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futuretravelexperience.com • Ross Falconer

Saudia goes live with Panasonic Avionics Astrova IFE on Airbus A321XLR, first Saudi deployment of Astrova modular interactive pl

Panasonic Avionics says Astrova has entered commercial service on Saudia’s Airbus A321XLR, following the system’s debut with the carrier. The rollout includes the first deployment in Saudi Arabia of the Astrova Modular Interactive platform and Arc 3D moving map, with 15 A321XLR to be equipped.

2026-06-03T01:02:26.745519-07:00

eVTOL Insights

Boeing Saudi Arabia, GACA kick off AAM airspace and operations feasibility analysis with SkyGrid and KAUST

2026-06-01T01:42:03.668038-07:00

Skift

Riyadh Air launches full-service Riyadh–London Heathrow on 1 July with its first 787-9 from its own order

2026-05-19T02:55:01.973662-07:00

AeroTime

flyadeal launches RUH–HYD service from 1 July 2026, marking its first scheduled India entry

2026-05-27T03:11:49.351531-07:00

News Timeline

futuretravelexperience.com

Saudia goes live with Panasonic Avionics Astrova IFE on Airbus A321XLR, first Saudi deployment of Astrova modular interactive pl Panasonic Avionics says Astrova has entered commercial service on Saudia’s Airbus A321XLR, following the system’s debut with the carrier. The rollout includes the first deployment in Saudi Arabia of the Astrova Modular Interactive platform and Arc 3D moving map, with 15 A321XLR to be equipped.

2026-06-03T01:02:26.745519-07:00

Saudia goes live with Panasonic Avionics Astrova IFE on Airbus A321XLR, first Saudi deployment of Astrova modular interactive pl

eVTOL Insights

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Boeing Saudi Arabia, GACA kick off AAM airspace and operations feasibility analysis with SkyGrid and KAUST Boeing Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) have moved from MoU to action, with SkyGrid launching an AAM Airspace and Operational Feasibility Analysis. The effort is framed to support advanced air mobility operational planning alongside KAUST.

2026-06-01T01:42:03.668038-07:00

Boeing Saudi Arabia, GACA kick off AAM airspace and operations feasibility analysis with SkyGrid and KAUST

AeroTime

flyadeal launches RUH–HYD service from 1 July 2026, marking its first scheduled India entry Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal will begin its inaugural scheduled services to India with a new route between Riyadh King Khalid (RUH) and Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi (HYD) starting 1 July 2026. The launch signals flyadeal’s shift from regional footprint-building to targeting India–Gulf point-to-point demand.

2026-05-27T03:11:49.351531-07:00

flyadeal launches RUH–HYD service from 1 July 2026, marking its first scheduled India entry

Air Data News

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Saudia takes first Airbus A321XLR for June entry on Saudi–Europe/Africa long-range narrowbody routes Saudia has received its first Airbus A321XLR, positioning the carrier as an early operator of Airbus’s new long-range narrowbody. The aircraft will enter service in June on routes connecting Saudi Arabia with Europe and Africa, with a newly configured premium cabin layout.

2026-05-24T10:05:09.376457-07:00

Saudia takes first Airbus A321XLR for June entry on Saudi–Europe/Africa long-range narrowbody routes

Vertical Mag

MD Helicopters locks in multi-year support for Saudi National Guard’s MD 530F training fleet MD Helicopters has renewed its OEM support commitment for the Saudi Arabia Ministry of National Guard’s MD 530F training helicopters under a multi-year contract. The agreement extends long-term support for the service’s rotary training capability centered on the MD 530F fleet.

2026-05-22T05:54:06.785908-07:00

MD Helicopters locks in multi-year support for Saudi National Guard’s MD 530F training fleet

Aviation Source

flynas inaugurates fifth Saudi operating base at Abha International Airport flynas has opened its fifth operations base at Abha International Airport, making it the first Saudi airline to operate from five major bases across the Kingdom. The expansion increases its footprint beyond existing station coverage and supports a broader domestic and regional network.

2026-05-19T15:00:21.183971-07:00

flynas inaugurates fifth Saudi operating base at Abha International Airport

Skift

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Riyadh Air launches full-service Riyadh–London Heathrow on 1 July with its first 787-9 from its own order Riyadh Air has opened public ticket sales for its flagship Riyadh–London Heathrow route, after months of limited, employee-only travel and readiness testing. Service starts 1 July and will use the airline’s first Boeing 787-9 delivered for its own fleet order, marking the transition from leased operations.

2026-05-19T02:55:01.973662-07:00

Riyadh Air launches full-service Riyadh–London Heathrow on 1 July with its first 787-9 from its own order

Runway Girl

ThinKom selected for Ka-band inflight connectivity upgrades across multiple Neo Space Group airline deployments, including Saudi ThinKom says its Ka2517 electronically steered antenna has been selected by Neo Space Group (NSG) for installations across multiple airlines, naming Saudia and Riyadh. The announcement follows ThinKom’s ThinAir Nexus multi-orbit ESA push and Saudia’s six-month Neo Space Group-backed pilot moving into commercial rollout.

2026-05-12T07:12:04.463831-07:00

ThinKom selected for Ka-band inflight connectivity upgrades across multiple Neo Space Group airline deployments, including Saudi

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Saudi Arabia News

Saudia goes live with Panasonic Avionics Astrova IFE on Airbus A321XLR, first Saudi deployment of Astrova modular interactive pl

Boeing Saudi Arabia, GACA kick off AAM airspace and operations feasibility analysis with SkyGrid and KAUST

Riyadh Air launches full-service Riyadh–London Heathrow on 1 July with its first 787-9 from its own order

flyadeal launches RUH–HYD service from 1 July 2026, marking its first scheduled India entry

News Timeline