Ramadan Mubarak from Hamad International Airport (HIA). Step into The Pause—a heartfelt collection of Ramadan and Eid moments at The Orchard—crafted to weave serenity, tradition, and connection into every traveler's journey through this blessed month.

Ramadan & Eid Experiences at The Orchard

Hamad International Airport transforms The Orchard into a luminous haven during Ramadan, featuring mesmerizing light sculptures inspired by the moon's sacred cycle, cozy prayer nooks, and authentic welcomes like sweet dates, steaming Arabic coffee (qahwa), and thoughtful gift exchanges that echo the season's generosity.

These immersive displays not only mark the month's progression—from anticipation to celebration—but also offer weary passengers a rare chance to recharge spiritually amid the rhythm of global travel. Rooted in Islamic lunar traditions, they blend Qatar's rich heritage with HIA's world-class design for an unforgettable airport experience.

Event Highlights

Calligraphy Keepsakes

• Dates: 20 February – 19 March 2026

• Time: 8:00 pm – 4:00 am daily (ideal for iftar and late-night arrivals)

• Location: The Orchard, Hamad International Airport

Explore Arabic calligraphy, one of Islam's oldest art forms dating back to the 7th century, when it first adorned mosques and manuscripts with flowing elegance. Talented calligraphers will guide you hands-on to script your name, a loved one's, or a Ramadan blessing like "Ramadan Kareem," then hand you a free, framed card as a portable treasure to carry home—perfect for sharing the moment on social media or framing as a memory.

Hilal: Dawn of Ramadan

• Dates: 20 February – 19 March 2026

• Time: Open 24 hours

• Location: The Orchard, Hamad International Airport

Hilal, the slender crescent moon, heralds Ramadan's arrival just as Muslims worldwide scan the skies for its sighting to confirm the fast's start. This glowing installation along The Orchard's meandering paths invites you to linger in stillness, jot down intentions for self-improvement or faith, and ease into the month's gentle rhythm— a quiet antidote to layover haste.

Early Progression: Waxing Moon

• Dates: 20 February – 19 March 2026

• Time: Open 24 hours

• Location: The Orchard, Hamad International Airport

Tazayud Al-Qamar (the moon's increase) captures Ramadan's building energy, much like the fast's early days when discipline strengthens resolve. With cascading shapes and rhythmic lights pulsing through walkways and vine-draped tunnels, it pulls you forward into a meditative flow, mimicking the soul's quiet ascent toward enlightenment.

Midpoint Glow: Full Moon

• Dates: 20 February – 19 March 2026

• Time: Open 24 hours

• Location: The Orchard, Hamad International Airport

Badr, evoking the full moon's peak brilliance (named after the historic Battle of Badr), spotlights Ramadan's halfway mark when communal bonds deepen during taraweeh prayers. Nestled at a bustling crossroads, its velvety layers of light draw families and solo travelers alike into a shared glow of warmth and solidarity.

Last Ten Nights: Crescent Seats

• Dates: 20 February – 19 March 2026

• Time: Open 24 hours

• Location: The Orchard, Hamad International Airport

Al Ashr Al Awakhir celebrates Ramadan's final ten nights, believed to include Laylat al-Qadr—the Night of Power—when prayers hold special merit. This curved seating pod, curved like a waning moon, melts into the greenery for hushed conversations, suhoor planning, or solitary dua, offering true respite in a 24/7 hub.

Eid Arrival: Farewell Crescent

• Dates: 20 February – 19 March 2026

• Time: Open 24 hours

• Location: The Orchard, Hamad International Airport

The triumphant Eid crescent bursts with renewal, signaling feasts, new clothes, and family reunions after 29 or 30 days of fasting. As the month's finale, it bathes The Orchard in festive hues, urging high-spirited photos, laughter, and a sense of closure laced with gratitude for journeys endured and ahead.

Moments of Giving: Kindness Wall

• Dates: 20 February – 19 March 2026

• Time: Open 24 hours

• Location: The Orchard, Hamad International Airport

Moments of Giving turns reflection into action: pluck a card etched with Ramadan virtues—patience amid delays, gratitude for safe flights, charity for those in need—and pin it up. Over weeks, it blooms into a wall-wide mural of global well-wishes, fostering unexpected chats and a ripple of positivity through Doha’s skies.

The Norwegian Group carried 2.9 million passengers in August 2026, including 2.5 million passengers on Norwegian and 359,000 on Widerøe.

Norwegian increased its capacity by 3% year on year, while passenger traffic climbed 4%. Its load factor improved by 0.4 percentage points to 86.3%. The airline operated an average of 94 aircraft during the month.

Regularity stood at 98.9%, rising to 99.6% when cancellations related to the Avinor air traffic controllers’ strike are excluded. The industrial action disrupted travel for more than 20,000 passengers. Norwegian’s punctuality rate, measured by departures within 15 minutes of schedule, was 80.8%.

Widerøe increased capacity by 2%, while traffic remained unchanged. Its load factor consequently declined by 1.8 percentage points to 75.8%. The regional airline recorded punctuality of 93.3%, an improvement of 1.5 percentage points, while regularity reached 97.4%.

Norwegian said booking activity for the autumn remained strong, particularly around the school holidays. Meanwhile, its Norwegian Reward loyalty programme has surpassed 10 million members and is introducing five new membership tiers.

Source: QCAA

African airlines recorded a 6.4% year-on-year increase in passenger demand in July 2026, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Capacity across African carriers increased by 9.0% compared with July 2025, while the passenger load factor stood at 74.1%. Domestic revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) in the region rose 0.6% during the month.

Globally, total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, increased just 0.2% from July 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand grew 1.2%, while available seat kilometres, the industry measure of capacity, increased 0.3%.

The global load factor was 85.2%. International demand declined 0.1% year on year. When the Middle East was excluded, international demand increased 1.5%, with capacity also rising 0.3% and the load factor reaching 85.2%.

Domestic passenger demand worldwide grew 0.6% compared with July 2025, while domestic capacity increased 0.2%. The domestic load factor stood at 85.3%.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, said the peak Northern Hemisphere summer travel season had produced a largely positive result despite weaker performance by carriers in North America and the Middle East.

She also noted that traffic through Gulf aviation hubs was continuing to recover.

Thomsen said airlines remained confident about demand for the final months of the year despite elevated fuel costs, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. Carriers are planning to increase seat capacity by almost 3% in September, she added.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

Global air passenger demand recorded modest growth in July 2026, as strong performances in several regions helped offset declines among carriers in North America and the Middle East, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Total revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) increased by 0.2% compared with July 2025. Excluding Middle Eastern airlines, global passenger demand rose by 1.2%.

Worldwide capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), grew by 0.3% year-on-year, while the global passenger load factor slipped by 0.1 percentage points to 85.2%.

International traffic declined by 0.1% compared with the same month last year. However, excluding Middle Eastern carriers, international demand increased by 1.5%.

Domestic passenger demand rose by 0.6%, supported by a 0.2% increase in capacity. The domestic load factor reached 85.3%.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA's Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, said the peak Northern Hemisphere summer travel season had delivered an overall positive picture for aviation despite challenges in key markets.

“Overall growth of 0.2% in July was achieved despite year-on-year collective declines by carriers in North America and the Middle East,” she said, adding that traffic through Gulf hubs continued to recover.

Thomsen noted that high fuel prices, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions remain challenges for the industry. However, airlines remain confident about demand later in the year, with seat capacity expected to expand by almost 3% in September.

European airlines posted demand growth of 3.1%, supported in particular by a 12.1% surge in traffic between Europe and Asia.

Latin American carriers recorded a 7.1% increase in demand, while African airlines reported growth of 6.4%.

Elsewhere, Asia-Pacific demand declined by 0.7%, and North American carriers saw a 2.3% fall. Middle Eastern airlines reported the sharpest decline, with demand down 9.5%, although the pace of the downturn continued to ease.

Domestic traffic rose 0.6% worldwide, with China and Brazil reporting strong growth. In contrast, domestic markets in the United States, Australia and India recorded declines.

Source: ZAWYA

Typhoon Dolphin brought torrential rain to Shanghai on Monday, August 10, 2026, flooding roads and commercial areas and severely disrupting air travel in the city.

The weather system forced Shanghai’s two airports to cancel a combined 943 flights, while their overall passenger capacity was reduced by nearly 40%.

The disruption followed Dolphin’s landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday evening. The typhoon struck areas south and west of Shanghai with maximum sustained winds of 151 kilometres per hour near its centre.

Dolphin later weakened into a tropical storm, but its remaining rain bands continued to bring heavy precipitation across large parts of eastern China.

Shanghai, the country’s second-most populous city, experienced widespread flooding, including in several major commercial districts.

China Eastern Airlines said it was working to gradually restore flights to Shanghai, Zhejiang and other affected destinations as weather conditions improve.

Source: Asia News Network

Thousands of WestJet cabin crew members began strike action on Aug. 2 after nearly 11 months of contract negotiations failed to result in a new labor agreement, triggering widespread disruptions across the airline's network.

The industrial action involves around 4,400 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125. The strike officially started after talks between the union and the airline ended without a new collective agreement.

The labor dispute has already forced WestJet to cancel more than 300 flights, affecting travel plans across its domestic and international routes.

Ahead of the strike, the airline had begun grounding portions of its Boeing 737 fleet as a precautionary measure to minimize operational disruption and reduce the risk of leaving passengers and aircraft stranded during the work stoppage.

Source: Aero Time