Paddle Your Own Kanoo
• Mateusz Maszczynski
Etihad’s chief commercial officer has left the airline with immediate effect, confirming his departure online. The carrier has not explained the reason for the exit; the executive’s farewell also conspicuously omitted one name, according to the report.
Middle East
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Etihad’s chief commercial officer has left the airline with immediate effect, confirming his departure online. The carrier has not explained the reason for the exit; the executive’s farewell also conspicuously omitted one name, according to the report.
Aegean Airlines is returning to Dubai and entering Syria with a new route to Damascus, while planning services to Tripoli and Benghazi next year. The moves mark a renewed Middle East presence and planned expansion into North Africa for the Greek carrier.
Falcon Executive Aviation, part of Alex Group Investment, received UAE General Civil Aviation Authority approval on Oct. 1, 2026, to conduct commercial helicopter operations from its Dubai Helipark facility at Dubai World Central. The company also includes Falcon Luxe, an aircraft management and charter specialist.
High activity
Attacks claimed by Houthi militants struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, killing three people and injuring 36, Saudi authorities said. The US State Department issued a security alert warning of threats to airlines and airports as the conflict with the Iran-backed group escalates.
A Congressional Research Service report puts the number of US military aircraft lost or damaged in Operation Epic Fury at 81—nearly double the count in an earlier report. The estimated cost of the aircraft losses and damage ranges from $1.9 billion to $3.3 billion.
Aegean plans to begin Athens-Damascus service on Dec. 2, 2026, with up to four weekly winter-season flights, and is also considering service to Libya. Syrian Airlines has unveiled a new identity as it rebuilds, with plans to double its operational fleet to 12 aircraft and serve 25 destinations.
High activity
Investigators say the co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain of flydubai Flight FZ1073 had sought routes to Israel and nearly carried out an attack months earlier, with reports that the plan predated his employment. Saudi Arabia has opened a separate air-safety investigation alongside a UAE-led criminal inquiry; the injured captain is recovering in Abu Dhabi.
EDGE has unveiled a sovereign MK 82 penetrator munition designed to strike hardened targets. The announcement highlights the UAE defense group’s development of a locally produced air-delivered weapon, though the article provides no details on performance, platform integration, production plans or customers.
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