Qatar Airways, voted the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax in 2025, is embracing its role as the Official Lifestyle and Travel Partner of Web Summit Qatar 2026 for the third year in a row. From 1–4 February, the airline invites visitors to its Innovation Pavilion, where it is reimagining the future of travel through user-driven technology and immersive digital experiences.

Continuing to set new standards in aviation innovation, Qatar Airways is unveiling a collection of intelligent, customer‑first products designed to make every stage of travel — from inspiration to booking and beyond — more personalised, connected, and efficient.

Leading the Digital Travel Revolution

The airline’s Innovation Capsule at the pavilion showcases its latest advancements in digital engagement, loyalty programs, and passenger experience. Visitors will discover how emerging technologies are shaping a smoother, more interactive journey for travellers around the world.

‘Q Search’: Smarter, Faster Travel Assistance

Among the highlights is ‘Q Search’, Qatar Airways’ newest digital innovation and a first for the aviation industry. The system allows users to interact with the airline in natural conversation, asking questions and receiving fast, tailored answers about its products and services.

‘Q Search’ represents Qatar Airways’ vision of creating a smarter digital ecosystem — one that blends artificial intelligence with human‑level understanding to make trip planning effortless and intuitive.

‘Infinite Awards’: AI That Inspires Travel Goals

Qatar Airways Privilege Club has also introduced ‘Infinite Awards’, an AI-powered inspiration engine that guides members through earning and using Avios points. The system helps travellers set their goals, find new destinations based on their interests, and see how everyday activities can bring them closer to their next dream getaway.

As part of its community commitment, Privilege Club members can also use their Avios to make a global impact by donating directly to the Education Above All Foundation, supporting equal access to quality education worldwide.

Expanding Everyday Rewards with Himyan

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Qatar Airways Privilege Club is partnering with the Qatar Central Bank to integrate rewards into daily spending through Himyan, Qatar’s national prepaid card. The collaboration supports Qatar National Vision 2030 by promoting financial technology and digital inclusion.

Himyan users now earn 1 Avios for every QAR 8 spent on purchases across Qatar — from retail to dining — and enjoy Card-Linked Offers for extra earning opportunities with Privilege Club’s partner network.

Seamless Mobility Through Karwa Partnership

Qatar Airways has teamed up with Mowasalat (Karwa), the country’s leading transport provider, to extend Avios rewards to local travel. Soon, Privilege Club members will be able to collect or redeem Avios for taxi and chauffeured rides by simply linking their accounts via the Karwa Taxi App. This integration makes earning rewards as easy as catching a ride.

Enhanced Avios–Nojoom Conversion

The airline’s strong partnership with Ooredoo continues to evolve, introducing improved Nojoom Points conversion rates — 4:1 from Nojoom to Avios, and 2:1 from Avios to Nojoom — enabling customers to enjoy greater flexibility between air travel and telecommunications rewards.

QVerse Island: Merging Gaming and Travel

At Web Summit Qatar 2026, Qatar Airways is also showcasing ‘QVerse Island’ within Fortnite, marking its first venture into the world of immersive gaming. The digital universe recreates Doha and Hamad International Airport in stunning detail, allowing players to explore and interact with the airline’s brand in a dynamic virtual space. Visitors can experience the game firsthand through three interactive stations at the pavilion.

Thought Leadership at ‘Tarmac Talks’

Throughout the four-day event, the airline will host ‘Tarmac Talks’, a live discussion series where experts share insights on key topics such as digital transformation, loyalty analytics, and cargo innovation. The sessions offer an inside look at Qatar Airways’ vision for the next era of aviation.

Visitors and tech enthusiasts are invited to explore the future of travel at Qatar Airways Pavilion 1212-03 at Web Summit Qatar 2026, where innovation and imagination meet to shape the journeys of tomorrow.

About Qatar Airways Privilege Club

Founded in 2000, Qatar Airways Privilege Club rewards travellers through its four tiers — Burgundy, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — offering exclusive benefits and access across a global network. Members can earn and redeem Avios when flying with Qatar Airways, oneworld® partners, or through its extensive portfolio of financial, hospitality, and lifestyle collaborators.

For further information, visit www.qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile app.

Emirates and Real Madrid CF have agreed to extend their partnership until 2031, continuing one of the most high-profile sponsorship relationships in global football and reinforcing a collaboration that will span nearly two decades.

The airline has been associated with the Spanish club since 2011, with the partnership elevated in 2013 when Emirates became the official jersey sponsor. Under the renewed agreement, Emirates will remain the Official Main Sponsor and Official Airline Partner for both the men’s and women’s teams.

Its branding will continue to feature prominently on match jerseys, training gear, and staff apparel across major competitions, including La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. The renewed deal also secures the distinction of being the longest-running jersey sponsorship in La Liga history.

Beyond kit sponsorship, the agreement includes expanded brand presence at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, access to club training facilities, and continued use of the Emirates Lounge, a premium hospitality space designed for guests, partners, and customers. The collaboration also extends to Real Madrid’s youth system, supporting player development at grassroots level.

In addition, Emirates will maintain and deepen its involvement in basketball through a separate multi-year extension, under which it will serve as the Official Main Sponsor of Real Madrid’s basketball team until 2031.

Boutros Boutros, Executive Vice President for Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand at Emirates, said the partnership reflects the airline’s long-standing engagement with football and its global fan base.

He highlighted that the collaboration has helped bring supporters closer to the sport through exclusive experiences and global fan engagement initiatives, while also strengthening Emirates’ presence in Spain.

Since launching its first flight to Madrid in 2010, Emirates has expanded its operations in the Spanish market, now operating five daily services across Madrid and Barcelona. The airline has also broadened its global connectivity via Dubai and introduced updated onboard products for passengers travelling to and from Spain.

Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez described the renewed agreement as a continuation of a strong and enduring relationship built over many successful years, noting the shared achievements between the two organisations.

Over the course of their partnership, Emirates and Real Madrid have collaborated on a range of marketing and fan engagement initiatives, including specially branded aircraft liveries, player-themed aircraft decals, matchday activations, and exclusive supporter experiences.

Emirates has also deployed dedicated aircraft for club-related charter operations, including Boeing 777 aircraft used for Spanish Super Cup travel between Madrid and Jeddah.

The airline maintains a broad portfolio of football sponsorships, which includes partnerships with Arsenal FC, AC Milan, Real Madrid CF, S.L. Benfica, and Olympique Lyonnais, along with a Platinum Partnership with FC Bayern Munich. It also serves as title sponsor of the Emirates FA Cup and supports the UAE Pro League.

Beyond football, Emirates’ global sponsorship strategy spans multiple sports, including tennis, rugby, basketball, sailing, cycling, golf, horse racing, cricket, and Australian Rules Football. The airline says its portfolio is designed to connect international audiences with major sporting events, clubs, and competitions worldwide.

Source: ZAWYA

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the introduction of a new direct passenger route linking Addis Ababa with Mauritius, scheduled to commence on 12 July 2026. The move is part of the carrier's broader strategy to strengthen connectivity across Africa and support economic and tourism growth throughout the region.

The new service will operate three times a week, offering direct connections between Ethiopia's capital and Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. Flights are scheduled on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Under the timetable, flight ET887 will depart Addis Ababa at 8:50 a.m. and arrive in Mauritius at 3:20 p.m. The return service, flight ET886, will leave Mauritius at 4:15 p.m. and land in Addis Ababa at 8:45 p.m.

Prior to the launch of the nonstop service, Ethiopian Airlines connected passengers to Mauritius through interline and codeshare arrangements via regional gateways such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Antananarivo. The direct route is expected to shorten travel times and provide more convenient access for passengers traveling between Mauritius and destinations served by the airline's extensive network.

The airline said the new connection is designed to facilitate tourism, business travel, and trade while strengthening economic ties between Mauritius and other African markets.

“We are delighted to launch this direct flight service to Mauritius, making it easier for Africans and other international tourists to visit this beautiful African island destination, while also enhancing business and trade opportunities,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew.

He added that expanding the airline's African network remains a key priority, supporting its long-term objective of improving connectivity among African nations and strengthening links between the continent and the rest of the world.

According to Ethiopian Airlines, the route reflects its ongoing commitment to expanding intra-African air links through its Addis Ababa hub. The carrier expects the service to provide smoother onward connections across its African and international network while contributing to increased tourism and commercial activity between Mauritius and other destinations across the continent.

Bookings for the new route are now available through Ethiopian Airlines' sales and reservation channels ahead of the July launch.

Source: ZAWYA

Etihad Airways is placing additional orders for widebody aircraft as the Middle Eastern carrier prepares for increased operational activity, expecting flight volumes to rise by around 8% by June 15 compared with the same period last year, according to Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves.

Speaking on the sidelines of a global meeting of airline executives held in Brazil on Saturday, Neves said the Abu Dhabi-based airline is acquiring widebody jets in double-digit numbers. However, he did not provide further details regarding the exact size of the order.

He noted that Etihad is in the process of restoring flight services following reductions implemented in March, when regional instability linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran contributed to higher fuel costs and operational adjustments.

Neves said the airline currently has no intention of reducing costs through further flight cuts, emphasizing that maintaining operational capacity is central to efficiency.

“The biggest cost we have is an empty plane,” he said. “So the way I cut cost is I don’t have empty planes.”

Source: ZAWYA

Jazeera Airways, the Kuwaiti low-cost carrier, has announced a seasonal fare promotion offering reductions of up to 30% on both one-way and return tickets across its international network.

The campaign runs from June 7 to June 13 and can be accessed using the promotional code J9SUMMER. Travel under the discounted fares is valid for journeys scheduled between June 15 and September 30.

According to the airline, the offer covers a wide selection of destinations across Europe, Türkiye, and other regions within its network, as part of efforts to tap into increased demand during the summer travel season.

A company representative said the promotion aligns with its broader seasonal campaign, “Don’t Just See the World. Feel It.” The initiative is designed to encourage passengers to engage more deeply with destinations by experiencing their culture, landmarks, and local atmosphere.

The spokesperson highlighted a range of featured destinations, including Prague, Tbilisi, Antalya, Salalah, London, Milan Bergamo, and Istanbul, describing them as key summer travel options for customers seeking diverse leisure experiences.

Destinations included in the offer span London Luton, Milan Bergamo, Prague, Budapest, Kraków, Sarajevo, Larnaca, and Tivat in Europe, alongside Turkish cities such as Istanbul (Sabiha Gökçen), Trabzon, and Antalya.

The airline stated that the promotion is part of its wider summer strategy to increase passenger volumes during the peak holiday period. It added that recent network expansion efforts continue to focus on leisure travelers as well as passengers visiting friends and relatives across the Gulf region and beyond.

Source: ZAWYA

Boeing is set to start construction of its next-generation production run of 737 Max aircraft on July 6 at a newly established final assembly line located north of Seattle, according to CEO Kelly Ortberg in remarks to CNBC on Friday.

Ortberg described the facility as a near-replica of the company’s existing Renton production line, noting that it will add capacity to Boeing’s manufacturing network. He said the first aircraft will enter the new line on July 6, marking the activation of what will become Boeing’s fourth 737 Max assembly line.

The Everett, Washington facility is expected to play a key role in lifting 737 Max output to 52 aircraft per month. That production level is anticipated to be reached next year. Boeing currently manufactures about 47 jets per month, following a gradual increase from 42 earlier in the year.

However, expansion remains subject to limits imposed by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which introduced production caps after a mid-air incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight in January 2024, when a door plug failure raised serious safety concerns. The incident triggered extensive regulatory scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing and quality control systems.

Ortberg said the company has focused on stabilizing production processes and improving consistency as output has increased over the past 18 months. He emphasized that Boeing has adjusted its approach by ensuring production systems are stable before increasing rates and avoiding the practice of pushing unfinished work along the assembly line, a problem identified in earlier operations.

Looking ahead, Boeing leadership has outlined a long-term production target of 63 737 Max aircraft per month, contingent on supply chain capacity and regulatory approval.

The new line will initially produce the 737 Max 10, a stretched variant of the single-aisle aircraft. The model is expected to receive certification from the FAA before the end of the year, paving the way for its first deliveries.

Source: CNBC