Author: Sam Allcock

Oman Air and Turkish Airlines have announced a strategic partnership between their frequent flyer programmes, offering enhanced benefits and global mileage accrual opportunities for members. Effective from 1 August 2025, Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles programme, with over 21 million members, now connects to Oman Air destinations including Muscat, Salalah, and Khasab. Members can earn miles and enjoy rewards across Oman Air’s network, while Oman Air’s Sindbad members gain access to Turkish Airlines’ extensive global routes spanning Türkiye, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer at Oman Air, described the partnership as a major step…

General Motors (GM) is highlighting a changing face of truck ownership in the Middle East as it launches Truck Mania, a month-long campaign showcasing its Chevrolet and GMC pickups across the Gulf. The promotion, running from 13 August to 13 September 2025, spans showrooms in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, offering immersive product experiences, test drives, and special seasonal offers. The campaign celebrates a growing market share for GM’s truck lineup, reporting an 18% year-on-year increase in sales. Chevrolet and GMC pickups are resonating particularly with younger buyers and women, reflecting a broader cultural shift in the…

Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) has signed an agreement with the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) to launch a wide-reaching breast cancer awareness and early detection campaign in Aqaba, targeting underprivileged women in the southern Jordanian city. The initiative, titled Awareness is Power, will combine education, community outreach, and direct support for screenings in an effort to tackle late diagnosis—a critical factor in breast cancer survival rates. Under the agreement, ACT will fund mammogram vouchers for women identified as needing further checks. The outreach will be conducted through home visits and organised transport for eligible women to undergo screenings. The project…

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is preparing for one of its busiest periods of the year, as millions of travellers return from summer holidays and students head back to the city ahead of the new academic term. Between 13 and 25 August 2025, DXB expects to welcome more than 3.6 million passengers, averaging 280,000 per day. The busiest single day is forecast for Friday, 15 August, when traffic is projected to exceed 290,000 passengers. The anticipated surge comes after a record-breaking first half of 2025, which saw Dubai host 9.88 million international overnight visitors—a 6% increase on the previous year. DXB…

Taylor Swift has announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, during an appearance on the New Heights podcast hosted by her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason Kelce. The surprise reveal came on 12 August, when Swift joined the show and produced a vinyl copy of the new record from a bright green bag. The album’s cover art, however, was blurred in the video clip shared on Instagram, with her official website stating it would be “revealed at a later date”. A note on Swift’s site clarified that the official release date has yet…

Dubai’s Al Jalila Foundation says it has helped save the lives of 60 patients by funding organ transplant surgeries through its Your Donation Saves Lives campaign, which has now become a permanent programme. The announcement coincides with World Organ Donation Day, observed annually on 13 August, and highlights the foundation’s long-term commitment to supporting patients with organ failure while promoting a culture of donation. Since its launch in April 2021, the initiative has supported 53 kidney transplants and seven liver transplants, including operations for 29 children. More than 65 other patients are currently receiving ongoing support for life-saving procedures they…

India and China are preparing to resume direct passenger flights as early as next month, ending a suspension that has lasted for more than five years. The move, first reported by Bloomberg, is being seen as a significant step towards improving ties between the two Asian powers after years of strained relations. According to the report, the Indian government has instructed airlines including Air India and IndiGo to be ready to operate services to China at short notice. A formal announcement is expected during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for late August. The suspension of flights between the…

Lufthansa will resume flights between Riyadh and Munich from 27 October 2025, adding a new non-stop service three times a week and increasing its capacity in Saudi Arabia by around 50%. The route, last operated in 2017, will connect the Saudi capital to the German airline’s Munich hub in just over five hours. Flights will depart Riyadh on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 06:25, arriving in Munich at 10:25 local time. The return service will operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, departing at 21:45 and landing in Riyadh at 04:50 the following morning. Modern aircraft and competitive fares The service…

Jazeera Airways has reported a sharp rise in profitability for the first half of 2025, achieving net profits of KD 9.6 million — a 249.5% increase on the same period last year. The Kuwaiti low-cost carrier generated operating revenue of KD 102.2 million, up 3.3% year-on-year, supported by capacity growth, network expansion, and rising ancillary income. Passenger numbers reached 2.3 million with a load factor of 75.5%, while the airline maintained its leading position at Kuwait International Airport with a 29.5% market share. Operational resilience The airline improved on-time performance from 79.7% in H1 2024 to 82%, despite temporary airspace…

InterContinental Abu Dhabi has been shortlisted in three categories at the upcoming Hotelier Middle East Awards 2025, recognising excellence across the region’s luxury hospitality sector. The five-star property is a finalist for Hotel Team of the Year – High-End & Luxury, F&B Manager of the Year, and IT Person of the Year. The recognition reflects both team achievement and individual contributions within the hotel’s operations. A team transformed Under the leadership of Sayed Tayoun, Cluster General Manager of InterContinental Abu Dhabi and InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi, the hotel has undergone a period of transformation. The team has focused on raising…