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 .

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