Insights.

One of the key themes from this week’s Dubai Airshow was the fact that while first-class commercial travel will continue to be an option for Gulf carriers, its allure has waned, amidst an industry-wide shift towards premium economy.

The Dubai Airshow, a bellwether for the global aviation industry’s health, showcased the sector’s strong return to growth following the Covid-19 pandemic as airlines sealed multibillion-dollar deals for jets and signalled their confidence in the longevity of air travel demand.

Pakistan’s privatisation ministry has picked a consortium led by Ernst & Young as financial advisor for the planned sale of struggling national carrier Pakistan International Airlines.

Emirates chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum has bemoaned the duopoly that exists between Boeing and Airbus Group when it comes to the production of wide-body aircraft.

Gulf airlines are bracing for an escalating challenge from Saudi Arabia’s new global carrier Riyadh Air, which is scheduled for take-off in 2025.

The world’s biggest passenger jet, the double-decker Airbus A380, is back in favour after high operating costs forced many airlines to curtail or cancel its use.

The Dubai Airshow will start on Monday, setting the stage for a flurry of orders as airlines seek to secure coveted delivery slots for the latest fuel-efficient jets amid a post-coronavirus boom in air travel.

Pakistan’s privatisation ministry has picked a consortium led by Ernst & Young as financial advisor for the planned sale of struggling national carrier Pakistan International Airlines.

The need to travel has become embedded in the global psyche

Dire Israel-Gaza crisis has set off circumstances that will need new ways to handle

Saudi Arabia has unveiled reforms and new regulations to encourage more foreign investment in its aviation sector, as part of a privatisation push.

UAE budget airline Air Arabia is optimistic about growth across its seven hubs, with “healthy” forward bookings in the fourth quarter and an expected boost from the opening of Abu Dhabi’s new airport terminal next week.

Plans to introduce a GCC tourist visa by the end of 2025 could pave the way for other unified visas as the Gulf looks to strengthen its position as an economic bloc.

UAE low cost carrier Air Arabia will take on the highly competitive but lucrative London market when it takes delivery of Airbus aircraft able to fly longer distances, its CEO has confirmed.

Industry-focused Bauer Aviation Advisory has launched an office in Riyadh, ramping up its presence in Saudi Arabia as the firm prepares for strong demand from players in the aviation landscape.

Saudi Arabia’s domestic aviation industry too will derive gains – not just its airlines

Abu Dhabi International Airport’s long-awaited Midfield terminal building is scheduled to begin operations in early November, bolstering the emirate’s position as a global centre for trade and business.

Next year will be even more intense when it comes to airline recruitments

Qatar Airways is set to acquire 203 new aircraft despite reporting a 21 percent drop in net profit in the fiscal year to the end of March.

Air India or IndiGo could try as more passengers seek comfort – and willing to pay more

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has revealed plans to increase its fleet size by over 400 percent before the end of the decade, as budget air travel in the Mena region booms. The carrier may also expand further into Saudi Arabia.

The sizeable bonus awarded by Emirates to its staff will give the Dubai airline a significant tailwind as competition for talent takes off across the region. According to an email from the company’s chairman and chief executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, employees have been given a 24-week bonus this month.

The record AED4.5 billion ($1.2 billion) dividend paid by Emirates Group for 2022-23 has pushed the Dubai government’s total earnings from its flagship airline past $6.5 billion.

Across and around the Arabian Gulf regional airlines find themselves returning to a very different and increasingly volatile market after the pandemic. Pre-Covid, aviation in the Gulf and many neighbouring nations was largely defined and dominated by Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad.

A Chinese company has signed a deal to build and operate electric powered air taxis and cargo drones in the UAE as the Gulf country seeks early adopter advantage in the vertical take-off and landing transport market.

In response to growing demand for its expertise, Bauer Aviation Advisory is ramping up the size of its associate network – which is set to crack the 100-strong barrier anytime this summer. Launched early 2021, Bauer Aviation Advisory operates with a hybrid consulting model. The aviation consulting firm has a core team of around 15 staff, complemented by an on-demand network of around 60 independent aviation experts.

AIRPORT operators in Shanghai, Thailand and Malaysia have seen modest gains this year. But analysts and market watchers said these companies may do better as Chinese tourist demand recovers. JPMorgan, for one, is bullish that an expected wave of mainland Chinese outbound tourists would bode well for Asia’s airports for the remainder of the year and in 2024.

Bauer Aviation Advisory (BAA), a boutique consulting firm for the aviation industry, announced the expansion of its team of independent aviation experts with an average of over 15 years of industry experience. In response to the growing demand from large management consulting firms and other boutique consultancies for subject-matter expertise this year, the firm is growing its platform from over 75 to 125 aviation experts, which will be including senior aviation experts dedicated to the APAC region, as well.

Saudi Arabia reported a 20 percent increase in the number of companies involved in its aviation industry last year. Figures in the Air Transport Statistics Publication (ATSP) from the kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics show that there were 1,443 businesses operating across the sector.

Less than two years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, airline executives gathered in Paris in June 2003 for the biennial gathering of the world’s leading aviation players.

Saudi Arabia is to launch a new national airline – Riyadh Air – which it is expected to create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and add $20 billion to the kingdom’s non-oil economy.

Now in its third year in business, Bauer Aviation Advisory (BAA) has since its inception grown into a familiar name in the aviation consulting landscape. As the dust settles on its expansion into Asia Pacific, we sat down with founder and managing partner Linus Benjamin Bauer to discuss the firm’s take-off and competitive edge in the market.

Bauer Aviation Advisory (BAA), a boutique consulting firm for the aviation industry, announced it is expanding into the Asia-Pacific market.

Während europäische Fluggesellschaften im Asien-Geschäft straucheln, werden Golf-Airlines zu gefragten neuen Partnern. Nahost-Luftfahrtexperte Linus Bauer erwartet schon bald weitere Kooperationen – ist bei Lufthansa aber aus verschiedenen Gründen skeptisch.

Emirates airline and United Airlines have announced a codeshare agreement that executives promised would “terrify our competitors”, with non-stop flights between Newark and Dubai included in the deal.

Next year will be even more intense when it comes to airline recruitments

In May last year, Bauer Aviation Advisory launched its Advisory Board.

Korean Air enjoys the distinction of being the only global airline not to post any losses during the pandemic, thanks largely to its cargo operations.

According to Linus Benjamin Bauer, the reshaping of the consulting industry as a result of pandemic-induced change is opening up new, and more competitive avenues for boutique consulting firms in the Middle East and beyond.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a humanitarian disaster.

Dropping the coronavirus testing requirement will encourage trips to the country as it reduces cost of travelling and boosts confidence

Bauer Aviation Advisory (BAA) has launched a matchmaking platform for top-tier management consultancies and the Big 4 firms.