FlightGlobal
• David Kaminski-Morrow
Air Arabia’s new Saudi budget carrier will begin operations on Sept. 20 with flights from Dammam to Riyadh, Jeddah and Medinah. Riyadh and Jeddah will receive twice-daily service, while Medinah will be served daily, establishing the airline’s initial domestic network across major Saudi cities.
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Air Arabia’s new Saudi budget carrier will begin operations on Sept. 20 with flights from Dammam to Riyadh, Jeddah and Medinah. Riyadh and Jeddah will receive twice-daily service, while Medinah will be served daily, establishing the airline’s initial domestic network across major Saudi cities.
Air Cambodia is preparing to introduce the COMAC C909, with its first two aircraft due in November 2026. The carrier’s remaining firm orders comprise two regional jets scheduled for delivery in 2027, three in 2028 and three in 2029.
Breeze Airways has retired its final Embraer E190, ending the aircraft’s presence in U.S. commercial service. The milestone closes a chapter for Embraer’s first-generation E-Jet in the American market while highlighting the E2 family’s potential as the company’s next-generation offering.
Brazilian airline GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-900neo, according to ch-aviation. The aircraft represents the carrier’s latest widebody fleet addition, although the report provides no further details on its configuration, ownership or planned deployment.
U.S. scheduled passenger airlines reported a near break-even after-tax result in the second quarter, with net income falling sharply year over year as fuel costs rose and margins weakened. First-half profitability declined even as the industry remained broadly healthy and passenger fares increased, while June traffic softened.
Icelandair mechanics have threatened an indefinite strike from Sept. 23 after wage talks broke down, while separate Skeyes industrial action could disrupt operations at Belgium’s Charleroi Airport. The timing and operational impact of both actions remain uncertain, underscoring ongoing labor risks across airline maintenance and air traffic control.
Iberia has received authorization to perform comprehensive, end-to-end maintenance on its Airbus A350 fleet. The approval is notable because it was granted without limitations, expanding the Spanish flag carrier’s ability to manage the aircraft’s maintenance requirements in-house.
Qatar Airways plans to expand its fleet by 138 aircraft over the next five years, according to CEO Akbar Al Baker. The announcement signals a significant capacity and fleet-growth commitment by the Gulf carrier, with implications for future deliveries, financing and network expansion.
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