Dr Serra Kirdar will chair the board, with Dato’ Fam Lee Ee as Vice Chair. They are joined by Dr Faisal Khalid Kanoo, Nawaf Al Zayani, Akram Safa, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim. All are non-executive directors.

The appointment builds on the Letter of Intent signed between Capital A and Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications in November 2025, and AirAsia’s February 2026 announcement positioning Bahrain as its Middle East hub.

Capital A CEO and Advisor to AirAsia Group, Tony Fernandes said: “Bahrain is strategically important to us as the gateway connecting ASEAN with the Middle East, Europe and beyond. While the geopolitical situation in the region has required us to adjust our initial plans, our commitment to Bahrain has not changed. Today’s appointment of the AirAsia Bahrain Board, with such a distinguished group of leaders, solidifies that commitment. We are here, and we are here for the long term. 

Beyond the airline, we are committed to supporting Bahrain’s broader aviation ecosystem through Capital A’s diverse businesses. Through Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), we intend to develop MRO capabilities in the Kingdom that will serve not only AirAsia but other carriers in the region, creating high-value engineering jobs, building local technical expertise and strengthening Bahrain’s position as an aviation hub. Teleport, our logistics arm, has maintained twice-weekly freighter services into Bahrain since February 2026, continuing to facilitate trade flows between Asia and the Gulf, and is now scaling up capacity with larger freighter aircraft. We continue to monitor developments in the region closely and are targeting the commencement of AirAsia flights to Bahrain by March 2027, as conditions allow.

The statement referred to the partnership with the Government of Bahrain, noting: “It shares our long-term vision and has shown tremendous support, and we are honoured to have been awarded the Golden License, a clear expression of that confidence.” 

AirAsia Bahrain Chairperson, Dr Serra Kirdar, concluded: “I am honoured to be appointed Chairperson of AirAsia Bahrain at such an important moment. AirAsia has transformed air travel across Asia by making it accessible to millions, and I believe it can do the same for Bahrain and the wider region. This venture holds tremendous opportunities, from strengthening tourism and trade links between the Gulf and Asia to creating jobs and developing talent for Bahrainis in a dynamic global industry.”

(Source: AirAsia)

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TAT directors welcomed the inaugural flight on 27 October.

Kuwait Airways operates six KWI-BKK flights a week and now flies twice weekly to Phuket Island on Tuesday and Saturday. 

An additional flight on Wednesday departing Kuwait at 1050 will be added to its timetable on 9 December. During the high-season weeks from 9 December through to 3 February, the airline schedules up to four weekly flights to Phuket.

Flight schedule effective from 27 October

KU407 departs Kuwait (KWI) at 0330 and arrives in Phuket (HKT) at 1455 (Tuesday and Saturday).
KU408 departs Phuket (HKT) at 1615 and arrives in Kuwait (KWI) at 2035.

Flight KU407 will gain a third flight to Phuket every Thursday, effective  10 December through to 3 February 2027.

An additional mid-morning KWI departure

A new weekly service, Flight 409, between Kuwait and Phuket will be scheduled from Wednesday, 9 December 2026 to 3 February 2027.

KU409 will depart Kuwait (KWI) at 1050 and arrive in Phuket (HKT) at 2215 (Wednesday).
KU410 will depart Phuket (HKT) at 2350 and arrive in Kuwait (KWI) at 0410 (plus a day).

The airline uses a 278-seat Airbus A330-900neo, adding 556 inbound seats per week at Phuket International Airport.

The new service increases the airline’s weekly inbound capacity to Thailand by 27.7 per cent, from 2,004 seats on its Bangkok route to 2,560 seats across both destinations, the TAT reported. 

Kuwait is a high-spending Middle Eastern market for Thailand, with average expenditure of THB96,590 per person per trip and an average length of stay of 13.14 nights. Leisure travel accounts for 83.74% of visits. Phuket attracts 35.06% of Kuwaiti visitors and Krabi 10.93%.

From 1 January to 20 October 2026, Thailand welcomed 48,049 Kuwaiti visitors, with full-year arrivals projected at 55,300. Travellers typically book around 28 days in advance, providing opportunities for targeted travel promotions and packages as the new service becomes established.

(Source: TAT plus online timetables)

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Departures begin in 2028, and the new itinerary offers Viking’s most comprehensive exploration of Egypt to date, featuring four hotel nights in Egypt’s capital and a 14-night sailing between Cairo and Aswan aboard the all-suite Viking Ra.

Guests will discover the country’s renowned landmarks alongside lesser-visited archaeological sites and communities in Middle Egypt, gaining a deeper understanding of the history, culture and traditions that have shaped life along the Nile.

Grand Nile Journey

The new Grand Nile Journey itinerary features 17 guided tours designed to explore the country’s history and traditions. The trip begins in Cairo, with highlights including the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, before continuing along the Nile through the heart of Egypt.

The voyage includes visits to sites throughout Middle Egypt that offer a fascinating perspective on the country’s ancient civilisations. Guests will discover the Meidum Pyramid, which represents an important chapter in the evolution of pyramid construction.

They will also explore the cliffside Noblemen’s Tombs of Beni Hasan, renowned for their depictions of daily life in ancient Egypt. At Tell el-Amarna, guests will encounter the remains of the once-lost royal capital established by Pharaoh Akhenaten. At the same time, a visit to Deir el-Muharraq monastery offers insight into Egypt’s Coptic Christian heritage and the site traditionally associated with the Holy Family’s journey through the country.

Continuing south, guests will experience ancient Egypt’s grandeur at the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Seti I at Abydos.

The journey also includes time in Aswan, where guests can explore the island temple complex of Philae, immerse themselves in Egypt’s storied past at the monolithic temples of Abu Simbel, and sail the Nile on a traditional felucca. Throughout the voyage, scenic sailing highlights the contrast between the Nile’s lush green riverbanks and the surrounding desert.

For guests who want to extend their travels, Viking offers pre- and post-trip land extensions that can be combined with the Grand Nile Journey itinerary. Options include Cairo (two nights; with services of a Viking Host), offering more time to discover Egypt’s vibrant capital; Morocco (five nights; fully guided), showcasing its colourful markets and rich heritage; and Jordan – Dead Sea, Petra and Amman (four nights; fully guided).

Viking Ra hosts 52 guests in 26 suites and is built specifically to navigate the Nile River. 

(Source: Viking)

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The Emirates A350 will operate daily to and from Mauritius on EK709 and EK710 with the following schedule (all times local):

EK709 departs Dubai (DXB) at 0755 and arrives in Mauritius (MRU) at 1440.
EK710 departs Mauritius (MRU) at 1830 and arrives in Dubai (DXB) at 0110. (Plus a day).

The Emirates A350-900 planned for the route will feature a three-class configuration with 298 seats: 32 Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats and 238 Economy Class seats.

In addition to the A350 service, the airline also operates two additional daily services to the island using its flagship A380 aircraft, both equipped with its signature Premium Economy cabins for comfortable journeys to Dubai. Beyond Dubai, customers from Mauritius can connect with flights to 70 destinations in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Emirates serves Mauritius with 21 weekly flights from Dubai, including two daily flights using A380s and a third daily flight using an A350-900.

(Source: Emirates)

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The service introduces The Residence, the world’s only three-room suite in the sky, to Thailand for the first time, alongside Etihad’s First Apartments, Business lie-flat seats and economy class cabin.

The inaugural service marked the start of daily A380 operations between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Bangkok, bringing increased capacity and Etihad’s most celebrated onboard experiences to one of its most popular leisure destinations. 

The A380’s introduction comes as the peak winter travel season begins, supporting strong demand for travel between Thailand, the Middle East, and Europe. The launch further strengthens Etihad’s premium offering across Asia, following the A380’s introduction on its daily Abu Dhabi–Tokyo service in June 2026.

A380 Inflight experience 

The Residence

At the pinnacle of Etihad’s A380 is The Residence, the world’s only three-room suite in the sky. Accommodating up to two guests, the 125-square-foot private suite features a separate living room with a reclining two-seater sofa, a bedroom with a double bed, and an ensuite bathroom with a full-height shower. Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury bedding and loungewear, premium amenities, and a tailored fine-dining experience supported by dedicated cabin crew.

First

First features nine private Apartments arranged across a single aisle, each with sliding doors for greater privacy. The 39-square-foot suite includes a Poltrona Frau leather reclining lounge chair, a separate ottoman that converts into an 80.5-inch-long bed, full turndown service, luxury bedding, designer loungewear, and premium amenities. Guests can also enjoy a 24-inch touchscreen, a chilled refreshments cabinet, access to an onboard shower room, and an à la carte fine-dining experience accompanied by a premium selection of beverages and boutique wines.

Business

The upper deck offers 70 business class seats, each with direct aisle access and converting into an 80-inch lie-flat bed. Guests can adjust seat firmness, enjoy an in-seat massage function, and stay entertained on an 18.5-inch touchscreen, with Wi-Fi connectivity and charging facilities available throughout the journey. 

Economy

The A380 accommodates 415 guests in economy class, with seats offering an 18.95-inch width, six-inch recline and 32-inch legroom. Every seat features Etihad’s fixed-wing adjustable headrest, an 11.1-inch touchscreen, USB charging, and Wi-Fi access. 

Bangkok’s addition to Etihad’s A380 network further strengthens the airline’s premium offering between Abu Dhabi and Asia, while giving guests travelling from Thailand convenient access through Abu Dhabi to destinations across Etihad’s wider global network. Travellers can also take advantage of Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme.

(Source: Etihad).

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Qatar’s national carrier will add its (QR) code to WestJet’s flights across Canada, opening new markets across North America.

Qatar Airways passengers can now connect through Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Regina, Saskatoon, St. John’s, and Winnipeg. 

WestJet passengers in Canada will also benefit from global connectivity through Qatar Airways’ network of over 170 business and leisure destinations, including New Delhi, Nairobi, Singapore and Jeddah.

This partnership complements Qatar Airways’ expansion in Canada, increasing frequencies from 12 to 14 weekly since 25 October 2026, with both Toronto and Montreal operating daily. 

About WestJet
Since 1996, WestJet, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, has connected guests to destinations across North America, Europe and Asia, operating more than 600 daily flights to more than 275 destinations.

(Source: Qatar Airways).

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Western Sydney becomes Qatar Airways’ seventh Australian gateway, alongside Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), Perth (PER), Adelaide (ADL), and Canberra (CBR).

Unlike SYD Airport, Western Sydney Airport operates 24 hours a day.

Fights from Doha to Western Sydney Airport (50 km from downtown Sydney) will go on sale on 19 December 2026. The advance timetable shows three weekly flights on a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring Qsuite business class, with 42 business class and 312 economy class seats. 

Flights to Western Sydney International Airport (WSI)

Starting 15 December 2027, flights from Doha will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday:
Doha (DOH) to Western Sydney (WSI) – Flight QR906: Departure 0140; Arrival 2345.

Flights from Western Sydney will operate every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday:
Western Sydney (WSI) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR907: Departure 1610; Arrival 2300.

(Source: Qatar Airways)

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Available to Emirates Holidays customers* travelling to Thailand, the pass unlocks offers of up to 40% off, with no minimum spend.

Emirates Holidays customers can redeem their offers by simply presenting their vouchers and a copy of their passport at the reception of the participating mall or outlet to collect their Welcome Package. 

The offers include shopping and dining vouchers at 14 participating malls in Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Krabi, and Chiang Mai. The Thailand Pass also includes a complimentary shuttle service between CentralWorld and Central Village Bangkok, plus complimentary VIP lounge access at both venues.

The pass also unlocks Buy 1 Get 1 Free offers on a selection of top attractions and experiences across Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Krabi, including Playsquare Laser Tag, Playmondo, Swensen’s, Auntie Anne’s, Aquaria Phuket, OTO Playpark and Monowheel, along with an additional 5% discount on Karmakamet wellness products.

The launch comes as Thailand remains one of Emirates Holidays’ most popular destinations, with bookings up 10% year-on-year. It also builds on Emirates’ continued investment in Thailand. The airline recently deployed its Airbus A350 to Phuket and now operates retrofitted Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft to Bangkok with new premium economy cabins. The airline operates 49 weekly flights to Thailand.

The Thailand Pass is available on package bookings made until 31 March 2027*

*Thailand Pass is available for Emirates Holidays customers booking from the following markets: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, USA, Zimbabwe.

(Source: Emirates)

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HSBC and JP Lease Products & Services Co Ltd (JLPS) were integral partners in the financing, with HSBC acting as debt arranger and sole lender, and JLPS underwriting and arranging the JOLCO equity.

The signing marks the first of three transactions planned under Qatar Airways Group’s inaugural JOLCO programme in Japan, supporting a total of seven aircraft. JLPS is serving as the programme’s equity arranger. The transaction establishes the Group’s presence in the Japanese aircraft financing market and further strengthens its financial partnerships across Asia.

The transaction represents more than a financing milestone. Qatar Airways Group’s entry into the Japanese JOLCO market demonstrates confidence from a highly selective investor community that supports top-tier airline credits. This first-of-its-kind agreement underscores the Group’s financial strength, credibility, and ability to attract diversified international capital, and sets a positive precedent for the wider investment community.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Hamad Al-Khater, said: “We view the JOLCO market as a strategic long-term funding source and expect to maintain a consistent presence as we finance future fleet investments and growth opportunities.

“This transaction provides Qatar Airways with an important foothold in the Japanese financing market, offering access to a deep pool of capital on extremely attractive financial terms. It further diversifies our funding sources, broadens our investor base, and positions the Group to support its future aircraft financing requirements efficiently and competitively.”

(Source: Qatar Airways)

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Since 13 July, the Houthis (a military group in Yemen) have carried out military strikes across Saudi Arabia, including multiple attacks on Riyadh International Airport since 10 September.

Australia’s travel advisory system, Smartraveller, advises subscribers not to travel to Riyadh. 

“If you choose to travel, do not depart for King Khalid International Airport until you have reconfirmed your flight with your airline or travel provider. Minimise your time at the airport.”

The advisory warns that “military conflict in the region, including in Saudi Arabia, may result in widespread movement restrictions, airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions. Check information about airport and airline operations before you travel. Before travelling by air, land or sea, check the status of border crossings and transport routes, as they can change or close without warning.”

The advisory also includes travel to the Asir, Jazan, and Najran provinces in southern Saudi Arabia because of the deteriorating security situation and the risk of military strikes. 

“We continue to advise not to travel to areas within 30km of the border with Yemen due to ongoing conflict in Yemen.”

The Houthis have renewed attacks against Saudi Arabia and have launched air strikes against Riyadh and regional airports. Attacks have also targeted energy and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia’s southern provinces, Jeddah and along the Red Sea coast.

Filming and photographing critical infrastructure, military operations, drone launches and missile launches is strictly prohibited and can result in criminal prosecution. Don’t take or share any recordings or videos.

(Source: Smarttraveller)

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