service industries like aviation, understanding customers’ booking behaviors and experiences is crucial,” Hazar said. With more than 18 years of marketing experience, Hazar joined flyadeal in 2022 and has already made significant contributions to the airline’s brand development and marketing initiatives.

Flyadeal, currently employing 1,800 staff members, has made a remarkable commitment to gender diversity, with one-third of its workforce being female. Women at the airline occupy roles across multiple disciplines, from pilots and engineers to office-based roles in marketing, HR, finance, and more.

Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, praised the airline’s inclusive work environment, stating, “Flyadeal is a pioneering company that creates opportunities for all. Saudi Vision 2030 has focused on building a vibrant aviation ecosystem, and women have embraced roles across the business, making a significant impact.”

As part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which emphasizes equal opportunities for women in all sectors, flyadeal offers various recruitment programs, including internships, cadet pilot training, and a unique female cabin crew diploma program in partnership with Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, the world’s only women’s university.

Flyadeal operates nearly 30 year-round and seasonal destinations from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, with a modern fleet of 43 Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline plans to triple in size over the next five years, further supporting the Kingdom’s growing aviation sector and empowering women to take on leadership roles within it.

India and Pakistan have maintained mutual restrictions on each other’s airspace since April 2025, a situation that continues to affect commercial aviation across the region. While international airlines are still permitted to use the airspace of both countries, carriers from India and Pakistan remain barred from crossing into each other’s territory.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed on Wednesday that its airspace will remain closed to all Indian-registered aircraft, including those operated, owned, or leased by Indian airlines, as well as military flights, until early April 24. The restriction was first imposed on April 24, 2025, following Indian missile strikes linked to Operation Sindhoor.

Subsequently, Pakistan extended the closure to international traffic on May 7, 2025, before reopening its skies a day later for non-Indian airlines. Since then, both nations have continued issuing monthly Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) to reaffirm the ongoing restrictions.

The impact of these measures has been uneven. Indian carriers, particularly those operating from northern hubs such as New Delhi, have been forced to reroute flights to avoid Pakistani airspace. These detours have significantly increased operational costs and flight durations.

The situation has been further complicated by regional instability, including conflict in Iran, which has pushed Indian airlines to adopt longer routes over Africa for Europe-bound flights. In many cases, this has extended travel times by up to two hours.

Long-haul services have also been affected. For example, flights from New Delhi to New York operated by Air India now often include a stopover in Europe, stretching total journey times to approximately 22 hours. By comparison, US-based carriers that can traverse Pakistani airspace complete similar routes in around 16 hours.

Air India has estimated that the restrictions are costing the airline roughly $600 million annually. A company representative recently noted at an international aviation forum in Mumbai that competitors have increasingly captured market share as a result of these operational challenges.

Passenger trends reflect this shift. While international airlines operating direct services between Bengaluru and London have reported growing demand, Air India has not experienced a similar increase, largely due to the longer and less efficient routes it must operate.

Source: Khaleej Times

In a move to bolster regional security, the United Kingdom has confirmed the deployment of four additional Typhoon jets from the Royal Air Force to Qatar. This strategic reinforcement is part of ongoing efforts to support defensive operations in the region, further solidifying the UK’s commitment to regional stability.

The newly dispatched jets will supplement the existing aircraft stationed at the UK-Qatar Joint Typhoon Squadron. These jets were first deployed in January to enhance security measures, protect British nationals, and safeguard the country's interests in the region.

This latest deployment signals the UK's unwavering support for its allies and its determination to take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of its citizens and national assets. The UK government has reiterated that it will continue to work closely with international partners to maintain peace and security in the region.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, has firmly rejected Iranian claims regarding recent missile strikes, asserting that the attacks were directed at civilian and residential areas within Qatar, contradicting Iran's explanation that they were aimed at American interests.

During a phone call with Dr. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the missile strikes, which impacted areas such as the vicinity of Hamad International Airport and key industrial zones, including facilities linked to liquefied natural gas production, violated Qatar’s sovereignty. He stressed that the evidence on the ground clearly disproved Iran’s assertions.

The Prime Minister described the missile attacks as a "flagrant violation" of both Qatar's sovereignty and international law. He further pointed out that these strikes were part of a broader escalation involving drones and aircraft, with the latter being intercepted by Qatar's armed forces as they entered the country’s airspace.

Sheikh Mohammed also condemned Iran's approach as "escalatory" and accused Tehran of attempting to draw neighboring countries into a conflict that does not concern them. He called for an immediate cessation of attacks on states that have sought to remain neutral, urging all parties to focus on the broader interests of regional peace and stability.

While reaffirming Qatar's commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, Sheikh Mohammed made it clear that the country would take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security. He pointed to Qatar’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, stressing that such acts of aggression would not go unanswered.

A significant disruption to air travel occurred on Sunday, as over 3,400 flights were canceled across seven major airports in the Middle East. According to flight tracker Flightradar24, the cancellations affected key transportation hubs in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, which experienced widespread airspace closures due to escalating regional tensions.

Airports including Hamad International Airport in Doha, Dubai International Airport, and Bahrain International Airport saw massive operational shutdowns, halting both domestic and international flights. The closures are linked to the ongoing geopolitical developments and airspace restrictions in the region.

This large-scale disruption has left thousands of passengers stranded, with many facing delays and extended waiting times as airlines and authorities work to manage the situation. Travelers are urged to check with airlines for updates on flight statuses, as the closures continue to impact flight schedules.

As the situation evolves, aviation authorities in the affected countries are monitoring the situation closely and providing updates as new information becomes available. Passengers are advised to stay informed through airline websites or customer service hotlines.

This comes as part of ongoing regional developments, which have led to airspace restrictions across several Middle Eastern countries.

Flight operations at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) remain temporarily suspended following the closure of Bahraini airspace. The measure, implemented as part of a precautionary protocol, has led to the temporary suspension of both incoming and outgoing flights.

Airport authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant aviation and government agencies to ensure passenger safety and operational readiness once clearance is granted to resume flights.

Passengers are strongly advised to stay updated through official channels, including the Bahrain International Airport website and their respective airlines’ communication platforms, for the latest information on flight schedules and travel advisories.

Further updates will be issued as new information becomes available.