The milestone was reached with the launch of the airline’s summer 2026 schedule this week, which sees more than 140 daily departures from Doha to over 160 destinations worldwide. It delivers a target the group set itself earlier this year, at the height of the regional disruption that grounded much of its network, to rebuild to 85% by mid-June.

The two new appointments support three priorities that will shape the group’s next phase of growth. The focus is on delivering a world-class passenger experience at every touchpoint, expanding the passenger and cargo network with a modern fleet and the next generation of Qsuite, and investing in its people, in their development, succession, and the skills the years ahead will demand.

Both roles report directly to the Group Chief Executive Officer, Hamad Al-Khater.

The Chief Operating Officer will bring the group’s operational functions under a single leader, with a focus on accountability, performance and the highest standards of safety. The role is taken up by Abdulla Ali, a Qatari national, who is being promoted from his current position as Senior Vice President of Ground Services. 

Ali brings extensive experience across airline, airport and network operations, with a proven record of delivery and of leading high-performing teams.

The Chief Customer Officer brings the brand and customer touchpoints under a single coordinated focus throughout the customer journey. The role is taken up by Calum Laming, a dual Irish and British national, who most recently served as Chief Customer Officer at British Airways from 2022 until earlier this year, and has held senior customer-focused positions at major international airlines, including Etihad Airways and Air New Zealand.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Hamad Al-Khater, said: “These appointments are about what comes next. With Abdulla and Calum joining our leadership team, we will move faster, sharpen our focus on excellence, and put the customer at the heart of every decision we make. They are also about our people, expanding our ability to develop talent and support the growth of our incredible teams.”

Ali and Laming take up their new roles on 1 November 2026.

(Source: Qatar Airways)

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When itineraries include connecting on other airlines or Emirates services are unavailable, Emirates will also rebook disrupted customers to their destination at no additional cost, including where flights have been cancelled due to conflict-related disruption.

Expanded medical cover in the insurance product is supported by Travel Guard, and additional disruption support by Emirates on top of existing travel insurance offerings. Emirates’ new Comprehensive Travel Cover includes trip cancellation cover, compensation for baggage delay or loss, unlimited medical expense and emergency evacuation cover worldwide, among other benefits. Newly added conflict cover provides reimbursement for medical expenses of up to USD25,000 and a free trip extension of up to 30 days. The cover is not restricted by government travel advice.

Rooted in Emirates’ ‘fly better’ brand promise and its duty of care to customers, the airline offers airline-managed hotel accommodation during disruptions, including airspace closures**. This is in addition to existing customer-first benefits such as a free date change for tickets booked from 2 April, and the option to ‘hold my fare’ for 24 hours free of charge, giving travellers flexibility, reassurance, and support at every step.

Emirates Comprehensive Travel Cover has been available since Wednesday, 17 June and can be purchased on emirates.com at the time of booking or added to existing bookings via Manage Booking.*

Comprehensive Travel Cover is available in the following markets:
Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the UK.

*Terms and conditions apply; coverage and availability may vary by market
**Delivered as an airline service (not an insurance-related benefit).

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The milestone comes as Etihad continues its rapid growth trajectory, with summer capacity up 10% year-on-year and supported by a fleet that has grown by 23 aircraft compared with the same period last year. 

With flights operating at close to 90% load factors, the airline is seeing strong demand across its network spanning Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and the Middle East.

Between 11 and 14 June, Etihad launched four new routes in four days, connecting Abu Dhabi with Kraków, Palma de Mallorca, Damascus and Zanzibar. This week, the airline also welcomes the return of five popular seasonal destinations: Mykonos and Malaga from 15 June, Santorini from 16 June, Nice from 19 June and Al Alamein from 16 July.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves said: “Today, Etihad is flying more guests to more destinations than ever before. We operate more than 300 flights a day, carrying near-record loads and connecting Abu Dhabi to more destinations than ever before.

“This week alone, we have launched four new destinations and welcomed back five seasonal routes, demonstrating both the strength of demand across our network and the pace of our growth.

“As we enter the peak summer travel period, we are delivering our most ambitious summer programme yet. Supported by 23 additional aircraft and strong demand from across the world, we continue to grow with confidence, expanding our network, increasing capacity and bringing more visitors to Abu Dhabi.”

To support growing visitor demand and make travel to Abu Dhabi more seamless, Etihad and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have also launched complimentary medical travel insurance for international visitors flying to Abu Dhabi on Etihad-operated flights. 

The initiative, available from July to December 2026 and administered by The National Insurance Company — Daman, provides eligible travellers with up to 15 days of medical cover in the UAE, including guests using Etihad’s stopover programme, which continues to attract growing numbers of visitors to Abu Dhabi by turning a transit into a holiday.

The four newly launched routes showcase the breadth of Etihad’s growing network. Kraków offers travellers access to one of Europe’s great cultural cities, while Palma de Mallorca creates a direct link between Abu Dhabi and the Balearic Islands. Damascus strengthens connectivity across the region, while Zanzibar adds one of the Indian Ocean’s most sought-after leisure destinations to the airline’s portfolio.

Etihad’s latest route launches form part of the airline’s ambition to expand its global footprint, with growth aligned to demand across key markets. The additions strengthen connectivity between Abu Dhabi and strategic destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean, reinforcing the capital’s role as a dynamic global gateway.

More summer escapes return

To offer travellers more ways to discover iconic coastlines and island getaways, Etihad is also bringing back a collection of summer favourites:

Mykonos – twice weekly from 15 June

Malaga – up to four times weekly from 15 June

Santorini – twice weekly from 16 June

Nice – twice weekly from 19 June

Al Alamein – twice weekly from 16 July

Together with Kraków, Palma de Mallorca, Damascus and Zanzibar, these destinations form part of Etihad’s largest-ever summer programme, giving guests more choice than ever before across Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.

(Source: Etihad)

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QIC customers can now convert their loyalty Coins into Avios, the loyalty rewards currency of Qatar Airways Privilege Club, through the QIC App. The converted points can be redeemed across a wide range of travel services, including flight bookings, travel class upgrades, and purchases at Qatar Duty Free, with access to a global network spanning more than 150 destinations with Qatar Airways and its partners.

Furthermore, customers can use their Coins to pay their outbound travel insurance premiums partially. By combining Coins with other electronic payment options available on the QIC App, travellers benefit from greater flexibility and choice in securing suitable coverage, bringing peace of mind while travelling abroad.

To make travel smoother, QIC has launched the Hotels feature through the QIC App, eliminating the need to navigate multiple platforms and providing a streamlined experience that combines ease of use with competitive rates. In partnership with leading service providers and top hospitality venues, the service offers a wide range of options and deals to suit every budget, all while maintaining high standards of service and hospitality.

QIC has also launched a calendar feature in its mobile application, an all-in-one gateway that lets visitors and residents of Qatar browse events year-round. 

To improve the experience of international visitors, QIC has partnered with Ooredoo to offer complimentary eSIMs to all travellers who purchase Mandatory Visitors’ Health Insurance through QIC’s digital platforms. Upon completing their purchase, customers receive a dedicated activation link that enables them to download and set up their eSIM before arriving in Qatar, ensuring seamless connectivity and easy communication with family and friends.

QIC provides a wide range of insurance packages covering global destinations. These include the “Worldwide Travel” package, which covers medical emergencies, flight delays, and loss of baggage or passports worldwide, including in the US and Canada. For travellers heading to Schengen countries, QIC provides the “Fly Europe” package (Schengen Visa Travel Insurance), which includes medical coverage of up to USD 50,000, making it a compliant and widely accepted option for visa requirements.

(Source: QIC)

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The brand-new airline flying the Saudi Arabian flag took delivery of its first three Boeing 787-9 aircraft ahead of its “official launch” of international services on 10 June to London Heathrow.

The airline previously operated ad hoc flights to London using a leased 747-900, with ticket sales limited to the airline’s staff and their families.

Flights to each destination are scheduled to begin on the following dates:

Each of these five routes will be served by Riyadh Air’s 787-9 Dreamliners.

In addition to these scheduled route launches, Riyadh Air confirmed that its inaugural flight to London, using the brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, took off from Riyadh on 10 June. 

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas stated: “This is a major step in our journey to connect Riyadh to the world. But this is just the beginning of our rapid expansion in the coming weeks to many more exciting destinations.”

Douglas added: “These routes have been carefully selected to serve key markets for business, tourism, and trade, and are designed to facilitate seamless transit for travellers from Europe to destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and beyond, aligning with our ambition to become a global airline and a significant contributor to Vision 2030.”

Riyadh Air’s new 787-9 Dreamliners offer a four-class configuration – Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

(Source: Riyadh Air)

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Kabul joined the Etihad network in March 2026, initially operating four times weekly. Demand has significantly exceeded expectations, with strong take-up from both point-to-point travellers and those using Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport as a hub to connect onwards to Europe and beyond.

The route is flown by Airbus A320 aircraft configured with eight business and 150 economy seats. With double-daily flights now in place, travellers between Afghanistan and the UAE will have considerably more choice over departure times, whether travelling for family, business or leisure.

Afghanistan has longstanding ties with the UAE, which is home to one of the Gulf’s largest Afghan communities. For the hundreds of thousands of Afghans living and working across the country, as well as those with business and trade connections between the two nations, the expanded schedule offers a more flexible and better-connected service.

Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, said: “The response to our Kabul launch has been exceptional. Demand has remained strong from day one, and moving to double-daily is a direct reflection of what our guests have been telling us with their bookings.

“This rapid expansion is another example of the strategic approach we take to network development, allowing us to respond quickly to the wishes of our guests, and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as an important gateway connecting regional markets with our global network.”

(Source: Etihad)

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The reinstated service expands the airline’s North American network to 14 destinations, further strengthening its connectivity for travellers across the region.

Qatar Airways will resume direct flights to the largest city in Pennsylvania, operating Airbus A350-900 aircraft equipped with the airline’s award-winning Qsuite business class and Starlink.

The resumption of flights reflects the airline’s commitment to the US market while providing seamless connections to destinations across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East via Hamad International Airport. In the US, the resumed US flights will provide onward connectivity through Qatar Airways’ oneworld partner, American Airlines.

Since launching its inaugural US service to New York in 2007, Qatar Airways has steadily expanded its presence across North America, offering passengers increased flexibility, premium travel experiences, and seamless connectivity to more than 160 destinations worldwide.

Qatar Airways flights to Philadelphia (PHL)
Departing daily from 1 August 2026:

Qatar Airways will operate flights to the following North American destinations this summer: Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Montreal (YUL), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Toronto (YYZ), and Washington D.C. (IAD).

(Source: Qatar Airways)

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The additional frequencies will be introduced in phases to meet growing demand and provide greater flexibility for passengers travelling between the two cities.

The existing two daily flights will increase to three daily flights effective from 5 June, followed by the introduction of a fourth flight from 15 June, with a fifth daily flight resuming during the summer season. The flights will be operated on Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft.

This expansion reinforces Qatar Airways’ commitment to enhancing connectivity within the region and supporting both business and leisure travel between Qatar and the UAE with up to 35 weekly flights.

Qatar Airways has been steadily restoring its network across the Middle East and is currently operating to over 20 destinations in the region. The airline resumed operations to Dubai (DXB) and Sharjah (SHJ) in April, and restarted flights to Abu Dhabi (AUH) in May.

Building on this momentum, Qatar Airways is continuing the phased restoration and expansion of its global network to over 160 destinations by this summer.

(Source: Qatar Airways)

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“To see our very first custom-built 787 Dreamliners touch down in Riyadh is a historic moment for us, and a momentous day for Saudi aviation,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas… “We are building an airline, and also opening a new gateway to the world from the heart of the Kingdom.”

The deliveries are a step forward for Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors and serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030. 

Riyadh Air’s fleet plan includes up to 72 Boeing 787s that will connect the Kingdom to regional and long-haul markets, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, and serve more than 100 destinations by 2030.

“Riyadh Air is bringing to life a vision of modern world-class travel, and we are delighted to support them as they open new possibilities for the Kingdom and the world,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ President and CEO  Stephanie Pope. “The 787 Dreamliner gives Riyadh Air unmatched efficiency, flexibility across routes and a beautiful interior that will deliver a phenomenal travel experience.”

The new aircraft features a four-class cabin configuration: Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy with a total of 289 seats.

Commercial ticket sales for a daily Riyadh-London Heathrow service started last week, ahead of the deployment of the new aircraft on the route, set for 1 July. 

Meanwhile, the airline has been experimenting with ad hoc flights to London since October, using a leased Boeing 787, with ticket sales limited to airline staff and their families.

Riyadh Air recently signed a partnership agreement with Air India to lay the groundwork for future codeshare and interline arrangements, designed to offer seamless connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia, and broader international destinations once operations expand.

Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the airline’s immediate sights are set on scaling up to nearly 20 destinations by the end of 2026, with an ultimate goal of reaching more than 100 destinations by 2030.

Flight schedule: 787s to London

(Source: Boeing and Riyadh)

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The campaign is a direct response to critical feedback from frontline ATIA members. Travel agents and tour operators report that while clients are transiting through major hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha without incident, Australia’s rigid Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”) blanket advisory is exposing these travellers to an unintended travel insurance void. 

Following extensive national exposure across News Corp, all commercial television networks, and widespread radio, ATIA members will now also be able to amplify the call for common sense via a Member Toolkit with social media assets, key talking points for clients, and template letters to key decision-makers.  

Since the conflict started, ATIA has been working in partnership with the Federal Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). However, the campaign has reached a critical inflexion point. Australia is now a distinct international outlier. Key global allies, including the UK, Germany, France, and Ireland, have already updated their risk parameters, downgrading transit through these airports to Level 3. 

While ATIA is a staunch supporter of DFAT and the Smartraveller network, it warns that maintaining an advisory disconnected from the reality on the ground is actively eroding public trust, with returning Australians telling family and friends to ignore official advice. ATIA is demanding a staged, proportionate response that moves airport transit to Level 3 (“Reconsider your need to travel”), recognising that a 90-minute airside transit carries a fundamentally different risk profile to an extended holiday in-country. 

ATIA CEO: Dean Long noted: “This campaign started exactly where it should: with our members. Our travel advisor and tour operator members raised the alarm because their clients are transiting these airports safely every day. Yet, many of them are flying into a travel insurance void because the official advice refuses to decouple a brief airport transit from an in-country holiday.” 

“We have worked constructively and quietly with the government for two months now, but we have reached an inflexion point where Australia is a total outlier. More than 150,000 Australians have transited these hubs safely over the last six weeks alone. We are absolutely not telling people to holiday in Dubai or Doha; we are asking for a staged, commonsense approach for transit passengers.” 

“The greatest risk right now is that Australians stop trusting Smartraveller altogether because the advice doesn’t match the reality on the ground. That is a dreadful outcome for travellers, for the industry, and for the government. Following this weekend’s incredible wave of national media support, we are providing our members with the tools and assets to stand together and push for a commonsense adjustment immediately.” 

(Source: ATIA)

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