Middle East News

Leeham News

Boeing 777X certification delayed; 777‑9 entry‑into‑service pushed to 2027 as Emirates reacts

Boeing announced in October another delay to 777X certification, moving 777‑9 entry‑into‑service from 2026 to 2027. The slip — the latest in a programme already years late — prompted a public response from Emirates president Tim Clark, and will force airlines to adjust delivery expectations.

2025-12-01T10:21:42.379035-08:00

AeroTime

Carriers rush ELAC software patch across A320 Family after Airbus and EASA alert; DGCA orders checks on 300+ jets

2025-11-30T04:09:34.987059-08:00

Reuters

Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi erupts, ash plume reaches Indian airspace and grounds flights across South Asia

2025-11-24T20:51:00.894577-08:00

en.traicy.com

Etihad to operate A380 daily on Abu Dhabi–Tokyo Narita from 16 June 2026

2025-11-24T03:23:29.159397-08:00

Middle East News Timeline

The Aviationist

U.S. F-16 pilot awarded Silver Star after leading SEAD mission through heavy surface-to-air fire in Yemen Lt. Col. William "Skate" Parks was awarded the Silver Star, the U.S. military's third-highest combat decoration, for leading an F-16 suppression-of-enemy-air-defenses mission over Yemen. Parks guided his flight through a deadly barrage of surface-to-air fire to complete the objective under extreme threat.

2025-12-02T00:22:55.971032-08:00

U.S. F-16 pilot awarded Silver Star after leading SEAD mission through heavy surface-to-air fire in Yemen

FlightGlobal

US clears up to $1.45B in FMS: $1B for Saudi helicopter spares and training, $445M for Bahrain F‑16 sustainment The Defense Security Cooperation Agency cleared potential foreign military sales worth up to $1.45 billion — roughly $1 billion for Saudi helicopter spares, logistics and U.S. Army‑led training on AH‑64E, CH‑47F, UH‑72A and UH‑60 platforms, plus $445 million for Bahrain F‑16 sustainment. The approvals come as Riyadh pursues F‑35 talks with Washington.

2025-12-02T00:22:53.022559-08:00

US clears up to $1.45B in FMS: $1B for Saudi helicopter spares and training, $445M for Bahrain F‑16 sustainment

ch-aviation

Saudi low-cost carrier flynas wet-leases five Boeing 737-800s Saudi low-cost carrier flynas has wet‑leased five Boeing 737‑800s to add immediate narrowbody capacity from a lessor. The short‑term ACMI arrangement supplies aircraft plus crew, maintenance and insurance, allowing the airline to maintain schedules and plug temporary capacity shortfalls or seasonal demand.

2025-12-01T23:28:14.280152-08:00

Saudi low-cost carrier flynas wet-leases five Boeing 737-800s

Aviation Week

UAE expands missile and counter‑drone portfolio with interceptors, cruise and air‑to‑air weapons The UAE is broadening its indigenous and procurement-driven missile portfolio, commissioning systems ranging from low-cost drone interceptors and cruise missiles to air-to-air weapons. The move signals a comprehensive upgrade across counter-UAS, strike and aerial engagement capabilities with implications for regional force posture and acquisition plans.

2025-12-01T15:17:29.804824-08:00

UAE expands missile and counter‑drone portfolio with interceptors, cruise and air‑to‑air weapons

Reuters

U.S. clears potential $445–455M F-16 sustainment sale to Bahrain; GE and Lockheed named The U.S. State Department approved a potential sale to fund sustainment services and related equipment for Bahrain's F‑16 fleet, with cost estimates reported between $445 million and $455 million, the Pentagon said Monday. Principal contractors named are GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

2025-12-01T13:11:49.616391-08:00

U.S. clears potential $445–455M F-16 sustainment sale to Bahrain; GE and Lockheed named

Reuters

Israir in talks to buy two Airbus A330s for $80M to add long‑haul capacity amid Wizz Air push Israir is negotiating to buy two Airbus A330 widebodies for about $80 million to expand its long‑haul network. The planned acquisitions aim to bolster international capacity as the carrier responds to a growing Wizz Air presence in the Israeli market.

2025-12-01T10:44:08.803794-08:00

Israir in talks to buy two Airbus A330s for $80M to add long‑haul capacity amid Wizz Air push

Leeham News

❗️

Boeing 777X certification delayed; 777‑9 entry‑into‑service pushed to 2027 as Emirates reacts Boeing announced in October another delay to 777X certification, moving 777‑9 entry‑into‑service from 2026 to 2027. The slip — the latest in a programme already years late — prompted a public response from Emirates president Tim Clark, and will force airlines to adjust delivery expectations.

2025-12-01T10:21:42.379035-08:00

Boeing 777X certification delayed; 777‑9 entry‑into‑service pushed to 2027 as Emirates reacts

Breaking Defense

France's Safran.AI and UAE's TII team up on agentic AI for geospatial intelligence Safran.AI and the UAE's Technology Innovation Institute announced a partnership at the Dubai Airshow to develop agentic AI for geospatial intelligence. The collaboration aims to apply next‑generation AI agents to accelerate sensor‑to‑decision workflows and deliver anticipatory, operational ISR, TII's CIO said.

2025-12-01T09:20:27.288009-08:00

France's Safran.AI and UAE's TII team up on agentic AI for geospatial intelligence

Create a free account to see more recent Middle East stories.