Wego, a leading travel app and online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has released new seasonal insights showcasing a rise in searches to the UAE for winter city breaks, driven by cooler weather, retail-led travel, and short-stay urban experiences.
HBX Group has released its 2026 Travel Trends Report, revealing a shift from 2025’s focus on wellness and digital detox to ‘maximalisation’, highlighting luxury stays, modular itineraries, and creative, experience-driven escapes.
The Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 2020 when he was Prince of Wales, has appointed Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, as the new CEO Champion of its flagship Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Pathfinder Initiative.
Etihad Airways carried 22.4 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 21% year-on-year and the highest annual total in the airline’s history, underpinned by sustained demand and disciplined capacity growth across its expanding global network.
Royal Jordanian Airlines has been ranked second in on-time performance across the Middle East and Africa for 2025 by global aviation analytics firm Cirium. This ranking places RJ among the top five airlines worldwide in one of the aviation industry’s most critical indicators: on-time arrival performance.
Oman and Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Oman Airports Company. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation in the field of airport development and management, exchanging expertise and exploring opportunities for joint investment in the aviation sector and related infrastructure.
Saudia Airlines has added Kozhikode, India, to its network of scheduled international destinations, marking its seventh destination in the country. Flights to Kozhikode will begin on February 1, 2026, with four weekly departures from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Oman Air, the national airline of Oman, has announced the launch of direct flights to Kigali, Rwanda. The flightsare scheduled to commence in June 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has introduced more flexible baggage options to support passengers’ travel plans during January, as demand is expected to rise during the school holiday period.
Vatel Bahrain organised a workshop for students from St. Christopher’s School who are enrolled in the BTEC Travel and Tourism pathway.
